Her Majesty the Empress has arrived.
Hearing the voice from outside the hall, Lu Yang raised his brows instantly. The next second, the main gate was pushed open, and a beautiful figure wearing a rosy cloud crown and draped in rosy clouds walked in.
The woman had willow-leaf eyebrows and almond eyes, her jade-like face glowing. She wore a long silk dress covered by a large-sleeved robe woven with gold, rosy clouds, and phoenix patterns. A pearl and jade hairpin was inserted in her hair near the temples, swaying slightly as she walked. Lu Yang's gaze traveled up the mountains and ridges, finally landing on a delicate, white face full of infinite charm.
"This subordinate pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress."
Lu Yang quickly retracted his gaze and bowed in salute. However, the next second, a heavy thud was heard—it was the sound of the main gate being closed again.
What does this mean?
At this moment, the Four Treasuries Daoist Canon fell into complete silence. Only Lu Yang and this suddenly appearing Empress remained; even the sound of their breathing was clearly audible.
Immediately after, Lu Yang saw brilliant light welling up from the center of the Empress's brow. The originally dim daoist canon hall suddenly became bright. The space seemed to be magnified countless times at this moment, revealing ten thousand acres of fields, flourishing vegetation, and various crops surrounding her in the center.
Above the various concepts, a ray of earth element true light appeared, perfect and flawless:
[Empress Cisheng Lingsi]
Layer upon layer of radiance fell. Although it looked intangible and immaterial, when it shone on Lu Yang, it made him feel as if mountains were pressing down on his body.
[Roadside Earth].
Sure enough, everything inside the Imperial Palace is formed relying on Emperor Jiayou. This Empress is the same. In terms of status alone, she is no inferior to Crown Prince Longxing...
Just as Lu Yang was pondering, this Empress—who was extremely low-key in the Dao Court's official system and almost completely hidden behind Emperor Jiayou—was also sizing him up. Her beautiful eyes reflected Lu Yang's figure, as if she saw a pure, powerful, and unparalleled demonic dragon capable of churning the seas.
But in the blink of an eye, he transformed into a handsome young man.
'Half-human, half-dragon?'
'It's not just a simple bloodline mixing; it's a complete intermingling of elements. How is that possible?'
The Empress's secular surname was "Xiao," so she was also called Empress Xiao. Although she came from a commoner background, she was quick-witted and intelligent. She could recite the entire Four Treasuries Daoist Canon backward.
Looking at the world, there were few things among Foundation Establishment that she didn't understand.
Yet Lu Yang's "image of half-human, half-dragon" was treacherous and unfathomable. Empress Xiao couldn't understand it at all. At this moment, her heart itched suddenly giving birth to immense curiosity.
But soon she regained her composure:
No rush... This matter can be discussed later. I still have serious business.
With this thought, Empress Xiao deliberated for a moment longer before parting her red lips slightly and whispering, "I must thank minister Du for helping Longxing enter the Tianwu Hall."
"It was this humble subject's duty," Lu Yang said with cupped hands.
"Minister Du dont be so modest."
Empress Xiao shook her head upon hearing this. "I knows Longxing's character well. He's always been cautious about his own safety when it comes to important matters, but reckless with himself for small gains. He is definitely not a true wise ruler."
"If not for you, my dear minister, he would probably be manipulated by the officials by now. I was thinking of personally stepping forward to intimidate the officials and stabilize the court for him. But you appeared out of nowhere and saving me the trouble, sparing a woman like me from showing my face in public."
"However..."
Speaking up to here, Empress Xiao glanced at Lu Yang again and said faintly, "I observes that my dear minister has the look of tigers and wolves. I'm afraid you aren't a peaceful person either."
Empress Xiao's words made Lu Yang frown.
At this moment, he was thinking about a problem: If he forcefully took down Empress Xiao here, how much turmoil would it cause in the Imperial Harem? Would he be discovered?
Unfortunately, [Marionette] is useless against Foundation Establishment Perfection...
Otherwise, why would he need so much trouble? He could just directly control Crown Prince Longxing and the civil and military officials, easily taking charge of the Dao Court.
Refining into a banner spirit... won't work either.
For Dao Court cultivators, once the person died, the official position would detach. So even if refined into a banner spirit, they would only be reduced to mortals, completely useless.
Meanwhile, Empress Xiao changed the subject:
"Minister Du, how about I make a deal with you?"
