BLHO Chapter 95

Chapter 95: Is there truly no such thing as ghosts and gods in this world?

Chapter 95: Is there truly no such thing as ghosts and gods in this world?

A ruler of a nation, being superstitious and believing in ghosts and gods, holding rituals and performing incantations within the Imperial Palace—if such absurd behavior were to be leaked, it would inevitably lead to discussions and criticisms among court officials and common people.

However, Gu Huan, this emperor, has never had a good reputation. He has always turned a deaf ear to how the world judges him.

As night fell, the palace gates were wide open. The chosen sacrificial woman followed the Taoist priest, who led the way, into the palace. She sat on a palanquin, surrounded by layers of white yarn, obscuring her entire appearance. However, through a corner of the 虎 curtain occasionally lifted by the wind, her face, comparable to that of Princess Meng Ning, was indeed a convincing imitation.

Gu Meng Ning had made thorough preparations this time and was not fighting alone. Along with her into the palace were also her thousands of shadow guards.

The shadow guards entered through the side gate, led by Shen Tan. It was difficult for so many people to remain undetected, but even if they were discovered, there was no fear, as Shen Tan held Li Yuliang’s waist Card.

It was Song Jiting who helped them obtain it.

Unless Li Yuliang came here personally, otherwise, even if discovered, no guard watching the palace gate would dare to question the identities of these shadow guards.

And that Li Yuliang was already out of the palace at this time, most likely already out of Fengdu City, to live a life of seclusion with the person he loved.

Thinking of this, Gu Meng Ning lightly smiled. She was not a person of deep affection and loyalty. Seeing others entangled in love and hate, she could not empathize. But Song Jiting—she had seen through him long ago. His constant claims of wanting Li Yuliang’s life were nothing more than resentment for being abandoned. It was not hatred, but a desire for his complete and undivided heart.

If the two of them were to wander the world from now on, disappearing without a trace, then so be it. But if Li Yuliang still dared to participate in the struggles for imperial power, if he were to be Gu Huan’s henchman, she would never be soft-hearted. If necessary, she would abandon Song Jiting along with him.

The palanquin passed through a narrow palace passage, arriving at the Emperor’s Yangxin Hall. The flickering lights along the way made the night appear even more treacherous.

The Imperial Guards were ordered to watch the outer perimeter. Only a few dozen Taoist priests protecting the altar remained at the entrance of the hall, and even the close-serving eunuchs were dismissed.

After entering the hall, only the Emperor and the chief diviner remained.

When Gu Meng Ning was carried in, the chief diviner had already completed the first half of the ritual at the altar. Using his own body as a medium, he guided the Empress Dowager’s soul, using his voice to convey what the Empress Dowager wanted to say to the world.

Through the white yarn, Gu Meng Ning saw Gu Huan prostrate himself, his entire body lying on the ground.

The chief diviner stood beside him, his pupils stiff, looking like a dead man. “It is time for you to confess your sins, Your Majesty.”

The hoarse voice was clearly that of a man, but the tone was extremely similar to that of the Empress Dowager, so realistic that Gu Meng Ning was also momentarily taken aback.

Gu Huan’s head was buried low, his gaze lowered, unable to see his expression at this moment. He only saw him supporting himself on all fours, humbly crawling step by step to Gu Meng Ning’s palanquin.

“I should not have sacrificed my royal sister’s life to control the court officials. I was wrong. Please forgive me, royal sister…”

Gu Meng Ning looked at his humble figure, without anger or satisfaction, only because she had never taken Gu Huan seriously. She had always looked down on him.

If he had not been born a man, he would not have been qualified to sit on the throne.

She lifted the white yarn, gracefully stepped down from the palanquin. The luxurious robes were no different from those of the former Princess Meng Ning, and her beautiful face was almost indistinguishable from the princess.

She crouched down, looking Gu Huan in the eye, expecting to see regret and fear on his face, but unfortunately, there was nothing but ruthlessness and ambition.

The tears were feigned, the apology was a last resort. He did not care about his royal sister, whether she lived or died; he would not even bat an eye.

“Royal sister, the Empress Dowager misses you. Go and be by her side, and also fulfill a filial duty for me.”

He took out the talisman that the chief diviner had given him beforehand, placed it on a candle and lit it. The burning ashes were sprinkled into the clear wine brought by the Taoist priest.

