Su Yan Mo hadn't anticipated that Retired Emperor had become so furious. She represented the two Su and Helian families. Even if this matter had been exposed, in order to maintain the balance in court, Retired Emperor would keep his temper in check and would control the impact of this matter to a certain degree.
Yet today, Retired Emperor clearly wanted to punish them severely!
This caught Su Yan Mo extremely unprepared. She didn't know what Helian Wei Wei had done after all. Unexpectedly, it made the Retired Emperor, who'd always weighed everything carefully, resolved to become this angry. She could only kneel on the ground and sounded as if she'd been wronged. "Retired Emperor, this female official hasn't been here just now, and also don't understand why Little Lian's kneeling here. As for harming others, this female official understands even less of what I've heard."
"Good, good." Retired Emperor stood up. "Since you don't know anything, then go back and tell Prime Minister Su, in the trip to Hidden Spirit Temple this time, what I'd wanted was to handle everything in a subdued manner, that way I can prepare matters to hand over for him to manage, it would seem...we should give some people suitable responsibilities. In the future, he need not concern himself with matters at the Bright Brilliant Palace. He can concentrate on being prime minister."
These words sounded like there wasn't any deterrence of power.
However Su Yan Mo actually understood that this kind of decision actually weakened the Su family's power!
Her heart rattled!
She looked up and over at her beloved daughter's paled face.
She already refused to accept this outcome. She had to think of a way to defend and save Jiao Er!
It ought to be known that there's no limit to her daughter's future prospects. She absolutely couldn't lose due to this girl's designs.
Thinking to this point, Madam Su heavily kowtowed her head on the floor as she faced Retired Emperor to say. "Retired Emperor, something bad happened, therefore you're angry. It's just that, who saw my daughter incite people? What evidence is there?" After saying this, Madam Su faced Chen Wen Wan and looked at her. "Miss Chen, my Su family have no enmity and no grievance with you and it's also out of the question that we're intimate. You've done wrongs, but why did Retired Emperor say that you've been incited by my daughter?"
Having heard these words, Chen Wen Wan shook from head to foot. How could she not understand that Madam Su was prodding her.
Have her speak after sizing up the situation.
For such a long time, the Chen family was able to reach this level all thanks to the Su family.
Madam Su's intention was very clear. The Su family could elevate the Chen family, they could also cause the Chen family to fall through the mud, even to the point of death and ruin!
Chen Wen Wan burst into loud laughter. Suddenly her pupils submerged. The sound of her voice was filled with pain. "All of these things were caused by me, no one prompted me at all. It's only because a disgraceful girl, without any bit of good looks even fooled around with people all day, hooking up with this one and that one, so much so that she didn't even spare Young Master Hei Ze. Truly disgusting enough to make a person puke. This kind of person, if no one taught her a lesson, my heart could not be free.
It's just that I underestimated a certain person's deviousness. On the surface she seemed to have accepted my good intention and warmed up to me, when in fact, she'd always guarded against me. In the end, I'm the one who's too naive. Whether I'm to be killed or punished, go guys go ahead!"
"You used the witch wood, because you were jealous?" Madam Su suddenly saw the light. Intentionally or otherwise, her gaze swept over Hei Ze. "So it turns out the one you like is the second young master of the Hei family."
Hei Ze's expression didn't change as he watched this scene.
At that moment, Chen Wen Wan's head pressed even lower as she looked blankly at the dripping wet bluestone path before her.
When she first entered the capitol, she already liked that Young Master Hei Ze, who could handle any matter with ease no matter what it was.
She understood more than anybody that his future wife would come from either an aristocratic family or a regional lord.
Her family background certainly matched his.
During that tea party, Madam Su saw through her thoughts and later told her that recently, Grandfather Hei was anxious to find a wife for that person. As long as she completed this assignment, not only would her father's career advance, she could fulfill her own wish to become a part of the Hei family.
But during the trip to Hidden Spirit Temple this time, she finally discovered that even if she climbed even higher, in that person's eyes, not even a reflection of her would be present!
Why!
She could forget it if she'd lost to other people!
An ugly girl who'd been driven out of her clan, without power without influence, even that face of hers made people lose their appetite. Yet she could make that person carve a special place for her.
She refused to accept it!
She thought that as long as she eliminated this ugly girl, she would have an opportunity.
Yet unexpectedly, all of these hopes were but a dream.
Right now, she'd awoken from her beautiful dream.
He simply couldn't remember that young girl who he'd lent an arm of support to at the tea party.
