Chapter 127: The Little Emperor is Dead

As the "Purple Spirit Jade Paste" business of Jiang Weiran and the others gradually flourished, the streets and alleys of Wanxing City were filled with the sweet and sour aroma of this unique drink, and customers drawn by its reputation arrived in an endless stream.

Although Cheng Xi did not directly participate in the management, she became the key figure behind the scenes by virtue of that miraculous recipe.

Every day, people brought generous gifts, attempting to coax more money-making methods out of her, but Cheng Xi declined them all, continuing to live her leisurely life.

Li Zhi'an had left Wanxing City for Jingdu several days ago, yet no news had arrived, and Cheng Xi felt a vague sense of unease in her heart. This afternoon, as she sat in the courtyard grooming Baohua, Cheng Fenglan rushed in with a hurried expression.

"Cheng Xi, something terrible has happened!" Cheng Fenglan was panting, her forehead covered in beads of sweat, "I just came back from the market and heard people from several merchant caravans discussing that a coup seems to have occurred in Jingdu. The situation is in chaos, and many noble families are moving their assets and family members toward Wanxing City."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xi's movements paused, and her gaze turned sharp in an instant: "Are you sure it's a coup? Is the news reliable?"

Cheng Fenglan nodded repeatedly: "They spoke with such vivid detail, and even said that many people who escaped from Jingdu have confirmed it. Moreover, the checkpoints around Wanxing City have suddenly become strict, and merchant caravans entering or leaving the city are being thoroughly searched. I think this matter is most likely true."

Cheng Xi stood up and paced back and forth in the courtyard, pondering to herself that Li Zhi'an's trip to Jingdu was originally to investigate unusual movements in the imperial court; now that news of a coup had suddenly broken, would he be in danger?

There were also the remnants of the Ji Family; if they learned that Jingdu was in chaos, they would surely seize the opportunity to act, and Wanxing City might fall into an even greater crisis.

"Cheng Fenglan, go and call Jiang Weiran and the others back immediately. This matter is of great importance; we must discuss a countermeasure," Cheng Xi said. Cheng Fenglan accepted the order and ran out hurriedly.

Before long, Jiang Weiran and Cheng Yunjian gathered in Cheng Xi's courtyard. After hearing Cheng Fenglan finish explaining the situation, everyone wore a look of shock.

"What should we do? If Jingdu is in chaos, we won't be secure here either," Jiang Weiran said anxiously, his brows furrowed.

"It's useless to be anxious now. With the coup in Jingdu, all factions are surely reshuffling. Those with malicious intent might set their sights on Wanxing City. And the remnants of the Ji Family have always held a grudge against us; they will definitely be restless at this moment."

"Cheng Xi, what do you think we should do? We all listen to you," Jiang Weiran looked at Cheng Xi, his eyes full of trust.

Cheng Xi pondered for a moment and said: "First, we must strengthen the Academy's defenses. Jiang Weiran, go contact the Artifact Masters of Xuanyin Peak and have them rush to produce a batch of Defense Magic Tools, the more the better. Cheng Yunjian, you are responsible for organizing the Academy students to conduct patrols and vigilance, especially around the back mountain mines; there cannot be the slightest negligence. Cheng Fenglan, you continue to keep an eye on the market and news of Wanxing City; report immediately at the first sign of trouble."

Everyone nodded one after another and left to carry out their orders. Cheng Xi watched their departing backs and sighed inwardly. She had thought she could live a peaceful life in Wanxing City, but she hadn't expected that trouble in Jingdu would leave them unsettled as well.

Jiang Weiran still had family there; he had originally wanted to return to Jingdu, but in the end, he didn't go back, and now he felt some regret, worrying about the safety of his family.

Just as everyone was busily preparing defenses, Wanxing City closed its gates, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving, claiming it was to prevent the chaos in Jingdu from spreading to Wanxing City. This news instantly caused an uproar in the city; the common people were panicked, and business in the market plummeted.

After Cheng Xi learned of this, she realized the situation had become extremely severe. Closing the gates could temporarily block the entry of external forces, but it also meant they were trapped in the city, unable to contact the outside world, let alone learn of Li Zhi'an's situation. Furthermore, long-term closure of the gates would make the city's supply of materials a problem.

This decision was not a good one, but the Ji Family of Wanxing City had already arrived, and now rogue cultivators were in charge of Wanxing City; since they had made this decision, they must have discussed it.

Cheng Xi had no dealings with the rogue cultivators, so naturally, she could not intervene.

She passed the news to Dean, and Dean immediately reacted, taking Yuan Dashi to Wanxing City.

Cheng Xi did not sleep well all night, waiting for news from Jingdu.

At daybreak, Cheng Fenglan came to bring her breakfast. Cheng Xi asked if there was any news, and Cheng Fenglan shook her head, then said: "Jiang Weiran is worried about the Zhenguo Duke Mansion and intends to go back and take a look."

Cheng Xi frowned, "It's so chaotic outside now; I'm afraid it's not safe for him to go back alone."

"I've tried to persuade him, but he insists on leaving." Cheng Fenglan detested the people of the Zhenguo Duke Mansion and did not want to see the ugly face of the Zhenguo Duke's wife again.

She even thought sometimes that if a villain like the Zhenguo Duke's wife met with retribution, she would laugh out loud.

However, seeing Jiang Weiran, she suppressed this thought.

She was not a good person, but Jiang Weiran had fought side by side with her and her brother during this time, so there was still some camaraderie forged in hardship.

The matter soon had clear news, brought back by Jiang Miao.

Jiang Miao had taken the Jiang Family back to the Academy first, settled them in the Outer Court, and then came to see Cheng Xi.

"The Empress Dowager has gone mad; she killed the Little Emperor, shouting that she wanted to cultivate to become an immortal. Ji Tang met the Empress Dowager and gave her a Pill. After eating it, not only did the Empress Dowager regain her youth, but she also gained Spirit Essence and could cultivate."

Speaking of this, Jiang Miao's voice carried a hint of choking, "The Little Emperor and the Empress Dowager were already at odds, and with Ji Tang inciting her from the side, the relationship between mother and son was like fire and water. The Empress Dowager... wanted the Little Emperor to send troops to monopolize the Star Gate, but the Little Emperor refused, and in a fit of rage, the Empress Dowager killed him."

Cheng Xi:...

The Little Emperor was dead; Li Zhi'an would likely not let it go at that.

She looked at Jiang Miao, "How is Grand Concubine Jiang now?"

"If my father hadn't entered the palace in time, I'm afraid the Grand Concubine would have also lost her life in the deep palace. Grand Concubine Fang... is gone. The Fang Family thought the Empress Dowager wouldn't dare to lay a hand on Grand Concubine Fang, so they were a step too late." Jiang Miao said word by word with red eyes, and tears could not help but roll down.

Grand Concubine Fang was dead!

"What about Fang Xun?"

"Senior Brother Fang received the news and rushed back to Jingdu overnight. He and the Prince went to pursue Ji Tang, and told us to return to the Academy to settle down first." Jiang Miao wiped away her tears; now the entire Jingdu was in chaos, and all the noble families were fleeing.

"What about the Yan Family?" Cheng Xi thought of Yan Shengyu and asked.

"I don't know. The Yan Family is the Empress Dowager's maternal family, so I suppose they will be fine. I met Yan Shengyu once when I first arrived in Jingdu, but we lost contact after it became chaotic. However, the Demon Suppression Pavilion is still there, and with Yan Yu there, I suppose they will be fine."