I just reached the maximum level, and you want me to be a puppet emperor?

Chapter 478 Am I trying to convince her, or am I trying to convince myself? (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

The Empress Dowager's trusted maidservant entered carrying a jade tray: "Your Majesty, here is your chilled plum juice."

The palace maid looked up and saw Li Chen wearing only a nightgown, and immediately froze on the spot.

The Empress Dowager quickly took the jade plate and said, "Put it down and leave."

The palace maid hurriedly retreated, her heart filled with shock.

She had never seen the Empress Dowager and the Emperor so intimately interact.

A subtle silence fell over the palace.

The Empress Dowager coughed lightly, trying to ease the awkwardness: "This plum juice is a new recipe developed by the Imperial Kitchen based on your original formula. Would Your Majesty like to try it?"

Li Chen took the jade bowl, took a bite, and found it acceptable.

In reality, the so-called new recipe was just the addition of some seasonings that the Empress Dowager liked, to make it taste better.

The Empress Dowager lowered her head and began tidying up the clothes: "I'll alter these clothes again."

"Thank you for your trouble, Your Majesty."

Li Chen finished the plum juice and put the bowl back on the table.

"It's getting late, I should head back."

The Empress Dowager nodded, but as he turned away, she couldn't help but call out, "Your Majesty!"

Li Chen turned around: "Is there anything else, Your Majesty?"

The Empress Dowager hesitated for a moment, then finally said softly, "Remember to come and try on clothes often, so I can know if the alterations are suitable."

Li Chen smiled gently: "Okay."

After Li Chen left, the Empress Dowager let out a long sigh of relief and slumped onto the soft couch.

She stroked the fingers that had just touched Li Chen, her heart still pounding.

At this moment, a trusted palace maid quietly entered and cautiously asked, "Your Highness, are you alright?"

As a trusted palace maid, there were many things she shouldn't have known, because knowing too much might not be a good thing.

But as a confidante, she couldn't serve the Empress well if she didn't know, so she decided to test the waters.

The Empress Dowager shook her head: "I'm fine, but there's one thing you need to understand."

The trusted palace maid immediately bowed her head respectfully: "Please enlighten me, Your Majesty."

The Empress Dowager slowly stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the darkening sky outside: "In the palace, whoever has a good relationship with His Majesty, whoever can please His Majesty, has the right to speak. Do you understand?"

She's not Li Chen's mother; she only holds this position because she has to be mindful of Li Chen's feelings.

For example, Li Chen's aunt, Li Xueying, has recently gained a high status in the palace. Isn't it because she knows how to train the concubines to please and take care of Li Chen?

Li Chen then felt that Li Xueying's position in the palace was very important, which saved him a lot of trouble.

Li Xueying's status naturally rose accordingly, and with the added identity of being Li Chen's aunt, the other concubines respected her greatly.

The Empress Dowager naturally felt a bit threatened, after all, her relationship with Li Xueying wasn't that good.

They didn't reach the point of arguing, but they really didn't like to talk to each other.

The Empress Dowager also worked very hard to consolidate her position.

A knowing glint flashed in the eyes of the trusted palace maid: "This servant understands."

She secretly guessed that the Empress Dowager was implying to her that those intimate actions just now were only to consolidate her position in the harem.

As for the Empress Dowager's true thoughts, even she herself probably couldn't say for sure.

"Since you understand, you may leave." The Empress Dowager waved her hand.

After the palace maids left, the palace returned to silence.

The Empress Dowager sat alone on the soft couch, her fingers unconsciously stroking the nightgown that Li Chen had tried on.

Her gaze fell on the small dragon embroidery on the collar of her robe, which she had embroidered herself, stitch by stitch.

"Am I trying to convince her, or am I trying to convince myself?" the Empress Dowager murmured to herself, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes.

She recalled the strange feeling she had when she touched Li Chen, and her cheeks flushed slightly again. Meanwhile, Li Chen had already arrived at the training ground deep within the palace.

This is a training ground specially set up for members of the royal family, and it is surrounded by powerful restrictions.

"Royal brother!" a clear voice called out.

A girl dressed in white training clothes ran from the center of the training ground; it was Li Chen's younger sister, Li Sining.

Li Chen carefully examined his younger sister: "How's your cultivation going lately?"

Li Sining proudly raised her chin: "I have broken through to the mid-stage of the Void Realm!"

As she spoke, she condensed a ball of pale purple spiritual energy in her palm, drawing a graceful arc in the air.

"Not bad." Li Chen nodded in satisfaction, then gently touched his sister's brow to check her cultivation level.

"However, the flow of spiritual energy is still somewhat sluggish and requires more practice."

Li Sining stuck out her tongue: "Your Highness is really strict. By the way, I heard you took a new concubine?"

Li Chen raised an eyebrow: "You're well-informed."

Li Sining blinked: "It's all over the palace. People are saying she's innocent and charming, and very likable. When can I meet her?"

In the past, whenever a concubine entered the palace, Li Sining would always make sure to take a look.

But that was in the past; Li Chen didn't have many concubines back then.

Things are different now. Li Chen has so many concubines that Li Si Ning can't keep track of them all and doesn't even know where they are.

Li Chen ruffled his sister's hair: "Let's do it another day. Right now, the most important thing for you is to focus on your cultivation. In three months, it will be our Li Clan's sacrificial ceremony. The younger generation of royal children will also hold a grand competition. The winners can obtain certain official positions and can also enter the forbidden area to select treasures. Don't embarrass the royal family."

Li Sining muttered defiantly, "I won't!"

But then he asked curiously, "Brother, what level has your cultivation reached now?"

Previously, Li Sining had no concept of cultivation, but since she started cultivating and became stronger, she gradually began to understand Li Chen's power.

Therefore, they became curious about Li Chen's strength.

Li Chen smiled but did not answer, only waving his hand lightly.

Instantly, the spiritual energy throughout the entire training ground trembled, and the surrounding restrictions emitted a buzzing resonance.

Li Sining's eyes widened: "This? What is this?"

Li Chen withdrew his oppressive aura and took out some elixirs from his pocket: "When you reach my level, you will naturally understand. Take these and continue your cultivation. I will come to see you another day."

Li Chen has completed his mission by going to Southern Xinjiang, and this is his reward.

[System Notification: Yin Yang Gu Quest Completed]

[Rewards: Breakthrough Pill x1, Yin-Yang Dao Crystal x3, Void Positioning Compass (Fragmented) x1]

Breakthrough Pill: Contains the laws of Yin and Yang, and can help cultivators at the peak of the Void Realm break through to the Breakthrough Realm.
After taking it, it needs to be combined with Nine Heavens Profound Thunder Body Tempering to increase the success rate to 90%.

Yin-Yang Daoist Crystallization: Can be integrated into one's natal magic weapon to enhance its grade. Each crystallization contains 100 years of Yin-Yang Daoist insights.

Void Positioning Compass (Incomplete): It can sense spatial rifts within a radius of a thousand miles and has a special sensitivity to the relics of immortals.

[New Quest Triggered: Search for the Lost Wonderland]

Mission objective: Explore the ancient immortal ruins in the "Fallen Immortal Mountains" in the eastern part of the Tian Ce Dynasty. Time limit: 420 days.

mission rewards:

1. Chance to awaken a Celestial Spirit Root x1
2. Fragments of the *Tai Xu Sword Manual*

3. Spatial Law Fragments x5
【Special Note】

The ruins only reappear once every 60 years.

The remaining time for this event is 419 days and 23 hours.

Please enter the Immortal Ruins when it is open.

Collecting all three "Immortal Tokens" will unlock this area ahead of time.

(End of this chapter)