CHAPTER 1070: CHAPTER 590: ZHAO DOUAN’S SECRET WEAPON

Even if it’s a direct hit from a Heavenly Human Realm cannon, it would be absolutely unpleasant.

As for consuming a hundred days of recharge... compared to the Red Flame Saint Armor back then, which exhausted Zhao Douan’s family’s resources in smelting, along with Pei Niannu’s assistance, barely touching the threshold of the Heavenly Magic Door... this is much cheaper!

"Brother Gongshu, you have truly given me a huge surprise." Zhao Douan sighed.

Who would have thought that what was originally just feedback on the lack of warmth in this body would result in such an unexpected gain?

If it’s completed by the end of the year and then recharged at the Back Lake of the Capital, everything goes smoothly, he could use it against Prince Jing next spring.

Gongshu Tianyuan smiled and said, "I benefited greatly from Brother Zhao’s guidance back then, just a small repayment."

In fact, the process of developing this Heavenly Element Cannon had already raised his cultivation by a significant margin, reaching the middle grade of the worldly realm—such is the modest and unadorned advancement for an Artisan God cultivator.

...

...

With the unexpected acquisition of a secret weapon, Zhao Douan left the Heavenly Master Mansion in high spirits, feeling even more confident about the action to eliminate Prince Jing next year.

Given that Xu Jingtang can erupt with god-level combat power, the foundation of Prince Jing should not be underestimated.

Moreover... he hadn’t forgotten the unclear relationship between Prince Jing and Qingshan; although Qingshan Martial Immortal had not come down the mountain after the sealing battle, possibly due to the Heavenly Agreement,

the high-end combat power of Qingshan aiding Prince Jing must be considered.

Contemplating the counterattack plan for next year, Zhao Douan reached the Imperial Court by the late afternoon.

Entering Lihua Hall, he saw Qian Kerou and Zheng Laojiu gathered inside, chatting idly as they waited.

"Sir! You’re back."

The two direct-line members stood to greet him.

Zhao Douan gave an "En" sound, signaling them to sit down. He also went to the main seat, and after sitting down, he asked, "What’s the situation with the delegation? They should have left the palace by now, right?"

He had timed his return.

Qian Kerou nodded, reporting, "As per your instructions, we had people waiting outside the palace gate. Just recently, the peace negotiation delegation left the palace and is now arranged to rest at the relay station. Hou Renmeng and Shen Juan are discreetly tracking the two groups of delegations."

Zhao Douan nodded, asking, "Did anything happen during the audience with the emperor?"

Qian Kerou reported angrily, "Yes! Mr. Sun’s supervisor informed us of the proceedings, saying His Majesty received the delegation with all officials present. The Hejian princely heir Xu Wenyan was foolish and disrespectful, though overall, it wasn’t too bad. But that Bahu County Princess Xu Xueling severely complained in the Golden Throne Hall about being insulted by over a thousand commoners on the way into the city, demanding an explanation from His Majesty, and also...also..."

Zhao Douan raised an eyebrow, "Also what?"

Qian Kerou fumed, "That Commandery Princess not only demanded the arrest of the unruly commoners, but also demanded that our Hall’s people who maintained order nearby at that time be handed over to her, saying that while the commoners were indeed abominable, it was our people allowing them to commit acts that warranted harsher punishment."

Zhao Douan chuckled in disbelief, saying coldly, "Very well, she’s daring to frame my people."

If Xu Xueling had merely requested punishment for the rioters, he wouldn’t have been surprised and would have already prepared a few death row inmates as scapegoats to get by.

But this troublesome Little Commandery Princess dared to implicate Hou Renmeng and Shen Juan, who were present at the time.

Ironically, when strictly pursued, Lihua Hall was indeed negligent... such specific blame couldn’t be easily appeased.

"What did His Majesty say?" Zhao Douan asked.

Qian Kerou replied, "His Majesty only said he would provide the delegation with an explanation, but the details would require time to investigate."

Zhao Douan nodded, acknowledging that in formal occasions, easing through situations amidst civil and military officials was the best approach.

Beside him, Zheng Laojiu said quietly, "Sir, if you wish to appease the situation, it’s simple enough. At worst, temporarily dismiss Hou Renmeng and Shen Juan’s positions, make it appear error-free publicly, and then later restore them to their original positions."

Zhao Douan remained silent.

Qian Kerou muttered discontentedly, "I fear that domineering Commandery Princess won’t let go, using this incident to stir up further trouble."

Zhao Douan calmly interrupted, "No need to say more."

