Bai Qingqing’s face paled. With a show of bravado, he said, “If you keep talking such strange nonsense, I’ll report you to the Prince.”
To his surprise, the advisor was not only unhurried but instead extended a hand in a gesture of invitation. “Prince Consort, please do. However, your plan to rekindle your relationship with the Zhuangyuan will then be irrevocably dashed.”
Bai Qingqing’s expression turned grim. After a long silence, he finally asked, “What do you want?” If the other party truly intended to inform the Prince, why would they seek him out instead of going directly to the Prince, which would be much faster?
“Prince Consort, please don’t misunderstand. I merely wish to cooperate with you.”
Bai Qingqing’s mind raced. “Cooperate?”
The advisor nodded. “Precisely. I desire the position of First Advisor. As for who you knew in the past, or your future plans, I am not interested,” the advisor stated frankly.
Bai Qingqing felt a wave of relief. Although he disliked being cornered, having room to maneuver was a relief.
“Fine, I agree.”
After the advisor left, Bai Qingqing returned to his chambers. Jun Ye and Xu Ji’an were already seated in their original positions.
“Holy Son, that person truly deserves death. They might even disrupt our sect’s major plans. Should we…?” Bai Qingqing’s eyes flickered with a cruel glint.
“Are you telling me how to do my job?” Jun Ye’s expression was unreadable.
Bai Qingqing, startled, quickly knelt. “Holy Son, I overstepped.”
Jun Ye gazed at Bai Qingqing kneeling before him, seemingly appraising him. After a moment, his voice held a dangerous edge. “I hear you are acquainted with the newly appointed Zhuangyuan, Nian Jiaojiao. You still intend to rekindle your past relationship? I don’t recall assigning you such a task.”
Bai Qingqing bowed his head. “Holy Son, this… this is my private matter. I promise it will not interfere with the Holy Cult’s mission!”
Jun Ye chuckled softly. “Heh, private matter? The advisor came to your door, and you still dare to call it private? However, that advisor truly needn’t be kept around.”
He then turned to Xu Ji’an. “Elder Xu, what are your thoughts?”
Xu Ji’an spoke with a placid expression. “Even if we deal with the advisor, there’s no guarantee others haven’t caught wind of this. Bai Qingqing has been exposed and is no longer suitable to remain in the Royal City.”
Jun Ye and Xu Ji’an met each other’s gaze. In that instant, both understood the other’s intent.
Jun Ye: Dammit, why does that woman have so many troublesome admirers? And I have to clean up after her. Bai Qingqing must leave, the farther the better!
Xu Ji’an: This Bai Qingqing is deeply cunning and not content with a life within the inner chambers. If he were to enter my son’s household, my son might not be able to handle it. Bai Qingqing must never get close to my son’s beloved!
Jun Ye and Xu Ji’an gave imperceptible nods.
Jun Ye said, “I recall our Black Lotus Cult has another liaison point north of Shazhou. You will work there from now on.”
Bai Qingqing looked up in disbelief. He had gone to such lengths to become the Seventeenth Prince Consort; how could the Holy Son abandon him so easily? As he was about to speak further, Xu Ji’an added, “Serving our Holy Cult is not about one’s position, but about what one has done for our cause. Bai Qingqing, work hard, and perhaps the next Elder will be you, Yuchuan.”
Bai Qingqing’s mouth gaped open. He was enjoying wealth and status in the Royal City; who cared about some damned Elder?
Jun Ye drew a slender sword from his waist, caressing the blade as if it were a lover. The frost on the blade reflected a dazzling light that blinded Bai Qingqing. Having witnessed the man’s methods of killing, Bai Qingqing quickly said, “I will do as the Holy Son commands.”
Jun Ye seemed not to hear him, as if drawing the sword had not been a threat. “Good, we will send that advisor on their way. This Holy Son will personally escort you. You had better perform well.”
Bai Qingqing trembled, his face ashen.
Meanwhile, Nian Jiaojiao, reclining in her room with her ear against Yuchuan’s stomach, listening intently, was unaware that a crisis that should have befallen her had inexplicably dissipated.
…
The Heavenly Prison.
Situ Mo, disheveled, sat in the Heavenly Prison, silent. The prison environment was dim, with straw merely spread as a bed. Cockroaches and rats occasionally emerged as companions, but Situ Mo paid them no mind. She lowered her head, seemingly lost in thought.
“General Situ, at most a quarter of an hour. I cannot delay any longer.”
General Situ remained silent and walked directly to Situ Mo’s cell. Situ Mo, naturally sensing the arrival, suddenly looked up, her small eyes gleaming with sharpness. “Mother, after much deliberation, I simply cannot let this go. The Emperor… setting aside everything else, the person who injured and ambushed me must be eliminated. Otherwise, my hatred will not be appeased!”
General Situ frowned. The Emperor, the Emperor what? She looked at her eldest daughter. “If you seek retribution, the underlying cause will inevitably be exposed. Speak truthfully, what exactly did you do? Otherwise, I will break your legs and send you to the border, rather than let you continue causing trouble here.”
Situ Mo trembled. She knew her mother was a woman of her word; she had grown up like this. After a moment’s hesitation, she revealed the entire sequence of events.
General Situ looked incredulous. “Eight… you actually… have you gone mad?!” She stared intently at her daughter below. This wicked girl, was she trying to doom their entire Situ family? She closed her eyes to calm herself for a moment, then opened them and said sternly, “This matter ends here. Do not pursue it further, or I will have you remain in this Heavenly Prison until you come to your senses. Do you understand?”
Situ Mo replied resentfully, “Daughter understands.”
Visiting hours were over. General Situ cast a worried glance at Situ Mo. Seeing no further movement from her, she turned to leave. Only after the woman was completely out of sight did a look of madness flash in Situ Mo’s eyes.