I Became the Devil Queen's Heart Demon-Chapter 1009 - 375: The Empress Arrives! Empress and Empress Face Off! (Part 2)
"Alright."
Kuang Yinghao nodded, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, and said in a deep voice, "You should already know the identity of the individual coming here later. If you want to keep your official hats, then keep your mouths shut, stay sharp, and don’t cause everyone to go down together!"
"Do you understand?"
"We understand!"
Everyone responded in unison.
Kuang Yinghao glanced at the sky, his brows furrowed, his eyes full of worry.
A few days ago, his nephew working in Tiannan sent word that two Heavenly Qilin Guard Thousand Households had arrived from the Capital, intending to eradicate the remnants of the Gu God Sect in the Southern Border.
The leader is none other than Chen Mo, who has recently become quite famous.
The other has already destroyed several strongholds and has apprehended a County Magistrate. The next stop is Bailu City, clearly not coming with good intentions.
Just as he was thinking about how to respond, he received notification from the Capital that the Princess will arrive at the State City in two days!
As a local official of Nantu, Kuang Yinghao naturally understood the weight of that princess.
Putting aside her Imperial Family status, if it weren’t for her suppressing the Southern Barbarians and defending the frontier for years, the Southern Border might still be in dire straits, viewed by all citizens as a figure akin to a deity!
This kind of person visiting in person would shake the whole State Mansion; negligence is not an option.
Yet at this critical moment, trouble erupted in the city, the Gu God Sect appeared in public, proclaiming rebellion, and the actor possessed by the Gu Poison Worm was ironically playing the Princess! 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮
All these events just collided together; what the hell, that’s too coincidental!
"Is it really a coincidence, or is someone orchestrating it deliberately..."
Kuang Yinghao was pondering this when an elderly man, whose hair was speckled with gray and dressed in a robe with curved sleeves, stepped forward, causing everyone to bow in greeting.
"Greetings, Lord Jiao."
The current Prefect of Nantu, Jiao Yu, looked at Kuang Yinghao and asked, "How long before the honored guest arrives?"
Kuang Yinghao replied, "According to the notification, approximately two hours remain."
"Come on, let’s wait outside the city gates. If they arrive early and we’re not present, it would be a grave courtesy lapse." Supported by the attendants, Jiao Yu sat in a sedan chair, then pulled aside the curtain and said, "If they inquire about yesterday’s incident..."
Kuang Yinghao murmured, "I’ve found a few condemned prisoners in the state prison; they can be used to take the blame if necessary..."
"Good." Jiao Yu nodded and instructed, "Remember, turn major issues into minor ones and minor issues into none. First get through this moment."
"I understand."
Kuang Yinghao’s expression was complicated.
He knew well that Bailu City was certainly not clean; the Gu God Sect had most likely infiltrated it.
But whatever investigations take place inside can happen, under the Heavenly Family’s watch nothing should escalate, as it involves more than just him, dozens of colleagues also... The State Mansion had just been through a major personnel change, any further disruptions are intolerable...
"Let’s move out."
"Yes."
Hooves galloped, swiftly heading towards the city gate.
"The honored guest?"
Yu Youhan hesitated for a moment, not rushing to act, but silently following behind.
The sky had not yet brightened, the night was falling.
The group passed through the empty streets to arrive in front of the main gate.
The guards had already received word; the gates were open, hundreds lined up neatly, with two rows of flaming torches stuck into the ground, crackling with the sound of burning.
As the officials reached outside the city, they dismounted one after another, arranging themselves according to their ranks.
Yu Youhan watched this scene with growing perplexity, "What kind of guest requires such a large display?"
At that moment, she sensed something and looked up into the distant sky, a hint of surprise crossing her eyes.
"Is this..."
...
...
At the beginning of the hour of 5 a.m., the east was suffused with a faint dawn.
An opulent flying boat sliced through the sky, sweeping over, slowly descending to the ground.
As the long ladder extended downward, dozens of armed Black Armor Guards emerged from the cabin, standing on both sides, followed by a figure dressed in a regal red royal garb, embroidered with golden phoenixes on the skirt, walking out step by step.
Her black hair was coiffed, adorned with pearl and jade hairpins, her bright and exquisite face resembling jade carving, yet her brow and eyes exuded a deterrent majesty that kept strangers at bay.
Several Female Officers followed behind, holding umbrella covers, yellow flags, and ceremonial blades, adding a touch of solemnity to the atmosphere.
Clattering—
Jiao Yu led a group of officials forward quickly, and they knelt in unison, heavily bowing their heads.
"Your subordinate greets Princess Xuanhuang!"
"May the Princess have abundant blessings and peace!"
Yu Youhan watched this scene from afar, her expression frozen.
She certainly didn’t expect Chu Yanli to come to Bailu City, but what astonished her even more was seeing the big-bosomed Female Officer walking beside Chu Yanli, carrying a fan...
"Jiang Yuchan?!"
"Why did this stinking woman come too?!"
Though the Empress had changed her appearance through some means, Yu Youhan recognized her at a glance.
As the nation’s mother, of Golden Branch, Jade Leaf, she shouldn’t have even left the Imperial Palace, yet this woman actually disguised herself as a servant, traveling miles to the Southern Border?!
What a joke!
Soon she figured it out.
"Seems like Zhong Lihe guessed my identity and informed the Empress, that’s why she abandoned state affairs and chased all the way here?"
Watching the Empress, who was tip-toeing and looking around, Yu Youhan narrowed her eyes, a sinister smile curling her lips, "Going to such lengths for Chen Mo? Looks like I underestimated you before."
...
...
"Your Highness, please mind your posture."
Sun Senior Palace Lady tugged at the Empress’s garment, softly reminded.
The Empress withdrew her gaze, muttering, "Strange, why haven’t I seen the little thief? He should’ve arrived before me."
"Alright, everyone rise." Chu Yanli lightly said.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
