Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 482 - 461 First Update

Chapter 482: Chapter 461 First Update

"Do you know?" Empress Xiao asked again, and since she knew, how could she allow Noble Consort Wen and the others to be so presumptuous? She should have taken action early to catch her red-handed.

"What does she want with the Jade Seal?" Empress Xiao gathered her thoughts and stared steadily at Zheng Congyuan. She had always known that Zheng Congyuan could keep his composure, but on this matter, it seemed he was still somewhat immature. After all, he hadn’t been through such things.

"For the Imperial Edict—" Zheng Congyuan spoke, his expression calm, his tone suggesting he was discussing something incredibly mundane, which made Empress Xiao even more suspicious whether this man before her understood the significance of what lay behind this.

"They dare to forge Imperial Edicts?!" Empress Xiao cut off Zheng Congyuan’s words. Emperor Jingzhi didn’t have much time left, no wonder Noble Consort Wen couldn’t wait any longer.

"Not only that," Zheng Congyuan continued, "the Wen Family’s movements have been quite frequent these days. They are just waiting for Father Emperor’s demise, then they plan to lift Zheng Haoyuan onto the throne."

Empress Xiao, upon hearing these words, stared blankly at Zheng Congyuan. Did this mean that perhaps Emperor Jingzhi had tacitly approved Noble Consort Wen’s actions? Noble Consort Wen had monopolized the harem’s favor these years, nearly controlling the entire harem, a trade-off for the sacrifice of her son, and also due to the death of the Second Prince, Emperor Jingzhi felt even guiltier. Therefore, she had been turning a blind eye to Noble Consort Wen, avoiding direct confrontation.

After all, she was unwilling to trade Zheng Congyuan’s life for that of Emperor Jingzhi.

However, Noble Consort Wen now seemed intent on trading Zheng Moyuan’s life for Zheng Haoyuan’s throne, seeking a glorious era for the Wen Family.

She had been negligent, thinking Zheng Congyuan’s position as the Crown Prince was very stable, and had not paid much attention to this aspect over the years.

Moreover, Zheng Congyuan had gradually been establishing his power in court over the years, naturally not easy to deal with. Therefore, it was inevitable that Noble Consort Wen would be driven to desperate action, preparing to move early.

"We make the first move..." Empress Xiao immediately calmed herself. Her turning a blind eye did not mean she was unaware of the gravity of the situation. Now, regaining her composure, the first thing that came to her mind was to take direct action, leaving no loose ends, even if it meant getting rid of Emperor Jingzhi, if possible.

"Mother, I have already prepared for these events," Zheng Congyuan spoke, helping Empress Xiao to sit down. "From the beginning of Emperor Jingzhi taking the medicine, and everything Noble Consort Wen has done, even the actions of the Wen Family, all were secretly facilitated by me. If we desire peace in Nanzheng, the Wen Family must indeed be removed."

Empress Xiao could not sit still, immediately standing up again.

"You, you..." Empress Xiao, a clever woman, instantly caught the vital piece of information hidden in Zheng Congyuan’s words. That medicine pill... was it... was it...

Zheng Congyuan did not deny it. Although this was not his plan, when Noble Consort Wen had the notion, he did not stop her. The Father Emperor was critically ill and still so absurd, thus Noble Consort Wen might as well play the villain.

In the middle of the night, Empress Xiao was finally sent out by Qi Ling and Qi Zhu, and Qi Jin came in quietly.

"Your Highness, that group of people did exactly as you predicted, infiltrating Prince Duan’s Mansion in the middle of the night. To avoid alarming them, our men withdrew from Prince Duan’s Mansion earlier so as not to arouse Prince Duan’s suspicions," Qi Jin whispered, almost certain of this conjecture.

Zheng Congyuan nodded, at such a critical moment, Prince Duan would naturally hear some rumors, having his men return was also reasonable. After so many years, it was the first time he had heard of the forces in Prince Duan’s hands, and judging from the situation, these people were indeed formidable.

"From now on, there’s no need to watch over Prince Duan’s Mansion, and we shouldn’t confront them directly," Zheng Congyuan stated. Before this matter settled, and before Prince Duan accepted their relationship, it was better to remain cautious.

Thinking this, Zheng Congyuan felt hopeful for the future. All of it, despite being somewhat troublesome and dangerous, was worthwhile.

...

Master Ling Yi and his fellow brothers had been researching continuously for two days, lamenting that they were not at Qiandao Temple where they would have access to a multitude of ancient texts. Moreover, the condition of those two individuals was progressively getting worse; red smoke had already permeated every part of their bodies, gradually invading from the surface of their skin.

Master Ling Yi’s initial confidence had turned into pervasive anxiety; if these people died under his watch, he would lose the opportunity to study these Spells at such close quarters.

Furthermore, these two individuals had provided some techniques of Cultivation, which Master Ling Yi had examined closely. Indeed, they were exceedingly tricky and strange, tempting one to continue practicing them further.

"Brother, if these two die in our camp, will it end up like the first one..." a disciple pondered, referring to the incident which resulted in the loss of three brothers, a tremendous setback.

Master Ling Yi shook his head, it would not be the same, these people were trapped in a Formation, and although Master Ling Yi did not know why, the fact was that the Formation had successfully prevented the infiltration of the smoke. Even after death, the smoke slowly dissipated within the Formation.

"Master Chang Yu, starting tonight, assign two more people to keep a close watch every day, and report immediately if anything happens."

Master Chang Yu was just about to carry out his orders when he encountered Master Chang Ling. Master Chang Qing, who had been severely injured inside the cave, had rested for two days and was much recovered.

"Master Chang Yu, where are you going?" Master Chang Ling began to speak but hesitated, obviously waiting on purpose here, and promptly grasped hold of Master Chang Yu.

Seeing it was Master Chang Ling, Master Chang Yu felt no need to conceal anything and relayed Master Ling Yi’s instructions.

Master Chang Ling, too impatient to wait, glanced around and, seeing no one else was there, began to speak urgently.

"Master Chang Yu, only you can help me with this," Master Chang Ling said anxiously.

Master Chang Yu was taken aback, somewhat puzzled by Master Chang Ling’s meaning.

"Brother, what is it? We’ve grown up together since we were kids, there’s nothing we can’t talk about, as long as I’m able to help," Master Chang Yu immediately added, feeling that Master Chang Ling was acting a bit strange.

"Master Chang Yu, I want to see those two individuals alone."

"Brother, if you want to see them, just go ahead and see them..."

"I want to enter the Maze Formation," Master Chang Ling cut off Master Chang Yu’s words, getting straight to the point, "No one else can know about this."

"Wh-why?" Master Chang Yu was confused, thinking shouldn’t Master Chang Ling tell Master Ling Yi directly if he knows something that could help, especially since his brother is anxious about not finding any clues...

"I’m not sure yet, afraid of delaying Master Ling Yi and the others..." Master Chang Ling gave an excuse, with a flicker of evasion in his eyes.

Master Chang Yu nodded; indeed, with so many brothers unable to find a clue, Master Chang Ling wanted to take a risk and try for himself, fearing that failure would further delay the others, hence wanting to test the waters alone first.

When the night was deep and everyone was silent, Master Chang Yu led the other Mage away, then quietly let Master Chang Ling out. Under the dark night sky, Master Chang Ling headed resolutely towards the Formation. Ever since the attack that day, his body had undergone changes that even he himself could not explain.

Suddenly, the two individuals in the Formation opened their eyes, exchanged glances with each other, but did not speak. The moment they had been waiting for had finally arrived.