newbobooks Chapter 473 A woman's kindness will bring disaster; where does the royal family get any affecti
Chapter 473 A woman's kindness will bring disaster; where does the royal family get any affecti
Three days later, in the suburbs of Beijing, at Jingxin Villa.
The villa is built against the mountain and boasts a serene and secluded landscape, but it is currently under heavy security.
Qingmo Valley's forces were spread throughout the manor, with sentries both overt and covert, layer upon layer, truly creating an inescapable net.
Inside the main hall of the manor, the middle-aged man with a sinister face, who was in charge of Qingmo Valley in the capital, stood respectfully in front of a young man dressed in a black brocade robe with a handsome face but exuding an evil aura.
"Valley Master, everything has been arranged. Zhao Yunci has nowhere to escape." The middle-aged man's tone carried a hint of smugness.
The young man known as the Valley Master was the supreme commander of Qingmo Valley, and a cruel smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
"Very well. I'd like to see how much backbone this Emperor of Jin still has when he's in front of me."
His eyes gleamed with a thirst for power and a mad, determined ambition.
"Once we control Zhao Yunci and issue an edict in his name, the Eastern Jin dynasty will be ours for the taking," the middle-aged man echoed, his tone full of flattery.
The Valley Master paced slowly, his gaze sweeping over the tight defenses outside the window. He nodded in satisfaction: "Pass down the order: no one is to slack off. Today marks the beginning of Qingmo Valley's reign over the world!"
"Yes, Valley Master!"
Meanwhile, within the capital of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the surface remained calm as always.
The morning court session proceeded as usual, with officials attending and discussing matters in an orderly fashion, as if nothing had happened.
However, those who are perceptive have already noticed the tense atmosphere in the air.
The rotation of palace guards was more frequent than usual, and the number of patrolling imperial guards had increased several times over, with sharp eyes and thorough checks.
All the mansions were closed to visitors, and the streets were much less crowded than usual.
Those loyal ministers had already secretly made contact, and their private armies were assembled and ready to go, waiting for a signal.
Meanwhile, some wavering fence-sitters are secretly observing, weighing the pros and cons, and preparing to side with the victor at any time.
In teahouses and taverns, there were occasional whispers about the unusual atmosphere in the capital recently, but these were quickly hushed up or changed by other topics.
The rain is coming and the wind is all over the building.
A showdown that could overturn the Eastern Jin Dynasty and determine the fate of countless people has begun.
Everyone was waiting, waiting for the outcome of that "heart-to-heart talk" at Jingxin Mountain Villa.
They also await the coming moment, whether it be rebirth or destruction.
Three days later, at Chen Shi (7-9 AM).
Surrounded by a group of Qingmo Valley "guards," Zhao Yunci boarded a carriage bound for Jingxin Villa on the outskirts of Beijing.
He was dressed in a moon-white casual robe, his hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, his face was calm and expressionless, and his eyes were clear, as if this trip was not a dangerous adventure, but a normal outing to visit friends.
The carriage rumbled as it left the palace gates and traveled along the somewhat desolate streets.
Outside the car window, the disciples of Qingmo Valley, some openly and some covertly, vigilantly scanned their surroundings to ensure that nothing went wrong.
Zhao Yunci closed her eyes to rest, her fingers tapping lightly on her knees, as if she were pondering something, or perhaps just killing time.
Tranquil Mountain Villa, a secret chamber in the back mountain.
This place is even more secluded than the front hall, with only a few candles flickering on the walls, casting an intermittent light and shadow on the interior.
A faint scent of sandalwood filled the air.
A figure dressed in a black robe sat in the main seat, his body mostly hidden in shadow, with only a pale, slender hand visible, casually resting on the armrest.
He was the mysterious and unpredictable Valley Master of Qingmo Valley, who was now quietly waiting for his "distinguished guest".
On either side of the secret chamber stood several key figures from Qingmo Valley, their eyes filled with barely concealed excitement and anticipation.
The footsteps approached from afar, sounding exceptionally clear in the silent secret passage.
"His Majesty has arrived!" a Qingmo Valley disciple announced loudly from outside the door.
The stone door to the secret chamber slowly opened, and Zhao Yunci calmly stepped in, accompanied by two "guards".
His gaze swept calmly over everyone in the room, finally settling on the blurry figure in the main seat.
He showed no sign of panic or fear; instead, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, revealing a faint smile.
"Uncle Emperor!"
Zhao Yunci's voice was clear and steady, echoing in the quiet chamber, carrying a surprising familiarity.
"This is the first time we, uncle and nephew, have met."
Upon hearing this, everyone in the secret room except for the person in the main seat who remained unmoved changed their expressions drastically, revealing expressions of disbelief.
Looking at Zhao Yunci, he then turned to the Valley Master in the main seat.
The Valley Master was a man of few words, and even his trusted confidants only knew his surname, never having heard of any connection between him and the royal family.
The figure in the main seat finally made a move.
He slowly raised his head, leaning forward slightly, and his face, hidden in the shadows, was gradually revealed in the flickering candlelight.
It was a face that bore a five or six-point resemblance to the late emperor, but appeared even thinner.
Although he possessed the refined elegance of royalty, a deep resentment and ruthlessness lurked in the depths of his eyes, sending chills down one's spine.
This man was none other than the Prince of Zhou, who was spared by Princess Anyang despite strong opposition during the "Rebellion of the Five Princes."
Zhao Yunci's uncle, Zhao Chengyu!
Zhao Chengyu, or rather, the master of Qingmo Valley.
At this moment, he stared at Zhao Yunci with complicated eyes. The word "Royal Uncle" seemed to be a key that unlocked the floodgates of his memories that had been sealed for many years.
Back then, how did Princess Anyang withstand countless pressures to protect her younger brother who was involved in the rebellion?
She stripped him of all his titles and fiefdoms, demoted him to a commoner, and ordered him to stay far away from the capital, never to set foot there again.
She thought it was an act of kindness, a chance for him to repent and start anew.
But in Zhao Chengyu's eyes, it was a humiliation more shameful than death!
He, a prince, had to live like an ant!
“Heh,” Zhao Chengyu let out a low, cold laugh.
"Back then, your aunt, my elder sister Anyang..."
Zhao Chengyu slowly stood up, his black robe fluttering even without wind. He paced a few steps and walked to a place where the candlelight was brighter.
"She was warning me to behave myself and not to harbor any more rebellious thoughts, otherwise I would be courting death."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Zhao Yunci's calm face: "She thought that I would be grateful and become a docile and useless person from then on?"
"She's wrong." Zhao Chengyu's voice suddenly rose, tinged with a hint of wild pleasure.
"The more she tries to keep me in line, the more I will stir up trouble in this world! She has taken everything from me, and I will personally take back the Zhao dynasty from your hands!"
"This Azure Ink Valley is the culmination of my decades of painstaking effort! I have been secretly eroding the foundation of the Eastern Jin Dynasty and cultivating my power, and today is the day I have been waiting for!"
Zhao Chengyu's eyes were filled with madness, an insatiable thirst for power.
"Anyang, Anyang, what did you think your 'benevolence' back then would get you?"
"It was nothing more than raising a tiger to cause future trouble! Today, I will show you just how foolish your decision back then was!"
His gaze refocused on Zhao Yunci, with a hint of scrutiny and a playful, cat-and-mouse attitude.
"Yunci, my good nephew, have you come to your senses and are you ready to hand over the throne to your royal uncle?"