The Empress Dowager lost, but with the banner of the Emperor's legal mother still in place, she is far from being killed.
If she loses, not only will she not get the position, but she will also die a miserable death.
Princess Jiaorong rushed to Fushou Palace, where Empress Dowager Yan was still asleep.
After waiting outside for a quarter of an hour, the door opened, and Yan Hui saw her with a slightly displeased expression: "How can someone so impatient accomplish great things?"
Who doesn't want to achieve great things? Ji Qingyao thought to herself: When she's willing to come to this Fushou Palace, is she willing to see her old face?
With her mind filled with rebellious thoughts, she stepped forward respectfully: "Grandmother, has the midwife been found? Why not send more people to eliminate the future trouble as soon as possible, so that your grandson can feel at ease."
Mentioning this, the Empress Dowager glanced at her a few times and said, "You're certainly impatient."
When it comes to matters of life and death, it's normal to be anxious.
"grandmother……"
"Alright, I'll give you men to handle this matter. You can rest easy now that the person is dead."
Ji Qingyao exclaimed with delight, "Thank you, Grandmother!"
She was indeed wary of the old woman; only by witnessing the midwife's death could she prevent the Empress Dowager from using the old woman to blackmail her.
Having received the order, she left without hesitation.
The women and the Empress Dowager's people were secretly searching for Lady Nian. In the afternoon, Miss Wei received a message by carrier pigeon from a friend in the martial arts world.
"The Suspended Yin Sect? What kind of sect is that? I've never heard of it before. Who are they looking for?"
Upon hearing the words "Xuanyin Gate," Yao Chenzi snatched the note from her hand, his expression strange.
He seemed to know something, and Wei Pingxi tapped his fingers on the table, waiting patiently.
After a long while, Yao Chenzi's face was filled with worry.
Wei Pingxi poured him a cup of tea: "Speak your mind, don't look like you've lost your parents."
"..."
Yao Chenzi was reminiscing about the past when she said this, which made him quite speechless. This outburst cleared up the old sadness in his heart and restored his mind.
He picked up his teacup and said in a serious tone, "I once told you that I have a senior sister."
"I did say that. You said she practiced evil arts, refused to change despite repeated admonitions, got tired of her master's nagging, and in a fit of anger broke away from the sect. Later, still unable to contain her anger, she launched a surprise attack at night. Your master wanted to guide her back to good, but ended up being ambushed instead..."
“That’s right. My master raised my senior sister and me with great difficulty, but in the end he died tragically at the hands of his first disciple. It’s a pity that he asked me to let go of my hatred before he died. Why do you think he asked me to let go?”
Yao Chenzi smiled sadly: "I am obsessed with medicine and not good at martial arts. My master was afraid that I would be killed by her again if I failed to seek revenge, so she kept urging me to live well until her death."
"Over the years, I've been wandering the world, seemingly carefree, but actually I've been searching for her whereabouts."
"Since I cannot kill her, I search for someone who can."
“But she disappeared after killing her master. When we were studying together, she gave herself a nickname, called Xuan Yin. When I saw the name ‘Xuan Yin Sect,’ I thought of her. Even if it wasn’t her, it’s still related to her.”
“The Suspended Yin Sect…” Wei Pingxi muttered to himself, “It sounds sinister and doesn’t seem like the righteous path.”
"If one is truly on the righteous path, how could one commit the heinous crime of betraying one's sect and murdering one's master?"
Is she very capable?
"Very impressive."
"Who is your master?"
Yao Chenzi stood there, stunned, his expression sorrowful: "Have you ever heard of the 'Compassionate Master'?"
"The world's number one martial arts master, Nian Cibei? He's dead!?"
"He's dead, he died many years ago..."
The small building was deathly silent.
Wei Pingxi's chest heaved: "But he's still on the list of top masters! He's been there for a full forty years!"
How could such a powerful person... how could he die?
"Everyone dies eventually, but what remains is their name. As long as the people of the martial world still remember the name 'Nian Cibei,' who dares to claim to be the best in the world?"
Yao Chenzi said in a low voice: "Master took me and my senior sister as his disciples. My senior sister was not satisfied with the martial arts he passed down, so she went to practice that damn 'Immortality Technique'."
"Where in the world is there true immortality? What exists are evil practices that feed on human blood and energy."
"The key to evil magic is speed. Her sudden improvement in martial arts attracted the attention of her master. When the master learned that his first disciple, on whom he had placed great hopes, was practicing evil magic, he was heartbroken."
“I tried to persuade her to turn back from her wrong path, but she wouldn’t listen. Fearing that her martial arts skills would be crippled, she betrayed her sect overnight.”
"My senior sister is five years older than me. Master actually favors her the most and treats her even better than his own daughter..."
"She didn't kill me because she wanted me to live and see the day she mastered her divine skills."
