Chapter 40: Deny to the Death (Part Two)

The intricate trap he had set was flawless; even someone as formidable as Yun Feiyue could not hope to escape. With a graceful leap, his figure swept over the rafters and landed directly before her. With a flick of his hand, all the spider silk threads tightened, weaving together into a silken cocoon.

Suddenly, the flames in Yun Feiyue’s hand flared up, burning with the brilliance and heat of the sun at her fingertips. She lifted her hand slowly. “Beichen Yi, you’ve underestimated me far too much!”

With a thunderous explosion, the red spider silk was blasted away by the crimson light. The speed was so astonishing that Beichen Yi had no time to react. In truth, even if he had, it would have been useless. The smile froze on his face as he stared at Yun Feiyue for a long moment before finally speaking. “Sister Yue, you are truly remarkable. It seems you cannot help me with what I asked. Then, Sister Yue, is there anything you wish me to do for you?”

Yun Feiyue withdrew the fire, taking a deep breath. She had only just recovered, and such a fierce battle consumed much of her strength. Pain throbbed in her chest.

Beichen Yi noticed her discomfort and immediately turned to shout at Little Bean, “Hurry and bring out the Soul-Calming Jade!”

Little Bean’s eyes widened in shock, and he whispered a reminder, “Your Majesty, the Soul-Calming Jade is the national treasure. To take it out so casually, I’m afraid…”

“I ordered you to bring it!” Beichen Yi roared.

Little Bean scrambled away, stammering, “Yes, yes, Little Bean will fetch it at once.”

He rushed toward the door, only to be shoved to the ground by a powerful force just as he reached the threshold.

With a cough, Little Bean spat blood from his mouth.

At the same time, an angry middle-aged woman’s voice rang out, “Ha! And what do you need the Soul-Calming Jade for?”

Only then did Yun Feiyue slowly turn her head to see the Empress Dowager Nangong approaching, her eyes filled with hostility. The person she detested most was Yun Feiyue, who had ensnared her son’s heart.

“Mother,” Beichen Yi greeted her respectfully.

The Empress Dowager studied Yun Feiyue with a mocking smile. “Yue’er, is your body so frail that you need the Soul-Calming Jade?”

Yun Feiyue looked at the Empress Dowager coldly. “I never said I wanted it, did I?”

“Good, then!” The Empress Dowager turned to Beichen Yi with a look of exasperation. “You heard her. Yue’er said she doesn’t want your Soul-Calming Jade. Only a few days ago, I heard the Lord of the Hidden Gods took Yue’er away with him. I suppose she wishes to become the Lady of the Mo family. Our little Chu Kingdom cannot accommodate such a great Buddha.”

Though her words seemed complimentary, the Empress Dowager’s tone was laced with unmistakable jealousy.

“I may have said I didn’t want it just now, but I’ve changed my mind. What now?” Yun Feiyue smiled lightly. The more they opposed her, the more she delighted in stirring up trouble.

Beichen Yi found himself in a difficult position. He lowered his eyes, pondering for a moment, then suddenly began to cough, feigning illness.

His already pale face grew even more ashen.

The Empress Dowager’s expression changed to alarm, and she hurried to support him, “Yi’er, Yi’er… are you all right?”

Beichen Yi continued coughing, ignoring her questions.

The Empress Dowager shouted in panic, “Imperial physician! Hurry, someone, fetch the physician!”

The great hall descended into chaos. Yun Feiyue walked out amid the commotion, her composure strikingly at odds with the disorder around her.

At that moment, she was pondering the Soul-Calming Jade. Although it was the national treasure of Chu, it was of little use to her. A bit of rest and she would be fully recovered.

However… it seemed the jade could be useful to Little Mumu. At that thought, she grinned, deciding to borrow it for a few days.

An hour later, a child’s voice echoed from the Scarlet Flower Pavilion.

“Mother, this white jade feels so warm!” Little Mumu hugged a slab of white jade, about seven or eight inches long, and gazed at Yun Feiyue with adoration. “Mother, where did this come from? Can I eat it?”

Yun Feiyue glared at Little Mumu. “Eat it? Nonsense! This is for cultivation. Sit on it and meditate every day, or hold it in your arms while you meditate.”

Little Mumu looked at the jade uncertainly. “Is that so? But Mother, this jade is so warm, every time I hold it, I just want to sleep.”

“That’s fine, you can nap on it if you like. As long as you hold it,” Yun Feiyue replied, sipping her tea with a faint smile.

Sure enough, before long, Little Mumu was fast asleep.

With the Soul-Calming Jade missing, the palace was thrown into turmoil as guards scoured the grounds. Even Old Master Yun was summoned to the palace.

Upon returning, he stormed into the Scarlet Flower Pavilion, only to find mother and son dozing together.

“Yue’er!” his shout startled Yun Feiyue awake. She looked up abruptly to see her grandfather.

“Grandfather, why are you making such a fuss?”

Yun Kuang’s beard bristled with anger. “You impudent girl, you ask me that? Have you no respect for your grandfather at all?”

This was the first time Yun Feiyue had ever seen her grandfather so stern, making her realize the seriousness of the matter.

She straightened up and nudged Little Mumu awake, ready to bolt if necessary. “Grandfather, if you have something to say, say it.”

Yun Hai arched an eyebrow, eager to watch the drama unfold. “So, Yue’er, is the Soul-Calming Jade useful?”

Damn! They found out so quickly.

Yun Feiyue forced a laugh, feigning ignorance. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t pretend! You entered the palace today, and now the Soul-Calming Jade is missing!” came a woman’s voice.

Though unseen, Yun Feiyue immediately recognized it as the Empress Dowager. She had come in person for the jade.

Yun Feiyue, holding the half-awake Little Mumu, smiled at the Empress Dowager as she burst in. “Don’t wake my Little Mumu. Speak quietly if you have something to say.”

The Empress Dowager snorted. She had long heard the child was Yun Feiyue’s, and though it hadn’t been confirmed, seeing Yun Feiyue’s protectiveness left no doubt.

“Yue’er, I watched you grow up, yet I have never seen you care for anyone this way. If you gave even a fraction of this attention to my Beichen Yi, I’d gladly accept you as his wife. But no—you treat him poorly and now you’ve taken his things!”

The Empress Dowager glared furiously at Yun Feiyue. If not for the presence of Old Master Yun and others, she would have rushed at Yun Feiyue—though, truth be told, she would probably be the one beaten.

“Your Majesty, accusing me without evidence—aren’t you afraid you’re wronging me?” Yun Feiyue pressed a hand to her forehead, cursing inwardly. She only wanted to borrow the jade for a few days, yet trouble had found her so quickly.

Little Mumu rubbed his eyes and yawned at the Empress Dowager. “Granny, aren’t you afraid my mother will lose her temper if you talk to her like that? Hey, are you looking for this thing…”

With that, Little Mumu hurled the Soul-Calming Jade at the Empress Dowager’s head. Hmph, what a useless thing—it just made him sleepy.

Whoosh—the Empress Dowager dodged.

Crash—the Soul-Calming Jade shattered to pieces on the floor.

Author’s Note:

A second update to celebrate breaking 800 favorites~ Adorable readers, come to me quickly~