Chapter 106: The Empress's Stance

“Feng He is a professional spy from the Tianwei Legion; the Shadow Guard dared not approach to eavesdrop.”
“It seems the negotiations fell through. Long Cheng’en sent Wu Jian to tail Feng He, but he lost him.”
The Shadow Guards dispatched by Ying Feng knew Feng He was formidable and did not dare to stealthily listen near the private room, so they had no idea what was discussed.
“And you?”
The Empress inquired. Wu Jian had lost the trail, so had the Shadow Guards?
Ying Feng replied awkwardly, “The Shadow Guards also lost him. Feng He is extremely cunning.”
The Empress smiled, “You lost him too? Interesting. I’ve long heard of his prowess; no wonder Long Cheng’en risked meeting him in secret.”
Ying Feng said, “Your Majesty, Feng He is extraordinarily deceitful. If Long Cheng’en colludes with him, I fear he will slip beyond our control.”
The Empress understood Ying Feng’s concerns. Long Chen was, without question, more cunning than a ghost; Feng He was a veteran spy leader, viciously crafty.
If the two joined forces to form a spy network, it would be a terrifying power beyond anyone’s control.
The Empress smiled silently.
Outside the door, a maid reported that Emperor Luo Xi had arrived.
Ying Feng stepped aside as Emperor Luo Xi entered, snowflakes clinging to her hair like delicate feathers.
“Mother.”
“So late, is something the matter?”
Emperor Luo Xi sat beside the Empress, who gently brushed the snowflakes from her hair and shoulders.
Beneath the dim lamplight, the Empress appeared the very image of a loving mother.
“Mother, today Long Cheng’en met with Feng He, the head spy of the Tianwei Legion.”
Emperor Luo Xi recounted all that Long Chen had said.
Ying Feng listened silently nearby.
“His idea is quite clever. If we can make Feng He serve our Great Zhou, we could control all intelligence across the realm.”
Emperor Luo Xi conveyed Long Chen’s intention to employ Feng He, and the Empress greatly admired it.
Both Emperor Luo Xi and Ying Feng were speechless; they had expected opposition from the Empress but were surprised by her agreement.
“But Mother, what if Long Cheng’en cannot control him? Or...”
Emperor Luo Xi hesitated to speak the rest.
The Empress smiled, “Or Long Cheng’en becomes like Jing Tianlie, using the spy network for his own ends?”
Emperor Luo Xi nodded.
Though she had a good relationship with Long Chen, she was foremost a princess of Great Zhou, and her ultimate loyalty lay with the Empress.
The Empress smiled, “Long Cheng’en harbors a blood feud with Nanliang and will fight for Great Zhou.”
“Besides, he’s a eunuch; he can’t possibly scheme to usurp the throne.”
Emperor Luo Xi thought about it and nodded. Long Chen had no family and was alone in the palace; she was like family to him.
“So... shall we let him continue contact with Feng He?”
The Empress nodded. “Let him decide for himself. He is clever and will know what to do.”
Emperor Luo Xi pondered and added, “By the way, Mother, Long Cheng’en’s cultivation is nearing the pinnacle of the King’s Realm. I recall you said that to break through the Martial Emperor level, a man must have the Yang fire as a guide. But as a eunuch, can Long Cheng’en break through?”
The Empress hesitated briefly before smiling, “Generally, yes. But there are exceptions. Perhaps he can.”
“Besides, although the King’s Realm pinnacle and Martial Emperor level are separated by a thin veil, breaking through is extremely difficult. We shall see when the time comes.”
Emperor Luo Xi agreed. She and Emperor Lingyi had achieved breakthroughs young because of their bloodline inheritance.
For ordinary people, ascending to the Martial Emperor level was like reaching the heavens.
There were countless martial artists in the realm, but how many attained the Martial Emperor level?
Those who did were warlords in their own right, like Long Ye, Shangguan Wei, or Murong Xiao.
“That’s true. Mother is truly formidable—the only Emperor Supreme of the realm who has broken through the Martial Emperor level.”
