Chapter 23: People of Northern Qi Don't Live Past Sixty

g Empress Li shivered involuntarily. If it was indeed Lü'er, how could she possibly resolve this matter And why did Yè Wēn Yán get injured and come to seek refuge with the Emperor Why was the Emperor...The silver bell was not large, just big enough to be encircled by her index finger and thumb. A red string threaded through it, perfect for hanging at her waist as an ornament.

The red line was made of some unknown material, very thin yet unbreakable and not uncomfortable to hold. Its color was soft, and I always felt it seemed to glow faintly, especially in the dark.

The red glow released by Hong Ge when he drew his sword for Shi Li Yuan outside the city was very similar. Unfortunately, she had only seen it once. Later, after he was injured, the red glow never came out again.

She shook the silver bell in her hand. Although it had a bell core, the bell did not ring.

Then I remembered Shi Liyuan had passed by before. If she needed something, she would need to infuse it with spiritual power and shake it. It must be more than just an ordinary bell; it's probably like a magical artifact, right

In her past and present lives, she never had a fixed magic weapon. Her spells were based on flowers as the guide, transforming myriad things. Therefore, no matter where she went, she always carried flowers with her.

This bell was quite novel to her, and even though she had changed into clothes that made it inconvenient to hang from her waist, she couldn't bear to take it off and leave it at home. Besides, this place wasn't really home to her yet.

Doffing her wedding garments, she changed into plain clothes. Under the soft lamplight, Ye Wen gently tried a red silk cord with a silver bell charm onto her wrist.

The originally long red thread changed the moment it touched his wrist!

The red line automatically adjusts, from length to width, quickly adjusting to the most suitable state.

The silver bell hung on her wrist, like a delicate bracelet that a young girl would often wear. It was exquisitely crafted and she was very pleased with it.

When she reappeared, Ye Jia's fourth sister, Su Mian, wore no makeup. She didn't even bother with powder or rouge, and her hair was simply pinned up haphazardly with a silver hairpin, without any other adornments.

Even so, it's still breathtakingly beautiful.

The Mu family was well acquainted with their daughters. The third daughter's beauty was known to them, and they knew that the rumors circulating about her as the first beauty of Lin'an were not exaggerations but the truth.

But right now, she just felt something was off. Maybe it was Night Wenyan's pale face, or maybe it was the coldness of his hand when he held hers, like a corpse. Perhaps it was the awkwardness in his words and manner.

In general, the tone of Ye Wen tonight gave her a strong sense of distance, as if this was not her daughter but an unfamiliar stranger.

But if it's not her daughter, then whose is it This is clearly her Yan'er!

In the courtyard, Ye Sheng was asking Yun Chen: "What's the current situation in the palace When can the ministers enter the palace to discuss matters Since the Emperor has passed away, logically, all subjects should wear hemp and mourning clothes and enter the palace to pay their respects."

Yun Chen nodded, "Indeed, the dignitaries in the capital had already entered the palace to kneel."

"Why didn't they call me" Night view was stunned.

Yun Chen countered, “Lord Ye wishes to enter the palace Then go with Fourth Sister. You can bask in her glory.”

"Why should I bask in her glory" Ye Xing fumed, "I, a respectable general of the third rank, should be going to court and paying my respects just like everyone else! Whether she's there or not makes no difference. Why wasn't I summoned"

Yunchen still wore that same plastered-on smile, "I didn't call him because I didn't. This official manages the Imperial Surveillance Office, and I don't know anything about what happens in court. If General Ye wants to know why, he should ask the right person, not me." He finished, then turned to look at Ye Wenyan who had already walked out, "Fourth sister, let's go!"

Ye Wen nodded, following Yun Chen and Wu Fu out.

A path opened up automatically as people gave way for the few. Mu Shi also stepped aside, just in time to hear Ye Lianmeng murmur, "How is this witch different from before"

Her heart skipped a beat. Her second daughter had noticed, so everyone else must have too. Had everyone else also seen that something was wrong with Ye Wenyan

At the edge, Xiao Shi glanced at Ye Jian Sheng, then winked at him.

Although Night View was reluctant, she gritted her teeth and followed Night Warm Words into the palace.

The old lady stood in place, watching the group walk away until they disappeared from sight. Only then did she let out a long sigh. When she looked back at the Mu family, her eyes held a newfound depth of meaning.

But in the end, she was nothing. She could only rely on Jun Tao to support her as she slowly left the cool courtyard.

Mu reminded Xiao, "Sister-in-law, you should also head back. It's getting late and time to rest."

The road at the general's manor at night was difficult to navigate because no one carried a lantern. Zhuai’er, who had originally been going to light the way, was sent back by Ye Wen to look after Mu Shi.

All three were dressed in plain white clothes, Wu Fu even wearing a white headband. Ye Sheng watched from behind, far away, and felt that the three figures walking ahead looked like ghosts, eerie no matter how he looked at them.

Ye Wen said she didn't know how to describe it, she was just a little cold. Even though her simple clothes were made of cotton, the chill still penetrated to her bones.

The snow is still falling, and the snow on the ground is getting thicker. Every step makes a creaking sound, which is quite pleasant to hear.

She lowered her voice and asked Yun Chen, "Who told me to enter the palace"

"My servant only heard from one person," he mumbled.

"Shi Li Yuan" she smiled. "Then I'd trouble the esteemed one to make this trip." She then looked at Wu Fei, "And also thank you, Master Wu."

Wu Fei quickly waved his hand, "The slave still wants to thank Fourth Sister."

She was puzzled, "Thank me for what"

Wu Fei smiled wryly, without a word.

Yun Chen took over the conversation: "He really should thank Fourth Sister, otherwise, this time Empress Dowager would have issued a decree to have him prepare for burial with the late emperor."

