Chapter 175: Brother and Sister Reunite
The captain of the city guard gave a cold snort and gestured with his hand.
The guards immediately split into two lines, leaving a clear path in the middle.
Ji Changming strode forward proudly. As he passed by the captain, he suddenly halted and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear. "Today's matter—I will remember it."
The captain's expression remained unchanged as he replied quietly, "Please also remember this—within Immortal Spirit City, there is only the City Lord. There are no kings here."
Their eyes met in the air, clashing with invisible sparks.
Finally, Ji Changming gave a cold laugh, flung his sleeve, and walked away. Yang Hong followed closely behind, giving the captain a meaningful look as he passed.
Under the "escort" of the city guards, their group slowly proceeded toward the City Lord's Mansion.
On both sides of the street, the watching townsfolk whispered among themselves, some even pointing fingers. Ji Changming's expression was dark as ink, but he restrained himself from further outburst.
…
Before the City Lord's Mansion, Ji Changming looked up at the grand and majestic complex, his expression growing gloomier.
The crimson gates were studded with gilded bronze nails, stone lions flanking either side in solemn dignity. The eaves curved upward with elegant spirit patterns faintly glowing, hinting at formation energy. The entire mansion radiated authority, rivaling even the side halls of the former Great Zhou imperial palace.
"What a fine act of hiding one's brilliance," Ji Changming sneered inwardly.
He had once thought Ji Lingxiu had long withdrawn from the struggle for the throne, her years of silence proof of her disinterest. But now, it was clear she had never given up—on the contrary, she had been building her strength in secret, turning Immortal Spirit City into a force of such scale!
"If she gains command of the remaining Imperial Guards…"
His gaze turned sinister, his desire to seize both the army and the city burning stronger than ever.
Fortunately, he had heard that she had quarreled with her betrothed ten years ago.
He felt a dark satisfaction—had Ji Lingxiu still possessed the support of the Lingtian Army, his brothers' infighting might have only helped this wretched woman reap the ultimate benefit.
"She must be subdued quickly," he thought grimly.
Suppressing the violent urges in his chest, he drew a deep breath and stepped into the mansion.
…
Inside the grand hall, Ji Lingxiu sat calmly upon the main seat. She wore a plain white dress, her hair held by a single white jade hairpin—cold and pure as frost.
Ten years had passed, yet her beauty had only deepened. Her brows were delicate, her skin pale as snow, her phoenix eyes distant and serene, carrying the natural grace and authority of one born to rule.
"Brother Changming, it has been a long time," she said evenly, her tone cool—neither warm nor hostile, merely polite, as though addressing a guest of little consequence.
Ji Changming's heart stirred slightly. His gaze lingered on her face, and suddenly he realized—
This wretched woman… was strikingly beautiful.
If he could use her beauty, he might even draw a Heaven Realm expert to his side.
He concealed his scheming thoughts beneath a gentle smile. "Lingxiu, ten years apart, and you've only grown more graceful."
Ji Lingxiu's lips curved faintly, but her smile never reached her eyes. "Brother Changming flatters me."
She had already seen the greed and calculation in his gaze, and a cold sneer flickered in her heart.
This fool was still as useless as ever—mud that could never be shaped into anything worthwhile.
No wonder he had been the first to be cast out of contention.
As Ji Lingxiu looked at Ji Changming's insincere smile, her mind drifted back ten years.
Her mother, Consort Xiao, had once been the late Emperor's most beloved consort.
Consort Xiao was born into a humble family but possessed extraordinary talent. Entering the palace at sixteen, she was named Noble Consort by twenty—second only to the Empress herself.
She was serene and gentle, never one to fight or scheme, yet her favor earned her countless enemies.
Ji Changming's mother, Consort Yang—the legitimate daughter of the Yang clan, supported by the mighty Southern Army—was among the most vicious.
Consort Yang, jealous and ruthless, had plotted against Consort Xiao many times, even poisoning her while pregnant, nearly killing Ji Lingxiu before birth.
Even Consort Xiao's mysterious death years later likely bore that woman's hand.
"—Wretched woman! Did you think the Emperor's favor would keep you safe forever?"
"—The Yang family has been a house of generals for generations. How could a peasant-born woman ever compare?"
Though years had passed, Consort Yang's words still echoed in Ji Lingxiu's mind.
