The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 704 - 463. Sealing (5k)_2

Since the drinking together at the Imperial Ancestor Temple last year, the monarch and minister rarely drank privately again.

"Is Your Majesty happy tonight? Because the Shen family has conceded?"

Zhao Douan was holding a silver wine jug with intricate and exquisite patterns, looking for a wine cup, when he saw the Empress had already picked up another jug and walked freely to the railing by the door.

The door was open, and the light from inside the room spread out through the threshold, illuminating a small patch at the entrance.

Beyond the railing was a body of river water, surrounded by tranquility and desolation, with all the attendants driven away far by Eunuch Hai and other inner court experts.

The Empress popped the lid off the jug with a sound, raised her slender, pale neck, and drank freely from the spout of the silver jug aimed at her mouth.

The clear wine trickled down her pale chin, flowing along her graceful jawline. She wiped it carelessly with her sleeve, her eyes misty as she gazed at the river, smelling of wine, she said:

"I’m bolstering my courage."

Zhao Douan, who had followed her out, was taken aback.

Xu Zhenguan turned his head with a faint smile: "Isn’t it said among the people that wine emboldens the timid?"

Zhao Douan cupped the silver wine jug solemnly, took a sip, and said:

"Your Majesty’s courage makes men of the world bow their heads, why need wine?"

Xu Zhenguan self-deprecatingly said: "When my ancestor conquered the world in his youth, he would also drink to bolster his courage before life-and-death battles. Since my ancestor did so, what is there that I, as the ruler, dare not speak of?"

Zhao Douan was silent for a moment, then said: "Is Your Majesty worried about the sealing?"

"Yes."

"How sure is Your Majesty?"

"Sixty... seventy percent."

"That’s not insignificant."

"But it’s not enough," Xu Zhenguan leaned against the railing, gazing at the river, murmuring:

"Do you believe that at this moment there are countless eyes on us, awaiting the outcome of the sealing? If I succeed, it may not ensure peace, but the Eight Princes won’t dare to harbor ill intentions. But if I fail—"

Zhao Douan took a sip of wine: "If you fail, so what? Your Majesty is still Your Majesty."

Xu Zhenguan softly said:

"If I fail, it’s equivalent to proving to the world that I haven’t gained Yu Country’s destiny recognition. By then, the Eight Princes would likely take the chance to cause chaos."

Zhao Douan realized suddenly.

Zhenbao is ultimately a woman, and the fact that a woman ascends the throne is already questioned by the people. The unseen destiny is also tied to the people’s views. If it fails, the Eight Princes, in essence, gain the "legitimacy" to rebel:

Since the mandate isn’t with the Empress, naturally several Princes should inherit the throne.

This is a high-stakes gamble—succeed, and it’s adorned in splendor; fail, and fire cooks oil.

"Your Majesty is destined for great fortune, and will naturally win a triumphant start. Even if in the worst case, you have me as your assurance." Zhao Douan earnestly said.

"Assurance?" Xu Zhenguan glanced at him.

Zhao Douan suggested with a sly grin: "Dual cultivation breakthrough."

"..." Xu Zhenguan rolled her beautiful eyes dramatically, joking: "You’re quite attentive to such improper things; well, speak of it when you step into the world."

The tone held a sort of disdain for "immature young boys."

Zhao Douan felt indignant but was too lazy to argue, instead accompanying the Empress in drinking. When the two jugs were finished, the Empress casually tossed the silver wine jug into the river, stretching lazily:

"Well then, I’m off to sleep. In these few days, make haste with preparations for the sealing, so when the Dragon Ship arrives in two days, we can head to Luo Mountain without delay."

"Your Majesty?"

Suddenly a voice came from behind, the Empress turned back, puzzled, and froze.

Only to see Zhao Douan seriously say: "I will protect Your Majesty."

Xu Zhenguan was inexplicably moved inside but only smiled, turned, and headed towards the room:

"You just take care of yourself."

The two wooden doors closed.

Zhao Douan pursed his lips, gestured a hand, and the silver wine jug thrown into the water was lightly lifted by a stream.

He put away this pair of small silver eared jugs and walked to the room reserved for himself next door.

After closing the door, Zhao Douan sat cross-legged, meditating as usual.

Accompanying visualization, he found himself once again outside the ancient, imposing, decrepit Buddhist temple within the "Six Chapters Scripture."

Zhao Douan pushed the temple door open along the mountain path, yet the anticipated attack from Pei Niannu’s "head-covering" did not come as expected.

"Senior Pei?"

Zhao Douan looked in confusion towards the center of the rundown temple engulfed in wild grass, where the female sorcerer garbed in armor-like bridal attire sat alone atop a collapsed pill furnace.

With a mysterious aura, most of her face was concealed under a golden faceplate as Pei Niannu stared blankly at the sky.

Upon hearing her name called, she turned to him, saying:

"I... sensed... your... summons before."

Indeed, I tried to call you out to deal with the "Magic God," but you were cut off, unable to appear... Zhao Douan wasn’t surprised, nodding while generally explaining.

Pei Niannu said: "That person’s power... is familiar... but I can’t remember..."

That person? You mean the "Magic God"? Zhao Douan was stunned, surprised by the reaction of the senior who seemingly resided in an artifact spirit state.

"Do you know the background of that ’Magic God’?" Zhao Douan curiously probed.

"Can’t remember... too long ago... can’t remember..."

Pei Niannu grasped her head saying, ceasing to acknowledge him, as if in a sleep-talk.\p>

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Southeast of Jianning Prefecture, there’s a mountain named "Luo."

The mountain is magnificently rugged, connecting the geological veins of three mountains, thus called the "Root of the Earth’s Veins."

At the mountain’s base lies a Royal Garden, which, under usual circumstances, spans five miles around, all within the Royal Family’s domain, inaccessible to ordinary people.

Since the news of the Empress’s impending ceremonial sealing spread, the foot of Luo Mountain became lively.

To cater to the court, merchants eager to offer wealth hired a large number of laborers, preparing to tidy up the vicinity of Luo Mountain two months in advance.