Chapter 246: The Invader
Tianhu Village was within Kunyu County’s jurisdiction, so Xu Shuangnian, as the County Magistrate, was obligated to go back and handle the matter.
But he couldn’t care less about some bandits right now. He was the Empress’s maternal uncle. As long as he could be officially recognized by the Empress, why would he need to remain the magistrate of this godforsaken Kunyu County?
Unimaginable wealth and power were right before his eyes. His ambition and desire swelled, becoming impossible to suppress.
Even though Xu Nianqing had repeatedly warned him that now was not a good time for a reunion, Xu Shuangnian couldn’t wait.
If he really returned to Kunyu County, who knew when he would see Prince Wei again? By then, the opportunity would be long gone.
He went behind Xu Nianqing’s back to find Prince Wei. Despite having only recently learned of his connection to the Empress, he put on an act of someone who had been worried for a long time.
"Your Highness, how has the Empress been recently?"
Xiao Jingyi stared at him for a few moments. "Magistrate Xu, what do you mean by that?"
The entire world knew the Empress had been injured and hadn’t held court for over a year. What "recent situation" could there be to ask about?
Xu Shuangnian, focused solely on currying favor with Prince Wei, failed to notice the oddity in the prince’s mood. Seeing that Prince Wei had responded, he immediately lamented, "It is because I, her uncle, am incompetent. I can only serve as a minor County Magistrate here on the border, with no ability to return to the Capital City. I haven’t even been able to meet my little niece."
"She was registered under the Empress Dowager’s name. For her own good, it was best we didn’t interact. As long as she was well, that was enough. We were so gratified to see her marry and start a family. Her mother’s spirit in heaven must have been at peace."
"Who would have thought... who would have thought she would get involved in the struggle for Imperial Power and even become the Empress."
"The path of Imperial Power is not an easy one to walk. See? Hasn’t she run into danger? Here at the border, I’ve been burning with anxiety, but alas, my reach is too short to help..."
Xu Shuangnian spoke with great emotion, his performance utterly convincing, waiting for Prince Wei to inquire further and offer to help him get to the Upper Capital.
However, Xiao Jingyi had long since seen through his act and wasn’t falling for it.
Xu Shuangnian, being far away at the border, didn’t know that the princess born to Xu Zhaoyi had been adopted by the Empress of that time. But Xiao Jingyi had grown up in the palace; how could he not know his Imperial Sister’s origins?
Even if Xiao Jingyi hadn’t deliberately investigated the Xu Family, he understood everything the moment he saw Xu Nianqing.
’Though I don’t know how a female bandit got mixed up in all this, it’s obvious this Xu father and son are targeting me.’
’But can I get involved in this? Not unless I want my Imperial Sister to skin me alive.’
’With my Imperial Sister’s ruthless nature, where she’d show no mercy to anyone, would she care about some maternal uncle she’s never even met?’
’They’ve never even met. Talk of affection is just nonsense.’
’If I really dared to bring them back, my Imperial Sister would probably take me down along with them.’
The reason the Xu Family hadn’t been exposed yet was because the Empress’s new dynasty was filled with officials from poor families. They were too busy with internal competition, studying hard to secure their positions, to have time for forming cliques and playing mind games.
As for those who would dare to use them, they probably just hadn’t found out about them yet.
’Though, if someone had exposed the Xu Family when Imperial Sister wasn’t in a coma, the grass on their graves would be ten feet tall by now.’
’I never expected that it wouldn’t be outsiders using them, but the Xu Family themselves showing up at my door.’
’Then again, it’s been two years since Imperial Sister ascended the throne. Isn’t their reaction a little too slow?’
"Magistrate Xu, your words have confused me," Xiao Jingyi said. "I have never heard my Imperial Sister mention that she has an uncle."
Xu Shuangnian sighed. "Back then, my younger sister was framed and forced to enter the palace as a palace maid. My father was compelled to take the family to a post on the border. From then on, we were separated by a great distance. It was only through a letter from the palace that we learned she had gained the late Emperor’s favor and even gave birth to a little princess. But as minor officials garrisoning the border, we could not return to the Capital City without an imperial decree. There was nothing we could do."
