Chapter 374 - 372: The Empress Leaves the Palace
Imperial Capital.
Although the sky was clear, it was filled with the sound of rumbling thunder, as if it contained endless thunderous wrath.
This was the glorious imperial might!
It was also a warning issued by that supreme existence of Great Yan.
Within the Great Yan Imperial Capital, the powers were intricately intertwined, with spies from various Immortal Countries and even some hidden clans.
Such a display could serve as a deterrent.
Moonlight Palace.
"How fierce!"
The Empress Dowager shivered all over, and the Great Phoenix trembled as it spread its wings with a whistling sound.
"Did someone make Empress Elder Sister angry?"
Ling’Er’s eyes were like clear springs, filled with worry in their gentle light.
She rarely witnessed the Empress in such a thunderous rage, so her heart was filled with anxiety.
"The Empress is very powerful. You don’t need to worry about those troublesome matters, Little Ling’Er. Just take good care of yourself."
The Empress Dowager spoke with affection, gently stroking Ling’Er’s soft hair and soothing her tenderly.
As for the Great Yan Empress, she wasn’t worried at all.
In her view, the Empress might be a tyrant, but she was also an invincible superpower, capable of anything and fearless!
"Strange, why hasn’t Qin Yu shown up today?"
The Empress Dowager absentmindedly plucked at a blade of grass and suddenly thought of something, her expression changing suddenly as she exclaimed, "Could it be that Qin Yu offended the Empress? Little Ling’Er, quickly follow me to save him!"
"Empress Dowager, Brother Qin Yu said yesterday he would go to the Myriad Scriptures Hall first today..."
Little Ling’Er was somewhat helpless.
She kept every word Qin Yu said in mind. Besides, Brother Qin Yu has always been polite, how could he do something to offend the Empress?!
"Really? Did he say that?"
The Empress Dowager tilted her head slightly. Apart from the fascinating stories in books, she couldn’t recall such a thing.
Could it be true that listening to too many imperial novels makes one dumber?
It shouldn’t be, right?
"How about, I’ll take you to find Qin Yu?"
"Hmm, the Empress is a bit angry today, she’ll definitely be fierce if she finds out..."
The Empress Dowager was very conflicted. It was hard to find an excuse to sneak out, only to encounter the Empress’s anger.
Ah, being the Empress Dowager is really hard!
Not only do you have to be berated by the Empress, but you also have no freedom!
Moreover, you can’t wear the clothes you like, or do the things you don’t like to do... and so on, there are too many.
She was starting to regret it a bit.
Now, only Little Ling’Er and Qin Yu are the best in the Imperial Palace, one being well-behaved and considerate, the other telling interesting stories to keep her from being bored.
"What is that?"
Qin Yu had just walked to the Jade Flower Palace when he noticed a Great Phoenix swaying slightly at the corner of the Imperial Garden.
As he got closer, he realized it was the Empress Dowager idly plucking grass there... utterly without image!
In contrast, the quiet Princess seemed much more sensible.
"Brother Qin Yu, you’re here!"
Little Ling’Er, who had been obediently accompanying the Empress Dowager, squatted slightly. As if sensing something, she suddenly looked up after seeing Qin Yu and joyfully stood up.
On her face, delicately carved as if by an artisan, appeared a smile like melting spring snow.
It was so heart-stopping.
Just one glance made Qin Yu’s lips involuntarily curl up in a smile.
"Princess, I’m late, I hope you won’t hold it against me."
Looking at the young girl’s face, full of joy yet slightly pale, Qin Yu gently extended his hand, his eyes full of tenderness.
The girl’s hand was icy, but it felt remarkably good...
Ugh!
Alas, mainly because of the influence of the Empress Dowager.
There was no way not to notice such a big Phoenix there.
Moreover, the Empress Dowager was so generous, treating him not as an outsider at all.
Qin Yu himself was embarrassed to look more.
He really wasn’t a purely innocent person.
When the Empress Dowager thought Qin Yu was talking about storybooks, he instead took out a chessboard.
"Princess, would you like to try playing chess?"
"Playing chess?"
Ling’Er was curious, but the Empress Dowager didn’t seem interested.
Starting with Go was indeed difficult, but Gomoku was straightforward and easy to understand.
Sure enough, after just a few games, Ling’Er grasped some techniques, making it not so easy for Qin Yu to win.
"I want to play too!"
The Empress Dowager, who initially had no interest, suddenly brightened up.
However, compared to the Princess who could draw inferences, the Empress Dowager’s moves seemed a bit random.
Qin Yu felt embarrassed to win against her.
Yet this only boosted the Empress Dowager’s spirit!
Previously, when Little Ling’Er played, she lost after placing just a few pieces, whereas the Empress Dowager nearly filled half the board!
But... when losing, the Empress Dowager seemed a bit unhappy.
"Damn, I made a wrong move earlier, let’s go again!"
She rolled up her sleeves, looking as if ready for a big battle, giving Qin Yu quite a sight.
However.
The strong competitive spirit of the Empress Dowager came as a surprise to him, as it was already dusk, and the always losing Empress Dowager even held him from leaving.
No choice.
Qin Yu had to take it easy on her.
In the days following, each morning Qin Yu would visit the Myriad Scriptures Hall for about an hour to flip through ancient texts, learning about this world and thus broadening his horizon.
During this time, he learned that behind the Carefree Pavilion was a concealed large clan.
Bai Yaoyin seemed to be someone sent by this clan.
Moreover, Carefree Pavilion had branches throughout the Nine Immortal Countries, yet remained unscathed. Clearly, this was not an ordinary clan.
No wonder.
Even someone as alluring as Bai Yaoyin had no one daring to lay a finger on the Pavilion’s Chief Steward.
What a waste!
That day, while playing chess.
The Empress Dowager held a piece, but her gaze wasn’t on the board; instead, she kept staring at Qin Yu, as if trying to discern something from his face.
"I’ll play here, no no no..."
Tsk!
Such poor sportsmanship, Qin Yu regretted a bit, but this made the Empress Dowager appear quite endearing.
He increasingly suspected the Empress Dowager’s true identity.
However, in the Imperial Palace, no one seemed to dare discuss the Empress Dowager, so he couldn’t uncover the truth.
Suddenly.
The Empress Dowager froze for a moment, gazing towards the distant sky, her eyes gradually lighting up.
"Empress Dowager?"
Qin Yu was puzzled.
The next moment, the Empress Dowager suddenly stood up, excitedly hugging one of his arms. As she moved, the Great Phoenix lashed out wildly at Qin Yu.
Tsk!.....
Who could endure this?!
Fortunately, Qin Yu was seated, with a stone table as a buffer; otherwise, his admiration might be going to the Empress Dowager... herself.
That would be truly disrespectful.
Despite the enjoyment, Qin Yu wore a confused expression, why was he suddenly... rewarded?!
He hadn’t done anything earlier.
"The Tyrant has left the palace!"