Chapter 108: The Storm Approaches

Congratulations on receiving a monthly ticket.

The next day, Zhong Liyu took Zhan Yan and boarded a carriage, with Qing Xian carefully guiding the horses as they slowly made their way toward the capital. To avoid attracting attention from the crowds, he instructed the others to ride horses separately and enter the city on different routes. Once inside, they quietly slipped into the Chun Prince’s mansion.

Meanwhile, Lihun and the others rode swiftly, arriving at the capital in just over an hour. They slipped into the Chun Prince’s mansion ahead of Qingyun and the others, who arrived later. Gu Qinghan, Bi Rou, and Yang Rui stayed behind to guard the Gu family estate, while Gu Qingyang and Lin’er had gone wandering; they were nowhere to be seen.

Gu Yan, the divine doctor Meng, and the old prince walked together slowly without horses. Along the way, Meng Tao stopped to treat the sick. They were in no rush; by the time they returned to the capital, the sun was already setting.

Qing Xian cautiously urged the carriage forward. What should have been a two-hour journey took him three. He suspected he was driving an ox cart rather than a horse-drawn carriage, though even an ox cart would have been faster. Yet despite his thoughts, he dared not complain. After all, the young master doted on his wife to the point of obsession. If Lady Zhan were unwell, none of them would find comfort.

In truth, they all adored Lady Zhan. Since her arrival, the young master had become far more approachable. Before, he was always calm and unreadable, his emotions hidden behind a serene mask. But now, with Lady Zhan by his side, his expressions blossomed with warmth and life. Qing Xian smiled to himself at this.

Lost in his thoughts, Qing Xian suddenly realized they were nearing the Chun Prince’s mansion. He quickly snapped to attention and respectfully asked, “Young master, where should we park the carriage?”

“Go around to the back,” Zhong Liyu replied softly.

“Understood.” Qing Xian pressed onward, passing the front gate without stopping, and made a wide turn to the mansion’s rear.

Scanning the area and seeing no one nearby, Qing Xian whispered, “Young master, we can enter now.”

Zhong Liyu gave a slight nod. “Bring the carriage inside so no one sees it.” Saying this, he cradled Zhan Yan, leapt lightly from the carriage, vaulted over the wall, and slipped inside the compound.

Qing Xian opened the back door and led the horse inside. The gate was too narrow for the carriage, so as instructed, he used lightness skill to hoist the carriage over the wall. When he landed, he exhaled heavily. The young master certainly esteemed him, having him carry a several-hundred-pound carriage like that—it was exhausting. But recalling how Lihun and the others had carried a carriage all the way here, his heart found balance.

When Zhong Liyu and Zhan Yan returned to the Pear Fragrance Courtyard, Qingyun and the others were already there. They thoughtfully prepared hot water so Zhan Yan could bathe and ease her fatigue immediately. Meanwhile, the kitchen had prepared a meal, waiting for their return.

Zhan Yan looked around the clean, tidy room and smiled softly. This place was another home for her and Zhong Liyu, filled with many sweet memories of their time together. Wherever Zhong Liyu was, she felt warmth and the true comfort of home.

Zhong Liyu gazed at his joyful wife and softly said, “Yan’er, we’re home. Are you happy?”

Zhan Yan nodded. “Happy. As long as you’re here, I’m happy.”

Though simple, these words warmed Zhong Liyu deeply. Unconsciously, a tender smile spread across his lips. When Zhan Yan looked up and met that gentle smile, an indescribable satisfaction filled her heart.

After three hours in the carriage, during which she had only nibbled on some snacks, Zhan Yan was nearly famished. Grabbing Zhong Liyu’s hand, she said, “Husband, I’m starving. Hurry and have the servants set the table.”

Zhong Liyu nodded warmly, indulging her. “Alright.”

Before long, a sumptuous dinner was laid out. Zhan Yan eagerly began eating.

Zhong Liyu watched her devour the food without care for decorum and cautioned, “Yan’er, slow down. Eating too fast will upset your stomach.”

Blushing, Zhan Yan slowed her pace. “Heh, I guess I was really hungry to lose all sense of manners.”

“Here, with me, you can forget about appearances,” Zhong Liyu said fondly, “but you mustn’t eat too quickly. It’ll backfire if your stomach rebels.”

Zhan Yan nodded. “You’re right. I’ll eat slower.”

They continued their meal gracefully.

Afterward, Zhan Yan asked, “When will you enter the palace?”

“After dark.”

She nodded without speaking further, settling softly onto the cushioned couch. She realized she was growing lazier, unwilling to move once full. Yet every day, Zhong Liyu would rouse her to take a walk, insisting movement was good for her. He treated her words as sacred edicts, never letting her off the hook until she had walked for an hour.

