A few days later, in the basement of a private residence, the leaders of the Dark Night Pavilion and Ghost Valley were furious about the matter of Murong Qiansong of BeiChen Kingdom.
"Murong Qiansong is truly a useless fool! He even lost the throne that was within his reach," cursed the Dark Night Charm Master.
"Heh! Don't underestimate the Cold King and his consort. Since the wolf toxin was removed from the Cold King, his martial prowess has reached its peak. We cannot look down on him. As for the Cold King's consort, her superb medical skills are simply divine. I have researched the antidote for wolf toxin for decades without success, yet it was developed by a mere seventeen-year-old girl. This woman is even more formidable."
The Ghost Valley Master narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze piercing through the murky air, flickering in the dim light as he looked towards the dark corners, his thoughts unreadable.
"Indeed, this woman by the Cold King's side cannot be allowed to live. I will find an opportunity to kill her," the Dark Night Charm Master said sternly.
Beneath the black cloak of the Dark Night Charm Master, a pair of stern eyes were opened. A sinister glint flashed under his eyes, and his face suddenly contorted with rage, revealing terrifying fury and brutality, causing a chilling aura to emanate from him.
"Then let's see if you have the capability to kill her. This young girl is quite clever. Your Dark Night Pavilion's top ten assassins have basically all been killed by the Cold King and his consort. One is still unaccounted for, the whereabouts of Aunt Lan are unknown, and she's likely beyond saving. Currently, your only usable assets are Huo Ying and Liu Ruyi. However, while Liu Ruyi's charm skills are decent, her martial arts are truly lacking. You should be prepared to sacrifice her."
The Ghost Valley Master appeared inscrutable.
Just then, a subordinate suddenly knocked on the door and entered.
"Pavilion Master, the Empress has sent someone to personally deliver a letter and token to you."
The subordinate clasped his hands in a gesture of respect and reported to the Dark Night Charm Master with a face full of deference.
"Let him in!" the Dark Night Charm Master said in a solemn tone.
"Yes!" The subordinate responded, then turned and walked out.
Immediately, the Ghost Valley Master left the residence through the back door. The Dark Night Charm Master also removed his black cloak, revealing a face seven-eighths similar to Lin Zhenfei's, a grim countenance. He quickly changed into a purple robe with gold trim, cinched at the waist, and walked out of the basement.
The subordinate who had just reported to him had already brought the messenger and the token to the reception hall where the Dark Night Charm Master usually received guests.
"Your subordinate pays respects to General Zhennan!"
The messenger respectfully saluted Lin Zhenfan.
"Rise. Where are the letter and token the Empress sent?"
Lin Zhenfan turned, toying with the jade thumb ring in his hand, and asked indifferently with his back to the messenger.
The person who had delivered the letter to the Empress immediately reached into his chest and produced a letter and a ring bracelet, presenting them to Lin Zhenfan. Lin Zhenfan's subordinate took the letter and token, carefully inspected them to ensure there were no dangerous items, and then handed them to Lin Zhenfan.
Lin Zhenfan glanced at the ring bracelet handed to him by his subordinate, let out a cold laugh, then tore open the envelope and took out the letter. His sharp eyes swept across the paper, like the tip of a sharp blade slicing through it, his venomous gaze filled with undisguised contempt.
Hmph! It's nothing more than saying the Emperor is pressing her step by step, leaving her and Jun Mo Yao with no way out, and urgently needs him to return to the capital immediately.
"This general has read the Empress's letter. You may return and tell the Empress that this general will be returning to the capital in a few days. Let her rest assured!" Lin Zhenfan said proudly.
"Yes, I understand. I will immediately return to the capital to report to the Empress." The messenger replied respectfully.
Lin Zhenfan nodded slightly.
"Good! You may leave."
Afterward, the Empress's messenger immediately left the residence.
However, not long after the messenger departed, a pigeon suddenly flew in from outside the window and landed on the windowsill.
"Coo, coo, coo..."
Lin Zhenfan's subordinate immediately walked to the window, retrieved the slip of paper from the small bamboo tube attached to the pigeon's leg, and handed it to Lin Zhenfan.
Lin Zhenfan took the slip of paper, glanced at it carefully, and a wicked curve appeared on his lips.
"This Liu Ruyi really knows how to plan. I wonder what her expression would be if she knew I was Prince Qing's maternal uncle."
Lin Zhenfan suddenly burst into laughter, his laughter chilling to the bone.
After his laughter subsided, his subordinate spoke in a low voice, "Pavilion Master, how should I reply to Liu Ruyi? Should I tell her that you are Prince Qing's maternal uncle?"
"No. My true identity cannot be revealed to anyone yet, especially not that I am the General Zhennan in Tianwu Kingdom, and the Empress's second younger brother. Do you understand? I will not assist this Jun Mo Yao in ascending to that position. Whether he can have offspring has nothing to do with me, Lin Zhenfan. Go and inform the Ghost Valley Master that Liu Ruyi has requested her to help Prince Qing detoxify the sterility poison. Let him decide for himself?"
Lin Zhenfan finished speaking, smiled, the curve of his lips somewhat wicked, and his eyes seemed to hide a knife, fixed on the scenery outside the window.
***
Since returning to the capital, the Cold King and his consort have been busy for several consecutive days.
The old Emperor, upon learning that Jun Mo Han's wolf toxin had been resolved, immediately assigned him numerous tasks, becoming a hands-off manager himself.
In the imperial palace, he spent his days playing poker with his elderly mother, the Empress Dowager, and a few servants.
Jun Mo Han, on the other hand, was so busy he was spinning around daily, not even having time to accompany his wife. He was busy from dawn till dusk due to the sheer volume of work.
Today was no different. Jun Mo Han rose early to attend court and handle affairs, while Leng Ruo Li also planned to visit several shops in the city.
After breakfast at the manor, she changed into a clean and neat ice-blue, waist-cinching long-sleeved dress, styled her hair into a simple Lingxu bun, and with Xing'er and Ling'er, boarded a carriage bound for the city.
Leng Ruo Li first went to the Drunken Immortal Tower to inspect the shops. As she, Xing'er, and Ling'er stepped into the Drunken Immortal Tower, Manager Hu of the Drunken Immortal Tower hurried out to greet her.
"Consort, you're back. Everyone has missed you," Manager Hu said, a wide smile gracing his face.
"Haha, really? Aren't you afraid the King will hear you and give you daggers with his eyes?" Leng Ruo Li teased.
Upon hearing this, Manager Hu quickly covered his mouth, immediately realizing he had spoken incorrectly. He glanced towards the entrance of the shop and breathed a sigh of relief, fortunate that his King was not with her today, otherwise, he would surely have been frozen by the King's chilling aura.
Leng Ruo Li and her two maids burst into laughter at Manager Hu's reaction.
This Manager Hu was simply too adorable!