From Cold Palace Princess to Heavenly Empress

Chen Yu's eyes were filled with venom, wishing he could devour the stunning young girl before him alive.

"What a venomous woman! To destroy our entire Chen family for a single pill, you deserve to go to the deepest hell!"

Facing such curses, before Xiao Minghuang could speak, Ye Ruoshui and Lin Wanqiu couldn't stand it any longer.

They moved left and right simultaneously, their delicate feet kicking out like afterimages, sending Chen Yu flying over ten zhang away.

Ye Ruoshui still felt unsatisfied after that kick. Her small face was full of anger, and she aggressively pursued him, stepping on Chen Yu's chest. She was about to stomp down with all her might, killing him instantly...

"Wait, don't kill him."

Xiao Minghuang's voice rang out from behind her.

Ye Ruoshui turned back, her small face showing displeasure.

"Sister, why can't I stomp this bug to death?!"

Xiao Minghuang walked over and gently squeezed Ye Ruoshui's small hand, signaling her not to act rashly.

Then, she looked down at the gasping Chen Yu and said:

"Hand over the Essence Replenishing Pill, and your Chen family's crime can be redeemed. The Chen Family Head's actions will not implicate the rest of the family."

Lying on the ground, Chen Yu, even with a foot on him, glared furiously and cursed:

"Viper-hearted woman, may you die a terrible death! Even as a ghost, I won't let you go!"

Hearing this, Xiao Minghuang finally lost her patience. Her original goal was just that one Essence Replenishing Pill; dealing with the Evil Cultivators in the Chen family was merely a side task.

But Chen Yu's repeated provocations meant the Chen family had no reason to exist any longer.

If you don't cut the grass by the roots, it will grow back with the spring wind.

"Ruoshui, he's yours to handle."

Xiao Minghuang said lightly, then turned to leave.

Upon receiving the instruction, a look of disgust appeared on Ye Ruoshui's beautiful small face. Ignoring Chen Yu's filthy words, she fiercely stomped down on his heart.

31. Evidence is conclusive, no room for denial

A dull thud came from Chen Yu's body. His face turned pale, his pupils dilated, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, staining the ground red.

In the blink of an eye, Chen Yu's life force dissipated, and he was undeniably dead.

Ye Ruoshui bent down, retrieved the brocade box containing the Essence Replenishing Pill from Chen Yu's corpse, and handed it to Xiao Minghuang.

"Well done!"

Xiao Minghuang gently patted Ye Ruoshui's soft hair as encouragement.

Ye Ruoshui, who hadn't even blinked when killing just now, now had rosy cheeks and a shy expression on her small face, like a maiden in a deep boudoir blushing at her admirer.

Lin Wanqiu stood to the side, witnessing everything, a complex look in her eyes.

"Miss Ye is truly... adorable..."

She then turned her gaze to Chen Yu's corpse and sighed softly.

"Your Highness was willing to spare you, so why did you have to be so stubborn?"

She was perceptive and sharp-minded, realizing Xiao Minghuang's objective was merely the Essence Replenishing Pill.

Objectively speaking, the Chen family didn't deserve annihilation.

Even though the Chen Family Head's identity as an Evil Cultivator had been exposed, it was unlikely that the entire Chen family consisted of Evil Cultivators.

If Chen Yu hadn't continuously cursed Xiao Minghuang, he wouldn't have met his end and caused his family's downfall.

Regardless, the Chen family and the Lin family were both part of Beiyang City and had been close for years. Seeing the Chen family destroyed now, she felt a pang of regret.

However, she wouldn't speak up to plead; she understood the principle of cutting the grass by the roots.

After Chen Yu was trampled to death, everyone present showed expressions of shock or complexity.

"A mere maidservant beside the Ninth Princess possesses such strength. The Royal Family's descendants are truly unfathomable!"

"The Ninth Princess is decisive and ruthless. It seems the Chen family cannot escape this calamity."