It was unclear if Xiao Jingyi believed him. He only said, "I will report this to the Empress upon my return and let her decide."
’I’ll just agree for now. Whether I report it after I get back, and when I report it... well, that’s entirely up to me.’
This wasn’t the result Xu Shuangnian wanted. "But isn’t it said that Her Majesty is injured and unconscious? This humble official means to say, I wish to accompany Your Highness back to the Capital City to visit the Empress. I beg for Your Highness’s permission."
’He really won’t give up until he’s at the end of his rope.’
Xiao Jingyi pointed to the Silver Armor Guards nearby. "Magistrate Xu, do you know what they are for?"
Xu Shuangnian replied as if it were obvious, "They are Your Highness’s guards."
Xiao Jingyi was speechless. ’This man doesn’t even know about the Silver Armor Army.’
"Those are Her Majesty’s personal guards, here to supervise me."
"Her Majesty has ordered me to inspect the provincial cities and I am not to return without a decree. My every move is planned. If I were to take you back to the Capital City without reason, they would kill me first, and then you."
In his shock, Xu Shuangnian blurted out, "How can she be so tyrannical and heartless?"
Xiao Jingyi lifted a scroll and pressed it against Xu Shuangnian’s shoulder, his smile turning frigid. "Magistrate Xu, that is Her Majesty you’re talking about."
’Even I don’t dare to speak ill of my Imperial Sister. What gives you, some uncle who popped out of nowhere, the right to criticize her?’
When Xu Nianqing heard that his father had gone to find Xiao Jingyi, he knew something was about to go wrong. He rushed over, but he was still a step too late.
Xiao Jingyi was looking at a scroll, his expression casual and relaxed. But Xu Nianqing had dealt with this Prince Wei for many years; this prince, who seemed simple and unscheming, was in fact the most intelligent of all the princes.
He wore all his emotions—mirth, anger, scorn—on his sleeve, but in reality, he never showed his true feelings on his face.
’Even when I was the emperor and this prince bowed before me, now I’m just a nobody. I don’t even have the right to approach him.’
Xu Nianqing didn’t try to salvage the situation. Instead, he left quietly. ’The path through Prince Wei is a dead end. I’ll have to find another way.’
Xiao Li had been hanging peacefully from a tree branch. She wasn’t thinking about anything else, just following Xiao Jingyi, waiting for a chance to get back.
She basically just needed a navigator.
Xiao Jingyi didn’t even have to go back himself. As long as he sent a letter to the Capital City, she could follow it all the way back.
But the unexpected always arrives before the planned.
Just as Xu Nianqing walked past her, a golden light that only Xiao Li could see suddenly emanated from his body.
𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Xiao Li sensed danger, but before she could react, her entire being was flung away.
Then, she plunged into a sea of darkness.
Xiao Jingyi looked up as if sensing something, but only saw Xu Nianqing’s departing back. He couldn’t help but frown. ’That man looks too much like my Imperial Sister. That can’t be a good thing.’
Xiao Li wasn’t unconscious. She was trapped in a dark space—a pure, unadulterated darkness.
After a long moment, Xiao Li suddenly realized something. "You’re the invader."
After a moment of dead silence, a section of the dark space distorted, and a black, humanoid silhouette appeared within the darkness.
Its features were indistinct, save for a pair of eyes that slowly opened, crimson as if dripping with blood.
It did not speak, but Xiao Li heard a hoarse, grating voice: ’I should have killed you.’
’You are my enemy.’
Xiao Li asked, "If that’s the case, why did you save me?"
It replied: ’You ruined my plans.’
Xiao Li’s voice was cold. "You’re the one who dragged me into this. I gave you a chance. If you had just sent me away, things wouldn’t have ended up like this. This was your choice."
It: ’I will not kill you, but you will never leave this place.’