Refining the Mountains and Rivers

The royal family had the surname Zhou. However, the sixth prince was called Li Zhouyi. He was now looking at Wang San, from the border army, a soldier who just abided by orders. He frowned slightly as he chuckled bitterly.

Marquis Chongwu’s order was full of dissatisfaction. He really could not understand. She was just a brothel lady he happened to meet. Just a moment of enjoyment. Was there a need to be so involved?

Unless, General Jinwu Ning Qin was really infatuated? But if that were the case, then how could they explain the lady of the mansion?

He could not understand and his head was hurting badly.

The reason was because he wanted to maintain a good relationship with Marquis Chongwu as this could affect his future succession.

But the Li Family…was even harder to handle. Although he was a prince, he was also helpless against them.

Wang San was oblivious to the fact that the Sixth Prince was now ‘drowning in anxiety’. However, as he thought of how domineering and powerful his marquis was, he grew even more courageous as he waved, “Your Highness, the marquis is waiting for me. Please hurry.”

Li Zhouyi almost laughed. He did not want to offend Marquis Chongwu but this runner was just a tiny soldier. Even if I kill you now, will anyone care?

However, the murderous intent only lasted for a second before he suppressed it. What was the point of killing such an insignificant soldier? It would just be creating trouble.

Taking a deep breath, Li Zhouyi replied, “I don’t really know the details. Go and wait outside. After I clarify things, I will give you an answer.

Wang San was slightly dissatisfied, but he was not that courageous either. He put his hands together, “I will wait outside.”

He was still urging him.

Border Cliff Saint rubbed his eyebrows as he looked at the prince. It was amazing that this bastard, Wang San, was still alive.

Li Zhouyi stood and left. This involved both Marquis Chongwu and the Li Family. He did not dare to make the decision all by himself. When he said he would clarify, he was just postponing it. He had to ask before he divulged any details.

As for Wang San, he was just a dazed person and the prince was not in the mood to waste time with him.

Li Zhouyi turned and entered the back palace. He put his hands together and greeted, “Your Majesty, I request your presence.”

This time, he waited for quite a while before the air shook and the blurry figure of the king appeared behind the bead curtain.

“What is it?”

His tone was cold and powerful.

Li Zhouyi was extremely respectful and repeated everything that had happened without hiding anything. He did not mix in any of his opinions.

“This is very important and I did not dare to make a decision. Hence, I had to interrupt you. Please forgive me.”

In the vibrating air, the king fell silent before speaking slowly, “You considered this well.” He paused for a while, “You don’t have to bother with it anymore. I will handle it.”

The illusion disappeared and the air was still once more.

Li Zhouyi stood up. He rubbed his lips before smiling bitterly.

Just one sentence and that was it? If it were his other siblings, whom the king favored, they would probably be rewarded.

After all, although this seemed like a small thing, if someone with ill intentions were to know about it, it would cause an uproar.

Your Majesty, I am also your flesh and blood; how can you be so biased?

Taking a deep breath, he hid his emotions. When Li Zhouyi returned to the main palace, he was calm.

He called for Wang San and said slowly, “I have informed Marquis Chongwu. You can return.”

Wang San scratched his head; he felt like he had been played.

“Get lost!”

Li Zhouyi looked furious.

Wang San finally reacted and realized that no matter how powerful the marquis was, he was just an insignificant subordinate and the prince could still easily kill him.

……

Marquis Chongwu’s Mansion.

Two Old Four Claws sat cross-legged in an empty residence. Both their heads drooped down and they did not seem to have any energy.

They were like two dried wooden sticks buried up to their necks.

But right at this moment, the two Old Four Claws opened their eyes simultaneously. There was a glimmer in their eyes.

Looking at each other, the two of them raised their hands and their fists met.

Boom –

A low sound erupted and spread outwards, resounding through the entire mansion.

In the back residence, Rourou frowned and there was a cold look in her eyes.

If it were before, or in another place, these two old eunuchs would have been dead should they dare to show off in front of her!

She tapped the air and there was a movement. It was as if a bubble formed and wrapped around her. She did not want to see the master and servant pair in the other residence, so she could not be bothered about them.

After all, she was a regular person now and even the West Desolate King would not be able to detect anything, much less the Old Four Claws.

……

Qin Yu frowned; he could sense the actions from the two Old Four Claws.

Very soon, the air in front of him shook.

Sensing the aura, Qin Yu hurried to say, “Your subordinate Ning Qin greets Your Majesty.”

Behind the bead curtain, the figure of the West Desolate King could be seen. He waved his hands, “Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Qin Yu stood up as he frowned. He looked solemn, “It was just some personal matters; I did not think that it would disturb you. It seems like the issue is complicated.”

There must be a reason why the West Desolate King suddenly appeared. Qin Yu thought about it and realized what the critical point was.

“Marquis Chongwu, I can tell you that you are looking for the Li Family.”

