"Empress."
A female officer entered the palace, bowed her head and said, "We have investigated clearly, the Oiran is indeed one of the Moon Brilliance Sect's Remnants, and had infiltrated the Imperial Music Bureau a year ago."
"The Sky Scale Guard has been searching day and night within the city but has not found any trace of her; it seems she has already fled Tiandu City."
"As for the box sent by Lady Chen, the residue therein is the Heart Devouring Poisonous Insect..."
"Heh."
Yu Youhan gave a cold laugh, "To think she's fallen in with the Gu God Sect, Ji Lianxing is really regressing the more she lives."
The female officer was somewhat puzzled.
If Gu Manzhi had fled, why leave this item behind?
The box even bore the imprint of the waning moon, as if she was afraid others wouldn't know her identity.
Yu Youhan spoke out, "That Chen Mo..."
The female officer, understanding the cue, said, "It is said that after severely wounding Gu Manzhi, Chen Mo also suffered a great loss to his Primordial Qi and has been recuperating in his residence for the past few days."
Yu Youhan nodded, "For uprooting a mole, he has merit and should be rewarded."
The female officer said, "Lady Chen said that alleviating the worry of the Empress is her duty, and there is no need for any reward."
"She might not want it, but this palace cannot not give it."
Yu Youhan said indifferently.
Clear division of reward and punishment, to exercise both kindness and authority, is the way to govern subordinates.
Not to mention, the Chen Family is like her right-hand support; she has always been generous to those who are useful to her.
"Since He Yuzhi does not want it, then let Chen Mo enter the palace."
"Yes."
The female officer bowed and withdrew.
...
Chen Mansion.
In the dining hall, the table was filled with sumptuous dishes, and the aroma was tempting.
Shen Zhixia was burying her head in her meal, her chopsticks almost creating afterimages.
Originally, she wanted to leave after fighting with Chen Mo, but it just so happened that Chen Zhuo returned and insisted on having her stay for the meal.
Although Shen Zhixia always had a good appetite, she wouldn't be so rude in front of elders.
But thinking about what had just happened, she felt flustered and uneasy, like sitting on pins and needles, and could only mask her anxiety by eating.
"Eat more, if it's not enough, I'll have the kitchen prepare more."
Chen Zhuo said with a smile.
The steward had already told him the general situation.
A house that is destroyed can be rebuilt, alchemy pills that are gone can be refined again, but if a daughter-in-law runs away, it would be very difficult to find one as satisfactory as her!
"Mo'er, you've actually broken through to Sixth-rank?"
Despite the evidence before her eyes, He Yuzhi still found it hard to believe.
What does being a Twenty-year-old Sixth-rank Martial Artist imply?
It's enough to rank in the top ten of the Cloud Top Ranking, indeed a top-notch prodigy!
First Sword Technique Mastery, then a breakthrough in realm; one surprise after another made it feel all too surreal.
"It is often said that without destruction there is no construction, the battle at the brink of life and death benefited me a lot and deepened my understanding of the Cultivation Technique."
"With the help of Uncle Fu, I was lucky to have the breakthrough."
Chen Mo paused in his speech, the corners of his mouth smiling as he said, "By the way, I also have to thank Miss Shen for helping me open up my Qi-Blood channels, expelling the remaining medicine strength..."
"Cough cough!"
Shen Zhixia almost choked, her face turning red.
"I'm, I'm full, you all enjoy your meal..."
After saying that, she put down her bowl and chopsticks, and fled in a panic.
He Yuzhi, looking at her figure, shook her head and said, "This girl is good in all aspects, but she is just too thin-skinned."
Chen Zhuo smirked coldly, "Is it possible that it is this child who is too thick-skinned?"
Chen Mo: "..."
It seems like he can't go a day without bickering with him...
At this moment, the steward Chen Fu hurried in, "Master, Madam, there are people from the palace here!"
"Hmm?"
Everyone hurried to their feet and walked out of the dining hall, coming to the main gate.
A purple palanquin was parked in front of the Chen Mansion, and a female officer in a white robe stood with hands hanging down.
Seeing Chen Mo come out, the female officer reached out to lift the curtains of the palanquin.
"Young Master Chen, the Empress summons you."
"The Empress wants to see me?"
Chen Mo's heart skipped a beat.
It's finally happening!