When he faced her now, there's only loathing in his eyes, which made her wished with all her heart that everything hadn't happened!
Chen Wen Wan never felt any regret like this before. She shivered as she waited for Retired Emperor's rage!
On the contrary, Madam Su was very satisfied with Chen Wen Wan's grasp of the big picture as she lifted her head to speak. "Retired Emperor, everything has been clarified now. It's merely jealousy between the children and mischievous hearts which caused Miss Chen to do something she shouldn't have done."
Retired Emperor didn't say anything as he lowered his eyes.
Wei Wei just smiled. She'd never thought that Madam Su would thoroughly fall on the basis of this incident alone. If it were that simple, she wouldn't have established Tiny Pond Under Heaven.
She understood more than anyone Madam Su's scheming capacity as well as the Su family's status in the imperial court.
Even if this incident directly pointed at Madam Su, Chen Wen Wan still wouldn't confess it. This much was clear.
Because within the Dragon War Empire, the power of the four clans was expansive, causing Chen Wen Wan to worry that after she told the truth, the Chen family would be eliminated.
Madam Su was indeed clever and knew how to use power to pressure people.
But what she didn't know was that, precisely because of this point, Retired Emperor would take these troubles to heart even more!
A power which already vaguely started to pressure the imperial family, how would the Retired Emperor permit it.
What Wei Wei wanted was precisely this outcome!
In the future, she wanted to wrest back control of the Helian family, the ones she'd have to face were the four great clans.
How could she succeed based on her strength alone?
It's only possible if she pulled Retired Emperor to this side...
Wei Wei raised her head and when she met the eyes of Retired Emperor in the process of examining to the last detail, she suddenly stiffened.
She seemed to have understood something. She actually forgot that her purpose in having done what she'd done was something the Retired Emperor very likely also had become aware of.
As the proverb went, this sovereign's experience, compared to her, was as someone who'd eaten more salt than she'd eaten rice. How could he not have perceived the twist and turns within this incident?
Of course she puzzled over what Retired Emperor's attitude over all of this would be.
Retired Emperor looked at that expressionless little black painted face and felt that there was some resemblance to that little third grandson. His heart also softened immediately, thinking that he couldn't dissuade that resolute icy grandson anyways. From the moment he started to speak, that icy youngster had stood next to him and sneered from time to time. It was evident that he wasn't satisfied.
He's already so old, basically everything he'd done had been for the younger generation's sake. Since his treasured grandson had made a choice, no matter what his objective was, forget it, he should just go along with his choice.
Right now, he actually hoped a little, that the icy youngster was sincere in his desire to marry this young girl, and wasn't doing this for something else...
When he saw this girl previously, he was left with an extremely displeasing impression.
In general, women were like this, only concerned with romance in their hearts. At that time, this girl's heart was hung up on her engagement with Murong Chang Feng. Everything she did was a huge joke.
Meeting her today, Retired Emperor felt that he seemed to have just gotten to know this girl only now.
Each of her steps were prudent and measured, neither panicky nor impatient. Despite her young age, she actually understood the weight of a matter and controlled it. Most important of all, she valued relationships and righteousness. If Ole Third married her in the future, he'd be able to find happiness.
Retired Emperor also thought, his grandson's temperament was as apathetic as ice, who could possibly suit him for a lifetime.
Considering all options, there were plenty of girls with good family backgrounds.
As for one who could enclose and warm up his heart, there truly wasn't any.
For so many years, Retired Emperor had always worried that Baili Jia Jue would go astray and become a tyrant.
After all, that kind of deep and immeasurable personality was indeed suitable for a monarch. Yet it's too cold, so cold that all of the people in the world seemed to be of no importance to him at all.
Everyone said that it's not important to have feelings to be a monarch.
True, feelings could handicap a monarch.
However, that didn't necessarily mean that it's necessary to be completely cold-blooded in order to dominate the world.
If this was so, the ones to suffer would be the common people.
This icy youngster needed a person who could make him soften once in awhile.
It's not enough for that person to rely solely on innocence and naivety.
In the imperial palace as well as in the court, there were just too many lures. The slightest lack of caution could cause one to fall into a trap.
This girl must be strong, yet not unbending, powerful, yet not brutal. She must have something to help her persevere, so she wouldn't easily be engulfed.
Until now, he'd only discovered the signs of some of these qualities first within this girl.
Thinking to this point, when Retired Emperor looked at Wei Wei, many expressions also unfolded.
