"Sage Mode, activate!"
After confirming that everyone was far enough away from her, Aoko immediately clasped her hands together. The natural energy around her gathered into her body, and with the energy control techniques of a high-level legendary mage, she perfectly balanced natural energy, physical energy, and spiritual energy in a 1:1:1 ratio. The entire process took less than a second.
A red facial pattern appeared on Aoko's face, proving that she had completely entered Sage... Over the past four years, more than thirty clan members had cultivated internal force alone. Of course, hundreds of clan members had practiced Tiger Fist, yet only thirty-odd had developed internal force. The proportion was indeed low. However, every clan member who had developed internal force possessed astonishing destructive power.
Nijin said tactfully, "Her Majesty the Empress had people thoroughly investigate the inner palace last night." This hinted that the Empress had the Empress Dowager's spies by her side, who had taken the sachet while Jiang Yashuang was not paying attention?
...Given Qiu Yelan's dowry, even the Empress and the Duke of Qin lacked the means to offer a reward grand enough to make her feel genuinely indebted.
Han Jian suddenly stood up in front of Xiao Zhan, startling her slightly. Her gaze became even more evasive, but Han Jian remained imposing.
"Sister-in-law, you should go inside and rest." Zhang Ping politely helped them lift the tent flap.
Although the Emperor was a puppet and could not even decide the promotions or demotions of his concubines, neither Empress Dowager Gu nor Empress Jiang strictly limited the number of women in his harem. Moreover, he had no opportunity to concern himself with state affairs and usually remained in the harem—so he had quite a few children.
Strangely, neither Qiu Quibi nor Sun Ximin spoke, as