Chapter 27 (1/2)
WhatHua does seriousand tells a story beyond roreat but I’doeneral i and surreal The action picks up on the political front in this chapter and it’s a pivotal et that Xiao Yao has zero reason to return to her rightful position but for helping Zhuan Xu become the next Xuan Yuan Emperor It’s his destiny, their dead relatives blood and sacrifice rests on their shoulders, and neither will be safe unless he’s the one calling the shots When I look at adult Zhuan Xu it’s hard for me to not remember the little boy he was in Once Promised So bratty and as much a firebrand as Xiao Yao was equally bratty and a spitfire They were like two peas in a pod that loved and loathed each other, and the sparks between theht any sequel would involve these two as the OTP I do love Xiang Liu and Jing, but Xiao Yao has a special place in her heart that only Zhuan Xu resides in Too bad she doesn’t realize he tucks her away in his heart in a way ht than she sees him as just an older brother But love is love and these two have an unbreakable bond that is going to start getting truly tested The hty and fearless Yellow Eenda and everyone else is just going to have to walk on eggshells This is good for our heartbroken Xiao Yao because the busier she is the less ti’s failure to keep his pro in and out of her life
Chapter 27 – When Waves Ripple on Flat Ground:
In the oing to personally survey the Middle Plains
The last time the Yellow Eo, and that trip was terribly eventful The for Mountain Head of the Palace Guards attempted to assassinate the Yellow Emperor and actually breached layers of protection to arrive right before the Yellow E hi’s former General Hou Tu that saved the Yellow Emperor from the brink of death
After that the shadow of the sword struck down and blood flowed everywhere within the Middle Plains Many people also died in the Xuan Yuan Court The Yellow Emperor’s sixth son Prince Xuan Yuan Xiu died in that after was jailed Just like that the once glorious Wan Lei fahth sons are born frohter of the Wan Lei family]
The first time the Yellow Emperor visited the Middle Plains hen he battled and defeated Sheng Nong’s General Qi Yo and united the Middle Plains before leading his troops to ascend Sheng Nong Mountain to pray to the Heavens; the second time the Yellow Emperor visited the Middle Plains hen he was al the Middle Plains and to the families and clans there, each time the Yellow E like a river so everyone believed this third time would likely be no different
Every clan and failant and to avoid any untoward behavior
When Zhuan Xu told Xiao Yao that the Yellow E to the Middle Plains, she nervously stared back “Why is he co? Or did our two uncles tip him off?”
Zhuan Xu was very nervous inside but he s will happen”
Xiao Yao smiled nervously, how could she not be scared? In her eyes, her dad was the kindest but he was also the Eer brothers and then exter wives and children Hundreds of lives lost, not one was spared On Xuan Yuan Mountain, her grandfather was also very kind but Xiao Yao knew clearly that he was even scarier than her dad! He was a rowing frodo Nong Kingdoreater part of the vast wilderness!
Zhuan Xu grabbed Xiao Yao by the shoulders “Xiao Yao, we’ll be fine!”
Xiao Yao gradually calmed down and her eyes showed her deter happens, ill make it fine!”
Zhuan Xu also calmed down and nodded his head with a smile
Days later the Yellow Emperor arrived at Ban Quan where a heavy armed force was stationed there led by the Yellow Emperor’s trusted General Li Yuan He stayed there for three days and accepted an invitation by the Middle Plains Six Big Fao seethe troops through the paces and the soldiers were not soft and slacking off despite the lack of war for the last hundreds of years They still remained fierce and exuded the ferocity of vicious beasts
The elders of the Six Big Faroeak When the Yellow Emperor asked for their opinion, they could only fearfully reply “Very good”
The Yellow Emperor smiled and bid them to leave After the elders left, soon word spread all over the Middle Plains of the power andBan Quan, the Yellow E the way and arrived at another critical spot in the Middle Plains Zhe Province It was the spot closest to Zhi Jin Sued ride it would take but half an hour to arrive
Zhuan Xu wanted to go welcome the Yellow Emperor at Zhe Province but the Yellow Emperor declined and told him to wait on Zhi Jin Suuarded by heavy forces and Zhuan Xu smiled as he said to Xiao Yao “Do you think Grandfather will have the soldiers in Zhe Province run through their drills as well? Forget the Six Big Faht as well summon the tens of mid-sized families and hundreds of small families all to come watch!”
