Chapter 94 – Ominous Signs, a Calamity of Bloodshed

The emperor intended to grant a marriage between Qi Yanzhou and Ye Chutang, but Qi Yanzhou refused—something Qin Muyun was well aware of.

His sword-like brows furrowed, and a shadow darkened his handsome face.

“Why does His Majesty insist on tying you and Miss Ye together?”

Qi Yanzhou slowly rotated his teacup, the surface of the tea rippling like a green wave.

“I suspect the emperor is planning to make a move against the Prince of Chen’s Manor.”

Is it because he survived the fire poison—so now the emperor can’t hold back any longer?

Qin Muyun immediately caught on.

“So your wedding day would’ve been the perfect time for the emperor to wipe out the entire Prince of Chen’s household in one blow. But why Miss Ye specifically?”

Qi Yanzhou set down his teacup. “Because Ye Jingchuan is loyal enough to the emperor.”

Anyone else might leave themselves a way out. After all, taking on the Prince of Chen’s household comes with a hefty cost.

But the Ye family has no foundation in the capital; their only option is to cling to the emperor.

“But Miss Ye…”

Qin Muyun had just opened his mouth to say that Ye Chutang would never go along with the Ye family’s misdeeds, when a thought struck him and his expression changed drastically.

“The emperor wants to control Miss Ye—she’s in danger!”

In his agitation, his voice grew loud enough to draw curious glances from those nearby.

“Lord Qin, who’s in danger?”

Qin Muyun quickly collected himself and smiled. “There might be a water ghost in the Lotus Jade Pond—it’s dangerous.”

While chatting with Qi Yanzhou, he had also been half-listening to the idle chatter around them.

Officials were discussing disaster relief funds, while the young noblemen were gossiping about the Lotus Jade Pond.

The rumors had been brought in by Qin Zhenglin and Song Rong.

While changing clothes in a side room, they heard Madam Liu let out a pig-slaughtering scream.

Then from the mouths of the imperial physicians, they learned Madam Liu’s left foot had somehow been sucked into a patch of mud, and even Princess Anran’s ankle showed signs of having been bound by something.

But the Lotus Jade Pond isn’t that deep—unless someone falls all the way to the bottom, there’s no way they’d get tangled in water plants.

The whole thing sparked lively debate. The more people guessed, the more outlandish the stories became.

But no one dared utter the words “water ghost.”

Until Qin Muyun broke the silence that weighed on everyone’s hearts.

“Ghosts in broad daylight? Lord Qin, don’t speak nonsense!”

“Prince An is of royal blood, protected by dragon qi—no petty spirit could enter his manor.”

“Madam Liu tried to trip Miss Ye with her left foot and now that foot’s crippled—that’s karma.”

“As for the princess, maybe her ankle got caught in a lotus root.”

Qin Muyun had no interest in dealing with their hypocrisy.

He knew very well—there were no water ghosts in the Lotus Jade Pond, only a martial arts master!

This person had originally intended to harm Ye Chutang, but both times someone ended up falling into the water, it wasn’t her.

Princess Anran and Madam Liu had merely been collateral damage.

This attacker could shatter bones and sever tendons—their martial skill was likely on par with Qi Yanzhou’s.

Ye Chutang was in real danger now.

With that in mind, Qin Muyun glanced at the silent, grim-faced Qi Yanzhou and leaned in close.

“We need to warn Miss Ye right away. The emperor’s about to make his move.”

Qi Yanzhou looked at the clearly anxious Qin Muyun.

“With her wit, she’s likely already guessed it. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be pressing so hard against Prince An and Ye Jingchuan.”

“True. If Prince An’s first move failed, he must have a backup plan. Who knows what’ll happen next?”

“Whatever comes, we’ll meet it head-on.”

Qin Muyun lowered his voice further. “I’m just worried that Prince An will use force. Miss Ye can’t fight off that many people alone.”

Then he suddenly turned curious.

“Ziqian, Miss Ye’s practically perfect—why don’t you want to marry her?”

