The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 1183 - 638: Entering the Southwest Territory

Lu Yaner was indeed never Prince Jing’s consort, even though she had long walked the world under this identity. Zhao Douan also called her by this out of habit. At this point, he was reminded and apologized, "I misspoke. Miss Lu, please accompany me to the government office. The Imperial Palace is not quite appropriate."

Miss Lu... Lu Yaner, whose actual age was not young, found this address somewhat novel, but her heart was more shocked by the attitude Zhao Douan displayed.

This man, who apologized gently and seemed so agreeable, was he really the same arrogant, overbearing person who turned the entire Yu Country upside down?

As a woman, Lu Yaner’s sixth sense made her acutely aware of a change in Zhao Douan’s demeanor today. Considering she heard of the Empress’s western expedition after entering the Capital, she instinctively linked the two and nodded.

The two took a carriage to the Imperial Court.

On the way, Zhao Douan inquired about Lu Yaner’s journey to the Capital and learned she traveled with the "Heavenly Master Mansion trio." Jin Jian and the others returned to the Heavenly Master Mansion. She had no acquaintances to seek, so she simply headed straight for the Imperial Palace.

While speaking, Lu Yaner maintained an air of a high-ranking magician from the Martial World but frequently stole glances at Zhao Douan, revealing her unease.

It was as if she feared Zhao Douan might change his mind.

"Miss Lu, rest assured. Although my reputation is poor, I’ve never broken a promise," Zhao Douan reassured with a smile.

Lu Yaner was momentarily at a loss for words.

When the two arrived at Lihua Hall, Zhao Douan alone brought her into a room before attempting to visualize Pei Niannu again—

A few days ago, he had mentioned Lu Yaner to Pei Niannu.

At this moment, as the female sorcerer in her red bridal attire emerged bit by bit, her gaze pierced through the dark gold face mask and fixed on this descendant from six hundred years ago.

Lu Yaner was so overwhelmed with excitement that she immediately knelt down: "Descendant Lu Yaner pays homage to the founder of our sect!"

The notoriously temperamental Pei Niannu uncharacteristically softened her gaze, glanced at Zhao Douan, and said, "You, leave."

This was to be a private conversation...

Oh, don’t I need to serve as your interpreter? Zhao Douan was taken aback, then suddenly remembered that Pei Niannu had directly conversed with the Empress in the secret chamber beneath the Grand Temple. He had previously thought it was because the Empress’s cultivation was sufficiently advanced to enable direct communication.

It now seemed that as his cultivation increased, the visualized Pei Niannu appeared more lifelike.

Now, not only could she forcibly manifest, but she could also converse directly with others, bypassing him.

"I’ll be outside. Call me when you’re done," Zhao Douan shrugged and walked out, uninterested in eavesdropping on the heartwarming reunion.

He closed the door.

Zhao Douan walked further away, sitting under the large pear tree in the courtyard of Lihua Hall.

After a long while.

The tightly shut door opened.

Lu Yaner emerged, eyes red with emotion, while Pei Niannu transformed back into a shadow and vanished once more.

"Is it over?" Zhao Douan laughed, "You two can chat some more."

After using the Dragon Essence that day, in the following days, he convalesced in the Capital, unexpectedly discovering he had quietly reached the Perfect Realm of the Worldly Realm.

A step further would make him a Half-step Celestial.

In retrospect, it was likely due to that battle’s "breaking without standing."

Thus, the time he could maintain Pei Niannu’s presence in reality was also increasing.

"No need," Lu Yaner took a deep breath, calming her emotions, and solemnly bowed, "Thank you, Mr. Zhao, for fulfilling your promise and helping me reclaim my sect’s heritage."

Her cultivation talent was extremely high, but due to the disruption of her sect’s heritage, she had been stuck at the Worldly Realm for years, unable to find the path forward.

Today, with Pei Niannu’s direct guidance, she became clear-headed and saw the future path ahead.

Of course, compared to cultivation, what mattered more was that a nearly lost heritage had once again resurfaced in the mortal world.

"No need to thank me; it was our agreement," Zhao Douan produced a sheet of paper and handed it over, saying, "Besides, in the court’s Shadow Guard, there’s also a woman cultivating this same path, codenamed Hong Ye. Previously injured, I ordered her relocated to the Capital, residing at this place. If interested, you may visit her, whether or not she stays is up to her. I thought she might be a relative of your sect."

Lu Yaner was startled, her eyes revealing delight. She quickly took it and solemnly expressed her gratitude once more, then laughed, "Others speak ill of Mr. Zhao, yet I find our interactions to be quite different from the rumors. If Mr. Zhao wasn’t already betrothed to the Emperor and I weren’t much older than you, I might even consider repaying you with my life." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Zhao Douan chuckled in disbelief, surprised at this side of the pretend princess. They had only met a few times, easy to count on one hand, and the first encounter was due to an assassination attempt, yet they ended up collectively eliminating Xu Wen—a curious turn of events.

Zhao Douan laughed, "What plans does Miss Lu have next?"

Lu Yaner’s response was astonishing: "After resting in the Capital for a while, I plan to head to the front lines of Xiping Road, to fight against the Western Regions Buddhists."

Zhao Douan was momentarily stunned: "Why?"

In his view, after obtaining a complete heritage, should one not lie low and enjoy limitless freedom?

Lu Yaner smiled gently, "It’s a promise between me and the founder. She had participated in the Heavenly Hunting and Destruction of Buddha then and perished in battle against Buddhist experts. Now that those bald monks have once again raised the flag of revenge, as a disciple, I ought to head to Xiping to join the fight. Besides, for a sorcerer like me, to advance in cultivation requires fighting and dueling."