Naturally, Qin Yining had no idea what Yao Chenggu and Yao Shi were thinking. Ever since news of her twin pregnancy spread, everyone in the manor treated her like a fragile treasure, being extremely careful about her diet and daily life. Even Qin Huaiyuan had to come see her once a day to feel at ease.

The news of Qin Yining carrying twins also reached Li Qitian’s ears just as she and Pang Xiao had expected.

When Li Qitian learned the news, he was walking through the imperial garden with Ji Zeyu, one behind the other. Upon hearing the secret agent’s report, both men stopped in their tracks and fell into simultaneous silence.

After a long while, Li Qitian finally chuckled softly and turned to look at Ji Zeyu. “You’ve been married to Anyang for some time now. Why haven’t we heard any good news from Anyang?”

Ji Zeyu’s hands, clasped behind his back, gradually clenched into fists as he said expressionlessly, “The Princess has never looked favorably upon this minister.”

Seeing Ji Zeyu’s ice-cold expression, Li Qitian suddenly remembered what his sister had done – obsessing over Pang Xiao, keeping male favorites who resembled him. It was all quite shameful to speak of. He had just been too jealous earlier and couldn’t control his emotions.

“Forget it. That Pang Zhixi fellow just has that kind of good fortune.” Li Qitian resumed walking and said in a heavy voice, “Some people are born with that kind of luck – naturally more talented than others, healthier than others, from better families than others. There’s no point in envying that.”

Compared to Pang Xiao, Li Qitian had no illustrious background, and his civil and military achievements fell far short of Pang Xiao’s. Even now as emperor, his popular support among the people had never been as high as Pang Xiao’s. Even if people still said Pang Xiao was bloodthirsty, it was mostly out of awe, not like with Li Qitian where the common people only knew his surname was Li and nothing else about his deeds. He hadn’t established distinguished military merit at the dynasty’s founding like Pang Xiao, nor had he conquered Great Yan through force like Pang Xiao.

What about Li Qitian’s reputation? In the people’s impression, it was only that the national treasury was poor, the country was poor, and the Tatars were about to attack – he, the emperor, had nearly been scared to tears.

Why did all the good fortune go to Pang Xiao?

Seeing Li Qitian’s expression, Ji Zeyu knew what he was thinking and said flatly, “My fate is in my own hands, not heaven’s. Your Majesty is now ruler of a nation – isn’t that more important than anything else?”

Upon hearing this, Li Qitian’s expression stiffened slightly, but his mood gradually brightened.

Yes.

What did it matter what those charlatans said? He had campaigned for years – for what purpose? Could such great matters of state and nation really be swayed by a charlatan’s divinations? He now sat firmly on the throne – even if that charlatan said he didn’t originally have an emperor’s fate, did that make it untrue?

Li Qitian turned back, his approving gaze falling on Ji Zeyu’s perpetually ice-cold face.

At this moment, Li Qitian’s heart was freed from the resentment and jealousy of moments before. Ji Zeyu’s words had enlightened him like sweet dew. He had no need for anger or jealousy, because he was now master of this realm.

So what if Qin Shi was carrying twins? Now his empress was pregnant, and in the future his consorts would continuously become pregnant too. With children gradually multiplying, what did it matter whether they were twins or not?

So what if Tianji Zi had prophesied about the Purple Forbidden Emperor Star ascending to the peak? He was the one sitting on the imperial throne now! That proved the stinking nun had calculated wrong!

“You are indeed perceptive.” Li Qitian chuckled softly as he walked toward the flourishing stone path in the imperial garden.

Ji Zeyu followed behind Li Qitian, his clenched fists quietly relaxing. As the wind blew past, the sweat in his palms dried, bringing a cool sensation.

“Your Majesty.”

Just then, another secret agent hurried forward, first bowing respectfully, then whispering a few words in Li Qitian’s ear.

Seeing the man approach, Ji Zeyu lowered his eyes and averted his gaze.

