Dasheng Imperial Palace.
Qingxin Hall, the wafting incense dispelled the slight chill of the early morning, but could not dispel the growing hustle and bustle and warmth of the place.
Outside the hall, Maid named Baiyue was escorting a middle-aged military general, clad in armor and exuding a powerful aura, to the foot of the steps.
The military officer, with a resolute face and barely concealed excitement in his eyes, bowed deeply towards the direction of the hall, his voice filled with barely suppressed exhilaration:
"This humble Wang Meng, Wang Meng, is deeply grateful for His Highness's favor and is willing to serve you with utmost loyalty! I would gladly give my life for you!"
Now, everyone in the Capital City knows that Lord Ye, a trusted confidant of the Third Princess, is displaying his might in the Southern Territory, even causing the legendary Martial Dao Supreme to die with resentment at his hands!
With him backing him up, this Princess Ling'an will likely gain power one after another, and may even surpass the currently Eldest Princess!
Wang Meng could hardly believe that a rough and impulsive military general like himself, who was always hesitant and slow to act, could one day be able to attach himself to such a legitimate royal family with unlimited potential.
Their luck has truly turned around!
Baiyue stood tall and straight on the steps, her expression aloof, and nodded slightly as she spoke:
"General Wang, you flatter me. His Highness knows of your loyalty and bravery, and hopes that you will work diligently in the future and not disappoint His Highness's expectations. Please return."
"Yes! Yes! This subordinate takes his leave!" Wang Meng responded repeatedly, almost backing down the steps, his steps light and quick, his face beaming with indescribable joy as he strode away.
From then on, another Venerable-level general of the Cosmic Birth Realm joined the ranks of the Third Princess Li Yingluo.
"..."
Baiyue watched him disappear at the end of the palace path, pursed her lips slightly, then turned around and stepped lightly into the hall.
The hall was warm and inviting. Li Yingluo was reclining on a soft couch, toying with a smooth Jade Pendant between her fingers.
Her eyes radiated an undisguised smugness, and her previously somewhat awkward demeanor, nourished by this sudden surge of power, had gained an imposing air of authority.
"Your Highness, General Wang Meng is deeply grateful and will likely not refuse any of Your Highness's orders in the future," Baiyue reported, bowing her head as she approached the bed.
"Okay, I understand." Li Yingluo responded lazily, a pleased smile curving her lips. She looked up at Baiyue and asked casually:
"How many is this?"
"Your Highness, this is the fourth military officer to come and pledge allegiance recently." Baiyue's voice was clear and powerful, carrying a significantly greater confidence than before.
"Since the news of Lord Ye's killing of the Cold Palace Supreme and the Beast Venerable in the Yunze Continent yesterday spread, cultivators and dignitaries from all sides have been flocking to the Qingxin Hall to pay their respects, offer gifts, and even seek to attach themselves to him!"
"The gift lists for the Qingxin Hall's storerooms are probably already piled up two feet high!"
"Heh..." Li Yingluo couldn't help but chuckle, her laughter filled with smug satisfaction. "Ye Li... truly is my lucky charm!"
She stood up happily, her bright eyes sparkling as she looked at Baiyue and smiled:
"Who could have imagined that he possessed such extraordinary abilities! Two supreme beings! He killed them without hesitation! I truly made the right choice in selecting the commander of the Southern Territory this time!"
She could almost see that as Ye Li's fearsome reputation spread throughout Da Sheng, countless forces that had previously looked down on her were now swarming towards her!
Her prestige and power are expanding at an unprecedented rate, and even that supreme position no longer seems like an unattainable illusion!
"It is all thanks to Your Highness's discerning eye that Lord Ye has been able to display his talents so fully," Baiyue said with a timely compliment, but a glint of admiration still shone deep in her eyes.
From the once-powerful Longtan Grand Commandery to its current renowned status in Dasheng, the other party has only spent less than two months. Such methods and style would leave any powerful figure in awe and stunned.
Just as Li Yingluo was immersed in the immense joy of her rapidly growing power...
A eunuch's cautious voice came from outside the hall:
"Your Highness, Eunuch Zhang, who serves in His Majesty's palace, requests an audience."
Li Yingluo was in a good mood and casually waved her hand. "Let him in."
Soon, a middle-aged eunuch dressed in a dark blue palace attendant's robe, with a fair complexion and no beard, entered with a bow and light, quick steps.
Without looking to the side, he stopped a short distance from Baiyue and bowed deeply. "This servant greets Your Highness, Third Prince."
"No need for formalities, Eunuch Zhang." Li Yingluo sat up a little straighter, a smile still lingering on her face, and asked:
"Does Father Emperor wish to discuss something with me?"
Zhang Dequan kept his head down, his voice heavy and clear, reaching Li Yingluo's ears. "Your Highness, this servant has come on His Majesty's orders."
"Recently, the Imperial Court received a joint letter from eight Xuanmen sects, filled with vehement criticism. They all condemned Governor Ye Li of the Southern Territory for his cruel methods, his unauthorized use of force, and his massacre of Xuanmen Supremes, which they said damaged the relationship between the Imperial Court and the Immortal Sect and undermined the foundation of the nation!"
"Therefore, the eight departments jointly petition Your His Majesty to immediately dismiss Ye Li from his post as Governor of the Southern Territory and to severely punish him as a warning to others!"
"Wh-what?!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the smile on Li Yingluo's face froze instantly, and all the color drained from her delicate face, turning her deathly pale.
His previous smugness vanished instantly, and even his voice trembled slightly. "Eight Xuanmen?! Joint pressure?! To dismiss Ye Li?!"
This news was like a bolt from the blue!
She was just basking in the surge of power the other party had brought her, when she was told the next moment that her greatest asset was facing a collective counterattack from top-tier forces!
The magnitude of this change inevitably shocked her deeply.
"Indeed, Your Highness." Eunuch Zhang lowered his head even further, his posture becoming increasingly humble, and said in a low voice, "That letter has already been delivered to His Majesty."
Li Yingluo felt a chill run from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head, and her hands and feet were ice-cold.
She forced herself to remain calm, but her voice still carried a barely perceptible hint of weakness. "Then, Father Emperor... what did Father Emperor say?"
Eunuch Zhang maintained his bowing posture. "His Majesty said that since you personally agreed to the matter of the Southern Territory, it is naturally up to you to decide how to deal with the Xuanmen's request."
The decision is to be made by me alone?!
Li Yingluo's heart sank suddenly, and an immense pressure made it almost impossible for her to breathe!
Clearly, the Father Emperor had noticed her rapidly growing power due to Ye Li and was using this opportunity to test her vision and strategy!
If not handled properly, not only will Ye Li be unable to be protected, but even the little bit of momentum she has painstakingly built up will vanish in an instant, and may even lead to her Father Emperor's disappointment and suspicion!
Cold sweat silently soaked through her inner shirt.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her wildly beating heart, and waved to Eunuch Zhang, her voice a little hoarse:
"I understand. Thank you for making this trip, Eunuch Zhang."
"Baiyue, see the eunuch out."
"This servant takes her leave." Eunuch Zhang bowed and, led by Baiyue, quietly withdrew from the Qingxin Hall.
Qingxin Hall, only Li Yingluo remained at this moment.