Chapter 1330: and then the title translation

Hu Xiaotian finally realized a fact: Qiqi had indeed poisoned this cup of tea, yet why was she unharmed? He had clearly taken the inner core of the five-colored spider king, which should make him immune to all poisons, so why did he feel this uncomfortable sensation? Hu Xiaotian hurriedly circulated his qi, intending to force out the cold qi invading his dantian, but the more he circulated his qi, the faster that cold qi in his dantian spread outward, followed by a tearing pain.

Hu Xiaotian clutched his abdomen, trembling voice: "You... you actually..."

Qiqi let out a soft sigh and said: "I've already told you, there's poison in this tea, yet you insisted on drinking it." A hint of reluctance flickered in her beautiful eyes, but was quickly replaced by a stubborn, cold gaze; she straightened her waist, obviously also struggling to control herself, her cherry lips pressed tightly together.

Hu Xiaotian's lips curled with a bitter smile: "I don't understand, why would you attack me?"

Qiqi said: "If you don't have me in your heart at all, why force yourself to marry me? Is it for the Long family's kingdom?"

Hu Xiaotian gazed at Qiqi before him, suddenly feeling an unprecedented sense of estrangement; although he had been poisoned, subduing Qiqi at this distance should not be difficult.

The palace gates slowly opened, Quan De'an walked in from outside, respectfully saying: "Your Highness!"

Qiqi nodded, pointed at Hu Xiaotian, Quan De'an immediately understood her meaning, came to Hu Xiaotian's side and thoroughly searched him, first finding the Black Ice Clam, then many pills on Hu Xiaotian's body, even the Seven-Star Chain he had hidden was found; Hu Xiaotian silently cursed himself for mentioning the Seven-Star Chain, now he was in trouble, even this item was taken by Qiqi.

Quan De'an placed the found items in a tray and sent it to Qiqi.

Qiqi glanced at the tray, picked up the Seven-Star Chain, the reflection of the crystals gave her beautiful eyes a purple glow, making her look extraordinarily demonic; she slipped the chain onto her wrist. Then she indifferently glanced at Hu Xiaotian and said: "Since he likes that demoness so much, let's lock them together." She paused, then gritted her teeth: "Let them die together!"

Long Xuan'en heard the news that Qiqi's bee toxin had been neutralized, also feeling greatly relieved, he immediately ordered Wang Qian and others to accompany him to the Xu Xiu Palace to see her.

Arriving at the Xu Xiu Palace gate, they saw Long Tingzhen also coming with a few people; Long Xuan'en frowned slightly displeased and said: "Why hasn't he left yet?"

Wang Qian beside him said: "He claims to be concerned for the Princess's safety, and has been standing guard here all along."

Long Xuan'en let out a cold snort, secretly thinking: He wished Qiqi were dead.

Long Tingzhen had already walked over here, and from afar loudly said: "Grandson pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

Long Xuan'en said: "No need, Tingzhen; your concern for your imperial sister is not wasted on brother-sister ties."

Long Tingzhen said: "Caring for my sister and relieving the Emperor's worries is naturally my duty."

Long Xuan'en nodded. Just as he was about to continue toward the Xu Xiu Palace, he heard Long Tingzhen say: "Your Majesty, grandson still has a matter to inquire about?"

Long Xuan'en said: "I want to go visit Qiqi; any matter can be discussed another day."

Long Tingzhen said: "This cannot be delayed. Please, Your Majesty, stay a moment so grandson can finish his words."

Long Xuan'en's thick brows furrowed, his face showing displeasure; Long Tingzhen today seemed quite different from before—previously, when speaking in his presence, he was always timid and fearful, not daring to meet his gaze directly. Now he appeared full of confidence, merely having restored his princely title and daring to act so arrogantly; if he were truly made heir, one could not know how reckless he would become. Long Xuan'en suppressed his anger and said: "Speak quickly!"

Long Tingzhen said: "Grandson truly cannot bear to see Your Majesty overworked; I have specially drafted a document for Your Majesty's perusal." He then presented the prepared abdication edict with both hands.

Long Xuan'en received it with both hands, unfolded it, and his hands trembled with anger; he couldn't help but recall the scene when the unworthy son Long Yelin forced him to abdicate, never expecting this scene to replay before him now—Long Tingzhen this scoundrel is just like his father, yet this boy is even more ridiculous, thinking that merely with this document he could make him abdicate? Hand over the throne to him? Long Xuan'en laughed furiously from anger, turning to the nearby palace attendants and guards, he said: "Do you know what is written here?"

Nobody spoke; in fact, everyone felt curious.

Long Xuan'en said, "This bastard thing is trying to force me to abdicate!" He burst out laughing, and the surrounding palace servants laughed along.

Long Xuan'en's smile vanished abruptly; he sternly shouted, "Bastard! In such a short time you've already shown your true colors? From the start I knew you coveted my throne; I initially let bygones be bygones and even restored your princely position, you should be grateful, yet you not only fail to feel thankful but are insatiably greedy, now you openly demand I abdicate—heh, bastard, do you have a brain? You don't want to live?" He in a few quick motions tore up that edict and flung it hard onto Long Tingzhen's face.

