Consort of a Thousand Faces

ted Pei Qianhao, Su Xi-er, and Du Ling to Liu Palace while Wu Ling escorted the woman in the white muslin back to the posthouse.
Despite the grief swelling in her heart, the woman understood that some things had to be left aside for now, and decided to heed Su Xi-er’s words.

Upon reaching Liu Hall, Hua Zirong took a seat.
“All of you have also witnessed the current state of Xiliu.” His expression was helpless, knowing that those present had already seen through all the matters that had festered beneath the surface.

Coldness glinted in Pei Qianhao’s eyes.
“Hua Ziqing is a wolf, Yun Ruofeng is a tiger, and now, we have a python.” He summarised Xiliu’s situation, letting Hua Zirong prepare himself mentally.

Du Ling scoffed.
“The toughest one to deal with isn’t Hua Ziqing, but that woman Lan Shan.
I believe you will never forget what happened back then.”

Su Xi-er’s eyes shone coldly.
Although she didn’t understand what Du Ling was referring to, she knew that the current situation wasn’t favourable for them.

“How could I ever forget? But the late Emperor left a decree that she mustn't be touched.” Hua Zirong smiled bitterly.

Du Ling’s gaze was full of sarcasm.
“Do you really think that she just left the mountains recently?”

“What do you mean?” Hua Zirong was bewildered.
Although there were some conjectures in his mind, he dared not confirm them.

“You had better think about it properly by yourself.
Also, it’s time to change those guards in your palace.
They no longer belong to you, right?” Du Ling reminded him.

Pei Qianhao’s expression was frosty as he asked.
“What do you plan on doing with Li Zikang’s subordinates?”

“This is also the reason I invited all of you here.
Although Li Zikang has been  imprisoned, his subordinates are all Xiliu soldiers.
They can’t be killed, but I cannot simply look the other way either.” 

Hua Zirong’s heart was overwhelmed by sorrow.
Xiliu was surrounded by no small number of countries that would happily take advantage if a rebellion took place, and that would spell disaster.