Chapter 423 - 421: The Empress’s Plan
"Qin Yu, you’ve changed..."
The Empress Dowager held onto Qin Yu’s sleeve, her bright and spirited eyes shimmering.
"Empress Dowager, what do you mean?"
Qin Yu was taken aback, not quite understanding the Empress Dowager’s implication.
"You send me back now more diligently than even the Empress’s reminders."
The Empress Dowager looked aggrieved.
She hadn’t had her fill of fun yet, nor had the Empress urged her back, yet Qin Yu sent her home as soon as night fell.
How annoying!
"This..."
Qin Yu was a bit embarrassed; indeed, the Empress had relaxed quite a bit recently, but he couldn’t just stay out all night.
Otherwise, the Empress Dowager might be confined again.
"Qin Yu, why do you keep visiting Carefree Pavilion lately? Is there some fun that you’re deliberately hiding from me?"
Stopping at the entrance of Jade Flower Palace, the Empress Dowager paused abruptly.
Qin Yu’s heart tightened as he stealthily glanced at the Empress Dowager.
To his surprise, the Empress Dowager, usually wary of the Flower Fairy, was as dazzling as ever, without the slightest hint of anger.
It seemed she hadn’t given it much thought.
"Lately, Bai the Chief Steward invited me to help her repair the Ancient Array."
Qin Yu braced himself and replied.
"I see."
The Empress Dowager nodded; she had seen the unusual phenomenon in the morning as well.
However, the auspicious omen didn’t seem interested in the Ancient Array; in her view, there’s no array in the world that could trap her, nothing worth her concern.
"When will you tell the Empress to allow me into your space as well?"
Gazing at the empty palace, the Empress Dowager felt a bit aggrieved; without Little Ling’Er’s company, she didn’t even want to return to Jade Flower Palace.
"I’m afraid the Empress won’t agree."
Qin Yu felt a chill run down his spine; ever since understanding the Empress’s tacit approval, he could indulge in affection toward Little Ling’Er, but the Empress Dowager was different!
If he were to lead the Empress Dowager away with the Princess, how would the Great Yan Royal Family maintain its dignity?
Even the indulgent Empress would surely step in to reprimand him?!
He’s unsure if his current physique can withstand a kick from the Empress...
"Find a way. I have to supervise you so that you don’t bully Little Ling’Er."
The Empress Dowager was so anxious that the Great Phoenix fluttered, seemingly eager to soar.
It’s truly maddening.
Does she not realize just how captivating she is like this?!
Qin Yu lowered his head silently, puzzled.
How does the Empress Dowager know he might bully Little Ling’Er?
Could such an innocent Empress Dowager have that kind of knowledge reserve?!
It shouldn’t be.
Such a noble and graceful Empress Dowager—who would dare impart such knowledge to her? If the Empress knew, it might lead to unbearable torment, worse than death.
"I’m speaking to you!"
Seeing Qin Yu silent, the Empress Dowager stomped her delicate foot in mock anger.
"Humph!"
At Qin Yu’s predicament, a cold snort suddenly erupted.
The expression on the Empress Dowager’s face instantly slumped somewhat.
"Empress."
Seeing the authoritative figure appear before the palace, Qin Yu greeted respectfully.
The Empress Dowager called out unhurriedly, her beautiful, large eyes ceaselessly signaling Qin Yu.
"Empress, could you permit the Empress Dowager..."
Faced with the Empress Dowager’s encouragement, Qin Yu reluctantly ventured.
"No."
However, before the words were finished, an indisputable voice flatly rejected them.
The Empress Dowager stood frozen in place.
Foolish ruler, at least let Qin Yu finish!
Her expression was enough to evoke sympathy from anyone.
The Empress glanced at the Empress Dowager and needed no thought to know it was surely this auspicious omen coercing Qin Yu.
As the Empress Dowager looked righteously indignant, seemingly about to speak, the Empress coldly uttered, "Mention this again, and you shall remain in the palace during the day."
Clearly, the Empress knew how to easily handle the auspicious omen.
Indeed, as the Empress Dowager opened her small mouth, not a single sound escaped, and her starlit eyes filled with mist.
"Follow me."
The Empress withdrew her gaze; even knowing the display was intentional, seeing it repeatedly stirred a touch of pity.
"Has the Empress discovered something?"
Qin Yu’s pupils shrank as he respectfully followed the Empress toward the Main Hall.
The figure ahead exuded infinite authority; the dragon robe trailing on the ground, gently swaying with each step, like a dormant Golden Dragon, ready to spring forth at any moment. Moonlight draped the scene, and the auspicious patterns woven with golden threads glimmered faintly, seemingly concentrating the world’s authority.
Nothing caught Qin Yu’s eye more than the occasional glimpse of stark white beneath the Empress’s garments as she walked. Those long, slender, alabaster legs radiating brilliance in the moonlight were breathtaking, seemingly otherworldly.
Perhaps sensing something, the Empress hastened her steps, soon entering the Main Hall and seating herself on the throne. The dragon robe fell, hiding the scene entirely, leaving no room for idle thoughts.
This fellow is growing increasingly bold, even daring to peek at her from behind.
This is hardly the first time!
