Chapter 14

Chapter 14

He looked at her features with an intensity that seemed to trace every line, his gaze moving inch by inch downward-from her brows to the bridge of her nose, then to her lips-as if he wanted to memorize her entire face and carve it deep into the very core of his heart.

Sometimes, even Wei Yi himself couldn’t understand why, out of everyone, it had to be her.

Ao Chun had merely refused to surrender his military command, and that alone had been enough to kindle a killing intent within him.

But Sheng Zhaoning had provoked him time and time again, her mind full of schemes, and no one knew when she would bare her vicious fangs and bite him until he was drenched in blood.

Still, he couldn’t bring himself to kill her.

She had too many abilities, too many tricks. She would make use of anyone he could or couldn’t imagine, stirring up storms of blood and chaos again and again, forcing him to be constantly on guard.

Wei Yi admitted it: Sheng Zhaoning was someone who made him… wary, even fearful.

He didn’t even understand why he felt this way.

Back in Liangzhou, she had been the terror of the entire Northern Border, cursed and feared by everyone. He hadn’t feared her then, when she exuded a fierce, murderous aura. But now, he was inexplicably afraid of her-her body wracked with illness, unable to even lift a sword.

Even so, she could still kill without spilling a drop of blood, right under his watchful eyes.

Only by locking this person away, by watching her and restricting her every move, could he feel at ease, could he feel that she belonged completely to him.

Outside the window, the sparse shadows of trees fell in a mottled, chaotic pattern.

On the palace path, a thin, small figure hurried past.

She arrived before the abandoned Eastern Palace, looked around in every direction to make sure no one was nearby, then pushed the door open and slipped inside. With great care, she closed the door behind her, making sure nothing seemed out of place.

“You’ve come.”

From behind a pillar of nanmu wood, a person dressed as a eunuch slowly stepped out. Beneath the chimney hat, his features gradually became clear.

“Zhou Wei,” she called, then turned and pulled him into the empty hall.

“Where is it?” she asked with a frown.

Zhou Wei reached into his clothes and took out a small, unremarkable porcelain bottle. “A knockout drug from the Southern Frontier. Only one dose-there can be no mistake.”

Her expression turned grave as she reached out, took the bottle, and carefully put it away.

Zhou Wei looked at her and asked, “Has the matter the magistrate assigned you been investigated?”

“Yes.” She handed him a topographic map, pointing to a location on it. “The person is being held here. There are guards inside who rotate shifts, so be extremely careful.”

Zhou Wei nodded.

Meeting here in secret was already extremely dangerous; they should have gone their separate ways as soon as the exchange was done. Yet before leaving, Zhou Wei couldn’t help but ask, “The magistrate… is she well?”

The woman’s steps faltered. She turned back, her gaze holding a complicated scrutiny as she looked at Zhou Wei.

She shook her head. “She’s not well.”

How could someone living only by clinging to hatred possibly be well?

Though Zhou Wei had long known the answer, he couldn’t resist asking. And upon hearing the reply he expected, his hand unconsciously clenched into a fist.

His lips pressed tightly together, he remained silent, then turned and strode out of the Eastern Palace.

The woman stood under the corridor, a slanting ray of sunlight falling on her shoulder. Facing that sliver of light, her eyes swept inch by inch over the desolation before her.

“How did it become so ruined?”

She gazed at the overgrown weeds and broken tiles of the Eastern Palace, murmuring to herself.

The wind passed by in silence.

The next day, at the hour of the rooster.

The New Year’s Eve banquet was held, with all civil and military officials in attendance.

Wei Yi sat at the head seat. Below, on both sides of the hall, the officials were seated in separate rows according to their official rank.

Wei Yi had seized the empire through rebellion, and most of the key positions at court had been replaced with his trusted followers. The highest civil official, the Chancellor, was once the most trusted advisor to Prince Zhenbei, helping him win the realm.

The highest military official was a general who had once defended the Northern Border alongside Prince Zhenbei.

