Song Zhenshan touched the tip of his nose: “No, what demonic aura? With us here, what demon would dare approach?”

Ruyi also casually glanced around: “Where?”

Since both of them said this, Shen Qiyuan felt somewhat bewildered.

Could it be that he was too nervous and sensed it wrong?

Thinking of that prophetic dream, he still stepped forward and checked Ruyi’s pulse.

“If you have any troubles, you can tell me.” He said, “Ruyi, do not get involved with demons.”

The cold wind was fierce, blowing her sleeves and making them flutter like an immortal’s. Song Zhenshan looked from afar and saw Ruyi lower her eyes. Her scattered hair covered her brows and eyes, making it impossible to see her expression.

He inexplicably felt sorrowful, too.

“Don’t worry.” After a long while, Ruyi spoke lightly, “I will only walk alongside you.”

Shen Qiyuan breathed a sigh of relief.

The pursuers were still nearby, so the three didn’t linger long. Shen Qiyuan went directly to the Censorate and reported everything that happened at the Zhao residence in detail.

So the Emperor had just woken from his afternoon nap when he was dragged to the imperial study to accept bombardment from the Prime Minister, the Grand Secretary of the Censorate, and various censors.

A Gentleman of Scattered Cavalry kept hundreds of elite soldiers and dared to imprison a first-rank official—without someone backing him, how would he dare?

The Emperor’s face was like the bottom of an inkstone that hadn’t been washed for ten years.

He kept Shen Qiyuan alone in the imperial study.

“What does Lord Zongzheng think—who is backing Zhao, the Gentleman of Scattered Cavalry?” he asked in a heavy voice.

Shen Qiyuan stepped forward and presented a letter: “Please, Your Majesty, review this.”

That letter was very familiar; without looking, one could know what was written inside.

The Emperor laughed in anger. He tapped the table edge: “Does my dear minister now want to put me in the defendant’s dock for trial?”

“This letter is from Grand Preceptor Liu’s hand. I have no intention of accusing Your Majesty.”

“Grand Preceptor Liu is my teacher! His meaning is my meaning!” The memorials on the table were suddenly swept away, and the Emperor rose in fury, “I’ve trusted you for over ten years—is it so you could come humiliate me today!”

Shen Qiyuan paused and slowly raised his head.

The Emperor before him was already over forty years old, his beard mixed with black and white, his body broad and fat, completely different from when he was merely a prince years ago.

He pointed at himself, his finger trembling: “You also know that what Great Qian needs most now is domestic stability and recuperation. Yet the Northern Peace Army is arrogant and uses Princess Jinghong’s reputation as a banner, insisting on crossing the Nine Rivers. Whether they want to recover lost territory or usurp the throne—don’t I know clearly in my heart?”

“You want to spare Princess Jinghong’s life for childhood friendship, and I took it as you valuing loyalty, so I wouldn’t blame you. But you insist on investigating this case, stubbornly investigating right up to me! What do you want me to say? Should I kneel before the Northern Peace Prince’s memorial and admit my wrongs? Ah!”

His chest heaving, he began coughing after speaking, the dragon crown on his head swaying precariously.

Shen Qiyuan looked at him but showed no emotional fluctuation.

“Thirteen years ago, if not for the Northern Peace Prince’s full support, Your Majesty probably couldn’t have entered the Eastern Palace.”

“Two years ago, if not for Princess Jinghong leading the Northern Peace Army to escort you all the way, Your Majesty couldn’t have safely crossed south.”

“The Northern Peace Prince and his daughter are blameless toward heaven above and the people below, loyal to Your Majesty and the realm throughout their lives—please reconsider, Your Majesty.”

The calmer he spoke, the more restless the Emperor felt.

“Shen Qiyuan, Shen Ziyan, you used to understand me best.” He was angry but also somewhat aggrieved, “What are you trying to do now? Do you want to see this realm collapse and all people suffer?”