"The Chen Family Head's crime is proven, with no room for denial, but did the entire Chen family collude with Evil Cultivators and betray the country? Or is this just an excuse the Ninth Princess found to seize the Essence Replenishing Pill?"

Not only the onlookers but even Lin Wanqiu harbored doubts.

Just then.

Xiao Minghuang walked onto a high platform. Seeing this, all eyes were drawn to her.

She took a stack of papers from her sleeve – letters found in the storage bag of the Evil Cultivator leader.

Xiao Minghuang swept her gaze across the crowd and announced loudly:

"What I hold in my hand is the evidence of the Chen family's collusion with Evil Cultivators and treason. If anyone has doubts, you may come forward and examine it!"

After a moment, three elders with white hair walked out from the crowd.

These were the heads of the other three of Beiyang City's four great families. They had always been closely linked with the Chen family. If the Chen family had colluded with Evil Cultivators and betrayed the country, they too would likely be implicated. Therefore, they were eager to know the truth and clear their own names.

The three family heads examined the letters one by one, then showed expressions of shock and anger.

"This Chen family actually committed such heinous acts!"

"The Chen Family Head secretly ordered Evil Cultivators to abduct civilians and perform blood sacrifices on them to cultivate wicked arts. Their crimes are unforgivable and defy heavenly principles!"

"Not only that, but the Chen Family Head also colluded with the Golden Elephant Kingdom, attempting to hand over a newly discovered Spirit Vein. If it weren't for Your Highness discovering it in time, this Spirit Vein would have been lost to Beiyang City!"

When speaking the last sentence, the three family heads lowered their voices, as if not wanting others to know.

After reading the letter, the three family heads respectfully bowed to Xiao Minghuang and said, "The Chen family's crimes are heinous. We request their extermination as a warning to others!"

Xiao Minghuang, however, shook her head and said calmly:

"For matters concerning Beiyang City, please find City Lord Lin to handle them."

"Understood!"

The three family heads naturally understood Xiao Minghuang's implied meaning.

The three immediately joined the encirclement of the Chen Family Head. With the addition of three Spring Gushing Realm powerhouses, the Chen Family Head quickly ran out of spiritual energy. In despair, he unleashed his wicked arts but was still no match. He was eventually killed by Lin Zhengquan's spear.

After the Chen Family Head died, Lin Zhengquan collected his storage bag and magic weapon saber, presenting them both to Xiao Minghuang.

"These are the relics of an Evil Cultivator. Please, Your Highness, examine them."

While it was called an examination, it was essentially a way to present all of the Chen Family Head's assets to Xiao Minghuang, a gift offered through another.

The head of one of Beiyang City's four great families being an Evil Cultivator was such a major event. If news reached the capital, the imperial court would surely send people to investigate thoroughly, and the Lin and the three great families would not be able to escape involvement. It would be better to resolve this quietly.

Everyone present was an official of the City Lord's Mansion and members of the three great families, so no information would be leaked. The only person who needed to be appeased was Xiao Minghuang.

Xiao Minghuang, having traveled from afar, was unaware of the intentions of the three great families and was hesitating whether to accept them.

Lin Wanqiu stepped forward and whispered an explanation in her ear.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang revealed a knowing expression. She looked at Lin Zhengquan and the heads of the three great families and said sternly:

"The Chen family harbored an Evil Cultivator and colluded with foreign enemies, committing treason. Their crimes are unforgivable. City Lord Lin and the three great families have eliminated a traitor. [+-

As she spoke, Xiao Minghuang accepted the storage bag and the precious magic weapon saber.

"These items are evidence of the Chen family's crimes. I, this princess, will take them back to the capital and hand them over to the Three Judicial Offices for processing."

"Your Highness is divinely intelligent, discerning, and has planned flawlessly. We obey your command!"

Although Xiao Minghuang claimed she would hand the items over to the Three Judicial Offices, everyone knew that the Spirit Stones, elixirs, and the valuable Yellow Tier mid-grade saber in the storage bag would inevitably end up in her own possession.