This caused Wei Wei to be at a loss and immediately subtly stroked the bridge of her nose in confusion. What's the meaning behind Retired Emperor's satisfaction within that unfathomable gaze?
One couldn't help but say that this person, Wei Wei, was born with a pair of eyes that made people like her. Even though that face was a little black, however, that pair of eyes was quite dazzling when she became astute, and when she's dazed or blanked out, she then looked awfully adorable.
The more Retired Emperor looked, the more he was pleased. In his heart, he already categorized Wei Wei as someone who's straightforward and smart. He retracted his gaze and casted it on Chen Wen Wan. "I'm asking you one final question, have you only told the truth?"
"Yes!" Chen Wen Wan bit her thin lips, only aware that all strength already left her as she bowed and kneeled on the ground, without even looking up. "All of these things were done solely by me, with no relation to anyone else."
Retired Emperor's expression was indifferent. "Someone come, drag her away for me and detain her in prison until we return to the capital, before meting out her punishment."
"Yes." The shadow guards accepted the order.
Retired Emperor continued to say. "Write a letter to the emperor to remove Chen Hui from office. Send his entire family back to their hometown, barred from entering the capitol within seven years."
Chen Wen Wan's eyes were originally looking down dully. When she heard these words, she suddenly turned her head around. "Retired Emperor, this matter is unrelated to Father, yet you want to punish him!"
"How your father obtained this position of his." When Retired Emperor made this statement, his gaze flit across Madam Su's back. "I know in my heart. Your father's loyalty should also be questioned."
Chen Wen Wan stiffened. The light in her eyes swayed as she looked towards Su Yan Mo and clearly wanted to have her plea for leniency on behalf of the Chen family.
Su Yan Mo didn't speak at all. She didn't even spare Chen Wen Wan a glance as her eyes unblinkingly maintained their original position.
In that split second, Chen Wen Wan struggled to yell out something, yet discovered that her throat unexpectedly made no sounds.
How could this be? !
Chen Wen Wan did everything she could to bend forward while realizing that the only thing she'd done was touch Madam Su just now. That little face became utterly distorted and seemed as if she wished she could chew Madam Su to bits then swallow her!
She actually believed that as long as she didn't confess, she could save the Chen family!
She didn't expect that from the start, all this cruel, poisonous, woman wanted to do was kill and silence her!
Chen Wen Wan could feel her blood vessels hurting throughout her whole body, so she couldn't even cry out a grievance while she was dragged out by the shadow guards.
Su Yan Mo saw that the only person who's capable of threatening her had turned into dead evidence. The rattle that's been in her heart also calmed down. When she looked at Retired Emperor again, she also relaxed quite a bit. "Retired Emperor is brilliant!"
She didn't expect that Retired Emperor actually only glanced at her indifferently, his presence undiminished. "As for Helian Jiao Er, as a student at the Superior Compound, yet lacking in moral conduct, not distinguishing right from wrong, and recently slandered another person, tomorrow, let's have her remain at Hidden Spirit Temple's firewood room to reflect on how she's been wrong. After she's thought things through, she can then return to the capitol."
Having heard what's been said, Helian Jiao Er shook all over and suddenly turned towards Madam Su to look at her!
She couldn't remain here!
This was a temple. How could a refined girl like her live here. What would she become if news of this spread!
Would anyone still marry her in the future?
What's more when would be considered the time when she'd 'thought things through'?
The martial qi competition was about to start soon, the champion could become the Third Prince Consort. This was a promise Retired Emperor made before thousands of witnesses at the time. His mouth of gold and words of jade* simply couldn't be changed!
(*a Chinese expression which meant that an emperor's promise is immutable)
She's someone who wanted to be champion, yet was stranded here, how could she still participate!
Helian Jiao Er's entire being panicked, her pair of limpid autumn water filled eyes was restless as she faced Wei Wei's gaze, emitting an unprecedented malevolence.
It's all because of that lowlife!
If it weren't for her, Retired Emperor also wouldn't have made this decision!
Retired Emperor had always praised her, so much so that he even revealed before that he had her in mind as Third Prince Consort.
Now, all of this, all of it had been ruined by this lowlife!
Helian Jiao Er bit that bit of tender flesh inside her mouth, her fingertips also imprinted against the hollow of her palms.
Madam Su was afraid her beloved daughter could no longer endure it and extended her hand to steady her arm, with great difficulty, she gloomily said. "Retired Emperor is right, this time, she's been too insensible, warm hearted, and unintentionally fell into another person's scheme. Again, I ask that Retired Emperor give consideration to my brother and the Defense Division and lighten her punishment. Not long from now, the grand martial qi convention will start. The elders already chose Jiao Er to represent our Dragon War Empire. Again I request that Retired Emperor give it careful consideration."
