His Highness the Madman gave in again today.

The entire capital city was built in a valley between mountains, surrounded by towering peaks and shrouded in mist year-round, making it almost impossible to see the mountaintops.

The tall, thick, blue city wall is built against the mountain and meanders through the valley.

From afar, it looks magnificent and is in no way inferior to the capital of a major country.

The city's buildings are arranged in a pleasing, staggered pattern, with upturned eaves and an antique charm. The streets are wide and clean, and the people come and go peacefully.

The palace is hidden deep in the mountains, backed by cliffs, making it both majestic and mysterious.

Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the natural barrier and maze-like formations conceal the enemy's presence, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

No wonder Qingyue, despite its small size, has always maintained a stable foothold.

The carriage slowly drove into the imperial city.

Mo Sangyu lifted the carriage curtain and looked out, a hint of surprise appearing in her eyes.

It appears unassuming and weak, but its terrain is exceptionally advantageous, and its underlying strength is mysterious and unpredictable.

This Qingyue Kingdom is far more complex than it appears.

Most importantly, the dragon energy here is very strong, and it doesn't look like a cursed royal family at all.

The nation endures for a long time, but its emperors never live past thirty.

Funny?

The carriage traveled along the orderly streets, heading towards the palace.

The people on the street looked at them curiously, but with the city guards maintaining order, no trouble arose.

Mo Sangyu reclined lazily on the soft couch, and those outside could only vaguely see a graceful white figure, unable to discern any face.

Throughout the journey, she kept probing with her soul sense, but apart from the martial arts maze, she didn't find anything else unusual.

However, if she could see through it so easily, Qingyue Kingdom wouldn't have been cursed for a hundred years and still unable to escape its fate.

Mo Sangyu thought of that fellow traveler, who, for the people of the Nine Provinces Continent, could be considered an otherworldly being.

There's also the person we met in Luanshi Mountain, and the famous and mysterious Grand Preceptor of Qingyue Kingdom. Is there any connection between them?

As Mo Sangyu pondered the mystery behind the curse of Qingyue Kingdom, he didn't realize that the carriage had driven away from the street and onto the winding mountain road.

Is this... taking them directly into the palace?

She gently knocked on the carriage window, and Lu Jin immediately understood, pulling on the reins and approaching: "Your Highness, Vice Minister Liu said that the accommodations arranged for us are in the palace."

"Oh?"

It's quite novel to arrange for foreign envoys to reside in the palace.

"I was quite surprised too, but I don't know if it's trust or a test."

There was a hint of a smile in Lu Jin's usually stern voice.

Upon hearing this, Mo Sangyu replied with only four words: "When in Rome, do as the host says."

The carriage traveled uphill.

Ancient trees on both sides reach for the sky, their branches and leaves intertwining to completely block out the sun.

The road was paved with bluestone and was not wide, just wide enough for a horse-drawn carriage to pass through.

Mo Sangyu leaned against the soft couch, looking out through the half-open carriage curtain.

The mountain road winds and twists, with no end in sight, nor can the way we came be seen.

This puzzle is quite interesting.

After walking for about half an hour, the road ahead suddenly opened up.

The mountain walls receded to both sides, revealing a flat open space.

The palace gates are at the end of the open space.

At the gate, Xiao Yan and his sister Xiao Ling had been eagerly waiting.

Seeing the procession approaching from afar, the two quickly stepped forward. Xiao Yan gently shushed Liu Shilang and his entourage, indicating that they should not disturb the people inside the carriage.

The carriage didn't stop; it drove straight in.

Finally, it stopped in front of a magnificent palace.

Vice Minister Liu dismounted and quickly walked to the carriage, bowing and saying, "Your Majesty, these are the accommodations arranged for you and the accompanying officials."

"This place is right next to the Imperial Garden, quiet and elegant. Please, Your Majesty and all the lords, go in and rest first. His Majesty has prepared a banquet in the palace, and someone will come to escort you shortly."

Thank you for your trouble.

Mo Sangyu stepped down from the carriage.

Xiao Ling immediately stepped forward to help her up, a gentle smile appearing on her delicate face: "Your Majesty, it's so good to see you again."

Mo Sangyu looked at her and nodded gently: "Princess Xiao Ling."

Upon hearing that Mo Sangyu still remembered her name, a hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Ling's eyes.

"When His Majesty heard that the Empress had arrived, he had my brother and me wait at the palace gate early this morning. He originally wanted to come in person, but his health..."

Xiao Ling's smile turned somewhat bitter, and she didn't continue speaking. Mo Sangyu didn't press her for details either.

Xiao Yan stood aside and bowed to Mo Sangyu respectfully, unlike his eagerness when they met last time.

"Your Majesty has had a long journey. Your lodgings have been arranged. If there is anything inappropriate, please feel free to ask."

Thank you.

Mo Sangyu thanked him, and Xiao Yan stepped aside to make way for them. Together with Xiao Ling, he personally led the group inside.

