Chapter 171: Chapter One Hundred Seventy-One

An Luo sighed wistfully.

She thought of the previous chat records with customer service.

After Cheng Sitao goes back, the Time-Space Gate that can travel to the Modern Era will close completely — what about the one that travels to the ancient era?

Would that one disappear too?

Maybe it won't this time, but there will surely come a day when it closes.

Even Zaituan's Live Stream Room might one day vanish without warning, just as suddenly as it had appeared.

The thought of never seeing Zaituan again, and also…

An Luo raised her eyes and glanced at the person opposite.

She suddenly had no desire at all to continue chatting.

"Honestly, I don't know either. After your Big Brother goes back, whether the Time-Space Gate will still exist."

Hearing this, Cheng Chengxuan's fingers trembled, and his fists suddenly clenched tight.

"Alright, it's already very late. I want to rest. You be extra careful."

"Oh, alright. Then get some good rest."

Staring at the avatar on the Light Screen, Cheng Chengxuan was silent for a long while.

He leaned back against the tree, looked up at the night sky, and let out a long sigh; the gloom in his eyes was so thick it couldn't dissolve.

Really, is it impossible?

Soon, he gathered his composure, a glint of resolve in his eyes, and walked briskly toward the Tent.

The moment he saw him return, Cheng Xin stood up from beside the fire.

"Young General, you're back."

Cheng Chengxuan distractedly hummed "Mm," gave him a nod, and quickly entered the Tent.

Behind him, Cheng Yao came jogging over carrying a water flask.

"Young General, this Subordinate boiled some hot water. Would you like to wash your face?"

But Cheng Chengxuan had already entered the Tent and didn't hear him.

Cheng Yao scratched the back of his head in confusion.

"Strange, what's going on?"

Cheng Xin's eyes darted. He walked over and gently nudged Cheng Yao's arm with his elbow.

He tilted his chin toward the Tent, gesturing with his eyes for him to look that way, and said in a sneaky little voice.

"Don't you think the Young General has something on his mind?"

Cheng Yao nodded.

"Of course I noticed."

Saying so, he sighed.

"This battle is different from the ones before. The Young General must be under too much pressure."

"What I'm saying is you…"

Hearing this, Cheng Xin gave him a smack with a look of frustrated disappointment.

"You blockhead!"

"Who's talking about the battle with you!"

"Ouch!"

Cheng Yao rubbed his arm, wincing.

"Then tell me, what else could it be because of?"

Cheng Xin stroked his chin with a mysterious grin.

"I think it's because…"

Before he could finish, he saw Cheng Chengxuan lift the Tent flap and walk out.

Cheng Xin quickly shut his mouth.

Hearing only half the secret, Cheng Yao looked at him eagerly, his curiosity all roused — and then the other refused to say more. How could he let that slide?

He pressed on.

"If it's not because of the battle, then what's the Young General worried about? Come on, hurry up and tell me."

Cheng Xin frantically winked at him.

"Don't, don't ask anymore."

"What's wrong with you? Got sand in your eyes?"

Cheng Yao even leaned in closer and blew on them for him.

"Get away from me!"

Shoving him aside, Cheng Xin ground his teeth.

"You dolt!"

Cheng Chengxuan strolled over and came to a stop beside the two of them.

"Yeah, go on then, tell me. I'm quite curious too."

Cheng Xin laughed sheepishly.

"N-nothing."

Cheng Chengxuan shot him an annoyed glare, then handed Cheng Yao a small Bamboo Tube.

"Deliver this to the Muyuan National Lord at once."

"Yes!"

After Cheng Yao left, Cheng Chengxuan looked at Cheng Xin with a half-smile.

"What were you about to say just now?"

"I, I wanted to say…"

Cheng Xin was so anxious that sweat broke out on him; his gaze fell on a water pitcher nearby, and his eyes suddenly lit up as he clapped his hands together.

"Right!"

He flashed Cheng Chengxuan an ingratiating smile.

"I just wanted to say, let me fetch you a kettle of hot water to wash your face."

"Then, Subordinate, shall I bring it in for you?"

Cheng Chengxuan gave him a warning look.

"No need, I'll take it myself. Keep your mouth shut from now on!"

After he entered the Tent, Cheng Xin let out a sigh of relief.

"That scared me to death."

……

Inside Taihe Hall.

The Shunhe Emperor sat high upon the Dragon Throne, while the Imperial Officials below had once again broken into a noisy quarrel.

"Xiyue refuses to agree to peace talks — what are we to do!"

