I am invincible, that's why I lie down. You're using your entire clan to rebel?

Chapter 139 Is Qin Mu a Land Immortal?

Half an hour ago, around dinner time.

The palace maid Qiu'er carried a bowl of bird's nest porridge into the side hall.

She was an old servant of Yuxiu Palace, having served Jiang Qingxue since she entered the palace. She was gentle and simple-minded.

"Your Highness, you didn't eat much for dinner. Please have some bird's nest porridge." Qiu'er gently placed the bowl of porridge on the table, her voice filled with concern.

Jiang Qingxue looked up at her, her gaze lingering on that familiar face for a moment.

Qiu'er is not a member of the Dragon Shadow Guard.

She was certain of that.

In the days that followed, Qiu'er took care of her daily life without ever making any unusual moves or inquiring about any news.

She was just an ordinary palace maid from a poor family, who entered the palace to supplement her family's income.

But it is precisely because it is ordinary, precisely because it is inconspicuous, that it may become the only breakthrough point.

"Qiu'er," Jiang Qingxue said softly, her voice tinged with weariness, "how long have you been in the palace?"

Qiu'er was taken aback, then respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I have been in the palace for five years."

"Five years..." Jiang Qingxue murmured, her gaze falling on her hands, slightly roughened by years of hard work. "Do you miss home?"

Qiu'er's eyes reddened slightly, and she lowered her head: "I was thinking about it. I still have my parents, a younger brother, and a younger sister at home. My brother is an apprentice in the city, and my sister is still young..."

She spoke with heartfelt emotion, her voice choked with emotion.

Jiang Qingxue listened quietly, but her heart felt icy cold.

She's taking advantage of this girl.

They took advantage of her longing for her family, and of her kindness and naivety.

But she had no other choice.

"Qiu'er,"

Jiang Qingxue slowly slipped a jade bracelet off her wrist.

That was a gift from Xu Longxiang when she entered the palace. It was of excellent quality and quite valuable. "Take this."

Qiu'er was startled and immediately knelt down: "Your Highness, this is unacceptable! Such a valuable item, this servant dares not accept it!"

"Take it." Jiang Qingxue placed the bracelet in her hand, her voice low and clear, "I need you to do something."

Qiu'er raised her head, her eyes filled with fear.

"Tomorrow at dawn, the eunuchs from the Imperial Kitchen will come to each palace to collect leftover food. You are responsible for handing over the food box from Yuxiu Palace to him."

Jiang Qingxue said slowly and deliberately, "At the bottom of the food box, I will put a packet of medicinal herbs. You don't need to ask anything, you don't need to say anything, just hand the food box to him, and then..."

She took a small golden melon seed from her bosom and placed it in Qiu'er's palm:

"Find an opportunity to slip this to him. Just say it's a reward from Yuxiu Palace for his hard work."

Qiu'er's hands were trembling.

She may be naive, but she's not stupid.

She knew the rules of the palace: private exchanges were a serious crime, and passing on unidentified items was a capital offense.

"Your Majesty..." her voice trembled, "If... if this is discovered..."

"They won't find out."

Jiang Qingxue looked at her, her gaze calm yet carrying an undeniable power.

"The food box is to be handed in every day, the medicinal herbs are for my health, and the golden melon seeds are a reward. Everything is ordinary."

She paused, then added:

"As long as you do as I say and make no mistakes, nothing will happen. After it's done, I will reward you with ten taels of silver, enough for your brother's apprenticeship for three years and enough for your sister's dowry."

They used both kindness and severity, offering both incentives and coercion.

Jiang Qingxue inwardly condemned her own despicable actions, but she had to maintain a calm demeanor on her face.

Qiu'er bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. After a long while, she slowly nodded, her voice barely audible: "This...this servant...understands."

........

Recalling this moment, Jiang Qingxue slowly opened her eyes.

The Book of Songs was still open on the table, and the candlelight had burned down to almost nothing.

She stood up, walked to the window, and gently pushed it open a crack.

The night was deep, and the lights of the imperial city flickered in the distance.

The area in front of the Hall of Mental Cultivation remained silent, as if nothing had happened.

But Jiang Qingxue knew that Qin Mu was definitely not in the Hall of Mental Cultivation at this moment.

He must be at Huaqing Palace.

At Sister Xu's place.

This realization stirred up a complex mix of emotions within her.

There was worry, bitterness, anger, and a feeling that even she herself was unwilling to admit... a sense of relief.

At least tonight, she doesn't have to face him.

There's no need to force a smile in front of him, nor to please him in bed.

Jiang Qingxue slowly closed the window, turned around and walked back to the table.

She took out a small cloth bag from a hidden compartment under the table. Inside the bag were several common medicinal herbs—angelica, astragalus, and wolfberry—all things that imperial concubines often used to regulate their health.

But one of the ingredients, "chuanxiong," was added by her on purpose.

Chuanxiong (Ligusticum striatum) invigorates blood circulation, removes blood stasis, and relieves pain. In the Northern army, this herb also had another use—passing coded messages.

