Chapter 1133: The Qi Emperor's Curiosity

Receiving no answer, Bu Xun froze. Then, as though something had occurred to him, he watched Huyan Wuhen's departing back and gave a soft sigh. He seemed to understand the Supreme General's difficulty.

He did not linger. He did not even stay long enough for a cup of tea. Gathering his attendants, he hurriedly took to the air and departed.

Bu Xun's return to the palace allowed the Qi emperor Hao Yuntu to breathe a sigh of relief.

Only after learning of Huyan Wuhen's secret battle plan did he realize that Huyan Wuhen had not deliberately defied the imperial decree, but had another plan for suppressing the rebellion. At last, the tension left his face.

"This in-law of mine not only kept the entire court in the dark, he even kept me in the dark. Not a single leak. But the Supreme General wasn't wrong. Your Office of Investigation truly does bear responsibility. The communications hub was breached, which means military secrets could leak at any moment. How could he possibly feel at ease?" Hao Yuntu gave Bu Xun a thorough scolding.

Bu Xun smiled bitterly inwardly. Huyan Wuhen could not be blamed, and neither could he blame His Majesty for misjudging the situation. That left only him to shoulder the responsibility. He immediately admitted fault. "This old servant failed in his duty."

"It seems that to cooperate with the Supreme General's suppression plan, I will have to suffer a little longer and keep bearing the pressure while helping him carry on this performance." Hao Yuntu's tone had relaxed considerably.

His good mood did not last long. Tang Yi arrived dressed as a man, disguised as a member of Wei envoy Kang He's retinue.

Among Wei's personnel in Qi, only Kang He knew of the secret matter entrusted by Xuan Wei. He had received Xuan Wei's confidential order to cooperate fully with Tang Yi.

Kang He knew only that he was to give Tang Yi his full cooperation. He had no idea what she actually intended to do.

Originally, they had not even wanted to tell Kang He, all for the sake of secrecy. But there was no other choice. Whether openly or covertly, Tang Yi had no easy way to meet Hao Yuntu. Without a channel, she would probably have difficulty even entering the imperial palace.

When Hao Yuntu heard that Kang He had brought a confidential envoy from Xuan Wei, he naturally agreed to receive her personally.

Once she met Hao Yuntu, Tang Yi immediately turned to Kang He. "Lord Kang, I must trouble you to withdraw for a while."

Kang He cupped his hands and took his leave.

Only then did Tang Yi take out Xuan Wei's secret letter and present it.

The letter first passed into Bu Xun's hands for inspection. The moment he glimpsed its contents, his eyelids twitched. After confirming there was no problem, he passed it on to Hao Yuntu.

After reading the letter, Hao Yuntu's face went dark. Two words burst from his mouth. "Wretched beast!"

None of his sons gave him peace. His eldest son had raised troops in rebellion, and the son sent to marry into Wei had actually poisoned someone at a time like this. Did that boy not understand why he had been sent to marry into Wei in the first place?

Tang Yi cupped her hands. "Your Majesty, if the Elders of my sect had not used their spiritual power all along the journey to suppress the poison, he could never have reached this place alive. The situation is extremely urgent. For now, we can only protect his heart meridian. I fear he will not last another day or two. I beg Your Majesty to help at once. Otherwise, it will be too late."

Hao Yuntu said, "I understand Xuan Wei's feelings. Our two states are allied and resisting the enemy together, and this affair was caused by that rebellious son of mine. Naturally, I will help. Only... Mr. Wuxin has a strange temperament, unlike ordinary men. I fear that even if that daughter-in-law of mine goes to beg him again, he may not agree."

Tang Yi pleaded, "Things have already reached this point. Whether it works or not, Your Majesty must at least try."

She did not mention that someone had specifically pointed them toward this path of rescue. First, there was no need. Second, she feared that telling Qi too much would create suspicion, cause needless complications, and waste time. Whatever the truth might be, saving the man first was what mattered. That was the main purpose of her journey.

Hao Yuntu gave a soft grunt, then immediately told Bu Xun, "Invite Princess Consort Ying to the palace at once."

Bu Xun was about to accept the command when Tang Yi cut in. "Your Majesty, before I came, the Chancellor repeatedly instructed me to keep this secret. Too many people must not learn of it. It would be best to handle everything covertly, or complications may arise."