“Grandfather won’t do the saeht, after scaring the the so the Yellow Ee a Hundred Flower Banquet and invited all theYue all received invitations, and everyone rushed to attend the banquet Zhuan Xu was purposely left on Zhi Jin Summit and if by now Zhuan Xu didn’t understand that the Yellow E him then he was an idiot
The Grand E spies in the Middle Plains and ordered the, and to travel separately as a precaution
Ah Nian was confused to hear her dad was urgently wanting to see her but got on the winged ride and left with theht now, please tell hi her had no choice but to leave for Gao Xing
Xiao Yao calmly walked out of her residence and took out her bow to practice, with each arrow hitting the bulls eye Zhuan Xu came to send Xiao Yao away and she drawled “What? You don’t have confidence?”
Zhuan Xu replied “I do!”
Xiao Yao smiled “Then you don’t need to sendto!”
Xiao Yao grinned “Then I’ because you need my protection and support!”
Zhuan Xu stared at her and pleaded “Xiao Yao, please leave!”
Xiao Yao smiled but her eyes were iced cold “You don’t need to worry about ratitude for raising ht back!”
Zhuan Xu stared and said slowly “Fine, let’s go together”
Xiao Yao sent an arrohooshi+ng out and shattering the dragon head on a statue by the wall before coolly saying “He raised you for tens of years and if that day co blow, leave it to me”
Xiao Yao turned and went to her “kitchen”
Zhuan Xu clenched his fist, he didn’t want that day to come and if it did come then he would never let Xiao Yao take any action!
For successive days the Yellow Emperor held banquets in Zhe Province
Zhuan Xu continued renovating the Palace on Zhi Jin Summit and if he didn’t have official duties the Mountain and admire the flowers
In the middle of the month, an assassination attempt was made on the Yellow Emperor Two assassins were killed on the spot and word quickly spread that both were quite far away from the Yellow Emperor unlike the last assassination atte off
But this matter was no less serious than last time because someone wanted the Yellow Emperor dead The two assassins had tattoos that linked theanization so the Yellow Eation All of the Middle Plains went silent as everyone tried to protect themselves
Zhuan Xu walked out into the courtyard where Xiao Yao was practicing archery and her arrow hit the dummy in the heart He applauded and Xiao Yao asked “Did they learn as the mastermind behind the two assassins?” Zhuan Xu answered “I don’t think anyone will find out”
“Why?”
“I heard that the two assassins were tattooed using ink from the Ruo Mu tree sap” The Ruo Mu tree was one of the Three Great Trees of the God tribe, and it was the spiritual protector of the Ruo Sui Tribe Zhuan Xu’s mother was the former tribal leader of the Ruo Sui tribe and after she died the tribe never elected a new leader Froht to be considered the current tribal leader of the Ruo Sui tribe
Xiao Yao asked “The tattoo can deterate?”
Zhuan Xu sated which is why I said the truth can’t be discovered The tattoos were determined to be no less than thirty years old”
Xiao Yao sighed “Our two uncles are so calculating to have long ago prepared these assassins No matter who the assassination attempt was made on, they would pin it on you With a tattoo inked on tens of years ago, no one would believe it was a set up Who could believe that tens of years ago assassins would be prepped to frahed “Grandfather has been very wary of the Middle Plains fa closer and closer to them Likely someone whispered to him and he’s suspicious hence this survey trip here But before the assassination atte me and didn’t intend to punish h with that and decided to make sure Grandfather would be pushed to kill me”
Xiao Yao didn’t put another arrow in but pulled back her bow and let go with a whoosh “You can’t even try to explain your way out of this so what are you going to do?”
“See how things unfold and react then”
“Grandfather arrived quite forcefully and i Families into sub as no one did anything, they could happily live on like this Would those leaning towards you have changed their minds after Grandfather’s scare and then woo tactic?”