Long Tingzhen's expression was wooden, as if he hadn't taken Long Xuan'en's words to heart.

Long Xuan'en angrily shouted, "Seize him! Bring this ignorant fool before me! Strip him of his princely position and throw him into the heavenly prison!"

The guards on either side remained unmoved, and Long Xuan'en felt a moment of shock.

Long Tingzhen threw back his head and laughed wildly, then his laughter abruptly ceased; his bloodshot eyes fixed on Long Xuan'en as he gritted his teeth and said, "Old fool! What did you promise me back then?" He stepped forward, his right foot landing on the ground, and the hard stone beneath his foot shattered under his stomp.

Seeing the situation turn bad, Long Xuan'en hastily retreated, shouting, "Guard the—"

The two personal guards tried to shield Long Xuan'en in front, but the rear guards suddenly drew their swords—puff! puff! —and with two swift strikes pierced the hearts of those two guards attempting to shield the emperor.

Senior Eunuch Wang Qian, terrified out of his wits, stepped in front of Long Xuan'en, raised the object in his hand, and shot it at Long Tingzhen—yet what he held was the Violent Rain Pear Blossom Needle, a concealed weapon crafted by the Bureau of Heavenly Secrets, immensely powerful.

Long Tingzhen stood there, neither dodging nor evading, letting the hail of needles strike him; the needles filled the sky, flying with incredible speed, yet they could not pierce his skin in the slightest—Long Tingzhen was like an invulnerable vajra, a blue aura enveloping his flesh, his visage turning ferociously fierce as never before.

About half of the guards Long Xuan'en had brought with him turned against him, launching a massacre against the palace servants trying to protect him.

Long Tingzhen stepped forward slowly; Wang Qian blocked Long Xuan'en's path, trembling, "Don't harm the emperor, don't harm the emperor…" Another volley of steel needles shot out; a hint of cruelty curled Long Tingzhen's lips as he slowly extended his hand, fingers hooked like claws, and with a swish drove them into Wang Qian's crown—five fingers sharp as swords, penetrating his skull without resistance.

Wang Qian's withered hands grabbed Long Tingzhen's wrist; Long Tingzhen gave a cold snort, his claws suddenly clenched, and Wang Qian's skull burst like a watermelon, blood and brain matter spraying everywhere. The scent of blood made Long Tingzhen's eyes blaze ever more frenzied; his throat emitted a beast-like howl, while the guards originally tasked with protecting Long Xuan'en began slaughtering the palace servants, the air filled with continual anguished cries—this group struck with extreme ruthlessness, never intending to leave any survivors.

Under the cover of two young eunuchs, Long Xuan'en fled at top speed toward the Palace of Storage and Excellence, shouting, "Guard the— guard the—"

At that moment, Hong Beimo sat quietly in the Palace of Storage and Excellence, opposite him sat Qiqi; they both heard the anguished cries outside. Qiqi sighed and said, "I don't know how many will die today."

Hong Beimo said, "Your Highness, there's no need to worry; everything is under my control."

A hint of a smile touched Qiqi's lips: "Has Long Tingzhen gone mad?"

Hong Beimo replied, "He's been mad for a long time!"

Qiqi asked, "Will he kill the emperor?"

Hong Beimo said, "Hard to say; he fundamentally lacks control over his own power." In fact, the emperor's life or death no longer mattered; while answering Qiqi's question, Hong Beimo silently calculated, gradually realizing a fact: he had thought everything was under his control, yet he hadn't expected that some things would go awry—such as Hu Xiaotian's self-directed, self-staged assassination today, and also Qiqi being schemed against.

Qiqi said, "Mr. Hong seems to have something on his mind."

Hong Beimo whispered, "I'm just wondering why I haven't seen Sir Hu."

Qiqi smiled, "He's a free spirit; no one can tie him down."

Hong Beimo asked, "Your Highness, do you already know the identity of that demoness?"

Qiqi nodded, saying offhand, "If you want something to stay unknown, you must not do it; there aren't many secrets in this world." She raised her jade arm, lifted the teacup on the table, and Hong Beimo noticed a string of purple crystal beads on her snow‑white wrist; gazing at it, his usually composed visage suddenly turned excited, and he looked at Qiqi.

Qiqi broke into a smile and softly said, "Actually, what I've recalled is far more than you imagine."

Hong Beimo suppressed his excitement and whispered, "This is the Seven-Star Chain!"

Qiqi said, "You know only one part, not the other; in fact, this is merely a key."

Hong Beimo suddenly rose to his feet, bowed deeply to Qiqi, and trembled as he said, "I am willing to lay down my life and liver for Your Highness, sparing no effort!"

Qiqi softly sighed, "Come to think of it, I still need to thank Hu Xiaotian; without him, I wouldn't have found this string of Seven-Star Moon‑Linking Chain so easily." (To be continued~^~)