He Qian nodded, revealing a pained expression at the memory.
“How was it only torturous? That was practically hell!”
Eunuch Yao Sheng nodded, not daring to comment.
“Yao Sheng, let me ask you. How is Yu’er’s condition compared to her third aunt’s? He Qian asked.
Eunuch Yao Sheng was startled.
This wasn’t an easy question to answer. If he said something wrong, the emperor might get angry
After a brief hesitation, Yao Sheng braced himself and answered, “Sixth Princess’ condition is so much better in comparison. At least she doesn’t look as uncomfortable.”
He Qian nodded. “You think so too, huh?”
Yao Sheng wiped the sweat on his forehead. His answer was correct.
“Yao Sheng, say, do you think I should make a bet?” He Qian suddenly asked a baffling question.
As an old man who had served He Qian for decades, Yao Sheng naturally knew the reason for the emperor’s question. This was a question he couldn’t answer. He dared not test his luck as he did in the last question.
Yao Sheng immediately prostrated to the ground. “I only know how to serve Your Majesty. I really don’t know anything of this importance.”
At this, He Qian laughed heartily. “Get up. I was just asking casually.”
Yao Sheng was trembling as he got up, even his legs were shaking.
Next, there was silence.
He Qian was clearly deep in thought that he even forgot to drink the tea in his cup. It had turned cold.
“Yao Sheng!”
“Here!”
“Get the inner guards to investigate Lin Jin’s whereabouts. Once located, bring him to me discreetly at once. Remember, no one is to know about this,” He Qian commanded sternly.
Yao Sheng bowed, acknowledging the order, and went away to make arrangements.
This eunuch was clearly He Qian’s most trusted confidant.
For the next two days, the royal capital remained peaceful. However, this was just the surface as forces were surging underneath.
Somewhere in the royal capital, inside a deserted old house, Xiao Huo was resting on a bundle of hay with White Ape beside him.
Being of strong constitution, after Lin Jin treated his wounds, White Ape managed to recover nicely after two days. He was no longer in bad shape.
Right now, White Ape was bored out of his mind, walking back and forth in the yard, looking around.
This unoccupied yard was found by Xiao Huo last night. For the past two days, they had changed hiding places three times now. Fortunately, both Xiao Huo and White Ape knew Transformation so they could change their sizes at will, thus enabling them to avoid detection.
For two days in a row, Lin Jin never appeared.
This had never happened before. Lin Jin had never been gone for so long without a trace nor separated from his pet beast.
However, Xiao Huo wasn’t worried. Through their blood contract, he could sense that his owner was doing well.
White Ape circled to the back of the house and suddenly noticed a large jujube on the ground.
The jujube was huge and cherry-red. What a lovely fruit. White Ape immediately went over to examine it. After noticing nothing wrong, he picked it up and wanted to put it in his mouth. But at the thought of Xiao Huo, he hesitated.
Should he eat the entire thing or give half to Xiao Huo?
This was clearly a huge deal for White Ape and he couldn’t figure things out for a moment.
Suddenly, there was a thump and another jujube came rolling over. White Ape had seen how the jujube was tossed into the yard from outside.
Being intelligent, he was instantly aware that someone was trying to lure him so White Ape raised his guard.
That person outside figured White Ape couldn’t be tricked so he poked his head out and waved. “Brother Ape, over here.”
The voice was incredibly soft in fear of waking Xiao Huo who was sleeping soundly in the front yard.
Frowning, the White Ape found that monkey-faced man outside the yard to be vaguely familiar.
“Shh!” That person made a hushing gesture before abruptly jumping over the wall in an agile manner. White Ape immediately noticed how this man had a tail behind him.
White Ape’s eyes lit up at this.
“Brother Ape, come with me!” the monkey demon urged quietly before jumping back outside, clearly afraid of alerting Xiao Huo.
White Ape hesitated. Perhaps he sensed no malicious intent or perhaps the other was also a primate, out of curiosity, White Ape jumped over the wall too to follow the monkey demon.
“That’s right, this is it. Brother Ape, I’ve been looking all over for you for days. I just happen to be nearby, resting with my master. After I sensed your aura, I came over to take a look and sure enough, you’re here,” the monkey demon explained ardently.
White Ape couldn’t speak for now but he understood human language so he pointed to his throat and waved.
The monkey demon flashed a cheeky smile. “I know. Brother Ape, you haven’t learned the human language so you can’t speak for now. Don’t worry. Come with me and meet my master. You just have to follow us from now on and I assure you, you’ll be able to speak in a year.”
White Ape suddenly paused.
He turned back to look at the yard he came from, seemingly hesitant.
In terms of slyness, the monkey demon obviously had the upper hand. He said, “Brother Ape, you’re an ape and I’m a monkey. We’re family so don’t you worry, I won’t harm you. My master and I can even help you.”
At this, White Ape wavered.
Now that Lin Jin wasn’t around, it was only him and Xiao Huo. Although Master Lin had advised them to hide in the royal capital and wait for them before he left, it had been two days now so White Ape was anxious. He saw how the monkey demon was slightly capable and even had a master. Since he didn’t seem to mean harm, White Ape thought maybe he could rope them in as allies.
At this thought, White Ape nodded.
The monkey demon was thrilled. They continued their journey in great cheer but it was mostly the monkey demon talking. Fortunately, he mentioned that his resting place wasn’t far away, and sure enough, after making a huge round, they reached another deserted and rundown house.
This place was visibly much more rundown. There was a tree in the yard and below it sat an old Taoist.
Placed in front of the old Taoist were roasted chicken and aged wine. The man was enjoying a cup, seeming to be free of worries.
“Master!”
The monkey demon jumped inside. He was no longer standing tall as he walked. His back was now bent over and he kept scratching everywhere, clearly, he had been resisting all this while.
“You playful monkey. You went out looking for trouble again, didn’t you? How many times must I tell you that Jade Dragon Kingdom is filled with great hidden forces, that you should be extra careful?” the old Taoist reprimanded as he quickly hid the roast chicken and wine behind his back. His actions were so quick it was baffling.
However, the monkey had a keen nose and was now drooling.
“Master, is there food? I can smell it. There’s roast chicken from Tian’s Roast Chicken and aged liquor from Fu Yue Restaurant,” the monkey demon narrated as he licked his lips.
“Shoo, shoo. The last time I brought some back, most of it went inside your stomach. I don’t care. I’m going to have my fill today before you’re allowed to eat any,” the old Taoist scoffed.
Then, he was stunned when he saw the white ape that jumped in after the monkey demon.
At one glance, the old Taoist’s expression changed.