?
Chen Mo was taken aback, almost thinking he had misheard, "What does Your Highness an by this?"
The Empress wore a complex expression and said helplessly, "Although I am reluctant, I must admit, Li’er is right. Gaining military support is crucial for you right now."
"Moreover, do you know why Wu Lie wants you to participate in the consort selection?"
"Think carefully, if you were not able to return safely this ti, what would happen then?"
A sudden realization flashed through Chen Mo’s mind, and his heart chilled!
If he was refined by that great formation, once his Root Bone was extracted, the remaining shell wouldn’t be wasted either.
If Chu Yanli didn’t enter the Secret Realm, she would have no idea what happened inside. Wu Lie could completely have soone else wear this face and marry her. Once her body was completely destroyed by the Dragon Qi, the military power could be reclaid seamlessly!
If Chu Yanli secretly infiltrated the Secret Realm, it would be even easier; as long as she was left inside, all problems would naturally be resolved!
No matter the opponent’s choice, the outco was already destined!
Thinking of this, Chen Mo couldn’t help but feel a chill down his spine, realizing Wu Lie’s sches were far more ruthless than he had anticipated!
The Empress coldly said, "Years ago when the Southern Barbarians invaded, demons ran rampant, he needed soone to step up and stabilize the empire, so even if Li’er pointed at his nose calling him a foolish emperor, he could tolerate it... But now, with the Demon Clan hiding in a corner and the Barbarian Tribe showing signs of decline, the empire is stable, making Li’er a thorn in his side!"
Chen Mo narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "It seems our emperor indeed knows how to use things to their fullest potential!"
"But he absolutely did not expect you to escape this killing ga, so now we ought to go with the flow and keep the military power in our hands, maybe it will be of great use in the future!" the Empress said seriously.
Silence once again fell inside the hall.
After a long silence, Chen Mo asked, "Does Your Highness truly agree?"
"Even though I am unwilling, I must prioritize the bigger picture now," the Empress pouted and said, "Besides, being a prince consort is rely a title, it’s not like you are really marrying Li’er. Just so you know, you are not allowed to sleep with her!"
"What are you saying! If a prince consort doesn’t sleep with the princess, is he supposed to sleep with the Empress?" Chen Mo replied with a laugh.
"You- you are courting death!"
The Empress’s face turned beet red, unable to speak for a while, she simply turned around, wrapping her legs around his waist, biting on his shoulder, "Serves you right for spouting nonsense, I’m biting you to death, you bad egg!"
This force was akin to a tickle for Chen Mo.
Rather, it stirred a strange feeling within him...
"Hmm?"
The Empress blinked her eyes, her expression sowhat confused.
Realizing sothing, she felt her cheeks growing hotter, hurriedly trying to get up to escape, but her waist was held firmly by a large hand, leaving her immobile.
Pressed close together, Chen Mo leaned towards her ear and whispered, "My nature has always been to favor gentleness over force. When Your Highness approaches, naturally I will counterattack."
The Empress: "..."
Soon after, panic sounds echoed within the grand hall:
"Not here! What if soone cos..."
"Relax, I’m keeping watch."
"I still need to and the morials for tomorrow’s court eting..."
"You do your work, I’ll do mine, it won’t affect Your Highness handling official business... Hmm? Is the brush out of ink? Let grind so for you..."
"No need..."
...
...
Qianji Palace.
The imperial palace seed silent, with vermilion walls surrounding it in endless expanse, where a grand hall sat silent like a dormant beast.
Bang——
A deafening explosion shattered the tranquility, the tightly shut door burst open, several guards flew backward, heavily falling into the courtyard.
Their faces were as pale as paper, struggling to get up.
Step, step, step——
A tall figure clad in Red Gold Armor walked in slowly.
"Who dares trespass the Inner Court!"
Commander Ji Jingyu of the Divine Strategy Army heard the commotion and rushed over with his n to surround her.
Just as he was about to draw his sword, upon seeing that familiar face, he involuntarily trembled before hurriedly kneeling on one knee, cupping his hands, "Subordinate greets Your Highness the Princess!"
