BSI Chapter 20 The Empress's Ambition! Jiang Qingxue's Background
Chapter 20 The Empress's Ambition! Jiang Qingxue's Background
Zhang Julu was taken aback: "It is recorded in ancient books, but in reality... I have never seen it."
"I have seen it."
Zhao Qingxue stood up, walked to the railing, and looked westward.
"Five years ago, on the day I ascended the throne, I also caused a celestial phenomenon. Although it was not as magnificent as the three thousand miles of purple aura, there was still a thousand feet of radiant light, and a hundred phoenixes came to pay homage. That was because my cultivation of the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture broke through to the seventh level, which resonated with the heavens and earth."
She turned around, the moonlight illuminating her face, revealing a rare solemnity on her stunning features:
"To be able to summon three thousand miles of purple aura, with nine dragons circling... such a phenomenon is definitely beyond the capabilities of the Celestial Phenomenon Realm."
Zhang Julu's pupils contracted: "Your Majesty means..."
"Land deity".
Zhao Qingxue said slowly and deliberately, "Only the appearance of a terrestrial immortal could cause such a strange phenomenon."
"But Qin Mu..." Zhang Julu said in disbelief, "He's only twenty-two! How could that be?"
"That's why I need to test them."
Zhao Qingxue walked back to the chessboard, her fingers lightly tracing its edge.
"If he is truly a terrestrial immortal, then the entire Nine Provinces are likely to undergo a dramatic change. What does a twenty-two-year-old terrestrial immortal mean? The Prime Minister should understand."
Zhang Julu gasped.
Of course he knew.
In the vast land of China, martial arts reign supreme.
The pinnacle of martial arts is the terrestrial immortal.
For three hundred years, terrestrial immortals have existed only in legends.
If Qin Mu is truly...
Then the Qin Dynasty will be invincible under heaven.
Li Yang, Xi Liang, Bei Mang—all forces would be utterly powerless before him.
"But if he really is a celestial being, why would he pretend to be incompetent?" Zhang Julu wondered.
"That's what I also want to know."
A hint of doubt flashed in Zhao Qingxue's eyes. "A person who is invincible in the world would pretend to be a tyrant. There must be a huge scheme behind this."
She paused, her tone becoming firm:
"Therefore, I must find out the truth. Before I do, Li Yang must not act rashly."
Zhang Julu bowed deeply: "Your Majesty is wise; it was this old minister who was short-sighted."
"Father, there's no need to blame yourself."
Zhao Qingxue helped him up, her tone softening, "I've seen all the worry and effort you've put into Liyang. But in this game of the world, sometimes looking too closely can obscure the bigger picture."
She gazed into the distance, a weariness beyond her years appearing in her eyes:
"I began learning martial arts at five, studied history at ten, participated in politics at fifteen, and ascended the throne at twenty. In these twenty years, I have seen too many people and too many things. I know that the most terrifying thing in this world is not the enemy in the open, but the hunter hiding in the shadows."
"Qin Mu is that kind of hunter."
The night breeze blew, lifting her long hair.
Under the moonlight, the figure appeared both lonely and powerful.
"But I am also a hunter."
Zhao Qingxue turned around, her deep purple phoenix eyes blazing with fierce flames.
"This land has been in chaos for far too long. Warlords have carved up the land, war has raged for years, and the people have been displaced. It's time to end all of this."
She walked to the center of the observatory, opened her arms wide, as if to embrace the whole world:
"What I desire is not a single city or territory, but the unification of the nine provinces and peace throughout the land!"
The sound was clear and melodious, soaring straight into the sky.
Looking at the woman before him, Zhang Julu was filled with endless emotions.
Five years ago, when she ascended the throne, everyone thought that Li Yang was doomed.
A woman becoming emperor is unprecedented in history.
Opposition was rampant in the court, and the princes on the borders were eager to make a move.
It was she who suppressed the rebellion with swift and decisive measures, and won people's hearts with a policy of appeasement.
In five years, she rescued Liyang from internal and external troubles, making it even stronger than under the previous emperor.
Such an emperor is extremely rare throughout history.
"Your Majesty," Zhang Julu knelt on the ground, his voice choked with emotion, "this old minister is willing to devote himself wholeheartedly to assisting Your Majesty in unifying the nine provinces and ushering in an era of lasting peace!"
Zhao Qingxue helped him up, a hint of warmth flashing in her eyes:
"With my father, the Prime Minister, around, I feel very at ease."
She paused, then said:
"The delegation will depart in three days, and I will personally see them off. I want the whole world to see that Li Yang is truly committed to befriending Great Qin."
"What about Xu Longxiang's side..." Zhang Julu asked.
"Master Li will set off tomorrow."
Zhao Qingxue looked north. "At his pace, he can reach the northern border in ten days. Then, we can simply wait for good news."
She sat back down at the chessboard and picked up a piece.