Hao Yuntu fell silent briefly, then gave a slight nod. He understood what she meant. She was afraid that once interested parties heard of Ximen Qingkong's whereabouts, someone might try to poison him again. He turned to Bu Xun. "You heard her. Go personally to Prince Ying's residence. Use visiting Hao Zhen as the pretext."

"Yes!" Bu Xun accepted the order.

Hao Yuntu then gave Bu Xun a meaningful look. "While you're at it, ask Imperial Noble Consort Jing on my behalf how exactly she taught her son. Order her to correspond with Hao Cheng regularly and strictly command him not to act recklessly again."

Bu Xun had served him for many years. One look was enough to understand his meaning. He immediately replied, "Your Majesty, the Prince is a hot-blooded young man. Forgive this old servant for saying something unpleasant, but everyone knows about Xuan Wei and Ximen Qingkong. With the Prince caught in the middle, one can imagine how he feels. Young men can be impulsive. It is understandable."

Hao Yuntu said coldly, "Being understandable gives him the right to kill people as he pleases?"

The two played off each other, and Tang Yi understood perfectly well. Hao Yuntu was pointing out that Xuan Wei had been at fault first. He did not want anything to happen to his son in Wei. The whole exchange had been staged for Tang Yi to hear.

Tang Yi listened in silence and said nothing.

Seeing her remain silent, Hao Yuntu seemed to grow curious. Suddenly changing the subject, he asked, "Tang Yi, Sect Leader of Shangqing Sect. You are that former wife of Niu Youdao?"

Tang Yi immediately felt awkward. This was precisely the subject she least wished to face. But she was asking a favor of him and could only force herself to answer. "Yes."

Hao Yuntu could not help studying her appearance carefully from head to toe. She really was striking, an exceptionally beautiful woman.

He had never imagined that one day he would actually meet Niu Youdao's former wife. He asked, "What do you think of Niu Youdao as a man?"

Tang Yi pressed her lips together. "Your Majesty, I do not wish to discuss matters of the past."

Hao Yuntu waved a hand. "I mean nothing else by it. I am simply curious. Niu Youdao is undeniably capable. He came down from the mountain with empty hands and supported Shang Chaozong all the way to where he stands today. Every sect around him has benefited. With his ability, supporting a single Shangqing Sect should have been nothing difficult. Did Shangqing Sect truly have no need for such a talent back then?"

Tang Yi answered perfunctorily, "Shangqing Sect was blind and failed to recognize his worth."

Hao Yuntu did not seem convinced. "Rumor says Niu Youdao spent quite a number of years in Shangqing Sect. I don't believe none of you noticed even a hint of his ability. Even if you had kept him under house arrest..."

That question struck at the heart of the matter. Thinking back on it, Tang Yi herself found the whole thing baffling. After leaving Shangqing Sect, Niu Youdao had stirred up one storm after another. Yet strangely, during those years inside Shangqing Sect, he had been so docile he almost seemed boneless, living as though he were simply eating his fill and waiting to die. No one thought much of him.

She had blamed herself as well. In all those years, she had met Niu Youdao only a handful of times and had barely exchanged more than a few words with him. She had essentially known nothing about what kind of man he was. Even the slightest understanding might have prevented everything that came later.

But who could have known then? He was a country boy from some mountain village. What experience could he possibly have had? Who could have imagined that within his breast he carried a whole splendid world?

The moment he was released from the mountain, he seemed to become another person. He overturned clouds and stirred rain all the way forward, until now he had become someone far beyond Shangqing Sect's reach.

Tang Yi was not the only one confused. Afterward, many in Shangqing Sect had been unable to understand it. If Niu Youdao possessed such spirit and ambition, why had he never fought for anything while in Shangqing Sect? Why wait until after leaving before he began contending? Could the dangers of the outside world possibly have been less than the danger within Shangqing Sect at the time?

None of them could understand. They had no idea that Niu Youdao had known almost nothing of his circumstances back then, nor had his mindset been one of contending for power. He had only wanted to protect himself. Even after following Shang Chaozong, he had originally planned to leave. It was Yuan Gang who dragged him into Shang Chaozong's muddy waters. For loyalty, he entered the struggle for supremacy.

At this moment, Tang Yi could only answer stiffly, "Your Majesty, the reasons are complicated. They cannot be explained clearly."