Listening to these words, Wei Wei also couldn't help but admire Madam Su's intelligence.
If she used anything else to pressure Retired Emperor, Retired Emperor might've only penalized Helian Jiao Er even more severely.
However, in bringing up the empire's glory, even Retired Empire also have to reflect on the bigger picture and reduce Helian Jiao Er's punishment. Otherwise, it'd be difficult to justify himself before the populace.
As expected, Retired Emperor's eyebrows furrowed together. It's not difficult to see he's enduring silently.
Madam Su knew that her gamble had paid off, the corners of her mouth and was just about to curve up.
When she heard a statement echoing flatly. "Since that's the case, then let's just have the madam take her beloved daughter's place and suffer the punishment in her stead."
Two voices echoed simultaneously.
One was Helian Wei Wei's, languid and indolent, a smile on her lips.
The other one was Baili Jia Jue's, he stood straight with head tilted, a silver face like a perfect ice sculpture, leisurely rolling up the cuffs of his sleeves as the corners of his mouth curved in an enchantingly cold manner, his voice sexily deep and low, yet emotionless.
Wei Wei actually didn't expect that Third Prince wanted to say the same thing she did and glanced sideways to take a look at the man.
Third Prince actually appeared indifferent and only faced her with a raised eyebrow.
Head Abbot Fang Zhang, however, stared eyes wide. What did he say, this girl and this stinky fellow were truly a bit alike!
Look, the arrangement that they suggested was astonishingly exactly the same!
Retired Emperor also stared blankly, after which he laughed. "Then just as what this lass, Wei Wei has said, let's have Madam Su suffer instead of her daughter."
"Retired Emperor." Wei Wei unsurprisingly glanced back to salute him with with honor.
Su Yan Mo held tightly onto Helian Jiao Er's fingers, the light in her eyes brimming with hatred. To have her, a grand official's wife, retained at the temple to chant the sutra and abstain from meat, if this wasn't extraordinary shame and humiliation, what was!
She forced herself to remain calm as she turned to face Retired Emperor and was going to speak.
When Wei Wei interrupted her. "Madam Su shouldn't have a competition to participate in, right?"
Su Yan Mo slowly breathed, the corners of her mouth rigid. "No."
This vile spawn was purposefully using the words she'd just spoken to stop her up. She's already so old, how could she still have any competition to participate in!
Wei Wei seemed as if she didn't see Madam Su's fury as she said levelly. "Since it's like that, a mother paying her child's debt is more than fitting."
Helian Jiao Er was filled with so much resentment, all of her teeth hurt. She truly wanted to gather all of the martial qi within her body and immediately dash over to slaughter Wei Wei!
However, on the surface, she only gripped Madam Su's hand, and shook her head back and forth. "How can I have Mother take the punishment in my place. The one who was wrong was clearly me."
Her pair of eyes were reddened, her eyelashes drooped down as a layer of tears moistened them. In spite of everything, it kind of made people feel like they didn't have the heart to watch.
Wei Wei knew that Helian Jiao Er was acting again.
However, things having reached this stage, no matter how she's acting, she still couldn't cover up the true cause of her existing misfortune. Everybody weren't fools. Having witnessed this incident, everybody more or less knew that Helian Jiao Er certainly wasn't as naive or magnanimous as she appeared on the surface.
Of course, some people were still misled by her appearance, especially those who easily felt sorry for beautiful damsels, such as the young lords.
Wei Wei straightened her collar, and inclined her head as she laughed. "Then what Younger Sister mean is that you want to be the one to stay at the temple? Such filial piety is truly moving."
"I..." Helian Jiao Er's complexion changed as she choked on Wei Wei's words, her lips scarlet from getting bitten, she gnashed her teeth with hate and resentment.
How was that her intent. What she wanted was to weep for a bit until maybe someone would help her mother and daughter plea for leniency. After all, the people standing here were all young lords from the capitol. No small number of them got along well with the Su family, if they opened their mouths, Retired Emperor more or less would have to reconsider.
Yet without waiting for anyone to open their mouths, this lowlife already took away any escape route she might have had.
After this, she truly didn't know what else to do.
Helian Jiao Er clenched both hands at a loss for what to do and turned to look at Su Yan Mo. "Mother..."
