" Eunuch Hong, is Father Emperor still not resting?"
Outside the Imperial Study, the Crown Prince frowned, looking at the lamplight in the distance. His voice was filled with deep concern. "I know Father is in low spirits after Mother's passing, but to ruin his health like this, Mother would surely be heartbroken if she knew."
"Your Highness is too kind..." Eunuch Hong said with a cupped-hands smile, always wearing a cheerful demeanor, but showing no intention of letting the Crown Prince in. "This servant is incompetent and cannot persuade His Majesty. It is late, Your Highness, you should go back quickly. His Majesty will not see anyone today."
The crown prince paused for a moment, then nodded. "Thank you for your Eunuch Hong."
"Your Highness is too kind!" Eunuch Hong quickly bowed, "It's all my duty."
The crown prince nodded, and with a reluctant look, glanced at the imperial study one last time before turning to leave. But as soon as he turned around, his face turned extremely gloomy.
Since the national mourning period, his father had never seen him again, no matter what reason he gave.
Although this situation has not yet caused any major upheaval, many people have already begun to secretly discuss that their once rock-solid position as crown prince, which was once held by the Empress Dowager, now seems less secure.
This was not just my imagination, because my father's actions were quite obvious. For example, he kept several pregnant concubines under strict protection, and I couldn't even get any information about them. He also prevented the Imperial Guard guards from letting me enter and leave the palace at will.
As the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, he was accompanied by guards at all times when he went to pay his respects to his father, the Emperor, which was clearly a sign of wariness.
What is my father wary of me about?
Should I be wary of going to see my unborn brothers?
The prince's eyes burned with rage, and his anger surged even higher. These past few days... he had secretly tried with some women, but no matter how those skilled in the art of lovemaking tried to seduce him, he couldn't get an erection. He had even consulted the court's great sorcerer, who simply said that he needed to recuperate slowly.
Is that really the case?
His father's attitude and his persistent physical ailment made him increasingly uneasy.
--
"Your Majesty, my son is gone... Are you really so heartless as to not even see him one last time?"
Inside the imperial study, a gentle, melodious voice rang out. In the distance, palace maids and eunuchs lowered their heads, their faces pale, not daring to utter a sound!
The eunuchs and maids serving in the imperial study were all old and experienced; which of them wasn't familiar with that voice?
That's clearly the Queen's voice!!
"I won't see her, I won't see her!" The emperor gently embraced the woman before him, feeling her extreme coldness, and tenderly wrapped her up completely.
"It wasn't that wicked beast, how could my Lan'er... how could she..."
"Your Majesty? What's wrong?"
"It's nothing, it's nothing..." The emperor hugged the other tightly, a hint of nervousness flashing in his eyes.
If Liu Yu were here, he would surely sigh, for the emperor's anxious gaze had only been seen once before, when he lost his first son.
"Your Majesty, I'm so cold..."
"It's alright, I'm here, I'm here!"
"Your Majesty, what's wrong with me? Why can't I feel you?"
"It's alright, it's alright..." The emperor held her tightly, but dared not look at her. He could see that the empress he was holding was visibly withering.
"His Majesty..."
The empress suddenly let out a sharp scream, her beautiful face turning into an incredibly ferocious and terrifying expression, like a man-eating demon!
But the emperor held her tightly, preventing her from moving an inch.
The next second, the struggling queen's figure slowly faded and finally disappeared from the room.
As the empress disappeared, the temperature in the room began to slowly rise.
A very short man dressed in the Yin-Yang Star Palace robes appeared in the imperial study at some point, silently watching the dejected king without making a sound to disturb him.
After an unknown amount of time, the emperor slowly raised his head, his voice hoarse. "How much longer?"
"Your Majesty!" the man said, bowing respectfully. "We have already dissected most of the immortal's corpse, and many secrets are now within our grasp. Soon..."
"Soon?" The emperor jumped to his feet, like a raging lion. "You told me it would be soon many years ago! How much longer? Give me a precise time!!"
Despite the king's rage, the man remained calm and said in his usual tone, "Your Majesty, this is an ancient immortal. King of Qin used millions of spirits to capture him with star lamps. How could the time be so easily determined?"
"I don't care!" The emperor stared coldly at the other party, his eyes filled with murderous intent!
"Forcibly resolving this could carry unpredictable risks!"
"I don't want to get involved either!"
What if the world descends into chaos?
"Then chaos will ensue!" the emperor roared. "If I could pacify the world once, I can pacify it a second time!!"
"Your subordinate understands..." The other party cupped his hands, seemingly about to leave, but was stopped again by the emperor just as he was taking a step back.
