Chapter 57: Evil Spirit

  Liu Bian returned to the palace, just as Tang Ying walked in hastily with a gloomy expression, seemingly deep in thought. Liu Bian was taken aback: "Yingzi, what's wrong?"

  Tang Ying wanted to speak but stopped herself, forcing a smile: "Nothing, Your Majesty is returning to the palace, I'm late in welcoming you, please forgive me."

  Liu Bian burst out laughing: "Come, let me give you a kiss and I'll forgive you." As he spoke, he opened his arms and wrapped Tang Ying in his embrace, puckering up to him. In the past ten or so days at Ping Le Temple, he had been bored to death. When he was focused on studying, it was fine, but when he returned to the palace and saw Tang Ying dressed in mourning attire, looking handsome and charming, a certain part of his body suddenly woke up, and a small flame began burning in his heart.

  "Your Majesty, you are still in mourning. " Tang Ying pushed Liu Bian with both hands and reminded him: "Don't overstep the rules, or else you will add another count of unfilial conduct."

  Tang Ying's words were like a basin of cold water, poured from Liu Bian's head to his feet, making him feel cool all over.

  That's right, the great Han dynasty was founded on filial piety and governed by virtue. As the Son of Heaven, he must set an example for others. Even if there were special reasons why he couldn't observe a three-year mourning period, it was non-negotiable that he should mourn for twenty-seven days, which is equivalent to three months. From the day Empress Dowager passed away, Tang Xing had not allowed him to get close to her body, nor had she even put on makeup. The palace was also in a state of mourning, and no one dared to wear bright clothes.

  Liu Bian regretfully sniffled, and suddenly a faint fragrance wafted to the tip of his nose. He sniffed hard, and his astonished gaze finally landed on Tang Ying's face: "Yingzi, did you bring a sachet?"

  Tang Ying also sniffled, her face suddenly changed, she took a step back, shaking her head repeatedly: "No, no."

  Liu Bian's face sank, and Tang Ying's expression was clearly not right. Why did she look so flustered? "Yingzi, you have something... hiding from me? You must be hiding something from me."

  Tang Ying's face turned pale. She bit her lip, hesitated for a moment: "No, I wouldn't dare to deceive Your Majesty. It's just..."

  "What's that?"

  "It's not the right time, I'd rather not tell Your Majesty." Tang Ying stuttered and said: "Your Majesty... will understand later."

  Liu Bian was very unhappy. He had always considered Tang Ying as his confidant, but Tang Ying had been keeping something from him, which made him very angry. Moreover, there was a clear fragrance on Tang Ying's body, yet she refused to admit it, and her expression was so suspicious that he couldn't help but feel uneasy. His face sank, staring at Tang Ying: "Tang Fei, I want you to tell me now."

  Tang Ying was taken aback, looking up at Liu Bian's icy face, momentarily stunned. Liu Bian had never spoken to her so severely before. What was wrong today? The aura was so heavy that it was suffocating. The person standing in front of her, although not wearing imperial robes, was even more majestic than when he wore them before, and his words were equally unquestionable, like an imperial edict.

  It seems that this short military camp life of over a dozen days has brought him no small progress. He looks more like an emperor, and more like a man.

  Tang Ying was both surprised and delighted, for a moment she didn't know what to say. She gritted her teeth, thought for a moment, then stamped her foot: "Your Majesty, please follow me."

  "Where are you going?"

  "Your Majesty isn't looking for talented individuals? I'll recommend one right now - a Wang Zuo-like talent."

  "Who?"

  "I am a concubine from a humble family in Yingchuan, and I am Xun Yu's daughter-in-law!"

  Liu Bian was greatly surprised and hastily followed Tang Ying as they walked forward.

  ……

  In the distance, Cai Yan hid in the corner of the wall and watched Liu Bian hurry by, startling him. Liu Bian's complexion was not good, but what shocked people even more was the aura of evil on his body. This aura made people see it and be frightened, as if they had seen a fierce beast, which was vastly different from the gentle and amiable Liu Bian of usual times.

  She didn't dare to make a sound, and subconsciously took a step back, until Liu Bian and Tang Ying disappeared into the distance. She slowly walked out, thought for a moment, and turned around to return to Dong Guan's residence. As soon as she stepped inside the door, she saw Cai Yan standing motionless in front of the window, and couldn't help but call out: "Father."

  "You've all seen it, were you intimidated by the aura around him?"

  Cai Yan's heart still had lingering fears as she nodded her head, with tears glistening in her eyes.

  "Alas——" Cai Yong let out a long sigh: "Yan'er, this is an expected thing. Dragons are originally a kind of suspicious and cruel fierce beast, and if they are not treated properly, and have been in the military camp for a long time, they will naturally be infected with evil energy."

  "But... " Cai Yan sobbed: "Are we not afraid of retribution in the future for doing this?"

  "Revenge?" Cai Yong looked up at the pitch-black sky, gazing at the icy starlight that seemed to have no warmth. He involuntarily wrapped his sable cloak tighter around him: "Ever since I knew my fate, I've known I'd face retribution. Only..." He turned his head and looked at Cai Yan with pity: "Yan'er, I shouldn't have brought you to Luoyang. Leaving you in Mount Tai's Yang family, with your mother and siblings, would be the best place for you. In a few days, I'll think of a way to send you back."

  Cai Yan shook her head slightly, with a very determined expression.