Xu Longxiang's Northern Army has a unique code system, using the names of medicinal herbs as code names and dosages as information.

Three qian of Chuanxiong means "things have changed, so postpone the action"; five qian of Chuanxiong means "danger, evacuate"; seven qian of Chuanxiong...

Jiang Qingxue's hands trembled slightly.

She took out a steelyard and carefully placed seven qian (approximately 35 grams) of Sichuan lovage rhizome into a small paper packet.

Seven qian of Sichuan lovage root.

In the Xu family's code, this is the highest level of warning:

"The plan has been exposed, the entire army has been wiped out, retreat immediately."

This was the last thing she could do for Xu Longxiang.

This was also the only thing she could do after betraying the Xu family and Xu Longxiang... to atone for her sins.

Jiang Qingxue placed the paper package at the bottom of the food box, covered it with other medicinal herbs, and then closed the food box.

The movements were light and steady, as if they were simply preparing breakfast for tomorrow.

But her heart was pounding.

One beat after another, like the beating of a drum.

She knew she was taking a risk.

If Qiu'er is discovered, if the food box is inspected, if the code is cracked...

Not only would she die, but Qiu'er would also die, and all of Xu Longxiang's plans in the Northern Territory might come to naught.

But she had to gamble.

Gambling on Qin Mu's arrogance, he might have expected that she would deliver the message, but he probably didn't expect that she would use the most inconspicuous palace maid in the most ordinary way.

The urgency of gambling.

Tomorrow is the grand ceremony, and tonight the palace's attention will surely be focused on Huaqing Palace and on Xu Fenghua.

Betting on that sliver of hope.

Jiang Qingxue slowly sat back down in her chair and picked up the Book of Poetry again.

The candlelight flickered on her face, casting a dim glow on her clear, cold eyes, where a resolute despair burned deep within them.

Outside the window, the sound of the night watchman's drum rose.

The third quarter of Hai hour.

There are still three hours until Mao Shi (5-7 AM).

.......

Under the same night sky, the rooftop terrace of the "Star Gazing Pavilion" at the Welcome Inn.

The location here is quite high, offering a panoramic view of most of the imperial city.

The night wind howled, making the copper bells on the eaves tinkle.

Zhao Qingxue stood by the railing, her black cloak fluttering in the wind, revealing her moon-white everyday clothes underneath.

She did not wear an imperial crown; her long hair was loosely tied up with only a white jade hairpin, with the rest cascading down to her waist like a waterfall.

Her deep purple phoenix eyes gazed silently at the brightly lit palace in the distance.

Three steps behind her stood an old man wearing a gray Taoist robe.

The old man had white hair and beard, and a rosy complexion like a baby's. He held a white jade whisk in his hand. He was none other than Li Chunfeng, the Sword God of Liyang.

"What is Your Majesty looking at?" Li Chunfeng asked slowly, his voice ethereal and distant, as if it came from beyond the heavens.

Zhao Qingxue didn't turn around, but simply said, "Watching the show."

"play?"

"A ridiculous play."

Zhao Qingxue's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Forcibly taking a subject's wife as a concubine and then holding a grand wedding ceremony. This Emperor of Qin is certainly not afraid of being infamous for eternity."

Li Chunfeng remained silent for a moment before saying, "Perhaps... he doesn't care at all."

"Don't you care?"

Zhao Qingxue chuckled, "Does the Imperial Advisor really think an emperor wouldn't care about his reputation? Would he not care how history records him? Would he not care how future generations will judge him?"

“Ordinary emperors would not,” Li Chunfeng said slowly, “but Qin Mu… seems to be no ordinary emperor.”

Zhao Qingxue finally turned around, her gaze landing on Li Chunfeng's face: "What has the Imperial Advisor discovered?"

Li Chunfeng did not answer immediately.

He walked to the railing and stood side by side with Zhao Qingxue, gazing into the depths of the imperial city.

The night wind ruffled his snow-white beard and hair, and his eyes, which were always half-open, were now fully open, gleaming with a sharp light, as if they could see through all illusions.

"Does Your Majesty still remember?"

Li Chunfeng slowly spoke, "Sword Sect disciples, hurry to Qinglan Mountain! What method do you have to defeat Li Wuhen?"

"Of course I remember."

Zhao Qingxue nodded, "Controlling objects remotely and transforming true energy into form—such techniques have already surpassed the realm of the Celestial Phenomenon Realm. I suspected at the time that he had a terrestrial immortal assisting him."

"It wasn't assistance," Li Chunfeng said softly, yet each word was clear. "It was me."

Zhao Qingxue's pupils suddenly contracted!

"What does the Imperial Preceptor mean?"

"Tonight, the old Taoist priest will use his primordial spirit to leave his body and secretly investigate the imperial city."

Li Chunfeng's gaze turned towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation, a rare hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes.

"Within the Hall of Mental Cultivation, there exists an aura, unfathomable and vast as the sea. It is not a guard, nor a hidden master, but rather..."

He paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately:

"Qin Mu himself."

The night breeze seemed to stand still at that moment.

Zhao Qingxue stared blankly at Li Chunfeng for a long time before slowly speaking, "Is the Imperial Preceptor sure?"

"Confirmed." Li Chunfeng nodded. "That aura is of the same origin as the imperial aura on Qin Mu's body; there's absolutely no other person who could possess it. Moreover..."

He paused, then added:

"The strength and depth of that aura far surpasses any powerful figure I have ever seen. Even the legendary Sword Saint from three hundred years ago is probably... inferior."

Zhao Qingxue fell silent.

She slowly turned around and looked back towards Huaqing Palace, her gaze seemingly piercing through the palace walls and landing deep within the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Is Qin Mu himself... a terrestrial immortal?

No, not only that.

Li Chunfeng had already reached the peak of the Celestial Phenomenon realm, with one foot already in the realm of a terrestrial immortal. Even he felt he was "inferior" to him…

What level of attainment is that?

"No wonder..." Zhao Qingxue muttered to herself, "No wonder he dared to be so unscrupulous, no wonder he dared to forcibly take Xu Fenghua as his concubine, no wonder he dared to do such an absurd thing in front of the world."

Because she doesn't care.

He doesn't care about fame, he doesn't care about criticism, he doesn't care about anything.

Because in the face of absolute power, all rules, all etiquette, and all constraints are nothing but a joke.

"Your Majesty," Li Chunfeng said slowly, "if that's truly the case, our alliance with Xu Longxiang..."

"The alliance remains unchanged."

Zhao Qingxue interrupted him, her voice returning to its usual coldness.

"No matter how strong Qin Mu is, he is still just one person. Even a terrestrial immortal can rival a nation, but he is not omnipotent. He still needs to sleep, eat, and handle state affairs. As long as he remains the emperor, there will always be weaknesses."

She paused, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes:

"Furthermore, doesn't the Imperial Advisor think that Qin Mu's concealment of his strength and his pretense of being a tyrant... has a deeper meaning?"

Li Chunfeng seemed to be deep in thought.

"Your Majesty means..."

"Why would a terrestrial immortal disguise himself as a tyrant?" Zhao Qingxue asked slowly.

"Why tarnish his own reputation? Why let the whole world think he's licentious and immoral?"

She turned to look at Li Chunfeng, her deep purple phoenix eyes gleaming with an all-seeing light in the night:

There's only one explanation—he was fishing.

"fishing?"

"Lure out all those who are dissatisfied with him, all those with ulterior motives, all... potential enemies." Zhao Qingxue's voice was soft, yet every word was like a knife. "Then, wipe them all out in one fell swoop."

Li Chunfeng gasped.

This speculation is even more alarming than the fact that Qin Mu is a terrestrial immortal.

If that's true, then Qin Mu's cunning and far-reaching schemes are terrifyingly profound.

"So Xu Longxiang..." Li Chunfeng said in a low voice.

"Xu Longxiang is the biggest fish."

Zhao Qingxue's lips curled into a cold smile. "Qin Mu is forcing Xu Fenghua into marriage to compel him to step forward. Tomorrow's wedding is the bait. And we..."

She paused, then slowly said:

"They're just spectators."

Li Chunfeng remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking, "Then what does Your Majesty intend to do?"

"Let's watch the show," Zhao Qingxue said calmly. "Let's see how Xu Longxiang handles it, and how Qin Mu closes the net. And then..."

She turned and looked north, towards the northern border:

"The fisherman benefits."

The night wind grew stronger, causing her black cloak to flutter loudly.

The lights of the distant imperial city flickered, like a galaxy fallen to earth.

Beneath this galaxy, countless undercurrents are surging, countless schemes are brewing, and the destinies of countless individuals will intertwine, collide, shatter, and be reborn at tomorrow's absurd wedding.

Zhao Qingxue slowly closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

When she opened her eyes again, those deep purple phoenix eyes were clear and resolute.

"The Imperial Advisor."

"Your old minister is here."

"Pass down the order: silence all our men. No action is permitted without my decree."

"Yes."

"Furthermore," Zhao Qingxue paused, "at tomorrow's wedding ceremony, I want to see with my own eyes who is the better strategist between Qin Mu and Xu Longxiang."

"This old minister understands."

Li Chunfeng bowed and withdrew.

Only Zhao Qingxue remained on the terrace.

She leaned alone against the railing, gazing at the brightly lit Huaqing Palace in the distance, the mocking smile on her lips gradually deepening.

Qin Mu, Xu Longxiang...

This game is getting more and more interesting.

And she will surely have the last laugh.

Because she is Zhao Qingxue.

Empress Liyang.

She is the first female emperor in Kyushu in a century, and also... the last emperor.

night, deeper.

The drumbeats of the imperial city sounded once again.

It's midnight.

There are still five hours until the sacrificial ceremony at the Imperial Ancestral Temple tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM).

There are still seven hours until that absurd wedding, destined to be recorded in history.