Chapter 1646: Started

Chapter 1630: It Begins

Even without concrete proof, if King Yao harbored suspicions, Qingyang's planned operation would face unprecedented resistance!

Many of her arrangements would become useless.

The success of this operation hinged on King Yao's trust in Bai Tan. Bai Tan himself had spent nearly twenty years cultivating an image of staunch royalism and unwavering loyalty; any crack in this facade would undo all his past efforts!

It could be said that from the moment King Yao dispatched his palace guards to arrest Shi Songwei, Bai Tan was in danger of being exposed. Regardless of whether the Shi family members were captured or implicated him, he could only face two outcomes: either the uprising would succeed, overthrowing King Yao; or he would be suspected by King Yao, imprisoned, and ultimately implicate Qingyang.

"However, the Shi brothers' network is complex, and as King Yao's loyal subject, Bai Tan would likely be suspected last," Qingyang thought clearly. "We are already fully prepared. Now, while King Yao is distracted and confused, we must act immediately!"

Bai Tan's conduct over the years had even earned the approval of the obstinate and suspicious King Yao. Not long ago, he even eagerly purchased a prime spot in the Youhu Villa retreat, effectively presenting King Yao with a significant "pledge of allegiance"!

Those tens of thousands of taels of silver certainly did the trick.

Furthermore, his recent excellent performance in suppressing a refugee rebellion had earned him further commendation from King Yao.

It would take King Yao much longer to suspect him.

This was a classic case of a "blind spot."

Qingyang had to seize this window of opportunity and launch a decisive attack!

Otherwise, the moment would pass, and it would be too late.

In fact, the best chance for the uprising was the night of the Emperor's Dew. However, King Yao was already suspicious of her, and in any case, she wouldn't be able to exploit that night's opportune timing. It was better to simply act a few days earlier and deal with him directly!

The water mirror displayed only one word: "Good!" Then, it reverted to a normal mirror surface, and the mist vanished.

Yuan Xuan whispered, "Chief Envoy Bai hasn't returned yet."

The plan had been suddenly moved up, and Bai Ziqi wouldn't have time to rush back to Tianshui City.

Qingyang sneered, "Why wait for him? He Xiao is no longer important."

The most crucial thing was for her plan to be put into action!

Yuan Xuan hesitated, but Qingyang noticed and said, "Speak."

"You once asked me to keep an eye on the market for Selfheal. I just received feedback that no one in the townships and counties surrounding Mang Province has been buying Selfheal in large quantities. The output of Selfheal in that area is also very small; no herbalists cultivate it specifically, it's only collected sporadically in the wild," Yuan Xuan paused. "I also sent people to investigate the places where Emperor Jiuyou appeared earlier, and there are no records of this herb."

Qingyang hummed, "It seems it's not a snail toad."

After all, Yao State was not Begal, lacking its vast array of natural resources and extensive vertical specialization. In Begal, many rare herbs could be widely cultivated, but in Yao State, they could only be gathered in the wild, making their yield very unstable.

So, how exactly did He Xiao's subordinates manage to kill the Crimson Abode Master's "flipping skin"? Would such a thing open its mouth to take explosives?

As she thought about this, another question flashed in her mind: What role had He Xiao played in this recent series of events? Had he secretly caused trouble again?

Qingyang pressed her forehead.

Whenever she thought of He Xiao, she tended to get distracted.

No, her attention had to be focused on her grand undertaking; she couldn't afford to be concerned with this individual.

No matter who He Xiao was or what he had done, Bai Ziqi would deal with him later.

She only needed to complete the mission entrusted to her by the Emperor and the Gods!

"The plan is initiated," she told Yuan Xuan. "Prepare the carriage! Go invite the envoy."

Youhu Lodge was very large; it took over fifteen minutes to drive from her quarters to the main entrance of the estate.

The Youhu Villa opposite had already halted construction; the south bank of Youhu Lake was now a half-finished, chaotic construction site.

However, the villa's main gate and primary road had been completed. As a "face project," they had to be splendid and exquisite, featuring small hills, a lake, flowers and trees, and forests, always abundant with fish, insects, birds, and beasts.

Soon, Qingyang, the Acting Regent's carriage, slowly approached the exit, preparing to leave through the estate's main gate, with guards on horseback accompanying it.

Outside the gate, there was only a flagstone path, which stretched for over a hundred *zhang* before connecting to the main road.

Sharing Qingyang's carriage was an envoy from Begal.

Every two or three years, Begal would dispatch envoys to Yao State for routine visits, traveling thousands of miles to exchange goods and information.

Due to the vast distance and arduous journey, envoys who completed this trip and returned home were often rewarded with promotions. Thus, countless officials in Lingxu City hoped to travel across the oceans to gain this gilded resume.

The official circles in Lingxu City were also very competitive.

The special envoy from Begal this time, surnamed Wu, had just arrived in Tianshui City two days prior and had first come to pay respects to the old National Preceptor, while also applying to the Ministry of Rites for an audience with King Yao.

Given the relationship between Yao State and Begal, this was not overstepping.

Since Qingyang was heading into Tianshui City anyway, she invited Special Envoy Wu to ride in her carriage and travel together. Special Envoy Wu's dozen or so personal guards also rode alongside the Qingyang guards on horseback, flanking the carriage.

The two conversed pleasantly in the carriage.

This Special Envoy Wu was the nephew of the Empress Dowager of Qu State and had studied at the Imperial Academy in Lingxu City for three years. Afterward, he remained in Lingxu City to begin his official career, a fortunate one among countless scholars.

Qingyang was reserved and gentle, speaking courteously, which greatly flattered Special Envoy Wu.

During his time in Lingxu City, he had only seen National Preceptor Qingyang from afar once and had never interacted with her. However, he had heard that this old National Preceptor was of noble status, imposing, and arrogant, to the extent that a ruler from a smaller state had once personally come to visit but waited seven days without being granted an audience.

Now that she was Acting Regent in Yao State, her behavior seemed to contradict the rumors.

"How has the Emperor been recently?" Qingyang gazed at the scenery outside the window; those familiar with her would know this was a sign of her absentmindedness.

She was contemplating the aftermath and cleanup issues after tonight.

Yao State and Begal had always maintained intricate connections. Many young scions from prominent families in Yao State studied in Lingxu City, and upon returning home to enter officialdom, they understood Begal's might. Some even had family assets invested in Begal, fostering a profound reverence for Qingyang, who represented Begal's power.

Even though King Yao had used the Youhu Villa and Tianshui East Expansion projects to effectively bind most officials to his cause, the noble officials were still unwilling to offend Begal, and she held many leverages over them.

Therefore, many noble officials in Yao State still served her, openly or secretly.

Consequently, Qingyang's control over the situation in Tianshui City far exceeded what outsiders imagined.

To the Yao Royal Court, she was no longer an "outsider."

So, once tonight's inevitable chaos passed, how much influence would she gain in Yao State and Tianshui City?

At that time, the Goddess would certainly back her own candidate, and Qingyang, representing the interests of the Demon Emperor, would have to choose someone. She actually had several potential candidates.

Special Envoy Wu didn't notice her absentmindedness and replied earnestly, "The Emperor is as majestic and wise as ever! I hear that the trade route from Julu Port to Yao State has become quite peaceful over the past half-year, with bandits gradually disappearing. The Emperor hopes..."