"Greetings, Mother Empress."

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Upon receiving the news, the Empress, who was extremely excited, had just returned to the palace when she saw Zhan Wuxin and a handsome woman who looked to be about twenty years old and was dressed in court attire walk in.

This woman is none other than Shangguan Mingxue, the youngest and most promising prime minister in the history of the Wuya Dynasty.

She reached the Heavenly Profound Realm at the age of no more than fifty, and was proficient in both literature and martial arts, as well as the way to assist the country.

Over the years, the Wuya Dynasty has been able to stand firm despite the relentless pressure from the Bujiang Dynasty, and she deserves much credit for this.

"No need for formalities, Prime Minister. Do you have something important to say to the palace?"

Upon seeing Shangguan Mingxue, the Empress's joy instantly subsided, and she asked with a solemn expression.

"That's right, the spies from the Bujiang Dynasty have sent back a message."

Shangguan Mingxue and Zhan Wuxin exchanged a glance, then cupped their hands and said, "A royal-level secret palace has appeared in the Bujiang Dynasty, and the Third Princess has also been taken there."

"What!"

Upon hearing this, the Empress immediately sat up straight and asked somewhat urgently, "The secret realm has opened, why are they taking Shuang'er there? She's just an ordinary person with no cultivation!"

"This is precisely where our doubts lie. We have heard that this entry into the secret palace is being led personally by Shen Xiong, the ever-victorious general of the Bujiang Dynasty, indicating that it is being taken very seriously."

Shangguan Mingxue frowned slightly and said, "I suspect that something in this secret chamber may be related to the Third Princess. It is also because Bu Jiang has been waiting for the secret chamber to open, which is why he has been holding back from launching a military campaign against our dynasty."

“The Prime Minister is absolutely right. In this way, all the anomalies can be explained. Otherwise, when they were selecting a hostage, they should have chosen one of my eldest sister or me, but they chose the least valuable third sister.”

Zhan Wuxin nodded in agreement and nervously clasped his hands in a fist salute to the Empress, saying, "Mother, Empress Bu Jiang is a wolf in sheep's clothing. They are definitely up to no good by taking Shuang'er to the secret palace. We must send people over to protect her immediately."

"The Jiang Dynasty is simply going too far!"

The Empress was also filled with uncontrollable rage. She clenched her fists and said, "Immediately send ten... no, twenty secret guards to infiltrate the secret palace. The key is to find Shuang'er's whereabouts and protect her!"

"Your Majesty is wise."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Mingxue and Zhan Wuxin exchanged a glance, both showing delight.

Shangguan Mingxue sighed inwardly, realizing that the current emperor was indeed different from other rulers, valuing affection and benevolence, which was why she was willing to follow him.

"By the way, Shuang'er, I ordered you to send secret guards to Houji Mountain to investigate the situation. What was the result?"

Speaking of the secret guards, the Empress suddenly remembered that six or seven days had passed since the incident, so why hadn't any news come back yet?

At the same time, the Empress also understood why Bailisyu had entered the territory, but their Wuya Dynasty had not received a warning from the Bujiang Dynasty. It was likely that the other party was now focusing all its attention on the Secret Palace.

"this…"

Upon hearing the Empress's words, Zhan Wuxin was taken aback, and then said with a strange expression, "Mother, I almost forgot about this. They haven't returned yet..."

Could it be...?

Upon hearing this, the Empress and the others' expressions changed. Could it be that all twelve secret guards had been wiped out and lost to the enemy?

"Bang bang bang..."

Just then, several heavy thuds were heard outside the hall.

"An assassin!"