"Lingxiu, remember this…"
"The deadliest thing in this world is not a blade or a sword—but the human heart."
Her mother's final words remained etched in Ji Lingxiu's memory.
And now, as Ji Changming stood before her, eyes filled with calculation and deceit, she saw once more the shadow of Consort Yang.
"Truly… still no progress at all."
Ji Lingxiu sneered inwardly. But now, she was no longer that helpless princess who had lived in splendor yet walked on thin ice within the palace walls.
Lifting her gaze, she looked toward Ji Changming and smiled faintly. "Brother Changming has come from afar; you must be weary. Why not rest for a while first? Tonight, I shall host a banquet in your honor."
Ji Changming was momentarily startled, then laughed warmly. "Very well, very well."
He thought she had finally yielded.
The corners of Ji Lingxiu's lips lifted slightly as she clapped her hands. Two maids dressed in pale azure robes entered through the side door and bowed respectfully.
"Arrange the East Wing Pavilion for my brother to rest," she said coolly, though her gaze carried a subtle depth. "The banquet will be held tonight at the third quarter of You hour, in the Hundred Flowers Hall."
A glint of satisfaction flashed in Ji Changming's eyes. He clasped his hands with a smile. "Then I shall respectfully accept, Sister Lingxiu."
Once the maids led Ji Changming and his entourage away, Ji Lingxiu stood still, watching their departing figures. She twined a lock of hair between her fingers, her eyes flickering with a shadowed light.
…
Inside the East Wing Pavilion, Ji Changming entered the room and immediately set up a soundproofing formation.
He turned toward Yang Hong, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Well? Can you sense any danger in this place?"
Yang Hong closed his eyes, extending his divine sense like a spreading tide. After a long moment, he slowly opened them and shook his head. "Within the entire City Lord's Mansion, there is no presence of anyone at our level."
"Hahaha!" Ji Changming burst out laughing, waving his sleeve grandly. "Just as I thought! That wretched woman is merely bluffing! Those city guards' formations must be nothing more than tricks taught by that old fool!"
He began pacing around the hall, his gilded boots thudding against the floor. "Had I known, we should have—"
Before he could finish, steady footsteps sounded from beyond the door.
Yang Hong's expression hardened as his hand moved to his sword hilt.
Creak— The door swung open, revealing an elderly general with white hair, his hands clasped behind his back.
"General… General Meng?" Ji Changming's smile froze instantly.
Meng Kuo did not bow. He merely stood silently on the threshold.
Though he now wore plain cloth instead of the armor of the Imperial Guards, the aura of a veteran of a hundred battles still radiated from him, oppressive and sharp.
Ji Changming quickly masked his discomfort, forcing a genial smile as he stepped forward. "Ten years have passed, and yet the old general remains as dignified as ever! It was you who once taught me riding and archery, lessons I have never forgotten—"
"Prince Changming," Meng Kuo interrupted calmly. "With my current identity, I should not be here to see you at all."
The prince frowned slightly. "What do you mean by that, General?"
"I came only because I once received the late Emperor's grace," Meng Kuo said, his tone solemn. "I cannot bear to see the royal bloodline destroy itself."
The air in the room grew cold and heavy.
Ji Changming's smile slowly faded, his eyes turning sharp and dark. "So, old general, you intend to side with Ji Lingxiu?"
Meng Kuo sighed deeply. "The Imperial Guards… no longer exist. I am but an ordinary man now."
"Why!" Ji Changming roared, striking the sandalwood table beside him into splinters. "What has she given you? In strength, in title, what am I lacking compared to that vile woman?!"
A flicker of sorrow crossed Meng Kuo's cloudy eyes, but it soon faded into calm resignation.
He turned to leave, pausing at the doorway. "Your Highness, leave Immortal Spirit City while you still can. That is my final piece of advice."
As the old general's stooped figure disappeared into the corridor, Ji Changming hurled his jade teacup to the ground, shattering it into fragments.
"Old bastard!" He snarled, veins bulging at his temples as he turned to glare at Yang Hong. "How certain are you of success tonight?"
Yang Hong did not answer immediately. He walked to the window, gazing at the lights that shimmered across the cityscape, his voice low and measured.
"Be at ease, Your Highness…" His fingers brushed lightly across his sword hilt. "By the end of tonight's banquet—everything will be clear."
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