Qi Yanzhou dipped his fingertip in tea and wrote on the table: “She doesn’t want to.”

Just as Qin Muyun managed to read the words, Qi Yanzhou wiped them away.

Qin Muyun stared at him in shock. “You actually proposed to Miss Ye?”

Qi Yanzhou raised an eyebrow. “Actually? You did too?”

Qin Muyun immediately felt a sting on his tongue—almost like he’d been scalded again.

He cleared his throat and nodded awkwardly.

“Yeah, she turned me down. Said she wants a one-and-only for life, someone open-hearted and heroic, who puts the country and people first… someone like you.”

Qi Yanzhou: “…”

Why did that sound suspiciously like a brush-off?

Qin Muyun noticed Qi Yanzhou staying silent and nudged his shoulder playfully.

“Ziqian, when did you propose to her? Why didn’t you tell me? If I’d known, I wouldn’t have gone to bare my heart to her.”

He wasn’t about to let a woman come between brothers.

Qi Yanzhou explained, “It wasn’t really a proposal. I just told her why I refused the emperor’s betrothal, but she was firm—said she wouldn’t marry me.”

Qin Muyun: “…”

“Why did you refuse? And why would she turn you down?”

From the sound of it, Ziqian would gladly marry her, and she clearly favors his type.

By all accounts, they’re a perfect match.

Besides, if he’d just accepted the emperor’s arrangement back then, Miss Ye might not be in danger now.

Qi Yanzhou recalled Ye Chutang’s words, a vague, complicated emotion surfacing in his eyes.

“I refused because I didn’t want to use imperial power to force her into something, to leave her no choice. And she refused because she doesn’t like power struggles or sharing her husband with other women.”

He had no interest in a harem—he wanted to give his heart to just one person.

But his position meant the number of women in his household would never truly be up to him.

And the Prince of Chen’s manor couldn’t escape political machinations either.

Qin Muyun sighed regretfully.

“Miss Ye’s that kind of woman—unrestrained and free. She really isn’t suited to life in the inner court. Only someone like Song Jingning would match her.”

Then he bumped Qi Yanzhou’s shoulder again, wiggling his eyebrows.

“So, you really do like her, don’t you?”

Qi Yanzhou didn’t answer and instead changed the subject.

“Huai Xuan, Miss Ye and I are already caught in this game. You, as an outsider, can see more clearly—keep a close watch on Ye Jingchuan, Prince An, and the heir.”

Qin Muyun nodded. “I will.”

He fished out three copper coins from his sleeve, took a few deep breaths, and drew a divination for Ye Chutang.

Extremely inauspicious.

“Ziqian, something’s going to happen to Miss Ye.”

Qi Yanzhou’s heart clenched at those words.

“Huai Xuan, draw one for me too.”

He, too, was a target of the emperor’s schemes—their fates were now bound together.

“Alright, give me a moment.”

Seeing how serious Qin Muyun looked, Qi Yanzhou felt unsettled and patted his shoulder.

“Don’t worry. Unless forced to the brink, the emperor won’t kill me. What he wants is to uproot the entire Prince of Chen’s Manor.”

Qin Muyun nodded and drew the lot.

Extremely inauspicious—with bloodshed.

He advised solemnly, “Ziqian, you need to get out of Prince An’s Manor immediately.”

Qi Yanzhou shook his head. “I can’t leave Miss Ye behind to face this alone.”

“Then take her with you!”

“Huai Xuan, tell me—does the divination offer any solution?”

Qin Muyun pressed his lips together, his expression darkening.

“Not at the moment. But fate is never set in stone. If we can stall for time, there may be a way out.”

“Once caught in the game, there’s no hiding. I’m not leaving.”

Seeing how determined Qi Yanzhou was, Qin Muyun didn’t press further.

“Alright. If you can’t win, then run.”

Qi Yanzhou chuckled. “Relax. When it comes to racing with the King of Hell, I’ve never lost!”

Just as he finished speaking, Prince An sent word that lunch was ready, inviting everyone to move to the front courtyard for the meal.