Fortunately, the Empress was naturally indifferent, dismissing these minor details.
"Have you ever heard of the Fallen God Abyss?"
The Empress gestured for Qin Yu to sit below, then slowly began to speak.
"Fallen God Abyss?"
Qin Yu’s pupils shrank, and he took a deep breath, saying, "Is Your Majesty referring to the Fallen God Abyss, one of the three absolute forbidden lands of the Immortal Country?"
"It seems you have heard of it."
"Some time ago, there were disturbances in that area, and now Yan Zhi has found out that the chaos is related to the Fallen God Abyss."
The Empress nodded slightly and spoke slowly.
Qin Yu remained silent, listening quietly.
The Empress did not explain much, lightly tapping her fingers on the back of the chair, she said, "In a few days, you will accompany me on a trip."
"Yes."
Qin Yu agreed without the slightest hesitation.
Judging from the Empress’s somewhat low voice, this matter might be related to the black-robed figure encountered before.
Moreover, since it concerns the Fallen God Abyss, the Empress was likely not as relaxed as the last time; otherwise, she wouldn’t specifically have sought him out to mention this matter.
The last time, the Empress had simply taken him out.
Clearly, this matter was probably not as simple as it appeared on the surface.
"The Ancient Array at the Carefree Pavilion, you repaired it, didn’t you?"
Before leaving, the Empress stood up and casually asked.
"Yes."
Qin Yu replied.
"How long did it take you?"
The Empress asked.
In recent days, Qin Yu went to the Carefree Pavilion almost every night, yet the Empress did not constantly monitor what he was doing there.
"About a whole night."
Qin Yu didn’t hide anything. He found it preferable to be frank since he couldn’t fathom the Empress’s thoughts.
"Hmm?"
The Empress paused, with a look of surprise flashing in her indifferent eyes.
One night was all it took to completely restore the Ancient Array?
Could it be that Qin Yu’s mastery in the way of arrays was even greater than that of the Emperor of the Great Qin?!
How could that be possible?
But obviously, Qin Yu could not possibly deceive her on such matters.
This was troublesome.
The status of a mere Tributor seems insufficient to maintain this.
How can Qin Yu be kept within the Great Yan?!
The Bai Family, backing the Carefree Pavilion, would hardly forgo enticing away someone just because Qin Yu was a Tributor of the Great Yan Royal Family.
It looks like...
Moreover, it may be time to consider arranging for Ling’Er to wed Qin Yu.
Ling’Er clearly cannot be separated from Qin Yu, and being together might even help her return to normal—she might even begin cultivation.
So be it.
After a few days, the matter shall be settled.
The Empress didn’t say much more and left the Main Hall.
A moment later, a fragrant breeze wafted in, and the figure of the Empress Dowager, like a radiant moonbeam, fell into the Main Hall.
"What did that tyrant tell you?"
The Empress Dowager, lacking any grace, rested her elbow on the table beside Qin Yu, where the Great Phoenix lay seemingly finally at ease.
Such cumbersome weight raised concerns about whether the small table could bear such heaviness.
If not for the Empress Dowager’s status, Qin Yu would have eagerly sought to help lighten the table’s burden.
"His Majesty instructed me to accompany him on a trip in a while."
Qin Yu tried to shift his gaze with strong willpower, but the moonlight was so bright and white that it was practically impossible.
"You intend to leave this palace alone?"
Like a maiden about to be forsaken, the Empress Dowager unconsciously grasped Qin Yu’s arm, her forlorn look stirring a pang of regret.
"This..."
Faced with such an expression from the Empress Dowager, Qin Yu had almost no resistance.
If not for fear of the Empress, he would agree to anything to make this moonlit fairy happy.
For a long while.
Finally bowing humbly, Qin Yu exited the Jade Flower Palace.
Why must it be this way? Blame it on tonight’s moon being too full, too bright, making self-control impossible.
No wonder the Empress didn’t let the Empress Dowager go to the Lifebound Space.
Honestly speaking, Qin Yu couldn’t guarantee that in a place without the Empress’s restraint, he might resist the involuntary allure cast by the Empress Dowager—a charm that could defeat all.
Once Qin Yu finished his routine cultivation with his beloved, he headed to the Carefree Pavilion as midnight approached.
Upon entering the Carefree Pavilion, an alien race girl led Qin Yu to a small courtyard nearby.
Only then did Qin Yu notice, amidst the bustling night scenery, such a serene courtyard beside the Carefree Pavilion.
Inside the small courtyard, a graceful figure stood silently in the garden, the gentle moonlight casting a silver glow upon her, cascading like a waterfall from her hair, inciting one to step forward and gently caress it.
Tonight, Bai Yaoyin wore a simple long dress, its hem fluttering in the breeze like a white lotus blooming under the moon.
Her delicate face showed two enchanting dimples upon seeing him, with a straight nose and a slight smile on her lips, brightening the night like a starlit sky.
A peach blossom drifted down, and Qin Yu caught it lightly, bringing it to his nose to smell, where a hint of floral fragrance carried a delicate maiden’s unique freshness.
"You’re so beautiful."
Qin Yu openly expressed the heat in his eyes, stepping forward to gently embrace the slender waist.