Night fell, yet the imperial palace was still bustling with activity.
The Six Ministries had been working overtime these past few days. Whether it was arranging the grand ceremony according to the dynasty's rites or making all the preparations within the palace, everything had to be handled by the Six Ministries.
By contrast, Qianqing Palace was exceptionally peaceful.
After finishing her meal, Ye Qinglian suddenly sensed something.
"Xiao Bing, leave for now."
The latter paused, thinking the two of them were about to sneak off and do something. Even Chu Ning had come to the same conclusion.
Watching the girl's departing figure, Chu Ning raised his head, a smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
"Qinglian, you've learned to send Xiao Bing away on your own now. So, where should we start..."
Ye Qinglian glared at Chu Ning with undisguised disdain and ignored him. Instead, she slowly rose and pushed open the palace doors.
"The room is fine, Qinglian. Outside wouldn't be good. If Xiao Bing sees us, you'll run off again..."
"Shut your mouth! What on earth have you been thinking about all day?"
Ye Qinglian angrily scolded him, then gradually calmed down and replied coolly.
"Elder Fang sent word that he has something to report. You can stay in the palace."
"What are you talking about? It sounds as if I'm having an affair with you. We're perfectly legitimate and acting within the natural order!"
Seeing Chu Ning brazenly sidle up beside her, Ye Qinglian could only sigh helplessly.
Forget it. They would truly be legitimate before long.
By then, Chu Ning would probably become even bolder.
Today, he had even shamelessly kissed her. If there was nothing important next time, she absolutely could not be alone with Chu Ning!
At least with Xiao Bing around, Chu Ning would not dare to act so boldly...
"Elder Fang."
The next moment, Fang Houren tore through the air and arrived, bowing in greeting.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
After saluting, the old man straightened and slowly began to speak.
"Your Majesty, today, outside the imperial palace, I saw a group of people. They seemed to be members of the Imperial Observatory of the Great Zhou Dynasty. I suspect they had come to investigate something within the imperial palace."
"Although I don't know why they were so easily dealt with—and one of them was even a Voidbreak cultivator—after investigating, I discovered that he was none other than the Celestial Master of the Great Zhou Dynasty's Imperial Observatory!"
Ye Qinglian slightly furrowed her brows upon hearing this.
"The Imperial Observatory of the Great Zhou Dynasty?"
"These people could only have come to investigate the source of the dynasty's Dragon Qi. It seems the Great Zhou Dynasty has begun to fear us."
Her expression gradually grew serious.
"How did you deal with them?"
"No one discovered me. I killed them all."
Ye Qinglian nodded, raising no objection.
"These people clearly harbored ill intentions. Killing them made things simpler. With the Celestial Master dead, the Great Zhou's Imperial Observatory has been rendered completely useless."
"Even if the Great Zhou comes to cause trouble, we simply need to deny everything. They wouldn't be shameless enough to bring up people they had secretly dispatched. They can only swallow this loss."
However, the people from the Imperial Observatory were all quite powerful.
Though Fang Houren's strength was formidable, he was only at the Voidbreak realm.
Moreover, the other side had a Voidbreak cultivator as well.
How had he managed to eliminate them all without alerting Ye Qinglian?
Ye Qinglian looked at the old man doubtfully and asked, "Elder Fang, have you already broken through? Are you at the Boundless realm now?"
The old man shook his head.
"It wasn't because of me. For some unknown reason, the strongest Voidbreak cultivator among them lost all consciousness. His spiritual sense seemed to have been crushed."
"And everyone else who participated in the formation was the same. I don't know what caused it either."
"Perhaps they suffered a backlash for prying into the secrets of the dynasty?"
Ye Qinglian hesitated for a moment before shaking her head.
"Even a backlash couldn't possibly be this powerful. It even crushed the spiritual sense of a Voidbreak cultivator. There are many unanswered questions here. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to investigate it in secret, Elder Fang."
"Since the Great Zhou Dynasty's Imperial Observatory has sent people here, they must have other measures in place. Before my Grand Wedding, I'll have to trouble you, Elder Fang."
The old man clasped his hands and bowed, his expression solemn. "Rest assured, Your Majesty. If trouble arises, I will deal with it."
