The next day, news of the Empress’s death spread across the Capital City.
Everyone was stunned. It was only the second day of the Emperor’s funeral, yet the Empress had already followed him in death. It felt too bizarre to be real.
Meanwhile, under the subtle push of a mysterious force within the Royal Palace, a rumor began spreading rapidly.
It claimed that the Empress had gone mad with grief before the Emperor’s spirit tablet, causing a scene. She had shouted that passing the throne to Ji Wuxin was wrong, even calling him unfilial. Ji Wuxin had endured it the entire time, but in the end, the late Emperor could no longer bear to watch and took the Empress away himself.
Although the story was absurd and far from orthodox, the common people loved such strange tales and believed them easily.
Thus, Ji Wuxin’s legitimacy gained more recognition among the people.
Inside the Royal Palace, Zhao Si stood in a daze, his eyes unfocused. The elderly physician from the Royal Medical Institute spoke at length before him, yet Zhao Si seemed not to hear a single word.
Ever since entering the palace, he had been deeply indoctrinated… imperial authority stood supreme, untouchable. Even the Empress was no exception.
He had always followed this principle without question. It was precisely this unwavering belief that had allowed him to reach his current position and cultivation.
So when Cao Shu ordered him to kill the Empress, he had been lost, terrified. He wanted to refuse, yet for some reason, as if possessed, he nodded in agreement.
Yesterday, just before acting, he hesitated. However, when he saw the Empress refusing to back down and Ji Wuxin on the verge of losing control, he still made his move.
Watching the Empress die from poison right before his eyes felt as if the sky had collapsed. Since then, unease had consumed him, and even now, he had yet to recover from that fear.
Only now did Zhao Si begin to regret it. After tampering with the Royal Edict, he should not have continued listening to Cao Shu. Yet Cao Shu’s words were like a haunting whisper, constantly urging him forward.
Now that everything was done, he realized he had boarded Cao Shu’s ship and could never turn back.
All the gratitude he once felt toward Cao Shu had vanished. In its place surged killing intent. But how to kill Cao Shu was another problem entirely.
He had never seen a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Realm so difficult to deal with.
The physician beside him, regardless of whether Zhao Si was listening, finished speaking, gave a respectful greeting, and left, leaving Zhao Si standing there blankly.
At that moment, a voice came from behind, “Lord Zhao Si, what did Physician Wang say?”
Zhao Si seemed not to hear.
Ji Wuxin asked again, “Lord Zhao Si, did Physician Wang find anything?”
Only then did Zhao Si snap back to his senses. Turning around, he saw Ji Wuxin dressed in mourning clothes, with Cao Shu standing beside him.
Cao Shu had come today to attend the Emperor’s funeral. The rituals had just paused for a while, and they had come out to check on the situation at the Royal Medical Institute. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
Zhao Si said respectfully, “Physician Wang’s conclusion is the same as the others. Her Majesty died from excessive grief. There are no signs of poisoning or foul play.”
Having done this for so many years, if his poison could be detected by the palace physicians, then all his experience would have been for nothing.
Ji Wuxin nodded, his expression complicated. “I asked the Commander earlier, and he also found no abnormalities. Yesterday, I was disgusted by the Empress’s behavior… yet now that she has died like this, I don’t know whether I should feel relieved or not.”
He paused, then added, “As for the upcoming enthronement ceremony, there’s no need to worry too much. The position of Empress can always be filled again.”
Cao Shu sighed as if unaware of the truth, “The Emperor’s body had just returned to the Capital City yesterday, and now this has happened to the Empress… truly regrettable.”
Then he asked, “Your Highness, the Emperor’s funeral has not yet concluded. How should we handle the Empress’s funeral?”
Both funerals were major events, each complex and elaborate. Now that they overlapped, conflicts were inevitable. The officials in charge of rites were likely already arguing.
Ji Wuxin inhaled sharply, frowning. “Right… I almost forgot. Father’s funeral isn’t over, and Mother has passed as well. This situation is rare. I must go discuss it with the Ministry of Rites.”
