Chapter 106: The Dust Settles

“The sky... is truly so high...”

In the small courtyard, the rocking chair swayed gently as a clear breeze stirred waves of floral fragrance.

On the verdant grass, a babbling brook meandered, surrounded by lush trees; stones, ponds, and pavilions complemented each other in harmonious splendor. Blossoms bloomed like a splendid tapestry, accompanied by the faint melody of a distant zither. Everything was so dreamlike, so serene, it was intoxicating.

“Are you awake?”

On the braided wicker rocking chair, Liu Ying slightly turned her head, revealing a face of ethereal beauty, like a fairy in a dream.

She spoke with fascination, “Sister... is this truly the realm of immortals?”

Diao Chan smiled softly and sat beside Liu Ying. The rocking chair was large enough to comfortably seat two delicate beauties without crowding.

Her crimson lips parted, revealing the joy of survival after calamity: “Princess, do you remember what happened yesterday?”

Yesterday...

Liu Ying frowned, recalling the events briefly, a deep sorrow clouding her eyes.

With grief she said, “My younger sister’s fate was cruel; she perished at the hands of villains.”

“The princess has not died.”

Not dead...

Liu Ying suddenly jolted awake and instinctively reached into her bosom. Her face changed drastically — the imperial jade seal... was gone!

Without hesitation, she leapt from the rocking chair, lifting her skirt to dash toward the door.

“Princess, where are you going?” Diao Chan called after her.

Liu Ying turned slightly, gritting her teeth: “I will seek out that villain and demand justice!”

A faint trace of unnoticeable pity flashed across Diao Chan’s face. Today’s self was so much like yesterday’s Liu Ying.

If she had not long since accepted reality, she might have been even more shocked and furious than Liu Ying now.

To encounter such a treacherous scoundrel truly was a woman’s destined calamity...

“Princess, please remain calm.” Diao Chan extended her slender, pale finger to the surroundings. “Do you know where you are?”

Liu Ying paused.

If this was not the realm of immortals, then it must be the mortal world. Such a tranquil and elegant place must be the residence of some recluse with lofty ambitions.

“Please, young lady, do not withhold the truth. I owe my life’s rescue to your household, and I shall repay it in kind.”

“The Grand Tutor’s Mansion.”

Those three words came softly but bore down on Liu Ying’s heart like a heavy weight.

A mortal paradise...

The Grand Tutor’s Mansion...

She could hardly believe her ears. Two worlds so utterly different, yet absurdly intertwined?

The Grand Tutor’s Mansion! The den of demons! How dared the butcher of Xiliang, who despised the royal family and ruled with cruelty and slaughter, do this?

How could he turn the northern and southern palaces into hellish pits while he himself enjoyed such peacefulness?

Diao Chan sighed lightly and shook her head. From her bosom, she withdrew an imperial edict and gently unfolded it on the stone table before them.

“Princess, accept your fate...”

---

Startled, Liu Ying stepped forward to examine it and felt as if struck by thunder, dizzy and nearly unable to stand.

The emperor’s secret edict stripped her of her royal status, demoting her to commoner, and ordering her to be held and interrogated by Chen Cong, the steward of the lesser palace.

The handwriting was delicate yet distinctly immature—how could she not recognize it?

But she dared not acknowledge it...

Liu Xie was her only surviving family, her sole brother, the hope that kept her going.

Tears welled in her eyes, yet she still insisted, bitterly: “Traitor Chen has the nerve to coerce the emperor into issuing such an edict. Does he not fear dragging the royal clan into ruin?”

“The general likely fears nothing. But I must remind the princess: while inside this courtyard, others fear the general’s name and dare not approach. But if she steps outside this place...”

There was no need to finish the threat. As a princess, Liu Ying knew better than Diao Chan who the demon lord truly was.

In the devil’s den, she still had to rely on her enemy’s reputation for protection—there was no way forward or back.

Liu Ying slowly crouched down, burying her head in silent tears.

...

“Achoo!”

In the Jade Hall, a sudden sneeze caused the assembled ministers to furrow their brows in unison.

Even the smallest soldier dared to lose decorum before the throne?

They almost thought the sneeze came from the demon lord himself and nearly knelt in shock.

Alas...

