CHAPTER 849: CHAPTER 511: CHAOS SUPPRESSION GRAND COMMANDER

What a splendid sword dance...

Inside the hall, upon suddenly hearing this voice, Zhao Douan and Yu Xiu both froze for a moment, turned their heads to look outside the hall, and through the doorway, were astonished to see the female Emperor in white already present outside.

Xiao Donger’s plain white face showed no expression, her dark hair trailing down the back, right hand raised in front of her chest, slender jade fingers clutching the Green Jade Flying Sword.

Originally explosively powerful, the sword in her hand remained still as a quail, as if it had died.

Behind her, around her, the Zhao family servants and You Jinhua with her daughter emerged but didn’t dare approach.

"Your Majesty?" Zhao Douan’s mind buzzed, his intuition as a man told him: something is amiss!

Yet fortunately, Lord Zhao was someone who could adapt quickly. After a brief surprise, his face instantly blossomed with a bright smile, standing up eagerly to welcome her: "Your Majesty, why have you come? Didn’t notify the Palace Attendant earlier for me to prepare a welcome for you."

Xiao Donger held a cold smile, without responding.

"Yu Xiu greets Your Majesty." At this moment, the female Daoist also stood up, leisurely walked out, and elegantly performed a bow to the Empress.

Xiao Donger’s phoenix eyes gleamed coldly, her gaze shifted back and forth from the man and woman before her, smiling without reaching her eyes as she looked at Yu Xiu: "It’s you. When did you return to the capital? I’m unaware you came here."

While speaking, she casually tossed the seemingly lifeless sword, which gracefully floated back to the Daoist’s waist.

She then looked towards Zhao Douan, and said blandly: "Mr. Zhao, care to explain?"

Danger...danger...danger!

Though possibly inexperienced in love, Zhao Douan was not foolish enough to miss the tension, hastily saying: "Jade Sleeve Priestess visited unexpectedly, I was unaware beforehand."

As he spoke, he cast a pleading glance at Yu Xiu.

Even though the two were innocent, Zhenbao was already displeased due to Xiao Donger, and suddenly another woman appears at his home... Crucially, he had not expected the Empress to come chasing him at home during his brief return.

"I have long admired Mr. Zhao’s reputation, out of curiosity, I came specifically to seek his guidance during this return to the capital," Yu Xiu calmly explained.

The Empress responded simply: "Guidance?"

"Yes, yes," Zhao Douan recalled the Golden Crow Flying Dagger, smilingly cupped his hands to Yu Xiu: "Thank you Priestess for your advice."

Yu Xiu gave him a complex look, suddenly shook her head: "Since Your Majesty is here, surely there’s a matter at hand. I shall not intrude and take my leave."

After speaking, she nodded to the Empress and turned to leave.

The inner shock slowly spread within her.

Earlier, while suppressing her cultivation, she felt slightly inferior in the duel with Zhao Douan...this result was difficult for the proud Yu Xiu to accept.

Considering her earlier assessment of Zhao Douan’s prowess, her face couldn’t help but flush with embarrassment.

"Child of Heaven and Earth... indeed as the rumors say, the talent and progress are beyond human reach?"

Leaving Zhao Residence, Yu Xiu glanced back at the plaque above the gate, not dejected but with her eyes growing brighter.

The Divine revelation from the Liao Clan’s altar was even more precise than she anticipated.

Recalling certain phrases from covert information acquired from Southern Border, she pressed her lips, more determined to win Zhao Douan over.

—Clearly, she had been withholding parts during their conversation earlier.

...

...

Yu Xiu waved her sleeves as she left, as lightly as she had come.

Leaving Zhao Douan to face the irked female emperor who had come looking for him alone.

"Your Majesty, there are too many people and eyes outside, shall we talk inside?" Zhao Douan squeezed out a smile.

Xiao Donger remained indifferent, noticing You Jinhua and her daughter’s gazes, she turned and showed a warm smile to the mother and daughter:

"Lady Zhao, carry on with your matters, I have some official issues to discuss with Mr. Zhao."

Emphasizing a distinct attitude.

She then followed Zhao Douan into the study amid the mother and daughter’s overwhelmed surprise.

Inside the study.

With a creaking sound, the room’s door closed firmly, Zhao Douan turned to look at the Empress’ back: "Why has Your Majesty come?"

Xiao Donger dropped her pretense once inside, her face turned cold, she marched to the desk with an imposing demeanor as if she were interrogating at trial, her phoenix eyes overseeing the scoundrel Zhao, her initial words striking hard:

"Am I not allowed to come? Did I disturb your meeting with Yu Xiu?"

Zhao Douan broke into a cold sweat and swore he had nothing to do with her.

Xiao Donger didn’t truly suspect a relationship, just a bit disgruntled, thus she listened with a stern face, without commenting.

Zhao Douan noticed, gritted his teeth, and boldly approached the Empress, scrambling for conversational topics:

"It’s been a long time since Your Majesty visited. Speaking of which, last time Your Majesty taught me artistic skills. I’ve been diligently practicing these days with some progress, perhaps I could paint a piece for Your Majesty?"

Last time, indeed the two had taught painting in this study.

A portrait of the Empress in watercolor style still hung on the wall.

"You’ve been deliberating official papers all day, and now you want me to be your ’model’?" Xiao Donger snorted.

The term "model", a "new word" invented by Zhao Douan, was remembered by her from last time.

Zhao Douan’s eyes twinkled: "Your Majesty must feel sore from nation affairs, I happen to have learned a new massage technique that can relieve fatigue."

Saying this, his hands pressed onto the Empress’ soft shoulders, gently kneading them.

Xiao Donger initially twisted her shoulders, symbolically "struggling" briefly, then softly expressed a sound, letting him proceed.

Zhao Douan slightly smiled, ten fingers skillfully changing techniques, kneading around the delicate neck and shoulder sockets of the beauty.

This too was learned in a previous life from blind massage masters near work departments, for career advancement.