"You and I join forces to suppress the faction of the Three Excellencies and help my son stabilize his authority... As a reward, my son will rule in name only, and all power will be delegated to you."
"Your Majesty is killing this subject with kindness."
Lu Yang said with trepidation, "This subject is wholeheartedly loyal to the Imperial Family, for His Majesty, for His Highness. I have absolutely has no other thoughts. Stabilizing the court for the Crown Prince is originally my duty."
After speaking, Lu Yang saw a half-smile on Empress Xiao's face:
"Minister Du, do you know where my Xiao family's ancestral home is?"
Without waiting for Lu Yang's answer, Empress Xiao continued, "My Xiao family's ancestral home is in Jiangbei. To this day, a branch family frequently sends disciples to the Demonic Sect in Jiangbei..."
Lu Yang was slightly startled upon hearing this. Calculating karma, a name suddenly jumped into his mind:
Xiao Shiye!?
Seeing Lu Yang's strange expression, Empress Xiao seemed to misunderstand something and laughed: "What, do you think I am secretly colluding with the Demonic Sect?"
"Do I need to be investigated too?"
"This humble subject dares not." Lu Yang hurriedly bowed.
"Alright, dispense with the formalities."
Empress Xiao took a step forward on her own initiative. Lu Yang immediately smelled a burst of fragrance assaulting his nose. Then, he was lifted up by Empress Xiao, meeting a pair of beautiful eyes face-to-face:
"I have always been straightforward. Minister Du, you come from the True Dragon Clan and inevitably desire a foothold in the court. I also want to fight for some power and position for my own family. But the officials block the way, and the disciples of the Three Excellencies obstruct in every way... You and I are originally in the same camp. Why hide it?"
In those beautiful eyes, Lu Yang saw ambition.
This woman is not of the Tianwu Imperial Clan. Not only does she lack cultivation base, but the Dao Court also has no Heavenly Dao Fruit for her to attain... yet she also has the ambition to ascend the throne and seek the Golden Core?
Adding Crown Prince Longxing, they are all looking forward to Emperor Jiayou demise..
In the Dao Court, even if you were as noble as the Three Excellencies or the Son of Heaven, possessing the stature of a Golden Core Perfected Lord, you actually only had a thousand years of lifespan. Once the lifespan ended, you had to abdicate.
When the Three Excellencies abdicated, they went to reincarnation.
The Son of Heaven, however, cultivated his own nature. After abdication, he didn't need reincarnation. It was called "ascending to heaven on a dragon," ascending with the Grotto-Heaven to serve by the Dao Lord's side forever.
But regardless of which one, the seat became empty.
If there was an empty seat, someone would want to sit in it.
After all, looking at all Foundation Establishment cultivators in the world, who didn't want to seek the Golden Core? Even if there was only a sliver of hope, countless Foundation Establishment Perfected Ones would be willing to sacrifice everything for it.
Thinking of this, Lu Yang also changed his mind.
Empress Xiao was actually right. The officials of the Dao Court and the disciples of the Three Excellencies were their common enemies. Joining forces to deal with them was most appropriate.
Even if they were to fall out, it could wait until after the disciples of the Three Excellencies and the officials were dealt with.
Moreover, if even Empress Xiao stood up to support him, his righteousness within the Dao Court would be unshakable. No one would be able to criticize him.
This matter was beneficial to both.
Although that was the case, on the surface, Lu Yang wouldn't give any promises that could be used against him. He just bowed and said, "This subject will heed Your Majesty's instructions."
Empress Xiao smiled with satisfaction instantly: "Good."
The was a perfect match.
Soon, the atmosphere between the two became much more intimate. Empress Xiao even looked at the two Daoist books Lu Yang had just selected and asked with a smile:
"Looking for Dao arts, Minister Du? I wonder if there have been any gains?"
Lu Yang shook his head: "No method to my liking yet."
Empress Xiao smiled instantly: "Why not tell me? I know the entire Four Treasuries Daoist Canon by heart. Perhaps I can select a few for you."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Lu Yang's eyes brightened slightly. He looked at Empress Xiao as if looking at a huge treasure trove. This was an unexpected delight.
Reading through the entire Four Treasuries Daoist Canon—how much accumulation of Dao comprehension must that be... No wonder this Empress Xiao also has the ambition to seek the Golden Core. If I can use the [Heaven-Mending True Scripture] to learn all her knowledge, it would likely be a harvest huge enough to completely fill the gap in my Dao comprehension when I seek the Golden Core!