novelraw Chapter 433
Chapter 433
Chu Ruoyan instantly perked up: "Did something happen to Second Brother?"
Shopkeeper Du was panting heavily and had not yet spoken when Yan Zheng strode in, his face as dark and heavy as deep water. "It is not your second brother. It is the King of Xijiang; he just passed away."
"The King of Xijiang passed away?" Chu Ruoyan was stunned.
She had heard her second brother mention that ever since their maternal grandfather passed away, the throne of Xijiang had remained vacant. Later, due to endless conflicts among the major sects, a new king was chosen just to maintain a facade of peace.
However, this new king was merely a puppet. He would come out to put on a show when needed, and otherwise just cowered in the royal palace. But it was exactly because of this that the Xijiang royal court remained a loose sheet of sand, having no time or energy to wage war externally.
"So what? What does this have to do with us?" She looked at Shopkeeper Du, not feeling that this piece of news was worth him making a trip in person.
Shopkeeper Du caught his breath and said, "Third Miss, there is something you do not know. The people of Xijiang worship the Moon Goddess. Although they have a royal court on the surface, in reality, the sects hold the supreme authority, the greatest of which is the Holy Sect! Even the position of the King of Xijiang is chosen by their Holy Maiden, selected as a husband to continue the bloodline!"
Chu Ruoyan's mouth twitched, and Yulu beside her exclaimed, "I-Isn't this a hen crowing at dawn? Wouldn't the world fall into chaos?"
Shopkeeper Du shook his head and said, "The supreme Gu arts of Xijiang can only be practiced by those with a pure Yin physique, so for thousands of years, women have always sat in the high seats. Take your maternal grandfather for example; the former King of Xijiang was a brilliantly talented man, yet he still remained subordinate to your maternal grandmother. This is the rule."
Yulu's mouth fell wide open, and Nanny Zhou and the others were also dumbfounded.
Chu Ruoyan had previously heard Aunt Luo say that Xijiang respected women above men, so she was not much surprised. "Since that is the case, now that this King of Xijiang has passed away, their Holy Maiden should just choose the next one?"
Shopkeeper Du's gaze darkened. "There is no next one. In fact, this King of Xijiang was not even chosen by a Holy Maiden! Third Miss, you and the Pavilion Master's mother are the last Holy Maidens of Xijiang! After she met with a mishap over a decade ago, the Holy Sect fractured, and other formerly affiliated sects also broke away, constantly attacking one another. Therefore, with the King of Xijiang's passing this time, the old ministers of the royal court, seeing that the flames of war are about to reignite, have sent envoys to our dynasty to welcome you back!"
"Me?" Chu Ruoyan's eyes widened, taking a good while to process this. "You mean, because my mother was a Holy Maiden, they want to welcome me back to inherit her mantle?"
Seeing that she understood, Shopkeeper Du nodded in relief. Yan Zheng walked up to her, his gaze flickering uncertainly. "Do you want to go back?"
Chu Ruoyan subconsciously replied, "No!"
She had grown up in the capital, and Xijiang was a completely foreign place to her. Moreover, having previously been afflicted by the Zhuangzhou's Butterfly Dream, she really did not want to experience the feeling of Gu worms entering her brain ever again...
The Emperor breathed a slight sigh of relief, but the young lady thought of something else, her eyes suddenly lighting up. "But if I go back to be that whatever Holy Maiden, you are my husband, so wouldn't you naturally become the next King of Xijiang?"
The man was left speechless, only to hear her continue enthusiastically, "This way, Xijiang will join forces with our dynasty. Whether it is the Southern Barbarians or the Northern Rong, they will no longer be a match for us. Yan Zheng, this deal can—"
Before the word "be made" could leave her lips, the soft flesh at her waist was pinched hard.
The young lady cried out in surprise and glared at him in embarrassment and anger, only to see the Emperor looking displeased. "No."
"Why?"
"You go to Xijiang, and I stay in the capital. Separated by thousands of miles, could my A-Yan really bear to part?"
