Chapter 263 – Temptation of the Hands (Part One)
After a long ride in the carriage, Liu Zhi finally got the chance to ride a horse and stretch his stiff limbs, or else his muscles would surely protest. “Just half a day’s journey left, and I should be able to enter the city… It’s been years since I last visited; the capital is still as bustling as ever…”
Outside, chaos erupted, but the grand and magnificent capital remained in a state of joyous revelry, making Liu Zhi, accustomed to desolation, feel quite out of place.
The current Dongqing royal family may lack many skills, but when it comes to seeking pleasure and decorating a facade of peace, they’re pretty adept.
Such a feeble and incapable royal family, no wonder they couldn’t even protect the Shangyang Palace, which was set ablaze by someone’s hand.
Thinking of the mastermind behind the burning of the Shangyang Palace and the massacre of the Dongqing royal family, Liu Zhi felt a throbbing headache.
The mastermind was none other than Qi Guanrang, the advisor under Changshou Wang.
Yes, you heard it right—Qi Guanrang!
A lowborn schemer with an insidious personality, ruthless methods, and loyalty thrown to the dogs.
Gu Min had a poor understanding of history and mostly gathered knowledge from dramas, so her deepest impressions of Qi Guanrang were limited to three things.
First, he burned down the Shangyang Palace and slaughtered the male members of the Dongqing royal family.
Second, he used cunning strategies to cause a series of defeats for the Empress.
Third, he set a trap in prison, causing his old lord’s favorable situation to collapse in an instant, leading to a complete loss, and surrendering to the Empress without a second thought on the day of the city’s opening.
While everyone else was pleading for mercy for the old lord—namely, Changshou Wang—hoping the Empress would spare his life and merely imprison him to showcase her benevolence, the Empress turned to Qi Guanrang for his opinion, and he surprisingly advocated for execution, suggesting to eliminate the root of the problem.
He even uttered a famous line—
“A good bird chooses a tree to nest in, a wise minister chooses a master to serve. Since he has wronged me, why remember past kindness?”
Listen to this—sounds like he was dumped by that scumbag Changshou Wang!
While others might whine about being dumped, Qi Guanrang directly plotted the deaths of his old lord’s entire family.
Though it’s unclear why, Qi Guanrang had made acquaintances with his daughter early on, which ultimately turned out to be a good thing.
Without the supporting ‘super teammate’ Qi Guanrang, the weak and indecisive Changshou Wang probably wouldn’t have achieved much.
As the sun hung high, they finally saw the towering city walls reaching three zhang high.
While Liu Zhi was lost in thought, his horse riding parallel to Cheng Cheng, Cheng Cheng suddenly exclaimed and smiled lightly.
“Did you see someone familiar?” Following Cheng Cheng’s gaze, Liu Zhi noticed a fancy carriage in the distance, draped in sheer fabric, with a vague figure inside and over a hundred guards in armor armed with long spears standing near it.
In addition, a few young men in scholarly robes, hairpins high, were also on horseback, and judging by the bows and quivers on their backs, it was easy to guess what they were up to… Most likely going hunting in the capital, using the chance to mingle.
With evaluations imminent, such activities were always quite frequent.
“They seem to be heading out for a picnic, possibly for an Elegant Gathering. Should we go greet them, Wenfu?” Cheng Cheng pondered before shaking his head suddenly. “Not urgent, let’s get into the city first.”
Considering the situation in the capital, Liu Zhi instructed the convoy to drive on the side to avoid collisions and unnecessary trouble.
However, their decision not to seek out trouble didn’t mean trouble wouldn’t come knocking.
Jiang Pengji started her live stream early today, and the viewers received the news promptly, quickly filling the room.
The capital truly is the heart of the ancient world; its degree of extravagance is unmatched by the rural areas of Hejian County.
Jiang Pengji rode on Big White, leisurely guiding her horse while appearing to enjoy the scenery, but in reality, she was chatting with her audience.
【Ice Sugar Lemon】: Sigh As soon as I saw the paved stone road, I knew the host was close to the capital.
Most ancient roads were either dirt paths or gravel, and the former turned muddy in the rain while the latter was bumpy.
A road laid with equally sized stone bricks was a monumental project, costing a fortune.
Such a road would seldom be seen outside of the capital or other major cities with developed economies.
【Foot-Soaking Foodie】: I just want to enter the city quickly and see for myself the Shangyang Palace, described by the host as “Lingxiao Hall in the sky and the Shangyang Palace on earth,” to assess just how magnificent it is. I wonder if it can compare to the Forbidden City… This is the real deal in terms of ancient palace architecture.
【Old Driver Alliance】: Come on, the Shangyang Palace is a royal palace; ordinary folks can’t even get close to the imperial walls, right?
If anything, they could only marvel at the capital’s prosperity. Seeing the whole of Shangyang Palace was highly unlikely.
【Host V】: Once the world is in my hands, you can see wherever you like!
As soon as those words were spoken, the entire live stream room erupted.
【Host’s Biggest Fan】: 666, do you guys feel a sense of overwhelming affection from the dominating host?
【Musician Zhuge Qinmo】: Yes!
【Spring Gale】: I’m so happy I might faint!
【Just an Example】: I’ve already fainted! I’m so happy I don’t want to get up until the host gives me a kiss!
【The King Sent Me to Patrol the Mountains】: That was just too charming! Host, are you in need of some warm bedazzle-loving fans?
【Your Yi Da】: All you little tricksters get out of here! That comment is obviously directed at me, the special one!
With the audience bantering in the livestream, the journey wasn’t boring at all; in fact, it was quite entertaining.
Jiang Pengji wasn’t particularly fond of the live stream but had a soft spot for some of the adorable little angels in the chat.
Just as a smile crept up her lips, a sudden feeling of being watched hit her, causing her smile to fade.
Without a moment’s thought, Jiang Pengji whipped out the long bow resting on her horse’s back, nocked an arrow, and pulled the string taut.
Bang!
The sudden noise snapped Liu Zhi back to reality. He turned just in time to see an arrow explode mid-air, with fragments raining down, while his daughter had yet to finish her motion of shooting, her expression cold, dark eyes radiating a chilling intent to kill.
Liu Zhi was about to speak, “Lan—”
But before he could finish, his daughter swiftly drew back the bow, cutting him off, and before he could react, another arrow was released with lightning speed.
“Trash!”
Jiang Pengji’s icy gaze locked onto the guy, who still wore a fading smile, hairpin shot flying, looking flustered and confused.
Though he bore no murderous intent, he certainly exuded a malice that made her feel embarrassed.
If that was the case, she’d just return the favor, since that fool had been careless with his hands.
With a resounding thunk, the arrow struck confidently into the crossbeam of the carriage.
This startled the armored guards, who instantly tensed up.
Liu Zhi was first taken aback, seeing that arrow explode in the air, a rush of apprehension and anger flared up in him.
Cheng Cheng was a beat slower, his complexion suddenly darkening.
They didn’t know the arrow had targeted Jiang Pengji; they instinctively thought it was aimed at her life.
As for Jiang Pengji’s retaliatory shot, they all conveniently ignored it.