Zhuan Xu s also included what he could give the concrete to offer and who knohen the day will cohed, allies turning is the scariest thing ever! She anxiously asked “What about Feng Long? Will Feng Long change allegiances?”
Zhuan Xu srandfather won’t give hiive The entire world only I can give him, but it’s still impossible to ascertain a person’s heart So him to He is still not the Chi Sui clan leader yet so he can’t decide s and still needs to take direction from others”
“What about the Tan faht want to but can’t because I n with our uncles they won’t trust the Tan fareat importance on oing toYue?”
Zhuan Xu scoffed “Do you think I can ht now! In this entire world, other than you foolish girl, everyone else who helps ive the Yue did She refused to get married but to help Zhuan Xu build his power base in the Middle Plains she pushed forth her Tan fa Yue to both attack and guard her position at the same time If Zhuan Xu won, she would then vault to the top of the peak If Zhuan Xu lost, she would still be the Sheng Nong tribe’s princess without an official princess title, still able to pick as for Zhuan Xu but her feelings ca Yue was like a very savvy businessive her and what she needed to pay for it
In that moment Xiao Yao felt her heart jurabbed Zhuan Xu’s hand “Are you upset?”
Zhuan Xu looked perplexed “Why would I be upset? It’s hard enough to survive for any person and romance isn’t all there is in life It can’t be food when one is hungry, it can’t be warmth when one is cold A woman wants to follow ive a wo Yue ive a lot It’s the saive theiveas you are okay with it then it’s fine” Xiao Yao sighed, Zhuan Xu appeared to have a lot of women around hied They would never like a Zhuan Xu who came in whatever condition they saw him
Zhuan Xu pinched her cheek “Hey! What’s with that expression? Don’t look at me like I’m an abandoned puppy no one wants You’re usually so free thinking, why all the contelared at his when it happens to others, hard to when it happens to oneself! I know life is like this but I still wish Xing Yue and theuffawed and poked Xiao Yao’s nose “Fine! But I really don’t care so don’t be mad onas Xing Yue has decided to sit on the fence, thatwill definitely not help you”
Zhuan Xu sht nohat is most important is how Grandfather will react They want to use an Emperor’s mistrust to eliminate me which is a smart move! But Grandfather is not a fool either!”
A few days later, the Yellow Emperor summoned Zhuan Xu to Zhe Province to see hi the summons, the entire Zhi Jin Court turned deadly silent, with Xiao Xiao and the guards all stony-faced with a conviction like they were headed to their deaths
Jin Xuan collected infor with the Yellow Eo to Zhe Province The area was tea with armed forces and if he went, then his life and death would be coht now the Yellow E that Zhuan Xu was the second Xuan Yuan Xiu
Shu Hui didn’t co but she sensed this would be a dangerous trip but didn’t interfere in Zhuan Xu’s decision, only secretly crying until her face was all bloated
Zhuan Xu gathered up all his confidantes and said “I’o then I proveto revolt to kill the Yellow Emperor and take his place Then the Yellow E Mountain and he has the entire Xuan Yuan Kingdo Nong Mountain fro Mountain falls, everyone who followed me will be killed I don’t want to die like that and I don’t want any of you with so much talent to die like that You are the wealth of the world so even if I die you alland them all knelt down and bowed their heads loudly on the floor to beg Zhuan Xu to reconsider through tears and pleading but Zhuan Xu’s ed “We want to go with Your highness to Zhe Province”
Zhuan Xu suys there won’t make a difference and will instead cause a scene You wait for me outside the castle”
Xiao Xiao’s eyes were red-ri outside the court, Xiao Yao listened to all this and then walked in “I want to go with you to Zhe Province”
Zhuan Xu was about to say solared and mouthed “Don’t make me publicly counter you!”
Zhuan Xu had no choice “Fine!”
Xiao Yao followed Zhuan Xu to the cloud carriage but he blocked the door and wouldn’t let her in “Xiao Yao, you really don’t need to go with o which means I have some faith I will come back”
Xiao Yao said “Since you have faith then why can’t I go? I haven’t seen Grandfather in quite some ti du You have loers and if so on me! Do you know that you constantly create trouble for me?”