There was a pause before the king’s voice could be heard once more. Amidst the calmness, there was a slight sense of self-ridicule, “I am the king, but the lineage of the imperial family is named Li. Although it is the ancestral instruction set by the ancestors, I am very dissatisfied with this.”

Although he did not explicitly say it, these two sentences were sufficient to reveal that there were many other underlying issues.

Qin Yu frowned harder before his expression relaxed. He put his hands together respectfully, “Your Majesty, is the Li Family not able to be dealt with?”

The king replied, “They have a deep background and many blessings; until the time is right, we cannot act rashly or we will be hurt.” He looked at Qin Yu, “I promise you that if everything goes smoothly, I will give you an explanation for this matter.”

Qin Yu greeted, “Yes Your Majesty.”

“Mmhm, I can’t stay for long. I will take my leave.” The air was still once again and the king’s illusion disappeared.

Qin Yu remained still for a while before he frowned and a solemn look came over his features.

Li Family of the Zhou Empire…before the country…

They were people that caused even the West Desolate King feel apprehensive and he had to tolerate them. He shook his head as a bitter smile appeared on his face. Previously, he had spoken so directly in front of Yun Qing, but now, he only embarrassed himself.

This made Qin Yu feel awkward. However, he took a deep breath and suppressed these emotions.

He thought about it before standing up to walk out. He appeared in the residence of Yun Qing and her maid.

“Greetings Marquis!”

A group of servants rushed to greet him.

Yun Qing and Yun Die were amongst them.

Qin Yu waved his hand, “Leave.”

The servants left and only the two master and servant pair were left looking at Marquis Chongwu in the bright living room. They felt apprehensive.

Qin Yu smiled wryly, “Yun Qing, I am temporarily unable to deal with the people that almost killed you. But I promise you that I will remember this and give you an explanation.”

Yun Qing greeted and said seriously, “Marquis, there is no need. I already mentioned that I am fine and there is no need to dig up the past.”

Yun Die lowered her head and did not say anything. Disappointment flashed through her eyes and a hint of contempt could be seen within them.

All men in this world only knew how to talk. They talked extravagantly and make people believe them, but ultimately, they were useless and did not do what they said.

Qin Yu looked at her as his smile turned even more bitter, “The ones that attacked you are the Li Family from the West Desolate.” He thought about it and added, “The West Desolate Imperial Clan has the surname Zhou. However, the descendants of the imperial family have the surname Li, like Li Zhouyi.”

Yun Qing’s expression shifted and Yun Die could not help but look up. Shock was written over their faces.

The emperor was Zhou but the Imperial Clan descendants were Li…this had been a topic that was forbidden to be spoken about in the West Desolate. There were many people that lost their lives because of this topic in the past.

Although many years had passed and the restriction around this topic has been much more relaxed, there were very few people who dared to talk about this.

But anyone who knew about this had always been confused, and their confusion had never eased.

Though Qin Yu did not say much, his meaning was clear and this shocked the master and servant pair. Looking at them, Qin Yu laughed wryly, “I don’t have any need to lie to you both about this.”

Yun Qing bowed and her face was pale, “I believe everything you say! So please don’t dig any deeper into this!” She thought about how the person from the Li Family had disregarded even the Sixth Prince, Li Zhouyi.

If this were really the case, the Li Family was more powerful than the West Desolate Imperial Clan. There must be a lot of hidden information regarding this that withheld incredible power.

If not, they would not have been able to maintain their power until today.

Qin Yu nodded, “Don’t worry. I promise that I will not do anything to the Li Family for now. However, I will do what I promised you.”

He smiled gently, “From now on, I will protect you both and make sure you are safe.” Back in the Abyss, you did so much for me. Now, it is time for me to repay you.

Seeing how his presence made them feel uncomfortable, Qin Yu stood up to leave.

Yun Die looked timid. She suddenly looked up, “My Lady, Marquis Chongwu…” She did not know how to continue.

Yun Qing gave a wry smile, “I also do not know what to do.”

She was confused. She felt like she could trust and rely on him, but she could not understand why his attitude had changed so much.

Why?

……

The two Old Four Claws looked at each other in confusion. They could not understand why Marquis Chongwu, someone who had extremely high potential to go far, would treat this master and servant pair so differently.

This entire mansion was under their observation and they could see that both Yun Qing and Yun Die were just regular people.

In terms of appearance, they were quite pretty. However, as people who had lived in the Imperial Palace for a long time, they have come across numerous beauties.

These two were not the best.

Unless he was really the kind that got infatuated? If this were really the case, it might be a good thing for His Majesty.

They were silent for a while before one of them took out a green jade talisman and touched its surface. A few moments later, he flicked his finger.

‘Buzz’ the air around the jade talisman rippled before it disappeared.

As confidantes of His Majesty, they were his eyes and ears. Although they were stationed in Marquis Chongwu’s Mansion and were allowed to do what they wanted…they were ultimately His Majesty’s lackeys.