12dz Chapter 242 The Living Abandoned Empress of the Cold Palace X The Invading Unruly Buddhist Son 76
Chapter 242 The Living Abandoned Empress of the Cold Palace X The Invading Unruly Buddhist Son 76
After a moment, Luo Er suddenly said seriously, "I'd like to ask again, has the Crown Princess felt unwell these past few days? I dare not speak rashly, but the Lord is concerned about her safety. I have some knowledge of medicine, and if you trust me, why not let me take your pulse to put your mind at ease?"
Yun Qian frowned upon hearing this, and her eyes suddenly turned colder: "I don't believe it. Please go back."
Luo Er quickly lowered his head, a teasing smile rising at the corner of his mouth, and his guess in his heart became more and more certain.
Yun Qian sneered, her eyes cold as frost. "How is my health? Who are you to interfere? From what you said, it doesn't seem like you care, but rather that you want to die."
Luo Er's expression remained unchanged, but his voice dropped a few notches. "I absolutely wouldn't dare. However, regarding what happened last night, I'm already 90% certain, so I dare not speak rashly. However, if the Lord asks, I'll be able to report better if I have solid evidence."
The coldness in Yun Qian's eyes grew even colder, and she opened her thin lips slightly: "If you dare to report this, I guarantee that you will be the first to die."
Upon hearing this, Luo Er's tone became even more respectful. "I dare not say anything more. If the Crown Princess is unwilling, I will not force her. I only hope that the Crown Princess will not be suspicious. Right now, I am on the same side as you."
Yun Qian was silent for a moment, and finally said coldly: "It's better this way. Remember your identity. Don't think that you can act presumptuously in front of me just because Qi Jueyu is protecting you."
"I dare not." Luo Er replied with his head down, his expression respectful, but there was still a hint of temptation between his brows.
Yun Qian looked at him, murderous intent growing within her, but she forced herself to suppress it. If Luo Er truly knew something, his presence would become a significant threat. However, now was not the time to act.
"Get out, I don't want to see you again." Yun Qian waved her hand, her voice cold and emotionless.
"Yes, I'll take my leave." Luo Er stood up, lowered his head and retreated. Before leaving, he glanced at Yun Qian slightly sideways, and the deep meaning in his eyes was hard to understand.
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Elsewhere, Luo Qi, braving the blizzard, hurried back to the Northern King's Army camp. It was nearly dark, and the snow had enveloped him, making him barely recognizable. He dismounted from his horse, brushed off the snow, and stepped into the tent. Qi Jueyu was staring at a map, his brow furrowed, as if lost in thought.
His master was currently reclining in the tent, his expression lazy and dignified, his hands casually resting on the back of his chair, his posture elegant yet languid. His eyes, deep and subtle, scanned the details within the tent, revealing a hint of nonchalant indifference.
The crises that had once put his life on the line now seemed like empty echoes, as if they had nothing to do with him. The firelight within the tent reflected on his delicate features, outlining his handsome yet somewhat cold face, as if it was destined that everything he looked upon would be under his control.
He gently raised a hand, his fingertips tracing across the table as he leisurely flipped through the case files, his expression calm, as if without the slightest bit of pressure. Even though the secret letter that had once put his life on the line had long been set aside, his eyes never betrayed a trace of tension or anxiety, but rather a sense of peace, a sense of relief.
If it weren't for the slightly cold aura around him, who would have known that this man who had once been pushed to the brink of despair could be so calm and composed today, like a king who was detached from the mundane world.
A gentle breeze blew, the curtains in the tent fluttering gently. Qi Jueyu's eyes narrowed slightly, a look of languid contentment in them. Outside, the snow and wind raged, while inside the tent, it was warm as spring. He seemed enveloped by an invisible grace. All the storms, all the crises, seemed, at that moment, irrelevant to him. He was still the unparalleled chess player, a born master of the game.
When Qi Jueyu saw Luo Qi coming back alone, his eyes instantly became sharp, and at the same time, a sense of uneasiness flashed through his heart.
"Where is Luo Er?" he asked coldly, his voice as ruthless as ice.
