115. The Valley Path (Two-in-One)

The smoke of war had only just cleared from the Forbidden City, and the air was thick with swirling snow. Within the palace walls, even the most exalted members of the imperial family were now trembling with fear, unable to find sleep through the long, cold nights.

No one would have ever imagined that, in this moment, the bedchamber of the Weiyang Palace would be a scene of such romantic intimacy.

It was not that Pei Xiunian and Meng Qingyuan were heartless or oblivious to the turmoil; rather, they both knew full well that the crisis of the great ceremony had safely passed.

To be honest, this boiled green tangerine water really did not taste very good. There were plenty of famous beverages that served to cool the internal heat; there was no need to go to such lengths for this.

For a time, Mu Candou became the laughingstock of the crowd. He was truly pathetic, having been ambushed by Ye Qiu and stripped of his belongings; he was quite a pitiful sight.

However, the imperial court would certainly station heavy troops in Yansui. The Cossack cavalry’s strength lay in their speed. If they could not take Yansui, they would naturally not dare to venture deep into enemy territory alone, choosing instead to bypass the grasslands and invade Xuanfu. For if they were to breach Xuanfu, their cavalry could reach the capital in a mere fortnight.

Dao Kun simply ran away. A Great Saint, faced with nothing more than a Saint King like Jiang Yuxuan, disregarded his own reputation entirely and fled—just like that. Truly, strange things happen every year, but this year has seen far too many.

Just then, several figures materialized out of thin air in the courtyard. Leading them was the Daoist Shangqiong, and beside him was Lu Yan, who had not yet departed.

"Immortal Master, what are you doing? What is that pitch-black thing that spits fire?" Marshal Tianpeng asked in the live stream.

Everyone had changed their examination times to make way for the two of them; many were eager to see which of the two was truly the more formidable.

Imperial Physician Zhang said regretfully, "The Duke’s illness is truly bizarre. His body is perfectly normal, yet his pulse is extremely weak, his breath as thin as a thread. It is as if two of his three souls and six of his seven spirits have vanished."

That Aoyue Miracle leaped, rushing toward Chu Tian, intent on shattering him. That punch gathered immense power, and it was also the first time Chu Tian had witnessed the true strength of a Creation God.

It was not Imperial Physician Zhang who came today. It was his first time entering the Prince of Fucheng’s mansion, and he felt somewhat nervous. Seeing that the Prince did not permit the use of a screen, he kept his head bowed upon entering, not daring to cast a single glance around. When he reached the Princess Consort’s bed canopy, he dared not even reach out his hand without permission.

Under these circumstances, compounded by Consort Sun’s pregnancy, Empress Dowager Gao had chosen to send a newly arrived woman to divide the favor. It was no wonder Lady He was anxious.

She listened to their chatter, and a thought flashed through her mind. Slowly, the history of it all became clear.

If someone who had hit rock bottom could live such a magnificent life, why couldn't they?

Watching Ji Yan walk away, Jin Haoxuan could not help but offer a bitter smile. He was more familiar with Princess Ziqing’s methods than anyone, but would she truly ignore his warning and forcibly strike at Xiang Xiang?

A soft chuckle broke the silence, growing louder and more resonant until it erupted into a peal of mad laughter that shook the very heavens.

"I did invite her, but the Lady Jieyu has been in a deep sleep ever since she took her medicine. This is my first time serving a noble lady, and I am truly at a loss. Could I trouble Lady Xuanhui to go to Jingchun Pavilion and look after the Jieyu?" Que Li requested timidly.

A village appeared ahead, and the group felt a sense of relief. Jian Wei took a soft breath and stared wide-eyed at the wall of flowers before her. The sunset was intoxicating, and under the gentle light, a fence over waist-high and a dozen meters long enclosed the village, covered so densely with blooming roses that one could not even see the gaps.

The plain words moved Lily deeply. While she was unaware, he had actually been searching for her?

With that, Mu Xianfeng took Feng Jie’s hand and hurriedly reached for a handkerchief to bandage his wound.

"I am not entirely sure. Liuli asked me to go to the Liao Kingdom to save Ye Liufang!" Hua Rong held the teacup to her lips. "Someone there wanted to poison her. Fortunately, it was not she who was poisoned. Otherwise..." Hua Rong shuddered at the thought.