BXBX NOVEL Chapter 270 - 270: The Great Empress Dowager’s Plans
“Go.”
The old nanny wanted to say something else, but seeing the look in the Great Empress Dowager’s eyes, she ultimately didn’t say anything. She gave the Great Empress Dowager a bow, and softly said, “Yes, I will go at once.”
An hour later, the King of Huainan, Zhao Yang, walked into Cining Palace.
Everyone in the palace knew that the Great Empress Dowager liked talking to old acquaintances, so when they saw King Huainan entering the Cining Palace, nobody was surprised.
The moment he entered the Cining Palace, the usual gentleness in King Iluainan’s eyes vanished, replaced by sharpness.
Entering the inner hall of the Cining Palace, Zhao Yang came forward to salute the Great Empress Dowager, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
“Get up.”
After Zhao Yang stood up, the Great Empress Dowager spoke softly, “1 called you here today because 1 have a task that you must personally undertake.”
Upon hearing the Great Empress Dowager’s words, surprise flashed in King Iluainan’s eyes. “What would Your Majesty have me do?”
“I want you to journey to the Western Regions. No matter what method you employ, Xiao Nanye must be killed.”
The Great Empress Dowager then briefly recounted the current situation at King Cheng Mansion. After concluding, she added, “I’ve heard your son, now the heir to your title, possesses commendable character. Should Xiao Nanye fall, a place among the capital’s elite will assuredly be open to him.”
This was both a lure and a threat.
Hearing the words of the Great Empress Dowager, a mix of emotions clouded King Iluainan’s eyes.
While many believed the Great Empress Dowager to be devoutly religious, Zhao Yang, having dealt with her for decades, had never bought into her feigned compassion.
After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Yang bowed deeply. “As Your Majesty wishes.”
“Go. 1 await your good news.”
“Yes.”
After paying his respects to the Great Empress Dowager, King Huainan made to leave. Yet, as he neared the inner hall’s exit, the voice of the Great Empress Dowager echoed from behind, “Wait.”
He turned, “Does Your Majesty have further instructions?”
“I’ve heard that Prince Qing and King Cheng have always been at odds. You might consider relaying this information to Prince Qing’s Mansion.”
“Yes.”
Jiang Peihuan was completely unaware of the events happening within the palace.
Night had fallen again, and they had been traveling for a day and a night.
At that moment, Zhao Yong’s voice came from outside, “Queen, do you need to rest here?”
“Let’s rest here for four hours.”
Soon after, the team stopped.
Jiang Peihuan lifted the curtain. After sitting in the carriage for such a long time, she felt her body was somewhat stiff.
Looking at Rong Mo, who was resting with his eyes closed, Jiang Peihuan softly asked, “Would Young Master Rong like to step out for a walk?”
“No need.”
Rong Mo didn’t even open his eyes. Upon hearing Jiang Peihuan’s words, he simply replied faintly.
Seeing this, Jiang Peihuan didn’t say anything more.
She got out of the carriage. She hadn’t felt it while she was inside, but when she stepped outside, she realized just how piercingly cold it was.
The Western Regions are close to the Northern Border.
The further you go in that direction, the colder it becomes.
Jiang Peihuan wore a fiery red cloak, a gift from Xiao Nanye. When Zhao Yong rode up, the first thing he caught sight of was the blazing red figure of Jiang Peihuan.
The deep red cloak accentuated Jiang Peihuan’s skin, making it look as white as snow.
Hearing the sound, Jiang Peihuan turned to look in Zhao Yong’s direction.
“Huainan Prince.”
Seeing him, Jiang Peihuan nodded in acknowledgment.
Dismounting his horse, Zhao Yong whispered to her, “Queen, there’s an abandoned temple ahead. It may be dilapidated, but it can shelter us from the wind and snow. Shall we head there?”
“Alright, let’s go to the temple.”
The carriages proceeded directly into the temple grounds.
Jiang Peihuan asked Ye Xiao to heat some water. She moistened a cloth with the warm water and wiped down Xiao Nanye, who was on the carriage.
After completing these tasks, she took Xiao Nanye’s pulse. The condition was as before, with the toxin spreading slowly. This was only because Jiang Peihuan had sealed his acupoints with golden needles, otherwise, Xiao Nanye would have succumbed to the poison long ago.
“My Queen, please have some food.”
The only thing she could do now was to take care of Jiang Peihuan and ensure she didn’t fall ill.
“You eat too,” Jiang Peihuan softly said as she took the rations.
Rong Mo also descended from his carriage. Everyone sat around the fire. Initially, Jiang Peihuan was worried that Rong Mo, who appeared pampered, wouldn’t be used to the dry rations. Yet, he seemed indifferent to it.
“Do you think I, a pampered young master, can’t endure a little hardship?” Rong Mo’s voice reached her ears.
She didn’t deny it but just nodded.
Seeing her response, Rong Mo chuckled, “If a sheltered lady like you can endure, why can’t a grown man like me?”
She didn’t respond.
Zhao Yong, sitting opposite them, listened to their conversation silently. But suddenly, his expression changed, as did Jiang Peihuan’s and Rong Mo’s.
“Someone’s coming.”
As Zhao Yong’s words rang out, the temple doors were violently thrust open. Dozens of men in black appeared.
“Protect the Queen!”
Upon seeing this, Ye Xiao shouted and immediately stood in front of Jiang Peihuan.
“Queen, get on the carriage first.”
Zhao Yong commanded coldly at that moment.
Jiang Peihuan, eyes filled with a fierce glint, looked at the men in black. Yet, she said nothing and heeded Zhao Yong’s words, boarding the carriage.
She originally wanted to call Rong Mo to join her on the carriage, but she noticed he had already unsheathed a flexible sword from his waist with great proficiency. At a glance, he was clearly a trained martial artist.
Seeing this, a touch of surprise flashed in Jiang Peihuan’s eyes. She now understood why Rong Mo could travel to the Western Regions.
Ye Xiao guarded Jiang Peihuan’s carriage, while Zhao Yong, Rong Mo, and their men charged forward.
The men in black were masters in their own right. However, the ones accompanying Zhao Yong and Rong Mo were also top-notch. For a while, both sides clashed fiercely without either gaining an upper hand.
Suddenly, a masked man in black darted towards the carriage.
His speed was astonishingly fast; even Zhao Yong and Rong Mo couldn’t intercept him in time.
“Queen, be careful!”
Upon seeing this, Ye Xiao urgently called out.
Inside the carriage, Jiang Peihuan had already drawn a black whip from her waist. But before she could swing it, a white figure swiftly lunged at the man in black.
A sharp wolf’s howl echoed throughout the temple..