He held the wine cup with both hands, respectfully presenting it to Gu Meng Ning.

It was the wine to send her to her death.

Gu Meng Ning lowered her eyes and looked at it, took the wine cup, and made a gesture to drink.

Bringing it to her lips, she heavily dropped it.

At the same time, the Taoist priests protecting the altar at the entrance of the hall entered the hall one after another, drawing out long swords, the blades all pointing at Gu Huan’s vital points.

Gu Huan’s expression darkened, carefully assessing his surroundings.

He quickly thought, slowly turned back to look at the chief diviner, through his body, searching for the deceased.

–

In the suburbs, the galloping hooves gradually slowed down, two horses one after the other, Song Jiting in front, Li Yuliang behind.

Along the way, Song Jiting’s heart had not been at peace for a moment. He was afraid of hearing Li Yuliang say that he would not leave with him, and he was also too clear that Li Yuliang could not possibly leave with him.

Finally, the sound of hooves behind him came to an abrupt stop, and he also reined in his horse and turned back.

Across a short distance, the two stared at each other under the moonlight.

Li Yuliang calmly opened his mouth, not to say goodbye to him, but to ask him: “How long do you plan to deceive me?”

–

In the Yangxin Hall, Gu Huan had no confidants by his side, completely controlled by Gu Meng Ning.

He was pressed into a chair, and a blank scroll was laid out on the desk in front of him.

Gu Meng Ning slowly said: “I’ll give you two choices. One, write down an edict abdicating the throne, announcing to the civil and military officials that you will cede the throne to me, and I will spare your life. Two, I will kill you and seize the throne.”

Gu Huan stared at her fixedly, and after a long time, he finally understood and calmly said: “It seems that royal sister did not survive by luck and come back to avenge me.”

Gu Meng Ning raised her eyebrows, not denying his statement.

Gu Huan thought seriously, and continued: “Did royal sister have such ambition from a young age? When you married into the He family, you were prepared, weren’t you?” All the details were connected in his mind, and he continued: “So, you faked your death to provoke the relationship between me and the He family, forcing the He family to help you rebel.”

“Don’t try to absolve yourself of responsibility. It was you who forced the He family, I just used your plans and fulfilled them.”

“So, now that the plan has failed, you can only do it yourself. How many people did royal sister bring today? Three thousand? Five thousand? Eight thousand?”

“You don’t have to worry about that. Right now, even if it’s just me alone, taking your life is easy.”

“Taking my life, does that mean the throne will be yours? Is it really that easy? You have had plenty of opportunities to act, haven’t you? You give me two choices, but in fact, you can only choose the first one. Unless I personally cede the throne to you, even if I die, the civil and military officials, the people of the world, will not serve a woman as their emperor.”

“Then let’s try.”

Gu Meng Ning did not fall into his trap, tapping the desk with her fingertip, and looked at the candle stand that was about to burn out. “Write the edict before this candle stand burns out. Think about whether you want to live or die.”

Gu Huan could not negotiate with her, lowered his head and looked at the empty scroll in front of him, quickly continuing to calculate.

“What, delaying time, are you waiting for someone to come and save you?” Gu Meng Ning leaned towards him, “You know you’ve already been abandoned by everyone, right? Even that most loyal eunuch has abandoned you, who else do you think can save you?”

The little emperor, who had been pretending to be calm, finally couldn’t help but bite his teeth when he heard this sentence.

Gu Meng Ning saw his little movements, and scorned him without showing any expression.

The candle had already burned to the bottom. The time she gave him was only a moment.

Gu Huan finally picked up the pen, dipped it fully in ink, and began to write stroke by stroke.

After writing a few words, he suddenly stopped, raised his head, but did not look at Gu Meng Ning, but turned back to look at the chief diviner behind him.

This accomplice, why didn’t he say a word, so quiet, was it too unusual?

He looked at the person hidden in the black robe, his eyes covered by shadows, deathly silent.

That appearance was really not like a living person.

In another instant, his body twisted unnaturally, as if he was really controlled by some eerie force.

Gu Huan narrowed his eyes slightly. Gu Meng Ning and the chief diviner colluded, designing to scare him.

But is there really no such thing as ghosts and gods in this world?