Volume 5, Chapter 328 – Palace Schemes? Child’s Play (Part 2)

Qi Huang wasn’t the least bit panicked. The intensity of this divine sense was only at the early Unity Realm. While that might make this intruder a formidable expert in the eyes of ordinary people, to her, he was nothing more than an insignificant ant.

Uncertain of the other party’s intentions, Qi Huang didn’t rush to strike. Instead, she pretended to be immobilized, sitting rigidly on the bed with only her eyes darting around.

“Hahaha, who would’ve thought such a good thing could happen in this world? Someone actually paid me to come and have my way with you!”

The figure revealed himself, a middle-aged man who appeared somewhat refined at first glance. However, the graying hair tied in a topknot betrayed his true age.

After a brief moment of contemplation, the answer became obvious to Qi Huang. Her opponent must have sought to ruin her chastity through this man, thereby eliminating her as a threat.

‘What a vicious scheme. If I were no longer pure, no matter how extraordinary my bloodline, that dog emperor would never lower himself to take me into his harem, lest he become the laughingstock of the world.’

Qi Huang sighed inwardly, then sneered. “What a pity. In the face of absolute strength, all conspiracies and schemes are nothing but feeble flailing.”

“They say Cheng Hongling is a peerless beauty. Tonight, this immortal shall enjoy a rare fortune.”

The middle-aged man approached with a lecherous grin, his demeanor utterly unbefitting of a cultivator.

“My little treasure, I know you’re scared, but don’t be. Soon enough, I’ll make you feel like you’re floating in the heavens, unable to resist.”

Chuckling smugly, he reached out with both hands, groping toward Qi Huang’s chest.

“I’m afraid you won’t get that chance.”

Qi Huang’s voice was icy.

“Wh-what?!”

The middle-aged cultivator’s expression twisted in shock. He tried to summon his weapon, only to find his arms weighed down as if burdened by a thousand pounds, utterly immobile. Panic surged through him as he attempted to flee, but his legs were similarly paralyzed.

With a mere thought from Qi Huang, the man’s body was hurled sideways out the window—then, like a firework, he abruptly exploded midair, bursting into a mist of blood without even a fingernail-sized scrap of flesh remaining.

“H-how is this possible?! Didn’t you lose your cultivation? And such powerful divine sense, what’s going on?!”

The man’s Life Soul fled his shattered body, shrieking hysterically as it desperately tried to escape.

Qi Huang’s divine sense lashed out, seizing the fleeing soul and crushing it to nothingness.

Though a soul was not made of flesh and blood, it still possessed a fixed form. Once destroyed, death was inevitable.

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“Palace schemes? Child’s play at best. Come, let’s see how many more underhanded tricks you have up your sleeves.”

With a cold smirk, Qi Huang slowly closed her beautiful eyes.

A sprawling estate stood in the eastern district of the capital, its towering gates and high walls exuding grandeur. Lavish pavilions and towers adorned the grounds, each room exquisitely decorated. Servants moved about in orderly fashion, each attending to their duties. In terms of opulence, this estate was nearly on par with the imperial palace itself.

Land in the capital was worth its weight in gold. To own such a vast residence here, its master must be someone of immense wealth or nobility.

And indeed, the owner of this estate was none other than Lin Tu’s younger brother, Prince Kang, once the fiercest contender for the throne before Lin Tu’s ascension. For this very reason, he had been placed under close surveillance, right under the emperor’s nose.

At this moment, a beautiful young woman dressed as an Imperial Consort was engaged in conversation with Prince Kang and his wife.

“Dear Hua, the first selection is about to take place. Shouldn’t you be staying in the palace? What brings you to your aunt’s place so suddenly?”

Prince Kang’s wife chided affectionately.

“Auntie, I missed you so much after just a few days apart!”

The girl pouted playfully.

“Oh? You only miss your aunt, not me?”

Prince Kang Lin Kang feigned jealousy.

“Of course I missed you too, Uncle! You’ve always been the best to me!”

The girl hurriedly amended.

“Hah, that sweet little mouth of yours.”

Lin Kang shook his head helplessly. “Well then, what would you like to eat? I’ll have the servants prepare it for you.”

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“Ahem, reducing our niece-uncle bond to mere food feels a bit heartless.”

