Chapter 2273: Chapter 1963: Mind Your Own Business

After returning to the Imperial Palace, Emperor Zhou did not look for Pei Shuhua. He went directly back to the Long Life Hall, for now it was Pei Shuhua who needed his help, so naturally, she should come to him.

Upon hearing that Emperor Zhou had returned to the Imperial Palace, Pei Shuhua immediately returned to the Long Life Hall, realizing instantly his little scheme of not intending to see her.

Nevertheless, Pei Shuhua wasn’t too concerned. After all, he was just a puppet emperor, and such schemes were his only means to maintain dignity.

Subsequently, Pei Shuhua took the initiative to head to the Long Life Hall.

In the Long Life Hall, Emperor Zhou sat serenely on a meditation mat, his eyes slightly closed, emanating a bluish-black spirit evil aura. Just then, the main door of the Long Life Hall slowly opened, and Pei Shuhua, clad in a profound robe, entered the hall.

After entering the hall, Pei Shuhua directly asked, "I wonder if Your Majesty’s visit to the Zhen Nan Prince Manor today yielded the results you wanted?"

Upon hearing this question, Emperor Zhou opened his eyes and gazed at Pei Shuhua, asking, "Naturally, I received the answer I wanted, but the reply from the Zhen Nan Prince Manor may not be what Mother wants to hear."

Hearing this, Pei Shuhua knew that the Zhen Nan Prince Manor had proposed some conditions disadvantageous to her.

Pei Shuhua calmly stated, "Oh? Is that so?"

"Your Majesty, tell me, I also wish to know the extent of the appetite of the Zhen Nan Prince Manor."

Emperor Zhou then said, "Seal land, Deceit Suppression Bureau."

Upon hearing Emperor Zhou’s terse answer, Pei Shuhua’s expression visibly turned cold, and the black evil around her involuntarily emanated, distorting the space around her.

Soon, Pei Shuhua calmed down, let out a cold laugh, and asked, "Is this the condition proposed by the Zhen Nan Prince Manor, or by Your Majesty?"

In Pei Shuhua’s view, if the Zhen Nan Prince Manor wanted to take this opportunity to rise again, they would most likely ask for seal land and military power, not to control the Deceit Suppression Bureau.

Though controlling the Deceit Suppression Bureau poses a threat to the Royal Family, the Bureau is obligated to suppress strange and evil forces. If the Zhen Nan Prince Manor controls it, the responsibility falls to them.

The Zhen Nan Prince Manor currently has many strong individuals, but after the strange war, it’s uncertain how many Earth Realm strong persons will remain to manage the Bureau.

Pei Shuhua believed the five Earth Realm Stranges would surely retaliate against the Zhen Nan Prince Manor. Even powerful, they would lose many in this war.

So, in Pei Shuhua’s view, it was not the Prince Zhen Nan but Emperor Zhou who wanted the Zhen Nan Prince Manor to control the Bureau, as it would give him another card to play, giving him leverage.

Though Pei Shuhua saw through his little scheme, Emperor Zhou displayed no panic and calmly said, "Naturally, it is the Prince Zhen Nan’s intent."

"If the Empress Dowager is unwilling, then forget it. The appetite of the Prince Zhen Nan is indeed large, seeking to control the Bureau."

Pei Shuhua eyed Emperor Zhou coldly; seeing his expressionless face, she chuckled, then said, "Regardless of whether it’s Prince Zhen Nan’s desire or Your Majesty’s thought, I will agree. After all, Dazhou is Your Majesty’s Dazhou, the Ji family’s Dazhou. If even Your Majesty cares not, why should I?"

Hearing Pei Shuhua’s words, Emperor Zhou was momentarily stunned, his brow slightly furrowed, scarcely believing what he heard. Did she consent?

She agreed so readily?

He anticipated Pei Shuhua would immediately reject and only compromise after the five Earth Realm Stranges wreaked havoc. Unexpectedly, she agreed now.

Emperor Zhou felt a faint foreboding that Pei Shuhua was not worried about the Zhen Nan Prince controlling the Bureau, as if she wasn’t worried that he, as emperor, held a card capable of overturning the situation. This indicated she had a more formidable card.

While Emperor Zhou pondered Pei Shuhua’s unexpected consent, she said, "Your Majesty, you should guard against the Zhen Nan Prince Manor more than me. Do not forget, the Prince Zhen Nan still possesses Dragon Qi."

Emperor Zhou came back to his senses and said calmly, "Thank you for reminding me, Mother."

Pei Shuhua then turned to walk out of the hall, saying as she departed, "Take care of yourself."

Now, Pei Shuhua didn’t bother pretending to be a loving mother in front of Emperor Zhou. To her, no matter how much Emperor Zhou struggled, he could not overturn the situation.

As for letting the Zhen Nan Prince Manor take over the Bureau, she was unworried. So long as they confronted the Earth Realm Stranges, they would suffer greatly, and who knew how many would be left?

Moreover, the Zhen Nan Prince Manor was currently fragile. As long as Lu Chen died, the Prince Zhen Nan would have no heir, and the manor would cease to exist.

Therefore, Pei Shuhua agreed so readily.

Watching Pei Shuhua leave, Emperor Zhou clenched his fists tightly, his eyes showing deep hatred.

A few days later.

Zhen Nan Prince Manor.

At the Training Ground, Lu Chen watched the Skull Deceit thoroughly restrained by Zhao Yu’s aura before him.

This Skull Deceit possessed early-stage Spirit Realm power. Zhao Yu personally caught it outside the Capital City for Lu Chen. To capture it without severely injuring it, Zhao Yu put in considerable effort.

Along the way, Zhao Yu suppressed the Skull Deceit carefully, fearing it might escape his control. Though not worried it would escape, he feared that if it couldn’t be suppressed, he might have to harm it greatly, diminishing its challenge to Lu Chen.

At this moment, Lu Chen drew the Evil-slaying Sword and said to Zhao Yu, "Commander Zhao, release your control over it."

Hearing this, Zhao Yu hesitated, then reminded, "Princely Heir, this Skull Deceit still has complete power, so you must be cautious."

Lu Chen replied, "I will be careful."

Then, Zhao Yu untied the Suppression Rope restraining the Skull Deceit and withdrew his aura.

As the Skull Deceit felt the restraints vanish, its dull eyes flared crimson, and the next moment, a Bone Sword appeared in its hand.

Sensing Lu Chen’s weaker power, the Skull Deceit charged straight at him.

Lu Chen tightened his grip on the Evil-slaying Sword, channeling spirit evil into it, then swung the sword at the Skull Deceit.

As the Sword Evil neared the Skull Deceit, it dodged easily and, transforming into a white blur, accelerated towards Lu Chen again.

Without hesitation, Lu Chen struck with the Evil-slaying Sword again, unleashing numerous Sword Evils at the Skull Deceit, but it easily evaded each one.

Lu Chen’s expression grew serious; it appeared a fully powered spirit evil wasn’t easy to handle.