At night, Zhong Liyu entered the palace. Zhong Aotian was already waiting in the imperial study. Upon Zhong Liyu’s arrival, the eunuch Lin respectfully said, “Your Highness, the Emperor requests you enter directly; no formal summons is required.”

Zhong Liyu bowed slightly and pushed open the door. Zhong Aotian greeted him warmly, “Yu’er, you’re here. Come, sit.”

“Greetings, Imperial Uncle,” Zhong Liyu replied with reverence.

“Please, no need for formalities,” Zhong Aotian waved him off.

Once seated, Zhong Aotian asked, “Yu’er, how is the situation progressing?”

“Your Highness, the antidote has been developed and secretly administered to those poisoned, without the enemy’s knowledge.”

“That is excellent, Yu’er. How did you accomplish this?”

“I captured the person who developed the poison and persuaded him to create the antidote,” Zhong Liyu briefly explained. Zhong Aotian nodded approvingly.

“Yu’er, with you in Dongling, the royal family is truly fortunate.”

“You flatter me, Your Highness. Do you know the status of the army led by Prince Lan? I have a feeling they’ll soon be on the battlefield.”

“Lan is diligent; there should be no issues. Do you wish to visit?”

“No need. With Prince Lan in command, I have no concerns.”

They then proceeded to arrange palace defenses as impenetrable as walls of bronze and iron.

When Zhong Liyu returned to Pear Fragrance Courtyard, Zhan Yan was still awake, engrossed in a book. The soft lamplight highlighted her delicate features, making her even more enchanting.

“Yan’er, I’ve heard pregnant women shouldn’t read at night—it’s bad for their eyes. Why are you still reading?” Zhong Liyu gently chided, taking the book from her hands.

Hearing his voice, Zhan Yan brightened, ignoring the warning’s implication. “Husband, you’re finally back. Without you, I couldn’t sleep tonight, so I read.”

“Hmm. Why aren’t you asleep? You usually say you get tired early. It’s already past midnight.”

“I can’t sleep without you.”

Zhong Liyu’s heart warmed; his voice softened. “I’m home now. Let’s sleep.”

“All right. Carry me to bed, husband.”

“Of course.”

He lifted the slightly heavier Zhan Yan and walked slowly to the bed. Her skin, softened and radiant from pregnancy, tempted him irresistibly. He gently bit her cheek, careful not to hurt her, then kissed her lips tenderly.

Zhan Yan murmured softly in response, and Zhong Liyu felt his mouth dry with desire, aching to devour her. But with her pregnancy in its late stage, the doctor had forbidden intimacy for several months. He had been a monk for some time now, enduring the pain silently. Reluctantly, he released her and whispered hoarsely, “Yan’er, these monk days stretch on so long.”

Blushing, Zhan Yan buried her head in his chest. “It’s late. Let’s sleep.”

Zhong Liyu held her close, suppressing his restless longing, and closed his eyes. Zhan Yan felt his warmth but could do nothing, so she slipped away slightly and also closed her eyes.

The next day, Wang Xueru arrived at the inn where Liang Wei was staying.

“Miss, all the martial artists under control have been gathered as you instructed,” Wang Xueru reported respectfully.

Liang Wei nodded with satisfaction. “Good work. Thank you.”

“It’s my duty, not a hardship,” Wang Xueru replied humbly.

Liang Wei nodded again. “Inform them to depart tonight. Have Mo Qing return to the Thousand Poison Sect and have the sect’s members surround the Dongling Imperial Palace tonight.”

Wang Xueru was taken aback. What did her mistress intend? To surround the palace? Although surprised, years of experience kept her emotions from showing as she respectfully replied, “Yes, Miss.”

Liang Wei seemed to read her thoughts and said softly, “Xueru, you must be curious why I’m doing this, right?”

“I dare not ask,” Wang Xueru bowed her head. Some questions were too dangerous.

“Do you remember? You accompanied me to the selection contest all those years ago,” Liang Wei looked at her. “Tell me, what was wrong with me that he didn’t choose me?”

Wang Xueru was stunned. Over twenty years had passed, yet her mistress still remembered. Could it be...

Wang Xueru seemed to grasp her intent and paled.

Liang Wei gave a faint, enigmatic smile. “Xueru, you’re smart. You understand without me having to explain.”

“Please forgive me, Miss. I wouldn’t presume to guess your thoughts,” Wang Xueru said nervously.

Liang Wei smiled coldly but gently. “Xueru, don’t be afraid. You have no fault; I would never blame you.”

“Thank you, Miss.” Wang Xueru’s heart nearly jumped out of her chest. Her mistress was volatile; she feared anger would mean death. She still had to worry about several children’s marriages.

