At Weiyang Palace, beside Tranquil Heart Lake, a woman stood by the jade railing, her body draped in a glazed immortal robe and silk sashes. She gazed quietly at the spirit fish swimming in the lake.
The woman was dignified and serene, her beauty peerless and heavenly. Her ice-like skin and jade-like bones accentuated her already perfect figure, making it even more graceful and captivating.
A slight furrow of her brows could stir the hearts of men across the land, while her crimson lips seemed to exhale the essence of orchids, fueling endless fantasies.
Especially her pair of luminous, moving eyes—they appeared pure yet carried an indescribable, ethereal aura.
Yet at that moment, a trace of imperceptible bewilderment lingered in these moon-bright eyes.
Who could imagine that this seemingly frail woman was none other than Song Yanran, the current Empress of the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty?
Judging solely by her appearance, no one would associate her with the Purple Star Empress—the one who, in a single night, had annihilated nine of the Dragon Han royal family's direct brothers, forced the previous emperor to his death, and within a decade of her ascension, had slaughtered a million rebels in the Central Domain, annihilated its sixteen kingdoms, and forged the dynasty into its glorious peak.
After all, Song Yanran's beauty only inspired men to see her as a perfect, ethereal being, while women felt inadequate in her presence.
"Your Majesty, you have been standing here for half an hour already."
A maid's gentle call from behind pulled the Empress's thoughts back to the present.
"I know," Song Yanran replied softly. She then reached for a handful of fish feed from the jade railing and scattered it into the lake.
"Where is Prince Jing?"
This question left the maids flustered, unsure how to respond.
Prince Jing was a title Song Yanran had bestowed upon Di Feijing, and he was one of the few non-royal princes granted such a title in the ten thousand years since the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty's founding, a testament to his importance in the Empress's heart.
Seeing no one answer, Song Yanran's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. "What? Are you deaf?"
The maids, startled, immediately bowed their heads and knelt. "Your Majesty, please calm your anger! Prince Jing, he... he has gone to the Warm Fragrance Pavilion in the southern part of the city."
Song Yanran's hand paused mid-scatter as she heard the maid's answer.
Then, as if nothing had happened, she continued scattering the fish feed and asked, "Who is accompanying him?"
"Sect Leader Long Aotian of the Ask Dragon Sect, Gang Leader Yu Jinghai of the Sea God Gang, and Sect Leader Xue Qingyue of the Spirit Sword Sect."
"I understand. You may withdraw."
"This servant takes her leave."
The palace maids immediately retreated in a submissive manner.
"Ah~"
A sigh escaped the Empress's lips, as if expressing her inner helplessness.
Di Feijing was the Empress's white moonlight, the only man who had ever stirred her mortal heart.
Whatever he wished to do, she would support him unconditionally.
After all, Di Feijing had once sacrificed his life to save hers!
As she recalled the memories of their first meeting and growing closeness, a rare, demure expression flickered across Song Yanran's face.
"Imperial Sister, you're here."
The call of her imperial brother's voice pulled Song Yanran back to the present.
Turning, she saw Song Yu approaching with a smile.
"Congratulations on your upcoming marriage, Imperial Sister. I, your imperial brother, have prepared a special gift for you."
He took an exquisite jade box from a nearby guard. "One Primordial Chaos Pill, to aid your cultivation in reaching greater heights."
"How thoughtful of you. This pill must have cost a considerable number of spirit stones, wouldn't you say?"
"My Imperial Sister's wedding is a national celebration. Such trivial worldly matters hardly need mentioning."
"Hmm, you haven't visited the palace in some time. Why not accompany me for a stroll through the Imperial Garden?"
"Of course."
The siblings walked leisurely through the garden, admiring and commenting on the picturesque scenery.
When they reached a flower bed and sat down, Song Yanran finally asked, "Imperial Brother, you didn't come to the palace merely to present me with a gift, did you? If you have something on your mind, why not speak plainly? Must we be so formal between siblings?"
"No, nothing at all," Song Yu replied, his eyes darting away. "You're overthinking things, Imperial Sister."
But how could he deceive Song Yanran? "Do I not know your true nature? If you won't tell me, then don't bother."