For the greater good, he could endure a little, but if the other party failed to recognize his patience and continued to provoke, tolerance was against his nature.

He chuckled coldly, "Previously, Mr. Sun said this Bahu Commandery Princess is ten thousand times more insolent than I am; I didn’t believe it, but now I’ve witnessed it. I don’t know what the Yanshan King was thinking, sending such a daughter to negotiate peace. Does he believe the court will tolerate her nature, or is she deliberately using her domineering nature as a façade to test the court’s tolerance as a setup for later formal negotiations?"

Zheng Laojiu quietly said, "Perhaps we’re overthinking; maybe the Yanshan King had no other choice. The Yanshan King has few offspring, and it would be impossible to send a capable son as a hostage, leaving only a daughter to choose."

Zhao Douan’s eyes flickered with coldness, "Guessing is pointless; the true nature must be seen firsthand. Moreover, if she insists on a resolution to this matter, it will be troublesome. Where is this Commandery Princess staying now?"

Qian Kerou opened his mouth, about to answer.

Suddenly, a Jinyi man hurriedly ran into Lihua Hall, evidently having just ridden swiftly back, steam puffing in columnar white mist from his nostrils as he ran.

"Sir." The Jinyi Captain stood outside the hall, saluting with clasped fists: "Shen Jisi instructed me to report that the Yanshan Commandery Princess left the relay station with part of her guards, heading toward Jizhao Temple, seemingly to visit Princess Yunyang."

Jizhao Temple? Visiting Yunyang?

Zhao Douan paused momentarily, which he hadn’t anticipated.

Then, an earlier piece of information he had read came back to him:

The Yanshan King has always been close to the King of Qingzhou, their offspring have a good relationship, and previously, after the King of Qingzhou’s princely heir Xu Zudi came to the Capital, his closeness with Princess Yunyang led him to help the Eldest Princess’s son Li Lang... even causing trouble for Zhao Douan.

And Xu Xueling apparently also has a close relationship with her aunt, Princess Yunyang.

So, upon entering the city, she immediately went to visit her aunt... Zhao Douan pondered.

Is it purely emotional? Or a form of ’political posturing’?

"Very well, I happen to need to go." Zhao Douan rose, preparing to head to Jizhao Temple to meet the domineering Commandery Princess.

At this moment, his little secretary, Qian Kerou, suddenly seemed to remember something, slapping his forehead: "Oh right, Sir, there’s a piece of intelligence about Princess Yunyang I forgot to report to you."

"What’s happened to her now?" Zhao Douan stopped, asking in confusion.

Ever since he threw this wayward princess into the nunnery, he hadn’t paid much attention, and even during the Eight Princes’ Rebellion, almost everyone had forgotten about the confined Eldest Princess...

Qian Kerou bore a strange expression, leaning over slightly to whisper, "She’s pregnant."

What?!

A series of question marks slowly rose over Zhao Douan’s head.

...

...

Outside Jizhao Temple.

Since the destruction of the Divine Dragon Temple and the prohibition of Buddhism in the Capital, the former bustling incense scenes of the Divine Dragon Temple have disappeared due to its sealing.

The people of the Capital, to avoid trouble, even intentionally bypass this area, rarely approaching it.

As a result, the Jizhao Temple, located opposite the Divine Dragon Temple, has become increasingly peaceful. If it weren’t for the covert agreements between the Bodhi Bodhisattva and the Empress back then, this small nunnery would have been crushed along with the Divine Dragon Temple’s destruction.

Its continued existence now is a stroke of luck for the nuns inside, who were exceedingly cautious to remain unnoticed, living very low-key lives.

However, on this day, the extremely peaceful Jizhao Temple was visited by a group of unexpected guests.

"Is Aunt Yunyang confined here?"

Xu Xueling, riding on a large white wolf, under the protection of tall and strong Yanshan Royal Mansion guards, arrived outside the ancient temple buildings.

Frowning as she looked at the steps covered with snow and the tightly closed temple gates, she dismounted her steed and coldly ordered, "Go and knock."

Soon after,

a young nun cautiously opened the temple gate, and upon seeing the fierce soldiers, she was startled, wanting to close the door, but cried out as the door was forcibly pried open.

Xu Xueling proceeded directly in, entering the depths of the temple amidst the startled glances of the nuns, following the sound of singing to reach the outside of a meditation courtyard.

She pushed open the meditation room door.

Xu Xueling was taken aback, seeing inside a woman cradling her swollen belly and softly humming.