Within Yaoguang Palace.
Lu Mingyuan looked at Qi Muxue and the others, his gaze burning as he said, "That’s right. There was sothing strange about my being sent to the Cold Palace. I never explained it to you before, partly because I was worried you would be implicated, and partly because I was too weak. Telling you would have only added to your worries."
"Now that all the other princes are dead, it’s no longer appropriate to keep you in the dark. By staying with , you are destined to face all sorts of trouble, so so things must be made clear."
Lu Mingyuan believed that his own strength was not enough.
All eyes were now on the remaining princes.
As one of them, he couldn’t keep a low profile even if he wanted to.
Unwittingly, he now had more backers than even Lu Yunqing.
In terms of background, he had the support of the Yuqing Ancestor Master, as well as his two fathers-in-law: Champion Marquis Huo Qing and Shengjing Academy’s Mountain Master, Qi Xingyan. His maternal grandfather was also certainly on his side.
His sister-in-law could also be considered a partial supporter, but he hadn’t negotiated with her yet. He also didn’t know how the Champion Marquis and Prince Zhenbei got along. Between the two of them, they controlled an army of up to five hundred thousand—one-third of Great Yan’s total forces, including the elite border troops and the Qilin Guard.
anwhile, Luo Ying of the Endless Pavilion should have already started to make her move. If she could use her long-standing prestige to secure the leadership of the Infinite Faction, then his own influence as the Great Protector would also increase significantly.
"Regarding the Demoness case, I was frad. The true culprit’s whereabouts are still unknown, so there’s no hard evidence."
Lu Mingyuan looked at the won and said in a low voice.
"Back then, in order to remain in the Capital City, I had to agree to the Father Emperor’s request that I stay in the Cold Palace. It was a transaction between us."
At these words, Huo Hongling’s expression turned to one of surprise. She hadn’t expected such a hidden story behind it all.
Beside her, Qi Muxue fell deep in thought.
"Husband, who do you think is the mastermind?"
Lu Mingyuan exchanged a glance with Wang Zhaoyan before answering, "I believe it was Prince Jin, Lu Guangjing. The power behind him is imnse. The Celestial Master’s Mansion has already exposed the Prince Jin’s Mansion, proving that he is a sinister villain whose subordinates are all dirty. Traces of Witchcraft can only be found among his people; it’s rarely seen elsewhere."
Witchcraft and Taoist Forbidden Techniques are strictly prohibited in Great Yan. They are not allowed to appear openly in the Central Plains World, as they are all products researched by fallen Demon Cultivators.
Qi Muxue’s expression was grave. "At first, I also thought it was Prince Jin. But over the past two months, with the internal strife in the Demon Country and the Demoness’s forces unifying the Holy Netherworld, none of it seems to be a coincidence. It might even be related to the case against Your Highness."
"A plot by Prince Jin alone doesn’t add up. He doesn’t have what it takes to sche against the Sovereign of the Holy Netherworld."
Hearing this, Lu Mingyuan also fell into thought.
Qi Muxue had a point.
The Demoness of the Demon Country was the highly prestigious High Priest of the Holy Netherworld. She had almost never lost a battle she led, yet she suffered an unexpected upset and lost to Great Yan. The whole affair was bizarre in itself.
It was as if soone had deliberately wanted her to lose.
Lu Mingyuan hadn’t expected that the original case could now see so many new developnts.
All the news indicated that he was caught in the middle of a very large sche.
However, Lu Mingyuan had no need to be nervous.
With the backing of the Yuqing Ancestor Master and the Celestial Master’s Mansion, plus one opportunity to call on Wei the Ninth for help, he didn’t need to fear anyone.
Having thought it through, Lu Mingyuan calmly said to Qi Muxue, "My lady, are you saying that there’s another culprit, that Prince Jin was rely the one carrying it out, and there is soone else behind him?"
"Precisely."
Qi Muxue nodded slightly.
Huo Hongling, who had been silent for a long ti, had a fair complexion and eyes like brilliant stars. The faint vermillion rouge on her lips couldn’t conceal the heroic spirit in her slender brows.
She spoke with utmost seriousness. "More than the case against Your Highness, I want to know your stance on the Emperor’s Throne."
"Will you fight for it or not?"
This question also drew the gazes of Wang Zhaoyan and Qi Muxue. Even Zi Yun and Hong Wan looked at Lu Mingyuan with cautious curiosity.
Lu Mingyuan smiled faintly. "Before, how could I have dared to covet the Emperor’s Throne? All I wanted was to live a safe and peaceful life. But later, I gradually ca to understand."
"There are so people who will cause trouble for you even if you don’t provoke them, and so things that will find you even if you do nothing."
"If I don’t fight for it, will everything truly be safe? Will all my troubles be over?"
"No. In fact, things will only get worse. All the other princes died unnatural deaths. Even with Prince Jin dead, National Preceptor Xun is still nowhere to be found, lying in wait sowhere. Danger is everywhere."
Lu Mingyuan’s gaze sharpened. "Caught in this whirlpool, if I cannot claim that seat, I will never find true peace. The cycle of grudges will never end, and it will put all of you in danger. Princess Consort Ning is the perfect example. The next one could very well be , and I refuse to let such a tragedy happen to !"
Hearing this answer, both Qi Muxue and Huo Hongling were visibly moved.
It felt as if Lu Mingyuan’s profile was filled with an inexplicable radiance.
The Lu Mingyuan before them was like a completely different person from when they had first t him.
’Is this really the sa man who was once the number one fop in the Capital City?’
