“Have all the elders left?” Qingwu asked softly.
At the mention of them, Qing Yuan’s expression darkened further. “They’re gone!”
“Father, are you angry with someone?” Qingwu frowned.
“It’s none other than those old fools Shouyang and Jieda!” Qing Yuan snapped.
Qingwu’s eyes flickered slightly as she smiled. “Father, did you summon those uncles here because of the Flower Queen again?”
“Ah!” Qing Yuan sighed. “If the Flower Queen isn’t removed, it will be very difficult for you and your sister to enter the palace and serve the king!”
A faint blush spread across Qingwu’s fair cheeks as she thought of that majestic, handsome man. Her heart couldn’t help but flutter, and her shimmering gaze seemed to melt into a pool of spring water.
“Father,” she said softly, “there’s something I’m not sure if I should say.”
“Speak.”
“Father, you’ve been too eager for quick success lately.” Qingwu spoke earnestly, watching Qing Yuan’s expression for any displeasure before continuing, “Some things don’t require your direct involvement. It’s enough to subtly guide them toward the outcome we desire.
If you want the uncles to despise the Flower Queen and then find a way to remove her from His Majesty’s side, you don’t need to step forward yourself.”
“Do you have a good idea, Wu’er?” Qing Yuan’s eyes brightened. His eldest daughter had always been steady and reliable. Compared to Qing Mei’er, Wu’er was the one who gave him the least trouble. But precisely because she was so dependable, he had poured more attention and affection into the mischievous and lively Qing Mei’er.
Originally, he had intended to send Qing Mei’er into the palace to accompany Cang Yan. But after the incident at the Beast King’s Palace, he had begun to feel somewhat disappointed in her. Now, seeing his eldest daughter’s composed demeanor, he started to think that sending Qingwu into the palace might bring him far greater benefits than sending Qing Mei’er.
If he could first arrange for Wu’er to enter the palace and then find a suitable opportunity to bring Qing Mei’er in as well, with Wu’er’s guidance, Mei’er would surely thrive in the palace. Together, his two daughters could help him reap the greatest rewards from Cang Yan.
But the prerequisite for all of this was removing the Flower Queen, Yun Qingxue!
“Father,” Qingwu said thoughtfully, “instead of personally inciting the uncles, why not devise a way to make the Flower Queen commit a few detestable acts? That way, the uncles will naturally grow to despise her. A woman who’s all beauty and no substance might captivate His Majesty for a time, but eventually, he’ll tire of her!”
“That makes some sense,” Qing Yuan murmured, then frowned. “But we’ve had little contact with the Flower Queen. It’s hard to predict what kind of trap would lure her in.”
“Father, have you forgotten those people in the palace? Over the years, you’ve given them no small amount of benefits. As the saying goes, ‘Train an army for a thousand days to use it in one battle.’ It’s time for them to repay our Qing family!”
Qingwu smiled enchantingly.
After a moment’s thought, Qing Yuan laughed. “Good! I’ll find a way to contact our people in the palace and have them arrange for the Flower Queen to make some unforgivable mistakes as soon as possible!”
Qingwu smiled. “Then I’ll take my leave now.”
“Wu’er,” Qing Yuan called after her, his eyes filled with approval. “Once this is done, I’ll arrange for you to enter the Longevity Palace to serve the king. Are you willing?”
Qingwu’s face flushed with a maiden’s shy charm, her voice soft and melodious. “As Father commands, Wu’er is willing to dedicate herself to our Qing family and our fox clan.”
“Excellent! Haha!” Qing Yuan laughed heartily, waving her off affectionately. “It’s getting late. Go rest, Wu’er.”
“Your daughter takes her leave.” Qingwu curtsied gracefully before turning and walking away.
As the sound of footsteps faded behind her, Qingwu knew Qing Yuan was already rushing to contact their spies in the Beast King’s Palace. A bewitching smile curled her lips.
She had thought it would take great effort to change her father’s mind about sending Qing Mei’er into the palace. But to her surprise, things had progressed so smoothly!
She had easily won her father’s favor and trust, allowing her to replace Qing Mei’er.
Now, all that remained was to scheme the beautiful Flower Queen away from His Majesty’s side. Then, she could find an opportunity to have her father arrange for her to enter the palace.
As for the Flower Queen? She was nothing more than a famous fool of the Xuanling Continent. What did it matter how beautiful she was?
No one—no one—could stop her from marrying Cang Yan, the man who had dwelled in her heart for so many years!
The night breeze whispered softly, but the Beast King’s Palace was far from peaceful tonight.
In the imperial garden, Feng Zihuang looked up at the still-clashing figures of Jin Lin and Cang Yan. The two had been fighting for an entire day without a clear victor. It seemed the former White Tiger King’s usurpation by the current Wolf King, Cang Yan, hadn’t been without reason!
In the Beast King’s Palace, Yun Qingxue dismissed Xiao Yao and Xiao Ling on the pretext of exhaustion, sitting calmly in a chair as she waited. She was waiting for the golden-eyed girl who had promised to return.
If she wasn’t mistaken, that girl was likely connected to the former Beast King. After Cang Yan’s successful coup, he had executed the previous ruler. Knowing his fate was sealed, the former king had sent his most trusted followers to escort his only daughter out of the palace at all costs.
With Cang Yan’s rise, the entire tiger clan had been demoted and exiled to the most desolate lands, while the wolf clan, as Cang Yan’s kin, ascended to become the most noble race among the beasts.
Since then, the tigers and wolves had become sworn enemies. But with Cang Yan’s overwhelming power, the tigers could only suppress their hatred and bide their time.
To Yun Qingxue, this patience was nothing more than preparation. She had no doubt that when the time was ripe, the tiger clan would strike back against Cang Yan with full force!
Thus, the ones who hated Cang Yan the most in the beast realm were the tigers—especially the daughter of the former king. And if Yun Qingxue married Cang Yan, his power would expand even further with the support of the flower and wood clans.
The ones who least wanted Cang Yan’s influence to grow were undoubtedly the tigers. The stronger he became, the slimmer their chances of reclaiming their former glory.
All of this, Yun Qingxue had deduced after reading the “Xuanling Chronicles” given to her by Feng Zihuang.
The golden-eyed girl had risked everything to sneak back into the dangerous Beast King’s Palace, only to agree to cooperate with her after being stunned by the sudden protective light that had emerged from Yun Qingxue’s body. The girl realized she couldn’t kill her but couldn’t bear to watch Cang Yan marry her either. So…
Even if Yun Qingxue had changed her residence, the girl would find a way to reach her.
The window remained open, and the night breeze drifted in, lifting the gauzy curtains into a gentle dance.
P.S.: Thank you to Smiling Jiajia for the fragrant sachet reward and to Account Password Table for the peace talisman reward. Thank you all for your support! With your encouragement and care, Shaohua is very happy. Group hugs! o(n_n)o
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