Chapter 235 - 233. Form an Alliance I

Third-person POV

"Cursed Land?" Lu Ping and Weisheng both said at the same time.

"Yes," Long Yang nodded his head.

The earnestness that Long Yang showed on his face proved that he didn't lie. Weisheng furrowed his brows and stared at Long Yang.

"First of all, what is your relationship with my Empress that you didn't use any honorifics when you address her?" Weisheng asked with a menacing tone.

Weisheng was aware that Long Yang had a hidden feeling towards Hong er as he received a piece of news regarding Long Yang visited Hong er when she was about to marry him. But he didn't think much about it because he trusts Hong er and moreover, Hong er rejected Long Yang through a letter that she wrote herself.

"For now, there is no special relationship between us. But we don't know the future." Long Yang spoke with his grey eyes staring at Weisheng's blood-red eyes.

"Then use honorifics, Seventh Prince. Zhen won't tolerate anyone who doesn't respect my Empress." Weisheng reprimanded with his deep voice.

Although Weisheng's voice was calm, they could hear there was an underlying threat in his voice.

Long Yang clenched his jaw and bowed his head, "My apologies, Your Majesty Emperor."

"En. Continue." Weisheng replied.

Lu Ping narrowed his eyes and closed his fan, "Did Seventh Prince say that Her Majesty Empress in Cursed Land? Do you have anything to prove the authenticity of your statement?"

Long Yang was deeply aware that his words seemed unbelievable. And to add it, his identity made him harder to be believed by Weisheng and Lu Ping. Da Chu and Da Qi's current relationship is very strained.

The Xu family, the Da Qi's Empress's family, was publicly stamped as a fugitive by Da Chu's Long royal family which means the Long royal family disregarded Liu royal family's face and insulted Liu royal family to the whole world.

"That Murong Qing came to me about a month ago and asked me to join hand because I have the support of the Second Prince. Maybe she doesn't realize this because she is a fool, but she is clearly used by someone who wants to take over Your Majesty Emperor's throne by force.

At that time, she came to me by herself therefore I managed to fool her to spoil her plan. She didn't tell me directly where she would hide Her Majesty Empress, but I heard her whispering 'Cursed Land' under her breath when she rambling about the love between her and Your Majesty Emperor." Long Yang glanced at Weisheng.

Lu Ping sighed in his heart as he believed that Long Yang was saying the truth when Long Yang mentioned Murong Qing's obsession with Weisheng.

"Of course, I rejected her. No matter how flawless one's plan is, if the executor is a brainless fool, then high chances it will fail.

I may be weak, but I am not a fool. Furthermore, I care about Her Majesty Empress and definitely won't do anything that will harm her no matter how much I want her." Long Yang shot Weisheng a meaningful glance.

Weisheng didn't budge by Long Yang's provocation. He leaned on his throne seat and rested his cheek on his fist.

"Why us?" Weisheng asked indifferently.

From all the people that Long Yang could ask for help, why must he choose Weisheng? Weisheng is Hong er's husband and could be said Long Yang's most difficult love rival. Moreover, Weisheng had a deep hatred towards the Long royal family because of the Xu family's defamation.

"Your Majesty Emperor has an excellent intelligence agency and every information that revolves around this world, you must have aware of it." Long Yang swirled the teacup in his hand.

Lu Ping's brows arched in interest, 'This kid is sharp.'

"It is not a secret that I am in Second Prince's faction, anyway, I need to survive. The Second Prince's power in the court cannot be compared to First Prince's faction, therefore he is very cautious towards anyone that is helping him in fear that they are spies from First Prince's faction.

Even after I helped him numerous times to gain supporters, he still hasn't fully trust me and deployed spies to watch over my movement. But recently he lowered his guard around me and I managed to sneak out to meet you, Your Majesty Emperor." Long Yang vacantly stared at his whirling tea.

"If I asked for help by anyone that is in Second Prince's faction, then I would be labeled as a traitor by him. As you know, Imperial Concubine Li is somewhat obsessed with the Xu family and it is her plan to capture Great General Xu. And the Li family who has the biggest power in our Second Prince's faction would definitely hate it if I helped Her Majesty Empress. The same thing if I asked help from the First Prince's faction.

Furthermore, Your Majesty Emperor has the best connection and authority to command your troops to find Her Majesty Empress. Disregarding any grudge that we have for each other, we have to work together to find Her Majesty Empress." Long Yang gently placed his cup onto the table.

The tent became dead silent after Long Yang said his portion. Lu Ping chuckled and offered to pour Long Yang tea.

"Aiya~ Never expect that from all of the princes that Long Quan has, the Seventh Prince is the wisest. Does Your Highness Seventh Prince ever thought of sitting on the dragon throne?" Lu Ping glanced at Long Yang with inquiring eyes.

Long Yang smiled as he finally understood why Da Qi flourished under Weisheng's reign. The Emperor is very capable of controlling the masses and his subjects. The strict yet flexible ruling made it easier to control the civilians and for them to follow. And by having such talented aides around him truly is a right decision that Weisheng made.

Usually, emperors have high pride and would feel humiliated when their subordinates corrected them or having some parts that are better than them such as appearance, power, or intelligence.

Long Yang shook his head, "No, I am too cowardice to lead my subjects. And I am only helping my Second Brother to obtain the throne because I want to survive."

Lu Ping glanced at Weisheng and saw that Weisheng was silent. Without saying, Lu Ping got Weisheng's message just by a glance.

"Well, if you so. Though it may seem strange, we believe your words but regarding the Cursed Lang that Your Highness Seventh Prince mentioned, we had searched that part and didn't find anything. May you explain it to us?" Lu Ping questioned as he sat back on his seat across Long Yang.

Long Yong widened his eyes in disbelief, "How can that be?! But I am not lying."

Weisheng glanced at Lu Ping and Long Yang then sighed, "Cursed Land is a mysterious place, the people who explored the Cursed Land to study the unfathomable forest disappeared without a trace."

Lu Ping nodded his head in affirmation, "That forest got its name was because anyone that entered the forest never came back, we don't if they are alive or dead. A few days ago, my troops entered the Cursed Land, they didn't find any dead body nor human bones. The forest is very dark and it has a very dense miasma that prevented my troops to advance to the inner part.

Fortunately, my troops found the way back and came back alive. I questioned them and they told me that the trees and mountains were moving and it felt they were sucked into the forest by an unknown force."

Long Yang's face turned pale as he heard Lu Ping's explanation, "Then will Her Majesty Empress be fine?"

"We can assure that she is fine for now." Lu Ping replied with a solemn tone.

"How do you know?" Long Yang clenched his hands into fists.

"Why do we have to tell you?" Lu Ping scrutinized Long Yang with prying eyes.

Long Yang was dumbfounded with Lu Ping's response but he couldn't blame Lu Ping. There is no reason for Weisheng or Lu Ping to tell him about the matters of Hong er when they didn't have any special relationship.

But Long Yang sincerely cares about Hong er and he couldn't just leave Weisheng's base without any knowing anything. Then he felt a warm palm lightly pressed his shoulder. He turned his head around to see his most loyal maid softly smiling at him. He braved his heart and gathered the courage to open his lips.

"How about we form an alliance?"