diskusbooks Chapter 211 The Living Abandoned Empress of the Cold Palace X The Invading Unruly Buddhist Son 45
Chapter 211 The Living Abandoned Empress of the Cold Palace X The Invading Unruly Buddhist Son 45
His tone was cold, his words as sharp as a knife, chilling to the heart. Yun Qian's heart leaped with joy, even her ears felt slightly hot, but she feigned indifference as she straightened up, pulled her hand back, and said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "In that case, Master, please stay away from me."
Seeing her "avoiding suspicion" like this, Qi Jueyu was not annoyed. He just leaned lazily against the carriage, his eyes falling coldly on her, as if saying: Where else can you run to?
The sound of rain continued, but the atmosphere in the car gradually became heated. Yun Qian turned her eyes to the window, trying to avoid his gaze, but her heart was beating uncontrollably, like this rain-soaked road, with no way to find a safe exit.
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Compared to the occasional leisure of Yun Qian and Qi Jueyu in the carriage, the imperial city on the other side was plunged into a heavy storm.
Gray clouds hung low over Fengyi Palace, like a collapsing boulder, suffocating the entire imperial city. With the Queen in a coma, the imperial physicians, working day and night, were unable to cure her. The palace servants hurried about, whispering faint fears and speculations.
The atmosphere in the Imperial City seemed to foreshadow impending storms. Yun Qian had a communication device connected to the system, allowing her to receive the latest news from Fengyi Palace daily. Before leaving the Imperial City, she visited Yun Piao's private vault, where the system instructed her to retrieve the jade token representing the Yun family's status. It was said to be kept for emergency use.
Raindrops slid down the car window, and everything outside was covered in a hazy mist. Yun Qian suddenly spoke, breaking the silence: "Qi Jueyu, I have something to ask you."
Qi Jueyu leaned against the side of the carriage, the Buddhist beads in his hand slowly turning between his fingers. Hearing Yun Qian's voice, he glanced sideways slightly: "Ask."
Yun Qian's eyes were calm, with a hint of probing in them. "How did you know I was going to the West Mountain Pond?" She paused for a moment, then added, "To be honest, I suspect this matter has something to do with the mage."
Qi Jueyu chuckled softly and looked down at the Buddhist beads in his hand, as if this question was not worth his concern. He spoke slowly, his tone neither hurried nor slow, "You are right to suspect."
Yun Qian frowned slightly, but she didn't interrupt him immediately. Instead, she waited for his explanation.
"I've already said it," Qi Jueyu said calmly, "If you don't come, I'll take you away myself. This West Mountain Pond is my territory. How can your presence here have nothing to do with me?"
Yun Qian didn't relax. She wanted to know Qi Jueyu's true intentions. She sneered and asked tentatively, "What secrets are hidden in that mage's territory that are so important?"
Qi Jueyu stopped fiddling with his Buddhist beads and raised his head, his deep gaze fixed on her through the narrow carriage. His voice was calm, yet it carried a hint of frightening meaning.
"A secret? Not really. But someone with ulterior motives got their hands on my place, so naturally I had to deal with it. After all... no one who disturbs my peace can escape unscathed."
Yun Qian understood. Although these words were spoken to the air, they were actually spoken to her. This man was too fond of holding a grudge. He would just be jealous as soon as he was given so much.
But Yun Qian was also worried. After all, she hadn't fully understood the power dynamics within the imperial city, and yet she had come out to campaign for Empress Yun. What if the Dzi Bead was truly damaged? No one had told her. And so... the carriage finally arrived at the shores of the West Mountain Pond at midnight.
The night was deep, and the shores of Xishan Pond seemed especially tranquil in the interweaving atmosphere of darkness and dim light. The distant mountains appeared faintly outlined in the moonlight, shrouded in mist like a veil. The waters of the pond seemed like a piece of cold jade embedded in the earth, shimmering and shimmering with faint silver light. The shadows of the surrounding ancient pines and cypresses were reflected in the water, swaying in the wind, like demons dancing quietly in the dark night.
Yun Qian lifted the curtain of her carriage and gazed upon the tranquil yet eerie scenery, her emotions as complex and inscrutable as the night itself. In one hand, she clutched the jade token she'd taken from Yun Piao's private vault, while the other hand couldn't help but tighten around her knees. The cool night breeze blew past, causing her sleeves to flutter gently.
Qi Jueyu got out of the car first, then turned around and stretched out his hand to her, his eyes deep, as if he wanted to see through all the secrets in her heart.
Yun Qian hesitated for a moment, then handed over her hand. She stepped out of the car, her feet stepping on the wet stone pavement. The air was filled with the fragrance of water vapor and grass.
Yet, her mind couldn't calm down like the pool. Ever since receiving the system's instructions, she'd been consumed by endless worry—the intertwined forces within the imperial city, leaving her unable to untangle many relationships before hastily leaving. She had no idea whether the jade token could truly help her, or if the "sky bead" was truly damaged. She felt uneasy, but no one had told her what to do.
Qi Jueyu walked ahead, his robe sleeves fluttering, creating a slight rustle in the breeze. He didn't look at her, but stopped near the edge of the pool and said calmly, "What are you afraid of? Even if something terrible happens, don't I still have you by your side to support you?"
Yun Qian sneered and didn't respond to him. She was not someone who liked to rely on others, but when she heard Qi Jueyu's words, her heart couldn't help but move slightly.
Perhaps… words like these only hold a different meaning for certain people. She looked around. While the West Hills pond was unique, it also exuded a sense of isolation. Beneath an old pine tree by the water, there was a strangely shaped bluestone, faintly engraved with intricate patterns, like some ancient symbol.
Yun Qian pulled the jade token from her bosom and gently stroked the engraved patterns with her fingers. She had a vague feeling that this jade token had an inexplicable connection with some power in this place, but she still didn't know the specific reason.
"If you're afraid," Qi Jueyu stood beside her, his eyes fixed on the jade token, a faint smile on his lips, "why not give it to me? I can take care of it for you."
Yun Qian glanced at him sideways and said in a cold voice, "Qi Jueyu, how much do you know?"
Qi Jueyu chuckled, seemingly unconcerned. He raised his hand and parted the drooping pine branches, revealing a path leading to the pond. He whispered, "Let's go. The answer you want to know may be just ahead."
The night wind grew colder. Yun Qian clutched the jade token tightly in her hand, took a deep breath, and stepped forward. She didn't know what awaited her at the eerie shores of Xishan Pond, but no matter what, she had to uncover its secrets.
…………
Gently placing the jade tablet on the altar, Yun Qian's fingertips trembled slightly. She closed her eyes, clasped her hands together, and whispered the prayer engraved on the altar. Her voice was soft, yet filled with reverence, as if she truly believed this would work.
However, what she felt more was anxiety and temptation - she was like a player groping around everywhere, trying things as soon as she saw a clue, without caring about the process or anticipating the consequences.