Chu Ruoyan choked up; she truly hadn't thought about being separated.
Yan Zheng added, "Besides, with the myriad of sects and complex situation over there, it is too dangerous for you to go alone. A-Yan, whether it is the Southern Barbarians or the Northern Rong, I am confident in fighting them. I do not need to rely on those insidious witchcraft and Gu tactics."
With things put this way, Chu Ruoyan could only agree. "Then let us find an excuse and send them away."
Yan Zheng nodded, and Shopkeeper Du also let out a long sigh of relief. "It is good that Third Miss has made a decision. To tell you the truth, before the Pavilion Master left, he also said that if people from Xijiang came, we absolutely must not let Third Miss go back with them!"
Chu Ruoyan paused slightly, not expecting her second brother to have said such a thing.
However, as the one in charge of the world's intelligence, he must know something to prevent her from returning...
"By the way, speaking of which, it has been so long, hasn't there been any news from Second Brother? He took Eldest Brother back; did they meet the Regent?"
Shopkeeper Du was taken aback and looked awkwardly at Yan Zheng, who naturally wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Don't worry. Yunlang has the guards of the Baixiao Pavilion along the way, as well as the Old Miracle Physician following them. Nothing will go wrong."
At this time, Huan'er came over, saying that Second Sister-in-law was looking for her. Chu Ruoyan didn't have time to ask further and left.
Only after she left did Yan Zheng say, "Whatever else you have to say, say it all at once."
Shopkeeper Du's heart trembled. He hadn't expected this Emperor to have such sharp eyes. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, this commoner indeed has one matter that has not been reported, concerning the Pavilion Master and the little princes... The Pavilion Master has already found the box!"
"Is that so?" Yan Zheng stood up abruptly, a hint of joy appearing on his usually calm face. "Have they been saved?"
If they were saved, then A-Yan would never have to grieve over this again.
These days, she looked fine on the surface, but every night at midnight, her body would tremble, and she would still murmur apologies in her dreams...
Shopkeeper Du said, "The Old Miracle Physician said that they are temporarily preserved, but the exact outcome will only be known in a month or two."
Yan Zheng furrowed his brows, meaning it was still uncertain!
Shopkeeper Du added, "T-There is one more thing..."
Seeing him hesitating, Yan Zheng said impatiently, "Speak if you have something to say."
Shopkeeper Du said awkwardly, "Yes. This commoner heard that after the Pavilion Master returned, he had a very unpleasant fallout with the Regent, almost coming to blows. So I was thinking, if the little princes are safe and sound, could we ask Third Miss to return to Mount Mei? First, to meet her biological father, and second... to mediate the relationship between the two sides. I'm afraid only Third Miss can accomplish this!"
Yan Zheng pondered for a moment and said, "Alright, I will discuss it with A-Yan."
When facing the Chu Duke's Mansion or the Baixiao Pavilion, this Emperor never referred to himself as 'Zhen'.
It was as if he truly considered himself a son-in-law...
Shopkeeper Du nodded in relief.
On the other side, in the Kunning Palace.
Madam Li had already been waiting anxiously. Seeing Chu Ruoyan return, she hurriedly went up to meet her. "Empress! Have you seen Pei Yu?"
Chu Ruoyan was baffled. "Why would I see him?"
Madam Li also realized her lapse in composure and quickly said, "Your Majesty, I misspoke. Pei Yu hasn't been to the government office for the past two days, nor has he been at the relay station. His pageboy thought he came to me and came looking for him. Only upon asking did we realize that he has actually been missing for two days!"
Chu Ruoyan raised her eyebrows and saw her second sister-in-law twisting her handkerchief, saying, "The pageboy said that he returned to the manor the day before yesterday and had a huge argument with Minister Pei, parting on bad terms. He left alone that night, saying he wanted to clear his mind, but it has been two days and he still hasn't returned. Your Majesty, do you think he might have met with some misfortune? He, he still has injuries on him!"
