CHAPTER 699: CHAPTER 566: AUDIENCE WITH THE EMPRESS, DIRECT CONFRONTATION

To reach Chuyun Palace, one must pass through a small forest.

This small forest is uniquely maintained, presenting a corridor-like shape, equipped with underfloor heating, and filled with the sounds of birds, beasts, and insects.

Feng Xun set Ye Lingyue down and told her that this place was the Spiritual Beast Corridor used by Emperor Beiqing to raise spiritual beasts; the whole corridor winding like a sleeping dragon.

"Prince Feng, Yue Marquis, spiritual pets are not allowed inside the inner hall. Please leave the spiritual pets here."

A eunuch approached to greet them.

Within Beiqing, raising spiritual pets was not uncommon.

The construction of this Spiritual Beast Corridor by Emperor Beiqing served not only for daily enjoyment but also an important purpose as a defense.

Despite strict security in the Beiqing Imperial Palace, Emperor Beiqing’s naturally suspicious nature made these countless spiritual beasts, besides the Imperial Guards, his best safeguard.

Many courtiers and noble ladies attending today’s feast had brought spiritual pets, which could enter the palace gates but not the banquet, and were uniformly placed in the Spiritual Beast Corridor.

Ye Lingyue handed over Little Zhiyo to the eunuch and proceeded to the inner hall with Feng Xun.

Only after their figures had disappeared did Xue Pianran, with eyes filled with jealousy, approach.

"Heavenly Maiden."

The eunuch, holding Little Zhiyo and about to place it into a cage, saw Xue Pianran and her maid approaching and quickly bowed respectfully.

"This is Yue Marquis’ spiritual pet, it looks quite adorable," remarked Xue Pianran, glancing at Little Zhiyo seeing its fluffy white fur, resembling a little meatball, dressed in a delicate little vest, and with a golden bell hanging around its neck, looking very cute indeed.

Xue Pianran raised her hand, wanting to touch Little Zhiyo.

Little Zhiyo, knowing this woman was her master’s rival, growled angrily at her, its sharp claws swiping through the air,

leaving a deep scratch on the back of Xue Pianran’s hand.

Immediately, a splash of blood stained Xue Pianran’s moon-white clothing; infuriated, she reached out to grab Little Zhiyo.

"Heavenly Maiden!" The eunuch was startled, puzzled why this seemingly tame creature was so averse to the Heavenly Maiden.

Xue Pianran’s hand paused in mid-air.

After harming someone, Little Zhiyo adopted an "alarmed" appearance, hiding in the eunuch’s arms, trembling and acting convincingly.

With all eyes upon her, Xue Pianran had to maintain the dignity of a Heavenly Maiden; it was not appropriate to mistreat Ye Lingyue’s spiritual pet.

Xue Pianran said nothing more and turned to leave.

After a few steps, a white-furred brocade cat leaped out in front; upon seeing the brocade cat, Xue Pianran’s expression hardened, and she grabbed the cat, violently smashing it to the ground.

The cat died instantly, its white fur soaked with blood.

Lian Yu was terrified and dared not utter a word.

"What are you standing there for, clean this up."

The maid took out a bottle from her sleeve, pouring out some liquid.

Just a few drops turned the brocade cat’s corpse into a puddle of pus, emitting a nauseating smell.

Yet, Xue Pianran took a deep breath.

"This Melted Gold Water is really something remarkable. Lian Yu, tell me, if you splash this on Ye Lingyue’s face later, will Feng Xun still like her?"

Melted Gold Water, a special medicinal water recently discovered by the Beiqing Pill Palace.

This water, upon contact with skin and hair, rots flesh and blood gruesomely.

Upon hearing about this water, Xue Pianran had gotten a bottle.

Tonight, Feng Xun and Ye Lingyue’s intimacy deeply upset her, and she would not let Ye Lingyue off easily.

But she wouldn’t dirty her own hands, hence she allowed her maid, Lian Yu, to take action.

Lian Yu was seeing the power of Melted Gold Water for the first time, and upon hearing Heavenly Maiden’s eerie laughter, felt a chill run down her spine, sneaking a peek at Xue Pianran, she thought the Heavenly Maiden was terrifying.

"What are you dallying for? You better handle this matter properly, or else you’ll regret it." Xue Pianran said with a sly, charming smile, as she walked towards Chuyun Palace.

After Xue Pianran left, a white shadow landed where she had just committed her act.

Little Zhiyo pouted, its golden bell around its neck fell to the ground.

"Little Zhiyo, that woman is so scary, she’s going after Boss."

The bell made a sound, and it was indeed Little Wuya’s voice.

She was secretly brought to Beiqing by Ye Lingyue three days ago, relying on the talent of Illusion Phoenix to secretly disguise as a bell and infiltrate the Imperial Palace.

"Zhiyo (The plan has changed, Little Wuya, infiltrate the inner hall and warn the Boss. I will stick to the old plan and take a look inside the Palace.)"

Initially, Ye Lingyue had wanted Little Zhiyo and Little Wuya to take advantage of Emperor Beiqing’s banquet to check the palace for any clues related to Prince Feng’s illness, but having witnessed Xue Pianran and her servant’s conspiracy, the two little creatures had to change their plans on the spot.

That Melted Gold Water, in Little Zhiyo’s view, was very similar to the Ice Frost Dew Ye Lingyue had previously refined with Ice Crystal Grass, except it was much more virulent and malicious.

That person called Xue Pianran, truly wasn’t a good character.

Little Wuya nodded, her figure transformed from the golden bell into the appearance of a palace maid, heading towards Chuyun Palace.

Meanwhile, Little Zhiyo swept deeper into the Beiqing Imperial Palace.

Inside Chuyun Palace, officials from across the realm gathered.

Positions for envoys from different countries had also been arranged according to the power and relationships of their respective countries.

Ye Lingyue was about to take her seat at the Daxia Envoy’s spot when she heard the shrill and thin voice of a eunuch.

"The Emperor arrives; all officials kowtow."

Inside the Hall, courtiers under Third-grade performed the kneeling ceremony, while senior officials and envoys from various countries bowed.

Ye Lingyue dared not neglect and bowed along with Prince Feng.

Ye Lingyue bowed her head, unable to see Emperor Beiqing’s features clearly.

Not until she heard a commanding yet amiable "All rise."

Ye Lingyue was slightly stunned; Emperor Beiqing was actually...

Ye Lingyue’s mind went blank for a moment.

She quickly glanced at Prince Feng.

The latter understood her gaze, suggesting in his response, "Is Emperor Beiqing a woman?"

It then dawned on Prince Feng that he might have never informed Ye Lingyue that Emperor Beiqing was a woman.

It wasn’t that Prince Feng didn’t say, but he assumed, given Ye Lingyue’s identity as a Marquis of Daxia and formerly a Commandery Princess, she should have known that the current ruler of Beiqing was an Empress.

He didn’t know that Ye Lingyue was typically uninterested in politics.

Had it not been for her desire to retaliate against Hong Residence, she would not have come to Xia Capital, nor would she have gotten involved in the Daxia’s struggle for the throne.

Beiqing differed from Daxia; here, men and women were equal, women could join the army, and they could also govern.

The former Emperor of Beiqing had only daughters and no sons.

The current Emperor Beiqing, named Qingshuang, was the sister of Princess Qingfeng, Prince Feng’s mother.

By relation, Prince Feng should call Emperor Qing as aunt.