Su Yan Mo heavily closed her eyes then opened them again after having carefully weighed her gains and losses.
This daughter of hers was important to the four great clans.
Someday in the future, she's bound to the indescribably exalted.
If she were to suffer today's punishment, Madam Su's afraid that Helian Jiao Er wouldn't be able to cleanse herself of today's humiliation for the rest of her life.
Also, she's already somebody's wife. Even if she lost face, and would feel as if needles prick at her flesh everytime she left the house in the future and recall today's events, however, that's but a trivial matter. As long as the Su family was strong enough, no matter how many rumors there'd be, no one would dare speak of them in front of her, same as when she dealt with that Helian loser at the time.
That's why Su Yan Mo finally still chose to save her own beloved daughter. She humbly looked down, her intent was as it'd been pointed out. "Jiao Er grew up to be what she is all because this mother of hers failed to teach her how difficult it is to fathom a person's heart. If Wei Wei, you just won't consent to forgive me, then let me take the blame on her behalf."
On the surface, these words seemed to represent that she'd acknowledged her mistake. However, people who didn't understand the circumstances, when they heard this, would feel that Wei Wei wasn't magnanimous enough in this matter, being firmly set on punishing Helian Jiao Er.
Wei Wei coldly laughed, her eyes on Su Yan Mo's face, pausing after each word. "Madam, I think you must have been mistaken in regards to the circumstances. Right now, it's not a question of how difficult it is to fathom a person's heart, rather, it's a matter of Younger Sister's dishonorable behavior, of her attempt to frame another person. Did Madam say all of that because you felt that Retired Emperor judged unjustly?"
"Of course not." Su Yan Mo's fingers stiffened, saw the gaze Retired Emperor cast in her direction, and was afraid of saying something wrong, allowing Retired Emperor to find another pretext to punish Helian Jiao Er more severely. She had no choice this time. In order to protect her beloved daughter as much as possible, she could only soften her attitude before Wei Wei. "What I wanted to say is that you can blame me and can also blame your Second Sister for being wrong this time, however, we still look upon you as a member of the family."
After she finished speaking, Su Yan Mo only felt that she'd lost her whole face.
But what other way was there!
There wasn't any other way!
This affair had already progressed to this point, this is the only thing she could do!
She hadn't anticipated that this little vile spawn would be clever and eloquent to this extent!
Unexpectedly, even she was finally forced by her to a spot where she could neither advance nor retreat.
If she knew earlier that this vile spawn was still struggling against her fate like this, at that time, she wouldn't have set her mind on that bit of Helian blood in her body. In keeping Wei Wei alive, she failed to completely eliminate a weed at its roots. She only disabled her martial qi and broke her meridians, with the thought that Wei Wei already became a cripple who could live peaceably with them until Jiao Er needed to advance. That way, it'd be easier for them to draw Helian blood from that cripple's body anytime it's needed to help Jiao Er make a rapid breakthrough.
Looking at it now, she shouldn't have spared this little bane of their existence who'd been giving them heartburn. She should've killed her with poison the way she killed her lowly mother and have her fall together with her mother!
The light in Wei Wei's eyes fell on Su Yan Mo's pair of brimming with maliciousness eyes, and very lightly, very lightly laughed. "Madam, you're overthinking it. I've never blamed you guys."
I hated you. I wish I could have all of you stripped of your bones and turned to ash and offered as a sacrifice to the hundreds and thousands of loyal souls who were persecuted by you guys in order to take over the clan!
"Madam took care of me for such a long time, I'd still like to repay Madam."
In those days, the way you angered my Mother to the point of falling gravely ill, I'll have you taste the very same flavor!
"When you speak of forgive or not forgive."
This was what's called putting things in their place. Without having unmasked you guys and exposing the truth, putting you in a tight spot, how could it be worthy of the humiliation you've piled on me for so many years!
"I'm truly being regarded as too much of an outsider."
This was merely just the beginning. Having only slapped your face once, having only cracked your reputation once, how's that enough.
What I wanted was for your Su family to repay blood with blood!
Wait a bit longer. Wait for me to ascend step by step and hollow out your Su family. Your expression at that time would surely be interesting to see...
Thinking up to this point, Helian Wei Wei's fingers streaked across the calluses on her fingertips. Facing Su Yan Mo's slightly stiff face, she slowly smiled.
Even though hatred filled Su Yan Mo's heart, she could only suppress it and push up the corners of her mouth slightly. Wait until this incident quietly passed. Fortunately, Retired Emperor accepted her excuse. No matter how bad things looked now, her beloved daughter was still the one everyone supported, and the genius most likely to become Third Prince's Consort.
