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The Late Emperor passed away, and the news was announced to the world.

The Xia Country Imperial Court made an official announcement, addressing two issues.

The first one explained that the cause of the Late Emperor’s death was “illness”. The Previous Emperor had worked hard, possessed abundant martial virtue, founded the country, recovered territory, and truly achieved great things. However, his old illness relapsed, and despite the efforts of skilled doctors, he still sadly passed away. He was posthumously named the Martial Emperor, his temple title was Tai Zu, and a state funeral would be held in a month.

As for the second issue, it explained the assassination attempt on the two princes in the capital. King Qin and King Yan came to the capital to mourn, but encountered assassins. King Qin was injured and died on the spot, while thankfully, King Yan survived.

With the matter settled, King Yan ascended the throne.

And he pointed all the accusation towards the Raven Sect.

The cult worshipped evil gods, which led to natural disasters and Misfortune among the people, and caused famines. The cult sent assassins, which led to chaos in the Imperial City, and King Qin’s death. The Raven Sect must be destroyed for their crimes against the country and the people. The order was given for all states and counties to attack the cult, and not to make any mistakes.

Although it was officially announced, most people were still suspicious. Even with orders to prohibit it, rumors circulated among the people.

A few days ago, the country was celebrating the Emperor’s birthday, and some places were still immersed in the celebration. But overnight, the Emperor passed away, and the situation became more bizarre.

King Qin and King Yan were summoned back to the capital one after another. A few days later, the survivor was the least conspicuous King Yan, who even ascended the throne. King Qin was said to have been assassinated by the cult.

There were plenty of suspicions and room for speculation, and there were even rumors among the people that King Yan had instigated a military coup at Heavenly Prowess Gate, killing his own father and brothers and ascending the throne himself. But many of these claims were deliberately suppressed by the government, and they did not spread far.

King Qin’s Northern Army anxiously awaited news. They were growing restless, almost on the verge of rebellion. But when they finally received an official decree, their hearts turned cold.

Those who surrendered did so, and those who rebelled went ahead with it. But in the end, there were not many rebels, as subordinates were often influenced by their masters. There weren’t many capable officials among King Qin’s subordinates, and soon enough, the Imperial Court suppressed the rebellion.

The New Emperor had ascended the throne, national policies were still uncertain, and the common people were worried about the future. In the end, everything was shrouded in uncertainty.

The only thing people were certain about was the Raven Sect.

Trouble was coming for them.

At night.

The whole Jinzhou became quiet, surrounded by occasional barks and chirrings. A streak of light flashed through the sky, and Zhao Huai’s figure gradually became clear.

“We’re home! We’re home!”

The myna bird flew from Zhao Huai’s shoulder, perched on top of the

signooara ror Huars pawnsnop, ana snoutea cneerruny.

“We’re actually back.”

Yu Qinghan looked at the Huai’s pawnshop before her, feeling a bit surreal.

Their journey had been filled with ups and downs and seemed like a lifetime ago.

Zhao Huai opened the door, took off the bamboo hat, approached slightly, and said with a grin, “It’s so late, how about a hot spring bath?”

“It’s a bit late tonight, and I’m tired from the journey. How about tomorrow…”

Yu Qinghan’s voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, and she answered with her head down, her fingers twining unconsciously.

“It’s quite comfortable to take a hot spring bath before going to sleep.”

“Okay… okay then.”

Just when the atmosphere inside the house became incredibly delicate, the door squeaked open, and a figure appeared – the younger sister-in-law, Pei

Xiangyun.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“You can call me when you’re done.”

As their eyes met, Pei Xiangyun felt something was wrong and was about to leave.

Yu Qinghan didn’t want to miss the chance to escape. She went forward, grabbed Pei Xiangyun’s clothes, and pulled her up.

“I still have a score to settle with you.”

Pei Xiangyun rolled her eyes helplessly, pouted, and said, “You two really are a pair, even grabbing clothes in the same way. Can we have a conversation instead? Show some respect.”

“Husband, you go take a bath first.”

Yu Qinghan ignored her and spoke to Zhao Huai instead.

“Alright.”

Zhao Huai shrugged, signaling that he didn’t care, and went to take a hot spring bath.

