Poison Genius Consort

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But Long Feiye just laughed.

“Do you think everyone follows ideals of ‘loyalty?’” he asked.

“The West Qin imperial clan has already died out, but the Shadow Clan who were loyal to them unto death still exists to this very day.
Where is the so-called loyalty of the Seven Noble Families?” Gu Qishao added with a laugh.

Long Feiye didn’t speak.
Han Yunxi knew that she’d overestimated both the Seven Noble Families and normal human sentiments.

“Aiya, why are we haggling over all these petty details? Let’s make a bet.
See when that old crafty Kang Cheng exposes the Chu Clan!” Gu Qishao said, silencing Chu Xifeng and Tang Li before they spoke up.
Long Feiye too, remained silent.

“I’m not betting!” Han Yunxi declared.
Chu Xifeng and Tang Li looked at her in simultaneous surprise.

“What?” she looked back.

“Noth…” Chu Xifeng quickly bowed his head again.

“Was I looking at you?” Tang Li gave a cold snort before averting his gaze.

Han Yunxi only felt that these two people had problems! As for bets, she would never gamble on such an uncertain thing.
That’s how she’d never lose! Despite all this, the group kept tabs on Emperor Kang Cheng’s movements, the Chu Clan’s various battles, and news of Empress Xue during their entire journey east.

—

One month later, all of the Chu Clan forces had retreated eastward, while Emperor Kang Cheng still remained mute on the truth about their identity.
He had transferred nearly all of Western Zhou’s troops to face the Chu Clan, forcing them into successive defeats and withdrawals.
How could a single clan who’d yet to spread its wings hope to face off against the strength of an entire nation?

When everyone was certain that the Chu Clan was going to lose, shocking news came from Western Liang to shake the entire continent! Empress Chu had tripped in front of Emperor Tianhui’s sickbed, triggering an early labor.
Her son was only seven months old in the womb, but still managed to survive the labor.
He was born at night with none the wiser.
Yet, by next morning, all of Western Liang had heard rumors that the entire palace was aglow with a golden, shining light just last night.

Soon enough, the phrase “a golden aura in the sky, heralding the birth of a sage emperor” began to spread throughout the city.
It took only a few more days before the news was all over Tianning Country.
Emperor Tianhui had personally witnessed Empress Chu’s fall and the blood resulting from the tumble.
He had no doubts that it had triggered her early labor and was still marveling at the fact that his son survived at all when the phrase reached his ears.
Delighted with its connotations, he promptly named his son Zun (尊), or ‘venerated and respected.’

Although all of his imperial sons pleaded otherwise, some others even risking their lives to advise the emperor that premature babies hardly lived long, Emperor Tianhui was adamant.
He was determined to make Chu Qingge’s son the crown prince.
Emperor Kang Cheng was still holding morning court assembly when he heard the news and jumped up from his chair.
His sudden motion startled all of the gathered officials and ministers into prostrating themselves on the ground.

“A golden aura in the sky heralds the birth of a sage emperor! Could it be…” Emperor Kang Cheng trailed off as he recalled the Thousand Buddha Cave’s abbott and his words of ‘predestination.’

The disappearance of the thousand-year ginkgo tree might have been predestination, but what about the birth of a sage emperor from a Chu Clan daughter? Is Western Zhou going to start its decline with my reign…no, it cannot!

Emperor Kang Cheng could only shake his head as he lost himself in his thoughts.

“Your Majesty, these are all simply fallacies spread to deceive the people! As this old subject sees it, that ‘premature son’ must be a fully grown baby! The Chu Clan’s long gained control of Western Liang and is simply playing a farce for us to see! Your Majesty, you mustn’t lose your own power and prestige because of their blustering!”

“Your Majesty, forget about the empress and just slaughter the Chu Clan’s armies!”

At last, someone had brought up discarding the empress officially at court.
If not for the fact that she was in Chu Clan hands, Emperor Kang Cheng would have been more vicious in his assault against their armies.

“Your Majesty, if you don’t move now, it’ll be too late to protect the three prefectures in the east once Tianning sends reinforcement troops across the border!”

“Your Majesty, Emperor Tianhui has many soldiers in his hands.
Now they’ll all be under the Chu Clan’s command!”

All of the ministers were admonishing their monarch, but Emperor Kang Cheng simply sat there with a dignified, contemplative expression.
He needed more time to think.

—

Long Feiye’s group wasn’t much surprised by the news.

“A golden aura heralds the birth of a sage emperor! They certainly know how to make things up!” Han Yunxi smiled coldly.
She’d seen plenty such tricks recorded in the annals of history.
Still, the act was enough to blind the people and ruler alike.

Long Feiye naturally disbelieved it as well, not only because he knew the truth of the induced labor, but because he didn’t believe in auspicious signs in the first place.
Meanwhile, Gu Qishao was more concerned with Head Elder Ling and how long the old man would continue to stay at Western Liang. At the very least, he should still be around when we come knocking!

Soon enough, all of the Chu Clan’s forces congregated at Western Liang.
“The Chu Clan seized the three prefectures of Youyun, Fenglin, and Yaoshui on the Western Zhou – Tianning border.
The Western Zhou soldiers attacked them to the base of the city strongholds until the Chu Clan threatened them with the welfare of Empress Xue, thus forcing the face-off to a stalemate! Empress Zhou is their collateral!” Tang Li spoke, looking like a scholar in his white robes.

“Emperor Kang Cheng’s going to have a headache now!” Chu Xifeng grinned.

Han Yunxi paused before speaking out loud, “The crown prince is under house arrest, but isn’t the princess going to try and save her mother?”

Duanmu Yao might not be princess of Western Zhou anymore, but she was still part of Celestial Mountain Sword Sect, which had substantial power. Would she be so cruel as to abandon her own mother?

As Long Feiye prepared to answer, another piece of unexpected news reached their ears…