The more she spoke, the more worried she became. Chu Ruoyan held her hand, patted it, and said, "Second Sister-in-law, he is a grown man, not a woman. If he has been missing for two days, what if he went to the brothels..."
"He wouldn't!" Madam Li blurted out. "Your Majesty, he is a man who values his purity above all else. In the past in Yuzhou, he never visited those kinds of places, and he would even advise his close friends against it!"
Chu Ruoyan looked at her anxious face and sighed. "Second Sister-in-law, you rushed to defend him before I could even finish speaking. Your true feelings are evident. Then I won't beat around the bush. Have you ever considered that Pei Yu's disappearance might be a trick orchestrated by the Pei family to lure you into finding him?"
Madam Li shuddered all over, and then she heard the Empress speak slowly, "Previously in the outskirts of the capital, you two had contact in front of so many noblewomen. It was only because the Emperor strictly forbade the spread of the news that the matter was suppressed. If you two have any more public interactions this time, even if the Emperor and I want to help, we will be powerless."
"Second Sister-in-law, think clearly. There is a trap ahead. Once you jump in, it won't just cost your reputation and innocence, but you might even spend the rest of your life living under someone else's schemes. Even so, do you still want to jump?"
Madam Li was stunned, twisting the handkerchief in her hands into a mess.
Her mind was in turmoil. On one hand, she knew the Empress was right—this was very likely a trap set by the Pei family specifically for her. But on the other hand, a quiet voice whispered in her mind: what if it isn't?
What if he really has an emergency? What if he really meets with some misfortune...
Madam Li bit her lip tightly. "I beg Your Majesty to help me this one time. As long as he is safe, I promise I will never interfere in his affairs again!"
A trace of a sigh flashed across Chu Ruoyan's eyes. Even after everything had been laid out so clearly, she was still so stubborn. What else could be done?
"Alright, I just hope you won't regret this, Second Sister-in-law."
After speaking, she had Yulu go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to pass on a message. Before long, Yulu brought back Yan Zheng's word: the person was at the Auspicious Restaurant.
Madam Li hurriedly thanked her and rushed over.
Nanny Zhou frowned and said, "Is Your Majesty not going to follow and take a look? In case something happens..."
"It's useless," Chu Ruoyan said helplessly. "As long as her heart is set on Pei Yu, even if she avoids it this time, she won't be able to escape the next. The Pei family can manipulate her at any time... This Second Sister-in-law of mine, despite her merchant background and her shrewd, capable exterior, is actually soft-hearted and values affection above all else. When my second brother broke his leg to save her, she devoted herself to him in repayment. And for Pei Yu, who is just a past romance, she's willing to risk everything to save him. Sigh!"
To save someone, they must first want to save themselves.
You can never stop someone who is determined to throw themselves into a fire pit!
The Capital, Auspicious Restaurant.
When Madam Li arrived there in a hurry, a waiter seemed to have been waiting for a long time and led her straight to a private room.
Remembering the Empress's words, Madam Li hesitated, but a suppressed, agonizing low growl came from inside the room.
It was Pei Yu's voice!
This single sound obliterated whatever reason she had left, and she immediately pushed the door open and rushed in.
"Mad—"
Huan'er only managed to call out this single syllable before she was knocked unconscious by the waiter, who then heavily locked the door.
"Huan'er, Huan'er! What are you doing?"
Madam Li pounded on the door forcefully, while the waiter laughed sinisterly from outside, "Congratulations, Madam, on the consummation of your good deed!"
As soon as the words fell, a man's presence enveloped her from behind. Her waist tightened as she was swept up into his arms, and he walked straight toward the bed canopy.
Madam Li looked up in terror, only to see Pei Yu's face flushed so bright red it looked as if it could drip blood!
She struggled in panic. "Let go, let go of me!"
But Pei Yu only tightened his grip, holding her securely, and placed her on the bed.
He said nothing. His bloodshot eyes seemed to have already lost focus. Acting on instinct, he reached out and, with a tearing sound, ripped open the front of her dress...
