Chapter 431: Chapter 301: Crisis, the Wrath of Marquis Hong
Hong Mingyue plotted to kill Ye Lingyue, which she did not find difficult.
However, taking action would implicate the Hong Residence and even affect her reputation in Daxia, especially since the reputation of the Hong Residence in Daxia had already dramatically improved.
If even she, Hong Mingyue, the genius of Hong Residence, became a murderer, then the Hong Residence would be completely ruined.
But if Luo Song made a move, it would be different. With his strength, killing Ye Lingyue would be as easy as crushing an ant.
Moreover, he belonged to Three-Life Valley. Backed by Three-Life Valley, even killing a non-Imperial Family princess would require no explanation to the court.
Hong Mingyue had never pleaded with Luo Song in such a tone before.
Her beauty was already remarkable, yet she usually carried an icy demeanor. Today, however, she changed from her usual self, adding a touch of seductiveness.
Luo Song felt light as a feather, as though his soul was about to be drawn out.
"Of course, as long as it’s for Junior Sister Hong, even if I have to stake my life, I am willing. Rest assured, this time, isn’t Emperor inviting us to accompany Ye Lingyue to the Xixia Plain? Once the strange disease is cured, I will find an opportunity to kill her," Luo Song readily agreed.
"Not only to kill, I want her to suffer utmost humiliation."
Hong Mingyue’s murderous intent was intense, as Ye Lingyue had caused her mother extreme disgrace, she also wanted her to die in utter humiliation.
"What do you mean?" Luo Song was momentarily stunned; he had never seen Hong Mingyue show such malice.
"Brother Luo, doesn’t Ye Lingyue look good? After all, she inherited some of my father’s looks and is a beauty that evokes pity," Hong Mingyue looked at Luo Song.
Luo Song paused, recalling Ye Lingyue’s appearance.
In terms of looks, Luo Song thought that Ye Lingyue was much more beautiful than another sister of Hong Mingyue’s, Hong Yuying, who, although machiavellian, possessed an innate grace.
Unlike the icy aura of Hong Mingyue, Ye Lingyue’s demeanor was very appealing.
"If Brother likes, before you kill her, you can do as you wish," Hong Mingyue pursed her lips, skillfully masking the disdain in her eyes.
Indeed, all men in the world are the same.
Just like her father, so was Luo Song.
Once they possessed one woman, they began wanting another they could never have.
"Cough cough, Junior Sister Hong, my heart is entirely devoted to you. However, to make you happy, I can reluctantly do as you ask," Luo Song secretly rejoiced, eagerly anticipating the trip to the Xixia Plain, where he could embrace both sisters.
Luo Song and Hong Mingyue, each harboring their own thoughts, followed Hong Fang to the palace.
On the other hand, Ye Lingyue, recently titled as Princess Yue, received a verbal message.
The message was from Drunk Immortal Inn.
The Shopkeeper of Drunk Immortal Inn informed Ye Lingyue that someone was seeking her and invited her to have a few drinks at Drunk Immortal Inn.
Ye Lingyue initially intended to refuse, but considering Drunk Immortal Inn was under her control and no trouble could arise, she grew curious about the visitor and decided to accept the invitation.
Drunk Immortal Inn in Xia Capital was bustling, both day and night.
At noon, when other taverns were deserted, Drunk Immortal Inn was already crowded inside and out.
Upon entering Drunk Immortal Inn, the Shopkeeper came forward, his face showing caution.
"Second boss, an important guest is waiting upstairs in ’West River Moon.’ Should I inform the young mistress?"
"No need, Drunk Immortal Inn is thriving with people coming and going. Surely that esteemed guest is aware of it as well." Ye Lingyue faintly smiled.
Passing through the noisy hall and climbing the stairs, they reached the elegant private rooms on the second floor.
The second floor’s private rooms, with Xiang Bamboo screens, pear wood tables, and night-shining cups, were located in the corridor, where several singers were playing the zither; this place was the favorite gathering spot for the nobles of Xia Capital.
The door was half open, and the person sitting inside was visible at a glance.
It was a man with a graceful appearance, wearing a blue robe and with thick eyebrows.
His eyes, tempered by the years, and his slightly graying temples gave his originally youthful face a touch of vicissitude.
Upon seeing Ye Lingyue, the guest let out a snort through his nose, not too loud but not too low, containing a mix of three parts indifference and seven parts anger.
"Marquis Hong, it’s been a while."
Ye Lingyue showed no surprise, as if she had long expected Marquis Hong to be the one who invited her.
With Hong Fang stripped of power and Zhuge Rou disgraced, such major upheavals could not go unnoticed by Marquis Hong, if he were truly Marquis Hong.
One of Xia Capital’s two major heads, Hong Qingyun, had finally taken action.
"Ye Lingyue, whether you admit it or not, you must still address me as grandfather."
Marquis Hong took a sip of wine, suppressing the fury in his chest.
This arrogant and rude woman, with no manners whatsoever, did not salute him upon meeting, nor did she show any fear; instead, she boldly sat opposite him, pouring and drinking by herself as if he were just air in front of her.
"Oh? A grandfather who kicked out his own granddaughter and lost contact for fourteen years? Marquis Hong, that’s a rather cheap title you’ve claimed."
Ye Lingyue sneered, full of disdain.
The temple on his forehead throbbed again.
Marquis Hong was indeed not lightly angered.
"Ye Lingyue, I have come today to ask you once more, are you willing to acknowledge your ancestors? I will for now overlook the matter regarding your mother Ye Huangyu, but the blood of the Hong Residence cannot be left to languish outside."
This was already the limit for Hong Qingyun.
"Ha, Marquis, if only you had said this fourteen years earlier. Bringing up things after the fact doesn’t really seem like Hong Residence’s style." Ye Lingyue curled her lips.
"Don’t assume that just because the Emperor needs you, I won’t dare to discipline you," Marquis Hong said fiercely, his temples bulging as if they were writhing worms.
"Marquis, I’d bet that today, you can’t do anything to me." Ye Lingyue smiled brightly.
In the busy yet tranquil Drunk Immortal Inn, she, Ye Lingyue, was now the hottest figure in Xia Capital; the control of the epidemic on the Xixia Plain was in her hands. If Hong Qingyun cared for Daxia and was wary of Emperor Xia, he would not strike.
But...a chill ran through Ye Lingyue’s heart.
A cold smirk appeared on Hong Qingyun’s lips.
"The lives of the people in Xixia have nothing to do with me!"
That elegant face suddenly filled with a murderous intent, and the noisy clamor around them receded like the tide.
Hong Qingyun still sat before her, those eyes harboring endless magic power.
Ye Lingyue suddenly felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar—a terrifying Martial Arts aura, capable of instantly crushing one’s soul, surged toward her face.
Ye Lingyue realized that if she were even a second later, her soul would be obliterated.
"Demon Suppressing Heaven Annihilation Technique!"