Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 304 - 258 Got Stung by a Bee_1

Chapter 304: Chapter 258 Got Stung by a Bee_1

When Princess Changle returned to her phoenix carriage, she found that Xue Yunrou’s face was still flushed bright red, and her cherry lips were swollen. Her collar was upright, but she could still vaguely see few red spots left.

Princess Changle was surprised: "Why are your lips so swollen? What on earth have you been doing?"

She wondered, what kind of passionate encounter could have left such marks?

Xue Yunrou’s beautiful face instantly flushed: "Why are you prying? Couldn’t I have been stung by a bee?"

"Go ahead! It’s none of my business whether you got stung by a bee or bitten by Li Xuan."

Princess Changle clucked her tongue: "I have noticed that you, Yunrou, are becoming more and more careless about your reputation. Have you ever thought about how you would feel if your future lover betrays you——"

"Xuan is not that kind of person." Before Princess Changle could finish her sentence, Xue Yunrou interrupted her. She calmly pointed to the clothes she was wearing: "Look at what I am wearing now."

Princess Changle looked at the Daoist robe that Xue Yunrou was wearing, and her eyes showed surprise: "Are you really planning to become a nun, Yunrou?"

It was only then she remembered that Xue Yunrou had always dressed like this when she saw her recently.

"Of course not. I am still looking forward to wearing a wedding dress, to have a grand and glorious wedding. However, what the world thinks of me is beyond my concern, and Xuan wouldn’t care either."

The corners of Xue Yunrou’s lips rose slightly, and a flash of tenderness flickered in her eyes.

However, she remained silent about the fact that if Xuan could not gain the mind of Yang, becoming a nun would be her top choice.

Just as she had said, she would even initiate the Taishan Prefecture Lord Sacrifice in future for Xuan to be reborn into the humane realm.

"You really are——"

Princess Changle didn’t know what to say, she finally shook her head: "A year ago, if anyone told me that you, Xue Yunrou, would become like this for a man, I would never believe it."

Xue Yunrou smiled but did not respond. At this moment, Princess Changle’s tone turned: "Oh right, I forgot to ask, how is Li Xuan’s health? I heard people say that the Liudao Division has given him a half-month leave?"

"Xuan’s health? I don’t know how to describe it. Even though he seems lively and energetic, he actually has many hidden issues."

A hint of worry emerged in Xue Yunrou’s eyes. She remembered that only a third of what her uncle said was true.

However, Xuan had also stated that his lifespan was almost at an end. Fortunately, his battle with Li Zhetian had little effect on him.

At this thought, Xue Yunrou couldn’t help but sigh: "The leave was given to him by his supervisor. I also told him that he must rest at home for this half month. But I don’t know if he will do so."

"So, he is not able to go to the Xiao Mausoleum on the day of the sacrifice? That’s a real pity——"

Princess Changle shook her head in regret: "My second brother and I had hoped for him to go into the Under Palace together for security reasons. Especially my second brother; at present, the person he trusts most in the Liudao Division is Duwei Li."

To risk his life for you?" Xue Yunrou snorted: "I would rather have Xuan resign from his position in the Liudao Division. With his talents, he can reach the peak on any pathway?"

Princess Changle couldn’t help but laugh: "Are you regretting advising your husband to seek official recognition? The issue is, Yunrou, you haven’t married yet. And as for Li Xuan, he is outspoken and righteous. I fear he won’t——"

Her voice suddenly ceased, as the ground beneath their carriage began to shake violently, causing the carriage they were in to shake and bounce.

Sharp screams from all around filled the air.

What is going on?"

Xue Yunrou looked surprised as she lifted the curtain to look outside. At first, she thought that experts beyond the Fourth Gate were fighting in the vicinity, causing an earthquake.

However, when Xue Yunrou used her ’Shenyanguan’ to observe her surroundings, she did not find any unusual spiritual activity.

"It seems like an earth dragon is turning over——"

As Princess Changle looked outside the window, she noticed that buildings on both sides of the street were collapsing. She immediately ordered her servants: "What are you waiting for? Go and help rescue the people!"

At this moment, the shaking of the earth had not stopped, but had become even more violent.

Xue Yunrou found it strange, as earthquakes rarely occurred in Nanjing. There were few instances in history, and they were all of a very low scale.

The largest one happened in the third year, Taiqing era, when the great general of the Southern Dynasty, Hou Dong, rebelled. It was said that the city walls of Jiankang were shaken and collapsed, but that was a long time ago.

However, at this point, she had no time to think further and flew out of the carriage. In the blink of an eye, a strong Mana surged from her hand, lifting a collapsing building nearby.

Fortunately, just shortly after Xue Yunrou flew out of the carriage, the ground’s shaking gradually ceased.

※※※※

Just as the earthquake ceased, in the East Palace of the Forbidden City, Prince Yu Jianji hurriedly exited the still creaking wooden hall.

Behind him were the ministers from the six ministries and five military commanders of Nanjing, as well as the Zhenshou eunuch of Nanjing, Qin Mingyu.

"Eunuch Qin, send someone to check how many houses in the city have collapsed and how many casualties there are! Report back to me as quickly as possible."

Yu Jianji turned back to the two men: "Minister Li and Governor He, please go to the city as soon as possible to organize a rescue team and offer your condolences."

The two he was addressing were the Minister of Revenue of Nanjing and the Zhifu of Yingtian. In ancient times, the Zhifu of Yingtian, who governed the secondary capital, had a status equivalent to that of the head of the capital city.

Two middle-aged men in red robes in the group of ministers bowed and hurried away.

The remaining people all looked on appreciatively.

However, a hint of worry showed in Yu Jianji’s eyes. He asked the Jianzheng of the Qintian Bureau standing next to him: "The Xiao Mausoleum sacrifice is in five days, and an earthquake has suddenly occurred. Could this be a bad sign?"

The Jianzheng furrowed his brows, and after contemplating for a moment, he slowly shook his head: "Although this earthquake was strong, it was short. It should be caused by an earthquake elsewhere, affecting Jinling. If we consider it from the perspective of ’Heaven-human induction’, as long as it is not within the three days before or after the sacrifice, it is not a serious matter. And I did not find any anomalies when I observed the sky last night."

The Duke Xuguo in the group of ministers also assured: "Your Highness, rest assured. The royal camp in Nanjing with 20,000 soldiers has already sealed off the surroundings of the Xiao Mausoleum. The eight teams of the Liudao Division and the five groups of the inner Jishi Bureau have all entered the Xiao Mausoleum. Furthermore, the naval forces under Earl Chengyi are there for backup. We can assure you that the sacrifice will go smoothly. Whatever plans those surviving spirits of Jianling have, they will surely fail."

Yu Jianji finally felt relieved. He looked serious and bowed deeply to the ministers: "In the next few days, I will be counting on all of you. The national event is in ceremony and warfare. This time, I was entrusted by my father with the important task of worshipping the Great Ancestor. I must not disappoint my father."

All the ministers, including Qin Mingyu, expressed their seriousness: "Your Highness, we must do our best!"