Chapter 574 - 375: The Unfathomable Old Emperor! Lin Qinghan in the Land of Gentle Embraces (2)

Chapter 574: Chapter 375: The Unfathomable Old Emperor! Lin Qinghan in the Land of Gentle Embraces (2)

This aging emperor’s indulgence of Dongchang has never been due to his muddled senility.

Three days ago, when Dongchang’s dogs unleashed a bloody storm in the capital, the first assistant of the cabinet knelt outside the hall, crying blood in his petition, and the ministers of the six ministries jointly pleaded for intervention.

Yet, Yu Dongji did not even grant them an audience, merely said lightly, "I am old, cannot bear to see blood, let them make a mess."

This is not confusion, but a grand strategy.

"Dongchang..."

Yu Dongji looked outside the hall, his lips slowly curling into a cold smile.

He needed Dongchang to be sharp, and equally to be hated.

When this blade is stained with blood, when the resentment of all civil and military officials reaches its peak—

"It is then... I close the net."

Yu Dongji lowered his head to look at the disappointed beauty in his arms, his withered fingers gently caressing the snow-white neck.

Everything happening in the Great Yu Country is under the control of this emperor.

Even this delicate beauty is just a tool for his pleasure.

Yu Dongji lifted Lin Qinghan horizontally, once again stirred by the desire for this peerless beauty.

"However, except for that old dog, the supervisor of Dongchang, I will fulfill all your wishes as long as the beloved consort speaks!"

At this, Lin Qinghan’s originally dull eyes suddenly lit up, like dying embers reignited.

Her slender fingers tightly grasped Yu Dongji’s dragon robe sleeve.

"Your Majesty..." Lin Qinghan’s voice trembled, carrying an authentic suppressed sob.

In her mind surfaced the repulsive face of Cao Yi, the eunuch who dared to act presumptuously in the carriage under the guise of "escort".

In the carriage, his emaciated arms confined her, his ghastly pale face buried in her neck sniffing greedily, remembering it still makes her stomach convulse.

"This concubine..." Lin Qinghan couldn’t begin to speak, tears sliding down perfectly.

"That day on the way to the palace, when the one leading from Dongchang..." At this point, Lin Qinghan suddenly halted, gently biting her lower lip.

This posture more than any words could evoke a man’s protective instincts.

"The eyes of the one leading from Dongchang... were glued to this concubine’s body..."

Saying this, Lin Qinghan suddenly shivered, she subtly shrank into Yu Dongji’s arms.

Lin Qinghan is very clever, she knows perfectly well that a man despises anything that touches his woman.

Even just being touched, in the eyes of this supreme ruler, is akin to pollution.

Thus, Lin Qinghan deliberately left the facts on the edge of ambiguity—let the old emperor imagine, yet left some leeway.

"If not for this concubine’s mention of Your Majesty..."

Yu Dongji’s face was indeed terrifyingly dark.

"That damned dog Cao Yi, did he touch you, beloved consort..."

"Your Majesty!"

At these words, Lin Qinghan showed an appropriately anger-filled expression, "This concubine would rather bite her tongue and die than let that vile creature..."

This display both preserved her "purity" and intensified the hatred.

Indeed, Yu Dongji softly assuaged her, but the murderous intent in his eyes was already palpable.

He can tolerate the rivalry among pawns, but never the transgression of pawns.

Especially concerning what belongs to him.

Yu Dongji’s withered hand passed over the beauty’s neck, he suddenly laughed softly: "How would the beloved consort like to see him die? Lingchi? Or... human swine?"

Of course, Yu Dongji’s inquiry was but a formality.

The wrath of an emperor never requires anyone’s approval.

"Bring him here!"

Yu Dongji suddenly shouted, his voice shaking the scabbards of the guards outside the hall.

His withered fingers tapped rapidly on the dragon table, his lips pulling into an eerie smile.

"Convey my decree, summon Dongchang’s Cao Yi to the palace immediately."

As soon as the words fell, Yu Dongji continued to lower his head, stroking Zhao Qinghan’s hair as he continued, "Just say... I am very pleased, he performed meritorious service escorting the beloved consort, to be heavily rewarded..."

The chief eunuch outside trembled upon hearing, nearly dropping his Duster.

Serving His Majesty for over thirty years, he knows the meaning of "heavy reward" very well.

The last time His Majesty said to "heavily reward" the Minister of War, that man and his entire family were in prison the next day.

Lin Qinghan nestled obediently on Yu Dongji’s knee, her enchanting lips curled slightly unseen.

Yu Dongji suddenly leaned in, gently pinching Lin Qinghan’s exquisite chin.

His murky eyes sparked a pathological brightness, his breath becoming heavy.

"My beauty..."

Yu Dongji’s voice was terrifyingly hoarse, with a spine-chilling tenderness, "Don’t let these useless wretches interfere with us..."

