In the vast palace, there were many officials and emperor in the imperial study.
Hai Wuji, who was meticulously dressed, had a cold expression. He stood with his hands behind his back and his back to the desk as he faced the officials.
Jinzhou's sudden announcement of Hai Ruyue's poisoning caught them off guard. They all felt that the Ten Thousand Heavenly Abode would not do such a thing and were trying to figure out Jinzhou's intentions.
"The Empress Dowager has arrived!" the eunuch guarding the door suddenly shouted, as if to alert the people inside.
The officials turned to look at the door. A graceful and elegant old woman appeared at the door. She looked dignified and old, but one could still see the beauty of her youth. It was Zhao Nation's Empress Dowager, Shang Youlan.
"Greetings, Empress Dowager!" The officials bowed.
"Mother!" Hai Wuji quickly walked to the door and respectfully supported his mother's arm as she entered.
"I didn't interrupt your discussion, did I?" Shang Youlan asked.
Hai Wuji smiled. "It's fine."
"That's good." Shang Youlan nodded and swept her gaze across everyone. Her voice was filled with unconcealable authority. "I have something to say to the Emperor. Everyone, please step back."
A mother's prestige was evident at this moment.
Hai Wuji immediately waved at everyone, looking very filial.
"Yes!" The officials bowed and accepted the order. They all retreated and left.
A white-haired, hunchbacked old eunuch with cloudy eyes walked out as well. He seemed so old that he could not even walk properly.
This person was Zhuge Chi, the head of the inner palace.
Shang Youlan shouted at him. "Old Zhuge, I did not ask you to leave. I want you to be the judge."
Zhuge Chi stopped and looked up to see Hai Wuji's reaction.
Hai Wuji smiled and said, "Imperial Mother, what's there to judge? Who made you angry?"
Shang Youlan suddenly looked angry. "How long are you going to hide it from me?"
Hai Wuji sensed something was wrong but pretended to be surprised. "Why do you say that, Mother?"
Shang Youlan said angrily, "Let me ask you. Did you poison Ruyue?"
Hai Wuji's expression darkened. He was furious. He had already hidden it from his mother. Who was it that could not control their mouths? He better not be found out later.
He tried to defend himself: "Where did Muhou hear this rumour from?"
Shang Youlan shook her head in disappointment. "Previously, when you asked me for something from Ruyue's childhood, I found it strange. You still want to lie to me? I am not senile! She's your only sister. How could you have the heart to kill her? "
Hai Wuji's face was cold. Slowly, he said, "Imperial Mother, I have my own difficulties."
"Difficulties? I understand your difficulties. " Shang Youlan patted her chest in excitement. "I understand that you're the ruler of the world and that you're willing to sacrifice your own family for the greater good. If you want to destroy your sister's family, I will turn a blind eye to it. If you want to seize Jinzhou, go ahead. But why do you have to kill her? Can't you spare her life? "
"Could it be that you will only be satisfied if she dies? When Yan was a hostage, you pushed her out to please others in order to protect yourself. Do you think I didn't know? I knew it all. I just didn't say it. How much humiliation did she suffer because of you? If it wasn't for my nephew, Shang Jianbo, who protected her … After you returned to the country and ascended the throne, you forced her to marry that sickly son of Xiao Huang in order to stabilize him. Have you ever thought about how bitter her life would be? "
"You single-handedly pushed her to where she is today. Now, you think she's a hindrance and kill her. How could you do it?! How do you want the world to see me, her mother? How do you want the world to see you?! Can't you just give her a way out? "
Hai Wuji flew into a rage out of humiliation from being scolded. His expression became somewhat unsightly as he said in a low voice, "Mother, on this journey, you have suffered so many grievances and endured so many hardships. In your heart, you should know the word 'helpless' better than anyone! The world's situation is deliberately created by some people. It's to make the people of the world consume each other! To all the countries, the situation is like sailing against the current. If you don't advance, you'll fall back. No one can be at ease. Whoever dares to be at ease will perish. Only by constantly becoming stronger and stronger can we withstand enough risks. Imperial Mother, Zhao has no way out! Your son has no way out! "
She swung her arm and pointed to the ground behind her. Her last sentence was powerful.
…
In the Valiant Martial Hall, Meng Shanming and Shang Chaozong were pointing at the map and discussing in front of the hanging map.
Meng Shanming's posture was slightly lower. He was pointing at the map with a stick in his hand.
The Great Zen Mountain had just arrived and it wasn't good to hide it from them. He had already informed them about Gamiao Shui's visit. Yan wasn't deaf or blind. The imperial court had already started to gather resources and troops. In addition, Fang Zhe from Jinzhou had informed them that Hai Ruyue was poisoned.
How could they not know that a storm was brewing? They quickly responded.
There were messengers going in and out of the Valiant Martial Hall to relay the situation.
Lan Ruoting walked in quickly. After the messengers left, he reported, "Prince, Commander Meng, Daoye replied and told us not to panic. He said that he was the one who made Ten Thousand Grotto-Heaven Mansion announce Hai Ruyue's poisoning. He told us not to bother about it. Southern State should deal with it however they want. We just need to make preparations. He will be in Jinzhou and will inform us if anything happens."
Meng Shanming nodded. "It's good that Daoye knows what to do."
…
"Hai Ruyue is poisoned at this time?"
