Ju Zi turned her head to look at the maid beside her. The maid instantly understood and stepped forward to open the door. At the entrance, Kong Deming was standing quietly.
"Elder Kong!" Ju Zi hurriedly took two steps forward. "I heard that the commotion outside has stopped. What exactly happened? Has it been quelled now?"
Kong Deming calmly swept his gaze across Ju Zi's bedroom, his eyes suddenly landing on the imperial physician nearby.
"Has Her Majesty summoned the imperial physician here because she is unwell?" Kong Deming slightly cupped his hands but did not directly answer Ju Zi's question.
Upon hearing this, Ju Zi suddenly lowered her head slightly, avoiding Kong Deming's gaze.
The imperial physician beside her was very perceptive and stepped forward. "Her Majesty suddenly felt unwell, which is why she summoned this humble servant into the palace."
"Oh? Is it serious?"
"No." The imperial physician hurriedly shook his head. "It is because Her Majesty is already with child, and so…"
Before the imperial physician could finish speaking, Kong Deming abruptly turned his head to look at Ju Zi.
After a moment of thought, he once again cupped his hands toward Ju Zi. "Just now, remnants of the Holy Spirit Cult attempted to assassinate His Majesty. Fortunately, His Majesty was protected by the heavens. Although he was injured, his life is not in danger."
"What!"
Ju Zi suddenly raised her head, her legs going weak. A maid beside her reacted quickly and hurriedly supported her.
"His Majesty… Is His Majesty alright?"
"Her Majesty need not worry. His Majesty's life is not in danger. Since Her Majesty is with child, it is more important to take care of your health."
"I want to see His Majesty." Upon hearing this, the worry on Ju Zi's face did not fade in the slightest. Without another word, she moved to walk out of the bedroom.
"Her Majesty." Kong Deming once again blocked Ju Zi's path. "His Majesty is injured and needs quiet rest. Moreover, the assassin's whereabouts have not yet been found. The palace may still be dangerous. Her Majesty should remain in the bedroom."
Seeing Kong Deming's insistence, Ju Zi finally stopped. "Then… I will have to trouble Elder Kong with everything."
Kong Deming nodded, glanced around once more, then turned and left.
Ju Zi sat at the table somewhat listlessly and waved her hand toward the imperial physician and maids nearby. "All of you may leave. I want to be alone for a while."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The group left one after another and closed the door behind them.
Only after there was no one left in the bedroom did the anxiety and panic on Ju Zi's face gradually disappear, leaving only a layer of ice-cold in her eyes.
"Xu Tianran is not dead?"
Ju Zi suddenly spoke, not knowing who she was addressing.
"No, he is already dead."
A moment later, another voice suddenly sounded in the room.
"Come out. After all, I am the Empress of the Sun Moon Empire. Even Kong Deming would not dare to search too closely. From the test just now, this place should be safe."
"Moreover, since you were able to kill Xu Tianran right in front of him, would you still fear him?"
"Killing Xu Tianran was taking advantage of surprise against unpreparedness. In a confrontation, he is still quite troublesome." Lin Xiao's voice rang out again as his figure slowly emerged. He sat at the table as well.
Ju Zi raised her head and stared at his face. Although this was not their first exchange, the last time Lin Xiao had entered the palace by possessing an assassin's soul, so Ju Zi had not seen him with her own eyes.
"Just now Kong Deming said…" Ju Zi frowned, still somewhat uneasy.
"Heh." Lin Xiao, beside her, let out a light laugh and slightly raised his hand. It seemed something invisible to ordinary people was drifting around him. "In this vast Sun Moon Empire, who knows how many eyes are watching that only position"
"Xu Tianran and his son originally ascended to the throne through usurpation. He left no heirs. Once news of his death spreads, it will inevitably cause turmoil throughout the Sun Moon Empire."
"Therefore, it is perfectly normal for Kong Deming to choose to conceal this news for the time being." Lin Xiao spoke while slightly raising his head. "On the other hand, you, what you just had the imperial physician say, where are you going to find a 'prince' in a few months?"
"I summoned Xu Tianhe into the palace early, treated him with good food and drink, and even had my personal maid personally attend to him, not so he could enjoy it all for nothing."
Ju Zi said as she glanced toward the door, then picked up the teacup on the table and poured tea for Lin Xiao. "About tonight's matter… thank you."
"Just mutual benefit." Lin Xiao glanced down but did not pick up the cup. "Since you already had plans, you should have thought about what comes next as well."
Ju Zi did not mind Lin Xiao's action. She sat to the side again and slightly turned her head to look at Lin Xiao's profile. "Mm. I originally had other plans, but since Kong Deming chose to conceal news of Xu Tianran's death, it actually makes things more convenient for me."
"Now, the Sun Moon Empire's front lines are still in a stalemate with the three great empires. With Xu Tianran assassinated and injured at this time, and with my considerable prestige in the military, I can justifiably intervene in court affairs."
Lin Xiao nodded slightly upon hearing this.
Although Kong Deming's action was to ensure the Sun Moon Empire would not fall into great chaos while the front-line war remained in a stalemate, it indeed made it much more legitimate for Ju Zi to interfere in court affairs.
Otherwise, with her cultivation, she would still have considerable disadvantages compared to others who coveted the throne.
And in a few months, once the "prince" is born, the throne would naturally have an heir.
By then, even if news of Xu Tianran's death spreads, for Ju Zi, it would already be a done deal.
"With such an incident just occurring in the palace, I cannot make arrangements for the state religion for the time being. However, I can ease some of the Sun Moon Empire's pursuit of evil soul masters…"
As Lin Xiao was pondering, Ju Zi spoke again, but Lin Xiao interrupted her upon hearing it.
"No, not only do you not need to ease it, you should even intensify it. The best would be to make those evil soul masters scattered outside have nowhere to go."
"Moreover, the appearance of the Death God Tower was witnessed by many people. By dawn, news of the Holy Spirit Cult retaliating against the Sun Moon Empire will likely spread everywhere. At such a time, intensifying the search for evil soul masters is only natural."
Ju Zi paused slightly upon hearing this and quickly understood. Lin Xiao intended to force those evil soul masters with nowhere to go to join his Netherworld Sect.
Although she did not know why Lin Xiao was using such methods to recruit disciples, Ju Zi still nodded in agreement.
"For the next few days, both inside and outside Mingdu will be searching for news of you. Stay here for now."
Lin Xiao turned to glance at Ju Zi and suddenly stood up.
The "soul core" in his body trembled slightly. Soul power appeared once more and slowly flowed through his nearly depleted meridians. The soul power he had just consumed had already recovered quite a bit.
"Staying here is ultimately not very safe. I must go. Also…"
As Lin Xiao spoke, he suddenly raised his hand. A delicate, small lamp appeared in his palm, within which a gray candle flame was gently flickering.
"There is no need to send people to find me anymore. If there is any news, extinguish the candle flame, and I will naturally know."
With those words, Lin Xiao placed it on the table. When Ju Zi looked up again, he was already standing at the door.
"I have fulfilled what I promised you. When the time is right, I will come find you again."
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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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