Chapter 55: The Matter is Exposed, Will Ning Ye Be Held Responsible?
At the Junlin Imperial Palace's Observation Deck, Mu Lingxi, the Saintess of the Yin Yang Sect, stood with her hands behind her back. Dressed in a luxurious black Phoenix-patterned gown, she looked down from above at the Second Prince, who was entering the Imperial Palace with Black Riders. Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, filled with unconcealed coldness and killing intent.
At this moment, she pondered when would be the best time for Ning Ye to act and kill the Second Prince.
Crown Princess Mu Li, on the other hand, stood beside Mu Lingxi in a daze, lost in thought.
Just then, a eunuch in a purple python robe arrived at the observation deck and knelt before Mu Lingxi to report.
"Your Majesty the Empress," he said. "Upon His Highness the Second Prince's return to the palace, he immediately ordered all the dignitaries of the Capital to come to the palace tomorrow to mourn the deceased Third Prince and Third Princess Consort."
"What?" Mu Lingxi frowned upon hearing this. She turned to ask the eunuch, "As soon as he returned to the palace, he commanded all officials to come to the Imperial Palace tomorrow to mourn the Third Prince and Nian Nujiao?"
"Yes," the eunuch nodded.
"Anything else?" Mu Lingxi continued to ask.
"Also... he met with each of the Ten Great Divine Generals of the Imperial Palace," the eunuch responded in a low voice.
"Something is not right," Mu Lingxi murmured, shaking her head. "Something is a bit off. This fellow caused so much trouble as soon as he returned to the Imperial Palace; it is as if he had planned it all along."
"Master, what should we do now?" Mu Li stepped forward and asked in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, Mu Lingxi pondered for a moment before making a decision. "Let us wait. We will wait and see what tricks the Second Prince plans to pull tomorrow."
"Now, we have the card of Ning Ye; at worst, playing him earlier would not be a bad idea."
"Yes, Master," Mu Li nodded. For some reason, she also had a bad premonition at this moment.
Early the next morning, Ning Ye leaned under a banyan tree, half-closing his eyes to quietly enjoy the cool breeze of the summer morning. Su Su, like a kitten, lay obediently in Ning Ye's arms, boredly tracing circles on his chest with her finger.
"Last night, Jun Qianyue said something big would happen today," Ning Ye thought. "Coupled with the Second Prince's return to the Capital, it seems today is likely the day she makes her move."
The thought ended there, and Ning Ye gently stroked Su Su's soft, silver long hair.
"Su Su," he whispered. "Daddy might have to go out for a bit later. Will you wait obediently for Daddy to come back, okay?"
"Hmm?" Upon hearing this, the little girl Su Su seemed to sense something. She looked up at Ning Ye and grumbled, "Can't Su Su go with Daddy?"
"Su Su is very powerful now, you know; maybe I can help Daddy! Hehe!"
Ning Ye smiled noncommittally. Su Su's cultivation had already reached the Sacred Realm above legends, so her strength was naturally beyond doubt. However, Su Su's identity was special, and it was not suitable for her to act today.
"Su Su, be good. Daddy will be back very soon."
"Alright," Su Su reluctantly nodded and mumbled. "Then Daddy must be quick. Su Su will wait for Daddy to come back."
"Good." Ning Ye gently pinched Su Su's delicate cheek, smiling dotingly.
Just then, a maid hurried into the small courtyard and spoke to Ning Ye. "Prince, someone from the Imperial Palace has arrived. They invite you to attend His Highness the Third Prince's memorial ceremony."
Upon hearing this, Ning Ye raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself, "It has begun."
With that, he stood up and stretched, then gave Su Su a few more instructions before leaving Divine Strategy Military Prefecture and heading towards the Imperial Palace.
At Divine Strategy Military Prefecture, atop Divine Strategy Tower, Qian Ye excitedly spoke to Jun Qianyue.
"Young Miss, the Third Prince's memorial ceremony is about to begin. Prince has also departed. All the necessary people have arrived."
"Shall we begin?"
"Mm," Jun Qianyue softly hummed and calmly commanded. "Begin. Order the Divine Strategy Army to surround the Capital for This Young Lady."
