Joy of Life: Born to Ye Qingmei, raised by Li Yunrui

Chapter 3 Conspiracy

A portion of his vital energy was used to strengthen his physical body and increase his power.

Another portion of his essence was absorbed by the Chaos Divine Millstone and transformed into pure divine soul energy, nourishing his soul.

Physical body and divine soul, advancing in tandem!

Under this dual cultivation, Ye Tian's strength is increasing at an almost monstrous speed!

Poor Fan Xian could only tremble next door, silently enduring the "miserable" fate of having his nutrients ruthlessly plundered.

His feeble resistance seemed so pale and powerless in the face of Ye Tian's increasingly powerful aura.

Time passed quietly as Ye Tian focused solely on his cultivation, oblivious to everything else around him.

He could feel that the day he was born was getting closer and closer.

The power within him had accumulated to a level that even he himself found alarming.

He had a strong premonition.

The moment he is born will surely shock the world!

·············

Within the deep palace,

The flickering lights illuminated a dignified yet unfathomable face.

Emperor Qing, the supreme ruler of Southern Qing, stood with his hands behind his back, gazing intently at the night outside the window.

A suffocating sense of oppression permeated the air.

Beside him, a hunched figure stood silently, like a shadow blending into the darkness.

It was none other than the Grand Eunuch, Hong Sixiang.

This seemingly old eunuch was actually a top expert in the palace, unfathomable in skill, and Emperor Qing's most trusted confidant.

"Is everything arranged?"

Emperor Qing's voice was deep and devoid of any emotion, like a block of ice that had never melted.

Hong Sixiang bowed slightly, his voice hoarse but clear.

"Your Majesty, everything has proceeded according to plan."

"The Empress has already given hints that she harbors deep resentment towards the Ye family, and with just a slight provocation, they will disregard everything."

A cold smile curled at the corners of Emperor Qing's lips.

"Women, once blinded by jealousy, become the sharpest knife."

He paced slowly, his tone carrying a hint of indifference as if he controlled everything.

"As for the temple, I have already sent someone to convey my 'sincere intentions'."

"Those self-proclaimed messengers of the gods would probably want to get rid of an 'anomaly' like Ye Qingmei as soon as possible."

Hong Sixiang lowered his head and said meekly, "Your Majesty is wise."

The temple has always rejected uncontrollable variables, and the existence of the Ye family had already crossed their bottom line.

A hint of mockery flashed in Emperor Qing's eyes.

"Gods? They're nothing but a bunch of charlatans who make a big fuss about nothing."

"If I weren't wary of their unknown power, why would I have gone to such lengths?"

He stopped and turned his gaze towards the Taiping Villa outside the imperial city.

"Ye Qingmei, her existence has indeed brought many novel things to this world."

"But she was too dazzling, and too uncontrollable."

"My empire does not need a variable that overrides imperial power."

As he spoke, a chilling killing intent emanated from his voice, making the temperature in the entire palace seem to drop several degrees.

Hong Sixiang added at the opportune moment: "Your Majesty, to ensure everything goes smoothly, this old servant has already transferred Fan Jian to Jiangnan to oversee the grain transport."

Chen Pingping was also preoccupied with the unusual activities of Northern Qi, and neither of them could return to the capital for the time being.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qing nodded in satisfaction.

"well done."

"Fan Jian is nostalgic, and Chen Pingping is extremely loyal to Ye Qingmei."

"With them in the capital, complications are bound to arise."

A complex emotion flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by cold rationality.

"Ye Qingmei, you can't change this world, and you can't change me."

"Your ideal is ultimately just an unrealistic dream."

············

Jiangnan.

On the official boat, Fan Jian looked out the window at the endless rain and mist, his brows furrowed.

He was originally working in the Ministry of Revenue, but was suddenly transferred by imperial decree.

They were sent to Jiangnan, thousands of miles away, to oversee the grain transport.

The transfer order came under suspicious circumstances, and the timing was far too sensitive.

Ye Qingmei is about to give birth and needs someone to take care of her.

His Majesty had no choice but to send him away at this crucial juncture, of all times.

A strong sense of unease spread through his heart.

"Sir, you have been standing for quite some time."

The wind is strong on the river; let's go back inside and rest.

The accompanying officials cautiously offered their advice.

Fan Jian waved his hand, his gaze still fixed on the direction of the capital, filled with worry.

"Light eyebrows,"

He murmured to himself, silently praying.

But that ominous premonition lingered like a dark cloud.

He vaguely sensed that a huge conspiracy targeting Ye Qingmei was quietly brewing.

But he was isolated far away, powerless to do anything.

·······························································

The northern border.

Chen Pingping sat in a wheelchair, listening to his subordinates report on the military movements of Northern Qi.

A sharp light gleamed in his deep eyes.

The unusual movements of Northern Qi, though seemingly grand, were actually full of loopholes and more like a deliberate attempt to restrain them.

And who else in the world could make the Northern Qi cooperate so much in this charade, besides the high and mighty Emperor Qing?

"Your Majesty, are you finally going to take action?"

Chen Pingping's fingertips tapped lightly on the armrests of her wheelchair, producing a rhythmic sound.