"The Two Princes' Rebellion has yet to be quelled, Xiyue has refused the marriage alliance, and Dongxun is unwilling to Borrow Troops — how are we to fight this war?"

"……"

The Shunhe Emperor's head ached terribly from their bickering; he reached up and rubbed his brow.

"Enough!"

"Stop arguing, all of you!"

The hall instantly fell deathly silent.

One Imperial Official stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, perhaps we should still dispatch the Cheng Family Army to the Western Border."

"No!"

The Shunhe Emperor rejected the proposal without a second thought.

"I have long said that the Cheng Family Army cannot be moved!"

"The current situation is already extremely perilous. If the Cheng Family Army leaves Nan Jing, and Nanjiang takes advantage of the chaos to counterattack, would not Da Yin be attacked on all sides?!"

That Imperial Official still wished to urge him a little more.

"But…"

"Say no more! This matter shall not be raised again!"

At this moment, a young Eunuch ran to the entrance of the great hall.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, an urgent dispatch has arrived from the Eastern Border garrison."

The Shunhe Emperor said in a deep voice.

"Announce it!"

A soldier clad in Armor, his body stained with blood and grime, strode quickly into the great hall.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, half a month ago, the Eldest Prince led troops to intercept the Jing Wang's main army."

Hearing this, the hand the Shunhe Emperor had resting on the armrest of the Dragon Throne tightened slightly.

The soldier continued his report.

"Jing Wang suffered a crushing defeat and is currently being escorted back to the capital."

"Good!"

The Shunhe Emperor was overjoyed and applauded in praise.

"Ha ha! Eldest is truly a fine one!"

The Imperial Officials in the hall also wore jubilant expressions.

"This is truly wonderful!"

"Indeed, the Eldest Prince is too formidable — this victory has come at just the right moment!"

"Exactly. With this, the Eastern Border garrison can go to reinforce the Western Border."

After the moment of joy, the Shunhe Emperor noticed the soldier continuously shedding tears and wiping his eyes.

An ominous premonition instantly rose in his heart.

"Is there anything else?"

The soldier wept bitterly, his voice full of grief.

"Your Majesty, the Eldest Prince, he…"

The Shunhe Emperor's heart seemed to be seized fiercely by a pair of large hands; his body leaned forward slightly as he stared fixedly at the soldier.

"What happened to the Eldest Prince?! Speak quickly!"

The soldier's voice choked with sobs.

"After the rebels were suppressed, the Eldest Prince ordered the main army to go reinforce Zhou Old General. The Imperial Prince, leading a small squad, was assassinated and killed on the road back to the border!"

"What?!"

The Shunhe Emperor shot to his feet, and immediately felt blackness wash over his eyes; his body pitched forward and he collapsed onto the ground in a dead faint.

Before the others in the hall could recover from the shocking news of the Eldest Prince's death, they saw the sight of the Emperor tumbling down from the Dragon Throne.

The crowd instantly descended into chaos.

"Your Majesty!"

"Summon the Imperial Physician at once—Your Majesty has fainted!"

The Crown Prince pressed his lips down hard, pretending to be grief-stricken, his face heavy with sorrow, and stepped forward to take charge of the situation.

He first ordered the guards to escort the Shunhe Emperor back to his sleeping chambers, then sent people to find the Imperial Physician.

Finally, in a mournful tone, he addressed the assembled officials in the hall.

"Honored officials, Father Emperor has taken ill. Everyone is dismissed. And also…"

"What happened today must not be leaked. Violators will be charged with the crime of endangering the realm!"

The court officials bowed with hands clasped.

"Yes!"

On the way to the Emperor's sleeping palace, the Crown Prince's lips kept curling up on their own, then he'd press them down hard again.

His face was nearly cramping, and his whole expression looked utterly bizarre.

The palace servants they passed along the way all assumed the Crown Prince had been under so much pressure that he'd lost his mind.

In Fengyi Palace.

The Empress was in excellent spirits.

Hua Ru stood beside her, smiling and offering congratulations.

"Congratulations, Imperial Consort, on eliminating two great threats in one stroke."

Hearing this, the Empress's face showed undisguised triumph and exhilaration.

"I had only meant to kill Shen Yuan, but who would have thought—that fellow Qin Shou actually had the same idea as me. A life delivered right to my door—why not take it?"

Hua Ru echoed in agreement.

"The Eldest Prince and the Jing Wang had been fighting for days, so he was already wounded. Qin Shou wanted to be the oriole behind the mantis."

"But whether mantis or oriole, our Imperial Consort is the most formidable hunter of all!"