Chapter 415: The Elf Clan
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
The National Advisor clutched the Stone Mirror, his lips twitching slightly.
“Not allowed?”
[It’s only because I was too accurate in my divination that I’ve offended this petty man!]
The Old Emperor felt his body weaken. He tried to sit up, but found himself completely devoid of strength.
Madam Xu stood calmly by his side, making no move to assist him.
Lu Chao Chao, still a child, also did not help him.
With no other option, the National Advisor sighed and personally propped up the Old Emperor, placing a pillow behind his back so he could lean against the bed frame.
The Old Emperor narrowed his eyes, exuding a faint aura of malice. When he finally opened them, his gaze was filled with an eerie coldness.
“National Advisor, you possess divine insight. Please, divine for me—where does my lifeline lie?”
There was a decision in the Old Emperor’s eyes, a chilling and resolute determination gleaming within.
The National Advisor answered in a soft voice.
Using the Old Emperor’s birth chart, he calculated by his bedside.
“Your Majesty, your lifeline lies to the northwest.”
A glimmer of hope exploded in the Old Emperor’s eyes, his cheeks flushing slightly with excitement.
“Good! Good! Good!”
“Once the Ascension Ritual concludes tomorrow, you shall personally lead a search!”
“I trust no one but you!”
His gaze burned as he looked at the National Advisor with expectation.
The National Advisor pondered briefly before nodding. “Very well.”
“It is said that the Elf Clan possesses unparalleled beauty, breathtaking beyond compare. Yet, having lived in seclusion for so long, they remain pure and innocent, like a blank slate. National Advisor, you must act tactfully and gently, and above all, avoid angering them.”
After all, their Shared Lifespan could only be obtained with their voluntary consent.
The National Advisor nodded. “The Elf Clan has chosen seclusion because the outside world covets them. We must ensure they do not grow wary of us…”
[To put it bluntly, we must deceive them.]
The Elf Clan had been greatly favored by the heavens, but their naivety made them easy to see through.
This once-thriving race was now dwindling rapidly.
The Old Emperor, feeling an overwhelming fatigue, turned his gaze to Shi Yun, sighing softly.
“Shi Yun, I know you resent me.”
“But Father Emperor had his reasons.”
“Ning’er risked her life to save me. Peach Source Village treated me with great kindness. That year was the most peaceful and content I had ever been.” His eyes turned hazy with reminiscence.
In his lifetime, he had taken countless women.
Yet, only with Madam Ning had he followed his heart and married for love.
He admitted—he had loved Madam Ning.
Even after so many years, he could not forget that single year with her.
There had been no Phoenix Coronet, no luxurious robes, no grand assembly of ministers to witness their union.
The wedding clothes were sewn by Madam Ning’s own hands, dyed a deep red.
The wedding banquet was prepared by the entire village.
Even their home was built with the help of the villagers.
The wine was a simple rice brew, made by their own hands.
The food was rough, their life was poor, but those were the days he longed for the most.
“And how did you repay her? You let your wife and daughter burn in fire, allowed Peach Source Village to be massacred!”
“This is how you repay your debt?”
“Everyone knows who was behind it! But did you ever seek justice?”
Shi Yun’s eyes reddened as she demanded answers.
The Old Emperor remained silent for a long time before speaking in a low voice.
“I had my difficulties. I know I wronged Madam Ning, wronged Peach Source Village.”
Shi Yun scoffed coldly.
“Difficulties? More like choosing power over righteousness.”
“Favoring the Empress’ lineage, allowing Peach Source Village to perish, that was your first mistake.”
“You were saved by that village, married her under a false name, vowed before the heavens, and shared Wedding Wine! She was your wife by life-saving grace! Yet, when you found her again, you neither upheld justice for her nor gave her a title. Instead, you confined her outside the palace, leaving her to be bullied! That was your second mistake.”
The Old Emperor suddenly sat up straight.
“I didn’t! I never allowed anyone to bully her! I knew she hated the Su Clan, hated the Empress. But now, I cannot move against them!”
“I feared Ning’er would be harmed, so I had her protected!”
Shi Yun laughed mockingly.
She had been force-fed boiling oil, her face and throat burned beyond recognition, and he called that protection?
She had been replaced by an imposter, and he never even realized it!
He had simply assumed she was throwing a tantrum and refused to see him!
“I truly loved Ning’er.”
Shi Yun lowered her gaze, smiling coldly. “Love? How much does love weigh against power?”
Perhaps there had been love, but in the face of overwhelming authority, it was utterly insignificant.
“I failed Ning’er, I owe her dearly.” The Old Emperor closed his eyes, refusing to argue further.
“The title of Empress of the Western Palace was unjust. With no support, Ning’er would have been swallowed whole.”
“Chao Chao was fortunate to inherit a trace of Southern Kingdom Divine Power, wasn’t she? But she is still too young.”
Shi Yun chuckled and took Lu Chao Chao’s hand, turning toward the door.
“Enough, I understand. I will inform my mother and send over your old Marriage Contract.”
Back then, the Old Emperor had fallen off a cliff, lost his memory, and assumed a new identity. After marrying Madam Ning, they had even signed an official Marriage Contract.
A legitimate marriage contract—if he refused to recognize it, then why should they force him?
Lu Chao Chao glanced back at the Old Emperor, who was whispering instructions to the National Advisor.
“He refused to give Grandmother the title of Empress because she couldn’t strengthen the Southern Kingdom, right?” she asked.
Shi Yun lowered her gaze to her daughter and nodded lightly. “Yes.”
“But now…”
Shi Yun sneered. “Now? Now he seeks immortality, longevity, survival. Perhaps even the position of Empress can be exchanged!”
“The Elf Clan is far too naive. They may truly be deceived by him!” Shi Yun felt suffocated by her frustration.
[A heartless, unfaithful man!]
“Chao Chao, be cautious. You wiped out the Su Clan, escaped from Grievous Prison unscathed—the Empress will not let this go easily!”
Lu Chao Chao nodded and gave her mother a sweet smile.
“Don’t worry, Mother. Chao Chao is the most obedient.”
Who would have thought that such a tiny child had almost overturned the Divine Realm?
The mother and daughter walked hand in hand toward the palace gates, where Rong Che was already waiting.
He helped Shi Yun into the carriage and then lifted Chao Chao inside.
“Elf Clan?”
“I’ve read about them in ancient texts. They are highly united, completely devoted to their king. It’s as if they possess an innate inheritance…”
“If he succeeds in stealing their lifespan, then truly, heaven is blind.” Rong Che scoffed.
“Do not tell your mother about this. It will only sadden her.”
The Old Emperor was both faithless and cruel—utterly detestable.
Zhu Mo sat at the front of the carriage, whip in hand. As a Dragon Clan member, he could command all beasts.
The horses shivered before him, utterly obedient.
His red floral coat was worn with utter contentment.
A ruthless Black Dragon sitting atop a carriage, surrounded by an entire street of red floral coats.
He muttered, “The merchant selling these coats should pay me a commission.”
The carriage stopped outside the Ning Manor.
Zhu Mo followed Lu Chao Chao closely. “When you saved me last time, you really didn’t see the mountain cave filled with gold and treasures?”
The Dragon Clan adored wealth, and his cave had been stacked high with treasure.
Yet, when he awoke, it was all gone!
Lu Chao Chao clutched her little bag tightly. “Didn’t see anything.”
“I see money as dirt. I never concern myself with such trivial things.”