Chapter 576: Trust No One
"Y-Yes... The princess has a secret outpost in the Capital City. Usually, a young palace servant who handles the swill delivers the letters there... The day before yesterday, the princess received a letter from Consort Yuan and immediately left Four-direction Mountain..." Qin Huai didn’t dare hide a single detail.
Ye Qianning turned to look at Sang Zhi. "The one who delivered the message to you was a eunuch from Consort Yuan’s service. So it all adds up."
Sang Zhi’s face was deathly pale. Consort Yuan had actually conspired with East Shu to kill him.
But he still couldn’t believe that his eyes truly held the so-called map of Penglai. It all felt too surreal.
"I’ve told you everything I know! Please, stop torturing me... Just give me a quick death..." Qin Huai knew death was certain, but all he wanted now was release. He never wanted to endure that terrifying experience again.
"If you wanted Sang Zhi’s eyes, you could have just taken them after luring him out of the city. Why bring him all the way to Four-direction Mountain and use me as leverage?"
"Well..." Qin Huai hesitated.
"Prince Consort, my patience is limited," Ye Qianning said, her gaze chilling.
"Because... because a perfect map can only be obtained if the Eighth Prince gives up his eyes willingly. If the Eighth Prince is unwilling, his emotions will interfere with the seal. If his eyes are taken by force, we’ll get nothing, and the map to the Penglai Immortal Mountain will vanish forever."
’Just as I thought!’
Ye Qianning’s guess had been correct. She had sensed something was off back in the cave, though she hadn’t been certain. She was pleased to have it confirmed.
Sang Zhi was also stunned by this revelation, and he lowered his gaze.
"That’s enough." Having gotten the information she wanted, Ye Qianning gave a slight wave of her hand.
Ying Ge drew her longsword and thrust it into Qin Huai’s chest.
Qin Huai was already half-dead; the single sword thrust instantly claimed his life.
"Dispose of the body."
"Yes."
Ying Ge withdrew her longsword, grabbed Qin Huai’s body, and began to drag it out of the cave.
Ye Qianning turned back to Sang Zhi. "You heard all of that. As long as you are unwilling, no one can force you."
"Mm," Sang Zhi nodded.
"Once you return to the palace, they will surely try to trick you into giving up your eyes willingly. Remember, you can’t trust anyone—not even the Emperor. You must not give your eyes to anyone," Ye Qianning urged.
Sang Zhi looked up at her and nodded slightly.
"From now on, even if someone tries to lure you with false news again, you are to ignore it completely. Never do something so foolish again, understand?"
Sang Zhi hesitated for a moment.
"Do you understand?" Ye Qianning’s voice hardened.
Sang Zhi pursed his lips and said in a small voice, "I understand."
’He wouldn’t trust anyone but her.’
"That’s more like it. This is actually a good thing for you. As long as you don’t give them your eyes, they’ll have to curry favor with you. Your life in the palace is about to change drastically, and you need to learn to adapt..."
Sang Zhi listened quietly to her rambling and suddenly asked, "Will you come to the palace to visit me often?"
"Of course. But you won’t be staying in the palace for much longer."
"Why?"
"Master said he’s trying to find a way for you to return to your studies on Lou Mountain. But with the way things are now, if you just say you want to return to Lou Mountain to study, the Emperor will surely agree. He’ll even assign Hidden Guards to protect you. From now on, no one will be able to bully you anymore." Ye Qianning paused, then added, "No one will even dare make you copy the ’Disciple’s Rules’ again."
One moment, Sang Zhi was thrilled to hear about returning to his lessons on Lou Mountain. The next, upon hearing her last words, his little face grew serious and anxious. "I’m willing to copy them for you."
"Er..." Ye Qianning was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled.
’She was suddenly reminded of Gao Qi. He had been just the same.’