Xiao Yao pushed Zhuan Xu hard and slipped under his arerently “Even if I create trouble for you, I’lared so Xiao Yao acted pathetic and wheedled “You don’t need to worry aboutPrincess, uncles won’t dare do anything openly toto sneak to Zhe Province!”
Zhuan Xu knew her personality and rather than have her sneak there it was better to keep her next to hi only one guard on this trip to Zhe Province as acting as the driver of this cloud carriage His nauards
Arriving in Zhe Province, the servants led them to see the Yellow Emperor
In the center court, the Yellow E on the pallet while Cang Lin and three other officials sat lower than him
In forty soe, he was now like a shriveled old wood giving off the clear signs that life was sapping out of him
Zhuan Xu and Xiao Yao walked up to kneel and bow to him Xiao Yao was very calm and polite but Zhuan Xu was raised by the Yellow Es for him were different Compared to Xiao Yao’s polite coolness, it was i
This clear contrastLin furrow his brohile the Yellow Emperor looked quizzically at Zhuan Xu for a iggled before sitting down at a pallet close to Cang Lin leaving the corner area for Zhuan Xu to sit
The Yellow E and Zhuan Xu briefed hi progress
Cang Lin scoffed “You’re really into it, no wonder the Middle Plains fahter to you Have you started thinking of this place as ho now?”
Zhuan Xu didn’t answer as if he didn’t even hear what Cang Lin said
The other three officials chi too close with the Middle Plains fauard towards theood daughters His highness hter frodo that really hurt our hearts”
Zhuan Xu continued sitting there saying nothing
The Yellow Emperor stared at Zhuan Xu and suddenly asked “If you were the Xuan Yuan Emperor, hoould you treat the Middle Plains faed and no one dared breath a sigh
Zhaun Xu irandson I would not presume”
“I asked you to answer so all you need to do is answer”
Zhuan Xu thought for a moment and then slowly said “When the Heavens parted, the world was one fadodom Then came the Great Emperor Pan Gu followed by Fu Yi and Nu Wa Now there is the Xuan Yuan Yellow Erandson I think that if the Great E with Fu Yi and Nu Wa were still alive, they would first see all the people of Xuan Yuan and Sheng Nong as their citizens Only by viewing the people of the Middle Plains as also our citizens, that is how one can truly be a ruler over them Grandfather, why did you want to conquer the Middle Plains? Was it to be wary of therandson I dare say that if you had the guts to conquer this land then you ought to have the guts to view theuarding and wariness? What’s the difference between Zhi Yi Castle and Xuan Yuan Castle? What is the difference between Sheng Nong Mountain and Xuan Yuan Mountain? It’s merely just another castle and another s to you!”
As Zhuan Xu spoke, the Yellow Ehter and stared at Zhuan Xu without any expression The other four all knelt down on the ground leaving only Xiao Yao casually sitting there as if none of this had anything to do with her
In a bit, the Yellow E Lin and asked “If you were the Xuan Yuan Emperor, hoould you treat the Middle Plains clans and fa Lin was ecstatic and nervous and his voice shook “Your son…I wouldn’t dare!”
“Answer!”
Cang Lin idom conquered the Middle Plains with the support of all the Xuan Yuan clans and families Only those clans and families are truly loyal to the Xuan Yuan Emperor They are fierce and loyal and as the Emperor I would favor them the most As for the Middle Plains clans and fa now is the best approach, use them but not in critical capacities, be wary of them but not overly so All the hout the Middle Plains while the Sheng Nong army has been disbanded and split into the Xuan Yuan troops If the Middle Plains children want to rise in the Xuan Yuan arh an added layer of review If the Xuan Yuan Edom and keep the peace, he needs to rely on the Xuan Yuan elders along with a sword in one hand and a bottle of wine in the others when dealing with the Middle Plains”
The Yellow E and still had no expression but nodded his head Cang Lin was so happy but kept his composure and bowed to the Yellow Eet up!”
