The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 615: Are You Afraid You’re Not a Reincarnated Celestial Being?

Chapter 615: Are You Afraid You’re Not a Reincarnated Celestial Being?

The sky had yet to darken when Nanli decided to visit Tianfo Temple to have Master Yuanfan perform a soul liberation for the spirits in the Spiritual Bag. Ye Siheng, unusually, did not accompany her but merely advised her to return early.

Emperor Muwu had lost the mood to even draft imperial edicts, leaving the task to Ye Siheng, who penned the decree and affixed the Imperial Jade Seal. The emperor sighed repeatedly, lacking the appetite for dinner, murmuring, "I thought I could be buried alongside the Empress... the Xie family."

His imperial journey had reached an end, marked by the loss of his wife and children, unable to find peace.

Ye Siheng dispatched someone to announce the imperial decree and sent the palace servants away. "Brother, hold on a bit longer. It seems that Yanli and the others have decent qualifications," he remarked, referring to the cousins they had selected.

Previously, they had intended to adopt Ye Yanli under Emperor Muwu’s name, but Nanli’s words had put that plan on hold. Now, seeing the vitality returned to Yanli’s face, Ye Siheng felt reassured to keep them in the capital to learn governance before further selections were made.

Emperor Muwu turned, grumbling, "I don’t have many days left. Even with good qualifications, they’re still too young. You’ll need to keep an eye on them so they aren’t bullied by those cunning officials."

Many officials were from prominent families, and Elder Cao, despite his contributions, had his own interests. The emperor wished to break this cycle, allowing the commoners’ families to thrive.

Yet, weren’t the ancestors of those aristocratic families once commoners themselves? It was all just a repetitive cycle.

Ye Siheng nodded slightly, promising, "If it comes to that, I won’t shirk responsibility and will assist diligently."

Emperor Muwu straightened up, looking at Ye Siheng with surprise. "Is the sun rising in the west today? Why are you so agreeable?"

Ye Siheng cut to the chase, "Brother, there’s something significant I need to tell you."

Emperor Muwu, unaware of the seriousness, lifted his teacup and took a sip.

"Actually, Chu the Fifth is not your father-in-law’s biological son; he is Emperor Qi’s younger brother," Ye Siheng revealed.

"Pfft—"

Tea sprayed from Emperor Muwu’s mouth, his hands trembling, the teacup shaking. "What... what did you say? Are you joking with me? How dare you tell me such things?!"

Ye Siheng maintained a calm expression. "Didn’t you say there’s nothing we can’t discuss as brothers?"

Emperor Muwu’s eyes widened, placing the teacup on the table, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. He leaned forward, grasping Ye Siheng’s hand tightly. "What’s going on with the Chu family? How did they end up raising Emperor Qi’s younger brother?"

Ye Siheng briefly explained the circumstances, including Ye Chengyan’s previous rebellion and how Emperor Qi controlled the troops outside.

What he relayed was precisely what Emperor Muwu wanted to hear. Though the emperor was reluctant to rule, he understood that the foundation of Mu Nation’s sovereignty must not be shaken.

Initially grim, his expression turned to one of astonishment. "Is it true? Does Emperor Qi care that much about Chu the Fifth?"

He had thought himself to be the favored brother, only to realize there was someone who cared for Chu Yan even more.

"Yes, the spies report that Emperor Qi hasn’t made any moves since returning but is consolidating power in the court and preparing for his next visit to Mu Nation," Ye Siheng explained.

Once, Emperor Muwu may not have comprehended this, but now, as a solitary ruler on a cold throne, he recognized Chu Yan’s choice: returning to Qi Nation for untold power and riches, while valuing the rarest treasures of family love and harmony.

The Chu family had everything they needed. The throne of Qi Nation held no allure for Chu Yan.

"In that case, it seems Qi Nation and Mu Nation can maintain peace for a while," Emperor Muwu noted with pleasure, then suddenly focused on Ye Siheng. "You know such a huge secret—are you unable to contain it, and that’s why you’re telling me?"

Ye Siheng felt an urge to roll his eyes. He said solemnly, "Brother, this matter is indeed serious. If exposed, it could spell disaster for the Chu family. I thought it necessary to inform you."

The atmosphere grew heavy.

Emperor Muwu’s face turned serious. "For other families, I might be cautious, but the Chu family and Six Girl’s family? I won’t suspect anything."

Yet, this revelation was truly shocking.

But upon reflection, it might be beneficial. If Emperor Qi continued to care for his brother, there would be fewer conflicts between the two nations, ultimately benefiting the common folk.

Moreover, with Mu Nation’s treasury not able to fund a war in the coming years, peace seemed feasible.

Ye Siheng continued, "I know you won’t think ill of them, but others may. If this secret leaks, and the Chu family finds themselves besieged while I’m absent, I hope you’ll step in to protect them."

Emperor Muwu raised an eyebrow. "You think something you’ve been involved in could leak?"

"I’m not afraid of one in ten thousand; I’m worried about one in a million," Ye Siheng replied. "The Chu family wouldn’t leak a word, but I fear a sudden miscalculation from Emperor Qi’s side."

Emperor Muwu understood, first nodding and then shaking his head. "Even if our two nations can coexist peacefully, with so many years of animosity, if this matter were to leak, how could I protect them?"

Harboring the bloodline of a rival royal family could be a crime punishable by extermination!

Ye Siheng leaned closer and proposed, "If that time truly comes, Brother, you might handle it this way..."

He shared a long plan.

Emperor Muwu’s eyes widened in shock as he listened. Stuttering, he asked, "Ninth Brother, you... you really have such audacity? If it comes to that, how could I face our ancestors?"

"It doesn’t matter. A’Li has said, our ancestors, including our father, have reincarnated," Ye Siheng replied.

"..."

Emperor Muwu was momentarily speechless. After a brief silence, he nodded slightly. "If that day truly comes, I will do everything to protect him and the Chu family."

Ye Siheng smiled slightly, standing up respectfully and bowing to Emperor Muwu. "Thank you, Brother."

Just as he finished his bow, a loud thunderclap echoed from outside.

Emperor Muwu’s heart skipped a beat, waving his hand. "Ninth Brother, have you noticed? Ever since you obtained that inner elixir, every time you bow to me, it thunders!"

He found this detail unsettling.

Ye Siheng had also noticed. "It’s true."

"Could it be that you’re a reincarnated celestial being? That the heavens think you’re belittling yourself when bowing to me, hence the thunderous warning?" Emperor Muwu felt a chill.