Chapter 100

Chapter 100: Striking Palms to Form an Alliance When Chu Chaoci heard Ling Jiayue speak of him that way, his eyes narrowed. Anyone familiar with Chu Chaoci knew that this was a sign he was truly angry. Ling Jiayue, however, continued to meet his gaze without the slightest fear. After a moment, Chu Chaoci moved. His figure was as swift as a ghost, and even Murong Xi had never seen Chu Chaoci display such mastery of martial arts. As though reaching into a pocket to retrieve an object, Chu Chaoci extended his hand straight toward Ling Jiayue’s neck, seemingly intending to strangle her outright. For the deep and calculating Chu Chaoci to lose control so completely, Ling Jiayue was truly impressive. Seeing Chu Chaoci attack so fiercely, Ling Jiayue did not panic. After all, she had once commanded thousands upon thousands of troops. Calmly, she brandished her dagger. As Chu Chaoci reached for her neck, Ling Jiayue swiftly turned aside and viciously drove the dagger toward his chest. The change happened too quickly. Even Murong Xi, who was standing nearby, failed to react in time. Murong Xi had originally thought Ling Jiayue was nothing more than a pretty ornament. Who would have thought that this mere woman possessed such ruthless methods? It was truly hair-raising! Chu Chaoci’s reactions were quick, however. Just as Ling Jiayue’s dagger was about to plunge into his chest, he lightly tapped his toe against a stone and retreated at high speed, narrowly avoiding her fatal strike. Chu Chaoci had never imagined that Ling Jiayue could be so ruthless. His gaze toward her grew even more sinister. Murong Xi set Danyun down and seemed about to go up and assist Chu Chaoci. Chu Chaoci stopped him sternly with a look, and Murong Xi could only retreat awkwardly. Chu Chaoci’s meaning was perfectly clear: the dignity of an emperor could not be violated. Even if it was violated, he would personally reclaim it! Ling Jiayue watched the poised and ready Chu Chaoci before her, growing increasingly vigilant. She tightened her grip on the dagger and faced him with full attention. The atmosphere between them became more and more tense. Just then, a clear male voice rang out: “What a pleasant mood the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom is in! Did you come here to admire the fish by the pond all by yourself so late at night? If you wished to admire fish, you should have invited this prince and had some lanterns brought over as well. How could you trouble Miss Ling? Fortunately, this prince happened to see it today. If someone else had witnessed it, wouldn’t that have sullied Miss Ling’s reputation?” His words first implied that Chu Chaoci had been wandering around late at night and causing trouble for Ling Jiayue. Then they implied that Chu Chaoci would sully Ling Jiayue’s reputation. Yet there was nothing in the words that anyone could find fault with, which only made Chu Chaoci all the more stifled. Ling Jiayue and Chu Chaoci both turned toward the voice. It was the Seventh Prince, Mu Yuheng. When Ling Jiayue saw the Seventh Prince arrive, she felt as though she suddenly had someone to rely on, and her grip on the dagger relaxed involuntarily. Chu Chaoci, however, grew even angrier. Still, he had to preserve his imperial dignity, so he forcibly swallowed his anger. Ling Jiayue raised a smile at Mu Yuheng. “Seventh Prince, I don’t know what came over the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom just now. Not only did he knock out my maid, he also tried to take liberties with me. Fortunately, you arrived. Otherwise, I truly wouldn’t have known what to do.” Mu Yuheng was an even more scheming man. He waved his folding fan and said, “The customs of Ye Kingdom have always been rather uninhibited. I imagine the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom is simply accustomed to being uninhibited. Miss Ling, please be understanding.” Mu Yuheng then turned to Chu Chaoci. “Sovereign of Ye Kingdom, although it is already spring, the wind is strong at night in Dayi. If you happen to catch a chill, Ling Taian will have difficulty explaining himself. You should return and rest early. Have a cup of warm wine to heat yourself up.” After being mocked by both Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng, Chu Chaoci’s expression turned even darker. If there had only been Ling Jiayue, he could have dealt with her by force. But now Mu Yuheng had appeared as well. With the two of them combined, even Chu Chaoci had to weigh the consequences. After a moment, Chu Chaoci gave a cold snort and stared sinisterly at Ling Jiayue. “This matter isn’t over yet.” With that, Chu Chaoci flicked his sleeve and left. Seeing him depart, Murong Xi set Danyun down again and followed after him. Only after Chu Chaoci had gone far away did Ling Jiayue finally relax. She bowed to Mu Yuheng and said, “Thank you, Seventh Prince, for coming to my aid.” Mu Yuheng waved his hand. “There’s no need for such courtesy, Miss Ling. It was only a small effort.” Ling Jiayue was curious. “Feng Yan was fighting a black-clad agent just now, and Danyun had been knocked unconscious. How did you know I was in trouble?” Mu Yuheng smiled, his tone warm and gentle. “Feng Yan was taking too long to return, and I couldn’t put my mind at ease, so I came to check on you. I simply happened to arrive at the right time. After all, we’re allies. This prince would never stand by and do nothing while you were in trouble.” Ling Jiayue knew this was merely the Seventh Prince’s modest way of putting it. Perhaps he truly had been worried about her, which was why he had rushed to her aid every time she encountered danger. To be able to go this far was already quite remarkable. A thought suddenly stirred in Ling Jiayue’s heart, and she blurted out, “Seventh Prince, do you want to become emperor?” Mu Yuheng was startled by her question. “What on earth is that little head of yours thinking about all day? Why would I become emperor? My elder brother is the Crown Prince. I only need to assist him wholeheartedly.” Ling Jiayue, however, said seriously, “I’m not talking about becoming the emperor of Dayi. I’m talking about becoming the emperor of Ye Kingdom. Do you want to?” Mu Yuheng was astonished by Ling Jiayue’s proposal. “The Sovereign of Ye Kingdom is still alive. How could I become the emperor of Ye Kingdom? Besides, there’s no opportunity. And even if I wanted to, would the people of Ye Kingdom truly submit to me willingly? Aren’t you being a little too naïve?” Ling Jiayue had already made her decision. She said seriously, “Right now, Dayi, Ye Kingdom, Sheyu Kingdom, and Budao Kingdom are evenly matched. None of us can swallow the others. If an opportunity arose that could break this stalemate, it would not be impossible for us to seize Ye Kingdom. We would only need to plan carefully.” This was the first time Mu Yuheng had ever heard such words from a woman. Aside from being shocked, he could not help sighing inwardly at how excellent his judgment of women was. He had actually found such a remarkable woman. Mu Yuheng did not hesitate any longer and immediately agreed. “Good.” Having reached a consensus with the Seventh Prince, Ling Jiayue raised her palm and said, “Let us strike palms to form an alliance. We’ll give ourselves ten years. We will definitely change the balance of power and seize Ye Kingdom!” “Good.” As Mu Yuheng spoke, he also extended his palm. The two of them struck palms to form an alliance. After Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng struck palms to make their pact, they went over to rouse Danyun. Ling Jiayue took a small medicine bottle from inside her robe and placed it beneath Danyun’s nose. Danyun slowly regained consciousness. “Miss, are you all right?” The first thing Danyun said after waking was to ask whether Ling Jiayue was unharmed. Ling Jiayue smiled and shook her head. Danyun then noticed Mu Yuheng standing nearby. She rose to her feet, bowed to Mu Yuheng, and retreated behind Ling Jiayue. Ling Jiayue said, “Seventh Prince, I shall take my leave first.” Mu Yuheng nodded. “Go on.”