Hua Qiyue dashed directly in the palace’s direction, her figure whizzing. The figure following behind her silently was Yun Shimo.
The two of them soon arrived at the palace. They disregarded the protection air shield erected by the Qi Artists and barged directly in. The other Qi Artists did not know whether to go after them or not.
“Hua Qiyue’s back!”
“Yes. I didn’t expect her to be back so soon! I heard that her adopted son’s offended Her Highness and has been captured.”
“Looks like a great show’s about to start!”
“Tsk, tsk, the world’s most beautiful and talented female Qi Artist, versus His Majesty’s favorite daughter. Well… ”
“Princess Qianyang isn’t like the other princesses. After all, they have been separated for years. His Majesty feels much guilt over her.” The Qi Artists were all discussing quietly. To be honest, Hua Qiyue had such elevated status that the matter shouldn’t be hard to resolve.
After all, even the Emperor had to give her some face.
Hua Qiyue dashed straight into Righteous Hall and leaped in. Immediately, dozens of Qi Artists surrounded her. “Stand where you are. The Righteous Hall’s the venue where His Majesty holds court. If anyone barges in, he will be treated like a treasonous rebel!”
Yun Shimo also leaped in, coldly sweeping the company with his gaze. The eight Qi Artists were the Princess’s personal guards. The remaining Palace Guards saw Yun Shimo and Hua Qiyue and were astounded.
They did not expect them to be back so soon. They made their appearance immediately after the Princess brought Tianci into Righteous Hall.
“Am I not qualified to enter too? Shouldn’t you people report to His Majesty now?” Yun Shimo bellowed with an icy countenance. He stood erect proudly, guarding before Hua Qiyue.
The Qi Artists all gave a start. The head of the Palace Guards immediately walked over and said politely, “So it’s Prince Nan and Princess Jinghua. Forgive us! I will report immediately to His Majesty!”
Then his figure flashed and disappeared into the hall. Soon, the Emperor summoned Hua Qiyue and Yun Shimo for an audience.
The moment Hua Qiyue set her feet within Righteous Hall, she saw Tianci trapped in a ma.s.sive iron cage. His little face was full of grievances.
Her face sank. Tianci was the darling of her heart. Even if the Emperor wanted to hurt him, she would protect him with her life!
She was about to act when Yun Shimo pre-empted her. He waved his large sleeve and two streaks of icy light darted toward the iron cage. Clang! The iron cage dissolved into dust. Yet Tianci remained unhurt.
“How audacious, Prince Nan! How dare you use Qi Art in Righteous Hall! You have disturbed His Majesty! How should you pay for your crime?” The five Venerable Masters around Princess Qianyang all started to yell.
Yun Shimo raised his eyebrows and he swept the five masters with a gaze.
The old woman immediately sensed his two eyes shining like sharp daggers, piercing into her heart. Although he did not act, her palms were already drenched in cold sweat.
Seeing Hua Qiyue’s return, Tianci started to rejoice. Over at the other side, the Qi Artists wanted to go near and capture him again. But Hua Qiyue bellowed coldly, “Whoever touches him dies!”
Hua Qiyue’s audacity made even the seated Emperor displeased. He was still the Emperor after all, sitting here. Yet Hua Qiyue had dared to be so bold!
Hua Qiyue’s figure flashed and she appeared before Tianci. She pulled his little hand. “Tianci, are you alright?”
Tianci stood up and his large eyes glowed brightly. “I am, Mom, I am alright! That woman used some Hallucination Art to lure me out of Hua’s Mansion. When I saw Mom bind up in her carriage, I have to attack her!”
Tianci gave a cold snort. “This woman can’t have Dad’s heart. So, she’s playing tricks to trouble Mom!”
His words made the Emperor and Princess Qianyang’s faces blanch even more.
Concubine Xian was also seated. Her countenance changed immediately and she cried out coldly, “How outrageous! Insulting Her Highness in Righteous Hall! Hua Qiyue, you’d better discipline your adopted son!”
“Hua Qiyue, you are really too much this time!” Even the Emperor had felt offended and remarked coldly.
Watching these people seated on high, Hua Qiyue lifted her eyebrows coldly. She had risked her life to kill the evil beasts at Rock Hillock Mountain. Yet the Emperor could not tolerate her adopted son!
Yun Shimo cupped his fists quietly. “My respects to Your Majesty.”
“Do you still regard yourself as my subordinate? I have ruled that you can’t use Qi Art in Righteous Hall!” The Changlong Emperor said coldly.
“Your Majesty, if no one hurts my son, of course I won’t use Qi Art. But someone has framed my adopted son. They have disregarded our loyalty. So, I have to use Qi Art to protect Tianci.”
Yun Shimo spoke quietly. He was always so calm in face of ordeals, even if it meant dealing with the supreme Emperor. But it gave others the false impression that he was the real master of the world.
“Prince Nan, please provide us with substantial evidence before making this statement. This boy tried to a.s.sa.s.sinate Princess Qianyang before public eyes. So, it’s only right that we apprehend him and bring him back into the palace!” Concubine Xian’s eyes were burning with anger. She wanted them all to be convicted of their offense.
“Qiyue pays her respect to His Majesty, Concubine Xian and Princess Qianyang! I am from the capital, so I feel for this place. I don’t wish to argue about this anymore. I hope that Your Majesty can let me take Tianci back.”
Hua Qiyue was too lazy to fight these women. After all, Tianci was not really hurt. But if there was a next time, she would not be soft-hearted. Nor would she give in.
