Ever since Lin Xiao entered seclusion, his door had remained closed for a very long time. If not for the illumination soul guide that lit up on time every evening and the streaks of emerald-green light reflecting on the window, Abomination and Nana would probably have already rushed into the room.
Of course, it wasn't just the two of them who were concerned about Lin Xiao. Far away in the Sun Moon Empire, within the imperial palace of Mingdu, Ju Zi lazily leaned back in her chair, holding a military book in her hand, though she hadn't turned a page for quite some time.
Creak—
The sound of the door being pushed open rang out. Ju Zi instantly snapped back to attention, hurriedly setting the military book down and standing up.
"Your Majesty."
"The Empress is reading?" Xu Tianran said with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the table. "The Empress remains in the palace yet keeps her heart on the front lines. Truly hard work."
"It is merely what this subject should do." Ju Zi walked behind Xu Tianran and pushed his wheelchair to the side of the table. "Your Majesty, how is the situation on the front lines?"
"Rest assured. Although there has been no progress for the time being, and the three great empires continue to counterattack, not a single position has been lost."
"The strategy you formulated earlier has already begun to be implemented. Every day, soul guides are now being distributed on a large scale to the cities and villages we have occupied."
"Although those people are not yet accustomed to them, surely it won't be long before they become as inseparable from the convenience of soul guides as we planned."
"Then this subject is relieved." Ju Zi slightly bowed and poured tea for Xu Tianran.
"The Empress may rest easy. Today I already consulted the imperial physician. Over these past few months, your body has been nursed back to its optimal condition. It won't be long before that matter can be completed, and afterward you can return to the front lines."
Ju Zi's hand paused slightly while pouring the tea, a subtle motion, yet it was still noticed by Xu Tianran. "What is it? Is your body unwell?"
"This subject merely felt a stirring of emotion upon hearing this news." Ju Zi quickly stopped what she was doing and bowed slightly. "From the time I was saved by Your Majesty, this subject never imagined there would come a day like today…"
"Hahaha." Xu Tianran laughed heartily twice. "Between you and me, there is no need for such words. If not for you risking your life to save me back then, there would be no today's me."
"Sigh, it is only that this matter will wrong you."
Upon hearing this, Ju Zi immediately knelt to the ground. "Everything Ju Zi has is given by Your Majesty. How could there be any talk of being wronged?"
As she spoke, Ju Zi lowered her head even further, her forehead nearly touching the floor, concealing the ruthless glint in her eyes even deeper.
Xu Tianran looked at Ju Zi kneeling on the ground, narrowed his eyes, and his expression shifted slightly. Only after a moment did it gradually calm.
The sound of a soul guide operating rang out. Xu Tianran stood up, personally helped Ju Zi to her feet, and gazed at her gentle expression. "From today onward, you need not say such words anymore. You are the Empress, the Empress of the Sun Moon Empire."
"Sigh. Tomorrow morning, go and meet Tianhe." After saying this, Xu Tianran did not linger and turned toward the door. "I still have some affairs to attend to. The Empress should rest well."
"Your Majesty, why not let this subject assist? Then Your Majesty can rest earlier as well."
"No need. These matters can be handled slowly in the future. The Empress must not overexert herself."
With that, Xu Tianran stepped out of the room. The palace servant who had been following him hurried in, brought out the wheelchair, and closed the door after they left.
Ju Zi walked to the window and watched Xu Tianran's figure disappear into the depths of the corridor. She glanced around—several squads of imperial guards were stationed in front of her door, and from time to time, patrolling figures passed by.
She looked toward several spots on the rooftops as well. Only then did Ju Zi close the window.
Although her cultivation was not high, having personally been on the battlefield for several years, she could still sense some of the presences hidden in the shadows.
Those rooftops were the most suitable places for defense; presumably, dark guards had already been stationed there, observing her room day and night without rest.
It was called protection, yet it was also soft imprisonment.
Ju Zi knew clearly in her heart that, although Xu Tianran spoke of her as his most trusted person, from beginning to end, the only one Xu Tianran truly and completely trusted was himself.
Just Ju Zi, none of the people around him had ever received Xu Tianran's full trust. It was merely a matter of differing degrees of suspicion.
Lying in bed, Ju Zi's mind surged with endless thoughts. She did not know how much time had passed before she finally drifted off into a hazy sleep.
The next morning, just as the sky began to brighten, someone knocked on Ju Zi's door.
"Eunuch Xu."
Seeing the palace servant who always followed beside Xu Tianran standing at the door, Ju Zi spoke first.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress." This Eunuch Xu positioned himself very clearly. Though he was a Titled Douluo, he showed not the slightest arrogance.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Prince Tianhe has arrived. In accordance with His Majesty's instructions yesterday, it is time for you to meet with Prince Tianhe."
"I understand. Thank you for leading the way, Eunuch Xu." Ju Zi nodded. She had already anticipated this in her heart.
"I dare not. Please, Your Majesty."
When Ju Zi went out, guards naturally accompanied her. Soon, she met Xu Tianran's cousin, Xu Tianhe, in a guest room.
"Imperial Sister-in-Law."
Xu Tianhe stood up abruptly upon seeing Ju Zi.
Ju Zi raised her head and glanced over. The Xu Tianhe before her was tall and well-built. His features bore some resemblance to Xu Tianran's, yet he was far more handsome. Presumably, it had taken Xu Tianran considerable effort to find such a suitable candidate.
A cold laugh rose in her heart, but Ju Zi showed no change in expression as she sat to one side. "Does Imperial Brother know why His Majesty summoned you to the palace?"
"This… this…" Xu Tianhe hesitated, glanced at Eunuch Xu standing to the side, quietly swallowed, and then spoke haltingly. "Imperial… Imperial Brother has already made arrangements."
"Since that is the case, there is no need for me to say more. Please have Imperial Brother rest in the palace for a few days. In a few days, I will hold a banquet to entertain Imperial Brother."
"Yes… Yes." Xu Tianhe nodded, yet his gaze never left Ju Zi.
Even after half an hour had passed, he still did not know what he had said to Ju Zi. He simply stared blankly as Ju Zi rose and left, unable to recover for a long time.
Eunuch Xu, watching Xu Tianhe's demeanor from the side, gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head before following after her as well.
"Your Majesty, it is time to return to the palace." Eunuch Xu spoke softly, leaning close to Ju Zi's ear. After a pause, he glanced at her again. "Your Majesty?"
"Mm." Ju Zi turned her head. "I understand."
As her voice fell, she unconsciously looked into the distance once more. But with that glance, all she saw were towering palace walls.
The snow had already vanished from the territory of the Heavenly Soul Empire, and even the Extreme North seemed to have warmed somewhat.
Over these past few months, Nana seemed to have grown accustomed to the assassin soul that could act independently away from Lin Xiao, learning combat techniques from him.
As her short daggers flashed and spun, Abomination suddenly hurried in from outside.
"What happened?" Nana stopped what she was doing.
"Someone has found this place."
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Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are chapters available on Patreon."
"From Douluo to Godhood by Defy 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo: Far North Invincibledo 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Peerless: Living as an Evil Soul Master 40 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Dalu 2:Peerless Tang Sect Dawn of Sun and Moon 40 Advance chapters."
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