Qiao Zhaorong led Yu Xiyan to a private teahouse, until they entered a private room.

After confirming that no one was around, Qiao Zhaorong took the initiative to speak.

"Empress Da Yin, Consort Zhaorong greets you."

Yu Xiyan raised an eyebrow: "You know me?"

“Someone told me that I look exactly like the current Emperor of the Great Yin Dynasty. Seeing you today is like seeing another version of myself, so I naturally guessed your identity.”

"Could you tell me, what is your purpose in appearing in Chang'an?"

"Your Majesty, you can rest assured that I have no hostility towards you."

Seeing the wariness in Yu Xiyan's eyes, Qiao Zhaorong calmly poured her a cup of tea.

Yu Xiyan's pupils reflected a face that looked exactly like her own.

Qiao Zhaorong seemed oblivious and continued, "After a few days, I will leave Chang'an once I have finished dealing with some trivial matters, and I promise that I will never see His Majesty again in this life."

Yu Xiyan suddenly asked, "Your name is Qiao Zhaorong, and my name is Yu Xiyan."

Zhao corresponds to Chao, and Xi corresponds to Xi; together they mean morning and evening, and appearance.

Do you really think such coincidences exist in the world?

“Coincidences do happen, Your Majesty is overthinking it,” said Consort Qiao.

"But I never thought it was a coincidence."

Yu Xiyan stood up and said.

"Your name corresponds to my name, and your face is exactly the same as mine. Even if you and I stood together..."

It's highly unlikely that anyone would be able to tell who is who; the so-called coincidence might be intentional.

Let me guess, are you looking for an opportunity to replace me?

Consort Qiao took a sip of tea: "Your Majesty, I am not boasting, but if I truly intended to harm you, I wouldn't have waited until now."

For nearly a year, you've claimed to be in seclusion for cultivation, but in reality, you haven't been in Chang'an at all. As for where you went, I have no idea.

If I were to appear in your capacity during this time, does Your Majesty feel you could so easily regain control of the throne?

"So who exactly are you?"

Yu Xiyan's face was icy cold.

"How do you know my whereabouts?"

Qiao Zhaorong smiled and said, "Who I am is not important to you, because after today, I think there will be no more contact between us."

After speaking, she stood up and bowed to Yu Xiyan.

"Your Majesty, I have said my piece, so I shall take my leave now."

Yu Xiyan chuckled lightly: "You're in cahoots with Shen Zhao and the others, aren't you?"

Upon hearing this, Qiao Zhaorong's expression changed slightly.

"You know I'm investigating his whereabouts, so you deliberately appeared to obstruct me, right?"

Yu Xiyan got up and walked behind Qiao Zhaorong.

"Your tricks can't fool me. You lured me here and said a bunch of nonsensical things just to buy time for Liang Hao and the others to leave? Ha, low-level tactics."

Consort Qiao: "I don't understand what Your Majesty is saying."

"You can continue to hide it, but it doesn't matter to me, because your appearance has given me a bold idea."

"What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?"

Suddenly, Qiao Zhaorong felt a chill creep up from behind.

She instinctively reached for the embroidered ball hanging from her waist, but she was too late.

Yu Xiyan struck her on the back of the neck with a single palm strike, instantly knocking her unconscious.

Looking at Qiao Zhaorong lying in her arms, Yu Xiyan smiled slightly.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to do this either, but you are too much like me. During my absence from Chang'an, you will take my place and keep the city and its inhabitants at peace."

After speaking, Yu Xiyan directly activated the "Lost Dream Heart Sutra," channeling spiritual energy from her fingertips into Qiao Zhaorong's mind.

"Consort Qiao, from now on you are the stand-in for the Empress of Dayin. All your actions and decisions must be based on the Empress of Dayin's will."

"Do not resist, do not oppose. As long as you are loyal to me, I will not harm you. All you have to do is temporarily manage the Great Yin court for me."

"During my absence, you shall manage everything in Chang'an for me until I return. This is an order!"

In a daze, Qiao Zhaorong slowly opened her eyes and met Yu Xiyan's pretty face, which was very close to hers.

"Yes, Empress Da Yin, I am your substitute, your loyal substitute."

As she spoke, Qiao Zhaorong uncontrollably reached out and touched Yu Xiyan's cheek, her originally clear eyes now showing a hint of pink.

"presumptuous!"

Yu Xiyan flung Qiao Zhaorong's hand away, then delivered a horizontal slash, knocking her unconscious.

...

Meanwhile, Shen Zhao and Mu Qiuyao headed towards the Yaochi Holy Land.

Mu Qiuyao stared at Shen Zhaoxiao the whole way, but didn't say a word.

Halfway there, Shen Zhao couldn't hold back any longer: "Is there something on my face that you're staring at like that?"

Mu Qiuyao: "You're much prettier than a flower."

Then she leaned against him and said, "Zhao Zhao, don't you really want to go back and take one last look? I want to see how shocked Yu Xiyan will be when she sees us together, with that ugly face of hers."

"Could you please stop calling me that so mushy? It's giving me goosebumps." Shen Zhao was very unhappy with how Mu Qiuyao was addressed. "Also, Yu Xiyan has nothing to do with me, so could you please stop mentioning her all the time?"

Mu Qiuyao laughed and said, "But I just want to see that little brat get furious. Think about it."

In my past life, I stole her husband. If she knew the truth, what do you think she would do?

Shen Zhao sighed helplessly, "You're an old monster over a thousand years old, can you please stop being so childish?"

"Is it childish? I don't think so. I just think it's really interesting."

Mu Qiu directly rubbed his leg against Shen Zhao's body.

"After all, isn't the best way to enjoy happiness to see your mortal enemy suffer a setback?"

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