I am invincible, that's why I lie down. You're using your entire clan to rebel?

Chapter 116 Qin Mu's new concubine is named Xu Fenghua? Jiang Qingxue is shocked!

"First," Zhao Qingxue held up one finger.

"I can agree to the matter of the Northern Barbarians being restrained. However, Li Yang will not be the first to cross the river and attack Great Qin."

I will only deploy 200,000 troops on the east bank of the Lancang River as a feigned attack. The specific timing and method of this feigned attack will be determined by me based on the actual situation. Xu Longxiang is not permitted to interfere.

"Second," the second finger was raised.

"The alliance must be signed in the most secure manner, and the hostages must be people of vital importance to Xu Longxiang. As for the first half of the Nine Dragons Heavenly Scripture, it must be handed over to me for verification of its authenticity when the alliance is signed."

"Third," Zhao Qingxue's gaze suddenly turned sharp as a knife,

"And this is the most important point. Before the official uprising, Xu Longxiang must prove to me that he has enough ability to shake the Great Qin, at least... to eliminate that mysterious terrestrial immortal powerhouse beside Qin Mu, or to find a definite way to deal with him."

"I will not gamble Li Yang's fate on an ally who cannot even fathom the opponent's true intentions."

Liu Hongyan listened carefully, her mind racing with calculations.

Of these three conditions, the first two were expected and the Crown Prince should be able to accept them.

The third one... is it confirmed that he has the ability to deal with terrestrial deities?

That's too difficult.

But she knew this was the Empress's bottom line.

Without this guarantee, the alliance is nothing but a castle in the air.

"I will deliver His Majesty's terms to the Crown Prince word for word."

Liu Hongyan solemnly replied, "The Crown Prince will certainly consider this carefully and give His Majesty an answer as soon as possible."

Zhao Qingxue nodded: "Very good. I will give you ten days. After ten days, I want to see Xu Longxiang's clear answer, and... how he intends to prove himself."

"Yes!" Liu Hongyan bowed and replied.

"Go down," Zhao Qingxue waved her hand. "Someone will take you to the post station to rest. You are not allowed to leave Tianqi City or send any messages to the outside world before I give you permission."

"I understand." Liu Hongyan bowed again and then slowly withdrew from the study.

As she stepped out of the Phoenix Palace, a gust of night wind blew, and she realized that the back of her clothes was soaked with cold sweat.

This confrontation with Empress Li Yang was more mentally taxing than she had imagined. The empress's profound thoughts and powerful aura were simply suffocating.

But in any case, the first step has been taken.

As Liu Hongyan gazed at the majestic palace of Liyang, a complex light flashed in her eyes.

Your Highness, Hongyan has fortunately fulfilled her mission.

Now it's up to you.

……

Inside the study, Zhao Qingxue stood alone by the window, watching Liu Hongyan's figure gradually disappear into the distance, led by a palace maid.

"Your Majesty," a gentle, mellow voice came from the shadows behind the bookshelf, and Chancellor Zhang Julu slowly stepped out, "Do you truly believe in Xu Longxiang?"

Zhao Qingxue did not turn around, her voice calm: "Trust? I only trust interests and strength."

Zhang Julu walked to her side and whispered, "Xu Longxiang is an ambitious, ruthless, and cunning man. To ally with him is like dancing with wolves."

"Wolves?" Zhao Qingxue's lips curled into a cold smile. "This land of Kyushu is a hunting ground where wolves fight for food. Dancing with wolves is always better than being dragged down by a flock of sheep."

She paused, then slowly said, "Xu Longxiang has selfish motives and schemes, which is good. People with desires are easier to control. I'm not afraid of his ambition, I'm only afraid that he... lacks the strength and intelligence to match his ambition."

Zhang Julu pondered for a moment and said, "Then what is the third condition Your Majesty proposed..."

"That's the touchstone."

Zhao Qingxue turned around, the candlelight illuminating her exquisite profile, her eyes deep and unfathomable.