Luo Qi knelt down with his head hung, looking guilty and helpless: "I am incompetent and failed to bring back Luo Er. The master's letter..." He paused, as if he didn't dare to continue.
"Are you saying the letter is lost?" Qi Jueyu's voice was not as deafening as thunder, but it was majestic enough to make the people below break out in cold sweat.
Qi Jueyu's eyes flashed coldly, and anger surged in his heart. He hated the feeling of being out of control, and his gaze suddenly became even colder, staring directly at Luo Qi kneeling on the ground, as if he could freeze him completely.
Luo Qi lowered his head, not daring to meet his gaze. "I feel deeply guilty for not being able to keep the token. Luo Er... it wasn't just for myself. I saw... the girl, and later, I was unable to retrieve the letter in time."
As he spoke, Luo Qi tentatively raised his head and glanced at Qi Jueyu, but when he saw his icy face, he immediately lowered his head again.
Qi Jueyu narrowed his eyes, a look of deep thought in them. He didn't immediately explode, but instead quietly observed Luo Qi, remaining silent for a moment. Luo Qi lowered his head, a sense of unease welling up in his heart, but he didn't dare to open his mouth to explain further.
Finally, Qi Jueyu spoke, his tone as cold as the wind: "Are you saying that Luo Er not only took the token away, but you two also met Yun Qian?"
Luo Qi was stunned, his heart tightened, realizing that he had accidentally let the secret out, and quickly lowered his head: "My lord, this subordinate... the person I met was the Crown Princess. I was unable to bring back the letter because..." He didn't know how to explain for a moment, and his words paused. He seemed to want to defend himself, but was afraid that he would make mistakes if he said too much.
Qi Jueyu did not rush to get angry, but instead looked at Luo Qi with sharp eyes.
"So," Qi Jueyu whispered, his voice cold but clearly audible, "Luo Er showed up in front of Yun Qian and even lost the letter?" He chuckled, but there was no warmth in that smile, but rather a bit of coldness.
"What exactly do you want to do? Hmm?"
The man let out a cold chuckle from his throat, which was frightening.
Luo Qi stood in front of Qi Jueyu, exhausted physically and mentally, but his heart was full of entanglements.
He knew that if he didn't explain this matter clearly, it would sooner or later cause unforeseen trouble, especially considering Yun Qian's unusual behavior and the fact that she might be pregnant. He had always regarded Yun Qian as an extremely intelligent and unfathomable woman, and her current actions made him even more suspicious.
Why did she care so much? If the master found out, it might affect the entire situation. But if she said nothing, she would not be able to continue in peace.
However, just as Luo Qi's thoughts fell into this deep struggle, he heard Qi Jueyu's cold voice: "Luo Qi, what do you want to say? Are you trying to hide anything from me?"
Qi Jueyu held the scroll in one hand and smiled nonchalantly, but only his throbbing temples could tell him that he was almost angry to the point of laughing.
Qi Jueyu's tone held a hint of impatience, his eyes sharp as a knife, seemingly able to see through Luo Qi's inner turmoil. Luo Qi's heart tightened, knowing he could no longer hide the truth. After a moment's silence, he finally spoke, "My Lord, I... must mention something."
He paused, his tone hesitant, "The Crown Princess has been acting a little strangely lately. I saw her the other day... and she seemed a little different."
Luo Qi was about to continue speaking when Qi Jueyu suddenly interrupted him coldly: "What did you say? 'Crown Princess'? When did I give you permission?"
Luo Qi's body trembled, and then he realized his negligence and quickly lowered his head, secretly frightened. He whispered softly and respectfully corrected himself, "My subordinate made a mistake. Yes, Miss Yun."
Qi Jueyu remained unmoved, his eyes were as cold as ice, his tone was flat, but full of deterrence: "Don't do it next time." He raised his chin slightly, as if he didn't want to waste any more time on this.
That brief warning made Luo Qi's heart tighten suddenly, and he felt a chill running through his bones, as if every word carried enough pressure to suffocate him.
Qi Jueyu's words were not fierce, but they contained murderous intent. Immediately afterwards, his gaze fell coldly back on Luo Qi and he said in a deep voice, "Continue."