Along the way, the palace servants saw them, especially Mo Sangyu's exquisite face and silver hair, which made her look like a fairy from heaven. Everyone couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

Is this the Empress of the Great Chen Dynasty?

She's simply not like an ordinary woman!

The Empress is so beautiful, I wonder if their Emperor is as stunning as the rumors say.

After settling in.

Xiao Yan and Vice Minister Liu returned to report, and Xiao Ling chatted with them for a few more minutes before taking her leave.

"Your Majesty, please rest. I will come to fetch you later."

"Very well, Your Highness, please proceed."

After Xiao Ling left, Mo Sangyu got up and walked to the window, using her spiritual sense to explore the path ahead.

The entire palace still yielded little result.

However, when they reached the Imperial Study, the smell of medicine was indeed extremely strong.

Apart from that, there was nothing gained.

If the royal family's short lifespan was caused by human intervention, it's impossible that there wouldn't be any abnormalities.

Could it be that someone has infected it with some kind of virus or something?

But if that's the case, the emperor's offspring should all inherit it, and even princes and princesses shouldn't live past thirty.

But clearly, that's not the case.

Evening came quickly.

Feng Xingyu appeared beside Mo Sangyu at the right moment.

"It seems their martial arts illusion array has no effect on your teleportation."

Feng Xingyu wore a mask, which concealed his pupils. He gently shook his head: "It's because Ayu's soul contract is powerful; otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to enter so smoothly."

"Too."

Mo Sangyu smiled and said, "Then let's go, Feng Xiaoqi. You'll have to be my slave again tonight."

Feng Xingyu embraced her slender waist and kissed her lips: "Yes, Your Majesty."

"..."

They speak respectfully, yet their actions are disrespectful.

The more he was made a slave, the more audacious and reckless he became.

……

The banquet was held in a pavilion by the water next to the Imperial Garden.

Surrounded by water on all sides, the lights reflected on the pool's surface, shattering into a flowing expanse of gold.

When Mo Sangyu arrived, almost everyone had already arrived.

There wasn't the throng of officials that I had imagined; instead, there were only a few desks and tables arranged neatly in the hall. There weren't many people, and the atmosphere was quite relaxed.

Xiao Ling led them here.

Her gaze frequently fell on Feng Xingyu behind Mo Sangyu.

I didn't see this person before, so where did he come from?

Xiao Yan was already seated at the banquet. When he saw Mo Sangyu and the others arrive, he quickly got up and came over to pay his respects.

Finally, his gaze fell on Feng Xingyu beside Mo Sangyu, and he couldn't help but furrow his brows slightly.

He looked at Xiao Ling with a questioning gaze: Who is this person?

Xiao Ling shook her head, indicating that she didn't know either.

"Your Highness, General Lu, Lord Yu, please."

After only a moment's hesitation, Xiao Yan suppressed his doubts and did not ask rashly.

Seeing this, Mo Sangyu gently curled her lips and took the initiative to explain, "He is my shadow guard, who is used to traveling in secret. He has not revealed himself along the way, and it was not intentional. I hope you don't mind."

"It's alright, it's alright."

Xiao Yan quickly waved his hand: "Your Majesty, please take a seat."

Mo Sangyu entered the banquet hall.

The crowd, who had been speaking in hushed tones, immediately fell silent.

Tonight's banquet is attended by members of the Qingyue royal family.

Besides Xiao Yan and Xiao Ling, there were several other princes and princesses.

The main seat is still empty.

Right next to the head of the table sat a boy of eleven or twelve years old.

Xiao Ling whispered, "Your Majesty, that is the King's only son, the Crown Prince of our Qingyue Kingdom."

Mo Sangyu nodded and sat down with Xiao Ling.

Lu Jin sat to the left of Mo Sangyu, followed by Yu Chengwei.

As Yu Chengwei sat down, he glanced furtively at Feng Xingyu, who was standing behind Mo Sangyu, and then quietly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Your Majesty really knows how to have fun.

Why would she choose to be a slave to an empress instead of a perfectly good husband?

When we get back to Da Chen, will he be silenced?

Looking at Lu Jin, who was also in the know and looked calm, he felt a little more at ease.

Anyway, with Lord Lu by my side, even if he's silenced, they won't just kill him.

"Your Majesty."

After they sat down, Xiao Ling thoughtfully introduced the identities of the other people opposite her one by one.

They were all princes, princesses, and imperial concubines.

Everyone stared at Mo Sangyu with great curiosity, their eyes filled with amazement, as well as wariness and curiosity.

"Isn't the Imperial Advisor coming tonight?"

Mo Sangyu asked calmly.

It seemed like a casual question, and he wasn't really interested.

"The Imperial Advisor needs to remain in seclusion year-round to support the fate of Qingyue. Tonight..."

Xiao Ling said with some regret, "I'm sorry, Your Highness."

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about, it's okay."

"However, Lord Shen is the Grand Preceptor's eldest disciple. Once his body is transported to the capital, the Grand Preceptor will definitely come out."

When Shen Hanzhou was mentioned, Xiao Ling's mood visibly dropped.