“The Northern Peace Army won’t let the people suffer, but Your Majesty’s groundless suspicions will make loyal ministers lose heart.” Shen Qiyuan bowed, “Please, Your Majesty, withdraw the order.”

“You…”

“As long as Princess Jinghong’s life is safe.” He seriously raised his eyes, “I’m willing to promise Your Majesty that Great Qian will not have warfare within ten years.”

The Emperor angrily smashed the teacup on the table.

Ruyi sat by the window, waiting and waiting. Seeing the moon already high in the sky, Shen Qiyuan still hadn’t come.

“Little Lotus says Master Shen must stay in the palace tonight.” He Tinglan came with thick bedding for her, bringing news along the way, “Says it’s imperial grace—wine and banquet bestowed, making the master drunk.”

Imperial grace?

Ruyi snorted with laughter.

The Great Qian’s Emperor was extremely petty. What Shen Qiyuan did today absolutely wouldn’t win his favor. Rather than imperial grace, it was more like deliberately keeping Shen Qiyuan in the palace, wanting to dampen his sharp edge.

She did feel sorry for that delicate young gentleman, but some things were his own choice—she couldn’t storm even the palace gates.

After sending He Tinglan away, Ruyi was about to close the window when she saw a skylark squeeze through the window crack.

“Elder Sister.” The skylark spoke.

Ruyi was startled and glanced around, then let her perch on her finger: “With so many talismans outside, you dare come out alone?”

The skylark flapped her wings and obediently stood on her index finger: “That old gentleman sent me. He said some news travels too slowly by mortal letters, so he sent me to tell you, so you can prepare early.”

Ruyi raised an eyebrow, indicating she should speak.

The skylark cleared her throat and related everything: “Hua Fuman and Zhao Yanning have reached Huizhou. According to previous arrangements, our people will hand over some evidence to them. After they get it, they should immediately return to Lin’an. But with their status, they can’t meet the Great Qian’s Emperor, so Elder Sister still needs to borrow Shen Qiyuan’s influence.”

Ruyi listened and released her hand, shaking her off: “I came to the mortal world to take refuge, not to work as a servant.”

The skylark tumbled with both claws in the air, then quickly bounced up and jumped onto her knee: “This concerns our demon clan’s century of mortal worship—Elder Sister can’t just sit and watch.”

Every nation had its own beliefs. Great Qian sought the gods and expelled demons, while Great Xia worshipped demons as gods. If the prince supported by the demon clan could ascend to the Great Xia’s Eastern Palace throne, their demon clan could enjoy a hundred years of incense and offerings. Only with a demon power strong enough to match the god clan would they not be slaughtered and expelled.

This matter was very important—important enough that Master personally left the Ten Thousand Demons Cave.

Thinking of those deep eyes in the ancient house, Ruyi sighed in her heart.

But she still said, “Great Xia and Great Qian fighting is inevitable. Even if I do nothing, Master can still achieve his wish.”

“Elder Sister wouldn’t be unwilling to use Shen Qiyuan, would you?” The skylark clicked her tongue, flapping her wings and saying, “That’s an immortal-a a sanctimonious immortal! Even if he’s good to you for a while, he won’t truly accept you!”

Her eyes narrowing slightly, Ruyi grabbed her and applied slight pressure with her fingers.

“Ah! I was wrong! I was wrong! Elder Sister, spare my life!” The skylark chattered and begged for mercy, her round black little eyes full of innocence.

What use was taking anger out on a bird? She was just telling the truth.

She suddenly released her hand.

The skylark struggled to hide behind the nearby lamp stand, cautiously poking her head out to observe her.

Elder Sister looked somewhat troubled, but only for an instant—she quickly returned to normal.

“Anyone might not accept me, but he couldn’t possibly not.” Her eyes regaining their smile, Ruyi raised her chin proudly and said, “Do you think I could come to the mortal world to take refuge for no reason?”