Princess Qianyang heard her and instantly stood straight up, causing the teacup on the table to shake. “My Royal Father and Mother, this boy tried to a.s.sa.s.sinate me on the street. Now Hua Qiyue has so audaciously asked for him to be released back to his mansion. No way! I was once in the throes of death. It was the Qi Artists who have helped me survive. If not, I would have died!”
Hua Qiyue stood quietly where she was. Tianci stared boldly into the Emperor’s eyes.
The Emperor gave a shudder. For some reason, he was feeling quite awed.
Hua Qiyue was a very important Qi Artist of Changjing Kingdom. He could not offend her easily. Yet this time, it was his daughter, lost for over ten years, who had been a.s.sa.s.sinated by Tianci. He was in a quandary.
Concubine Xian saw the Emperor hesitate and said to him in a whisper, “Your Majesty, although Hua Qiyue is a high-level Qi Artist, she is still a commoner. Your Majesty is the supreme master of the realm. If you listen to her all the time, won’t it violate the sanct.i.ty of the throne? Her adopted son is young and naive. He can be forgiven. But we can’t simply let the whole matter go. I suggest keeping him in prison for five days before letting him go!”
Concubine Xian’s voice was very low, but Hua Qiyue and Yun Shimo overheard her. Their countenances turned cold.
There was a dead silence in the hall.
Princess Qianyang stared anxiously at the Changlong Emperor. This ploy was thought by the Fifth Venerable Master. Her purpose was to teach Hua Qiyue a lesson. They must let her understand no one could offend a Princess.
Of course, the Princess had decided on her man. Hua Qiyue was only a nominal princess. Her status could not match up with hers. Therefore, Hua Qiyue ought to give Yun Shimo up on her own and offer him to her!
Princess Qianyang’s aim was so simple.
The Changlong Emperor mused silently for a while before opening his mouth. “Princess Jinghua, I forgive your adopted son, Tianci, for being young and naive. Since he has offended the Princess, we shall keep him in prison for five days before releasing him.”
Hua Qiyue’s heart sank and she sneered. “Your Majesty, you’ve been the Emperor for 20 years. Why let someone hoodwink you? Tianci is innocent. It was all a deliberate plot of the Princess. Your Majesty’s acting as her accomplice, helping her grow proud and audacious.”
The Changlong Emperor heard her and swept Princess Qianyang with a gaze. He found her eyes evasive. She seemed to have gone against her conscience.
But Princess Qianyang was still his most beloved daughter. Hua Qiyue had no proof right now. Naturally he could not believe her words.
“Princess, please don’t blabber nonsense without any evidence! Qianyang has always been an innocent girl. How could she have done this despicable act?” Fifth Venerable Master remarked coldly.
Hua Qiyue gazed at her, her face expressionless. “Then someone must have instigated her to. If you want proof, look for it in the Princess. But I feel that we ought to turn this whole matter into a minor issue. Let me take Tianci home. I will overlook everything!”
Hua Qiyue was giving the Emperor a second chance.
Hua Qiyue’s repeated requests had infuriated the Emperor. After all, he was the Emperor, not her. Yet Hua Qiyue was repeatedly incurring his displeasure.
Yun Shimo saw the Emperor’s dark face and immediately remarked quietly, “Your Majesty, Princess Jinghua has just returned from the village and killed two fifth-level evil beasts. She’s been protecting the state, yet her son was wilfully framed by the others. I find it both unreasonable and unfair on her feelings. The fact that her son’s unprotected means that the state has failed in its responsibilities. I hope that Princess Qianyang will not stir up any more trouble. After all, our country’s already deep in unknown dangers.”
Yun Shimo spoke quietly. Yet his words made the Changlong Emperor shudder with fear!
He was right. Huangfu Shenglin had already reported that the Dark Sect of Yuewu Kingdom had dug an underground palace near Changjing Kingdom. In other words, they were invading Changjing Kingdom.
There was the additional trouble of the Gnawing Devils Sect and the ensuing chaos they would wreak. And then there was the Soul Puppet. They needed a vast number of Qi Artists to curb these internal unrests.
If he really offended Hua Qiyue and Yun Shimo, the consequences would be dire.
Hua Qiyue already had a divine weapon. Alone, she could oppose ten thousand stallions and soldiers from another country.
The Changlong Emperor glanced at the enraged Princess Qianyang. Although he felt quite displeased with Hua Qiyue and Yun Shimo, he began to nod gently after some quiet musing.
“Qianyang, no more of your nonsense. Leave us now!”
Princess Qianyang heard him and went against his order. She shouted angrily. “Father, it was the boy who had tried to kill me. Why must I bear with this quietly? Am I really your daughter?”
Concubine Xian heard her and her countenance turned pale. “Qianyang, don’t talk nonsense. Leave now!”
“I won’t! I am unconvinced!” Princess Qianyang glared at Hua Qiyue and stared meaningfully at Yun Shimo, waves of tenderness emanating from her eyes.
“Since Princess Qianyang is unconvinced, I shall not be polite!” Hua Qiyue’s pretty face turned cold. “I gave Her Highness two chances thanks to His Majesty! You made my son suffer injustice, yet you’s rather ignore these chances. I shall give proof and avenge the insult you’ve offered him!”
Hua Qiyue was calm and collected. Fifth Venerable Master and Princess Qianyang, however, were in some trepidation. She sounded so confident. Did she really have proof to all these?
Impossible! Hua Qiyue had just returned to the capital. How could she know their henchmen?
“Princess Jinghua, don’t reach out for a yard after taking an inch! This is the Righteous Hall, not a common street! Why would Qianyang frame a child?”
Concubine Xian’s handsome brows shot up. Fury appeared on her rather prepossessing face.