After Wang Xueru left, Liang Wei drew aside the curtain and looked at Yang Yuxiong, who lay in a deep, drugged sleep. For days, except when she needed him, he remained unconscious due to the mind-forgetting drug. Whenever she instructed him, he repeated her words mindlessly. Otherwise, he was little more than a living corpse. Few could have imagined that once a great emperor, he now languished under the control of a woman.

As darkness swallowed the last light, the capital descended into night. People lit candles, their flickering glow visible through lattice windows—a sign that daily life was not yet over. Liang Wei waited quietly for the moment when the candles would be extinguished, when the city would fall into deathly silence.

At midnight, with everything quiet, Liang Wei and the drugged Yang Yuxiong leapt onto the inn’s roof and flew toward a hill outside the city gates.

There, tens of thousands lay in ambush: Yang Yuxiong’s secret guards, over ten thousand members of the Thousand Poison Sect, and countless martial artists led by the new martial alliance leader, Du Feiying.

Most martial artists came on orders from their chiefs. Even now, guarding this desolate hill, they did not know their true mission.

To conserve medicine, Liang Wei had only dosed a few high-ranking martial artists with poison, controlling their leaders and, by extension, their followers. She was clever not to waste resources.

When Liang Wei appeared with Yang Yuxiong, all waiting quietly stood.

Yang Yuxiong looked at his many secret guards with a blank expression. “Tonight, obey the mistress’s orders. Understood?” His mind was fogged; he didn’t know what he said—he only repeated what Liang Wei told him.

“Yes, Master,” the guards answered respectfully without suspicion.

Liang Wei smiled with satisfaction, then gestured to Wang Xueru, who whispered into Mo Qing’s ear.

Mo Qing nodded, pointing to Liang Wei before the assembled sect disciples. “You are loyal. This Lady Liang is your true mistress. Tonight, you obey her commands, or you know the consequences.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

Mo Qing nodded approvingly, then faced Du Feiying. “Alliance Leader Du, it’s your turn.”

Du Feiying turned to the various sect disciples and their leaders. “Tonight, we’ve gathered for an important task. Follow this lady’s arrangements.”

He cast a meaningful glance at the sect leaders.

The leaders shuddered inwardly, realizing the mastermind behind the drugging was this woman. Rage burned inside them, but they dared not act—it would mean death.

Liang Wei looked at them with satisfaction. “Listen carefully. Tonight, we will cleanse the Dongling Imperial Palace with blood. We will capture Prince Zhong Aotian alive. Whoever achieves great merit will be richly rewarded.”

Her words caused an uproar on the hill. None expected the mission to be capturing the Dongling Prince alive.

Among the sect disciples, who prided themselves on justice, one from the Qingcheng Sect stepped forward, shouting, “Who are you? Why should we obey you? The Dongling Prince is a wise ruler. Why capture him?”

Liang Wei coldly glanced at the disciple and extended a hand, releasing a thin thread of true energy that pierced his throat from a distance.

“Junior Brother...” Several disciples rushed forward to support their fallen comrade, glaring at Liang Wei with hatred.

“Master, this woman killed our brother. We must avenge him!” The Qingcheng disciples were furious. Their brother had spoken only a few words, yet she struck with deadly force in an instant. How could they not hate her?

Their leader was under strict control, unable to speak in their defense.

Seeing their master silent, the disciples drew swords, advancing on Liang Wei. She met them disdainfully and unleashed her martial art: “June’s Flying Frost.” In a flash, frost and snow filled the air. The Qingcheng disciples shuddered at the cold. Before they could react, Liang Wei struck their acupoints from afar, freezing dozens in place, their bodies chilled through.

Others watched in horror, stunned by such a fearsome martial technique—one move subduing dozens effortlessly.

Yang Yuxiong’s guards were equally shocked. They hadn’t known that the woman favored by the emperor for over twenty years was so formidable. No wonder the emperor doted on her. They believed Yang Yuxiong intended to unify the realm and that she now led the assault on Dongling.

Liang Wei sneered at their hesitation and coldly asked Du Feiying, “Alliance Leader Du, is this how you manage your subordinates?”

Du Feiying shivered and quickly responded, “My fault. I won’t let anyone offend the lady again.” Then he faced the crowd sternly, “Do not disrespect the lady.”

Seeing his cowardice, many despised him inwardly. But having witnessed Liang Wei’s power, none dared act rashly.

Liang Wei looked around with satisfaction. “Now, immediately enter the city, cleanse the Dongling Imperial Palace, and capture Zhong Aotian alive.”

––––– Side note –––––

Dear readers, Siyan is already planning the ending. If you see her mention the ending in the coming days, don’t be surprised. Consider this a heads-up. Love you all! Muah.

This novel is first published by Xiaoxiang Academy. Please do not repost!