"This..." Song Yu hesitated for a moment before mustering his courage and whispering, "Imperial Sister, I just don't understand. With so many talented men in the realm, even if you were to choose an imperial consort, there are countless candidates more suitable than Di Feijing. Why him?"
Song Yanran smiled faintly. "Just for this? You'll understand how truly good he is in time."
Song Yu was momentarily speechless. What kind of reason was that? It was as good as saying nothing at all.
Little did he know that Song Yanran couldn't explain anything about her past life to him.
Should she tell him that his "cheap brother-in-law" had once risked his life to save her from Poison King's Valley, even using his own life as a lure to force the Seven-Colored Cloud Gu out of her body?
Even if she did, would Song Yu believe her?
It was better to let time prove everything.
Suddenly, Song Yanran heard a faint disturbance in the air beside her ear.
Her brow furrowed slightly. She rose and said to Song Yu, "I've just remembered I have urgent matters to attend to. I can't accompany you any longer, Imperial Brother."
Song Yu immediately bowed in return. "Since Imperial Sister is busy with state affairs, this humble subject won't impose any further. Please take care of yourself, Imperial Sister. I shall take my leave."
After Song Yu departed, Song Yanran flicked her phoenix-like sleeves and immediately transformed into a streak of light, soaring into the sky.
***
Meanwhile, Shen Zhao wandered through the streets with leisurely interest before settling into a superior room at the Celestial Abode in the eastern part of the city.
Just as he was about to continue gathering information about Di Feijing, two Xiongnu men in foreign attire entered the establishment.
Shen Zhao observed them closely. Their clothes were well-made, and their complexions were ruddy, unlike those of ordinary Xiongnu herders who spent their lives outdoors. This suggested they belonged to at least the noble class of the Xiongnu Empire.
*Hmm? It seems I need to investigate their identities. Are they truly connected to Di Feijing?*
With this thought, Shen Zhao casually took a seat at a nearby table and began listening intently to their conversation.
Unfortunately, the two Xiongnu were extremely cautious and offered no useful information.
Just as Shen Zhao was about to give up and head to the Warm Fragrance Pavilion, another peculiar figure entered the Celestial Abode: a hunchbacked, limping man wearing a bronze mask.
The two Xiongnu immediately rose and greeted this strange figure warmly. The three then entered a private booth on the second floor.
Shen Zhao's brow furrowed. He quietly followed them, took a room next to their booth, and continued to eavesdrop.
"How did the mission go?"
"Report to the Great Xiongnu King that all plans are proceeding smoothly. The Empress of the Celestial Dynasty has been poisoned without her knowledge. When the time comes, the entire Central Domain will be under the rule of the Great Xiongnu."
"Excellent. Once the Empress of the Celestial Dynasty perishes, there will be no force in the Central Domain capable of resisting the Great Xiongnu. When our empire unifies the Central Continent, you will be our foremost hero."
"I have no interest in being a hero of the Great Xiongnu. I only ask that when the time comes, you personally deliver what you promised me."
"Rest assured, after this is accomplished, both the Heaven-Burning Divine Stone and the Earth Core Strange Fire will be handed over with both hands. The Great Xiongnu has always kept its word."
"This place is too crowded and too many eyes are watching. To avoid raising suspicion among the secret guards, I must take my leave now."
The next moment, the door to the adjacent private room creaked open.
Shen Zhao rubbed his nose and stood by the window, gazing at the receding figure of Goulou.
"I'm not the only one eyeing the Heaven-Burning Divine Stone, and the Earth Core Strange Fire is also a prize. I need to accelerate my plans."
Unfolding his fan, Shen Zhao began calculating the next steps of his plan.
As he left the Celestial Abode, he happened to run into Hu Yushu.
"Fellow Daoist, our Pavilion Master requests your presence."
"The Pavilion Master returned so quickly? I thought he wouldn't be back for two or three more days."
"The Heaven-Burning Divine Stone is of paramount importance. No one would turn down such a fortune. Please accompany me to the Wind and Rain Pavilion."
"That sounds excellent. It suits my tastes perfectly."
-----------------------
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