The Immortal Cultivation World of Male Inferiority and Female Supremacy
Chapter 302. Powerless Rage

Chapter 302: 302. Powerless Rage

Li Shuxian has served Emperor Qiao Zhi for over ten years and is quite familiar with Qiao Sen, having watched her grow up.

Qiao Sen also regarded Li Zhenxian as an elder, but unexpectedly, she poisoned Emperor Qiao Zhi, which to Qiao Sen was equivalent to a betrayal by family.

Recovering from her shock, Li Shuxian immediately throws herself to the ground, kneeling before Qiao Sen, wailing, "Your Highness, this old servant has wronged the emperor, wronged you."

Li Shuxian’s words confirmed that she indeed had poisoned him.

Qiao Sen’s rationality was nearly drowned by anger; she strode forward, her hands channeling the Ripple Divine Skill, shouting in rage, "Today, I’ll have you pay with your life!"

Her hand had just risen but was caught by Yu Qing: "Calm down, she cannot die yet."

Du Ruxue calmly said from the side, "Your mother’s poisoning is indeed related to Li Shuxian, but it was not intentional."

Only then did Qiao Sen regain clarity from her fury, lifting the kneeling Li Shuxian from the ground: "Speak, what really happened?"

Li Shuxian began her tearful account, starting from last year.

Since Di Ao made a name for himself, he’s been favored by Emperor Qiao Zhi, and Di Ao was quite adept at playing the game, frequently offering Li Shuxian generous gifts, asking her to speak favorably of him to the emperor.

This was a tacit understanding that Li Shuxian naturally accepted; as Di Ao’s status rose, so did the rapport between them.

Last year, Di Ao began using Li Shuxian to present the emperor with various Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures that could extend his life.

Although Li Shuxian had befriended Di Ao, she also carried out her duties faithfully; all the tributes went through poison testing, and the standards were stricter than ever.

Li Shuxian knew very well that if there were any issues with Di Ao’s offerings, she couldn’t escape either.

However, what she didn’t foresee was that those Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, although fine individually, would become deadly when consumed quickly together.

Thus, Emperor Qiao Zhi was poisoned and fell ill, and that night, Di Ao, who had been prepared, immediately turned hostile, planning to kill and silence her.

Only then did Li Shuxian awaken as if from a dream, but it was too late.

Had it not been for Du Ruxue stepping in at the critical moment to hide Li Shuxian, she might have perished.

Upon hearing Li Shuxian’s lament, Qiao Sen threw her harshly to the ground.

The truth was now clear, and next, they just needed to capture Di Ao, with Li Shuxian as a witness, the Di Faction would have no argument.

Should they choose to stubbornly resist, Qiao Sen was not without means.

Li Shuxian was kept at Du Ruxue’s place, which was still the safest location.

The plan to capture Di Ao, however, posed challenges, as more than half of the ten royal consecrators had been bought and sequestered by her.

Though most had distanced themselves from her following her decline, two remained steadfastly loyal, protecting her.

Xuan Ling spoke lazily, "Let me go, then."

Apart from Du Ruxue, in Xuan Ling’s eyes, the other royal consecrators were mere small fry; otherwise, they wouldn’t be in the Chu Kingdom laboring.

"No, we can’t leave Qiao Sen now,"

Yu Qing rejected Xuan Ling’s suggestion, recalling Fang Zhou’s note, insisting that safeguarding Qiao Sen’s safety was the utmost priority.

Xuan Ling pursed his lips, "Then who do you suggest go?"

Before Yu Qing could answer, Qiao Sen suddenly said, "Let Zhou Tong go."

Zhou Tong had been unwavering in her support of Qiao Sen from start to finish among the royal consecrators.

Yu Qing hesitated, "But she’s just one person, there are two on Di Ao’s side..."

Qiao Sen abruptly interrupted Yu Qing, "Yes, two, but only one for Di Ao."

Yu Qing was puzzled but quickly realized, "Does one of the consecrators on Di Ao’s side belong to you?"

Qiao Sen shook her head, replying gravely, "No, not mine. She’s my mother’s."

She explained to them that this was someone Emperor Qiao Zhi had planted beside Di Ao early on.

While Emperor Qiao Zhi trusted Di Ao, he wasn’t entirely unguarded; upon realizing Di Ao was mingling with royal consecrators, he placed an internal agent beside Di Ao.

Unfortunately, she was poisoned by Di Ao first, otherwise, just one secret order would have sufficed to capture Di Ao.

Before Qiao Sen even sought assistance from the Heavenly Sword Sect, she had been contacted by the internal agent at Di Ao’s side, but with multiple consecrators backing Di Ao back then, they couldn’t act solo.

Qiao Sen instructed the agent to continue lurking, patiently waiting for the opportune moment. To maintain secrecy, Qiao Sen hadn’t disclosed this to anyone, but now it could finally come into play.

With two against one, Di Ao injured, and the surprise from the inside agent, they could easily capture her.

Zhou Tong soon received her orders and departed alone from the Imperial Palace, without extra guards, to avoid alarming her target.

Even if the capture failed, imposing the "rebellion" label and challenging Di Ao to indeed rebel wouldn’t be a problem.

"Your Highness, an attendant from the Crown Prince Mansion seeks audience with you on urgent matters."

A guard suddenly reported, which made Qiao Sen quite puzzled, wondering what could be urgent enough to come to the palace in the dead of night.

The palace gates were shut at night; only a smaller door allowed entry, restricted to Crown Prince Mansion’s personnel.

A disguised attendant named Da Wa was soon brought before Qiao Sen, without revealing her identity, only handing her a note from Fang Zhou.

With curiosity, Qiao Sen opened the note, her face changing instantly.

Fang Zhou had written only one thing: Di Jingying was collaborating with Di Ao in a staged double act, and had recently been contacting army generals frequently, possibly planning a military coup.

The note was signed by Baron Qi Beilin, leaving no doubt in Qiao Sen’s mind about its contents.

"Bring someone!"

Qiao Sen couldn’t afford to explain to Yu Qing and others clearly, hastily summoning civil servants and military generals.

...

Di Ao lay on a rocking chair, gazing at the night beyond her window with a tranquil look.

Her thoughts at present were quite complex, troubled by Qiao Sen’s aggressive moves in court, and the pressure from the True Mother God Sect lurking behind her.

"You’re in trouble, Di Ao."

A familiar voice suddenly sounded from behind.

Di Ao swiftly turned, spotting a shadowy figure in the corner of the room.

This person was the liaison from the True Mother God Sect, never revealing any real appearance.

"Are you here to mock me?"

Di Ao sneered, "Aren’t my current troubles enough?"

"No, you’re wrong,"

The shadowy figure let out a sinister laugh, "Qiao Sen has already found Li Shuxian at the palace and has dispatched someone to capture you."

Di Ao sprang from her chair, marked with shock and anger.

"It must be Du Ruxue!!"

She growled with fury, "The entire palace went unchecked only at Du Ruxue’s place; without this woman’s obstruction, I would have succeeded!!"

The shadow taunted, "Your ineptitude paired with your anger makes for quite the spectacle."