Had they looked closer, more carefully, they would have seen beneath the standard armor of the Liang soldiers, behind the face-covering scarf, exactly who it was...

Chen Cong rubbed his nose and wiped the mucus on the back of his hand, then, with a look of contentment, reached into his bosom.

“Mandated by Heaven, long live eternal prosperity!”

The cold, sharp eight characters burned hotter than a maiden’s infatuated gaze!

He spent the entire previous night caressing them under the moonlight, and now, touching them again, fresh feelings arose.

It was just that the cold wind had made his nose itchy...

On the upper floor,

The demon lord cast a resentful glance toward Chen Cong, as if blaming him for stealing his thunder.

He exhaled a long breath.

Enough. This lad was kind enough to dine and attend court with him today—such filial behavior was commendable.

The key was, this youth swore by Heaven that the firstborn son of Lady Bai would take the surname Dong.

For this alone, Dong Zhuo could not bring himself to hate him.

He would be used again and again if need be.

After all, when no favors were granted before, Dong Zhuo the demon lord had been exploited by those of the Chen family no less.

After finishing the matter of relocating the capital, Dong Zhuo sheathed his long sword and pressed it to the ground.

He shouted fiercely: “Chen Cong, treacherous dog! Disloyal, unfilial, unkind, unjust, without harmony or respect! A great villain, without lord or father! Hated by men and dogs alike! Repeatedly deceiving me—acting as an assassin on behalf of my son-in-law—an outrage that offends gods and mortals! I can no longer tolerate this. I order all wise men in the realm to rise and kill him. Those who succeed will be rewarded with ten thousand gold pieces and titled marquises!”

---

Chen Cong looked up in surprise at Dong Zhuo.

Why not just say the verdict outright? All that endless nagging made one suspect Dong Zhuo was letting personal feelings show.

Dong Zhuo was still not satisfied after cursing and drew his sword, slashing the dragon-carved desk in two.

He cursed again: “Do not let me find out which pigs and dogs in court are colluding with him, or else, like this case!!!”

The court erupted in chaos.

All knelt bowed, crying out: “We dare not!”

Some rejoiced, some were shocked; some collapsed in sweat-soaked despair; others stammered silently, shrinking like quails.

Those unaware of the truth were glad.

After all, the infamous Chen Wudi neither defected to Dong Zhuo nor failed in his secret assassination attempts. No matter what, that was good news.

The timid were terrified.

They feared the demon lord might be stabbed by his son-in-law and lash out indiscriminately, dragging them into trouble for no reason.

Wang Yun collapsed onto the ground, and Liu Xie shrank his head.

These two feared the demon lord’s scrutiny above all else. If Dong Zhuo discovered their plots, their lives would be in grave danger.

Li Ru then stepped forward, bowing: “Grand Tutor, this defeat of the villain is thanks to Minister Wang’s timely report. He should be rewarded!”

Dong Zhuo’s face brightened as he strode down the grand steps and helped Wang Yun up.

“Excellent. Minister Wang is a true loyalist. To honor his loyalty, I shall promote him to Grand Preceptor. What says the emperor?”

Liu Xie’s face darkened as he stared at Wang Yun, finally forcing out through clenched teeth: “So be it, Grand Tutor.”

Shock, anger, sorrow, and indignation filled the air.

Former colleagues cast hateful glances, while the young emperor’s eyes blazed with resentment. Wang Yun knew he had taken the blame for the traitors, but when faced with Dong Zhuo’s predatory gaze, he wisely swallowed his words.

Often, the blunt simplicity of such schemes is hardest to refute.

You say you did not do it?

Then why do your enemies praise, honor, and reward you?

That was a Grand Preceptor, a position above the Three Dukes!

How many could live to be so ennobled?

Moreover, Wang Yun dared not argue.

How could he? To openly say before Dong Zhuo that he wished to slay both Dong and Chen?

If he had such backbone, he would not be standing in court today.

For all with such backbone were long since slain by Dong Zhuo the demon lord.

Those remaining, regardless of allegiance, shared one trait—an instinct for self-preservation.

Chen Cong smiled faintly, quietly hiding his achievements.

If he remained silent, who would know that Wang Yun’s title of Grand Preceptor was exchanged for the future son’s surname?