However, after he finished speaking, Fang Houren noticed Chu Ning beside Ye Qinglian and could not stop the corner of his mouth from twitching.
If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you won't have trouble finding it next time.
"Chu Ning, you aren't the Emperor Consort yet. This is His Majesty's bedchamber. I advise you to leave."
That was precisely why Ye Qinglian had not wanted Chu Ning to come out with her.
Elder Fang was an elder, so he was bound to nag them a little.
However, Chu Ning merely spread his hands.
"I do as I please. Besides, His Majesty has already acknowledged my status as Emperor Consort before all the officials. The only thing missing is the Grand Wedding ceremony. Even without that ceremony, I'm still the Emperor Consort. I can stay wherever I want. What's the problem?"
The old man's mouth twitched. He was just about to curse when Ye Qinglian calmly spoke.
"Elder Fang, there's no need to worry. Chu Ning came to my palace because of the Grand Wedding, and nothing else."
Hearing this, the old man finally relaxed.
This brat was really asking for a beating!
He still glared fiercely at Chu Ning.
"Boy, mind your manners before His Majesty. If not for His Majesty, I wouldn't acknowledge you as the Emperor Consort!"
The wedding had not even taken place, yet he had already run into His Majesty's palace.
Wouldn't he try to usurp the throne and seize the kingdom after the wedding?
Fang Houren looked toward Ye Qinglian again, clasped his hands, and bowed solemnly. "I believe Your Majesty should keep a close eye on Chu Ning. His identity is far too mysterious. He may be plotting something."
With that, the old man did not stay any longer and turned to leave.
Chu Ning was utterly aggrieved. He grabbed Ye Qinglian's hand and immediately began to complain.
"Qinglian, he's slandering me! What throne would I usurp? Having you means having the entire world. Why would I go to all that trouble?"
Ye Qinglian glanced at Chu Ning and snorted.
"You should have stayed in the palace just now, but you insisted on coming out with me. Elder Fang couldn't help misunderstanding when he saw you here. You brought this upon yourself."
Chu Ning smiled at that and immediately took the opportunity to hold her hand.
"That isn't how you should put it. Even if Laozi himself came, I'm still your husband. What's wrong with me coming to your bedchamber? Even if I slept in your bed, no one could say anything, right?"
After saying that, he pulled Ye Qinglian toward the palace.
"While Xiao Bing isn't here, let's hurry and..."
Ye Qinglian did not budge. She stared coldly at Chu Ning and threatened him.
"I'm tired. Go back to your palace at once. Don't make me draw my sword."
"You... Sigh, what a wonderful opportunity. At least give me a kiss before I leave. It would help strengthen our relationship. Sigh! Don't draw your sword! I'm leaving, I'm leaving..."
With a bitter expression, Chu Ning reluctantly turned and left.
The corners of Ye Qinglian's mouth lifted slightly as she turned and entered the palace in a good mood.
Getting the better of you once in secret was enough. You really want to make it a regular occurrence? Keep dreaming...
Still, having someone like this by her side was rather interesting.
On the way back to his palace, Chu Ning ran into Xiao Bing.
The latter eagerly asked whether there had been any progress.
Chu Ning declared that progress had been astonishing and that he would move over tomorrow.
Xiao Bing excitedly went to ask outside Ye Qinglian's bedchamber, only to be scolded...
Sir had lied to her. She had actually been deceived...
His Majesty had no such intention at all. It was all Sir's wishful thinking. Boohoo...
After returning to his palace, Chu Ning lay on a reclining chair in the courtyard, his expression gradually calming.
The Great Zhou Dynasty?
Other measures?
Let me see where you are...
The Heavenly Timing shifted in an instant, beginning a reverse deduction.
Following the trail from those people who had suffered the backlash, Chu Ning continued tracing it backward.
Finally, Chu Ning locked onto a location. It was inside an inn.
A red-robed old eunuch sat on a wooden chair in the room, his entire body trembling. He was already furious.
"Bullshit!"
"How could everyone from the Imperial Observatory have died? Not a single one of them came back!"
"You don't even know who killed them. A bunch of useless fools! Looks like I'll have to act personally!"
Before you continue