On the chessboard, black and white pieces are intertwined, and the situation remains unclear.
But in her eyes, she already saw the end.
"Qin Mu, Xu Longxiang, Liu Yuan of Xiliang, and Murong Chui of Beimang..."
Zhao Qingxue murmured to herself, a confident smile curving her lips.
"I'm going to play a big game in this game."
"And ultimately, only one person can sit in the player's position."
"That is me."
.........
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.
Qin Mu had just returned from the Golden Palace less than half an hour ago, and he hadn't even changed out of his black dragon robe.
He leaned back on the carved rosewood couch, closing his eyes to rest.
Attending court is exhausting.
Even sitting for just half an hour, listening to the ministers argue and bicker, was more exhausting than playing in the harem for three days.
"Indeed, I am not suited for diligent governance." Qin Mu chuckled self-deprecatingly.
However, today's actions should be enough to quiet down Li Si and his old ministers for a while.
As for Empress Li Yang... Thinking of Zhao Qingxue, Qin Mu's lips curled into a playful smile.
That empress has probably already begun her scheme, hasn't she?
Yeah.
It's only interesting when you have a worthy opponent.
[Ding! Host has not checked in today. Would you like to check in?]
The system's notification sounded in my mind right on time.
"Check-in".
Qin Mu silently recited in his heart.
This is the foundation upon which he stands in this world.
[Check-in successful!]
[Congratulations, host, on receiving the following rewards:]
【1. Cultivation Initiation: Two Years of Refined True Qi】
2. Elixir: 10 Herbal Elixirs (A holy medicine for healing, capable of neutralizing all poisons)
3. Special Item: Fragment of the Eye of Truth x1 (Collect ten fragments to synthesize the Divine Eye, which can see through all illusions and disguises)
4. Master Craftsman: Descendant of Lu Ban (will report to the Ministry of Works in seven days)
5. Rare Item: Heavenly Silkworm Armor x1 (Invulnerable to swords and spears, impervious to water and fire)
A series of notification sounds rang in my mind.
Qin Mu raised an eyebrow slightly.
Today's reward isn't generous, but it's quite useful.
Especially that "Fragment of the Eye of Truth".
Although there is only one piece now, if he can collect ten pieces to form a complete Divine Eye, it will greatly benefit him in seeing through all kinds of conspiracies and tricks in the future.
As for Lu Ban's descendants...
A thoughtful look flashed in Qin Mu's eyes.
The Ministry of Works is currently repairing the dikes in Jiangnan. If they could get help from the descendants of Lu Ban, the quality of the project would surely be improved.
With a thought, a warm and pure stream of true energy flowed into his body from the void, circulating through his meridians and finally converging into his dantian.
Two years of cultivation is not much for him now that he is a terrestrial immortal, but it is the result of accumulation over time.
After absorbing the true energy, Qin Mu opened his eyes and stretched.
"Someone come here."
"Your Majesty." A palace maid bowed and entered, prostrating herself on the ground.
"Issue an imperial decree to the Imperial Garden to summon Consort Shu, Consort Wan, Consort De... Never mind, I'm tired today, no more blindfolded capture."
Qin Mu changed his mind halfway through his sentence, "Have the imperial kitchen prepare some chilled plum juice; I need to refresh myself."
"Yes."
After the palace maids left, Qin Mu stood up and walked to the window.
The sun shines brightly outside the window, and several magnolias are in full bloom, their pure white petals trembling gently in the breeze.
He suddenly remembered Jiang Qingxue.
The woman who was sent to the palace by Xu Longxiang.
Yesterday, I watched her practice swordsmanship at Yuxiu Palace and unexpectedly discovered a few flaws in her technique. I wonder if she's continuing her practice today?
Just then, steady footsteps came from outside the hall.
Yunluan, clad in silver armor, strode into the hall and knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty."
Qin Mu turned to look at her: "Have you found out?"
"Yes." Yun Luan nodded, her voice cool and clear.
"Regarding the background of Consort Xue, Jiang Qingxue, the Embroidered Uniform Guard used the deepest pawn hidden in the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion and finally found some clues."
Qin Mu walked back to the soft couch and sat down. He picked up the plum juice that the palace maid had just served him and took a sip. "Speak."
Yunluan took out a small roll of silk from her bosom and presented it with both hands:
"Twenty-one years ago, there was a small country beyond the northern border called Yuehua. This country was located in the gap between the Northern Mang and the Great Qin. Its territory consisted of no more than three cities and its population was less than 100,000, but it was rich in jade and iron ore. Xu Xiao, the Prince of Zhenbei, led his troops to destroy Yuehua in order to open up a trade route to the Northern Mang."
Qin Mu unfolded the silk.
The text above is filled with tiny characters, recording the brief history of the Moonflower Kingdom, its royal lineage, and the detailed events of the day it was destroyed.