Seeing him leave, Pei Xiangyun picked up the leftover melon seeds on the table, sat down, and cracked one while laughing:

“You both are adults, but you’re so intimate in private. I couldn’t tell before. Sister, I think I won’t be able to receive this kind of treatment in the future. I hope you won’t feel awkvvard when you see me.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Qinghan’s face reddened, and she scolded loudly, “Do you want to be scolded even more? Are you itching for a beating?!”

“How many of the things I asked you to do have you done?”

Pei Xiangyun chuckled sheepishly and asked doubtfully, “By the way, sister, how did you come back so soon?””Thanks to your brother-in-law, otherwise the outcome would not have been good.” Yu Qinghan sighed.

She then told Pei Xiangyun about Zhao Huai’s story in the capital city.

“Is my brother-in-law this powerful?!”

Pei Xiangyun’s eyes widened and her mouth gaped after hearing the story.

“Fighting a Golden Core with a single sword, indeed very powerful.” Yu Qinghan nodded in agreement.

Pei Xiangyun was still in shock in her heart.

She knew very well about the strictness of the capital city, especially after the Emperor’s death, the city was under curfew and inspection. Without a special order, it would be extremely difficult to enter and exit. With tens of thousands of troops guarding the Imperial City, trying to rescue someone from the prison of the Imperial Palace would be nearly impossible.

But if we rule out the possibility of an infiltration, there is only one possibility left.

Killing his way in!

Oh my god! What kind of divine brother-in-law did she have?!

For a moment, Pei Xiangyun felt a newfound awe for Zhao Huai in her heart.

Pei Xiangyun muttered softly, “My brother-in-law is too powerful, my father was just about to send a large army…”

“Your father? A large army?”

Yu Qinghan frowned upon hearing this. She spoke coldly, “Pei Xiangyun, you better explain it to me.”

Pei Xiangyun’s collar was grabbed again, and she was suspended in the air like a chick.

“I’ll tell you! I’ll tell you!”

Quickly, Pei Xiangyun couldn’t take it any longer and hurriedly called out.

Yu Qinghan loosened her grip, folded her arms, and stared at her coldly.

Feeling guilty, Pei Xiangyun said, “After the Emperor died, I went home first, and my father sent me to find you. He said that if you could get to the capital city first and take control of the situation, it would be for the best. If not, he would contact the Southern Army to move northward to support you as the Empress.”

“But even before the army arrived, we received news that you had already escaped…”

“Nonsense!”

Yu Qinghan scolded her, grabbed her ear, and huffed, “You’ve grown up and become smarter, huh?”

“I was wrong! I shouldn’t have hidden this from my sister!”

Pei Xiangyun hurriedly begged for mercy.

Yu Qinghan quickly calmed down and pondered carefully in her mind. She knew that Pei Xiangyun and the Pei family, as well as the former generals, all had her best interests at heart.

So she felt a bit upset about this plotted scheme.

“The hot spring today is absolutely fantastic. I guarantee that after soaking in it, you won’t want to get out, and all your fatigue will be gone.” A voice sounded from inside the room.

Turns out Zhao Huai had finished bathing and come out. He cleaned his ears and smiled.

Seeing the tense atmosphere in front of him, he figured it was some kind of lecture and immediately tried to mediate the situation.

“After all, children will blabber and make mistakes. As long as they change their ways, there’s no need to be harsh.”

Zhao Huai walked over and patted Yu Qinghan’s shoulder with a smile.

“Say that again; I’m not a child!” Pei Xiangyun pouted in protest.

As Yu Qinghan looked at Pei Xiangyun still rubbing her ear in grievance, her heart softened. After all, it wasn’t her fault. So she approached her softly and said:

“Are you hungry? Would you like me to make you something to eat?”

Pei Xiangyun glanced at the two standing shoulder to shoulder and shook her head, saying:

“Never mind, I’m full.”

“How strange, why are the lights outside still not out at this late hour?”

Zhao Huai was about to close the window, but noticed that the lights in many surrounding houses were still on.

This would have been impossible in the past, as any regular common person would save oil for their lamps.

Pei Xiangyun glanced out the window and explained:

“In these few days you were away, you didn’t know.”

“Recently, there have been many deaths in the city. People in the area suspect that there are ghosts and are too scared to turn off the lights and sleep.” Ghosts?

Zhao Huai secretly muttered to himself, as if he thought of something.