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
Behind him, the others knelt down with a collective clatter.
Chu Yanli’s lips lacked color but her eyes remained fierce. Her hand rested on the sword’s hilt at her waist and she spoke calmly, "I wish to see Wu Lie."
"His Majesty is unwell, the palace is under lockdown, no one is allowed unauthorized entry." Ji Jingyu kept his head lowered, speaking in a deep tone, "Please halt, Your Highness!"
"I rember sparing you last ti." Chu Yanli breathed deeply, her eyes glowing gold, "Clear the way, or die here. You have three seconds to decide..."
"Three..."
"Two..."
The pressure dropped to its lowest.
Cold sweat dripped from Ji Jingyu’s forehead, yet he dared not make a move.
Chu Yanli’s eyes were as cold as stars, her thumb shifted the sword guard, the murderous aura nearly freezing the air!
"Very well, you chose the path yourself, so don’t bla for being ruthless."
"One..."
"Your Highness!"
At this mont, a low voice sounded.
Turning her head, Chu Yanli saw a burly figure standing at the entrance, wearing Red Luo Clothes, with steel-like white whiskers—it was the imperial Grandmaster Lv Huaiyu.
"What, do you plan to stop too?" Chu Yanli raised her brow.
"That is not my intention." Lv Huaiyu replied, "I rely wish to advise Your Highness not to waste effort, His Majesty is not in the palace."
"What did you say?" Chu Yanli’s face changed.
Lv Huaiyu’s expression tugged, pulling out a difficult smile, "With things progressed to this point, do you think His Majesty wouldn’t anticipate what happens next? Would he stay here, waiting for everyone to co at him?"
Staring at the pitch-black, sealed palace hall, Chu Yanli knew he spoke the truth, gritting her teeth, "Where is he then?"
Lv Huaiyu shook his head, "I don’t know, after the incident at the Southern Border, His Majesty no longer trusts ."
Chu Yanli remained silent for a mont before scoffing, "Evade for a ti, but can he run forever? If he wants to play dead, I’ll grant him that by announcing the Holy Emperor’s passing, let’s see if he can bear losing the Great Yuan Empire!"
"His Majesty foresaw that." Lv Huaiyu shrugged, "Hence before your return, he enacted a dispatch limit order, restricting the use of the Commander’s Seal and establishing a temporary guard led by Wei Xuan... Doing that would equate to treason, and knowing Wei Xuan’s character, you should predict the repercussions."
Chu Yanli’s expression grew darker at these words.
For soone like Wei Xuan, who follows the Way over the ruler, he wouldn’t tolerate anyone shaking the Earth God.
Wu Lie foresaw this; as long as he hadn’t truly passed, no one could wrest the power from him.
"But why are you telling this?" Chu Yanli turned to size him up, "Lost favor with Wu Lie, now seeking a different patron?"
Unperturbed by the taunt, Lv Huaiyu replied blandly, "This place isn’t convenient for talking, how about we discuss elsewhere?"
Chu Yanli didn’t refuse, curious to see what tricks the old man had up his sleeve.
Their conversation flowed entirely through Divine Soul exchange; others knew nothing of what transpired, only after they left, did Ji Jingyu breathe a sigh of relief, dabbing his sweating forehead, as he rose to address the group:
"Alright, disperse, return to your posts."
"Also, go to the Internal Affairs Office, ask them to repair the door..."
...
...
The sun rose high.
After 11 a.m., Chen Mo finally exited Zhao Hua Palace.
During this ti, while the Empress was concerned about him, she hadn’t rested well and had been subjected to wear and tear for several hours at the Imperial Desk, quickly succumbing to fatigue and falling into a dream.
Knowing that the court eting was the next day, Chen Mo decided to call it quits, carrying the Empress to the bedroom for rest, quietly leaving towards the direction of Frozen Sky Palace, intending to pay respects to the Empress.
Yet before reaching Qianqing Gate, a familiar voice called out from behind:
"Mr. Chen?"
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