"Many years have passed, and her martial arts skills have probably reached an unfathomable level, especially with the help of the Suspended Yin Sect..."
"Is there really no one in this world who can do anything about her?"
Yao Chenzi shook his head: "You must not seek death."
"..."
Wei Pingxi stood up: "Your enemy is my enemy. Let me think... Right! Didn't your master leave behind a way to restrain her?"
"have."
What is it?
Yao Chenzi had known her for many years and knew she was loyal and righteous. He couldn't bear to see her die at the hands of a demon at such a young age: "Just stop asking!"
He waved his sleeve and walked away.
Sunlight shone on the two-story building. Wei Pingxi sighed at his stubbornness. She looked at the small piece of paper, about two fingers wide, and pondered: Who is worthy of the reclusive Xuanyin Sect emerging from the water?
The Suspended Yin Sect has been hidden for many years. Now that it has emerged, could it be that the Suspended Yin Ancestor has mastered the evil arts?
This is tricky.
She returned to Jingzhe Courtyard with a frown. Agate came in carrying a secret letter. As she unfolded the letter, she learned that there was some progress on the matter of 'forgetting worries'.
Finally, there was some good news amidst all the troubles. She sat on a bamboo chair, pondering how to kill that Old Ancestor of Suspended Yin.
"Miss, Madam has come to see you."
"Please come in quickly!"
...
Yu Zhi and Madam Wei sat together in the same room.
Ever since she learned about Xi Xi's true background, her perception of the woman in front of her has undergone a huge change.
Madam Wei raised Xi Xi herself. Out of consideration for the mother-daughter bond of eighteen years, Xi Xi was unwilling to think the worst of her. However, those involved are often blinded by their own perspective, while bystanders see things more clearly.
From an outsider's perspective, Yu Zhi thought Madam Wei was extremely terrifying.
There are many people in this world who are all talk and no action. Taking her elder sister's child under her wing is a terrible sin. What was Lady Wei thinking when she entered the palace several times to face the Emperor and Empress and the 'Princess Jiao Rong'?
Will you feel guilty?
Will you regret it?
Will you be restless day and night?
How could she laugh like that? How could she laugh so flawlessly?
There's no such thing as kindness without a reason. She treats Xi Xi so well that even her own son feels resentful. What is she after?
There are actually people who abandon their own children and take their older sister's offspring to raise...
That's terrifying.
Yu Zhi sat there, feeling a chill run down her spine.
Yan Qing slowly sipped her fine Longjing tea: "Has Xi Xi been bullying you lately? If so, just tell your mother. My daughter, don't let her willful and capricious nature fool you, she has a good heart."
"No, Xixi didn't bully me, she really has a kind heart..."
If it's not good, how can we tolerate the person who harmed her sitting here so openly playing the role of a mother?
Xi Xi truly treats Madam Wei as her mother, but does Madam Wei truly treat her as her daughter?
"What's all this commotion about?" The curtain was lifted, revealing the Fourth Miss in her brand-new pomegranate-patterned satin robe, her eyes sparkling: "Mother, Zhizhi, what do you think of this outfit?"
Yan Qing's eyes lit up: "Great, great, it fits perfectly."
Yu Zhi smiled broadly. The fourth young lady was exceptionally beautiful, looking like a fairy even while wearing a burlap sack.
Wei Pingxi settled himself in his seat and said, "Mother must have put a lot of thought into sewing this dress. I thank you, Mother."
“We’re all family, there’s no need for thanks.” Madam Wei raised her hand to straighten her collar: “You look beautiful indeed.”
She came to deliver newly made clothes to her daughter. Seeing Wei Pingxi put on the new clothes, she lingered for a few more moments before getting up and returning to the quiet Liulan Courtyard.
As soon as she left, Wei Pingxi's smile faded, and he stroked the finely stitched satin robe with one hand.
"Your mother has been so good to you. Over the years, I'm afraid even the Marquis hasn't had the chance to wear clothes made by her own hands..."
“My mother dotes on me, and I’m used to it.”
Yu Zhi hesitated, as if she wanted to speak.
She snapped out of her daze: "What are you trying to say?"
“I mean…” Yu Zhi hesitated, “I mean she’s too good to you.”
"yes."
She still didn't think in any other direction, so Yu Zhi shut up.
After a moment of silence, Wei Pingxi stared intently at her: "Why are you acting so strangely?"
"No," she denied outright.
Wei Pingxi didn't ask any more questions, and turned to go to the study wearing his new clothes.
Yu Zhi lay on the table, knowing that she had gone to the study to see the gifts the Empress had given her.
Ever since she learned about her origins, she has been staring at those porcelain dolls all the time.
Yu Zhi wanted to remind her of Madam Wei's strange attitude, but she asked herself, what pure-hearted daughter would use lewd thoughts to speculate about her beloved mother?