"Is there any trace of that old geezer from Jiangnan?"
" Yuchi Feihong has found some clues; news should arrive soon!"
"They've been dormant for a century, but now they've suddenly appeared in the West Sea. We must find out what they're up to!"
The sorcerer nodded upon hearing this. There are a few beings in this world who have always been most feared by kings and are also the focus of observation for the Yin-Yang Academy, because they all possess terrifying power to shake up the human world. The one from the Shen Family in Jiangnan is one of them!
"What's been going on with that Chen Qing lately?"
"They're building hype..." the sorcerer whispered. "They've set up a gatekeeper, claiming it can identify demons and ghosts, but Black Crow has already been there, and that so-called gatekeeper couldn't recognize it. It's most likely a ruse."
The king nodded upon hearing this. "They do know how to use some tricks."
"Just received a text message saying that they captured the three legitimate sons of the Shen Family's eldest branch yesterday!"
"Oh?" The emperor's stern face finally softened slightly. "So you've already clashed with the Shen Family so quickly?"
"Sixth Master Shen Family is a cautious man; I doubt he'll make any big moves."
"There will be..." the emperor sneered, "A brat who looks so much like the King of Qin of Qin, I don't believe the Shen Family can tolerate that!"
--
Where is he?
In the familiar courtyard, Chen Qing looked at the beautiful woman sitting in the courtyard, a hint of realization in his eyes.
The woman's attire was all too familiar: a pale yellow spring dress, a palm-leaf fan in hand, sitting in a wicker chair, gently swaying—I'd seen this scene at least dozens of times...
To be honest, I used to envy Cui Yan. He was young, academically excellent, handsome, and married such a beautiful woman. Occasionally, when I was in bed at night, I would have wild thoughts and even considered being a traitor like Chen Qing Cao.
Of course... back then it was just wishful thinking, but I never imagined that things would change so much, and one day it might actually become a reality...
"What kind of person is my husband talking about?"
The woman leaned languidly against the wicker chair, every gesture exuding allure, making Chen Qing's mouth go dry.
"Where is Cui Yan?" Chen Qing asked coldly, forcing himself to remain calm.
"Pfft!" A Li laughed, "If my husband wants to accuse me of adultery, he should at least come up with a better excuse. Cui Yan? Isn't his corpse already rotting?"
"Stop pretending..." Chen Qing approached step by step with a cold face. "You deliberately let Wei Gongcheng, who was monitoring you, see you, just to see my reaction, right? Well, I'll tell you now!"
Chen Qing leaned close to the other person's ear and sneered, "I know that's Cui Yan, and I also know what kind of trash Cui Yan is now!"
A Li's smiling expression froze instantly, and she slowly put away her smile. Purple growth rings, a feature only found in top-tier demons like her, appeared in her dark eyes.
"You really know..." The fox demon whispered in Chen Qing's ear, her voice full of allure, "I'm starting to wonder if you're the reincarnation of the King of Qin. How do you know everything?"
Chen Qing curled her lip; she had absolutely nothing to do with that unlucky fellow...
"Since you know, why are you still struggling?" A Li chuckled softly. "Knowing what it is, you should know what it means. The human world... is doomed!"
"Whether the human world ends or not is not up to you!" Chen Qing straightened up and stared steadily down at A Li, who was sitting there.
"Do you think there's still hope for humanity?" A Li asked, squinting.
Of course!
"Why?" A Li asked curiously.
If the other party truly knew something, they should understand that this world... is filled with despair!
"Because a great designer wouldn't make a game that players can't finish!"
"Huh?" A Li was confused; why did she feel like she didn't understand?
Whether A Li understood or not, Chen Qing said, enunciating each word clearly, "Therefore, as long as I am here, there is hope in this world!"
A Li was stunned.
That sounds so familiar...
Chen Qing ignored the stunned A Li and walked straight out of the courtyard. He had already confirmed the information he needed, so there was no need for him to stay.
To be honest, although his words were eloquent, his expression wasn't actually that good.
The Ghost Immortal version has arrived ahead of schedule...
Which son of a bitch triggered the version conditions?
I would like to express my special thanks to the reader Yiye Zhiqiu, who helped me correct typos on the Rubik's Cube many times. I am very grateful to the reader for his enthusiasm, thank you!!
Then there's the issue of the book's performance. It seems to be doing quite well compared to other books in the same period, just one step away from being listed in the Three Rivers. I hope you readers will continue to follow and support it. I'm sure there will be a big update later Mofang. Thank you all.