He took a deep breath and lifted his leg to sit in the sedan chair.
The female officer turned and left, the soft sedan rose out of thin air, following behind her, shrinking distance as if stepping across inches, and in the blink of an eye, it vanished without a trace.
"Her Majesty the Consort summoned Mo'er to the palace; she must intend to reward him, but…"
He Yuzhi's brows were tightly knitted.
This was consistent with her original thoughts.
But for some reason, she felt her heart pounding and an ominous premonition looming ominously.
...
The sedan chair glided steadily and swiftly towards the Imperial Palace.
Chen Mo sat on the soft seat, rapidly recalling the plot in his mind:
Da Yuan Country had been established for 750 years.
Emperor Wu Lie was stricken with a terminal illness, his life nearing its end.
The Crown Prince of the Eastern Royal Palace was still young and incapable of managing state affairs.
Currently, with barbarian tribes invading from the south, demons lurking and coveting from the north, along with the Three Saints carving out territories and numerous sects standing tall, strange and extraordinary disasters abounded.
Da Yuan Country faced internal strife and external threats, struggling to walk its path.
Amidst this shaking foundation of the country, Empress Jiang Yuchan stepped out, announcing her decision to listen to state affairs behind a curtain, aiding the Crown Prince in overseeing the running of the nation.
At the same time, Imperial Concubine Yu Youhan rapidly rose to power.
With her initial move, she exhibited terrifying strength, first suppressing the major sects with an iron fist, bringing most forces under her command.
Through threats and incentives, she won over the officials, eliminating dissent and embracing the like-minded.
In just two years' time, she was able to stand toe-to-toe with the "Empress Faction"!
Due to her excessively ruthless and fierce methods, she was known as "Great Yuan's Turmoil", so fearsome that her name could stop young children from crying in the night!
...
The Chen Family was a feather in the Imperial Consort Faction.
Chen Mo was but a lapdog of Consort Yu.
"Although I've escaped one disaster this time, it's definitely not the last."
"Since I've become a villain, then I shall play the villain to the end, clinging tightly to Her Majesty the Consort's powerful thigh!"
"With Her Majesty the Consort's strength, combined with my knowledge of the plot... the advantage is mine!"
Chen Mo's eyes were resolute.
At that moment, the sedan came to a stop, and the female officer's cold voice came through:
"We have arrived."
Stepping down from the sedan.
Before him was a palace with vermilion walls and turquoise tiles, the epitome of luxury, with a plaque in black and golden lettering hanging over the entrance.
Frozen Sky Palace!
In his past life, Chen Mo had trampled all over "Yu Youhan" countless times, yet now he had to genuinely face this female demon.
To say he wasn't nervous would be a lie.
After all, a game can be restarted, but life is only once.
"A perilous endeavor for nobility..."
Chen Mo lifted his leg and walked into the grand hall.
The hall's interior light was dim, and passing through the drapery, he saw a figure in a deep red, gold-embroidered dragon court dress sitting on the Phoenix Throne.
Her face glowed like morning clouds, her lips contained the luster of Shattered Jade, a Seven-tailed Phoenix Hairpin clasped her black hair, and a dot of cinnabar adorned the corner of her right eye.
Noble, coldly beautiful, with an overwhelming presence.
And in stark contrast to that, were the dainty, jade-carved bare feet peeking from beneath her dress's hem.
"This humble one Chen Mo, pays respects to Empress."
Chen Mo dared not look any longer, bowing his head in a salute.
"A Sixth-Rank Martial Artist? Your talent is not bad. What reward do you seek?"
"Cultivation Technique, or Martial Arts?"
Consort Yu spoke lightly, her voice slightly deeper than the average female's.
Straight to the point, without a word wasted.
"This humble one desires..."
Scarcely a glance was all it took for her to see through him, Chen Mo felt even more reverence, getting ready to announce the answer he had prepared.
Suddenly, a line of prompt text flashed before his eyes:
[A hidden event is triggered: "Locked in the Deep Palace·Spring Colors the Phoenix Couch".]
Chen Mo: "???"
Boom!
A boundless oppressive force surged forth, the air in the great hall almost solidifying!
Chen Mo's figure uncontrollably lifted into the air, suddenly appearing in front of Yu Youhan, her pair of phoenix eyes sharp as knives, staring intently at him!
"You!"