Volume 5, Chapter 312 – Killing the Body and Crushing the Heart

In the imperial study, Lin Tu set down the Thousand-Mile Communication Tube, his face ashen with rage. “How audacious! They actually dared to conceal such a matter from Us!”

“Your Majesty, please calm yourself. The imperial health is of utmost importance,” an elderly eunuch with snow-white hair and beard hurriedly stepped forward to soothe him. This was Vice Chief Steward Ma of the Inner Palace.

“Calm Ourself? A handpicked Imperial Consort has died—such a grave matter, yet Chief Steward Zhong concealed it and failed to report it. How can We calm Ourselves?” Lin Tu demanded sharply.

“What?! The… the handpicked Imperial Consort is dead?” Eunuch Ma’s face turned deathly pale as he stammered in shock.

“Is it really so strange? Since We ascended the throne, not a single Imperial Consort We personally selected has ever made it alive into the palace,” Lin Tu remarked self-mockingly.

Vice Chief Steward Ma didn’t dare even breathe loudly. Yet, within moments, a faint trace of delight flickered across his face, and the rise and fall of his chest gradually steadied. Clearly, he had realized that this was an enormous opportunity for him. After all, with the Imperial Consort’s death, Chief Steward Zhong, responsible for her escort, would undoubtedly face severe punishment, likely losing not just his position but his life. As the vice chief, he stood to benefit the most.

“This old servant is somewhat puzzled. With someone as skilled as Chief Steward Zhong guarding her, who could possibly have killed her?” Eunuch Ma steadied himself before cautiously inquiring.

“It is said that a powerful expert attracted a Heavenly Tribulation, and the Imperial Consort was unfortunately caught in it,” Lin Tu replied after taking a deep breath.

“Heavenly Tribulation? But in our Western Radiance Dynasty, what expert exists who would need to undergo tribulation?” Eunuch Ma’s face twisted in confusion.

“Precisely. Whether it was truly a Heavenly Tribulation, only the heavens know.” Lin Tu sneered coldly.

“Your Majesty need not worry. That Qi Huang was merely a doppelgänger. Even if her body perished, her soul would return to her main body. At worst, once her main body breaks through to the Divine Ability Realm in the future, she can simply be given another body,” Eunuch Ma quickly reassured.

“You speak so lightly. Cheng Hongling has only just stepped into the Incarnation Realm. Even if she is a genius, reaching the Divine Ability Realm will take decades. How do you expect Us to wait that long?” Lin Tu countered.

Eunuch Ma fell silent, his mouth opening and closing wordlessly.

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“A bunch of useless fools! They can’t even handle such a simple task. It seems We have been too lenient. This time, We must make an example of them.” Lin Tu’s expression darkened with icy ruthlessness.

Over the next ten days, Qi Huang secretly trailed the Imperial Consort’s escort team. During her free time, she devoted herself to cultivation, the only way to truly shake off those persistent leeches.

This time, Qi Huang trained with unprecedented focus. Yet, even so, it took her a full seventeen days to rebuild her True Qi—seven or eight days longer than the last time she had to recover after being hit with Qi-Leaking Powder. Compared to her first cultivation session after donning the Feminizing Human Skin Mask, the difference was like night and day.

“What’s going on?” Qi Huang wondered inwardly before discussing the matter with Cheng Hongling.

“I think I understand the reason. When I created my doppelgänger, I only gave Cheng Ling a single facial disguise—the amount of spiritual energy contained in it was negligible. Coupled with the weakening effects of Qi-Leaking Powder, it’s only natural that your cultivation has become increasingly difficult,” Cheng Hongling, sharp as ever, quickly deduced the cause.

“That makes sense!” Qi Huang suddenly saw the light, growing more and more impressed with her own foresight. Had she chosen to cultivate True Qi from the very beginning, she would likely have been stuck forever in the realm of low-level cultivators, engaging in petty squabbles, or worse, captured and turned into a breeding tool.

Regardless, Qi Huang had finally rebuilt her True Qi,  her “pass” to leave the imperial palace openly after entering. If she could depart with dignity, why would she ever choose to sneak away like a thief?

Chief Steward Zhong and his men had done everything possible to delay their return, desperate to prolong their lives. But time waits for no one, and after wasting over twenty days, they finally re-entered the imperial capital.

Outside the southern gate of the capital, Chief Steward Zhong paced restlessly, while the other escort team members fidgeted like condemned prisoners on their way to execution.

“Remember, if His Majesty or anyone else questions what happened, you will say we encountered severe weather. The Imperial Consort went missing during a thunderstorm, and we spent a long time searching for her. That’s why we’re only returning now. Understood? Do not mention the Heavenly Tribulation, and do not say she is dead. Otherwise, none of you will live.”

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Seeing that time was running short, Chief Steward Zhong issued his final instructions.

