Meanwhile, on the other side.
Empress Ling Shuang returned to the East Courtyard guest house and sat in silence for a long time.
In her mind, Qingxuan's harsh words and her own final, clumsy remarks replayed repeatedly.
"Is your current obsession with Sister Gu out of genuine affection, or..."
"Is it simply because she's the first person who made you feel 'different'?"
"Or perhaps... just because you want to compete for the person I've set my sights on?"
Every sentence was like an icicle, stabbing deeply into the place in her heart she least wanted to face.
At first, she had indeed approached Gu Han with the intention of competing with Qingxuan.
Anything that woman Qingxuan took an interest in, she wanted to snatch away to make her miserable; it had almost become an instinct.
Gu Han's appearance was mysterious, powerful, and unique. Since Qingxuan showed unprecedented interest in her, she naturally couldn't fall behind.
But... Empress Ling Shuang slowly raised her hand, a wisp of cold Qi condensing at her fingertips, sketching a blurry scene of the Battle Beyond the Heavens in the Void Realm.
Gu Han's calm gaze when she summoned the Donghuang Bell.
Her profound insights and guidance on the "Ice Dao Principle" when they would discuss the Dao.
And that magnanimity she showed by voluntarily stopping at the end to grant her dignity... these images were like brands, long etched into the lake of her heart that had been frozen for tens of thousands of years.
Compete?
Perhaps at the beginning, yes.
But now... Empress Ling Shuang closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
She didn't want to admit it, yet she had to.
Her feelings for Gu Han had long since surpassed the scope of competing with Qingxuan.
She would feel displeased when Qingxuan approached Gu Han, and irritable because of Gu Han's slight indulgence toward Qingxuan.
Even more so, her emotions would fluctuate because of a single approving look from Gu Han when they would discuss the Dao.
This was definitely not a simple desire to win.
"Lan Ling."
She spoke coldly.
"Your Majesty."
Lan Ling's figure appeared in the room like a ghost, kneeling on one knee as she responded respectfully.
Empress Ling Shuang looked at her, the Female General who had followed her the longest and whom she trusted most; a rare trace of hesitation flashed in her eyes.
But soon, this hesitation was replaced by resolve.
She needed someone to share her thoughts with, and Lan Ling was the most suitable candidate.
"Rise and sit."
Empress Ling Shuang pointed to the seat opposite her.
Lan Ling was slightly stunned, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
Your Majesty had never allowed her to sit while reporting.
But she didn't ask further, rising as told and sitting upright on the Ice Jade Chair, her back straight and her gaze calm as she awaited instructions.
Empress Ling Shuang was silent for a moment, seemingly organizing her words.
The room was silent, save for the occasional chirping of insects outside the window and the distant sound of water from the Yaochi.
After a long while, Empress Ling Shuang spoke slowly, her voice a few degrees lower than usual, even carrying a trace of imperceptible dryness:
"Lan Ling, how long have you followed this Empress?"
Lan Ling was even more surprised, but still replied respectfully:
"Replying to Your Majesty, it has been seventeen thousand years."
"Seventeen thousand years..."
Empress Ling Shuang repeated in a low voice, her fingertips tapping lightly on the armrest.
"In these seventeen thousand years, have you ever seen this Empress treat anyone... differently?"
Lan Ling's heart jolted.
She instantly understood the reason for Her Majesty's unusual behavior tonight.
The confrontation between the two Empresses outside the Main Hall during the day, the complicated and inscrutable expression when Her Majesty returned from the Main Hall just now... everything had an answer.
Lan Ling took a deep breath, suppressing the tumultuous waves in her heart, and spoke cautiously:
"Does Your Majesty refer to Palace Master Gu?"
Empress Ling Shuang did not deny it, but simply looked up at Lan Ling, her ice-blue eyes carrying a hint of inquiry and... a rare confusion:
"How do you think this Empress treats her?"
Lan Ling was silent for a moment, seemingly weighing her words.
"Your Majesty indeed treats Palace Master Gu differently from others."
She said slowly, her voice clear and objective:
"Your Majesty has always disliked being close to others and finds pointless socializing tedious."
"But with Palace Master Gu, Your Majesty not only took the initiative to discuss the Dao but also stayed at the Jade Pool Immortal Palace."
"When Your Majesty would discuss the Dao with Palace Master Gu, the focus and admiration in your eyes were things this subordinate has never seen before."
"And..."
Lan Ling paused, glanced at Her Majesty the Empress's expression, and continued:
"It seems Your Majesty has changed a lot during this time in the Jade Pool Immortal Palace; your temperament seems to have softened a bit..."
"These are all things Your Majesty never had before."
Empress Ling Shuang listened quietly, her face expressionless, but the light flickering in her eyes betrayed the lack of calm within her.
"So,"
Empress Ling Shuang spoke slowly, her voice somewhat low:
"What does this mean?"
Lan Ling smiled bitterly in her heart.
Was Your Majesty asking her for advice?
As a Female General who had lived for nearly twenty thousand years and done nothing but Cultivate and fight wars, how could she understand such things?
But seeing the rare confusion and seriousness in Your Majesty's eyes, Lan Ling knew she had to say something.
"This subordinate believes,"
Lan Ling chose her words carefully:
"It means... Your Majesty might already have other intentions toward Palace Master Gu."
"Other intentions??"
Empress Ling Shuang repeated in a low voice, a complex light flashing in her eyes,
"What are they?"
Lan Ling was stumped.
"This subordinate... does not know."
Lan Ling finally answered honestly, a trace of shame appearing on her face,
"This subordinate has never experienced a situation like Your Majesty's and truly cannot provide an answer."
Empress Ling Shuang was silent for a moment and did not blame her.
She had known this would be the answer.
Lan Ling and she were the same kind of people; it was only normal not to understand these things.
But... she needed an answer.
"Then how can it be understood?"
Empress Ling Shuang spoke again, her voice carrying a hint of unquestionable resolve,
"This Empress needs to know exactly what these intentions are, and what should be done."
Lan Ling fell into deep thought.
Your Majesty was determined to get a clear answer.
But Your Majesty was asking her? Who was she supposed to ask?
Wait... Lan Ling suddenly thought of the more lively Lan Xing, and her eyes lit up slightly.
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