139: The Ye family's commotion and the Empress's panic

The Imperial Capital, Ye Family.

A thick medicinal fragrance mixed with a hint of blood permeated the room.

Ye Yutian's face was as pale as paper. He lay on a warm jade bed, his lower body covered in thick medicinal paste.

He couldn't stop himself from twitching slightly, his body drenched in cold sweat.

"Bang!"

The door to the quiet room was violently smashed open by a wave of furious Aura!

The person who entered was the current Patriarch of the Ye Family, Ye Canghai!

He rushed in like a raging lion, his gaze sweeping the room. Seeing his son's miserable state, he became utterly enraged!

"Who?! Which damn bastard! How dare they lay such a vicious hand on my son, Ye Canghai's son, right here in the Imperial Capital!!!"

He roared aloud, the pressure of the Saint Venerable Realm uncontrollably leaking out, shaking the room's Formation.

The few Female Apothecaries attending nearby immediately knelt on the ground, trembling.

Worship Master Ma, who had been waiting by the side, quickly stepped forward and whispered with a solemn expression: "Reporting to the Patriarch, it was... it was Qin Wushang."

"Qin Wushang?"

A sharp glint flashed in Ye Canghai's eyes, and he immediately recalled a person.

"The Qin Wushang who is famous throughout the Desolate Heaven Domain, taken in as a Personal Disciple by the Empress?"

"It is him."

Worship Master Ma nodded and added, "This person has a sensitive identity. He is the Empress's beloved Disciple, and a Prodigy himself. We cannot easily offend him."

"But this is not the most crucial point."

"The most crucial point is that a White-Robed Youth who was traveling with Qin Wushang held... my Ye Family's North-Suppressing General's Token!"

"What?"

Ye Canghai's pupils suddenly contracted, and the fury on his face was instantly replaced by unbelievable shock.

"The North-Suppressing General's Token?"

"Impossible! The Old Ancestor has been in Secluded Death Cultivation for decades, and the General's Token was Sealed with her in the Forbidden Ground. There is absolutely no way it could be outside! Did you see clearly?"

Worship Master Ma affirmed, "This subordinate saw it clearly. The token's design, Aura, and unique Dao Patterns are absolutely genuine!"

"Furthermore, the Youth spoke in a commanding tone, ordering us to deal with the Eldest Young Master."

"His attitude was certainly not one that someone holding a counterfeit or having merely picked up the token would possess."

At this moment, Ye Yutian, enduring the intense pain on the bed, cried out hoarsely, "Dad! Don't listen to Worship Master Ma's nonsense!"

"That token must be fake! It's a fake made by Qin Wushang and his group!"

"That old man Worship Master Ma is timid as a mouse and incompetent! I told him to arrest them, but not only did he disobey, he even... even talked back to me!"

"Dad, you must uphold justice for me! Qin Wushang... he crippled my life source! I want him dead!"

"No... I can't let him die too easily! I want to capture him, lock him up, and torture him severely! Let him also taste what it's like to be a cripple!"

His eyes were filled with malice and madness.

His life source was his source of pleasure, and also a good thing for advancing his Cultivation. Now it was crippled.

He feared it would take some time for him to recover!

Hearing this, Ye Canghai spun around abruptly, his gaze piercing Ye Yutian like lightning. He roared, "Shut up! Can't you stop worrying me?"

"Men! Men! Are men really that great?"

"Can you stop this terrible habit of yours?"

"There are countless stunning women in this world, and I just can't understand why you insist on obsessing over men!"

Ye Yutian shivered in fear from the roar, which was filled with oppressive power, and his Aura instantly weakened.

He stammered, "I... I just feel that... men are more... more stimulating..."

"Besides, Dad, didn't you always say that as long as my Cultivation advanced steadily, I could do whatever I wanted?"

"My Legacy of the Yin-Yang Huanhuan Tribulation Scripture doesn't differentiate between male and female targets for Dual Cultivation Harvesting, and it has no side effects and quickly improves Cultivation... isn't that good..."

His voice grew softer as he spoke, clearly knowing that he had hit a snag this time.

"Good, my ass!"

Ye Canghai was so angry that the veins on his forehead were throbbing.

"I agreed to your Dual Cultivation Harvesting, but I told you to harvest those Loose Cultivators without background, or Geniuses from minor Families!"

"Who told you to provoke the Empress's Personal Disciple?"

"Did you get your brain squeezed by a door, or do you think your father isn't dying fast enough? Do you want to bring disaster upon the Ye Family?"