The members of the escort team exchanged bewildered glances.

“Chief Steward Zhong, this subordinate understands why we would say the Imperial Consort went missing—to downplay the severity of the incident. But why describe the Heavenly Tribulation as severe weather? Everyone witnessed what happened. That was no ordinary thunderstorm,” Guard Captain Feng stepped forward, puzzled.

“Guard Captain Feng, have you been struck stupid by lightning? Severe weather is the heavens’ wrath, proof that Qi Huang committed unforgivable sins and was struck down by divine retribution. How could mere mortals like us defy the will of heaven? His Majesty claims to rule by the Mandate of Heaven, would he dare punish us for an act of the heavens? But a Heavenly Tribulation? That is ultimately man-made disaster. If we admit we failed to protect the Imperial Consort, we will be held accountable. Is this really so hard to understand?” Chief Steward Zhong scolded impatiently.

“Ohhh! The Chief Steward is truly wise! This subordinate has learned much!” Guard Captain Feng’s eyes brightened as he hurriedly flattered.

The gloom on the faces of the other escort members also lifted, replaced by admiration.

Indeed, though the difference between “weather” and “Heavenly Tribulation” was just a single characte ¹ 天气 (tiān qì) = weather, 天劫 (tiān jié) = Heavenly Tribulation/Divine Punishment/Calamity , the implications were worlds apart. A thunderstorm was an act of heaven, unavoidable and beyond mortal control. A Heavenly Tribulation, however, was a man-made calamity, something that could have been prevented. If the Emperor truly believed severe weather was to blame, they might still have a sliver of hope.

“Good. Remember my words. Let’s go!”

With a sweep of his sleeve, Chief Steward Zhong led the escort team toward the city gates.

“That damned old eunuch! He actually said I was struck by divine retribution!”

Two li away, in a small grove, Qi Huang clenched her teeth as she watched the scene unfold through the Shadow-Retaining Mirror.

“I think he phrased it quite well! It commands respect!” Yaoyao gloated, clearly enjoying her frustration.

“Well, nothing good about it! Since he dares insult me, I won’t reveal myself just yet. Let him stew in his misery first.” Qi Huang gnashed her teeth.

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“What a petty woman,” Yaoyao couldn’t resist taunting.

“You said it yourself—I’m a woman. My heart isn’t that broad. Anyone who offends me will pay tenfold.”

With a click of her pearly teeth, Qi Huang strode toward the city gates.

“Just look at your chest, swaying and practically dragging on the ground! And you still claim it’s not broad enough? I’m starting to suspect you’ve been up to something indecent behind my back, producing milk. I’ll have to let my kin sample it someday.”

Yaoyao’s voice dripped with envy.

“No need to trouble your feline friends. But if you want a taste, we can negotiate.”

Qi Huang smirked.

“Shameless little harlot!” Yaoyao snapped furiously.

And so, bickering all the way with the catgirl, Qi Huang entered the imperial capital, now clad in an ordinary dress and veiled with deliberate modesty.

Chief Steward Zhong and his retinue arrived at the southern gate of the imperial palace, where they stood rooted like ancient trees for what felt like an eternity before finally mustering the courage to step inside.

Crack—pop—CRACKLE—BANG!

The moment Chief Steward Zhong crossed the threshold, a deafening burst of firecrackers erupted. Already on edge, he nearly jumped out of his skin.

‘Which damned fool is trying to scare me to death?!’

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Swallowing his curses, he turned toward the noise, only to see an extravagant palanquin carried by eight bearers parked at the roadside. Beside it stood three women, one of whom, a middle-aged beauty in phoenix robes, was responsible for the firecrackers.

Chief Steward Zhong’s face instantly morphed into an obsequious smile as he rushed forward, bowing deeply.

“This humble servant greets Her Majesty the Empress!”

“Chief Steward Zhong, you have traveled far on His Majesty’s orders to retrieve the handpicked Imperial Consort. You must be exhausted. We have come personally to welcome you back.”

Empress Zheng’s smile didn’t reach her eyes.

‘A welcome? More like rubbing salt in the wound!’

Chief Steward Zhong froze. Even a fool would realize that the so-called “Heavenly Tribulation” was undoubtedly orchestrated by the women of the inner palace—and Empress Zheng, with her influence, was more than capable of such a scheme.

“Many thanks for Your Majesty’s kindness. Serving the Emperor is this servant’s greatest honor. Exhaustion is out of the question.”

Though seething inside, Chief Steward Zhong maintained his facade of deference.

“With loyal subjects like you, His Majesty is truly fortunate—as is the empire.”

Empress Zheng offered another hollow compliment before turning to the palanquin with feigned curiosity.

“We have long heard of this Imperial Consort’s peerless beauty. Might We invite her to step out so We may meet her?”