Chapter 61: The Gathering Storm

  He heard the miserable cries like killing pigs from downstairs and didn't understand. "Master, why beat him for no reason?"

  Nalan Xixia thought to herself. That person had an extraordinary bone structure, clearly a top-notch expert, yet he pretended to be a scholar, with every gesture and movement exuding nobility, so how could he have such a rascal-like demeanor?

  Such painstaking efforts to disguise himself, if it were someone else, would have been deceived by him. However, he probably didn't think that there is still no one in this world who can escape Nalan Xianyu's eyes.

  No matter what kind of monster or demon you are, in front of her, your true form will be revealed.

  What's most important is that she rarely comes out of the palace, and at this time, who would come to eat? He coincidentally came in here, probably not so simple.

  At this time, Huo Zhi hurriedly walked up. Nalan Xianyu looked out the window and was taken aback for a moment.

  Just now, those people were carrying the Jin Yi man with a blue nose and a swollen face out. Huo Zhi said in a low voice: "He didn't fight back at all, and several people around him tried to rush up several times, but were also stopped by him."

  He didn't even fight back. If he wanted to, that would be fine, but if he really had something in mind, he wouldn't want to make a big deal out of this kind of thing, so as not to reveal his identity and scare away the snake by cutting the grass. But he didn't even fight back.

  It seems that he is not only plotting something, but also has a big plan. Moreover, entering here, it's basically aimed at her, and can actually find her trail in the Imperial Capital.

  Nalan Xixi's expression gradually turned cold, "Return to the palace."

  Luli Palace, Nalan Yanran was sitting in the front hall drinking tea. The palace maids and eunuchs were all gathered at the door, and several palace maids who had served her before were chatting with her in the front hall.

  "Your Highness, are you really going to leave? Why so suddenly?" a palace maid asked reluctantly.

  Nalan Yanran smiled wryly. "This is the emperor's decree, what can I say? Leaving is also good, leaving this place, no need to get entangled in those right and wrong, gratitude and resentment, it's actually quite relaxing."

  Another palace maid said with tears: "But we can't bear to part with Your Majesty, if you leave, in this palace, we will never meet a master as kind and benevolent as Your Majesty again."

  Nalan Yanran smiled. "What? Is Princess Huangfu being mean to you?"

  The palace maids exchanged glances, shook their heads one after another, but neither said it was good nor bad.

  Nalan Yanran nodded in understanding and sighed, saying: "The palace is like this, you all need to be careful. Princess Huangfu's nature isn't bad, she just doesn't care about human relationships."

  "I don't dare." Suddenly, a cold voice came from outside the door, Nalan Xixi.

  The eunuchs at the gate scattered in a hurry, and the palace maids in the front hall heard that Nalan Xianyu was back and were so frightened that they all knelt down.

  Nalan Yanran hastily stood up and saluted. "I've seen the princess."

  Nalan Xixi walked onto the stage, and the palace maids hastily stood up, bowed their heads, and retreated. The front hall was now left with just the two of them.

  "What brings you here?" Nalan Xianyu asked coldly.

  "The slave wants to leave and has come specially to bid farewell to the princess."

  "Go? Where?"

  "The princess doesn't know yet? The emperor issued a decree a few days ago to dismiss all the concubines in the harem, and today is the day they leave the palace."

  She really didn't know about this matter, a warm current flowed through her heart, but she also had some worries. If the Empress Dowager and Nan Gongyan found out about this, the backyard would probably catch fire.

  But there's no reason for her to come looking for me again. She should hurry up and escape, knowing that I'm going to take her life, yet she still comes to remind me?

  "Oh, I see." Nalan Xixi nodded.

  The room fell silent for a moment before Nalan spoke up, "Your Highness, I actually came here to tell you something."

  Nalan Xixi sneered inwardly, and indeed nothing escaped the Three Treasures Hall. "Oh? What is it?"

  Nalan Yanran thought for half a second and said softly: "A few days ago, Zhao Song, the official, came to see me."

  Nalan Xixi's tea-drinking action paused slightly, without a word, and continued drinking tea.

  "He wants to pry into your affairs through me, asking what weaknesses you have, and says that I am in great danger now, saying that you have murderous intentions towards me, and if I don't fight back, I will die at your hands."

  Nalan Xixi sneered coldly. This Zhao Song was thinking of joining forces with her to deal with him. But why did she say these things?

  Shouldn't she take this opportunity to join forces with Zhao Song and fight to the death?

  "Nalan Yanran, second sister." Nalan Xianyu called out coldly.

  Nalan Yanran was taken aback. Nalan Xino got up and walked to her side, coldly smiling: "You are Nalan Yanran, my own sister, how did Zhao Song find out about you, and how did he know that you were trustworthy, daring to say those things to you?"

  Nalan's face turned pale.

  Nalan Xixiao continued: "I'm not unfamiliar with Zhao Song, he's a sly old fox who is very cautious in his actions. He won't do anything without being sure of it, and he won't say anything without being certain either. For him to be so frank with you, and wanting to join forces with you, I suppose it's because you've revealed your intention to get rid of me, that's why he's treating you with such candor?"