Cao Shu nodded, “Your Highness, please go ahead. I still need to return to the main hall shortly.”
“Alright.”
After sending Ji Wuxin away, Cao Shu gave Zhao Si a subtle look and walked toward the side of the main hall.
Zhao Si hesitated for a moment, then followed. Afraid of being overheard, he transmitted his voice, “Cao Shu, I’ve already done it. There are no flaws, and I even helped push things in His Highness’s favor. Are you satisfied now?!”
Cao Shu replied calmly, “Lord Zhao Si, we both know this was all for His Highness’s smooth ascension. Why ask whether I am satisfied?”
Zhao Si glared at him with hatred. This was an act of treason, yet Cao Shu behaved as if nothing had happened. He had never encountered someone so troublesome, so impossible to deal with.
If looks could kill, Cao Shu would have died countless times already.
Cao Shu said, “Lord Zhao Si, don’t look at me like that. Let’s talk about today’s matter. I have something important for you.”
Zhao Si interrupted coldly, “I’ve just poisoned the Empress. What next? Do you want me to poison Ji Wuyi’s mother as well before you’re satisfied, Marquis Cao Shu?”
With the Empress dead, authority over the harem would fall to Noble Consort Zheng, who was also Ji Wuyi’s birth mother. It was only natural to suspect Cao Shu’s intentions.
Cao Shu grinned, “Lord Zhao Si is quick to make connections. However, that’s not it. Four days from now, I have an important task for you.”
Zhao Si stared at him darkly. “Marquis Cao Shu, don’t even think about using me again. I won’t listen to you anymore.”
“If you plan to threaten me with the matter of the Royal Edict or the Empress’s death, then go ahead. Expose it if you want. At worst, it’s just two lives.” This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“I will never work for you again!”
Everything he had done before had already filled him with deep fear toward Cao Shu. He was terrified of being dragged into even more madness.
Cao Shu remained unhurried. “Lord Zhao Si, don’t refuse so quickly. Tell me… do you know about the Heaven-Transcending Pill?”
Zhao Si’s expression changed. “The Heaven-Transcending Pill? Of course I know it. It’s a miraculous pill for forming the Golden Core. One pill is equivalent to a Golden Core Realm cultivator.”
“Exactly,” Cao Shu said. “I have one. In four days, it will arrive at an inn outside the Capital City.”
“You actually have a Heaven-Transcending Pill?!” Zhao Si was shocked.
If it were the Cao Shu from before the Emperor’s death, he would never have believed it. But after everything Cao Shu had shown recently, his strength and cunning were far beyond ordinary people. Most of what he said was likely true.
Zhao Si extended his divine sense and sensed it… Cao Shu had already reached the 9th stage Foundation Establishment Realm. He only lacked the Heaven-Transcending Pill to break through into the Golden Core Realm.
This made the claim even more believable.
A chill ran through Zhao Si’s heart. He already couldn’t deal with Cao Shu at the Foundation Establishment Realm… what if he reached the Golden Core Realm?
Cao Shu continued, “Unfortunately, Ji Wuyi has already learned about this. They are planning to intercept the pill.”
“Also, I can tell you one more thing. Besides Wang Wenzong, Ji Wuyi’s side has another Golden Core Realm cultivator.”
“That person’s cultivation is two stages below yours, but I don’t think he’s as simple as he appears.”
He paused, then said meaningfully, “If Ji Wuyi obtains the Heaven-Transcending Pill… Lord Zhao Si, think about the consequences.”
Zhao Si’s pupils shrank.
He had thought it would already be bad enough if Cao Shu formed his Golden Core. But this was even worse.
If the Heaven-Transcending Pill fell into Ji Wuyi’s hands, that meant one more Golden Core Realm cultivator!
Three Golden Core Realm cultivators… if they could also win over Duke of Ning, they would have the power to overturn the entire Capital City.
A powerful sense of crisis surged within him.
After a long silence…
Zhao Si finally spoke, his voice low, “Marquis Cao Shu… make the arrangements.”