"Liu Zhao, are you angry with me?"
"Is that not allowed? I never imagined you had such a deep scheme," Murong Liu Zhao's face was dark. This man's deep calculations made him detest him. Because of his cunning and foresight, he appeared so ignorant, mingling with others as brothers, only to be toyed with like a fool.
It was likely that they would never return to how they were before. Because he couldn't let go of such a burden, someone who had been fooled once would never easily trust anyone again.
"Liu Zhao, don't blame me. I've always considered you a good friend."
Wen Yu retracted his playful demeanor, his dark eyes speaking deeply.
Aside from concealing his identity, his friendship with him was genuine. But at this moment, did Murong Liu Zhao still believe it?
"Forget it. Let the past be the past. I wonder what business the Third Prince Wen has with this king?" Murong Liu Zhao did not want to revisit past events. Every mention only served to remind him of how foolish he had been.
Wen Yu looked at him, knowing that he wouldn't forgive him anytime soon, but he wouldn't force it now. He would let nature take its course.
He had come for an important matter.
"Liu Zhao, you must have heard the news. Li Jing is in chaos. Should we not do something?"
As soon as his words fell, Murong Liu Zhao's eyes suddenly turned cold. A sneer played on his lips. He thought to himself, Wen Yu, Wen Yu, do you really intend to deceive me again and again? Do you think I don't know your ulterior motives? He remained outwardly calm and replied indifferently.
"What does Third Prince Wen intend to do?"
"Our two families can join forces and fan the flames. The Huang Yuan Kingdom is finished, and we can simply get a share of the spoils."
As soon as Wen Yu finished speaking, Murong Liu Zhao abruptly stood up, glaring at him with a sinister gaze. He let out a cold, disdainful snort. "Wen Yu, I never expected you to be so petty. Get out, you are not welcome here."
"You?" Wen Yu did not expect Murong Liu Zhao to be so furious. His face immediately darkened with anger. Although he had acted wrongly in the past, he was now the Third Prince of the Yun Cang Kingdom. In terms of status, he was the same as Liu Zhao, and both were envoys. He had come out of consideration for their past friendship. This was a mutually beneficial matter for both families, yet he had unexpectedly become enraged.
Wen Yu's expression was gloomy and uncertain. Finally, gritting his teeth, he cupped his fist and said in a deep voice, "Have it your way. Do as you please. I offered good intentions but received no reward. Don't you consider that the Huang Yuan Kingdom borders your Xuan Yue? Naturally, you stand to benefit the most. How much can we gain?"
After speaking, he turned and walked away.
In the main hall, Murong Liu Zhao paid no attention to Wen Yu's words. He merely sighed, realizing that everything was proceeding according to Qing Yao's calculations, and the six kingdoms would likely make their move soon.
That night.
The moonlight was bright. The plane trees lining the streets seemed to have been washed by the clear light, appearing exceptionally luminous.
The wind rose, a cool breeze dispelling the mugginess of early summer. Several figures carefully avoided the patrolling city guards and headed straight for the imperial palace.
Leading them was Mo You, followed closely by King Nan An and his subordinates, as well as Qing Yao and Mo Chou. Both of them had disguised themselves and even changed into the palace maid uniforms. Mo You, on the other hand, was dressed in a dark blue eunuch's robe.
The group stopped at the foot of the tall palace walls. Qing Yao beckoned, and they gathered around her.
She spoke with calm composure, "Liu Zhao, you must proceed with extreme caution. We absolutely cannot let the enemy discover that Xuan Yue has made a move. Furthermore, protect yourself. Once the fire starts, you should retreat and return to the imperial posthouse immediately to avoid suspicion from the other five nations. Also, once the fire dies down, the First Prince will surely send people to investigate the imperial posthouse. We cannot give them any cause for complaint."
"Yes, don't worry."
Murong Liu Zhao nodded. His figure shot up like a bird. Holding a map, he swiftly scaled the tall city wall. The subordinates behind him, carrying several jars of wine, followed closely.
Qing Yao was not worried about the arson of the national treasury, as she had asked Liu Zhao to bring several jars of wine. Wine was flammable, and once sprinkled around the treasury, it would quickly ignite into a towering blaze.
What concerned her now was the Emperor of Huang Yuan. Was he truly so gravely ill that he had lost his senses? If he had indeed lost his senses, how could he be made to issue a posthumous decree? Qing Yao's eyes turned sharp and cold. She spoke in a deep voice, "Let's go."
The three of them leaped onto the high wall and followed Mo You towards the old emperor's sleeping quarters.
When it came to the Huang Yuan imperial palace, no one was more familiar with it than Mo You. This was his root. Before his concubine mother passed away, she often took him for walks in the palace. Along the way, the eunuchs and palace maids would smile at them because his mother was a beautiful and gentle woman.
The Huang Yuan imperial palace was much smaller compared to the Xuan Yue imperial palace.
Therefore, after walking for only a short while, the three of them arrived at Chen Ming Hall, where the old emperor resided.
They could see figures occasionally moving around the palace grounds, which were the imperial guards carrying silver spears. Clearly, these were the First Prince Shen Ye's men. At this moment, they were all extremely cautious, daring not to make the slightest mistake.
Upon seeing this situation, Mo You clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, wishing he could rush forward and fight these people.
Qing Yao held him back, her cold eyes signaling him not to ruin their plans, as it might lead to their deaths before they could even see the person they intended to.
The group hid in the shadows, lying low motionless, waiting for an opportunity.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded from Chen Ming Hall, followed by voices: "You all be watchful. If the Emperor has any instructions, you must inform me or the First Prince as soon as possible."
"Your subordinates understand." Several figures emerged. Although they were some distance away, Qing Yao and the other two had powerful martial arts skills, and their eyesight was naturally superior. Coupled with the clear moonlight, they could easily see the person emerging. She was wearing a scarlet phoenix robe embroidered with soaring phoenixes, her hair styled in a luxurious bun adorned with a dazzling golden hairpin. She exuded an aura of nobility and grace, appearing to be around forty years old, well-maintained, and looking even younger.
She was likely the Empress of the Huang Yuan Kingdom.
The people who escorted her out were imperial physicians. These physicians bowed respectfully, standing cautiously at the palace entrance, not daring to make a sound.
Everyone knew that the First Prince had cruel methods and had already killed several imperial physicians. These men were now living on borrowed time. To advance was death, and to retreat was also death; it was merely a matter of when, not if.
Qing Yao watched the Empress depart, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. She had been wondering why the Emperor, who was gravely ill, had managed to hold on for so many days. It turned out that the Empress and the First Prince were keeping him alive. What was their purpose in doing so?
It seemed to be for the Emperor's secret decree. This was because many in the court were dissatisfied with the First Prince's actions. Without the Emperor's explicit command, many would likely refuse to obey, leading to turmoil. Therefore, the First Prince had not yet killed the Emperor because he was waiting for the Emperor's secret decree.
These imperial physicians must have suffered greatly, as each of them wore a miserable expression.