Hao Yuntu truly had no ulterior motive. Meeting her had simply aroused his curiosity. He gave a sigh. "One day as husband and wife brings a hundred days of affection. You should not have publicly divorced him. What a pity. Otherwise, you would at least have had something tying him to you. A formal status may seem useless, but it could still have kept him from casting you aside so easily."

At that, Tang Yi's embarrassment became almost unbearable. There had never been any true husband-and-wife relationship between her and Niu Youdao. But outsiders naturally assumed otherwise. They had been husband and wife for years, had bowed to Heaven and Earth, and had entered the bridal chamber on their wedding night... As a woman, how was she supposed to explain the truth? Was the dignified Sect Leader of Shangqing Sect supposed to announce to the world that she was still a virgin?

More aggrieving still, it was not that she had wanted to divorce him. Niu Youdao had been determined to sever his connection with Shangqing Sect and had forced her to make the public declaration.

"Your Majesty, saving the man is what matters now." Tang Yi did not want to discuss the subject further and pulled the conversation back to the matter at hand.

Hao Yuntu chuckled. "True enough. He's inside the Sacred Realm now, and whether he can return alive is still uncertain. There isn't much point discussing it." With that, he waved for Bu Xun to make the arrangements.

After Tang Yi and Bu Xun left, Hao Yuntu's face tightened once more. Hao Cheng's actions still infuriated him.

At this point, he still did not know what Hao Cheng had experienced. He had no idea Hao Cheng had personally stumbled upon Xuan Wei and Ximen Qingkong in the midst of relations between man and woman. Later, after Qi sent a message reprimanding Hao Cheng and received his reply, Hao Yuntu finally learned how much humiliation his son had swallowed.

When Imperial Noble Consort Jing learned the truth, she wept uncontrollably. Hao Yuntu promised her that once the war was over, he would bring their son back. But that was a matter for later...

Bu Xun's sudden personal visit to Prince Ying's residence, representing the emperor in calling on him, left Hao Zhen flattered by the unexpected favor.

The poisoning had severely damaged Hao Zhen's vitality. An ordinary person would probably have needed a long period confined to bed to recover. But he had many cultivators around him helping regulate his body, along with excellent medicinal pills. He had already recovered more than half and could get out of bed and walk, though he remained somewhat weak.

After conveying the emperor's concern, Bu Xun had Hao Zhen dismiss everyone around them. Only then did he explain the real reason for his visit.

Hao Zhen immediately summoned Shao Liuer.

When Shao Liuer learned what was being asked of her, difficulty filled her face. But the emperor himself had issued the order. Could she refuse? With her current status, refusal was impossible.

Whoever had pointed Xuan Wei toward this path had obviously anticipated exactly that. They had not approached Shao Liuer directly, but instead arranged for the Qi emperor to order her to act.

Neither Hao Zhen nor Shao Liuer had any room to refuse. Husband and wife could only agree.

After Bu Xun left, Shao Liuer asked uneasily, "Your Highness, why would His Majesty specifically ask this concubine to plead with Mr. Wuxin?"

Hao Zhen sighed. "Probably because you succeeded last time, so he wants you to try again. Liuer, I'm afraid you'll have to suffer another grievance. But there is no choice. We cannot defy Imperial Father's decree. Since we cannot refuse, then go. Do what you can and try. If even that fails, no one can blame you."

The final sentence carried a deeper meaning. He was telling his wife to know her limits. Put plainly, he did not want her making herself suffer too much.

But that was not what Shao Liuer was worried about. Just as she had asked: why her?

A guilty conscience makes a thief suspicious. She had begun wondering whether the Qi emperor Hao Yuntu knew something—whether he had somehow learned of the relationship between her and Wuxin. Given the Qi emperor's power and intelligence network, it was hardly impossible.

Her heart was deeply uneasy, but she still had to obey. She ordered Prince Ying's residence to prepare a carriage, horses, and gifts, then went to Wuxin's residence under the pretext of offering thanks.

Guo Man was still the one who opened the door. Once she learned the purpose of the visit, she went back and informed Wuxin. On hearing that Shao Liuer had come to offer thanks, Wuxin refused to see her.

Yet under Shao Liuer's persistent coaxing and pleading, Wuxin failed to hold firm. In the end, the courtyard gates opened for her.

Finally, a carriage that had been waiting at the mouth of the alley came to the gate. The doors opened, and Tang Yi and the others swiftly carried Ximen Qingkong, completely covered beneath black cloth, inside.

[End of Chapter 1133]