Chapter 1871: 1859: Qi Le’s Unusual Traits

Chapter 1871: Chapter 1859: Qi Le’s Unusual Traits

Upon hearing this, Wang Yongzhu was genuinely perplexed.

What does the Emperor mean by this? Did he send Bi Zhu to assist Qi Le in seizing power in the grasslands?

Since that’s the case, why did he still want me to find Bi Zhu? Back then, he only instructed me to locate Bi Zhu and show her the Gold Medal?

Is it to see if Bi Zhu is still alive? Or is it to check how well Bi Zhu has been doing in her assisting work?

If you think about it this way, does the Emperor truly love Qi Le? For her, he sent the woman who loves him to help her!

Following this line of thought, it’s all quite heartbreaking!

Bi Zhu is truly pitiful! She fell in love with someone she shouldn’t have, and for him, not only has she become the maid to his beloved woman, but she also sacrifices herself for the sake of the power struggle of his beloved woman!

Thinking so, Wang Yongzhu looked at Bi Zhu with a touch more sympathy.

Bi Zhu saw Wang Yongzhu’s softened expression and thought it was praise from the Emissary for her satisfactory work.

Therefore, she was even more invigorated: “From the time Bi Zhu received the master’s order until now, it’s been nearly thirty years; now finally being able to report to the master that Bi Zhu has not disgraced the mission!”

Wang Yongzhu’s brow twitched, realizing the real drama was starting! He immediately sat up straight, gazing at Bi Zhu.

Bi Zhu wore a smile on her face, appearing friendly to outsiders, conversing jovially with Wang Yongzhu.

Yet, little did others know that what they discussed were matters that concerned two great nations, which would undoubtedly shock anyone who overheard.

Strangely though, the pair seemed to be discussing casual topics, with no hint of their true solemn expressions leaking through.

“Nearly thirty years, Bi Zhu finally gained the trust of Queen Ah Lan, often accompanying her in the palace and handling some tasks for her…”

Though Bi Zhu spoke lightly, Wang Yongzhu could vividly imagine the perilous storms beneath.

Once merely a Noble Patron’s plaything, Glazed Ji has now become a significant figure in the Grasslands King’s Court; one wonders whose fortune and whose misfortune that is?

Yet the subsequent words from Bi Zhu shocked even the commonly poised Wang Yongzhu, spilling the tea in her hand onto her skirt.

She quickly regained her composure, mentally contacting Chen Xing.

Instructing Chen Xing to completely soundproof the hall, ensuring no sound escapes outside.

Since last communicating with Wang Yongzhu, Chen Xing has been abiding by her arrangement and remained on standby; upon hearing Wang Yongzhu’s request at this moment, he unhesitantly shielded the surroundings of the hall.

“For nearly thirty years, Bi Zhu discovered several anomalies about Queen Ah Lan: First, Queen Ah Lan’s Soul Capturing Technique is particularly effective on men, seemingly having a lesser impact on women. Moreover, the higher the power, the weaker the technique’s effect.”

“The King of the Grasslands was initially likely influenced by Queen Ah Lan’s Soul Capturing Technique, though over the years, the King has likely deepened his guard against Queen Ah Lan…”

In Bi Zhu’s depiction, when Qi Le first entered the grasslands, the King raised her as his inner moon, cherishing her like a beloved treasure. Even though she couldn’t bear children, he still promoted Qi Le as Queen Ah Lan over the other queens.

He even delegated some of his power to Qi Le, securing her position as Queen Ah Lan.

But in recent years, Bi Zhu has sensed a rift growing between Qi Le and the King of the Grasslands, though outsiders perceive them as just as favored as ever.

Yet, being someone who has navigated the political whirlpool of the Grasslands King’s Court for years, equipped with feminine attentiveness, she noticed the King seems to have gradually shifted favor towards other queens and their offspring over recent years.

Especially this time, when the Fourth Queen gave birth to a little prince—an ally of Qi Le—despite being heavily guarded, was still poisoned, which was exceedingly peculiar.

This little prince was surrounded by numerous skilled, loyal guards, mostly from Qi Le’s faction.

To have bypassed Qi Le’s personnel and targeted the little prince, then rumors surfaced claiming Qi Le poorly managed the rear palace of the Grassland King.

This undeniably warranted her vigilance! Previously, the King of the Grasslands wouldn’t allow any negative rumors about Qi Le.

Thus, during this period, taking advantage of Bayar’s disappearance as an excuse, she secluded at home to recuperate, partly avoiding getting engulfed and partly to observe what was truly unfolding.

Initially, she assumed Qi Le must have noticed these discrepancies, yet after several tests, it appeared as though Qi Le was oblivious.

Qi Le, throughout the years, commanded high authority, having control over much of the Grasslands King’s Court, despite not being entirely arrogant, she was quite authoritative.

She consistently held herself in high regard, disregarded others, coupled with her decades of astute actions, therefore really no one dared point anything out, not even Bi Zhu who has been a close confidant for nearly thirty years.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yongzhu was slightly relieved, this indicates Qi Le’s Soul Capturing Technique has flaws? Though not entirely believable, it’s worth attempting.

Then hearing Bi Zhu address the second anomaly, states that every three years, Qi Le takes a troop fully controlled by her Soul Capturing Technique and leaves the Grasslands Royal City, for as long as two months or as short as a month and a half.

During this time, Bi Zhu needs to provide cover, usually under the pretext of a pilgrimage to the heavens.

Then claiming she’s fasting, stays indoors, and doesn’t meet anyone outside. Outside guards are staunch followers of Qi Le, with Bi Zhu inside, providing external cover.

Previously when she returned, Qi Le didn’t say much, but seemed to be in a poor mood.

Yet, the last two times she returned, her mood noticeably improved, even inadvertently revealing: “…Soon, very soon, I can return!” such words.

Though Bi Zhu doesn’t comprehend what this returning signifies, it’s evident Qi Le values it highly.

Bi Zhu once courageously tried, after Qi Le took that troop out, sent someone to observe from afar, not daring to approach closely.

She discovered Qi Le was heading towards the direction of Great Chu, but afterward, fearing detection, dared not pursue further.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yongzhu’s heart stirred, and he inquired, “Is that direction near Yunzhong County?”

Bi Zhu was not quite certain, so Wang Yongzhu dipped her finger in tea and made rough marks on the table indicating the rough location.

After pondering a bit, Bi Zhu nodded: “That direction should be correct. How does the Emissary know?”

Wang Yongzhu waved her hand: “Continue.”

Bi Zhu then continued on, the third anomaly is that Qi Le has maintained her youthful appearance over nearly thirty years.

Simply put, almost thirty years on, she hasn’t aged, nor undergone any change.

Even for an exceptionally beautiful woman, despite proper maintenance, time inevitably leaves traces.

But on Qi Le, none is visible! Those men, possibly under Qi Le’s Soul Capturing’s control and influence, completely overlooked.

Or perhaps bewitched by her beauty, forgetting everything else.

Yet the maids serving beside her day in and out naturally sensed something strange.

Once among the maids there were whispers about Queen Ah Lan’s agelessness, afterward these maids were all replaced, arguably meeting grim fates.

Later on, every decade Qi Le would replace her maids by stating they were given gold and silver jewels, sent home to marry.

In reality, none was ever seen again!