Ye Yutian argued defensively, "Dad, I've been wronged! Qin Wushang didn't announce his identity right away, and his face didn't have the four characters 'Empress's Disciple' written on it!"

"I saw he was unfamiliar, had an extraordinary demeanor, and was accompanied by a Top-grade Maiden... How was I supposed to know he had such a huge background!"

Worship Master Ma interjected at the right time, pulling the conversation back on track.

"Patriarch, Eldest Young Master, debating whether we knew or not is meaningless now. We have already offended them."

"The urgent matter now is to clarify the exact situation regarding that North-Suppressing General's Token!"

"The Old Ancestor's seclusion location is heavily guarded by Restrictions, and there has been no movement for decades. Many outsiders rumor that the Old Ancestor has already Passed Away... Logically, the General's Token should be absolutely incapable of leaking out."

Ye Canghai forced himself to calm down, his brows tightly furrowed.

"Did you look carefully? Is it truly real?"

"Absolutely certain."

Worship Master Ma said with certainty, "Moreover, when the Youth issued his command, his demeanor was calm and composed, as if it were only natural, showing no fear of my Ye Family's might."

"Looking across the Imperial Capital, besides the Imperial Family Direct Line, who else would dare to act like this? After much thought, this subordinate believes, only..."

"Only the Old Ancestor herself, or... a Closest Kin who has received the Old Ancestor's entire True Legacy and Token of Authority!"

Ye Canghai took over the conversation, a sharp light flickering in his eyes.

"But even if the Old Ancestor leaves seclusion, she is a woman."

"That Youth... unless..."

He suddenly recalled that Secret Cultivation Technique of the Ye Family, which few people ever cultivate to Major Achievement, capable of changing one's appearance and physique!

The Thousand Illusions Formless Art!

Worship Master Ma nodded heavily, "This subordinate also suspects the same."

"It is precisely because this matter is of great importance that this subordinate dared not act rashly, and immediately brought the Eldest Young Master back to report."

Ye Yutian, lying on the bed, heard this, his face growing even paler as he cried out in terror.

"Dad! You wouldn't actually believe their nonsense and... and follow the command of that fake token to... to completely castrate me, would you?"

"Shut up! You useless thing!"

Ye Canghai scolded him irritably, but his expression was extremely solemn as he fell into momentary contemplation.

"If the General's Token is real, then this matter is absolutely not a simple squabble between Dandies, or a dispute between the young."

"Pass down the order: the entire Ye Family is temporarily to hold its forces and not act on this matter. Seal off the news, especially the details of Yutian's injuries; they must not be leaked!"

He pondered for a moment, then instructed Worship Master Ma.

"You, immediately go and secretly contact Chu Tianhai of Prince Tianhais Residence. Remember, be secretive and avoid the Empress's informants."

Worship Master Ma was startled, "Patriarch, are you... planning to join forces with Prince Tianhais Residence?"

"But Qin Wushang is, after all, the Empress's Disciple, and the Empress herself..."

Ye Canghai's gaze was gloomy as he interrupted, "No matter how useless my son is, he is still my, Ye Canghai's, seed!"

"How he should be disciplined is not for an unrelated junior to dictate, much less lay such a vicious hand on him!"

"The Empress..."

"Hmph!"

He let out a cold snort and lowered his voice.

"Her current hold on the Imperial Throne relies only on the residual might of the Nation-Suppressing Imperial Sword and her own Cultivation."

"The Imperial Throne... is not eternal."

"When the time changes, whether she remains the Empress of Great Chu is still unknown!"

Worship Master Ma felt a chill in his heart, knowing that Ye Canghai had developed deeper plans. He said no more, bowed, and said, "This subordinate understands, I will go handle it now."

...Five days later!

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study.

A faint Dragon Saliva Incense spiraled gently in the room.

Chu Yuehua sat upright behind the writing desk, dressed in a simple Moon-White Casual Robe, yet it could not conceal the graceful and cool temperament surrounding her.

However, at this moment, within her beautiful eyes that seemed capable of seeing through everything, there was a hidden trace of barely noticeable irritation.

The Female Official Attendant, Qin Yulian, stood quietly below, respectfully reporting the situation.

"...Your Majesty, according to the report from the Hidden Dragon Guard, Young Master Qin entered the top floor Private Room of the Huanhuan Tower that day and has yet... to show his face, for five days now."

"According to the vague perception of our informant inside the tower, the Private Room's Formation has remained active, isolating the Aura, but there are no signs of fierce conflict or departure."

