Beast World: The Crazy Female Is Chased by Five Beast Husbands - Chapter 22

Li Xuan Yue hadn’t expected Zhong He to agree so quickly.

She was momentarily stunned.

She had thought she would need to continue playing the pitiable victim in front of this Zhong attendant, expending more effort to persuade him.

Now, it seemed all that was unnecessary.

Regaining her composure, she said in a low voice, “You’ll find out when the time comes.”

Li Xuan Yue’s deliberately mysterious demeanor left even Zhong He somewhat baffled.

Meanwhile, on Li Qing He’s side, due to Li Xuan Yue’s outrageous demands, most of the treasures in her storeroom had been taken away by Xiao Han’s men.

The once-spacious storeroom now held only a few gold and silver items even the better-quality ginseng hadn’t been spared by Xiao Han’s people.

They claimed it was to nourish Li Xuan Yue’s health.

But who knew whose mouth that ginseng would ultimately end up in?

Li Qing He was so furious she wanted to draw her sword and kill someone.

“That b1tch she did this on purpose.”

If Li Qing He still couldn’t see that Li Xuan Yue was retaliating against her at this point, she might as well have lived her life in vain.

“After I, out of sisterly affection, planned to let her live another half a year now it seems there’s no need at all.”

Gnashing her teeth, Li Qing He ordered:

“Ru Yue, go inform Imperial Physician Fang. Tell him to proceed with our first plan increase the dosage. I want that b1tch dead from her madness within three months.”

Li Xuan Yue’s brazen extortion today had thoroughly enraged Li Qing He.

In the past, she had never imagined Li Xuan Yue could be so sharp tongued and ruthless.

She had always appeared gentle and smiling in front of her.

But today, it was as if she had become a completely different person.

An inexplicable unease settled in Li Qing He’s heart, making her wish for the other’s immediate death.

“Your Highness, could the Eldest Princess have truly discovered something?” Ru Yue asked worriedly.

Otherwise, why would Li Xuan Yue have spoken to Li Qing He in such a manner today at the Wutong Palace?

Li Qing He glanced sideways at Ru Yue. “What could she possibly discover?”

“A reckless, brainless fool all she can do is throw tantrums. What else could she uncover?”

In Li Qing He’s eyes, Li Xuan Yue was merely fortunate to have been born from the Empress’s womb.

That was the only reason she enjoyed such unparalleled favor.

Unlike herself, who had been born from a consort’s womb.

Though the Phoenix Clan revered women, they reserved the right to refuse bearing children for men.

Unless a woman loved a man deeply, the man would have to take a fertility pill to conceive and bear the child alone.

As it happened, the Noble Consort Zhao of that time had been the latter.

“Also, when you instruct Imperial Physician Fang, make sure he’s extremely cautious.”

Though Li Qing He had been infuriated by Li Xuan Yue today, she hadn’t lost all her rationality.

“Remember if he’s discovered, send someone to kill him immediately.”

Ru Yue’s concerns might have been overly paranoid, but Li Qing He still took them to heart.

She couldn’t afford to be implicated at this critical juncture.

“Additionally, the families of my elder sister’s five attendants will arrive in the Phoenix Clan the day after tomorrow. Find an opportunity to spread the rumor that she’s unlikely to bear children.”

Li Xuan Yue had crossed the line first today so she shouldn’t blame Li Qing He for striking back mercilessly.

The matter of heirs was no trivial issue.

It concerned the future of the entire Phoenix Clan.

The reason the Hundred Clans selected men to marry into the Phoenix Clan was precisely because the Phoenix Clan was divine.

They sought its protection through these alliances.

But what if they knew that the Great Princess of the Divine Clan they worship would never bear her own descendants?

Would they continue their adoration?

The fact that Li Xuanyue struggled with fertility was known only to a few of her palace consorts and the Phoenix Emperor no one else was privy to this secret.

Yet now, news of her infertility had somehow spread, stirring up a storm across the entire Phoenix Clan.

Even the elders who had previously opposed the Phoenix Emperor’s decision to let Li Xuanyue dismiss her consorts had caught wind of it.

Only then did they realize why the Phoenix Emperor had secluded himself three months ago.

If this rumor wasn’t entirely true, it was at least eighty percent accurate.

“What should we do? Should we confront the Phoenix Emperor directly?”

One of the elders hesitated, his voice uneasy. “We can’t just believe every rumor that circulates, can we?”

“Besides, the families of the five consorts will arrive tomorrow. What if they hear about this and demand answers?”

They couldn’t possibly claim ignorance wouldn’t that make them a laughingstock?

“Second Elder is right,” another elder chimed in. “Grand Elder, we must seek clarity from the Phoenix Emperor. If the Great Princess truly can’t bear heirs, we’ll have to reconsider our allegiance.”

Privately, he had never held much faith in the princess.

She was hot-tempered, stubborn, and carried herself with an air of arrogance.

Only under the Grand Elder’s persuasion had he sided with her.

But now, with her infertility exposed, he saw no reason to continue supporting her.

“Let’s wait a little longer,” the Grand Elder said, his voice steady.

Unlike the impulsive Third Elder, who wanted immediate confirmation, the Grand Elder had weathered enough storms to remain composed.

“There must be some misunderstanding here.”

He paused briefly before continuing.

The Grand Elder was no fool he understood the intricate politics of the Phoenix Clan better than anyone.

If Li Xuanyue truly couldn’t conceive, Li Feng would have stepped forward long ago.

He wouldn’t have allowed such rumors to spread unchecked.

In his view, the princess must have offended someone powerful, making her a target.

“What misunderstanding?” the Third Elder retorted impatiently. “I’d say there’s a ninety percent chance this is true.”

The other elders, seeing his stance, quickly voiced their agreement.

“Third Elder speaks wisely. This must be true otherwise, why would the Phoenix Emperor avoid us all this time?”

How long had it been since they last saw Li Feng?

Nearly three months.

Though the Phoenix Clan had no major crises requiring court assemblies, when they sought an audience regarding Li Xuanyue’s decision to dismiss her consorts, the palace gates remained firmly shut.

The elders couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss.

Their speculation? Li Feng had likely known about Li Xuanyue’s infertility long ago hence his refusal to meet them.

Otherwise, why would he, who had never turned them away before, suddenly become so distant?

“Elder, if you don’t wish to confront them about this matter, we won’t force you,”

the Third Elder spoke up. “But the other elders and I must get to the bottom of this.”