During her days in the Capital City, Ah Chen also often encountered assassination attempts, but however many came, just as many fell; not a single one succeeded, and none could even harm a strand of her hair. Those plotting to kill her in secret felt as though they faced an insurmountable mountain, filled with despair and unwillingness.

Compared to these people, the commoners adapted well, and their lives were naturally affected, becoming even better.

Long before this, the commoners had already heard of Emperor Canglan’s reputation.

Now that they too had become Canglan people, they finally realized that Emperor Canglan was a good ruler; it wasn’t just a rumor. She was indeed an emperor who allowed them to live and work in peace.

The Third Prince of Nan Qi, Song Feng, prided himself on his martial prowess and secretly raised a group of Death Warriors.

He had been waiting for an opportunity, for Ah Chen to leave the Imperial Palace. Today, that opportunity finally arose.

He thought that after his arrangements, he would surely be able to eliminate this demoness who destroyed Nan Qi. However, just as they revealed themselves, she crushed the wine cup in her hand, and several shards flew towards them, slicing their throats before they had a chance to evade.

How could she be so powerful?

So powerful that she wasn’t even interested in wasting time tangling with them. Until today, he always thought that keeping them alive was her last resort strategy, believing that as long as they lived, they would one day overthrow her.

Keeping them alive was akin to raising a tiger that might cause trouble.

Today, he realized that in her eyes, they were like ants, not worth her attention.

Some people she couldn’t tolerate, but in her eyes, she could accommodate so many more. It seemed as if she stood far above them all, so high that their lives or deaths really meant nothing to her unless they were like members of the Bei Qi Royal Family, who had to die; otherwise, she had no interest in killing them.

It turned out that her ability to single-handedly overthrow a dynasty was real. Until today, he didn’t quite believe it, assuming she had made some secret arrangements in advance.

If he hadn’t come to kill her today and had stayed quietly in the estate within the Capital City, perhaps he could have lived to old age. But there was no turning back now, and his throat, too, was mercilessly pierced by the fragments of a wine cup.

If he behaved, she could let him live.

Now that he was here, she would surely get rid of this trouble to avoid disturbing her affairs. Instinct told him this was how she thought.

Today, Ah Chen wasn’t actually busy. It was just that the lotus flowers over there had bloomed, and she had invited Fan Shi to enjoy the flowers. Having been busy there for quite some time, going out to play was deserved, though an unwelcome guest appeared. It didn’t affect her much, but Fan Shi wasn’t too pleased.

He ordered someone to unveil the masks of these assassins, wanting to see who dared, only to witness Third Prince Song Feng’s death.

"Why bother."

"It’s a pity you don’t have the fortune to see the coming prosperity."

Since his identity was now clear, there was no need to investigate further.

The fact that the Nan Qi Royal Family wanted to kill Your Majesty was nothing unusual.

So long as they hadn’t committed any crimes, Your Majesty would spare their lives. If they didn’t want to live, then dying was for the best to avoid interfering with Your Majesty’s work.

"Your Majesty, it’s Song Feng."

"Take care of it." Ah Chen said. As Song Feng thought at the end, whether to kill them or not meant nothing to her. If they didn’t interfere with her work, they could live well. If they insisted on courting death, she didn’t mind sending them on their way.

Fan Shi thought Ah Chen was displeased by this and told her he would be back shortly.

Ah Chen didn’t know what he was going to do, so she waited where she was.

After dealing with those assassins, Lu Zhu, Hong Zhu, and the others refused to leave this time. Even though they knew nothing would happen to Your Majesty, they were still uneasy. Seeing them like this, Ah Chen didn’t force them.

They were wondering what the Think Tank was up to.

Before long, he appeared holding several lotus stalks, presenting them to her. Among them were flowers in full bloom, some in bud, and others with only seed pods left.

Lu Zhu and Hong Zhu initially thought their Majesty and the Think Tank were discussing important matters. This current scene seemed quite off.

At sunset, on the way back to the palace, Lu Zhu was still pondering why today felt odd, only to see Hong Zhu smiling to herself, looking puzzled. She nudged Hong Zhu lightly, her eyes questioning why she was laughing.

Hong Zhu shook her head, her smile widening, and when Lu Zhu grew a bit anxious, she leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Your Majesty and the Think Tank are about to have something good happen."

This time, Lu Zhu understood, and suddenly it all made sense. She recalled how the Think Tank had mentioned to her some time ago about choosing a Court Consort for Your Majesty, always seeming downcast. So this was the reason.

The news of Song Feng’s attempted assassination of Ah Chen being thwarted reached the ears of the Nan Qi Royal Family members that day.

Many assassins had died during this period, and this outcome was not surprising to them.

Upon hearing the news, Song Jing felt a surge of fear. She hated Yu Chen, yet faced with such a formidable opponent, she had no options and could only wait.

A few days later, Song Wei and Song Li came to Song Jing, asking if she wanted to leave. Staying in the Capital City meant living a muddled life forever, and they needed to find a way out.

"Where to?" Song Jing asked. Where could they go now? The Barbarian Tribe’s place had a harsh environment and tough conditions; they couldn’t adapt.

The east was chaotic, a place of exile, not a good place either. So much time had passed, and who knew how the Cui Family, exiled to the east, was doing.

When they left, Song Jing hadn’t arranged for anyone to inquire or gather information.

Song Wei and Song Li exchanged glances, then Song Li spoke up, "To the east."

"Though it’s chaotic there, it’s also an opportunity," Song Wei said. "An opportunity to rebuild Nan Qi. Ninth Sister, you don’t want to just let it end like this, right?"

Song Jing clenched her fists; naturally, she didn’t want to.

But she also didn’t want to leave, as life outside wouldn’t be easy.

"If I go with you, I might become a burden," Song Jing said softly. "When it’s time for you to act, you’d have to look out for me. I have an idea. You brothers go over there, and I’ll stay here to observe the situation in Canglan Country. In the future, if necessary, we can coordinate from within and without."

She truly didn’t want to endure hardship or risk, but her words about coordinating from within and without were genuine.

In her position, she could advance or retreat, ensuring a way out. If things didn’t work out, she could still survive.

Song Wei and Song Li thought about it and agreed it was feasible; indeed, they needed someone on this side to gather information.

Song Jing then asked, "How many people are going over there? Can you even get out?"

She certainly hoped to rebuild Nan Qi, but thinking of Yu Chen’s prowess dampened her spirits.

"At present, it’s just Big Brother, myself, and the Fifth Brother. The other sisters aren’t willing to go, saying life now is quite good," Song Wei said, sounding disappointed. It was understandable; after all, they had long been married, now with sons and daughters and husbands, no longer considered members of the Song Family.

Song Jing asked, "Isn’t Fourth Brother going?"