Chapter 1852: 1851: Entering the Imperial Palace, Court Assembly

Chapter 1852: Chapter 1851: Entering the Imperial Palace, Court Assembly

“You’re not afraid of dying, but I might not want you dead,” Xu Zimei said lightly.

He waved both his hands.

A powerful force enveloped Zhang Jianwei.

“Soul Search.”

This was the most basic of techniques.

Even if Zhang Jianwei didn’t speak, Xu Zimei could directly read his memories with mighty power.

However, doing so would likely leave the other’s memories scrambled, making him delirious.

But that was his choice.

In Zhang Jianwei’s memory, the one who ordered them was a dignified and elegant woman.

This woman appeared to be in her thirties and was very well-maintained.

She must be a Noble Consort from the harem or someone of similar rank.

Xu Zimei withdrew his thoughts; he hadn’t deliberately restrained himself, and Zhang Jianwei’s condition looked terrible.

Drool dripped from his mouth, and his gaze was vacant; obviously, his nerves were severely damaged.

No matter what, Zhang Jianwei had become a cripple.

Xu Zimei waved his right hand, and the image of the woman from his memory began to take shape.

Seeing the woman’s silhouette, Lu Yueqing’s face changed.

“That’s my mother, my mother.”

She said excitedly.

“Sir, did you see my mother?”

“Are you sure she’s your mother?” Xu Zimei asked strangely.

“Though she’s wearing different clothes, it’s definitely my mother.”

Lu Yueqing confirmed with a nod.

“I dream of my mother every night and have often thought of coming to Chang’an over the years.

How could I possibly mistake her?”

Xu Zimei was silent.

He was considering whether to tell Lu Yueqing that it was her mother who sent the Embroidered Spring Guards to kill them.

Would that be too cruel?

“Sir, what’s wrong?” Lu Yueqing seemed to realize something.

Her face turned slightly pale.

She took a few steps back and asked, “Did you see something, sir?”

“Let’s meet your mother first,” Xu Zimei said.

He looked at the steward of the Minister of the Household Department and said, “Take us into the Imperial Palace.”

“This… I,” the steward hesitated.

In fact, he didn’t have the qualifications to enter the Imperial Palace.

He wasn’t a minister and, unless he was a core minister, he didn’t even have the right to work in the palace.

But the steward happened to have the personal seal of Lue Lan, the Minister of the Household Department, which allowed him to enter the palace freely.

This was because he came to handle matters of importance; otherwise, he would never have the personal seal.

“Do you want to die now, or would you prefer to lead the way,” the Wronged Soul threatened.

“I’ll lead the way,” the steward replied helplessly.

……

The Imperial Palace in Chang’an was divided into the Inner City and the Outer City.

The Outer City was accessible at will, while the Inner City was heavily guarded.

When the group entered the Inner City, they were immediately stopped by soldiers.

Only after the steward took out the personal seal did the soldiers allow them to pass, reminding them, “You may go to the Household Department.

Wandering in other areas will get you beheaded.”

“Understood,” the steward replied politely.

After entering the palace, Xu Zimei then instructed, “You know Our Lady, correct?”

“Our Lady is King Qin’s seventh consort.

She is very much loved by King Qin.

She is now a Noble Consort, only slightly beneath the Empress,” the steward quickly said.

“Where does she live?” Xu Zimei asked.

“The Falling Divine Palace,” the steward replied.

Despite the strict guards of the palace, none of them had ever been inside in their lifetimes.

But the more mysterious the place, the more it piqued the curiosity of outsiders.

Even if they hadn’t been there, they had heard about it.

“How do you get to the Falling Divine Palace?” Lu Yueqing asked hurriedly.

“I don’t know that either,” the steward replied helplessly.

“I’ve hardly been to the palace a few times in my life.”

“Just find someone at random and ask,” Xu Zimei said.

He looked at the steward, who got so frightened that he knelt on the ground, thinking they would kill to keep him quiet.

“Gentlemen, I didn’t see anything or know anything.”

The Wronged Soul glanced at Xu Zimei.

Xu Zimei pointed to a well not far off and said, “Throw him down it, and leave the rest to fate.”

The Wronged Soul immediately grabbed the steward and walked toward the well.

Xu Zimei turned to Lu Yueqing.

“The palace is here; I have things to do.

Are you sure you want to see your mother?”

“It was your mother who sent the Embroidered Spring Guards to kill us. I’m telling you the truth.

We’re parting ways, and if you insist on seeing your mother, your life might be in danger.”

“I refuse to believe my mother would kill me,” Lu Yueqing shook her head, stubbornly said.

Xu Zimei called over the Wronged Soul.

“You accompany her to find her mother. The palace is vast, but it shouldn’t be too hard to find a building.”

“Where are you heading?” The Wronged Soul paused and quickly asked.

“Me? I’m representing the Monster Race; there’s a negotiation with Great Qin that hasn’t started yet,” Xu Zimei replied.

“Aren’t you worried about encountering danger without us?” The Wronged Soul hesitated.

“Just escape if you must,” Xu Zimei glanced at Lu Yueqing.

The other quickly handed him the divine key.

“Thank you for your protection along the way.”

“Think it over; people change,” Xu Zimei waved him off.

The three bid farewell.

Good words can’t dissuade the damned ghost.

He had already told Lu Yueqing; if she refused to visit, he could have kept her by his side.

But Lu Yueqing was intent on seeing her mother.

Who knows what her mother would do.

But people in power rarely care about emotions, favoring personal gains.

Xu Zimei felt uneasy about this trip.

But, after all, it’s someone else’s family affairs.

……

He strolled through the Imperial Palace.

He seemed less like an intruder and more like someone appreciating the scenery.

There were guards constantly patrolling the palace.

But seeing Xu Zimei’s leisurely manner, the soldiers assumed he had some status and didn’t check him.

Typically, an intruder wouldn’t dare to be so relaxed.

Xu Zimei even grabbed a eunuch and asked, “Where is King Qin?”

“You… how daring,” the eunuch was taken aback.

King Qin was a name they dared not use.

They could only address him as His Majesty.

“If you don’t tell me, I’ll break your neck,” Xu Zimei grabbed the eunuch’s neck and said calmly.

“His Majesty is in the Jinluan Hall, holding a court meeting,” the eunuch struggled to say.

“It isn’t morning; why hold court now?” Xu Zimei mused, intrigued.

“How should I know?” the eunuch lamented.

“Let me go, or else you’ll choke me to death.”

……

Jinluan Hall.

The court meeting,

This meeting was solemn and grand.

Within Great Qin, any official of the fifth rank or above was gathered here.

The left and right were distinguished as civil and military officials.

Sitting on the Dragon Throne at the top was a man.

Clad in a Dragon Robe, he exuded a powerful and authoritative aura.

Just sitting there, he dominated the entire scene.

The man reclined lazily on the Dragon Throne, watching the bickering civil officials and military commanders below.

As if watching a bunch of clowns.

The civil officials advocated for peace, while the military commanders called for war.

“The Monster Race is now in decline, and we should seize the opportunity to conquer them,” a military commander said.

“General Cheng, don’t forget, besides us, Great Qin, there is still the Heavenly Court,” a civil official argued.