His face was expressionless, but his eyes were churning with complex and unfathomable emotions.

There was anger, helplessness, and deep worry.

Ye Qingmei, the woman who illuminated his dark life like a ray of light.

That extraordinary woman who dared to challenge all the injustices of the world.

Am I really destined to perish amidst this cold, calculating conspiracy?

The men he sent to secretly protect Ye Qingmei seemed utterly insignificant before the vast machinery of imperial power.

"Pass down the order to closely monitor developments in the capital and ensure the safety of Taiping Villa at all costs."

Despite knowing the chances were slim, he still gave the order.

This is the only thing he can do right now.

"Hopefully, it's not too late."

Chen Pingping gazed southward, her eyes filled with anxiety and helplessness.

He knew that a bloody storm was about to unfold in the capital, a place beyond his reach.

And the person he swore to protect with his life was right in the eye of the storm.

·············

The night was as dark as ink.

Inside the military tent, Chen Pingping sat alone in a wheelchair.

My fingertips gently caressed the cold metal of the armrest.

Hidden inside were the firearms that Ye Qingmei had modified for him.

It was his last item of self-defense, and it also carried a deeply unforgettable memory.

My thoughts drifted back to those carefree and spirited years of youth.

"Little neutered dog, climbing the wall again?"

The clear, melodious laughter was like a clear spring in a valley, tinkling and melodious.

At that time, he was just an insignificant eunuch in the Prince Cheng's mansion.

And she was Ye Qingmei, who descended from heaven like a celestial being.

The wall of Taiping Villa

It was the place where he secretly looked up at her.

At that time, Emperor Qing was just a frustrated and unfulfilled heir to the Prince of Cheng, and he was also a frequent visitor to that wall.

The three of them had countless long conversations in that sun-drenched courtyard.

Ye Qingmei always made startling remarks, describing an ideal country that they had never heard of before.

She took out strange "soap" and "glass" and established a huge internal trading company, making the Qing Kingdom increasingly prosperous.

She took out a secret manual called "Overbearing True Qi," which gave the originally mediocre prince the power to ascend to the supreme position.

She supported Prince Cheng and, in the turbulent struggle for the throne, gradually propelled him to the pinnacle of power.

At that time, Emperor Qing's gaze towards Ye Qingmei was always filled with ardent love and undisguised dependence.

"Qingmei, when I rule the world, I will grant you a lifetime of glory and share this vast empire!"

The young crown prince had made such a promise to her more than once.

But his eyes sparkled with boundless anticipation for the future.

Ye Qingmei simply smiled faintly, but there was a profound depth in her eyes that he could not fathom.

"What I want is not wealth and glory, nor to share the empire with anyone."

"I hope that every citizen of the Qing Kingdom can become a king;"

They can all become unique kings who rule the territory called "themselves."

The stone tablet she erected at the entrance of the Supervisory Commission, every word of which is deeply engraved in Chen Pingping's heart.

What a grand yet naive ideal that was!

He once thought that Emperor Qing understood her.

At least, during those years of fighting side by side and sharing life and death, he understood.

The smoke of the Northern Expedition still seems to linger in my mind.

Emperor Qing suffered a qi deviation while cultivating a domineering true qi, becoming paralyzed and bedridden. Surrounded by enemy troops, he was in imminent danger.

It was he, Chen Pingping, who led the Black Riders in a bloody battle to rescue him from the carnage.

In that battle, the Black Riders were almost completely wiped out, and he also lost both his legs forever.

When he woke up from his coma, he saw Ye Qingmei standing by his bedside, her eyes filled with tears, yet she forced a smile.

"Pingping, don't be afraid, I'll be here for you."

She modified his wheelchair and installed powerful firearms in his armrests.

She said, "This is a leg I'm giving you. From now on, if anyone dares to bully you, use it to fight back!"

That care and warmth was the brightest light in his incomplete life.

But when did everything start to change?

Perhaps it was from Emperor Qing's gaze that the initial admiration and dependence gradually turned into apprehension and suspicion.

Perhaps it began when Ye Qingmei established the Censorate, attempting to place imperial power under supervision.

Chen Pingping also remembered that once, he had a private drink with Emperor Qing.

After several rounds of drinks, Emperor Qing's eyes became somewhat unfocused, and also somewhat pained.

"Pingping, tell me, what exactly does Qingmei want?"

He remained silent.

Emperor Qing continued speaking to himself, his voice low and suppressed.

"I love her."

"I have never loved a woman so much."

"Her talent, her ideals, everything about her fascinates me."

"but,"

Emperor Qing gulped down a mouthful of wine, a hint of struggle and ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.

"I love this world even more!"

"I am the Emperor of Qing, and what I desire is absolute control and unquestionable imperial power!"

"And her existence, her thoughts..."

It's like a sword hanging over my head, making me restless and unable to eat or sleep!

At that moment, Chen Pingping's heart felt as if it had been plunged into an ice cellar.

He got it.

In Emperor Qing's heart, the country and its people ultimately came before Ye Qingmei.

So-called love is so fragile and so vulnerable in the face of supreme power.