Red-Clad Daoist Nun

The explosion was incredibly loud, startling almost the entire Royal Palace.

Daji hurried out of Shouxian Palace upon hearing the sound. She looked towards the direction of the explosion, her expression shifting rapidly. She recognized it as the Imperial Study.

What she didn't know was that Di Xin was also there when the explosion occurred.

At this moment, she was full of suspicion, unsure if the meteor incident was related to Goddess Nuwa.

The inner court would never come out to watch such a spectacle, so she patiently waited, hoping someone would come from that direction so she could inquire.

She regretted being too hasty in driving away Gun Juan; otherwise, she would have had someone to run errands for her.

Although the other palace maids could be ordered around, they were nowhere near as clever, obedient, or eloquent as Gun Juan.

However, Gun Juan's existence was ultimately a threat to her, and she couldn't keep her around.

While she waited, no one came from the direction of the Imperial Study. Instead, a palace maid sent to expel Gun Juan came running.

"What kind of behavior is this? If someone sees you, they'll think Shouxian Palace has no rules!"

Daji's face darkened upon seeing her, and she reprimanded her sternly.

"Noble Consort, I have important news to report."

The palace maid slowed down, panting, and said, "There's a female Daoist at the palace gate. She claims to be your relative and wishes to see you. Oh, and she said her name is Hu Ximei."

"Ah, Xi Mei..."

Hearing this, Daji's expression faltered, and she then instructed the palace maid, "Then why haven't you invited her in?"

The palace maid looked troubled. "Your Highness, the Imperial Guards won't let her pass. They say no one can enter the Royal Palace without the Great King's decree. That's why I hurried back to report to you."

"Go, go back to the palace gate and say that I, your Noble Consort, have agreed to let Hu Ximei in. I want to see if my words carry any weight." Daji raised an eyebrow, pointing towards the palace gate, her imposing aura instantly rising.

"Yes, I'll go right away." The palace maid didn't dare to argue further. She quickly agreed, grabbed her skirt, and ran off again.

Daji didn't return to her palace but waited outside Shouxian Palace.

After some time, she saw a Daoist nun in red robes approaching, surrounded by several palace maids. Daji hurried to meet her and affectionately took the nun's hand.

"Sister, it's been so long. I thought I'd never see you again after entering the deep palace. Why have you found your way here? You've made your sister miss you so!"

The Daoist nun was incredibly alluring. In terms of beauty alone, she even surpassed Daji by three points. The woman affectionately linked arms with Daji and chuckled, "I heard my sister has become wealthy. I happened to be passing through Chaoge, so I came to visit. Sister, you look truly regal!"

"Sister, don't tease me. It's all the Great King's favor. Come, let's go inside and talk."

Daji chuckled charmingly, and the two women walked hand-in-hand into Shouxian Palace, leaving the palace maids outside.

Upon reaching the bedroom, Daji glanced outside. Seeing no one around, she closed the door and asked softly, "Sister, does Goddess Nuwa have any instructions?"

The smile on the red-robed Daoist nun's face suddenly vanished. She nodded gently. "Goddess Nuwa observed the destiny of the Shang Dynasty today and found it had not weakened but instead strengthened. She was greatly puzzled and specifically sent me to investigate the reason. Is your plan not progressing smoothly?"

Daji quickly shook her head. "It's not like that. According to the plan, sister has already gained the Great King's trust. He even agreed to the construction of the Star Picking Tower on the spot. Sister, you've only been in the palace for four or five days. Is Goddess Nuwa perhaps too impatient?"

The red-robed Daoist nun was also full of confusion. "Then what exactly is going on? According to Goddess Nuwa, even if you made no progress, the Shang Dynasty's destiny would only weaken slowly. There's no reason for it to strengthen instead! Goddess Nuwa is certain there must be a reason. What has happened in the palace these past few days? Sister, tell me everything you know, so I can consult with you. If I can't figure it out, I'll report back to Goddess Nuwa."

Su Daji fell silent for a moment after hearing this. Then, she suddenly looked at the red-robed Daoist nun and asked, "Does Goddess Nuwa intend for me to enter the palace as well? If not, she wouldn't have sent you here."

The red-robed Daoist nun chuckled. "Goddess Nuwa didn't explicitly say so, but anything is possible. Sister, let me say something from the heart: it doesn't matter who enters the palace, what's important is to complete Goddess Nuwa's mission. Otherwise, none of us will have a good outcome."

"Sister is absolutely right. Some things have happened in the palace these past few days..."

Su Daji seemed swayed by the red-robed Daoist nun and began to speak softly.

She recounted everything: Di Xin demanding potent medicines from his ministers in court, allowing his ministers to fight amongst themselves, resulting in Fei Zhong's death, Yun Zhongzi's visit, the Imperial Study being destroyed by a falling boulder from the sky, and her unclear relationship with the palace maid Gun Juan.

She omitted the fact that she had not slept with King Zhou.

She did not want Goddess Nuwa to know about this. Once she knew, it would at least indicate her own incompetence, and Hu Ximei might truly replace her.

This Daoist nun was none other than the Jade Pipa Spirit, one of the Three Demons of Xuanyuan Tomb.

They had all cultivated in Xuanyuan Tomb, unseen by the world. That place was dark and cold, nothing compared to the riches of the Royal Palace. Daji wanted to enjoy more comfort here!

"So many things have happened! One must say that King is quite absurd, committing so many foolish acts. The Shang Dynasty's destiny should have greatly weakened!"

After Daji finished speaking, Hu Ximei sighed.

Su Daji pondered, "From my sister's perspective, the variable might be Yun Zhongzi's visit or the falling boulder. Yun Zhongzi intended to eliminate me, while the Great King luckily survived the falling boulder by chance. Please, sister, quickly report this truthfully to Goddess Nuwa."

Hu Ximei shook her head slightly. "No rush. Goddess Nuwa said I should meet the Great King before leaving."

Daji's expression changed slightly, and she sighed. "Very well, as you wish, sister!"

Immediately, Su Daji led Hu Ximei to the main hall of the sleeping quarters and had palace maids serve tea and fresh fruit. The two began to chat about everyday matters.

After a while, an Eunuch's voice announced loudly from the palace gate: "The Great King returns to the palace!"

"Sister, please wait a moment. I'll go welcome him!"

Daji finished speaking, her figure rose, a smile on her face, and she walked gracefully towards the palace gate with a waft of fragrance.

"Beloved Consort, preparations for the Star Picking Tower are complete. All materials will be brought into the palace immediately, and construction will begin today." Di Xin saw Daji approaching, embraced her slender waist, and with a princess carry, walked inside.

"Great King, you have a guest!"

Daji said charmingly, pointing towards the main hall.

"What guest? Is it your family?" Di Xin chuckled, put Daji down, and looked inside through the beaded curtains.