CHAPTER 1104: CHAPTER 605: TESTING EACH OTHER

Thanks to the book friend Charlotte for the five thousand-point coin reward.

...

Capital.

Even though many days had passed since the New Year, it was still early for spring. This metropolis with a population of over a million remained stern and forbidding.

On this day, the Empress once again arrived at the Scripture Pavilion, dedicated to storing archives and scriptures related to members of the Royal Family.

"Your Majesty..." The eunuch guarding the Scripture Pavilion bowed respectfully.

Zhao Douan did not even glance at him, simply ascending the ancient staircase, passing the aged brown bookshelves. One by one, the books, long untouched, accumulated the rise and fall of the Great Yu dynasty over the past six hundred years.

The Empress had been visiting more frequently of late, partly to find clues to unlock the cell phone password in "Human World."

The second reason was the comet that once traveled across the sky, which she was quite concerned about.

As for the third, another matter still troubled her, concerning the Second Prince, Jian Wen.

When Master Gu Huo was reborn and returned to the Capital, Zhao Douan had discussed with the Empress about the Second Prince’s death during the coup. At that time, the Empress had a suspicion: if Master Gu Huo had survived, then was Jian Wen truly dead?

However, as time passed, the Kuangfu Society had almost ceased to exist in name, and Xu Jianwen had never appeared.

This bold speculation was gradually overlooked. Yet, an uneasy feeling remained in the Empress’s heart, prompting her to frequently review records related to the coup, looking for clues.

Thus, two hours passed, and the Empress returned empty-handed, without finding any valuable clues.

However, upon returning to Yangxin Hall, she saw Sun Lianying anxiously pacing in front of the Imperial Study Room door.

"Your Majesty!" Seeing the Empress, Sun Lianying’s cloudy old eyes brightened, and he quickly said, "The Duke has sent the latest military intelligence. Xiuwen Pavilion hasn’t reviewed it yet, and it was sent here first."

Zhao Douan’s spirits lifted, and he quickly stepped into the study, with Sun Lianying following closely. From the cold outdoors, he entered the warm indoors, causing the old eunuch to cough and his somewhat pale face to redden from the coughing.

"Has your cold not gotten better?" The Empress asked with concern, "The prescriptions from the imperial physician are ineffective? Or have you been overworking yourself? I permit you to go and rest for a few days. You’re not young anymore, don’t let the illness worsen."

Sun Lianying covered his mouth, stopped coughing, caught his breath, and smiled, "A slight winter chill, nothing serious. Even two years ago, even if I had a fever, my spirit wouldn’t lose to the young ones. But now, it’s not quite as useful."

Zhao Douan felt a warm rush in his heart and said earnestly, "It’s hard on you at this age, still running around for me."

"It’s my duty, how can I deserve the Your Majesty’s praise?" Sun Lianying smiled, taking out two wax-sealed secret letters from his sleeve and presenting them.

Zhao Douan finally accepted them, seeing the writing differed on each envelope; one was a military report, the other a secret memorial.

The Empress first tore open the military report, shook open the paper, and her beautiful eyes scanned it. She first exhaled with relief, and then a slight smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

"Has something good happened at the front line?" Sun Lianying asked, observing the Empress’s expression.

Zhao Douan responded with a "Hmm" and smiled, "The Duke has led the army and broken through Prince Hejian’s rebel forces. A few days ago, they trapped Prince Hejian in his Royal Mansion, and he did not resist, instead leading his family out to surrender. Now, the entire rebel group of Prince Hejian has been imprisoned, loaded onto prison carts, and sent to the Capital. Although the Duke suffered some losses, fortunately, Xiping Road has been reclaimed before spring."

Sun Lianying joyfully said, "Congratulations Your Majesty. Now that Xiping Road has returned, and with the Five Army Camp and the Capital Forbidden Army soon to arrive at Xiping Road, with the Duke being stationed, and waiting for Xue Shence to go over, a defensive line could possibly be established before the Western Regions people invade."

Zhao Douan nodded.

Prince Hejian’s defeat came quicker than expected, allowing the court to gain more time.

However, as the price, the Duke’s border army also made considerable sacrifices, not crippled, but their Primordial Qi was severely damaged.

"By the dates, Zhao Douan should have reached Hu Ting, and Xue Shence may be on the way north." The Empress contemplated.

She tore open the second secret letter, but upon glancing over the contents, her brows slowly furrowed.

"Your Majesty?" Sun Lianying felt a slight sinking in his heart.

Zhao Douan’s smile faded, and she calmly stated, "This is a negotiation letter from Princess Wen Zhu to me. Ha, the meaning is similar to previous negotiations, all representing the various countries of the Western Regions, wanting Yu Country to cede Xiping as compensation to the Buddhist. Otherwise, they will resort to Martial Power."

Sun Lianying frowned, "The Shadow Guard previously reported that Princess Wen Zhu had been placed under house arrest in the Golden Tent, so this letter is..."

Prince Hejian and Yanshan King’s negotiations had collapsed, and predictably, the negotiation terms from the Western Regions were absolutely impossible to agree with. Yet still, such a letter was sent, which seemed a bit unnecessary.

Zhao Douan pondered for a moment, then unexpectedly held the letter over to the brazier inside the room, gently warming the paper over the charcoal fire.

Gradually, the text on the paper faded like ink dissolving, transforming.

Red text emerged clearly on the paper instead.

"A hidden message?" Sun Lianying was surprised, "Could it be that Princess Wen Zhu, pretending to write a surrender letter, is actually relaying information?"

Zhao Douan focused her gaze and saw the densely packed red characters on the paper, like the tears of a bleeding cuckoo, not the "intelligence" she had imagined, but only four large characters, filling the letter:

"No negotiations! No negotiations! No negotiations... The Buddhist is not to be trusted."

...

...

"Is there any news?"

Inside Hu Ting City, Jiang Wangsun closed the door, his eyes fixed on his confidant.

The confidant whispered, "Yes, the location has been set."

As he spoke, he handed a note to Jiang Wangsun.

Jiang Wangsun looked at it, his brows furrowed, remaining silent.