I Am the One Who Holds the Mandate of Heaven!

"Though we must stay on our guard, there's no need to be alarmed."

Zhu Youwen shook his head, clearly not very wary of Zhu Youning.

The one he feared most was still that man: the Underworld Emperor, Zhu Yougui!

"Zhu Youning isn't much of a threat. He holds considerable power, but his own strength is what it is. The trouble would be if he joined forces with my good big brother."

At the mention of his big brother, Zhu Yougui, Zhu Youwen gritted his teeth.

"Zhu Yougui has been at the Great Heavenly Rank for nearly ten years. If I want to defeat him outright, I'll probably need to go into seclusion and cultivate bitterly for a while longer."

With that, Zhu Youwen turned to Zhong Xiaokui and said, "I'd planned to have you go undercover by Zhu Youzhen's side. Now that Zhu Youzhen is dead, we'll have to change the plan. You must go undercover by Zhu Youning's side and keep a close eye on his movements. Make sure he doesn't join forces with Zhu Yougui. If you notice anything suspicious, report it immediately!"

"Yes!"

Zhong Xiaokui bowed and clasped her hands, then asked anxiously, "But if I go undercover by Prince An's side, won't there be no one left by the Ghost King's side?"

Zhu Youwen had already begun meditating with his eyes closed. He replied casually, "Don't worry. I still have those two useless men, Black and White Impermanence. Their martial arts aren't much, but they're still useful."

Just as Zhu Youwen was preparing to go into seclusion and cultivate bitterly, Zhu Yougui emerged from seclusion and arrived in Bian Prefecture early that morning from the Xuanming Cult.

That day, Zhu Yougui waited outside Jiaolan Hall from early on. When the palace gates opened, he went inside.

An old eunuch appeared among the gathered officials and reminded them to go about their business—the emperor wouldn't be holding court today, either.

Zhu Yougui wasn't surprised. Zhu Wen's neglect of state affairs was the norm. It would have been surprising if Zhu Wen had suddenly applied himself to governing.

With no other choice, Zhu Yougui exchanged a few pleasantries with the old eunuch, then asked him for help. He claimed he had a confidential matter to discuss with the emperor alone and asked the eunuch to inform His Majesty.

The old eunuch was efficient at his job!

Before long, he came out of Jiaolan Hall and called Zhu Yougui in for an audience.

At last, in Jiaolan Hall, Zhu Yougui saw Zhu Wen—and his wife, Zhang Zhenniang.

"Your son pays his respects to Imperial Father! Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor!"

Zhu Yougui looked every bit the loyal subject. The moment he saw Zhu Wen, he dropped to one knee.

"Rise."

Zhu Yougui got to his feet. He didn't dare look up at Zhu Wen or glance around, behaving like a model courtier.

"My son, why have you left the Xuanming Cult unattended and come all the way to Bian Prefecture?"

Zhu Wen spoke then. His voice was loud, and his words came quickly; he was clearly impatient.

Zhu Yougui cupped his hands and replied, "Your son missed Imperial Father, so I came to pay my respects."

"Mm."

Zhu Wen nodded without showing much reaction. "My son, if you have nothing else to do, return to the Xuanming Cult. Your wife is here to serve me, and that's enough. The Xuanming Cult has many affairs that require you to oversee them."

Zhu Wen's words made it clear he wanted Zhu Yougui to leave. Zhu Yougui couldn't help furrowing his brow.

What kind of father saw his son and immediately sent him away?

He stole a glance at Zhu Wen, who wasn't looking at him. Instead, Zhang Zhenniang, seated beside him, was peeling grapes and feeding them into Zhu Wen's mouth while signaling to Zhu Yougui with her eyes.

Zhu Yougui understood her look: Zhu Wen could fly into a rage at any moment, so he should leave while he still could.

But Zhu Yougui couldn't leave. Otherwise, what had he come here for? To be scolded?

Just then, as Zhu Wen chewed his grapes, he turned his head to look at Zhang Zhenniang beside him, seemingly speaking to Zhu Yougui on purpose.