"I want to see just how capable Xu Longxiang really is. If he can't even find a way to prove his abilities, then he's not worthy of being allied with me."

Zhang Julu nodded slowly: "Your Majesty is far-sighted. However... the immortal on land beside Emperor Qin Mu of Great Qin is always a huge variable."

When the term "land immortal" was mentioned, Zhao Qingxue's expression became more serious.

She slowly raised her hand, palm facing upward, a faint purple halo that seemed to contain endless mystery flowing around her fingertips.

"Land immortals..." she murmured to herself, "I am also very curious about what kind of realm that is."

Zhang Julu looked at the purple tinge on Zhao Qingxue's fingertip, a hint of awe flashing in his eyes.

He knew that His Majesty's cultivation of the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture had reached the peak of the eighth level, and was only one step away from that legendary realm.

But this step is an insurmountable barrier.

"Your Majesty," Zhang Julu said in a low voice, "should this old minister send more men to thoroughly investigate the origins of the mysterious powerful figure beside Qin Mu?"

Zhao Qingxue put away the purple glow in her palm and shook her head: "No need to alert the enemy. I have my own arrangements."

She walked back to her desk and sat down, picking up the unfinished memorial again, her tone returning to its usual cool indifference:

"Pass down the order: the Northern Army is to secretly assemble on the east bank of the Lancang River. Prepare provisions and weapons in secret. But remember, not a single soldier is to move without my decree."

"Yes." Zhang Julu bowed and accepted the order.

"Furthermore," Zhao Qingxue paused, "send Li Chunfeng to see me."

Zhang Julu's heart skipped a beat: "Your Majesty intends to..."

"After Qinglan Mountain, he should stretch his muscles and bones."

A glint of light flashed in Zhao Qingxue's eyes. "There are some places and some people that he may need to go and 'see' for himself."

"This old minister understands." Zhang Julu asked no further questions and bowed as he withdrew.

Silence returned to the study.

Zhao Qingxue sat alone behind her desk, her gaze fixed on the deep night outside the window, remaining motionless for a long time.

The candlelight flickered on her face, making her deep purple phoenix eyes shine brightly, as if stars were being born and then vanishing within them.

Qin Mu, Xu Longxiang...

And then there are the demons and monsters lurking in the shadows.

This game is getting more and more interesting.

And she will undoubtedly be the ultimate winner.

Because she is Zhao Qingxue.

Empress Liyang.

He is destined to unify the nine provinces and end this centuries-long period of chaos.

........

The Imperial City, Vermilion Bird Avenue.

This wide imperial road, which can usually accommodate eight carriages side by side, was now packed with people.

From dawn, the news spread like wildfire throughout every corner of the imperial city—

The emperor returned from his southern tour with a new concubine.

This is not unusual.

What's unusual is the identity of this new concubine.

"Have you heard? It's the young mistress of the Zhao family! The daughter-in-law of the Zhao family, the textile manufacturing bureau in Jiangnan!"

"Really? She's married!"

"Absolutely true! My cousin was on duty in Suzhou and saw it with his own eyes! The spectacle, wow, it was no less grand than welcoming the Empress!"

"My God... this is too much..."

People crowded on both sides of the road, standing on tiptoe and craning their necks, their voices rising and falling in discussion.

There was curiosity, shock, disdain, and an undisguised excitement.

After all, such royal secrets are not something you can stumble upon every day.

The Imperial Guards had already set up cordons on both sides of the street, and the soldiers holding halberds maintained order with expressionless faces, but they could not stop the probing gazes.

It was afternoon, and the autumn sun was warm but not scorching, shining on the vermilion palace walls and golden glazed tiles, making the entire imperial city look magnificent.

In the distance, the sound of synchronized footsteps and the rumble of wheels could be heard.

"Here it comes!"

A stir ran through the crowd, but it was quickly suppressed by a greater sense of awe. Everyone held their breath and looked toward the source of the sound.

The first thing that catches the eye is two hundred elite imperial guards, fully armored and wielding long halberds.