She's convinced that Retired Emperor also had apprehensions regarding this point.
Within Dragon War Empire, it didn't matter how intelligent a person was, only when they possessed a martial qi cultivation surpassing others, would their words matter.
That little vile spawn, sooner or later, would repay with interest for all that transpired here today!
She wasn't anxious.
Su Yan Mo looked down as she moved the Buddhist beads in her hand and followed the novice monk to the most remote courtyard in the temple.
Generally speaking, women weren't permitted to stay overnight in a temple, the concern was that it'd destroy the purity within the temple.
However, Hidden Spirit Temple was different from others because of its reputation as the imperial family's preferred temple. That's why every year, people who came to pray were basically either from the imperial family or had powerful connections. Included among these were many womenfolk for whom it'd be dangerous to go down the mountain at night, so one remote courtyard was reserved to house the women.
It's just that this courtyard looked too bleak, the interior decor was awfully simple, just like a very cold, cold palace.
The only thing that's slightly tolerable was that the room didn't have any unusual smells.
However, this kind of simplicity was unbearable for Su Yan Mo. Since childhood till now, she'd been a golden branch treasured in the palm of a hand. Even after she'd snatched Helian Guang Yao, she'd still been pampered and respected. Even within the circles of influential people, who among those high officials and nobles didn't fawn on her.
Now, she's made to live in this kind of place even inferior to a firewood house. The hatred that Su Yan Mo had just suppressed all instantaneously bubbled up without exception!
Helian Jiao Er came along with her mother. After she saw that house, she unconsciously used her handkerchief to cover her mouth and nose as she reached out to pull on Su Yan Mo's sleeves. "Mother, let's go look for grandfather, have him immediately enter the palace to hand over the accounts book! How could a person live in this kind of house! This won't do, Mother, you can't live here!"
"If I don't live here, then you'll have to live here." Madam Su glanced at her, after that she pulled away her hand, and lightly closed the wood door, before maliciousness from the depths of her eyes leaked out. "Right now, your grandfather has been thinking of a way to get his hands on military power. He needs to coax and deceive the emperor. No mistakes are allowed. To have him take out the accounts book over such a small matter, Retired Emperor won't be pleased."
Helian Jiao Er clenched both hands tightly. "Then what's to be done? Is it possible that Mother truly wants to stay here for the next month!"
"Mother can only find someway to leave here within a month's time, in your place."
Madam Su looked at her, a slight chill in her eyes. "How many times have I said, no matter what happens, in front of other people, you must appear wronged to the end and can not so easily leak out your true nature. You've done a good job of this for so many years, Mother hasn't taught you anything more. However, today, you almost made Mother unable to stay on the stage!"
Helian Jiao Er looked down and bit on her lip. "Mother, I was wrong." After speaking, she fiercely bit her teeth down. "It's just that the little slut was too hateful, look at those words she spoke. They didn't merely target daughter, they even targeted you, Mother. She put us on the spot in front of everybody. I won't let this matter pass this way!"
"It's indeed surprising that the little vile spawn can mature in this manner." Su Yan Mo extended her hand and pat the back of Helian Jiao Er's hand. "Don't worry, her temper is so savage, she won't end well. The martial qi competition is coming up. Your father should've already told you to concentrate and focus your attention on this. Jiao Er, you need to understand, in our Dragon War Empire, only family background and martial qi are most important. No matter how that little vile spawn struggles, she won't be able to produce any fruits. Now that she's been removed from the clan's name list, it's impossible for her to participate in any convention, unless she truly has some innate skill or ability. Yet you already saw, during the exam at the academy this time, she didn't even dare to touch martial qi. It's indeed astonishing that she could make armaments, however, as long as she doesn't possess martial qi, then the things she made won't receive the elders' approval. Even if she's Grandmaster Zi Zun's sole official disciple, she still can only stare blankly at that pile of scrap iron, that's her fate. That's why, Jiao Er, you don't need to dirty your own hand for the sake of this kind of little vile spawn. Wait until you excel at the martial qi competition, who knows where she'll be. Do you understand what Mother's saying?"
Helian Jiao Er nodded her head as her fingers clenched again. "Daughter understands everything that Mother's said, however, how can daughter swallow this grievance. I really can't choke down this anger! If the people at the capitol knew of this matter we don't even know how they'll point at us daughter and Mother."
"That's why you must win even more!"