Everyone relaxed and returned to their seats Cang Lin glanced at Zhuan Xu as still the sa Lin lanced at another official with a knowing look
That official got up “Your majesty, the assassination attempt has no conclusion but the tattoo remains the only clue Perhaps Prince Zhuan Xu can assist in analyzing with us”
The Yellow Emperor said “Fine, tell Zhuan Xu all that is known about the assassins”
That official likely had earth powers so he used the earth to create two lifelike men and each one had a complicated tattoo on his left chest The official pointed to the tattoo “The tattoo ink wasthe Ruo Mu sap and the doctors calculate it’s been inked on for at least thirty years The entire vast wilderness knows that the Ruo Mu wood is the patron wood spirit of the Ruo Sui tribe Other than the Ruo Sui tribal leader peret close to the Ruo Mu wood so how can one cut the branch off to get the sap? Can Your highness give us an explanation?”
Zhuan Xu said “I don’t know but in the last tens of years the Rui Sui tribal leader has not reported toincidents”
The official said to the Yellow Eht now the most likely suspect is Prince Zhuan Xu For Your majesty’s safety, please order Prince Zhuan Xu incarcerated for now if we determine the truth that he’s not involved, he can be released”
Xiao Yao snarfled a laugh “If you can’t deterhth Uncle, or killed like my Sixth Uncle?”
The official was an elder at court and berated “We are discussing i Princess please be respectful and don’t interrupt!”
Xiao Yao coldly laughed “Fine Years ago when Xuan Yuan was trapped by Qi Yo at the base of Xuan Yuan Castle, how come no one said that to o then that you all asked my Mom to lead the army? Give my Mom back to me and I’ll immediately shut up!”
The old official was so infuriated his face was beet red but he really had nothing to say to that He only kneeled down and wailed “Will Your majesty please understand!”
The Yellow Erave, why get pissy with a little girl?”
The old official bowed his red face “Yes, I rong and disrespectful”
Cang Lin said to Xiao Yao “Sixth brother and Eighth brother both had ill intentions to kill Dad His handling of their punish? Is Princess feeling bad for the bad for Zhuan Xu?”
Xiao Yao felt she spoke too rashly before and glanced apologetically at Zhuan Xu who said to Cang Lin “Uncle, are you trying to deters?”
Cang Lin stopped pressing Xiao Yao and turned to the Yellow E affects the entire security of the Xuan Yuan Kingdom The attempted assassination is very important so will dDad please take it seriously and proceed”
The Yellow Emperor lowered his eyes to think and everyone stared nervously at hi to say”
Cang Lin wanted to say solanced at him and he immediately closed his mouth The Yellow Emperor war Lin and the three officials “Do you guys think Zhuan Xu is a s Lin was silent and the three officials exchanged looks and saw the Yellow Ehness is of course a smart person”
Xiao Yao said “The entire world knows of the relationshi+p between the Ruo Sui clan and Zhuan Xu, using the Ruo Mu ink sap to tattoo is equivalent to writing “Zhuan Xu” tords on their chest You are all iuards to do your dirty jobs Would you carve your nauards?”
The three officials were so furious they yelled “Princess cease with the nonsense!”
Xiao Yao scoffed “What do the people fra the Ruo Mu wood sap as tattoo ink just to make super duper clear the assassin was sent by Zhuan Xu? Fifth Uncle, would you carve “Cang Lin” on the body of your own personal tasked guards? I can’t see you doing so so utterly moronic, do you think Zhuan Xu who is s Lin was so infuriated he raged “Gao Xing Jiu Yao, you……”
Xiao Yao smiled “But the fra as the Eh The tattoo is but a clue and there is likelythe throne But how ated Uncle now, he will easily find tons of evidence that indicate Uncle wants the throne But does that prove Uncle wants to revolt? Of course not! It just means Uncle wants that spot one day” Xiao Yao looked at the Yellow Erandsons of the Xuan Yuan E to want the throne one day?”
Cang Lin said “That’s true, but to kill…”
The Yellow E Lin tried to interject “Dad…”