"Life is truly unpredictable, Lord Shen..."

"The King has arrived! The Queen has arrived!"

Before he could finish speaking, a notification sound suddenly rang out from the entrance.

Following the sound, King Qingyue and his queen entered the banquet together.

The Prince of Qingyue was twenty-nine years old this year. He was elegant and handsome, and his bright yellow dragon robe made his pale face look more rosy.

His queen, dressed in a phoenix robe, was the kind of beauty that grows on you; her face was round and smooth, her features delicate and gentle, and her temperament warm and refined.

King Qingyue slowed his pace slightly, so the Queen paused briefly to keep up with him, and the two walked together to the main seat.

At the banquet, everyone stood up.

Mo Sangyu also stood up, but before she could follow the proper etiquette, the Prince of Qingyue, who was in the main seat, looked at her and immediately said, "Your Majesty the Empress of Da Chen, there is no need to stand on ceremony. Please sit down."

The Queen looked at her, her expression slightly taken aback.

Xiao Ling had told her when she returned that the Empress of Da Chen was not only stunningly beautiful, but also aloof and otherworldly, like a celestial being. At the time, she just smiled and didn't take it seriously.

In this world, there are no celestial beings; even the most beautiful woman is just an ordinary mortal.

Seeing it now, I realized that Xiao Ling's words were absolutely true.

Even the guard standing behind her had an upright posture and an extraordinary temperament.

Thank you.

Mo Sangyu readily agreed and sat down.

Seeing this, the others also fell down.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, and the two gentlemen, for your tireless efforts in returning Lord Shen's remains to us in such good condition. I offer you all a toast with tea instead of wine."

The King of Qingyue picked up his teacup, his smile warm yet tinged with bitterness: "I am not fit to drink alcohol, so I hope you will not take offense."

Mo Sangyu and the others did not speak, but silently raised their cups and drank the wine in them.

However, the wine in front of Mo Sangyu had long since been replaced by someone.

Wine has been transformed into tea.

She turned her head and glanced at Feng Xingyu behind her.

This man is quick.

She's not the same body she used to be, and she can no longer drink so much. The reason they're stopping her from drinking is probably because they think she might be pregnant.

That's it.

As long as it puts his mind at ease, he doesn't have to drink it.

Just then, another person walked in through the banquet entrance.

She was a tall woman.

She wore a plain dress, her hair was styled in a high bun, and she wore a white jade hair crown with two white ribbons hanging down from the crown, gently resting on her chest.

She wore no extra ornaments, and her whole demeanor was serene and pure, untouched by worldly dust.

When she walked in, her steps were light, and her clothes swayed slightly with her steps, bringing with them a faint scent of sandalwood.

His face was aloof and cold, his eyes distant, as if seen through a thin mist, making him difficult to see clearly.

But those eyes were bright, calm and deep, unfathomable.

The banquet hall fell silent for a moment.

She bowed slightly to the Prince of Qingyue on the main seat, her voice neither loud nor soft, like the wind blowing across a lake: "Your Majesty, I was delayed by some matters and am late. Please forgive me."

The King of Qingyue looked at her, his smile still gentle: "It's alright. It's good that you've come."

Having said that, he raised his hand in a gesture of respect: "Please take a seat."

The woman thanked him and glanced at Mo Sangyu.

That glance was so quick, it barely lingered.

But Mo Sangyu still managed to keenly notice it.

"Your Majesty the Great Chen Dynasty."

King Qingyue turned to look at Mo Sangyu and introduced her: "This is another disciple of the Grand Preceptor, Shen Hanzhou's junior sister, Song Xianya, who is also the Holy Maiden of our Qingyue Kingdom, second only to the Grand Preceptor in status."

Holy Maiden?

Is she the Holy Maiden of the Demonic Cult?

Mo Sangyu inwardly complained, but on the surface remained calm and composed, simply nodding slightly as a greeting.

"I am sorry to both of you, but my body cannot hold on for much longer. The Crown Prince is still young. It is only thanks to the Imperial Preceptor, the Holy Maiden, and Lord Shen that my Qingyue Kingdom has been able to stand firm."

"Now that Lord Shen has been murdered, I know it has nothing to do with the Great Chen Dynasty, but I do not want him to die unjustly. I will continue to investigate this matter, and I hope that Your Majesty the Great Chen Dynasty can understand."

"Of course."

Mo Sangyu looked at Song Xianya sitting opposite her and felt that there was something strange about this person.

Something about her aura was off.

Without true qi, one cannot cultivate the martial arts of the Nine Provinces Continent.

Mo Sangyu's soul swept over.

The next moment, she suddenly looked up and stared at Mo Sangyu.

That glance clearly indicated that he had noticed something and deliberately concealed his aura and strength.

pity.

The speed is still a bit slow.

Mo Sangyu curled her lips into a smile, a hint of wicked cruelty flashing in her eyes.

So, she was that colleague.

Song Xianya's breath hitched.

Clearly, they hadn't expected their identities to be exposed so easily.

but……