But they had also been watching Lu Mingyuan’s character and actions all this ti.
They would even occasionally discuss it amongst themselves afterward—the deep aning behind his choices, and his ability to return safely from the Grotto Heaven this ti.
All the signs indicated one thing.
Their husband was no simple fop, but a Qilin Child full of strategies and plans, exceptionally talented in cultivation, who kept his true self well hidden and was extrely broad-minded!
An extrely gratified look appeared in Wang Zhaoyan’s eyes.
She had witnessed Lu Mingyuan’s transformation. Ever since that incident, he had been developing in a positive direction.
She couldn’t help but think, ’My boy has truly grown up.’
Qi Muxue, however, thought to herself.
’I knew it. My husband would never be content to simply stay in the Cold Palace for the rest of his life.’
’Perhaps his previous lechery was all just an act. Lu Mingyuan was always an extraordinary man with ambition and grand aspirations.’
’To think he was capable of biding his ti like this, and he must have so many hidden thods up his sleeve... It’s truly terrifying.’
’Thank goodness he’s my husband.’
"Husband, I believe in you. You can definitely do it!" Qi Muxue said, her eyes fixed on Lu Mingyuan’s, her voice gentle and full of hope.
"I believe in you, too."
Huo Hongling also nodded firmly.
Lu Mingyuan cautioned them, "This matter requires long-term planning. We can discuss other things after the Celestial Master’s Mansion uncovers the truth and everything cos to light. Before that, don’t believe anyone’s lies."
Suddenly, a sharp voice rang out from outside Yaoguang Palace.
"An imperial edict has arrived!"
Everyone’s gaze turned toward the entrance of the hall. An old eunuch dressed in a red Python Robe stood there, followed by many little eunuchs in hats.
It was clearly an Imperial Eunuch who served by the Emperor’s side.
The old eunuch’s eyes locked onto Lu Mingyuan. He smiled lightly and said, "Prince Huai’an, so you were here with the Noble Consort. This one searched all over Qingzhu Hall but couldn’t find a trace of you."
"Receive the edict."
Seeing the golden imperial edict, Lu Mingyuan clasped his hands and asked, perplexed, "May I ask, Eunuch, what is the news?"
The old eunuch remained silent, a aningful smile on his face. He waited until he had unfurled the edict before slowly beginning to read:
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Following a thorough investigation of Prince Jin’s Mansion by the Thunder Pool Daoist Academy, it has been found to harbor filth and corruption, showing complete disregard for Great Yan Law. Its lawless acts are as nurous as the hairs on an ox. Traces of a Witchcraft ritual have been discovered, suggesting there may be a hidden story behind the case of the Demoness of the Demon Country. This case is now to be reinvestigated. It is hoped that Prince Huai’an will cooperate fully. Once the case is overturned, he may leave the Cold Palace and have his freedom restored."
Upon hearing this, Lu Mingyuan looked up, his pupils constricting.
He was utterly shocked.
’The Father Emperor wants to reopen the case?’
’Isn’t this a bit too fast?’
’Besides, isn’t this all going a little too smoothly?!’
He had thought he would have to wait and observe for a while longer before things took a turn.
’What is the aning of this?’
It wasn’t just Lu Mingyuan who was shocked. Wang Zhaoyan, Qi Muxue, and the others all wore different expressions, a mix of joy, contemplation, and surprise.
"Receive the edict, Prince Huai’an."
Lu Mingyuan knelt and accepted the imperial edict with both hands. "Your subject receives the edict! Long live the Emperor, may he live for ten thousand years!"
After seeing the old eunuch off, Zi Yun and Hong Wan were the first to co forward with congratulations. "Congratulations, Your Highness! You can finally leave the Cold Palace!"
Wang Zhaoyan smiled faintly. "Our boy has the makings of an emperor. A re Cold Palace could never hold him."
Only Qi Muxue noticed that Lu Mingyuan was examining the edict over and over with an expression that seed off, as if he wasn’t all that happy.
She walked over and asked softly, "Husband, what’s wrong...?"
Lu Mingyuan took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing. "I feel this matter isn’t so simple."
He had just returned to the Great Yan Imperial Palace, and in the next mont, the Father Emperor sent an edict to reopen his case?
His Majesty’s attitude had been nothing like this before.
"Muxue, what do you think?"
Qi Muxue said calmly, "The Holy Will is hard to fathom. Your Highness tried to overturn the case once before but was rejected. Now, the Holy Emperor has personally issued an edict to press the matter, which shows that he hopes for Your Highness’s na to be cleared. This is both a good thing and a bad thing."
"The good thing, naturally, is that it will be more convenient for you to act in the future. You will have a legitimate and official status for whatever you do. The bad thing is also obvious: it will undoubtedly intensify the conflict between you and Prince Chongwen. At the sa ti, it places you under the intense scrutiny of everyone in the Imperial Capital, giving you no ti to rest and recuperate."
Lu Mingyuan said gravely, "My lady thinks the sa as I do."
Although he intended to vie for the Emperor’s Throne, the ti wasn’t right. He hadn’t finished making his own preparations, and this was undoubtedly too rushed.
Huo Hongling’s thoughts were simpler. She focused on the positive side. "In any case, as long as the case is closed, Your Highness will no longer have to bear the cri of letting the Demoness escape."
This would also prove that her father’s judgnt had not been wrong.
He had wanted to bide his ti, hide his capabilities, and enjoy his later years in peace; the throne didn’t matter.
She never expected that in the end, Prince Huai’an would turn out to be such an incredible son-in-law.
...
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