  Nalan Yanran's back was already drenched in cold sweat, she had overlooked one thing, she had forgotten that she was Nalan Xianyu, anyone in front of her was like an invisible person, and didn't have the chance to play any tricks.

  The most sensible thing to do in front of her is to tell the truth and not be evasive.

  Nalan nodded. "Right, that day in the Empress Dowager's palace, I and the other consorts went to tell you about the death of Xi Fei, after we came out from the Empress Dowager's palace, he said he wanted to have a detailed talk with me."

  "Oh, how are you planning to get rid of me?" Nalan Xianyu sat back on the couch, asking with great interest.

  Nalan Yanran clenched her fists, her face pale. "Zhao Song said that to get rid of you, he must first restrain Wang Shang, so he will join forces with several rebel troops at the wedding banquet, feigning a rebellion, and then reveal your identity to the Empress Dowager, charging you with deceiving the Emperor, and framing you for the crime of rebellion..."

  Nalan Xixi listened, her expression gradually becoming serious.

  If Zhao Song's plan goes smoothly as Nalan Xiangyan said, at that time, the people of the world will point their spears at her, and Empress Dowager and the officials in the court will also put pressure on Nan Gongyu. At that time, it is to force him to make a choice between his family, the world, and her. She knows he will definitely choose her.

  But she couldn't let him be in such a dilemma.

  Whether it's family or the world, they are all his most cherished ones. She doesn't want him to be sad, not even a bit.

  What's even more frightening is that, although it seems like a counter-attack, once Zhao Song does this, he will be inviting wolves into his home. He only wants to intimidate the Empress and Nan Gongyu, but those people are truly wolf-like in their ambitions.

  However, since he already had such a plan, why did he need to tell Nalan Xiangxian? She was just a concubine, what could she do to help him?

  Noticing Nalan Xianyu's questioning, Nalan Yanran lowered her head and said: "Before this, Zhao Song asked me, she asked me what the princess's weakness was... I said, the princess's weakness is just the king, so..."

  So he thought of this method, starting from Nangong Jin, directly pointing the sword tip at her vital part.

  "Moreover, it's also because I want you to stir up trouble between the Empress Dowager and Nan Gongyan." Nalan Yanran added.

  "You temporarily don't leave the palace, just stay by Empress Dowager's side." Nalan Xianyu said calmly: "Whatever he lets you do, just do it."

  Nalan Yanran felt a huge sense of relief, Nalan Xianyu had taken the bait. She was ready to use her to gather information about Zhao Songfeng's situation, this way she would have an opportunity! "This servant obeys!"

  In the dead of night, the originally somewhat popular imperial palace was desolate, all the concubines' palaces were dark and gloomy, only the Luliu Palace was brightly lit.

  Nalan Xixi was leaning on the couch, eyes closed and resting. Her stomach had been growling for a while, but Nangong Jin hadn't returned yet, so she wanted to wait for him to come back and eat together like a married couple.

  Since they met, the few times they had meals together were either gobbling down food in the mountains and forests, or attending various social functions after returning to the palace, rarely truly alone with just the two of them having a meal.

  It was already the third watch, and Nangong Jin still hadn't returned. Narlan Xianuo stood up, her expression slightly cold.

  Suddenly, a gust of evil wind blew in, and all the candles in the hall went out! The room was instantly plunged into darkness, Nalan Xianyu cried out in alarm, she was starving, if it was really a powerful person coming, she could not withstand a few moves.

  In the distance, the branches of the wutong tree in the courtyard swayed gently, as if saying don't worry. It wasn't until then that Nalan Xinnuo remembered that Suomeng Wuchang was still outside protecting her, and she felt at ease.

  She slowly stepped out and walked towards the courtyard.

  However, just a few steps away, a gust of wind suddenly came from behind, and she was caught off guard and pulled away. Nevertheless, the unpredictable killer in the courtyard did not make a single move.

  She tried to counterattack, but the man's movements were extremely agile. A large hand grasped her tightly, and she struggled hard to break free, but was held firmly in place, unable to move at all.

  He didn't hesitate, picked her up from the waist and walked towards the inner chamber.

  Nalan Xixi's heart skipped a beat, she wanted to shout for help, but somehow couldn't get the words out. When had she ever cried out for rescue? When had she ever shrieked in fear? She was a proud female general, having killed countless people, and if others were to know that she was shouting loudly, how humiliating would that be?!

  But... if I don't shout now, I'm afraid I'll be killed by this man in black in the next second!

  In a state of panic, the man tossed her onto the bed. She tried to get up and escape, but her hands were caught again. The cold, hard sensation of being tied up was on her wrists, and his movements were quick and skilled.

  Nalan Xixi's heart was tangled, wondering whether to shout for help, but the man pressed down on her. Nalan Xixi struggled with all her might, but the man didn't even care, and tore off her clothes.

  The snow-white twin peaks were exposed in the air, Nalan Xianuo gasped, and struggled even harder. It seemed that if she didn't shout for help, it would be too late. "Someone! Save... uh!"

  As soon as he opened his mouth, a pair of cold lips covered him, with a somewhat familiar touch. But at this moment, Nalan Xianyu's calmness was gone, she couldn't think about anything, her stomach was empty, she had no strength to fight back, and she was pressed down tightly, with a pair of large hands invading her chest mercilessly.