Chapter 289: Sacrificing Helian Wei Wei

At night, the moon was bright and strong wind blew. Yet, it did not disturb the man in green and white robes who was leaning lazily against the soft couch.

Shadow stood in the corner, hesitating to approach.

Baili Jia Jue did not even bother to raise his head but continued to read the scroll in his hands. "Anything?"

Shadow lowered his gaze, killed his initial words and changed his sentence on the spot, "There's nothing important. I only wonder if I should close the door as it's getting dark outside."

His Highness had never done this before, leaving the door open deliberately as if he was waiting for someone.

"There's not necessary."

Shadow lowered his head and replied, "Yes."

Baili Jia Jue's gaze landed nonchalantly on him, "What were you discussing with Hei Zhu just now?"

Shadow's body stiffened and replied, "We were talking about the latest updates on the investigation."

Baili Jia Jue laughed icily, devoid of any warmth. Carrying a domineering aura that was found only on a reigner, he said, "Who allowed you to retain Hei Zhu? Huh?"

A single "huh" sent a chill down Shadow's spine. Unusually, he panicked and responded, "Your Highness, they are all your loyal followers. Only because of a sentence, you want to..."

"A sentence?" Baili Jia Jue stood up. He seemed relaxed yet extremely intimidating, "Have I been lenient for too long? To the extent that even you have forgotten the consequence one should bear for upsetting me?"

Shadow did not have the audacity to utter another word. A loud thud resonated as both his knees hit the ground. He knelt down with his entire forehead covered in cold sweat.

Baili Jia Jue's eyes slowly swept past Shadow as he said,"Since you have been serving me for the past decade, I will let this slide. But if this happens again, I will handle it personally."

"Yes!" Shadow stammered.

Baili Jia Jue toyed with the blade jade ring on his thumb, "There's another thing. Helian Wei Wei might be a prey, but she is mine nonetheless. All the gossips are going on in the palace now, yet you are doing nothing about it. Are you trying to challenge my patience?"

"I'm sorry! This humble servant failed to carry out his duty!" Shadow's face turned pale, "I'll promptly handle the issue!"

Baili Jia Jue said in an unvarying tone, "Avoid excessive violence. Regardless of what they have said, you only have to cut off their tongues."

Cut off their tongues...

As Bai Mei was eavesdropping, her fingers trembled. She was frightened like never before. For all these years, His Highness had always granted them sufficient freedom to do according to their own wishes. His Highness had never once acted like today.

Never had she expected that His Highness would stand up for Helian Wei Wei.

Is this certainly because of the Retired Emperor?

But, who else in this world can force His Highness to do something out of his own will?

For many years, she had not seen His Highness in rage. He resembled a God who was overlooking the earth above the clouds. He carried little emotions and was always composed.

Is he ready to paint the palace with blood today?

Perturbed, Bai Mei raised her head and inadvertently locked eyes with Shadow. There was a message in his gaze.

In spite of his long-established loyalty to His Highness, he was not allowed to interrupt in the prince's matter.

Bai Mei reckoned that it was time for her to discuss the issue with Hei Zhu...

There was always a unique way of communication between the death knights.

After receiving her task, the first thing Bai Mei did was to meet up with Hei Zhu.

Upon seeing her, Hei Zhu was pleasantly surprised, "Why are you here at the White Academy?"

"That's not important, Hei Zhu. No matter what your plan is now, it's better for you to put a stop to it." Bai Mei's expression was solemn, "You should quickly carry out your mission instead of recklessly coming to the White Academy."

Hei Zhu threw a glimpse at Bai Mei, "What's wrong? Why are you telling this to me all of a sudden?"

Bai Mei muffled her voice, "His Highness has given an order. Anyone who speaks about the Princess Consort behind her back will have their tongues removed."

"Remove the tongue?" Hei Zhu was dumbfounded as she muttered under her breath, "Why? Why would His Highness give such an order?"

Bai Mei stared at Hei Zhu and heaved a long sigh, "Hei Zhu, some of the things will never belong to you. His Highness will never fall for you. Even without Helian Wei Wei, someone else will be his Princess Consort."

"I- I don't understand what you're talking about." Hei Zhu's usually vibrant expression changed abruptly as though she had activated her defense mechanism.

Bai Mei looked at her with an earnest gaze, "You know that we're not the one to decide if Helian Wei Wei is a good match for His Highness. But, at this point, His Highness is willing to punish anyone for her. If you don't wake up now, it'll be your turn sooner or later."

"Huh? You're saying that His Highness is willing to sacrifice my life for a pawn?" Hei Zhu giggled as if she had heard a ridiculous joke."Bai Mei, you're the one who doesn't understand. His Highness only married that hideous hag because of the Retired Emperor, right? If His Highness truly cares about Helian Wei Wei, why was he conspicuously protective over her during the marriage ceremony? We know His Highness better than anyone else. Back then, to protect sister, His Highness had never revealed his feelings to anyone. He said it personally, that to be a true death knight, one has to be able to conceal his or her feelings. All of the reigners understand the importance of hiding what they cherish and present only what they care about the least. Don't you think that Helian Wei Wei is nothing more than just a puppet for His Highness?"

Bai Mei furrowed her brows."You're right. I agree with what you said. But, it's not necessary for His Highness to go through so much trouble for a puppet."

"Of course it's necessary, because..." Hei Zhu raised her head and gazed up with her sparkling eyes, "Elder Sister is still alive and has returned. Based on His Highness' intelligence, he might already have found out about the truth of Elder Sister's well-being. However, as things are still uncertain, the four influential families, Empress Murong and even the Retired Emperor are constantly watching him. In order to ensure Elder Sister can return safely, he made the decision to marry a woman with no power and noble background as his Third Princess Consort, and Helian Wei Wei is the best candidate."

Bai Mei's mouth gaped open as if she could not fathom out the information, "You, you're saying that our Elder Sister is still alive?"

"That's right. She is currently at the White Academy," Hei Zhu chuckled, "However, it's a shame that I am prohibited from entering the palace. Otherwise, I can deliver the news to the palace. But, it doesn't matter. I have already informed Shadow about it and he will definitely report it to His Highness."

Silently, Bai Mei lowered her gaze as she was dwelling in her deep thought. She was positive that only a handful of people knew that His Highness was now a student of the White Academy. If she was not on her quest today, she would not have found out either...

Elder Sister has returned.

That was sufficient to explain His Highness' strange behavior as of late.

Just like what Hei Zhu said, with His Highness' character, there was no way he would behave like that.

If it was for Elder Sister's safety... it was inevitable to sacrifice Helian Wei Wei.

Bai Mei lowered her head, "Does Qing Zhan know about this?"

"I haven't told her yet." Hei Zhu let out a cold cackle. "I also have no idea what that hideous woman has told her, turning her into a maid out of her own will. Before His Highness finds out about Elder Sister's return, it's better for fewer people to know about this information."