Their steps were firm and resounding, the friction of their armor plates producing a chilling metallic hum, and their silent yet powerful aura instantly dispelled all the noise of the street.

Following closely behind were eight ceremonial officials riding pure white steeds, dressed in brocade robes, with solemn expressions.

And then—

The bright yellow, gilded imperial carriage slowly came into view.

Six pure white horses, without a single blemish, pulled the imperial carriage, which resembled a mobile palace. The nine dragons playing with a pearl carved on the carriage body reflected a dazzling golden light in the sunlight.

The bright yellow crepe curtains hanging from the car windows obscured the interior, adding to the mystery and majesty.

Following the imperial carriage were four smaller but equally exquisite and luxurious red-wheeled carriages with canopies, and a large, dark-skinned guard of over two thousand men.

Banners fluttered, and swords and spears stood like a forest.

This isn't just welcoming a concubine; it's more like a grand parade of power, announcing to everyone—

Imperial power is here, and no dissent is permitted.

"Welcome back to the palace, Your Majesty!"

The official in charge of ceremonies shouted.

On both sides of the imperial road, a dark mass of people knelt down.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" shook the heavens and earth, echoing across the Vermilion Bird Avenue, filled with awe and fear.

The gilded imperial carriage slowly passed the kneeling crowd and headed towards the main gate of the palace.

The path winds its way towards Chengtianmen.

.......

Yuxiu Palace.

Jiang Qingxue sat on a soft couch by the window, holding a book of poems in her hand, but she couldn't concentrate on reading a single word.

The faint sounds of people talking could be heard outside the window, which seemed much livelier than usual.

She put down her book and frowned slightly.

Over the past few months, she had grown accustomed to the quiet of the palace. Although Qin Mu would occasionally visit her after returning from the northern border, she was mostly alone, reading, practicing swordsmanship, or simply daydreaming.

It's rare to see something this noisy today.

"Qiu'er," she called softly.

The maid Qiu'er hurried in, bowed, and asked, "What are your orders, Your Highness?"

"Why is it so noisy outside?" Jiang Qingxue asked. "Is there some kind of celebration?"

Qiu'er hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Your Majesty, it's...it's His Majesty who has returned to the palace."

"His Majesty has returned to the palace?" Jiang Qingxue was taken aback. "Hasn't His Majesty been in the palace the whole time?"

She remembered that Qin Mu had only visited her briefly once after returning from the northern border.

"His Majesty went to Jiangnan a few days ago," Qiu'er explained, "and just returned today. Moreover..."

She paused, then lowered her voice even further: "His Majesty has brought back a bride."

Jiang Qingxue's fingers tightened almost imperceptibly.

Bride?

Has he taken another concubine?

That's not surprising. Qin Mu was a womanizer by nature, and with three thousand beauties in his harem, it was normal for him to have one more or one less.

only……

What's causing this inexplicable unease in my heart?

Jiang Qingxue forced herself to calm down and asked indifferently, "Who are you? What rank have you been given?"

Qiu'er glanced at her cautiously before whispering:

"I heard she is... the young mistress of the Zhao family in Suzhou, Jiangnan, surnamed Xu. His Majesty bestowed upon her the title of Consort Hua and granted her residence in Huaqing Palace."

"Clang—"

Without warning, the teacup in Jiang Qingxue's hand slipped and fell onto the blue brick floor, shattering into several pieces.

The warm tea splashed out, soaking the hem of her moon-white skirt.

But she was completely unaware.

She just sat there blankly, her face turning as pale as paper.

Those usually cool and calm eyes were now filled with extreme shock, astonishment, and a hint of fear that even she herself was unaware of.

"You...what did you say?" Her voice was terribly dry. "Surname Xu? Which Xu?"

Qiu'er was startled by her reaction and quickly knelt down to pick up the broken pieces, whispering as she did so:

"This servant does not know the exact name, but I have heard that it is... Xu Fenghua."

Xu Fenghua.

These three words struck Jiang Qingxue like three thunderbolts!

Her mind went completely blank for a moment!