The girl named Hua puffed her cheeks.

“Oh? Then let’s skip the food and just catch up, shall we?”

Lin Kang played along.

“No, no! How can we bond on an empty stomach? So we must talk about food, and bond!”

Hua grew flustered.

Prince Kang and his wife exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.

Before long, servants brought forth a table laden with exquisite dishes.

“Auntie, Uncle, you have no idea how awful the food in the palace is! I’ve lost several pounds over the past few weeks!”

Hua complained between voracious bites.

“Could’ve fooled me.”

Prince Kang’s wife teased mercilessly.

“Hmph!”

Hua let out a delicate snort before diving back into her meal. After a moment, she paused. “Uncle, why does today’s food smell so amazing? Did you have the chef add some secret spice?”

“Not at all. Same chef, same ingredients as always.”

Lin Kang shook his head.

“Impossible! There’s definitely a wonderful fragrance here.”

Hua wrinkled her nose, sniffing intently.

Prince Kang and his wife exchanged puzzled glances before realization dawned on him.

“Ah! The fragrance you’re smelling must be coming from your aunt, not the food.”

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“Really?”

Skeptical, Hua leaned closer to her aunt and inhaled deeply—then her eyes widened in surprise.

“It really is coming from you, Auntie! What kind of rouge are you using? It smells incredible, I’ve never noticed it before!”

“Well… this rouge was brought back from the palace by your uncle. It contains rare Golden Fate Blossom pollen.”

Prince Kang’s wife replied with slight embarrassment, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

“Golden Fate Blossom? What’s that?”

Hua tilted her head in confusion.

“A type of flower. Extremely precious, that’s all.”

Lin Kang explained before suddenly recalling something. “Ah, right. That Cheng Hongling from the Honghua Sect once consumed a Golden Fate Blossom seed and even enhanced it with Pink Bamboo Water. I heard her doppelgänger has already entered the Office of Palace Ceremonies. Have you met her? She should carry the same fragrance, only stronger.”

“I’ve seen her, but she doesn’t have this scent at all!”

Hua replied, puzzled.

“Impossible. Though I’m no cultivator, I’ve befriended many in the cultivation world. A doppelgänger’s flesh and blood originate from the main body, she must carry the fragrance of Golden Fate Blossoms.”

Lin Kang insisted firmly.

“Uncle, you know how sharp my nose is. How could I mistake it? She really doesn’t have this scent.”

Hua reaffirmed.

“Truly? But that can’t be!”

Lin Kang froze, his brow furrowing deeply.

“What’s the matter, Your Highness?”

After a brief silence, Prince Kang’s wife inquired.

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“My love, you’ve heard about the Imperial Consort nearly meeting with disaster due to bad weather on her way to the palace, yes?”

Lin Kang countered with another question.

“Yes. The Inner Court posted notices everywhere—not just in the palace, but all over the capital’s streets.”

Prince Kang’s wife nodded.

“What if… the Imperial Consort did perish in that accident?”

Lin Kang mused aloud.

“Perished? Then who is the one currently in the Office of Palace Ceremonies? Your Highness, surely you’re overthinking this.”

Prince Kang’s wife reflexively dismissed the idea.

“But she lacks the Golden Fate Blossom’s fragrance. If that’s true, then she cannot be the real Imperial Consort.”

Lin Kang’s expression grew increasingly grave.

“Not the real Imperial Consort? Then why would she impersonate her? Doesn’t she know that’s a crime punishable by death for deceiving the emperor? And with the palace so heavily guarded, how could a fake Imperial Consort possibly slip through?”

Prince Kang’s wife fired off questions in rapid succession.

Lin Kang fell into deep thought once more. After a long silence, his expression gradually cleared, and he let out a cold snort.

“Hmph! I think I’m beginning to understand what’s happening here!”

“Your Highness, what do you mean?”

Prince Kang’s wife pressed urgently.

“I’m not entirely certain yet. The priority now is confirming whether that woman is the real Imperial Consort.”

Lin Kang spoke cautiously before a sly grin crept onto his face.

“If she is an impostor… then on the first day of the month, I shall give the world a spectacle to behold! Lin Tu has grown too complacent over the years. It’s time I gave him something to worry about.”