"Order the Anding District to take over the Capital; whoever resists, kill them."
"Finally, summon That Woman. This Young Lady will personally take her back to the Imperial Palace."
"Yes, Young Miss," Qian Ye nodded heavily. He then turned and left Divine Strategy Tower.
"Ah!" Jun Qianyue stood up and stretched. A slight curve formed on her lips as she softly murmured, "Today is truly a good day."
With that, she raised her hand and touched the black silk ribbon tied over her eyes.
If all went smoothly, she would soon be able to break the seal and see the light of the world again.
Meanwhile, after leaving Divine Strategy Military Prefecture, Ning Ye arrived at the Junlin Imperial Palace—Junlin Hall.
At this moment, the vast palace hall was filled with the important figures of the Junlin Dynasty, who were currently whispering among themselves.
"His Highness the Third Prince and the Third Princess Consort died so tragically."
"The Demonic Path fiends truly deserve death."
"No matter, His Highness the Second Prince has returned now, and those Demonic Path fiends will no longer be able to act so arrogantly."
"Indeed. I heard that His Highness the Second Prince's return to the Capital this time is because he has clues about the murderer of His Highness the Third Prince and the Third Princess Consort."
"Really?"
"Of course, it's true."
Listening to the words of the ministers and dignitaries around him, Ning Ye calmly stepped into the great hall and casually surveyed it.
At this moment, Mu Lingxi, the former Saintess of the Yin Yang Sect who was impersonating the Empress, sat behind the palace curtain at the very top of the hall.
Crown Princess Mu Li and her spiritual puppet, Crown Prince Wu Chen, stood on either side.
It is worth noting that the moment Mu Li saw Ning Ye, she immediately lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze.
Clearly, the Love Gu was affecting her more and more, and this small action did not escape Mu Lingxi's notice.
Princess Wu Yao stood beside Crown Prince Wu Chen with a cold expression, her pearly teeth biting her red lips, her eyes filled with sorrow.
Third Prince Wu You was her brother, yet he died in the Imperial Palace. For days, she had been investigating who the murderer was, but she had found no useful clues.
However, she did suspect one person—Crown Princess Mu Li.
After all, the Forbidden Land on the ninth floor of the Scripture Pavilion could only be entered with a secret jade, and one of these secret jades was in her eldest brother, the Crown Prince's, hands.
But her eldest brother would never kill his own younger brother, so she suspected Mu Li was the murderer of her third brother.
Even if not, her third brother's death was inextricably linked to Mu Li.
Just then, heavy footsteps echoed outside the palace hall. Thump, thump, thump, thump.
Everyone turned to look, only to see a man in black-gold profound armor leading ten renowned powerhouses of the Eastern Barren Continent slowly stepping into the palace hall.
The man had sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, a cold and stern face, and a tall physique, exuding a cool and murderous aura.
The ten individuals behind him were, naturally, the Ten Great Divine Generals guarding the Imperial Dynasty.
"Greetings to His Highness the Second Prince!" the Junlin dignitaries all shouted in respectful unison upon seeing the newcomers.
Upon hearing this, the Second Prince nodded.
His gaze swept over the Junlin dignitaries and ministers standing in the great hall, and even glanced at "the Empress" Mu Lingxi seated behind the curtain, as well as Crown Prince Wu Chen, Crown Princess Mu Li, and even Wu Yao.
Finally, he fixed his gaze on Ning Ye. At this moment, a cold smile appeared on his lips as he spoke, "Ning Ye, the Prince of Yan Yun. Do you know your crime?"
Dear Readers,
I have an important favor to ask of you today. If you've been enjoying the story, please consider switching to Patreon to support me directly.
By joining, you will instantly unlock 20 chapters and gain access to a total of 50 to 55 chapters every month.
To be honest with you, I am currently in deep financial trouble, and your support would mean the world to me during this difficult time. Furthermore, if I can get more members, I plan to add even more new fanfics by the end of this week!
Please consider supporting me on Patreon so I can continue creating content for you.
Thank you for your help
patreon.com/Alex_Cruise