"My son, your wife is truly wonderful. Ever since she entered the palace, she's been by my side day and night, caring for me in every way. I'm very pleased with her!"

As he spoke, Zhu Wen pulled Zhang Zhenniang into his arms, making no effort to hide what he was doing. Zhang Zhenniang gently pushed against his chest, as if coyly protesting, her face flushing with shyness.

Zhu Yougui glanced up and saw it all. Fury burned in his heart, but he didn't let it show. Instead, he wore a sincere smile.

"It's only right that she serve Imperial Father."

Zhu Wen glanced at Zhu Yougui and spoke as if confiding in him. "My son, cultivating the Nine Nether Profound Heaven Divine Skill gave you a strange appearance. You're nearing forty, yet you still have the stature of a dwarf, and you can't even be intimate with women. You may have married, but that was little more than fooling yourself. It would be a shame for such a beauty to waste her youth alone in your chambers. I couldn't bear to let her go to waste, so I took her in for you. You aren't angry, are you?"

Zhu Yougui immediately shook his head.

"Whatever do you mean, Imperial Father? Your son is away on business all year and cannot stay by your side to fulfill his duty as a son. I often blame myself for it. Since she can stay by your side, she can at least show a little filial devotion in my place."

"Mm."

Zhu Yougui's respectful manner pleased Zhu Wen, who burst into loud laughter.

But as Zhu Wen laughed, Zhu Yougui suddenly changed the subject. "Your son came to Bian Prefecture this time just to see Imperial Father. Now that I've seen you well and safe, I'll return to the Xuanming Cult. But I happened to hear something that may be to Imperial Father's disadvantage."

"Oh?" Zhu Wen was interested now. "What is it?"

Zhu Yougui paused, then continued, "Your son heard that Third Brother—"

Before Zhu Yougui could finish, there came a loud crash. Zhu Wen slammed his palm onto the table where the wine was set, knocking a wine cup to the floor.

Zhang Zhenniang looked frightened, too. She had been at Zhu Wen's side long enough to know that whenever her husband Zhu Yougui came to pay his respects, Zhu Wen flew into a rage.

"Don't bring that up again!" Zhu Wen snapped.

Zhu Yougui held back and spoke patiently. "Your son isn't trying to talk about Third Brother's affair. I just think there's something strange about Brother Ning."

By now, Zhu Yougui's purpose was clear.

Zhu Wen immediately asked, "What are you trying to say?"

"The scandal involving Third Brother was kept very secret, yet Zhu Youning managed to uncover every detail. Imperial Father, I believe Zhu Youning may have secretly built an organization devoted to gathering information and intelligence. And when he reorganized the Longxiang Army—"

"Silence!"

Zhu Wen cut Zhu Yougui off with a thunderous shout before he could finish.

Hearing Zhu Wen's voice, Zhu Yougui knew better than to continue. He'd already said his piece; Zhu Wen couldn't have failed to understand what he meant.

The father, emperor, and son fell silent for a long while. Zhu Wen let out a deep breath and said, "Since things have come to this, let them be—for now. My son, if you have nothing else to discuss, you may leave."

Zhu Yougui wasn't disappointed. Zhu Wen hadn't said he would immediately settle accounts with Zhu Youning, but the thought had already taken root in his mind.

"Then your son takes his leave."

After Zhu Yougui left, Zhu Wen's face twisted with anger.

"Hmph!" Zhu Wen was in a foul mood, but he didn't overturn the table or smash the cups. He only said, "The officials at court, the nobles and ministers—even my own sons—are all scheming for their own gain?"

"Your Majesty, please calm down."

Zhang Zhenniang spoke softly from beside him. "But I also think His Highness has a point."

Zhu Wen glanced at Zhang Zhenniang and said coldly, "What? Are you thinking the same thing?"

Zhang Zhenniang gave an awkward laugh. "How could I? I'm only a weak woman. Of course I follow Your Majesty's lead."

Only then did Zhu Wen's expression soften a little. He muttered to himself, "I may have given him a bit too much, but I refuse to give that rebellious son what he wants! I'll do whatever I please! I am the one who holds the Mandate of Heaven!"