Chapter 1538 - 825: Imperial Concubine? (Double-Length)

"Han King Yu Wen Yuan plans rebellion, seeks to overthrow His Majesty."

As the words fell, aside from the mountain breeze passing through, there was no other sound on the platform.

Emperor Jianji's footsteps came to a complete halt.

He did not immediately turn around, still facing the vast valley with his back to Chen Yi. Yet, the hand originally held behind him slightly curled and then slowly relaxed. The mountain wind stirred his indigo robe, and his figure at the edge of the desolate platform showed a hint of solitude.

"Do you know..." Emperor Jianji's voice arose, slightly deeper than before, "Do you know what you're saying?"

Chen Yi lowered his eyes and said, "I know."

"It concerns the Prince; accusing of treason is a crime that implicates nine families." Emperor Jianji slowly turned around, the previous peaceful smile on his face disappeared, nor was there anger; the shadow of the woods obscured his face, rendering it unfathomable.

As if a Jiao Dragon from the abyss tilted its head.

He stared at Chen Yi's eyes, his gaze carrying the authoritative pressure of a monarch, "Based solely on your words, empty talk?"

Chen Yi raised his head, meeting his gaze, his eyes candidly saying: "It's not my words. This matter... was acquired in a dream. I am merely relaying the words entrusted by an elder in the dream."

"A dream?" Emperor Jianji's mouth faintly twitched, indistinguishable whether in mockery or something else, "A remarkable dream. An elder in your dream entrusted you to relay the message to... His Majesty? What did this elder look like? The demeanor of an immortal? Or a radiant divine presence?"

Chen Yi shook his head: "The dream was vague; I only remember an elderly man holding a Jade Scroll, looking earnest and anxious, saying it concerns the state and must be conveyed. As for the rest, I couldn't remember upon waking."

"Couldn't remember." Emperor Jianji repeated, taking a step forward. Now approaching, the oppressive feeling of long-held power came directly towards him.

He did not conceal the sharpness in his eyes anymore, and his voice sank: "Do you know who I am? You dare to say such outrageous words based on such an ethereal dream, accusing a prince of treason?"

The atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

A few steps behind, Donggong Ruoshu instinctively tightened her sleeves, holding her breath, while Yin Weiyin remained silent but had already quietly clasped the horsetail whisk, her aura slightly condensed, like a bow drawn but not yet released.

Chen Yi seemed impervious to the pressure.

"In front of me," Chen Yi said word by word, clearly, "it's... King Wen of Zhou."

The Emperor Jianji, who intended to express power, was taken aback by this utterance.

That accumulated might, that rebuke ready to be voiced, that anger at being offended as an emperor, all dissipated peculiarly at the mention of "King Wen of Zhou."

Then he opened his mouth in a smile,

Not the slight smile of an emperor nor the cheerful grin while clapping earlier, he smiled complexly, as if the words were rather absurd, yet deeply pleasing.

He raised his hand, tapping Chen Yi with his index finger twice,

"Haha... You are Lu Wang! Grand Sage Jiang!"

After the laughter, slightly restrained again, Emperor Jianji waved his hand in amusement:

"No, no, no, just a rebellious child."

"Your Majesty is right."

After the words made clear their identity, now he could say His Majesty.

Emperor Jianji no longer looked at Chen Yi, turned around, gazed at the distant mountains again, silenced for a moment, and suddenly asked: "Aside from those words, did the elder in the dream say anything else? For instance... how does the Han King intend to carry out this great treason?"

Chen Yi knew at heart. Emperor Jianji did not immediately seize and question him, but instead followed the dream's narrative to inquire about details, seemingly already aware of the Han King's rebellious intentions, perhaps even having ample intelligence.

"The dream was rushed, the elder only hastily informed of this, didn't elaborate," Chen Yi deliberated, "However, judging by the elder's expression, this matter may not be a distant worry but an imminent concern."

"Imminent concern..." Emperor Jianji softly repeated, looking towards Chang'an City's location, his fingers behind gently tapping against the back of his hand, he subtly said: "Dreams, ethereal and illusory, are not to be trusted. Yet... considering your sincerity. Today's words, spoken from your mouth, heard by my ear, shall end here. Do not mention it to others."

He slightly turned his face, his glaze sweeping towards Chen Yi: "Isn't Immortal going to descend from the mountain? It's getting late, you should hurry."

This was sending the guest off.

Chen Yi discreetly turned around to leave, descending the mountain with the two women.

Emperor Jianji stood at the platform edge, seeing the three figures gradually shrink along the winding mountain path, eventually disappearing into the verdant shade.

The mountain wind whipped his garments, making a crackling noise, yet he remained still, the trace of smile long gone, gazing at the direction of their departure, unknown in thought.

Only when the figures were completely invisible did he slowly turn around.

Almost simultaneously, Mr. Wang's round plump figure darted quickly from behind a remnant wall, still carrying traces of previous alarm on his face. He leaned close, bowed, and whispered, "Sir, those three just now... especially that young man speaking, who is he truly? This humble one saw, words were bold, yet his bearing was unlike a common Jianghu Mage..."

Emperor Jianji glanced at him, saying: "An Immortal."

"Ah?" Mr. Wang was stunned, his neck instinctively shrank, a slight shiver ran through him, somewhat distrustful yet not daring to disbelieve, said: "So...is it truly an Immortal descended? This humble one is obtuse, still thought... like the Master Xuanlong worshiped in the palace, with crane hair and childlike face, capable of commanding wind and rain, to be the true form of an Immortal. These young lads might be... merely harboring other intentions."

Emperor Jianji heard the words, teased: "Look how scared Mr. Wang is. In high halls, afar from Jianghu, where aren't there strange folk and talents? The world thrives, all for profit; the world bustles, all for gain. An Immortal arrived... perhaps to share a piece of Da Jin's flourishing prosperity."