It could be said that without these two men, the empire would not have changed hands so easily.

Alas, Prince Zhenbei had plotted for half his life, but just a step away from the throne, he was betrayed by the Late Emperor and died beside the brother he hated most.

Wei Yi watched the tedious song and dance below the steps, his hand resting on the dragon throne, his fingertips tapping irregularly. A hint of impatience, barely perceptible, flickered between his brows.

“How much longer?” Wei Yi coldly asked Zhao Quan beside him.

“Your Majesty, it’s only just begun. It’ll take at least a couple of hours!” Eunuch Zhao was so frightened he broke out in a cold sweat.

The New Year’s banquet was an extremely important occasion throughout the year, with nearly all the imperial relatives and nobility in attendance. If the emperor were to leave rashly now, who knew how many rumors would spread, causing turmoil in the court and country? His position as head of the inner palace would be at its end.

Wei Yi’s brows furrowed, his expression darkening slightly. The impatience between his brows was forcibly suppressed. He picked up his wine cup and drank it in one gulp. The fiery liquor slid down his throat, and his complexion improved a little.

“Go see what Sheng Zhaoning is doing.” Setting down the cup, he ordered.

Eunuch Zhao hastily agreed.

He turned and had Qing’an return to Changhua Hall, while inwardly clasping his hands together, silently praying that these two deities would remain at peace and not cause any trouble at this moment!

Wei Yi leaned back in his chair, watching Qing’an’s receding figure. For some reason, an inexplicable restlessness and unease stirred in his heart.

Fortunately, Qing’an returned quickly. He passed the message to Zhao Quan, who hurried up the steps, walked to Wei Yi’s side, and said in a low voice, “Miss Sheng is reading by the window; Tao Rui is with her.”

After Jin He left, Tao Rui and Dan Qing, who had been assigned from the Twelve Directorates, naturally remained by her side as personal attendants.

These two had been carefully selected by Zhao Quan from the Twelve Directorates; they were thorough and meticulous. Keeping them by her side was more akin to surveillance, and any news of Sheng Zhaoning would naturally be reported to Wei Yi at once.

Hearing this, Wei Yi’s tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed for a moment.

Beside him, Ao Chun held his wine cup but did not stand. With an enigmatic smile, he raised his cup in a toast and said, “Your Majesty, now the realm is settled and all is peaceful. Back then, we brothers fought everywhere, shedding countless blood, all for this very day.”

Wei Yi cast a lazy glance downward but said nothing.

The person seated opposite Ao Chun was the first to stand. He raised his cup and said, “Grand General Ao commands a great army with illustrious military achievements, truly a pillar of our Great Wei. However, under the chaos of war, the common people suffered misery. Now that all is peaceful and the court rejoices, it is the fruit of Your Majesty’s benevolent heart.”

Ao Chun narrowed his eyes and retorted sarcastically, “Well said, Grand Secretary. But when I was riding my warhorse, bleeding dry to conquer the realm, where was the Grand Secretary?”

All gazes focused over, and the previously bustling hall suddenly fell silent.

Cai Zhou smiled faintly and replied, “Resettling refugees, quelling disasters.”

Ao Chun’s expression turned cold, his gaze dangerous.

His military strategy emphasized “ruthlessness,” disregarding casualties and consequences, resulting in countless innocent civilian deaths and injuries, giving him a terrible reputation among the people.

Fortunately, Cai Zhou was behind him, soothing refugees and stabilizing the people’s hearts, allowing him to focus on charging ahead without worries.

Ao Chun was extremely arrogant, with underhanded methods, and always looked down on civil officials. He believed that only merits earned through blood and flesh were solid achievements. Why should he be on equal footing with those pedantic scholars who couldn’t even bind a chicken?

Yet he had to admit that Cai Zhou indeed had ability and tactics, and his contribution to planning the realm was no less than his own feats in conquering it.

He held some respect for him, but what about Wei Yi? After his own father died, he got the throne for nothing. What right did he have to rule the realm?