Ye Wen listened, his brow furrowing. "Buried with him"

Wu Fei nodded, "Yes, burial. Because the slave once was the most trusted eunuch by the Emperor Taishang."

She did not ask further. In the old customs, burial with the deceased was an extremely cruel practice that had never been abandoned. Some were buried out of love, some for duty, and others were victims forced into it in the power struggle.

She didn't know what kind he was, but it was clear Wu Fu didn't want to die.

A gust of cold wind blew, Ye Wen shivered, Yun Chen asked her, "Sister Four, are you dressed too lightly Go back and get a cloak!"

She shook her head. "No, I'm probably just a little chilled through, my body feels cold."

Yun Chen said with concern, "Fourth Sister, your complexion isn't good. After the palace affairs are settled, find a physician to take a look."

She still shook her head, "It's fine, I know what I'm doing."

Several people hurried out of the house and onto the imperial carriage. The carriages of the Ye Mansion followed closely behind, urging the coachman from time to time to make it faster, catching up with the front carriage.

Time had passed, and by the time of the evening bell, there was not a single person to be seen on the bustling main street within Lin'an's inner city. White banners had long been hoisted, and paper money littered the ground.

Wu Fei said, "Paper money is usually scattered during funerals, but the Emperor liked to go out of the palace incognito during his lifetime. So the palace thought it was better to scatter some beforehand, just in case the Emperor happened to revisit an old place and had no money to spend."

Ye Wen didn't believe these things before, but now that she herself was a soul from the future inhabiting another body, there were some things she couldn't help but believe.

The palanquin was adorned with the insignia of imperial inspection, and all officials gave way, even the carriages from Ye General's mansion.

When they reached the palace gate, Wu Fu first got out of the carriage and then helped Yun Chen and Ye Wenyan down.

At night, Ye Jianye got off his carriage and ran to catch up. When he stopped, he saw the guards at the palace gate stopping Ye Wenyan with a cold voice: "This is Deyang Gate, the gate for officials going to court. Women are strictly forbidden from entering through this gate." He looked at Ye Wenyan again and then said to Wu Fei, "Grand Eunuch Wu, I haven't heard of any summons for women to enter the palace tonight. Please explain, Grand Eunuch."

Wu did not explain nor introduce Ye Wen as a person. He only pointed at Yun Chen: “This is the esteemed Supervisor.”

The Imperial Guards, upon hearing this, immediately ceased their actions, bowed their heads and uttered a single "please," then said nothing more.

Ye Wenyan and his entourage walked along the palace path. In the distance, the sound of a monk chanting sutras for the dead came over. Wu Fu said, "It's the high monks from Fengguo Temple who have entered the palace to perform a posthumous ritual for the Emperor. At this moment, all the ministers are gathered in Chengguang Hall. The princes and princesses are kneeling to pay their respects, and the ministers are discussing which prince should ascend to the throne."

Yè Wēn Yán didn't respond, and he didn't know how to answer.

This time, she was invited into the palace by Yunchen, but she didn't know or have any dealings with Yunchen. So the person who truly wanted her to enter the palace definitely wasn't him.

Even if this was Shi Li Yuan's idea, she still couldn't guess why Shi Li Yuan would do this.

The emperor's death, does that have anything to do with her

Shi Liyuan was injured while subduing the Great Tsunami of Wuhanghai. This worried her even more.

She wanted to ask Yunchen Shili about his injury from the Abyss, but for some reason, she must have gotten her wires crossed. Instead of asking about his wound, she blurted out, "Did your boss die"

Yun Chen was startled. Although he didn't quite understand what "superior" meant, he was intelligent and quickly figured out it referred to the Emperor. He hastily waved his hand: "Fourth Sister, you shouldn't talk nonsense! The Emperor is in good health!" He glanced at Wu Fei, who was looking downcast, and then felt relieved. "Why do you ask"

Ye Wen knew she had spoken wrongly, but she didn't want to admit that she cared about the person's injuries. She could only clumsily change the subject— "The Imperial Palace is truly wealthy, the floors are all made of jade." She pointed at the jade bricks beneath her feet, "Does Beiqi produce this kind of jade"

Yun Chen replied, "It could be considered abundant! But these used for paving are not considered precious jade. They would appear rough if used for jewelry making. Even for jade pillows, families with a bit more wealth wouldn't want to use them. So they simply grind them into bricks to line the imperial palace. They are softer underfoot than blue bricks and don't wear down easily."

"It's done, and she added: “Sister Four, where did you get this jade brick You seem like you’re here for the first time. In this palace, you didn’t come with Old General Ye at night less often before, whether it was the front court or the back court, it’s all unfamiliar to the Ye family.”

She felt a little awkward and vaguely replied: “Perhaps it’s because we look at things from different angles, so our perceptions naturally differ. Lord Yun, I shouldn't ask this, but is Emperor Taixing still alive Did he die of natural causes”

Yun Chen nodded, “At the age of fifty-eight, he hasn't been well for several years. It's considered a natural end.”

"Fifty-eight is considered the end of life" She listened in confusion, "Then how about those who live to be seventy or eighty"

Yun Chen was stunned. "Fourth Sister, you're smiling. Everyone on this continent lives no more than a hundred years. How could there be anyone who lives to seventy or eighty The emperor of the Great Dynasty lived to fifty-eight; that's truly a natural death."

"Sixty years" That's all

Ye Wenqiang suppressed the surprise in his heart and once again tried hard to search through the original owner's memories. After a long time, he finally found something about Beizi Ren Shouyi in an inconspicuous corner.

This toss truly shocked her beyond measure…ore and more like a dead man walking. 。The sword in his hand felt heavy, almost like he didn't have the strength to lift it anymore. It could slip from his grasp at any moment. 。Ye Fei Zhou was in a...