"This subject speculates... Young Master Qin should still be inside."

After Qin Yulian finished speaking, she carefully glanced up at Chu Yuehua's exquisite face, observing her expression.

Chu Yuehua's jade finger, gripping the Vermillion Brush, paused slightly, leaving a tiny ink spot on the Memorial.

She put down the brush, lifted her eyelids, and her voice betrayed no emotion, yet it was three parts colder than usual.

"Five days? He certainly is... energetic, indulging himself, carefree, living a drunken dream!"

Qin Yulian sensed the displeasure in Your Majesty's tone and tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, does... this subject need to send someone to the Huanhuan Tower to deliver an Imperial Edict, summoning Young Master Qin to the palace immediately?"

"No need."

Chu Yuehua refused curtly, a curve forming on her lips that held no warmth.

"You go in my stead, travel to the Tianwu Royal Estate, and find Chu Yuer. Say nothing else, just inform her—Qin Wushang is currently in the Huanhuan Tower, with the Saintess of the Hehuan Sect, Jiang Chengqiu, and has not come out for five days."

Hearing this, Qin Yulian showed a look of difficulty, "Your Majesty, is this... perhaps inappropriate?"

"County Princess Yu'er is young and impulsive, after all. If she learns of this, I fear she might..."

"What is inappropriate?"

Chu Yuehua interrupted her, saying coldly, "That Rebellious Disciple's Heart-Nature is flighty and easily seduced by extravagance. Now he even lingers in such filthy places, acquiring bad habits."

"Since they are already engaged, what is wrong with his future Dao Companion imposing some discipline? I am busy with state affairs and have no time to constantly watch over him. There should be someone... to discipline him."

Qin Yulian sighed inwardly!

It was clear that Your Majesty was displeased herself, yet she was holding onto the prestige of a Revered Master and an Emperor, unwilling to intervene personally!

She wanted to use County Princess Yu'er's hand!

She hesitated, then whispered, "Your Majesty, actually... you only need to speak, even a simple Imperial Decree, and Young Master Qin... would surely not dare to disobey."

Chu Yuehua's eyes flickered slightly, then she gave a light snort, turning her face to look out the window, her tone laced with jealousy.

"Hmph, I can't be bothered to manage him."

"He can stay in that Pleasure Den for as long as he likes. If he dies there... it would be quiet!"

Qin Yulian immediately fell silent, not daring to reply.

Having served the Empress for many years, she deeply understood Her Majesty's Heart-Nature. These words were clearly spoken in anger.

The hall was quiet for a moment, with only the faint sound of the wind gently blowing outside the window.

Chu Yuehua also seemed to feel that her words just now were improper. She picked up a Spirit Fruit and took a gentle bite.

As the Spirit Fruit entered her mouth, a sweet and sour juice spread out.

Seeing this, Qin Yulian quickly reminded her, "Your Majesty, these Azure Glazed Jade Pulp Fruits are inherently cold and sour. You seem to have an exceptional preference for this flavor recently..."

"Should we switch to some mild and sweet Spirit Fruits? This subject worries that prolonged consumption would be detrimental to your Phoenix Body."

Chu Yuehua's movement paused almost imperceptibly. Her long eyelashes lowered, concealing the complex emotion that flashed in her eyes.

She slowly swallowed the fruit pulp, and her voice returned to calm.

"Life has a hundred flavors; how can it all be sweet? Sourness... also has a sour aftertaste."

"I think it's quite good."

Qin Yulian's internal doubts deepened, and she worriedly said, "Your Majesty, this subject observes that your eating habits have indeed changed recently, and you occasionally seem fatigued. Should we summon the Imperial Physician for a Routine Pulse Check, lest..."

"I said there is no need!"

Chu Yuehua's voice suddenly rose slightly, carrying undeniable authority.

She put down the half-eaten Spirit Fruit, her fingertip brushing across her still-flat abdomen, a trace of panic in her eyes.

She took a deep breath, and her tone recovered its Imperial Majesty.

"You may go. As I commanded, deliver the message to Chu Yuer, and she will tell Lin Ziyao!"

"Additionally, compile all recent movements of the Qin Clan, especially detailed intelligence on Qin Zhantian and his wife, into a report and submit it quickly."

Her gaze turned toward the direction of Yunmeng City, and deep in her eyes, cold intent gradually arose.

"I want to see what kind of situation that Qin Family Head, who righteously destroyed his own kin, is in now."