20demayo Chapter 54 Prince Duan prepares to assassinate Xiao Jingchuan with the Blood Fiend Palace.
Chapter 54 Prince Duan prepares to assassinate Xiao Jingchuan with the Blood Fiend Palace.
At this moment, Chen Qi hurriedly stepped into the Prince Duan's mansion, and the scene before him left him in awe. The vermilion gate stood majestically, inlaid with enormous golden door studs that shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight, like dazzling stars in the night sky, showcasing the unparalleled majesty and nobility of this mansion.
Walking slowly along the wide, bluestone-paved path, one is greeted by rows of exquisitely carved pillars lining both sides of the road. These pillars are all meticulously crafted from the finest white marble, adorned with lifelike dragon and phoenix patterns. The dragons coil and twist, their scales and claws flying; the phoenixes spread their magnificent feathers, displaying a myriad of graceful postures. Their agile forms seem poised to break free from the pillars' constraints at any moment and soar into the sky.
The exquisite lanterns hanging under the eaves were made of the finest silk, a material extremely rare in the world. The silk was smooth and soft, with a touch as delicate as a baby's skin.
The surface of the lanterns is intricately painted with colorful and varied patterns of flowers, birds, fish and insects. The birds are either playing and frolicking happily, their feathers are colorful, and they seem ready to take flight at any moment.
Or perhaps they perch quietly on the branches, leisurely preening their feathers. Fish swim freely in the water, splashing crystal-clear droplets with the flick of their tails; flowers bloom in a riot of color, their petals layered upon each other, delicate and vibrant. Insects either rest on the leaves or flit among the flowers, creating a lively scene.
As the candlelight flickered gently within the lanterns, the once still scene instantly came alive, like a series of flowing paintings, breathtakingly beautiful and captivating. Walking slowly along the corridor and entering the main hall, what lay before one's eyes was even more astonishing and awe-inspiring. The floor was paved with gleaming marble slabs, each stone possessing a unique texture. They were joined together seamlessly, without the slightest gap or flaw. Walking on it was like stepping on a mirror, reflecting one's image clearly.
Looking at the tables and chairs in the hall, they were all made of extremely rare woods. The craftsmen used their exquisite skills to carve lifelike dragon and phoenix patterns on these tables and chairs, and some were even inlaid with dazzling gold and warm, flawless jade, giving the entire set of tables and chairs an unparalleled air of luxury.
Looking around, the walls are covered with calligraphy and paintings by renowned artists. The brushstrokes are delicate and meticulous, the lines are smooth and natural, and every detail is depicted to perfection.
The colors are also vibrant and eye-catching, with reds like raging fire, greens like jade, and blues like jewels, complementing each other and creating a rich artistic atmosphere for the entire space.
Looking up, one sees an extremely magnificent chandelier hanging down from the ceiling, its countless glittering lights like twinkling stars, shimmering with a captivating glow.
These luxuries intertwined and complemented each other, illuminating the entire hall as bright as day.
The murals on the ceiling depict various scenes from myths and legends with delicate brushstrokes. The figures are vivid and lifelike, almost leaping off the page, and the colors are vibrant and colorful, creating a dreamlike and enchanting scene.
The atmosphere inside the Prince Duan's residence was heavy and tense.
A bodyguard dressed in black appeared like a ghost, kneeling on one knee to report the latest news to Prince Duan. However, this news was like a bolt from the blue, causing the previously composed Prince Duan's expression to change drastically.
"Your Highness, something terrible has happened! According to my investigation, Xiao Jingchuan has discovered our plan and is secretly preparing a counterattack. If we don't take action to eliminate him soon, all our previous efforts will be in vain once he successfully returns to the palace!" The guard said anxiously, his brows furrowed deeply, his face full of worry.
Behold the Prince Duan, with his imposing figure, resembling a proud and upright pine tree, straight and slender; his aura is magnificent and extraordinary, exuding an unparalleled kingly demeanor.
This gentleman is in his mid-thirties, and although he is already thirty-five years old, time seems to have left few marks on his face.
His face was as if meticulously sculpted, with clear and distinct features and strong, powerful lines. His thick, neatly trimmed eyebrows, like flying rainbows, slanted sharply towards his temples, adding to his heroic air. His eyes were as deep as the sea and as bright as stars, and in the blink of an eye, they subtly revealed traces of calculation and scheming.
Prince Duan wore a dark brocade robe embroidered with intricate and delicate golden dragon patterns. These dragons, winding and lifelike, shimmered brilliantly in the bright sunlight, appearing almost alive. This magnificent attire not only enveloped his body but also perfectly accentuated his unparalleled noble status.
Looking closer at his waist, a flawless white jade belt cinched his waist. The jade was warm and delicate, radiating a soft luster, perfectly complementing his elegant demeanor, a natural and harmonious blend. Yet, this man, seemingly elegant and composed in every gesture, every movement perfectly measured, possessing an irresistible noble charm, was nonetheless a clever disguise hidden beneath his facade. Otherwise, how could even the usually astute and intelligent Xiao Han have failed to detect his treacherous and cunning ambitions over the years?
At this moment, Chen Qi said urgently from the side, "Your Highness, I believe that the most urgent task is to get rid of Xiao Jingchuan. At the same time, the Empress must not be allowed to live!" After saying this, he made a gesture of slitting his throat with his hand. His intention was self-evident: he wanted to get rid of the two of them as soon as possible!
Prince Duan, Xiao Ming, sat in his chair, feeling that something was amiss, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. The poison they had given Xiao Jingchuan was an extremely rare and incurable poison, so why had Xiao Jingchuan miraculously recovered? It was truly baffling.
Meanwhile, Duan Yousi, who was in Ningguta, remained a mystery to everyone; it turned out he was one of Xiao Ming's men. Unfortunately, he too had now been brutally murdered!
Even more shockingly, the guard directly told Xiao Han and Chen Qi some shocking words: "Your Highness, after much investigation, I have learned that the general and deputy general of Xijing Kingdom have both died at the hands of Crown Prince Xiao Jingchuan."
Moreover, I have heard that Xiao Jingchuan has created an extremely mysterious weapon at some point.
This weapon is said to be incredibly powerful, capable of killing up to five people simultaneously within a 100-meter range!
Upon hearing this, Chen Qi's face turned deathly pale, and his voice trembled with fear. He hurriedly knelt and kowtowed, saying, "Your Highness, the situation is urgent! We must act quickly! If Xiao Jingchuan returns unharmed, and the Emperor finds out that we were behind this, the consequences will be unimaginable..."
Prince Duan seemed to have made up his mind. Since the Emperor had already become suspicious of him, continuing to pretend would be futile: "An Yi, go quickly to find the people from the Blood Fiend Palace. Don't hesitate to spend ten thousand taels of gold to take Xiao Jingchuan's head for me!"
Meanwhile, in the palace, Yu Bai and Tian Qing went to the Imperial Study to report: "Your subordinates pay their respects to Your Majesty!"
In the tranquil imperial study, the Emperor sat upright behind his desk. Upon hearing the report from his secret guard, he slightly raised his head, his gaze instantly flashing like a cold glint as he looked at the guard. At that moment, his face seemed shrouded in frost, exceptionally cold and stern.
"Yu Bai, tell me what happened on the way? You and Tian Qing?" Xiao Han placed the memorial in his hand on the desk.
"Your Majesty, I encountered Yu Bai on my way back from the snowy mountain peak!" Tian Qing explained to the Emperor where he met Yu Bai.