C85

Because his martial arts skills were lacking, he didn't manage to escape during the secret mass breakout organized by his senior brothers. Later, he tried to fight his way out alone but was caught several times.

Even though the first two disciples who left the sect achieved great success, no one wanted to become the old master's apprentice. Do you know why?

Rong Qi remembered Jiang Yi asking him this.

"Because Gongsun Pei liked to push the limits, and we only get one life. Even though I've already left the sect, if I could choose again, I would have tried to escape with my senior brothers back then."

At the Azure Jade Sect in the Fish Market, Xie Jin knew that Huang Qing had died and that a new leader had been appointed.

According to tradition, the new leader should report to his residence within three days to discuss related matters. But Xie Jin waited ten days, and even as the Moon Creek and Charm Creek factions clashed fiercely in the Fish Market, he still hadn't seen Yaoyue.

At that moment, Yaoyue was calmly brewing tea at the Azure Jade Sect.

Xie Jin stormed in, only to be taken aback when he saw Yaoyue.

Was this a person or a ghost?

Beside a low table, Yaoyue held a small spoon made of rosewood, gently scooping out some tea leaves and placing them into a bone china cup. As he poured hot water over them, steam mixed with the aroma of tea filled the room.

"The same tea leaves can taste vastly different depending on who brews them. Do you know why, Mr. Xie?" Yaoyue asked, relaxed and at ease, in stark contrast to Xie Jin's stern demeanor.

"The officer is here. Aren't you going to come over and confess?" Xie Jin shouted angrily.

Yaoyue lifted the purple clay teapot, moving the spout slowly from low to high. "It's all about temperament. Temperament not only determines the taste of tea but also a person's success and fate."

"You really..." Just as Xie Jin was about to make a move, something flashed before his eyes.

When he looked down, he clearly saw three strands of celestial hair embedded three inches into the ground. Such profound inner strength was beyond Xie Jin's ability. "What do you want?"

Yaoyue picked up the teacup with his pitch-black left hand, sniffed it lightly, and smiled before taking a sip. He nodded with satisfaction. "What makes you ask that, Officer Xie?"

"The Fish Market has always been under my protection. As the new leader of the Azure Jade Sect, are you suggesting I need to report to you?" Xie Jin's anger was unabated, his eyes cold as ice.

Yaoyue set down the teacup and looked up, a bit puzzled. "Isn't the Azure Jade Sect under the Crown Prince's protection?"

Xie Jin was at a loss for words. It was true.

Seeing Xie Jin remain silent, Yaoyue chuckled awkwardly. "How long has it been since the Crown Prince summoned you, Officer Xie?"

"So what?" Xie Jin clenched his fists secretly, asking coldly.

"Since the Crown Prince hasn't spoken to you, let me do it." Yaoyue stood up slowly, his black and white robe paired with his yin-yang face creating an eerie, ghostly effect. "The Crown Prince has entrusted the Azure Jade Sect entirely to me. From now on, anything that happens in the Fish Market is my responsibility to report to the Crown Prince. No one else is to interfere or question it."

"Impossible!" Xie Jin exclaimed, his voice a mix of shock and anger.

"If you don't believe me, Xie, you can go to the palace and ask. No need to throw your weight around here," came a smooth, cold voice. With a wave of Yaoyue's hand, a dozen enforcers from the Azure Jade Sect entered the room.

Xie Jin knew these people were rough around the edges. After weighing his options, he turned and stormed out.

Watching Xie Jin's retreating figure, Yaoyue's crimson lips curled into a strange smile as he dismissed the crowd.

The hall fell silent. Yaoyue slowly lifted his gaze to the ceiling beams. Since the scandal with the corrupt concubine, the Azure Jade Sect had undergone a major renovation. Everything that could be replaced had been, and the beams had been repainted.

So now, only Yaoyue knew that on the left side of the beam, there once was a mark of a blue dragon...

In the palace, at the Cloud Light Hall, Gu Ziyan sat elegantly at her vanity, allowing Jinkui to style her hair.

In the bronze mirror, the once stunningly beautiful face now bore the marks of time. The past was gone, and she was no longer the most beautiful woman in the capital. Her era had finally faded away.

"Getting old," Gu Ziyan sighed deeply, a hint of melancholy in her eyes. Even the most breathtaking beauty cannot escape the passage of time.

"The Empress hasn't aged a bit; she's even more beautiful than before!" Jinkui said, placing a phoenix hairpin into her hair, adding a touch of color to her reflection in the mirror.

"You always know what to say." Gu Ziyan replied, raising her hand as Jinkui helped her to the table. "Last time, I mentioned Tiange to Yuan. Has he shown any interest lately?"

"I asked around with Mr. Li, and it seems..." Jinkui hesitated.

Gu Ziyan took a seat. "Never mind. If he doesn't like someone so strong-willed, that's fine. It might save us from trouble down the road. After all, Tiange isn't like Dugu Yan; she has the support of both the South Suppressing Marquis and the Empress Dowager."

"You're absolutely right," Jinkui agreed.

"I've thought about it. I don't care for Dugu Rou as a daughter-in-law, so my first grandchild must not come from her," Gu Ziyan mused, looking at Jinkui. "What do you think of the Minister of Rites' daughter?"

"Are you referring to Ye Zhixi or Ye Qinghua?" Jinkui asked, puzzled.

"Of course, Ye Zhixi. I don't want another daughter-in-law who's all about swords and fighting! I was polite to Dugu Yan back then mostly because of my son, but also because of that Wind Slash Sword she wields."

"The Empress's words made me realize that Ye Zhixi isn't too bad. She ranked second in the Wenn Mansion exams, so her literary talent must be quite impressive," Jinkui agreed.

"Since you think so too, find some time to subtly inquire about Ye Zhong's thoughts..." Gu Ziyan was about to continue when she heard a commotion outside.

Before Jinkui could step out, an elderly servant in a red collar and black robe rushed in, breathless and beaming with joy. "Your Majesty, the Emperor... the Emperor can move!"

The old servant, Yao Shi, had been serving the Emperor since his youth and had remained by his side ever since.

Upon hearing Yao Shi's report, Gu Ziyan's expression turned cold.

Thankfully, Jinkui discreetly reminded her, allowing her to respond appropriately.

The truth was, the Emperor had indeed moved, but it was just a slight twitch of his finger.

Because of this, Gu Ziyan summoned all the doctors from the Imperial Hospital. After much discussion, they concluded that Yao Shi had been mistaken.

As a result, Gu Ziyan assigned another servant to the Emperor's quarters under the pretense of relieving Yao Shi's workload and also ordered the Imperial Hospital to change the prescription...

Meanwhile, Feng Tiange was in the Happiness Prolonging Hall.

With such significant events happening in the palace, it was impossible for the Happiness Prolonging Hall not to hear the news.

After Nanny Sunn explained the situation in detail, Empress Dowager Chu could only sigh deeply.

On the heated brick bed, Feng Tiange could easily see through Gu Ziyan's tricks; she was clearly worried about the Emperor waking up.

"Jing's life has been full of ups and downs..." Empress Dowager Chu said, then turned back to Feng Tiange, returning to their earlier conversation. "How are you finding the Wind Slash Sword? Does it suit you?"

To outsiders, Empress Dowager Chu might seem indifferent toward the Emperor of Great Qi.

But Feng Tiange understood the careful intentions behind her actions.

The court and the harem are perpetual battlegrounds, where conflicts can lead to losing one's position or even the entire family's downfall. A single misstep could lead to ruin.

She was a prime example—able to dodge the obvious attacks, but not the hidden ones.