Great Zen Mountain, in the main hall, Huang Lie stared at the statue of his ancestor and muttered to himself.
The elders behind him took the secret letter and read it with a solemn expression.
Someone said, "It seems like Yan Ting and Zhao Ting planned this. They are going to work together to deal with both sides. Southern State is in danger!"
Huang Lie turned around. "Niu Youdao still hasn't replied?"
A disciple said, "We have sent three letters, but he hasn't replied yet. The news from Qingshan Commandery said that Thatched Cottage Villa is fine. The people from the three sects are not doing anything either. "
Huang Lie frowned. "What does that guy mean?"
An elder said, "Sect Master, a storm is coming. Should we reply to Gamiao Shui?"
Huang Lie waved his hand. "You all saw what that guy did. He isn't someone to be trifled with. I don't believe he will just sit and wait for death. He will definitely react. Let's see how he deals with it first. It won't be too late to make a decision when the army arrives. We should move around too. We will go to the prefectural city and be prepared. "
…
A house in Jinzhou's prefectural city was also Southern State's base.
Chao Shenghuai was tied to a beam in a room. He lowered his head from time to time and looked up from time to time to sigh.
The door opened and Zhu Laoba came in with food. He placed it on the table. "Brother Chao, eat something."
Chao Shenghuai shook his head. "No!"
Zhu Laoba, who was about to untie him, smiled. "Drink some water?"
Chao Shenghuai said, "No! Where is this? I want to see Niu Youdao. "
As soon as he arrived at Qingshan Commandery, he couldn't leave without seeing Niu Youdao. He was restrained on the spot and brought here.
He didn't know where this place was. He was in a coma. As someone who had lived in the mountains for a long time, he felt that the air around him was so fresh that it didn't feel like he was in the mountains. It felt like he was in a city.
Zhu Laoba said, "Daoye is very busy now and doesn't have time to see you. He will see you when he is free. Why are you in such a hurry? Eat something. Your cultivation hasn't reached the legendary realm of transcending mortality and entering holiness. Don't make life difficult for your body. It's not worth it if you starve. "
Chao Shenghuai was angry. "What do you want? Tell Niu Youdao to see me. Otherwise, no one will have an easy time!"
"Shh!" Zhu Laoba raised his index finger in front of his mouth. "Brother, we agreed not to make a fuss. Otherwise, you will feel uncomfortable when I make you silent."
…
"Old man, try it!"
Gao Shaoming, the envoy from Yan, slammed the table and stood up. He pointed at envoy Song, Tu Huaiyu, and scolded him.
During the banquet at Fragrant Pavilion, someone suddenly came to Yan's courtyard and whispered into Gao Shaoming's ear, saying that envoy Song's people wanted to rob their golden communication wings.
As a result, under the questioning, both parties started to engage in a battle of words at the banquet. Coincidentally, the location of the banquet was the same place where Niu Youdao had killed the envoy of Yan, Song Long. Tu Huaiyu's sarcastic words reminded Gao Shaoming to carefully follow in his footsteps. This angered Gao Shaoming on the spot.
The accompanying sorcerers outside the pavilions on both sides immediately rushed in.
Bang! Li Wuhua also slammed the table and stood up. He said in a deep voice, "What do you mean? Do you think my Ten Thousand Heavenly Cave is just a decoration? If you want to fight, do it after we leave Jinzhou. Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite! "
Li Wuhua's complexion did not look good. He could not hide the haggard look on his face.
The reason why he appeared like this was because of his identity. In Jinzhou Prefecture City, he was the most suitable person to represent Hai Ruyue to receive the guests.
"Envoy Gao, don't forget that this is Zhao Country. You better control yourself."
Zhao Sen, who was seated, said coldly. In reality, he was reminding Gao Shaoming not to cause trouble at this time, especially provoking Song Country.
Gao Shaoming glanced at him and snorted coldly. He waved his hand to signal the accompanying sorcerers to leave. He also slowly sat down.
Everyone else at the table had their own ulterior motives. They all knew that Jinzhou would not be peaceful for long. A violent storm was about to hit.
Envoy Sui Pao and Envoy Zuo Annian had warned Zhao Sen during the banquet. They were also warning Zhao Country not to act recklessly. Otherwise, the two countries would not sit idly by.
Envoy Chu Xiangyu, who had always been domineering, acted like a peacemaker today. He occasionally raised his cup and advised everyone to calm down.
As for Envoy Han, Zhuge Xun was basically sitting there eating and drinking happily. However, he would occasionally glance left and right, as if he was watching a show.
Of course, everyone could not help but ask Li Wuhua how was Hai Ruyue's body.
Li Wuhua had no comment.
After the banquet ended, Li Wuhua went straight to the Provincial Governor's Mansion. He went to Hai Ruyue's sickbed and looked at the pale and haggard Hai Ruyue. He could not bear to look at her anymore, so he turned around and left.
When she came out, she went to her son's room and thanked her fellow disciples for their hard work. When she saw her unconscious son, whose skin had turned green, she couldn't help but burst into tears. She muttered to herself, "What kind of sin have I committed!"
He knew that his son could not hold on for more than a few days.
…
Early the next morning, there was a commotion in the Provincial Governor's Mansion. Many disciples of the Ten Thousand Heavenly Cave Manor flew to the roof and looked warily at a bird circling in the sky.
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