Emperor Luo Xi nestled into the Empress’s embrace like a child. The Empress stroked her hair with a gaze full of affection yet tinged with worry.
Emperor Luo Xi, exhausted, drifted into a deep sleep in her mother’s arms.
Though she had appeared wild and carefree during the day, she had been on edge all along and was now truly tired.
The Empress instructed Ying Feng to bring a blanket and slept alongside Emperor Luo Xi.
...
At Qiuxing Hall.
Long Chen opened his drowsy eyes and tried to turn over but found himself squeezed in the middle.
Looking at the pale, smooth skin in the bed, Long Chen sighed, “If only I could have a pool of wine, then I’d truly live the life of debauchery.”
He slipped out of bed, dressed, and opened the door where Xiang Ning was waiting.
After washing his face and brushing his teeth with hot water, he was served a plate of lamb buns.
In ancient times, toothbrushes existed, made from boar bristles with coarse salt as toothpaste.
After breakfast, the three goddesses within the room lazily stirred.
“Where’s my breastplate?”
“Where’s my underwear?”
“Little Dragon, where did you put my top?”
It was time again for the three to search for their clothes.
Zhang Qian’s breastplate was easiest to find because it was enormous; Qing Yue and Xuan Yi’s were easily confused as their builds were similar.
By the time the three were dressed, Long Chen had already changed into his court attire.
Today was court day, and Jing Tianlie would also attend—this would be their first direct confrontation at the court.
Exiting Qiuxing Hall, they reached the Western Palace where Emperor Luo Xi had just changed into her court robes.
“Princess, you didn’t sleep in the Western Palace last night?”
Long Chen noticed she looked like she had just returned.
“Ah? Yes, I stayed with Mother last night.”
Emperor Luo Xi wore her court attire, looking solemn and divine, like a celestial maiden.
“You’re grown up, yet still sleep with your mother—how embarrassing.”
Long Chen took the opportunity to tease her.
Emperor Luo Xi frowned and reached out to grab Long Chen’s ear angrily, “Say that again!”
Long Chen hurriedly said, “The court assembly cannot be delayed today.”
Emperor Luo Xi released him with a cold snort, “I’ll settle this when we return!”
She strode ahead with Long Chen following behind.
At the court, civil and military officials arrived one after another, their expressions uneasy—some worried, some pleased, others maliciously gloating—all secretly watching Long Chen.
Everyone knew Jing Tianlie would attend the court today, and a storm was brewing.
Emperor Yuwei and Emperor Xingwan also glanced at Long Chen, their faces filled with concern, clearly fearing Jing Tianlie’s challenge.
Emperor Luo Xi looked displeased, already planning how to defend Long Chen.
A commotion outside announced the arrival of Minister of War Bai Qiulian in court robes, followed by Minister of Justice Hu Chengfu.
Both cast sidelong glances at Long Chen; Hu Chengfu quickly took his place, but Bai Qiulian snorted coldly before doing so.
Soon after, General Jing Tianlie entered in court attire. Officials and ministers all greeted him with bows and salutations.
“Greetings, General.”
“General’s charisma remains unsurpassed.”
“We pay respects, General.”
“I heard General crushed Xixia again at Yufu Pass. Mighty General.”
The entire court kowtowed and flattered Jing Tianlie, but only a few offered formal salutes, including Minister of Personnel Baili Bing and Censorate Inspector Bai Anning.
Jing Tianlie returned their greetings with a smile, “Having led troops in the field for so long, many have changed in court. If I don’t return often, I fear they won’t recognize me.”
His words drew all eyes to Long Chen.
Jing Tianlie then looked directly at Long Chen, stepped forward, his phoenix-like eyes fixed on him. A powerful martial aura surged forth, compressing the air and causing it to seem to still.
Civil officials could not withstand the pressure and retreated.
Long Chen met Jing Tianlie’s gaze and aura squarely, cupped his hands in salute, and said, “Greetings, General.”