Aunt Qin would rather Jin Li not sit in that position.
But she knew she could not.
"Wolfish ambition!" She looked at Sima Ting, her eyes filled with fury. "Colluding with the Northern Khan Royal Court—your crime deserves execution!"
The Northern Khan Royal Court and Nanqian Kingdom had always been mortal enemies.
Every autumn harvest season, the Northern Khan Royal Court's iron cavalry would breach the pass and enter Nanqian Kingdom's borders to raid for grain.
The two nations shared a blood-deep hatred, an ocean of vengeance.
"This is the difference between this old man and the likes of you." Sima Ting lifted his chin. "Between nations, there are only interests. Only martial brutes speak of grudges, hatred, love, and enmity.
"Madam Qin, I advise you to know your place and hand over the Imperial Treasury key. Otherwise..."
Sima Ting threatened.
As the late Grand General's lawful wife, Aunt Qin held the key to the Imperial Treasury.
That key could unlock the Heavenly Fortune Lock and retrieve the Heavenly Fortune Jade Seal.
If he wished to usurp the throne, he had to obtain the Heavenly Fortune Jade Seal. Only then would his claim be justified, and only then could he inherit Nanqian Kingdom's national fortune.
"Keep dreaming."
Sima Ting looked at Aunt Qin and said nothing further.
Aunt Qin was, after all, that Grand General's widow.
The Heavenly Revelation General now stationed at the front lines had once been as close as brothers with that Grand General.
If he killed Aunt Qin, matters would become troublesome.
Yet Aunt Qin was the Empress's pillar of support, so he had no choice but to strike and grievously wound her.
Then, the Empress would be left without claws or fangs.
"Madam Qin, take care of yourself." Sima Ting said, "In three days, the Southern Feng Crown Prince will arrive. Ten days from now will be the appointed duel. How will you deal with it then?"
Having said that, Sima Ting flicked his sleeve and departed.
Anger flashed through Aunt Qin's eyes before melting into desolation.
She was badly injured now, and even her foundation had been damaged. Recovering in a short time was nearly impossible.
That duel could only end in defeat.
"Your Majesty, there are seven volumes here, all of them recording matters concerning the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area." The palace maid held the books and placed them on the jade throne.
"Mm." Jin Li nodded and picked up a book, reading it carefully.
Today, after hearing Qi Yuan mention the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area, she had become interested in it.
Aunt Qin was now severely injured.
And ten days later, the Southern Feng Crown Prince would arrive at the Southern Qian Imperial City. His National Teacher would duel Aunt Qin.
If they lost, Nanqian Kingdom would lose all face, and her... fate would be perilous as well.
Because ten years ago, when Jin Li's imperial father had passed away and before she ascended the throne, Nanqian Kingdom had been in turmoil. Southern Feng Kingdom had stationed two hundred thousand soldiers at the border, clearly intending to take the chance to invade Nanqian Kingdom.
Grand Chancellor Sima Ting had gone to the border and, on Nanqian Kingdom's behalf, reached an agreement with Southern Wind Kingdom.
That had also buried a pitfall for Jin Li.
If they lost this battle, she would have to marry the Southern Feng Crown Prince.
How could she, an Empress of her generation, marry another nation's crown prince?
This was the pitfall Sima Ting had buried.
Because ten years ago, before she had ascended the throne, there had been little wrong with Sima Ting's agreement with Southern Feng Kingdom.
They merely traded one princess for peace along the border.
Now that Aunt Qin was severely injured, for them to win this battle, Aunt Qin first had to recover from her wounds before she could have the strength to fight.
The Four Great Forbidden Areas contained many spiritual objects. Perhaps there were medicinal herbs capable of healing her.
After leafing through only a few books, she saw that the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area contained several rare Spiritual Herbs with all kinds of effects, such as healing injuries and extending one's lifespan.
"Nine Flower Qi Luo?" As she turned the pages, Jin Li's expression shifted.