Without waiting for the next morning, the City Lord's Mansion guards were dispatched overnight. While the Chen family members were still asleep, they were all apprehended and thrown into prison.

Because of the Chen family incident, the banquet was interrupted halfway through.

Xiao Minghuang lost her interest and decided to return to her room to rest.

Although she had already reached the Qi Refining Realm, she had not yet reached a state of not needing to eat, not fearing the seasons, and not knowing fatigue.

After several days of travel, a fierce battle in the Savage Forest, and the thrilling events at the banquet, Xiao Minghuang was already exhausted and just wanted a good night's sleep.

"City Lord Lin, the matter of the Chen family is yours to handle completely. I will not interfere further."

City Lord Lin understood, and his heart was filled with gratitude towards Xiao Minghuang. Her words implied that the Chen family's assets would be distributed by him.

One must know that the Chen family had resided in Beiyang City for nearly a hundred generations, accumulating immeasurable wealth. It was difficult to imagine what a colossal sum it would be.

"This time, I'm really going to get rich!"

However, he could not possibly enjoy such a vast fortune alone. After sharing it with the various stakeholders, what would remain in his hands…

It would still be a considerable sum.

Thinking of this, Lin Zhengquan couldn't help but beam with joy.

He glanced at Lin Wanqiu, who was standing beside Xiao Minghuang, acting very obediently, and felt a surge of paternal pride.

If it weren't for his daughter, how could he have established a connection with the Ninth Princess, let alone had the opportunity to dismantle the vast Chen family and share in its profits?

"Wanqiu, quickly escort Her Highness back to rest."

Lin Zhengquan commanded heartily.

Lin Wanqiu naturally nodded and led Xiao Minghuang back to the courtyard where she was staying.

After they left, everyone present couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"City Lord Lin, it is truly a great fortune that your daughter has gained the favor of the Ninth Princess. With the Ninth Princess as our backing in Beiyang City, we no longer have to worry about the imperial court withholding our Spirit Stones!"

"City Lord Lin, could you reveal a little about the relationship between your daughter and the Ninth Princess? So that we can all rest assured."

Hearing this, Lin Zhengquan frowned. The matter of the Ninth Princess and Lin Wanqiu's engagement was known only within their family and had never been spread outside.

During the banquet today, the Ninth Princess had not publicly announced this matter either.

If he were to reveal it now, it would be overstepping his bounds.

This made him hesitant and unwilling to speak directly.

After a moment of thought, Lin Zhengquan smiled and replied:

"The Ninth Princess and Wanqiu hit it off immediately and are like sisters. Everyone can rest assured!"

Here, he suddenly changed the subject, his gaze stern as he swept across everyone present.

"Although Beiyang City has the Ninth Princess as its backing, we must still act with caution and prudence going forward. Especially within our own families, incidents like what happened with the Chen family must never occur again!"

Upon hearing this, everyone present sobered up, responding solemnly:

"City Lord, rest assured. We will return home immediately to investigate our family members. Incidents like the Chen family's will absolutely not happen!"

Seeing this, Lin Zhengquan's expression softened as he spoke:

"It's good that you all understand. From now on, we in Beiyang City are subordinates of the Ninth Princess. We cannot tarnish the reputation of Your Highness. It's getting late, everyone should go back and rest."

"We take our leave."

After everyone left, a look of joy reappeared on Lin Zhengquan's face.

"From this day forward, I believe the status of our Beiyang City will be secured."

Yisir, run!

"An interview, Miss Yilv, why do you say you don't want to date?" the reporter asked, holding a microphone up to Sakkaz.

The latter was stunned for a moment before finally saying, "Because I'm not Perro."

"?"

The reporter, confused, awkwardly yet politely asked, "Excuse me, could you explain that a little more clearly?" Yilv paused for a moment before speaking again:

"I don't like eating bones."