Su Yan Mo looked into the distance, her tone of voice determined. "Your father already made connections with people at Tiny Pond Under Heaven. You just wait to bring the best armament on stage!"
After so many days now, Helian Jiao Er finally heard news that made her feel comfortable as she extended a hand to support Su Yan Mo's arm. Her manner of speaking contained the hint of a spoiled child. "But I heard that recently, an unnamed beggar appeared within the capitol, rampant and difficult to deal with. Every influential family got in a fight with him. What should I do if I encounter him during the competition?"
"Why would you have to worry about this." Su Yan Mo chuckled. "Jiao Er, you need to remember. You have the constitution of a phoenix in your body. Even the elders from the four great clans need to protect you. A small little beggar, your grandfather will find a way to dispose of for you."
Once Helian Jiao Er thought of the matter of the phoenix, her face didn't become happy at all, instead the light in her eyes sunk deeper as she dispiritedly whispered. "But at that year, I wasn't the only one who was divined to be a phoenix. Didn't Mother also hear that at that time, the godly monk said that I and that low life both were possibilities."
"Jiao Er!" Su Yan Mo suddenly shouted out in a stern voice. Her grave expression was never seen before. "Never talk about this again in the future!"
Helian Jiao Er naturally also knew that she'd said the wrong words. In an instant, her complexion turned pale and she nervously looked back and forth.
Su Yan Mo breathed a long sigh and extended a hand to stroke her beloved daughter's hair. "Right now, only the two of us are here, so there's nothing to be anxious about, but who knows how the walls have ears, Jiao Er, remember, at the time, the godly monk said that the one who's a reincarnation of the phoenix was you, and also can only be you! Understand?"
"I understand." Helian Jiao Er's head hung down as she became even more taciturn.
Su Yan Mo looked at the bamboo forest outside the window, and narrowed her eyes brimming with with insidiousness. It seemed that the little vile spawn really couldn't be spared.....
Su Yan Mo knew more than anyone that the reason Helian Jiao Er had received so much protection was because it's rumored that she was the reincarnation of the phoenix.
Even though the imperial family was in power in Dragon War Empire, however, there were many, many affairs which, before they carry them out, they couldn't help but carefully consider the four great clans' positions.
This is the situation that'd been present ever since the founding of Dragon War Empire. No one could break it.
Yet after the godly monk divined that the phoenix would descend, a change occurred to the situation.
Those elders from the four great clans wanted to use the phoenix to rule the the government, so they had the godly monk extrapolate where the phoenix would emerge.
The godly monk refused. To divulge the will of heaven like this would usually bring about calamity.
No one wanted to die.
If the elders didn't use the lives of all of the monks in the temple as hostage, the godly monk simply wouldn't have agreed to continue.
In the end, after three days and three nights, that godly monk finally calculated the female phoenix's birthplace, but it turned out that within that courtyard, there were two children.
The godly monk also couldn't be sure which of the children it was. Su Yan Mo then simply pushed her own daughter to the forefront and locked up that little vile spawn in the storehouse, not letting her out again.
For the sake of performing this divination, he was forced to age ten years and no longer wanted to mind worldly affairs.
However, Su Yan Mo still couldn't feel at ease. The only person who knew what really happened at the time was this godly monk. Only by eliminating him would her daughter become the world's only phoenix!
Consequently, she dispatched three waves of assassinations in succession, until that godly monk was finally forced to jump over a cliff.
Right now, that old monk should've already turned into a pile of bones.
Certainly, now that these two children had become older and older, it'd soon be time to determine who really had the constitution of a phoenix.
Of course, Su Yan Mo felt that only her daughter could be the true reincarnation of the phoenix.
But she also couldn't prevent something else unforeseen from happening...
Due to this incident involving entrapping a person, Retired Emperor's mood didn't appear very good at all, that's why even customs from previous years were cancelled.
Everybody returned to their room, and prepared to rest.
Of course, some people still hadn't forgotten to carry out their jobs.
At this moment, Head Abbot Fang Zhang was sitting in his room while rotating the Buddhist beads in his hands, the air pressure was a bit low. The novice monk standing outside didn't even dare to come in.
Before him sat Baili Jia Jue. Within his apathetic, demonically cold appearance, there was even a trace of an evil aura.
That kind of evil aura was impossible to suppress even though they were in a sacred temple. On the contrary, because of this kind of environment.
It made him appear even more pure and handsome, like an immortal devil.
Head Abbot Fang Zhang inclined his face as he gazed at the young man's two eyes.
