The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 1171 - 633: The Secret Chamber Beneath the Grand Temple
In the Golden Throne Hall, the Empress issued decree after decree, and the ministers woke from their state of shock and excitement.
Yuann Li and Dong Xuan exchanged glances and bowed: "We obey, Your Majesty!"
In no time, today’s court meeting ended swiftly, and all the ministers couldn’t wait to spread the good news.
It was foreseeable how much this news, especially on the front line of Xiping Road, would boost morale.
In the blink of an eye, the ministers dispersed, and the Empress, with a smile on her face, stepped down from the dragon throne, ordering the head of Prince Jing to be taken away and displayed at Cai Market, clearly squeezing out the last bit of value from Xu Wen.
"Walk with me." Having finished these announcements, the Empress’s emotions seemed a bit stirred as she spoke to Zhao Douan.
Zhao Douan immediately nodded and followed behind the Empress. Soon, the two were walking along the spacious square, with sunshine pouring down upon the land, illuminating the entire Imperial Palace, and with the arrival of spring, the palace breeze was also gentle.
The other palace maids and eunuchs sensibly followed from a distance, and Zhao Douan walked silently, smiling: "Is Your Majesty very happy?"
Xu Zhenguan, dragging the dragon robe, smiled: "Is it that obvious?"
Not obvious? Your mouth is stretched wide... Zhao Douan was silent for a moment and said, "I originally was worried that Your Majesty might be affected by familial sentiments, seeing Xu Wen’s death..."
Xu Zhenguan shook her head: "Since Xu Wen was determined to assassinate us, this ruler stopped having those illusions."
Zhao Douan remained silent.
So, over these two years, the Empress had grown a lot as well, from being a slightly soft-hearted new ruler to gradually wielding thunderous methods now.
"However," Xu Zhenguan reined in her smile, gently exhaled, and said, "happiness is fleeting; with this great enemy resolved, there are still external threats, and this world does not allow this ruler a moment’s rest."
Zhao Douan’s heart stirred: "Is Your Majesty still worried about Xuan Yin? Now it’s just waiting for the forces from various factions of the court to gather at Xiping Road. The Western Regions people are not many, defeating them is only a matter of time."
The various countries of the Western Regions are ultimately small nations, with little advantage against the recuperated Yu Country army. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎
As for the high-end combat power, even if Xuan Yin joins forces with the Western Regions Dharma King, the Empress joining forces with Zhang Yan Yi has no fear whatsoever.
The best "timing window" for the Buddhists was also missed due to Prince Jing’s death.
This was the main reason for the ministers’ earlier jubilations.
Worry appeared on Xu Zhenguan’s elegant brows: "Do you remember that ’Disaster Star’ that streaked across the Imperial Capital last year as reported by the Astronomical Observatory? I’ve always felt that Xuan Yin’s plans are not just this. Plus, it’s not only the Western Regions one must be wary of."
Zhao Douan was surprised: "Does Your Majesty fear the Southwest Liao Clan might take advantage of the situation?"
This is one of only two external enemies for Yu Country. As for the north... Mubei Forest has always been stable, and the Yanshan King is no longer a concern.
Xu Zhenguan said: "I cannot say for certain, just a vague sense of unease."
Pausing, she smiled: "But today, let’s not speak of these. I called you over for another important matter."
"What matter?" Zhao Douan asked suspiciously, his eyes roving over the Empress’s figure.
However, he is not yet a Heavenly Human, and the two cannot restart Dual Cultivation... Unless it’s with the mouth? Or with the legs...
Xu Zhenguan glared at him in mock anger, retorting: "It’s not that kind of thing."
Zhao Douan was greatly disappointed and uninterested: "Then what important matter remains..."
"..." Xu Zhenguan sighed lightly, calmly saying: "Do you remember the room left by the Grand Ancestor in ’Human World,’ which contained an entire map of the Imperial Palace?"
Pausing, she said: "In the past few days, I’ve gone to see it several times. Comparing it with the topographic map of the palace, I detected a secret chamber. Yes, a secret chamber similar to the one beneath the Primordial Ancestor Temple."
Zhao Douan looked at her in surprise: "Where?"
"The Grand Temple." The Empress gave an unexpected answer.
The Grand Temple... that’s the place where the tablets of past emperors are enshrined, meaning that... back then, old Xu dug a secret chamber beneath his own mourning hall...
"Has Your Majesty explored it?" Zhao Douan probed.
The Empress shook her head: "When I discovered it, I had already left the Capital, and using a puppet body was inconvenient for action, so I’ve only now told you."
At this moment, Zhao Douan was surprised to find that the direction they were walking wasn’t towards Yangxin Hall, slightly astonished: "Is Your Majesty going to..."
Xu Zhenguan "mm"ed, her eyes carrying a bit of mystery: "Let’s go take a look. Maybe the Grand Ancestor left some clues."
About the clues to her crossing to this world, the various mysteries on her body... Zhao Douan’s heart began pounding.
...
...
As the ruler and minister proceeded to the Grand Temple to explore the secret chamber, the news of Prince Jing’s death frantically spread through the Capital, following the ministers who had just left the court meeting.
Zhao Mansion.
"What? You say Dalang and Her Majesty killed that Prince Jing yesterday at the Coastal?" You Jinhua exclaimed, standing abruptly in shock upon hearing her daughter’s urgent "report," her voluptuous figure wobbling with its heavy weight.
Zhao Paner, dressed in a bright dress, with a tail-wagging Pekingese dog at her feet, said spiritedly: "The servants below said that on the way out to buy, they ran into Lord Ma’s procession post-court meeting, and Lord Ma called him over to bring the message to our family."
"Was Dalang injured?" You Jinhua’s focus was peculiarly odd.
Zhao Pan complained: "Mother, you didn’t listen to me—Big Brother returned with Her Majesty, what could have happened? If anything did, would he still be attending court in the Golden Throne Hall?"
Ah, yes, Her Majesty is a Heavenly Human cultivator, with her protection, naturally, he would not be harmed... You Jinhua was relieved, then delighted, her eyes sparkling: "So does that mean the rebels in the south have also been quelled? Dalang’s military pledge is nullified?"
