Chapter 1111: Dust Settles, Xiao An Makes His Move

An Mingji lowered his gaze gently, watching the person in his arms with eyes soft as water. If Gu Jin opened his eyes, he would surely drown in An Mingji’s gaze.

Only at this time did An Mingji dare to fully release his deep affection.

He knew his possessive desire toward Gu Jin and the occasionally dark, extreme thoughts within him. Afraid of scaring Ah Jin, he usually didn’t show them easily.

At this moment, the way the other person slept peacefully pleased him greatly. An Mingji’s lips unconsciously curved into a joyful arc.

Just holding Ah Jin like this, with no one disturbing them, time seemed to stop, and that was quite nice.

He cherished this time of solitude without interference.

It was as if between heaven and earth, only he and Ah Jin remained, with no one to disrupt them.

On the table, the phone screen within the barrier dimmed, but it quickly lit up again.

The call was from Wanqi Jingyi, presumably the result from the Chen Palace had already come through.

An Mingji rose slowly from holding Gu Jin, lifting his foot toward the other’s bedroom.

Even if he cherished the feel of holding Ah Jin, the urgent matter at hand was more important.

He needed to know everything happening in the Chen Palace to arrange the following steps.

...

While Gu Jin lay peacefully asleep in the bedroom, An Mingji was already in the dining room, eating the breakfast that Kasi had meticulously prepared.

He returned Wanqi Jingyi’s call.

The answer he received differed somewhat from his expectations, yet the overall result was the same.

The Cabinet pressured Han Yong’an to abdicate, but after wielding power for so long, he wouldn’t give it up easily.

However, this time, the Cabinet, backed by the eight great families, forced him to retreat.

Han Yong’an would remain in power for another year, after which he would step down and Yu Shuo would take over.

During this year, Yu Shuo would receive various instructions, learning the Emperor’s Skill, preparing for his ascension the following year.

This was the compromise reached between the royal family and the Cabinet.

From now on, Yu Shuo is the next heir and will be protected by the great families.

It’s not about loyalty but mutual interests.

The matter of the Yin Family had its final conclusion; facing the royal family, they couldn’t seek justice.

Han Yong’an ordered the massacre of the Yin Family due to the death of Crown Prince Han Yibin; attributing blame was difficult.

But Han Yong’an’s methods were too cruel, the Yin Family would never swear allegiance to him, even to the point of opposing him until death.

The Yin Family only had Yin Geping left as the direct line; he would be the next head of the Yin Family, retaining their position among the four great families in Beijing.

This was decided by the Cabinet; the roots of the Yin Family remain, and the royal family’s coldness has hardened their hearts against further oppression.

In short term, the Yin Family would struggle to restore their prime, but remaining among the four great families, with previous connections and some promising youth among their branches, gives hope.

Given time, the Yin Family would certainly rise to their peak again.

This confidence stems from Yin Geping’s restoration of cultivation capability.

Last night, the Nine Revolutions Soul Revival Pill given by Gu Jin not only restored his cultivation but significantly enhanced it.

Before being crippled, Yin Geping’s cultivation was at Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer.

Now his cultivation has reached the peak of Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer.

He’s incredibly close to the Golden Core Stage, just a step away, although this step might take three to five years, being young affords him plenty of time to break through.

Even with Yin Zhiqiang and Second Uncle Yin alive, their cultivation wasn’t as high as Yin Geping’s.

With a leader of profound cultivation, resurgence is inevitable.

The affiliated forces of the Yin Family knowing his high cultivation, would pledge allegiance to him.

The father’s last wishes, he would not ignore.

As for Han Yixuan, delivered to the Yin Family last night, she has already died.

Before death, she endured immense pain, even her body was not left behind.

The phone on the dining table was on speaker, Wanqi Jingyi narrated the events of last night.

An Mingji put down his chopsticks, reached for the glass of milk on the table, and drank it all in one go.

He placed the glass back on the table, grabbed the phone, and left the dining room.

He walked and spoke into the phone: "I understand the situation now, have you found Yu Tianrui?"

Wanqi Jingyi: "No news yet, but all family heads have dispatched people to search."

An Mingji arrived in the living room and saw Allen with Linda standing silently in the pavilion’s center, so motionless they appeared almost statuesque.

No one knew how long they’d been standing there, throughout silent, unwavering.

An Mingji passed them, and headed towards the door.

Duoduo sat crouched at the door, its fluffy white ears perked, immediately rising upon hearing his footsteps.

"Woof woof—"

It let out a low whimper as if being coy.

An Mingji raised his leg and rubbed its snowy fur with his bare ankle.

Thinking that its master was playing, Duoduo wagged its tail a few times before gently flicking it around An Mingji’s ankle.

An Mingji reached out with his other hand and flicked its tail. This seemingly gentle motion was imbued with spiritual power and hurt!

Duoduo let out a whimper and quickly withdrew its tail from his ankle.

Seeing this, An Mingji chuckled lightly and raised an eyebrow at the aggrieved Duoduo.

Duoduo turned away arrogantly, walking away from him.

Looking from afar at Duoduo’s retreating figure, its tucked tail was still visible.

An Mingji’s smile widened, speaking softly into the phone, "With so many forces mobilizing to search, surely news will come soon."

"Hopefully," Wanqi Jingyi also hoped to quickly find news of Yu Tianrui.

Remembering Yu Shuo’s lifeless condition last night, he felt uneasy.

Yu Shuo’s situation is dire, with his wife deceased and his son missing.

Last night, he was taken to the Chen Palace as a bargaining chip, staying silent and emotionless like a wooden figure according to reports.

Walking onto the balcony, An Mingji was bathed in morning light, squinting slightly at the glare with his attractive and affectionate eyes.

He inquired again, "Was it Yu Shuo asking for that position himself?"

Wanqi Jingyi remained silent for a moment before responding in complexity, "Young Master An, according to my father’s intention, Yu Shuo didn’t express any opinion last night."

This meant that from start to finish, it was the Cabinet’s decision, not consulting him, thrusting Yu Shuo into a perilous position.

Hearing this, An Mingji sighed softly.

This was the outcome he least wanted to see.

Yu Shuo being Gu Jin’s senior disciple, any troubles would prevent Ah Jin from feeling reassured about leaving with him.

An Mingji exchanged a few more words with Wanqi Jingyi before ending the call.

His hand rested against the wooden post of the corridor, gently tapping its surface with slim fingers, rhythmically.

An Mingji wore a contemplative expression, his face somewhat grave.

Suddenly, he turned and ordered Allen standing in the hall, "Bring Yu Shuo here, do it discreetly."