Slap!
Madam Li slapped him fiercely, tears streaming down her face. "Bastard!"
Pei Yu froze, seemingly brought back to his senses a little by the slap. "You... you are Wanxin..."
Madam Li clutched her clothes tightly and shrank into a corner, her face a mix of humiliation and terror. Pei Yu slapped himself hard, stumbled backward a few steps, and hid in the opposite corner. "Leave!!"
Madam Li instinctively ran to the door.
To her despair, the hateful waiter had locked it from the outside; there was no way to leave.
Pei Yu trembled even more violently, biting his own arm so hard he nearly drew blood. Then, word by word, he forced out, "Take the basin... knock me out, hurry!!"
Madam Li was stunned. She saw him enduring immense pain, veins bulging one by one on his forehead. "They... drugged me... hurry!! I can't hold on much longer!!"
Madam Li hurriedly picked up the copper basin, but her hands were unsteady, and it crashed onto the floor with a loud clang.
Just as she bent down to pick it up, she suddenly felt a weight around her waist as she was grabbed from behind once again.
But unlike before, Pei Yu seemed to have completely lost his mind. His eyes were entirely bloodshot, and he bit down fiercely on her neck...
"Pei Yu! No—"
Before Madam Li could finish her sentence, her mouth was covered. Her clothes were stripped away, and tears poured from her eyes.
She regretted so much not listening to the Empress's advice. She had thrown herself into the net and become fish on the chopping block...
Hardening her heart, she tried to bite her tongue to end her life, but the man seemed to notice her intention. He squeezed her jaw open and shoved a strip of cloth into her mouth.
Muffled whimpers echoed in the room. In the adjacent compartment, First Madam Pei let out a long breath. "My Lord, it seems to have succeeded. But doing this, will Seventh Brother hold a grudge against us..."
Pei Ji sneered. "A grudge? We helped him fulfill a wish he's held for years. He should be grateful! By the way, have the people I asked you to notify arrived?"
First Madam Pei replied submissively, "They have all arrived. I invited them to have tea at the restaurant. They should be..."
Before she could finish, the main door was suddenly kicked open.
Guards from the Wardens' Office of the Five Boroughs swarmed in. "Seize them!"
Pei Ji slammed the table. "Outrageous! Who are you people, daring to be so insolent to a Minister?"
Xie Zhizhou then walked in, looking surprised. "Lord Pei? Why is it you?" He turned his head and ordered his subordinates to lower their weapons. "Please forgive my offense. It's just that I received a tip today saying there is a rapist committing a crime here at the Auspicious Restaurant..."
Just as he finished speaking, a sharp cry came from the adjacent compartment.
Xie Zhizhou raised his thick eyebrows and rushed over. Pei Ji tried to block him, "Wait!"
But how could a civil official like him stop Xie Zhizhou? With a loud bang, the door was kicked open, revealing Madam Li pinned to the floor by Pei Yu!
Xie Zhizhou immediately turned his back. "Everyone wait outside! Call the female guards!"
Pei Ji widened his eyes and looked over, only to see that although the two were entangled, nothing substantial had happened. Miraculously, Pei Yu had bitten his own arm relentlessly, resisting the drug's effects!
His chest tightened, and he couldn't help but stumble back two steps. The female guards rushed in to help Madam Li dress.
Xie Zhizhou walked up to Pei Yu and, as if prepared for this, took out a pill and fed it to him.
An incense stick's time later, Pei Yu regained his senses. Catching sight of his eldest brother outside the door, his eyes blazed with fury. "Pei Ji! You set me up!"
Pei Ji panicked and hurriedly tried to excuse himself, but he saw Pei Yu turn his head, casting a pained glance at the terrified and unsettled Madam Li.
Then, Pei Yu clenched his fists fiercely. "Commander Xie! Please take me into the palace immediately. I want to file an imperial lawsuit and report Pei Ji for drugging people with malicious intent!!"