Chapter 33: The Game Between the Parties

Kirin Hall.

Immortal music flowed, the dancers moved with ethereal grace.

Su Yuexi sat calmly at her seat, sipping the spiritual tea before her with elegant poise.

She seemed to be enjoying the singing and dancing in the hall, but the corner of her eye never left the movements upon the main seat.

Just moments ago, a captain of the guards had rushed in, panic written on his face, and whispered something into Empress Ji Liuyun’s ear.

Although separated by quite a distance, Su Yuexi’s cultivation allowed her to clearly catch a few key words: “assassin”, “Phoenix Palace”.

Had it succeeded?

A trace of uncertainty flashed through Su Yuexi’s heart.

She glanced at the empty seat beside her; Gu Qinghuan had quietly left before the banquet began.

According to the plan, she should already have infiltrated Phoenix Palace by now.

However, the commotion seemed to be much greater than expected.

Su Yuexi turned her gaze toward Empress Ji Liuyun on the main seat.

She saw the Empress, famed for her composure and cold ruthlessness, show a perfectly measured hint of surprise upon hearing the report, yet in those unfathomably deep phoenix eyes, there was not much real astonishment.

On the contrary, deep within her eyes, Su Yuexi caught a fleeting hint of relief.

Su Yuexi’s heart tightened, a thought rising uncontrollably.

Could it be… this assassin was arranged by the Empress herself?

This speculation sent a chill through her.

The mind of an emperor truly was unfathomable.

If that was the case, then Qinghuan’s trip would likely be fraught with deadly peril.

While Su Yuexi’s mind raced with a thousand thoughts, Ji Liuyun had already risen from the main seat.

“Ladies and gentlemen.”

“There’s been a minor disturbance in the palace, some petty scoundrels making trouble and spoiling your refined enjoyment. I am deeply sorry.”

“However, such insignificant clowns can stir up no real waves. Men, continue the music, continue the dance!”

“Today is Imperial Elder Sister’s birthday. Whoever dares disrupt her joy again—death without pardon!”

Her words rang out with iron-blooded resolve, their murderous air causing all present to tense in their hearts.

The officials and envoys all bowed their heads, not daring to speak.

Sitting beside her, Ji Linglong’s expression froze instantly at the mention of “Phoenix Palace”.

The jade cup in her hand was squeezed until it creaked, and her golden phoenix eyes brimmed with murderous intent.

Phoenix Palace!

The assassin’s target was Phoenix Palace!

That Anning… her Anning was still inside!

“Elder Sister?”

Ji Liuyun noticed her lapse, turned, and spoke with gentle concern.

“The palace guards are strict; the assassin will be subdued soon. Elder Sister, there is no need to worry.”

As she spoke, she gave Ji Linglong a reassuring look.

To her, those assassins were merely her own people acting out a play.

Only in this way could the disappearance of that demon and the little maid be blamed on the so-called “assassins”, thus avoiding any harm to her relationship with Imperial Elder Sister.

However, Ji Linglong suddenly stood up, shoving aside the jade table before her.

Fine wine and delicacies tumbled to the floor, shattering with a crash.

The entire hall fell utterly silent.

All present were so frightened by the Princess’s sudden outburst of rage that none dared even breathe.

“Elder Sister, you…”

Even Ji Liuyun showed an expression of confusion.

She could not understand why Elder Sister was so agitated.

Wasn’t it just a prisoner?

Even if missing, even if dead, what did it matter?

At this moment, Ji Linglong could not spare a thought for anything else.

Only one thought filled her mind: Lu Ning’s safety.

She didn’t even have time to explain to Ji Liuyun.

Her figure flickered, transforming into a golden streak as she shot out of Kirin Hall, speeding toward Phoenix Palace.

She moved so fast that only a faint golden afterimage was left in the air.

“This…”

Ji Liuyun stared after her Imperial Elder Sister’s vanishing silhouette, completely stunned.

For the first time, her deep phoenix eyes showed bewilderment.

Things seemed to be slipping out of her control.

“Your Majesty…”

Granny Yun stepped forward and quietly reminded her.

Ji Liuyun snapped out of it.

She looked at the guests in the hall, all cowering in silence, then glanced in the direction of Phoenix Palace.

At last, she drew a deep breath.

“The banquet continues.”

“I ask that everyone remain here. Before this is settled, whoever dares leave their seat will be treated as a conspirator with the assassins!”

…

Meanwhile.

Phoenix Palace.

When Ji Linglong appeared at the palace gates, she was stunned.

The once magnificent, fairyland-like palace was now in complete shambles.

The palace gates had been split open by a wildly violent force, and chaos reigned within.

A chilling yin energy still lingered in the air above Phoenix Palace.

That was… the power of the Taiyin!

Ji Linglong’s pupils contracted sharply.

She instantly recognized the source of that power.

Gu Qinghuan!

She had dared to break into her territory and destroy her Phoenix Palace.

An uncontrollable fury and killing intent erupted within Ji Linglong’s heart.

Yet what concerned her more at this moment was Lu Ning’s safety.

She rushed heedlessly into the chaos, frantically searching for the figure she could not let go of.

“Anning!”

“Anning, where are you!”

Her voice, tinged with sobs, was filled with unprecedented panic and fear.

Very soon, Ji Liuyun arrived at the scene as well, bringing the imperial retainers with her.

When she saw the devastation in Phoenix Palace and her Imperial Elder Sister nearly falling apart, her own heart sank.

This was clearly not the work of her own men.

She quickly approached Ji Linglong, attempting to comfort her.

“Elder Sister…”

“Don’t touch me!”

Ji Linglong snapped back, her golden phoenix eyes now blood-red and filled with madness and killing intent.

“Liuyun, for your sake, this had better have nothing to do with you!”

Ji Liuyun was startled by her appearance.

She had never seen her proud Imperial Elder Sister lose composure like this.

“Elder Sister, calm yourself. I will see you get an explanation.”

“All retainers, seal the entire imperial city at once!”

“Pass on my decree! At all costs, find the assassin!”

“Alive, bring them to me! Dead, show me the corpse!”

…

Great Wilderness Imperial Palace, Zichen Hall.

While chaos reigned outside, this symbol of imperial majesty was deathly still.

Gu Qinghuan’s figure appeared like a ghost.

She had tracked her way here from Phoenix Palace.

After her master’s faint aura disappeared within Phoenix Palace, it had surfaced here.

With careful searching, she suddenly discovered a slender figure, bound in a most humiliating posture with golden ropes, curled up in the corner.

That person wore ill-fitting black night clothes, but that face, that familiar presence…

With a single glance, Gu Qinghuan felt as if struck by lightning, rooted to the spot.

It was Master.

She had finally found her!