While Baili Jia Jue also slightly lifted raised his chin, making his own gaze emit a kind of graceful indifference.
"I know that everytime you come here, you won't say anything, but..." Head Abbot Fang Zhang's unadorned finger pointed outside the window. "Someone is worried about you. Every year, the old person appears to come and pray for blessing on the surface, but in reality, what he's most concerned about is still you."
"What do you want me to say?" The unenthusiastic voice only echoed inside the room the two were in, imbued with a hint of coldness. Baili Jia Jue's slender fingers tapped on the wood chair's armrest, body leaning back, a long leg crossed over the other, looking straight at Head Abbot Fang Zhang. The curve at the corner of his mouth made a person think of a series of negative words, for example, haughty, cold and detached...
Head Abbot Fang Zhang closed his eyes and sighed, using his own fingers to massage his temples.
He dared to bet that all of today's cleansing to worship Buddha, as well as meditation and recitation of scripture had been wasted, because this person that he wanted to cure, completely didn't have any intention of listening to him talk.
For the past several years, Retired Emperor was like this every year, asking him to enlighten Third Prince.
However, Baili Jia Jue was a pool of stagnant water, a gorgeous deep pond of stagnant water.
When he smiled a smile that wasn't a smile, that's when he possessed the most potential for an attack.
When he looked up, it seemed as if he's capable of instantaneously prying into a person's inner thoughts. Conversing with this kind of person, was truly very tiring!
"For example, how has your state of mind changed recently." Head Abbot Fang Zhang was truly out of options. "You understand very well that you're like an armament that can explode at any time and kill people. You recently should've recovered your martial qi, right? Don't tell me that there's nothing you want to do?"
Baili Jia Jue smiled a bit. That kind of smiling expression seemed like a red spider lily opening on the road to hell, like an unstoppable wildfire. "Does killing people count?"
Head Abbot Fang Zhang almost spurt the tea he was drinking back out.
He must write this down!
Because this stinky fellow was very possibly telling the truth!
Beside his killing people, what Retired Emperor feared most was that he'd find no other joy in life.
Ooh ooh ooh ooh, does this mean that his chances at deciding victory or defeat had increased!
Baili Jia Jue looked up behind him, his voice like cold, calm water. "You seem to be very excited."
"Cough, besides killing people, do you have nothing else you want to do?" Head Abbot Fang Zhang called to mind the main question that he wanted to ask this time. 'For example, you're no longer very young now, right? Haven't you thought of looking for a beautiful marriage? I heard your imperial grandfather say that you choose that oldest daughter from the Helian family, mm, today, she actually appears quick-witted and intelligent, however, haven't you always liked white and clean, easy to bully bunny rabbits, why has your taste changed?"
Actually, Head Abbot Fang Zhang especially wanted to ask this, are you thinking of using her.
Yet a curve slowly drew open on Baili Jia Jue's mouth, Head Abbot Fang Zhang's scalp was numbed by his grin.
He then spoke with a voice that didn't undulate one bit. "A good prey, how's that related to how it looks?"
Prey?
A question mark covered Head Abbot Fang Zhang's entire face, but this was a good response! It truly was was good response! When they sat together in the past, if he didn't shut his mouth, he was spouting poison! (hurling insults)
Answering his question so normally, like he's doing today, was truly too rarely seen!
Head Abbot Fang Zhang wrote at a tremendous speed, almost moved to tears!
Being able to obtain the tiniest bit of information about what this stinky fellow's thinking, was truly too, too not easy!
"Today, I'm in a good mood, I can talk chat with you more." Baili Jia Jue's fingertips braced his chin, covered from head to toe with an air of arrogance and aloofness.
Head Abbot Fang Zhang was startled and immediately looked up, a little bit not daring to believe what he himself had heard!
Wait a minute...these words coming from Third Prince should probably be interpreted as the opposite!
On the corners of Baili Jia Jue's mouth hung a smiling expression, his tone was level, if he wanted, he could almost make the listener feel like they're bathing in a spring wind. "If I told you that I've always wanted to obtain a person, yet until now, she's still out of reach, what kind of advice will Fang Zhang give me."
"In this world is there still someone you can't have?"
Head Abbot Fang Zhang was shocked, how strong must that person be and how much willpower must she have, to be able to refuse this face that could eat both females and males alive!
Baili Jia Jue appeared rather distressed, however the words he spoke didn't contain the slightest bit of emotion. "That's why I'm thinking, how about I remove her claws and directly kidnap her."
Head Abbot Fang Zhang: "..."