Chapter 234: Old Chi's Comfort

Lord Li carried the blood swallows and set them on the table.

"Emperor, please rest a moment! This was personally sent by the Empress."

The Empress sent it herself?

The Emperor slightly raised an eyebrow: "Where is the Empress?"

"The Empress feared disturbing you, so she left first."

Gazing at the still slightly cool blood swallows in the bowl, he whispered, "Earlier, the palace's blood swallows were all tightly bound by Wanrou; as Empress she may have felt aggrieved—ultimately I have let her down."

"You are the ruler of the world, a wise monarch of this era, seldom indulging in romantic affairs; the ladies naturally understand you."

"Fine." The Emperor sighed: "Then, today I shall go to the Empress's palace and sit for a while!"

"Yes."

The Empress was not surprised when she received the news.

She knew the Emperor was ruthless toward her, but today she traversed most of the harem just to see the Emperor once; now having not seen him, she returned dejected, losing not only her own face but also the Emperor's.

To save face, he will certainly come to her palace tonight.

"Has the medicine my father sent been prepared?"

"Empress, rest assured, everything is prepared!"

The Empress was busily preparing in the palace, while the Crown Prince's Residence was in utter chaos.

Mo Junyan constantly smashed everything on the table that could make a sound onto the floor.

How could this be!

How could this be!

From childhood to adulthood, he never had his own thoughts; he had none, and could not have any. He was like an object, at the mercy of the Empress, daring not to utter a single complaint.

But now, having sat in the Crown Prince's position for years, he is no longer the child he once was; he constantly longs to break free from these shackles.

Yet it is useless; no matter what he does, it makes no difference, as if he always lives under the Empress's arrangements.

If he wishes to escape… it seems there is only one way.

After Chi Nan Yi returned to Jingcheng, Zhao Yan went back to the barracks to report, and Chi Nan Yi circled a few times, changed back into women's attire, and stealthily returned to the Chi Family.

Just as she slipped in through the back door, two figures appeared not far from her.

"Miss."

Chi Nan Yi's back suddenly stiffened.

She slowly turned and saw their two gleaming white teeth.

"Why the big mouth smile? You startled me."

"It's nothing, just didn't expect Miss to come home without using the front door, but to climb over the wall."

"I… Miss was just exercising, what do you know?" Chi Nan Yi frowned, "What are you two doing here?"

"Miss, the head of the house said that if you have returned, you should go to the study for a moment."

Chi Nan Yi: "..."

"Grandmother knows I didn't stay home last night?"

She glanced at the two and couldn't help but pucker her lips: "Honestly, what's the point of training your reconnaissance skills to be so good?"

Just as she reached the study entrance, she ran into the old master glaring as he emerged from the study.

Seeing his expression, Chi Nan Yi wished she could take back her "go home" remark.

Had she known, she would have come back later.

Her steps hesitated, she wanted to retreat, but Chi Zhongshan had seen her early.

"You stinky brat!" Chi Zhongshan hurried forward, grabbed her arm and pulled her into the study.

"Grandmother, Grandmother..."

"You still remember I'm your Grandmother?" Chi Zhongshan placed his hands on his hips, looking like a scolding old woman: "I thought you had gotten cocky, forgetting who I am."

Since unlocking the cursing skill, Chi Zhongshan often has the word "I" hanging on his tongue, ready to use whenever he insults.

"Grandmother, what are you saying?"

"What did I say? Actually I want to ask you, where did you go last night?"

"I… I…" Chi Nan Yi's lips moved, thinking that if she admitted she went to look for Mo Junyan, would Grandmother scold her even harsher.

"Grandmother..."

"You were fine not sleeping, and you went to be a thief!" Before Chi Nan Yi could finish, Chi Zhongshan's voice was so loud it could flip the roof: "Do you know how many people in Jingcheng now want you dead! You stole from the Grand Tutor's residence—how on earth did you do it?"

"I… huh?" Chi Nan Yi was startled: "How did I do it? Grandmother, aren't you the one who wants to scold me?"

"Scold you? Why would I scold you?" Chi Zhongshan laughed and said, "You don't know that the Chi Family and the Qin Family have been at odds for a long time. I once led the Chi Family out of Jingcheng; what I regret is not only failing to identify the murderer but also not being able to defeat the Qin Family. Now you've emptied the Qin Family—they've spent years on that—so it must be infuriating. Thinking of that scene, Grandmother feels an indescribable delight."

Chi Nan Yi: "..."

"But… the vast Qin Family, how exactly did you empty it?"

"The hermit has his own clever plan; why does Grandmother ask so many questions?"

"Ha ha, no need to ask; if Grandmother doesn't ask, that's fine." Chi Zhongshan patted her shoulder, his eyes full of mirth: "Grandmother is old, cannot shield you from wind and rain, instead she wants you to stand up for Grandfather. You, a girl, are still better than those stinky Chi boys tied together, but…" When Chi Zhongshan thought of his own grandson being targeted by Mo Junyan, anxiety rose: "Your affair with Prince Li, Grandmother does not oppose, but you're still young, so there's no rush to marry; waiting a few more years is fine. Back then the Bai family couldn't stop their daughter from marrying the Emperor; although the Emperor was deeply attached to her, in the face of the realm and power, many things are insignificant. If Mo Junyan wishes to take you as his wife, he must clear all obstacles himself, so you can sit securely in the harem without anyone bullying you."

Knowing he meant well, Chi Nan Yi wrapped her arms around his, smiling, "Grandmother, you're truly kind."

"Silly girl, Grandmother now has only you."

At this moment, Chi Shao yuan and Chi Xingzhi, who were busy working, both sneezed simultaneously.

"Why does it feel a bit cold all around?"

"What exactly is your relationship with the Qin Family?"

Chi Nan Yi gave a rough account of being pursued by assassins sent by the Qin Family. Chi Zhongshan suddenly stood up, his face flushed red, fists clenched, and shouted angrily, "What a Qin Family! What a Grand Tutor Qin! How dare they set their scheme on you; he truly is reckless, thinking the Chi Family are meek?" He paced back and forth, his anger evident, and declared, "I will lead men to crush that Qin Family."

"No, no, no," Chi Nan Yi hurriedly said, "Grandmother, they are not my opponents; I dealt with them in a flash, and even sent their corpses back to the Qin Family."

"Good! Well done!" Chi Zhongshan was just about to clap and cheer: "Not being able to see him faint from anger in person is really a pity, Yi'er. These days many people are looking for Southern First Young Master, so you'd better not show up lately; just stay in the mansion."

"Okay, I understand. I'll keep you company playing chess every day."

At that moment, inside the imperial palace, a palace maid hurried into Qin Yue xi's room.

"Princess, something terrible has happened."