Chapter 96: Exposed

“Who knows what blessings Eunuch Ye must have accumulated in past lives for you to be the one changing his clothes for him.” Yun’er covered her mouth and laughed softly.

“You little chatterbox! Go on down. Ye Cheng is a eunuch, after all; if anyone saw it, it would wound his pride.” The Grand Princess smiled and shot her a sidelong glance, adding the reminder.

...

The other noblewomen kept their eyes lowered and their minds quiet as they watched the verbal sparring, occasionally chiming in with a word or two.

Liu Biao wore a full beard and had a fierce, murderous air, but now his eyes were red, and fatigue had already begun to show.

It had to be said that for the First Madam to suggest today that Song Min be sent back to the Shen family was already astonishing.

The moment they made their move, Gao Yan was startled, for the two of them were simply too strong. Their longswords rang with a thunderous roar, and their attacks made no distinction between friend and foe; anyone standing in their way was cut down without hesitation. To them, there was no such thing as ally or enemy.

Just now, she had already noticed that when the Duchess of Rong was pleased, the little finger of her hand would unconsciously lift; when she was firing back at Song Min, that little finger would lower again.

There seemed to be especially many people seeking treatment today. One after another, burly farmhands were being helped or carried into the clinic by family members. Most of them were gaunt to the bone, their faces sallow and pale, coughing incessantly, as though they were all gravely ill.

The bonfire outlined Shen Yue’s bright face, and the flickering firelight played across her features, making her already exquisite beauty seem even deeper and more striking.

There is no mother in the world who does not love her own child. After Fu Han disappeared, a hollow seemed to open in Qiu Lin’s heart.

Chen Jing paid none of it any mind. His shrine was similar to, yet different from, the Daoist art known as the Sleeve Universe. That divine power had been perfected by Zhenyuanzi, the master of the Temple of Five Villages on Longevity Mountain, allowing mountains and seas to be gathered within a single sleeve. Yet no matter what, it could never take in the caster himself.

A supple wrist turned once, and a four-foot-long sword marked with earthy yellow patterns appeared in the other person’s hand.

“Master Qin, the place where he brought us in didn’t seem to have any danger, did it? Besides, they’ve already left. I think they must know a safe route out.” Chen Jing suddenly said.

“Oh, right, Brother Yuan Xing, when I just watched you fight that wild boar, I noticed that the way you were putting your strength into it was wrong. That will affect how fully you can bring your power to bear, and you’re not even using all your strength. Where did you learn your skills?” the hunter suddenly asked, turning to Yuan Xing.

Liu Wei trembled as he walked to the emperor’s side and whispered something in his ear. The emperor’s expression changed slightly, then relaxed again.

“Don’t rush, don’t rush. Hm? It looks like there’s a way out ahead.” A cool breeze was coming from in front of them; it seemed they were not far from the exit.

Liu Shize turned his gaze to Liu Tian. “Liu Tian, can’t you boost your strength instantly? Come on, do it again now!” After speaking, Fang Cheng also could not help turning to Liu Tian. Though this was hardly a real solution, there seemed to be nothing better at the moment.

“Looking forward to our next cooperation.” Zhang Zong stood up and said with a smile to the two men in formal attire before him.

Le Qingdie rolled her big eyes and shot Mu Ying a glance that no one else could understand. Mu Ying blushed, stamped her foot, as though making some very important decision, and moved half a step toward the center, joining Le Qingdie, who had also shifted a step inward.

The situation was extremely serious. On the towering city walls, there were many places where the glow of the setting sun shone straight through. This was Yumen Pass, one of the Tang Dynasty’s most formidable fortresses; how could it have been reduced to such ruin? Something had certainly happened.

The sensation of wanting to vomit but being unable to brought on a lingering discomfort in the heart. Rather than a physical nausea, it felt more like a sickness of the mind.