Ancient records stated that the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area contained a Spiritual Herb called Nine Flower Qi Luo.
This Spiritual Herb bloomed with nine petals and emitted nine different exotic fragrances. It was known as an imperial medicine.
"If Aunt Qin obtains this Spiritual Herb, not only will her injuries vanish completely, she may even... break through to the emperor rank!"
This information had come from the writings of a top-tier emperor.
That top-tier emperor had entered the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area through a fortunate coincidence.
At first, when he saw the Spiritual Herbs, he had wanted to pick them, only to be besieged by the Demon Kings within.
Two fists could not fend off four hands. He escaped the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area, but never again had the chance to enter.
"So that means there should be many Demon Kings in the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area?
"Demon Emperors... unknown."
Jin Li pondered.
If there were no Demon Emperors, then relying only on the Demon Kings' perception, perhaps they truly could sneak in and pluck the Spiritual Herbs.
"Unfortunately, there is no record at all of how one enters the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area."
Each of the Four Great Forbidden Areas had its own difficulties.
And for the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area, the greatest difficulty was entering it.
"Could it really be as Qi Yuan said—carry a ladder on your back and climb in?"
Thinking of Qi Yuan, the corners of Jin Li's lips curled into an involuntary smile.
Of course, that was impossible.
It was far too absurd, or rather... utterly without logic.
Still, Qi Yuan had no reason to deceive her.
She trusted him deeply.
Otherwise, she would not have had the palace maids gather materials concerning the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area.
Jin Li read the remaining volumes with great care.
Unfortunately, none contained any information on how to enter the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area.
Then, she suddenly saw an entry and could not help reading it aloud. "Xuanyuan harbors a strange creature. It resembles a fox's tail, resembles a pen, is mad and muddleheaded, and most enjoys attacking at night."
This entry had also been recorded by that Supreme Emperor.
Jin Li froze.
Qi Yuan's earlier words surfaced before her eyes.
Mad Pen was especially sinister. He loved turning into a pen at night and launching sneak attacks without any martial honor.
"Is this the same ferocious beast?" Countless thoughts flashed through Jin Li's mind.
"The Supreme Emperor who left behind this information was once a Great Supplicant of Nanqian Kingdom.
"This information has always remained in the Library Pavilion and was never spread outside.
"How did Qi Yuan... know?
"Could Qi Yuan be a member of the imperial family?"
Jin Li's heart was anything but calm.
"No!"
"He knew that ferocious beast was called Mad Pen!
"Could it be... Qi Yuan really has visited the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area?"
Jin Li took out the Exquisite Jade Tide and hurriedly sent a message.
"Qi Yuan, have you really been to the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area? Carrying a ladder... climbing in wasn't a lie, was it?
"I have an urgent matter... I need to go in once."
Although Qi Yuan was unreliable and always liked saying nonsense.
She feared that when Qi Yuan saw her message, he would still answer carelessly, which was why she had mentioned going herself.
She was gambling with her life.
Qi Yuan... would not joke around again.
Yet after she sent the message, Qi Yuan did not reply.
"Too bad the Attire Forbidden Area is too far away. Otherwise... sigh."
Jin Li sighed, then her gaze turned resolute.
"Someone come. Make preparations. Tomorrow, I will leave the palace."
There was no time left.
She decided to leave the palace tomorrow and head for the Xuanyuan Forbidden Area.
She had no choice.
Remaining in the imperial capital was merely waiting for death.
But recalling something, she continued giving orders. "Send a squad of Qilin Guard to the Attire Forbidden Area. See whether anything unusual has happened there."
Qi Yuan had said he had gone to the Attire Forbidden Area.
If Qi Yuan truly was a powerful expert, then turmoil would certainly have occurred in the Attire Forbidden Area.
She dispatched the Qilin Guard to investigate the Attire Forbidden Area.
At the same time, within the Attire Forbidden Area.
Qi Yuan carried the golden Great Treasure Sword on his shoulder and looked at the strange creatures ahead, curiosity in his eyes.
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