Most would declare that the world is peaceful. With Beiming having a benevolent Emperor who understands the concerns of the people and refuses to allow corruption to remain. But then again, such people would be naive to what remains hidden underneath. For such a terrain like the Capital, it might seem like a peaceful and prosperous place, but really is in fact a den full of scheming old foxes, viperous snakes waiting to strike at any moment, and even worse off, the wolves who dared to become common sheep to hide their fangs as they wish to devour them all.
One such individual is Prince Cheng, birthname Yin Cheng. He is the Emperor's Fifth Son, born of Empress Cheng. He has the backing of Duke Cheng and is considered viable to inherit the throne. The only true opposition in his eyes would be the current Crown Prince, Prince Xian, born of Noble Consort Xian, the Emperor's Sixth Son.
Those two have been fighting for the throne since the eligible age. But in this particular case, Prince Cheng had been summoned to the Imperial Palace, specifically Chengxing Palace, where Empress Cheng resided.
"Your Imperial Son Greets Mother Empress." Prince Cheng knelt while greeting, "May Mother Empress live for ten thousand years!"
Empress Cheng, birth name Cheng An, was a beautiful woman. Despite nearing her forties, she still had sleek black hair and a gentle and soft appearance. This is one of the features that attracted the Emperor back then when she was just a Fourth-Ranked Prince, and still works until this very day.
"Rise." Empress Cheng remarked, "Come and sit, my son."
"As Mother Empress commands." Prince Cheng rose and walked over to take a seat opposite Empress Cheng. "What task does Mother Empress need of Your Imperial Son?"
"This Palace has learned that Consort Lu's son had not, in fact, died during the plauge that occurred back then." Empress Cheng remarked with a slightly sour face, "Though Consort Lu does not vie for favor, and has been depressed in the palace all these years. This Palace would prefer if this thorn was removed early on, lest others get any ideas."
It was well known within the Court that there were either Ministers who aligned themselves with Duke Cheng or Prime Minister Xian. But there were some, like Grand Tutor Lu and his students, who preferred to be netural in such affairs and only be loyal to the Emperor and the Emperor alone.
"Your Imperial Son understands Mother Empress's commands and shall make arrangements accordingly."
"It's good that you know." Empress Cheng formed the smallest of smiles on her face. "This Palace would hate to be disappointed "
Prince Cheng could only slightly twitch, for he had remembered the last time Empress Cheng had been disappointed. It had resulted in quite a few palace maids being dragged out and beaten to death.
So many screams...
Ye Luo Moutian is hidden from the eyes of most, if not all, humans. For it had been founded over ten thousand years ago as a sanctuary for all manner of spirits, regardless of whether they had been cast out, hunted down, or merely wished to no longer be bothered by the petty squabbles among humans and especially Cultivators.
It had been on this day, when Ling Wang was resting in the wooden chair fashioned to be capable of rocking back and forth, that he noticed the particular energies that were brisking near the border.
It had been Cultivators. Arrogant ones who didn't even dare hide their breath or energy? Not fearing that a rumored beast might come and swallow them up?
Ling Wang could only softly sigh while deciding to get up. Though he knew that Da Jie was going to give him loads of trouble for daring to run around when he was supposed to be resting. But that could be dealt with later down the line, as he teleported himself to where the Cultivators had been detected and was surprised to find that they were--dead.
And instead he found a rather bloodied human, who smelled a tinge similar, but he couldn't place it. Until the bloodied human turned over his face and Ling Wang blinked in surprise, for it had been.
Yin Liu. Ling Wang thought, What is he doing in a place like this? And didn't he die back then when he-
Ling Wang had paused such thoughts and decided to carry him to Ye Luo Moutian; he could bribe Qu Qu with enough candy to heal him and extra for her silence. For despite being a simple plant spirit, she did love to gossip.