As he spoke, his fingers glided down Lin Qinghan’s snow-white neck, lingering at the collarbone: "Now the most important thing is..."

I do not know when, but Yu Dongji’s other hand had already moved up to Zhao Qinghan’s garment belt, "I shall first... reward my beloved consort..."

A rush of footsteps echoed outside the hall, yet could not cover the rustling sound of the dragon robe falling to the ground within.

Zhao Qinghan obediently closed her eyes, allowing the old emperor’s body to press down upon her.

In the main hall of the Dongchang, thirteen figures knelt straight as javelins.

Blazing sunlight cut through the carved window lattice, casting sharp light and shadow on the ground, but could not dispel the chilling atmosphere inside the hall.

"Reporting to foster father!"

Cao Shi, kneeling at the far end, endured excruciating pain: "I have discovered the secret treasure of the Mingfo Temple..."

Cowering at the end of the hall with his stooped and small frame, Cao Shi’s ferret-like face was drained of all color.

His right hand, usually employed for administering poison, hung limply, his forearm twisted unnaturally.

This typically cunning individual, skilled at attacking with poisoned concealed weapons, now trembled like a stray dog.

Large beads of sweat trickled down Cao Shi’s sparse eyebrows.

Every breath sent a stabbing pain through his lungs as his fractured ribs pierced into them.

"In the temple lies... a divine item..."

With every few words, Cao Shi gasped: "From the confession of the little monk I caught... the lotus shines by day, its scent can regenerate flesh..."

Just as he was about to continue his report, a violent cough overtook him, blood foam mixed with foul-smelling liquid spewing forth.

Cao Shi had initially thought that with his Lightweight Technique and Poison Skill, infiltrating the Mingfo Temple would be as easy as reaching into a bag.

Who would have thought that upon vaulting over the courtyard wall, he was trapped right in the Eighteen Arhat Formation?

Those bald monks’ Demon Suppressing Staff Skill had nearly displaced his internal organs.

"Amitabha Buddha, benefactor, please return."

Recalling the serene and benevolent face of the old monk, Cao Shi’s teeth itched with hatred.

Clearly able to take his life, those bald monks insisted on pretending to be merciful.

Ha... refrain from killing?

That will be their most regrettable decision!

Cao Shi was already scheming on what poison to drop into the temple’s well to vent his resentment.

Should it be the "Soul-breaking Powder" that causes entrails to rupture?

Or the "Bone Rotting Ointment" that leads to complete bodily decay?

It would be best to torture those monks so that they would rather die than live...

Thinking of this, a twisted satisfaction appeared on Cao Shi’s face.

Does the Buddhist precept prohibit killing? It allows him ample time to play...

But to fulfill this wish, Cao Shi could only rely on his foster father.

The one who commands the entire realm’s Dongchang!

Lu Xuan, seated at the principal position, slightly raised his eyes, his gaze like a cold pool piercing into Cao Shi’s heart.

"What you said... had better be true!"

Though the noon sun shone brightly, Cao Shi felt as if he had fallen into an icy cave.

Compared to the accursed Demon Suppressing Staffs of Mingfo Temple, his foster father’s gaze was far more frightening.

"I swear to heaven!"

Disregarding the pain of his broken bones, Cao Shi slammed his head to the ground: "If there is any falsehood in a single word, may I suffer the penalty of being devoured by ten thousand poisons!"

He knew too well the fate of deceiving his foster father.

The Dongchang dungeon’s "liars" were now nothing more than dried jerky hanging in the torture chamber.

Revenge is important, but compared to angering his foster father...

"Mobilize the Dongchang and all the city’s forces, set out for the Mingfo Temple."

Only upon hearing these cold words from above did Cao Shi feel as though he had been granted amnesty, scrambling and crawling as he exited the hall.

"Yes, foster father!"

At that moment, a sudden commotion broke out outside the hall, and several figures in glaring red robes boldly entered.

The golden tokens hanging at their waists glared so brightly in the sunlight that they were blinding.

The leading eunuch flicked the Duster in his hand, causing the Dongchang agents to retreat hastily.

Who wouldn’t recognize these grand eunuchs who serve directly before the throne?

"An imperial edict from His Majesty—"

The shrill voice pierced the solemn and chilling atmosphere inside the hall.

The eunuch general manager looked disdainfully at the prostrated twelve guardians, a meaningful smile on his lips: "Where is Cao Yi, the chief enforcer?"

"His Majesty, in recognition of your merits in escorting Consort Lin, bestows... a reward and audience."

Upon hearing this, Cao Yi instantly rejoiced: "This official... accepts the decree and thanks His Majesty."

After speaking, he glanced surreptitiously at Lu Xuan seated at the head, only to see his foster father was leisurely sipping tea, without so much as lifting his eyelids.