Hou Ye's palm heart is a black lotus

Chapter 808 Half a Jade Disc (First Update)
Xun Cheng laughed, "Actually, Miss Ye said the same thing. It seems you two are indeed close friends, even your judgment of people is so similar. But I also find it strange, why do you think I resemble him? No one else has ever said that."

“It’s true!” Princess Qinyang said. “I met Shui Xingqiu a few years ago when he was still young and looked a lot like you! But… now that he’s grown up, he doesn’t look so much like you anymore.”

She wouldn't have said that if it weren't for the lingering memories in her mind.

“He’s quite handsome.” Princess Qinyang stroked her chin.

"Is that so?" Xun Cheng suddenly asked, "That's what you think?"

Princess Qinyang didn't notice the subtle change in his tone and shrugged. "Yes! It's not just me. Everyone in the capital who has seen him says the same thing. But he's just too beautiful, even a bit too effeminate. I think he wasn't as good-looking as he was when he was a child."

Long Jiu, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but chime in, "Does the princess mean that my young master is better looking?"

Xun Cheng glanced at him indifferently, and Long Jiu, realizing he had misspoke, scratched his head in embarrassment.

"No, no, that's not what I meant..."

“Yes!” Princess Qinyang nodded frankly, her eyes bright. “I just think that Young Master Xun is superior to him in both appearance and temperament!”

Her facial features are secondary; what's truly remarkable is her gentle and approachable aura that emanates from within, which is incredibly rare.

Princess Qinyang had seen countless people and had dealt with many princes and nobles, yet Xun Cheng still managed to rank among them.

Xun Cheng had done her a great favor, so her words of praise were perfectly natural.

Long Jiu chuckled again upon hearing this.

Xun Cheng coughed lightly, changing the subject, "You just said, how is the Shui family?"

Seeing that he did not intend to avoid Princess Qinyang, Long Jiu hesitated for only a second before speaking frankly, "Replying to your question, young master, Shui Xingqiu has colluded with foreign enemies to plot a rebellion and has been imprisoned in a death row cell. He will be executed soon."

"What!?"

Princess Qinyang was shocked and speechless. Realizing her loss of composure, she quickly covered her mouth, but she still couldn't suppress her curiosity and awe.

"You mean, Shui Xingqiu—how is that possible? He's the head of the Shui family! What could he possibly be thinking to do something like this!?"

He was already second only to the emperor in Nanhu, so to rebel... wouldn't that be courting death?

Xun Cheng, however, did not seem surprised. He pondered for a moment and said, "He is largely to blame for the death of Prince Su. The Southern Hu suffered great losses this time in Ping Shui Bay, and he was undoubtedly behind it all. Regardless of whether he had any intention of treason, the Southern Hu will not tolerate him."

However, it was still faster than he had expected.

It seems that Tuoba Shan had long been fed up with him.

"Yes. The Shui family was also implicated this time. I heard that their property has been confiscated, and more than a hundred people, from top to bottom, have been arrested and imprisoned."

These people won't fare much better.

Princess Qinyang was still incredulous, muttering, "You're right, but... the Shui family's power is deeply entrenched and not easily shaken, yet this time..."

"No matter how powerful a powerful family is, can it be stronger than the one above?"

After Tuoba Shan ascended to the throne, he had been trying to balance the relationships between the various families, intending to proceed gradually. However, Prince Su suddenly died, and after suffering such a defeat, he could no longer tolerate it.

"Then..." Princess Qinyang came to her senses, her heart filled with joy, and asked with great interest, "And who is the external enemy that Shui Xingqiu is colluding with?"

Long Jiu paused for a moment, then said, "The missing fourth prince, Xiao Chenglin."

……

"waste!"

Inside the tent, a man dressed in a black brocade robe embroidered with a four-clawed golden dragon spoke in an extremely cold tone.

Although the silver mask obscured his face, his narrow, sharp eyes still sent chills down one's spine.

The people inside the tent all knelt down!

"Your Highness, please calm your anger!"

Who would have thought that while we were locked in a fierce battle with the King of Yan, such a mess would happen on the Nanhu side!
"Your Highness, Shui Xingqiu has fallen. Tuoba Shan is determined to deal with the Shui family and is unlikely to send troops again anytime soon. Feng Cheng and the others can not only breathe a sigh of relief, but may even send reinforcements to support the Prince of Yannan! We must prepare as soon as possible!" The man's gaze was like a knife, sweeping over the general who spoke. "Are you telling me how to do things?"

The man immediately pressed his head to the ground, his voice trembling, "Your humble servant dares not!"

The rest of the people remained silent, trembling with fear.

"Get out!" the man shouted angrily.

The group dared not say anything more and quickly withdrew.

The tent finally quieted down.

The man closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

He truly hadn't expected things to develop to this point.

Shui Xingqiu is so useless!
It's obvious without even thinking that they were set up.

Tuoba Shan was cautious in his actions, and the Shui family had deep roots. If someone hadn't presented irrefutable evidence, things would never have progressed so quickly.

But... who is it? Who possesses such supernatural powers?
He thought about it for a long time but still couldn't figure it out, and his headache only got worse.

Li Huaiqing is more troublesome than expected. If Feng Cheng is added to the mix, he will become a victim of their swords before even entering the capital!
He couldn't continue entangled with Li Huaiqing... His eyes gradually hardened.

The only option now is to head to the capital at full speed!

When the time comes, as long as he reveals his identity, he will be able to command a large following!
He didn't take the city's garrison seriously at all, since he had an internal city defense map and could easily know the daily patrol situation.

The only troublesome thing... is Shen Yanchuan's Black Cavalry Guards.

Shen Yanchuan is already investigating him.

If Shen Yanchuan were to beat him to it and expose all his informants, then his years of planning would be destroyed in an instant.

Therefore, he must hurry and get to Beijing as soon as possible!
"Your Highness?" the guard asked cautiously outside the tent. "The patrolling soldiers arrested a man who says he wants to see you."

A hint of impatient murderous intent flashed in the man's eyes as his thoughts were interrupted.

"With layers of defenses, how could outsiders still break in? What were they all doing?! Whoever it is, kill them on sight!"

The guard didn't act immediately. Instead, he lowered his voice and said hesitantly, "But...but that person has your token on him, this..."

Keepsake?

He's been hiding his identity all this time, so where did he get the token?

Suddenly, his expression changed.

"What token!?"

"Your Highness, he said it was half a jade disc."

The man suddenly stood up!

"Bring it in immediately!"

Soon, a man was brought in, bound hand and foot.

He was unable to move, but upon closer inspection, he was still somewhat different from ordinary people.

—His legs were fake!

Their eyes met, and the atmosphere inside the tent froze.

After everyone else had left, he stared intently at the other person and finally spoke.

"...You're still alive?!"

The bound man smiled, but said,
"If I were to die, who in this world could verify Your Highness's identity?"