When Li Qitian dismissed the agent and turned back, he saw Ji Zeyu looking down at a flower bed.

Secretly praising Ji Zeyu’s discretion, Li Qitian asked, “Do you know what that was about just now?”

“Your Majesty, this minister does not know.” Ji Zeyu bowed respectfully.

Li Qitian chuckled and said, “Just now I heard quite an amusing tale. Now there are actually people spreading rumors outside that the treasure from the Great Yan dynasty is right here in our Great Zhou’s capital. The news has already spread throughout the capital – don’t you find that laughable?”

Ji Zeyu’s mind raced as he said cautiously, “This minister believes this matter is pure nonsense.”

“Of course it’s pure nonsense.” Li Qitian’s smile gradually turned mocking. “I won’t hide it from you – the treasure originally disappeared near Yang County by Great Yan’s old capital. I long ago arranged for people to surround Yang County and the surrounding towns, not even sparing Yan dynasty’s old capital. I refuse to believe anyone could have the capability to move such a vast treasure to the capital right under my nose!”

Ji Zeyu had already vaguely guessed Li Qitian’s current thinking and couldn’t help feeling somewhat helpless.

Sure enough, Li Qitian’s next words followed his prediction.

“Who spread this news is already obvious. The purpose is also quite clear.” Li Qitian again chuckled mockingly. “That Pang Zhixi actually set his crooked schemes on this matter. It’s truly laughable. Our national treasury may be depleted, but would I really lose my wits over some treasure?”

Ji Zeyu stood behind Li Qitian. He opened his mouth, wanting to say this matter might not be Pang Xiao’s doing and could possibly be someone else’s instigation. But Pang Xiao’s rebellious image was already deeply rooted in Li Qitian’s mind. Speaking up for Pang Xiao wouldn’t improve the situation one bit and would only make Li Qitian more suspicious of him.

Ji Zeyu had no choice but to remain silent.

While Li Qitian was denouncing Pang Xiao, news that Great Yan dynasty’s treasure was hidden in the capital also reached Lu Heng’s ears.

Lu Heng, wearing a light azure outer robe and tending to flowers and plants by the window, listened to his subordinate’s words while casually snipping off excess leaves from a jasmine plant. He asked in a light voice, “Where did this news come from?”

“My lord, it has already spread throughout the capital. The common folk are speaking of it as if it were miraculous.”

Lu Heng chuckled softly and shook his head.

Such rumors were simply unbelievable. The treasure should currently be hidden near Great Yan’s old capital. Li Qitian was like a dog with a bone, watching that place like a hawk. Who could transport treasure from under Li Qitian’s nose to the capital?

This matter was either Li Qitian playing mysterious games or Pang Xiao stirring up trouble. The sovereign and minister were either mutually testing each other or mutually scheming against each other.

Lu Heng said flatly, “Continue observing and report back with any new developments.”

“Yes, my lord.”

After the scout withdrew, a beautiful young woman came carrying a black lacquered tray with a white porcelain covered bowl on it, walking gracefully along the covered walkway.

Lu Heng saw the woman through the half-open gauze window and couldn’t help but freeze.

Her curvaceous figure, the swaying grace of her lotus steps – though her features couldn’t be seen clearly from afar, her raven-black hair loosely pinned up and the curve of her lowered face as she hurried forward with downcast eyes were all too similar to Qin Yining.

Lu Heng’s heart felt an indescribable pain or sourness. When he came back to his senses, the young woman had already approached.

“My lord, please have tea.”

Her voice was affected and pretentious, her appearance far inferior to Qin Yining’s. Apart from her figure and that head of smooth long hair, they shared no similarities whatsoever.

Lu Heng immediately felt utterly bored and waved his hand. “You needn’t come serve in the study anymore.”

Having said that, he ignored her completely, turning to snip with his shears – cutting off a perfectly bloomed jasmine flower.

The flower fell onto the black lacquered round table with bone-inlaid waist, scattering pale white petals everywhere.