Yu Chengxuan lifted his eyelids, casting a casual glance at Hui An.
“What does my imperial sister mean by this?”
Hui An replied, “Nothing else. I’m merely surprised you show no joy after winning a beauty’s heart.”
Yu Chengxuan chuckled, “Do I have to laugh to the heavens to show I’m pleased?”
Hui An shook her head, not pursuing the topic. “What are your thoughts on the fire at Jingren Palace today?”
Yu Chengxuan looked at Hui An, feeling as though she had guessed something. His imperial sister was one of the few intelligent individuals among the many princes and princesses of Da Li.
Yu Chengxuan, in turn, did not directly answer Hui An’s question. Instead, he asked, “Does imperial sister believe in fate?”
They all say fate is determined by heaven, but why? Why can’t women ascend to the throne? Why is it said that men are destined by heaven?
Hui An did not believe in fate!
She shook her head, “I don’t believe in it!”
“Then does imperial sister still want to ask for my opinion on the fire today?”
Hui An pursed her lips. Why had she asked Yu Chengxuan this question? It was because she suspected that the fire at Jingren Palace was a risky move made by Yu Chengxuan.
If they deduced backward from the objective, then Yu Chengxuan’s actions were an excellent way to push Nan Yuan’er onto the throne as empress.
Hui An had not yet figured out what benefit this would bring him, but sometimes intuition was just that illogical. It was as if she had always felt that Yu Chengxuan wanted Nan Shiying, not Nan Yuan’er.
Hui An looked at Yu Chengxuan. All along, she had never been able to see through him. All her speculations and guesses eventually turned into questions. With his words reaching this point, Hui An understood that their conversation should end here. Hui An stood up and said to Yu Chengxuan, “There are many matters today, so I won’t disturb my imperial brother’s rest.”
With that, Hui An turned and left.
Yu Chengxuan slightly lowered his head, gazing at the cup of tea Hui An had poured for him on the table.
The tea had gone cold by the time she poured it.
Yu Chengxuan called Ji Wu in. “Let’s go. We’re about to leave Da Li. Let’s enjoy the beautiful scenery of Lin Yuan Capital one last time!”
…
The carriage drove towards the outskirts of the city, all the way to Liuyun Pavilion.
Liuyun Pavilion was nestled by mountains and water, with beautiful scenery. It was a rare good spot in the suburbs. By spring, when flowers bloomed all over the mountains, it would be the season for outings. Currently, few people came here.
“Your Highness, we’ve arrived!”
Ji Wu helped Yu Chengxuan alight from the carriage and surveyed the surroundings. Although Liuyun Pavilion was a small pavilion in the suburbs, it was built quite elegantly. However, as far as the eye could see, it was a scene of severe winter. If a few snowflakes were to fall now, it would be a good view. But at present, besides sitting in the pavilion, there was nothing much to see around.
However, they had inquired clearly before coming. Not far from Liuyun Pavilion was a hot spring, and that was their destination today.
After a brief stop at Liuyun Pavilion, Yu Chengxuan and Ji Wu walked to the hot spring pool.
This hot spring was under the ownership of Prince Gong. However, since the prince’s mansion and the imperial palace had their own hot spring pools, this hot spring was open to the public. Nevertheless, those who came here were all wealthy and noble, not commoners. Upon hearing that Yu Chengxuan intended to visit today, the entire hot spring was sealed off, serving him alone.
Less than a hundred meters from Liuyun Pavilion, amidst the mountains, a mist-shrouded area was spotted.
Upon closer inspection, a plaque with the three characters “Xian Lu Chi” was seen!
…
“Yu Chengxuan has left the city?”
Nan Shiying hadn’t expected him to go to a hot spring at this critical juncture. She turned to Ji Jinmo and asked, “Sir, do you think that old bastard Nan Chaoyin will make a move at this time?”
“What do you think?” Ji Jinmo retorted.
“He will!”
Nan Shiying said with finality.
This was the best time to strike. Apart from Ji Wu, Yu Chengxuan had no escort. Furthermore, if he were to die in the hot spring pool of Prince Gong’s mansion, it could also drag the neutral Prince Gong’s mansion into the conflict, killing two birds with one stone.
As for whether he would be suspected, it was merely the only downside among many benefits. The advantages outweighed the disadvantages, so Nan Chaoyin would definitely strike decisively.
…
At Xian Lu Chi, the rising steam blurred the vision. Yu Chengxuan rested his arms on the edge of the pool, his head tilted slightly back.
In the open-air hot spring pool, the rising steam did not reveal any hint of coolness. Rockeries surrounded the hot spring, creating a semi-enclosed appearance.
Yu Chengxuan comfortably closed his eyes.
Suddenly, the pool water exploded, and a chilling killing intent locked onto him from all directions. Yu Chengxuan abruptly opened his eyes, slapped the edge of the pool, and leaped out of the water. He stepped on the water’s surface, turned, and grabbed the folding fan beside him.
At the very moment he leaped out of the water, a sword gleam suddenly shot from his left side. Yu Chengxuan failed to grab the fan and was instead forced to retreat.
At that very moment, a sinister frost emanated from behind him.
Caught between attacks, Yu Chengxuan was almost at his wit’s end.
However, just as the sword tip was about to pierce Yu Chengxuan’s chest, his eyes narrowed. The surroundings seemed to freeze inch by inch. The assassins’ movements were infinitely stretched. Startled birds seemed to be frozen in mid-air, their feathers fanning, and their feathers falling from mid-air, only to stop in mid-air again.
Yu Chengxuan dodged the sharp sword strike by turning sideways, walked to the side, and snapped his fingers.
Time resumed its flow. The two assassins, one in front and one behind, who had been attacking Yu Chengxuan, could not stop their momentum. Their sword tips plunged into each other.
Both fell to the ground, their blood flowing onto the ground and into the hot spring pool.
“Clap clap clap clap~”
Abrupt applause sounded from all around. A person entirely wrapped in a black robe, short in stature, appeared before Yu Chengxuan.
“I truly didn’t expect it, didn’t expect it! The Seventh Prince of Da Li, Yu Chengxuan, is also an anomaly user. What kind of ability is this? Time control? It’s truly interesting, extremely interesting!” the person spoke, his voice hoarse as if he had swallowed a mouthful of coarse sand, as unpleasant as a drake’s quack.
He looked up, revealing a face covered in pustules.
“Ghost Face?”
Yu Chengxuan frowned with disgust.
“The prince has sharp eyes. You know my identity. I am truly honored!”
Yu Chengxuan pulled up a cold smile, no longer having any trace of his gentle jade-like demeanor. His stern appearance was almost identical to Ji Jinmo’s.
“What are you delaying for? Are you waiting for the poison you’ve scattered to take effect?”
“You know?” Ghost Face was greatly shocked, then his expression changed drastically. “Since you know, why did you still come to me…”
“You…”
Yu Chengxuan slightly raised his hand. The white jade thumb ring on his finger reflected a clear light under the sun. He gently rotated the ring. Ghost Face’s gasp seemed to be instantly choked off. He opened his mouth wide, feeling pain spreading from within his body. That was the location of the Ghost Mark he, Asura Ghost Evil, had placed within him.
Ghost Face’s eyes widened in disbelief. He never imagined that this Seventh Prince of Da Li was actually the famous sect leader of the Ghost Evil Sect, Asura Ghost Evil!
No, how could this be possible!