Chapter 182 - 181: Crown Prince Bai Lian

Chapter 182: Chapter 181: Crown Prince Bai Lian

The gossip left Yun Liyue unsure whether to laugh or cry. She had been prepared to fight for her life, never expecting things to turn out this way.

In the dead of night, Yun Liyue walked alone in the courtyard. The cold moonlight cascaded over her, illuminating the confusion on the peerless beauty’s face.

’Who is this mysterious person? Why are they going to such lengths to help me?’ More importantly, they seemed to have a thousand intricate ties to the Crown Prince. They weren’t just helping her, but also Yan Jiuge, Mo Qianqiu, and the others.

"Your Highness, is it really you?"

She gazed at the moon in the sky, murmuring softly to herself.

But deep down, she felt it probably wasn’t the Crown Prince. It might not even be someone related to him at all. ’It’s likely an old official from the Crown Prince’s Mansion, someone who once received its favor and is now repaying the debt by helping me.’

’If that’s the case, then my master, Elder Qing Yin, is also a possibility. After all, before the Crown Prince’s Mansion fell from grace, she also received its favor.’

The situation in the Deep Palace underwent a subtle change because of this turmoil.

The Eastern Palace transformed from a pushover that anyone could bully into a terrifying entity with hidden thorns. Yun Liyue, the once-beleaguered Crown Prince Consort, had now become a figure feared by all factions.

After seeing the fate of the Xuan Nu Palace, those who were still secretly plotting had no choice but to abandon their plans or restrain their actions.

After all, no one wanted to be the next puppet controlled by the Enchanting Heart Technique and suffer the same fate as the Xuan Nu Palace.

This even included the Emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty, Emperor Xia, Xia Shengming.

「Inside Yangxin Hall」

Emperor Xia sat upon the Throne, his knuckles unconsciously tapping the armrest.

This Emperor, who had ruled Great Xia for decades, wore casual Bright Yellow robes. The Five-Clawed Golden Dragon embroidered with gold thread shimmered in the candlelight, yet his face, beneath a nine-beaded crown, was tinged with gloom.

"Elder Qing Yin, is it? If it is you, it wouldn’t be all that surprising."

He murmured to himself, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes.

The Shadow Guard Vice Chief Censor standing beside him spoke in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the lesson of the Xuan Nu Palace is still fresh. Should we temporarily suspend the investigation into the Sword Control Skill?"

"Super Grade Perfect Cultivation and mastery of a Confusing Skill?" Emperor Xia sneered, his fingertips suddenly freezing.

He slowly rose to his feet, the gold-thread cloud patterns on the hem of his Dragon Robe swaying with the movement. "It is somewhat intimidating, I’ll admit. However, the Sword Control Skill is the legacy of an Ancient Sword Immortal, said to be a Top Level Spirit Technique. If I could obtain it, it might help me break through to the True Monarch realm."

At this, unconcealed greed appeared on his face. He walked to the window and gazed toward the Eastern Palace, his eyes burning with fervor. "Even if it doesn’t help me reach the True Monarch realm, back then, Elder Qing Yin used the Sword Control Skill to slay three First Grade Grandmasters from the Northern Desert while she was only a Second Grade Grandmaster. She killed enemies across a Grand Realm! How can I not have such a peerless Secret Technique in my grasp?"

"Then this subordinate will continue the investigation, monitor Lizheng Hall with all our resources, and look for a suitable opportunity," the Shadow Guard Vice Chief Censor said with his head bowed.

Emperor Xia pondered for a moment, then waved his hand. "Be cautious. Don’t alert the snake by rustling the grass. For now, do not move against Yun Liyue. Think of some other way first."

Even Emperor Xia was somewhat wary of the power displayed by that mysterious expert and no longer dared to act so recklessly.

Surprisingly, there was another beneficiary in this turmoil. While others were taken aback, they secretly acknowledged his good luck.

「That morning」

The Chief Steward of the Ministry of Internal Affairs personally led a group of eunuchs to Wenhua Hall, carrying one Purple Sandalwood Box after another, all filled with fine goods.

"Your Highness, these are the new Dragon and Tiger Elixirs and various Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures that the Ministry of Internal Affairs has acquired. There are also some Sea Pearls and Ice Silkworm Brocade. If you require anything else, you need only ask."

This was clearly compensation for withholding his monthly stipends and allowances. It wasn’t just the Ministry of Internal Affairs; others in the palace who had recently bullied the Eastern Palace also sent gifts of apology.

As the master of the Eastern Palace, Xia Wuyang naturally reaped handsome rewards.

Soon, the nickname "Crown Prince Bai Lian" began to circulate throughout the palace, drawing countless sneers.

"I heard the elder Crown Prince has been riding his consort’s coattails lately. Even the Ministry of Internal Affairs had to apologize and send him a pile of nice things."

"Isn’t that the truth? Who’d have thought he’d manage to stand tall again right before he kicks the bucket? He almost seems to have a bit of his old prestige from before he was deposed. At least he won’t die a completely pathetic death."

"They say even the Third Prince and Fifth Prince are a little scared of him now, so they’ve pulled back some of their spies. How impressive!"

"That old codger sure is lucky. He’s clearly a spent force, but who would’ve thought his ever-loyal Crown Prince Consort would rise up and let him live the good life again."

...

As for this wave of so-called special treatment, Xia Wuyang pretended to relish it, seemingly lost in his enjoyment and showing no intention of thanking Yun Liyue.

At the same time, he secretly tightened security around the Eastern Palace to prevent anyone else from causing trouble for Yun Liyue.

Everyone else thought Yun Liyue was being protected by Elder Qing Yin, who was guarding her from within Lizheng Hall. But he knew the truth: there was no so-called Elder Qing Yin. It was just him.

Although most factions had given up on seizing the Sword Control Skill, not all of them had. Some still harbored sinister intentions.

Furthermore, these factions were quite powerful and were acting with increasing caution, careful not to expose themselves easily.

If they were to make a move, it would surely be earth-shattering. It was better to remain vigilant.

The outside world thought he was living off Yun Liyue, but they didn’t know that the one truly being protected was her, not Xia Wuyang.

But Xia Wuyang, of course, would not reveal this. Instead, he acted as if he were enjoying it, as if he had given up completely. He seemed to take pride in what should be a disgrace, preparing to live off Yun Liyue even more extravagantly.

One morning, a group of stunningly beautiful young women in exotic attire entered Wenhua Hall. A Palace Attendant leading them reported fawningly, "Your Highness, these are the Shou Liji, specially sent from the eastern Shouli Country to entertain you."

"The Shou Liji?" Xia Wuyang feigned surprise and sat up straight in bed. He greedily eyed the twelve graceful women before him, saying with great "eagerness," "Excellent, excellent! I have long wanted a taste of the Shou Liji but never had the chance. They say every Shou Liji is gentle and soft, and especially skilled at group dances. I must have a good look."

’If I’m not mistaken, these Shou Liji must be the handiwork of some Prince or Princess, sent to drain my body and send me to an early grave.’

’However, to dare send so many stunning beauties at a time like this... it seems they truly aren’t afraid of Yun Liyue and her supposed master, Elder Qing Yin.’

’Given the current state of my body, even a fool knows what it means to send me so many gorgeous women—let alone Shou Liji, who are especially skilled at serving men.’