The new empress of this dynasty

A Qiu then opened the letter. In her mind, imperial edicts would always be hundreds or thousands of words long, with a clear structure and detailed analysis. But to her surprise, the letter from Xie Lang contained only a few words, yet it revealed a deep and familiar feeling between Gu Yi and him.

"Understood. Return immediately; there's something to discuss."

Holding the letter, A Qiu asked Lie Changkong, "Since Master cannot return, then I shall return to the capital to see His Majesty, shall I?"

Lie Changkong replied with his hands at his sides, "That's exactly right."

When A Qiu opened the other letter, she was extremely surprised. The envelope was addressed to "Dian Le Shi, in memory of Qiu Yu Zhan, respectfully sealed by Shangguan Yu Qi".

Although she held the title of Junior Tutor's Successor, she had no real power. Now, she was thousands of miles away and never expected that someone would write her a letter, especially since that person was Shangguan Yuqi, the head of the Eastern Palace Flying Phoenix Guard and the most virtuous lady of the Southern Dynasty's high-ranking families.

Shangguan Yuqi wrote more than Xie Lang. As A Qiu skimmed through it, her heart sank.

Seeing her troubled expression, Lie Changkong asked, "Has something major happened in the capital?"

As A Qiu put the letter away, he said, "His Majesty wants to establish an Empress."

It's likely that Xie Lang summoned Gu Yi back to the capital immediately to discuss this very matter.

Upon hearing this, Lie Changkong was shocked and remained speechless for a long time.

This was indeed something completely unexpected. Since Emperor Xie Lang ascended the throne, he had always regarded Consort Chen as the most important person in the inner palace and had never revealed any intention of establishing an empress. Crown Prince Xie Tiao's mother had already passed away and was posthumously honored as empress. Everyone said that this emperor had given his title to his first wife and his love to Consort Chen throughout his life, and could be considered a very affectionate emperor.

Unexpectedly, the times changed, and Xie Lang also planned to establish an empress.

Lie Changkong finally couldn't help but ask, "Whom does Your Majesty intend to make empress?"

This is a major event concerning the balance of political power in the court. If it is Lie Changkong's wish, or rather, the only choice that everyone expects, then it is naturally Consort Chen, Li Lanxiu. After all, for so many years, she has assisted Xie Lang in stabilizing the harem, and her gentle nature and virtue are evident to all. Moreover, she has always been the head of the inner palace.

A Qiu shook his head and said, "Miss Shangguan didn't mention it in her letter either. But I think it's not the person we're guessing."

The look of surprise in Lie Changkong's eyes deepened.

A Qiu said, "If it were Consort Chen, it wouldn't be considered a major change, but rather a natural progression. Miss Shangguan wouldn't need to write me a letter specifically to ask me to return."

Lie Changkong said in shock, "Not Consort Chen? Then..."

The emperor intends to disregard Consort Chen's merits and affection over the years and promote a new empress out of thin air. This alone is enough to shake the hearts of the people in the court and the country.

After all, Consort Chen, known as "Golden Goblet Under the Moon," was not only a consort but also the former leader of the Flying Phoenix Guard, "Crimson Ibis," a legend of the Dayan Dynasty. Among women of her generation, none surpassed her in prestige and ability throughout the entire court.

A Qiu and Lie Changkong stood silently facing each other amidst the water curtain.

Now that Pei Yuanli, the foremost military leader of the Southern Dynasty, has fallen, and Gu Yi has suffered an accident and can no longer govern, Xie Lang is planning to establish an empress at this moment. It is truly a time of impending storm and turmoil.

Bai Shi's anxious voice suddenly rang out from outside: "Chief Lie, Miss Xiao has brought the Hidden World Sect members outside the formation to say that we have trespassed into the Hidden World Sect's forbidden area. If we do not come out, she will break the formation and capture us."

Lie Changkong explained to A Qiu, "To prevent anyone from disturbing us, the painter Bai and Young Master Fusu set up a spirit-concealing array here. However, you have been here for too long, and it seems that you have still alerted Xiao Yu."

A Qiu tucked the letter into her bosom, her eyes brightening. She said, "You've come at the perfect time. I have something to ask her on behalf of Sect Leader Li."

Both Lie Changkong and Bai Shi, who had just entered, showed surprise and asked, "You actually met Sect Master Li?"

Xiao Yu stood gracefully atop the mountain in a green robe, his face as calm as still water. Behind him were dozens of disciples of the Hidden World Sect, each holding a sword and forming a battle formation.

Before the entrance to this "hidden paradise," clouds and mist swirled, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. If one were to sniff carefully, one could detect a faint, clear, and austere fragrance. Though it was just a wisp of scent, it added to the hidden spirit array set up by Bai Shi an aura of towering pines and rolling rocks, as well as layered mountains and steep cliffs, creating an atmosphere that was both precipitous and unapproachable.

"Little Mengchang" Meng Jue stood behind her, also looking worriedly into the valley. From his angle, he could only see misty clouds and a chilling atmosphere, the depths of which were unknown. He frowned and said, "Senior Sister, why has the forbidden area become so strange?"

Xiao Yu said in a deep voice, "This looks like a formation from the Zhuyou Sect. It was set up here just to block our view and prevent us from entering. It seems that the painter you hired at Tiangongfang has already joined forces with Shaoshi and the others."

Meng Jue said, "Since the young master said he would come to the forbidden area in three days, why did he secretly enter the valley ahead of schedule?"

Xiao Yu looked at the clouds in the valley and said in a deep voice, "Who is the Young Master? How could he let someone calculate his whereabouts so clearly? Besides, he doesn't trust me."

Meng Jue sighed, "Who would have thought that the one who came would be the renowned Young Master!" He then looked at Xiao Yu with worry and said, "The Sect Master was forced to enter the pass, and the Young Master of Chang'an impersonated you to go to the capital. With these two things combined, the Young Master will definitely not let us go."

Xiao Yu's face betrayed no emotion as he said, "He's barely able to protect himself right now, so what's the harm in not letting him go?"

Meng Jue couldn't hide his change in expression and said, "You mean the Young Master..."

Before he finished speaking, a sword light as white as snow shot straight at them, piercing right in front of them with a resounding whistling sound.

A Qiu's clear whistling echoed throughout the valley, reverberating across the mountain peaks and valley floor, rising and falling in an endless stream.

As Xiao Yu and Meng Jue's expressions changed simultaneously, they saw a figure leap down in front of them, and with a swift movement, the "Pine Pattern Cloud Hidden" sword was already pointed at Meng Jue's throat.

Ah Qiu said softly, "No matter what situation the young master is in, his successor will be the first to deal with you."

Meng Jue felt a chilling breath brush against his skin, and he was so frightened that his soul almost left his body. He was originally an outer disciple of the Hidden Sect, and his martial arts skills were not particularly high. However, being attacked so suddenly and directly to his vital points was an extreme danger he had never experienced before. Although he was usually clever and good at dealing with situations, he could not utter a single word at this moment.

A Qiu's clear, bright eyes swept over the people behind Xiao Yu. Several of them already knew that A Qiu was Gu Yi's successor and also knew about Gu Yi's relationship with Li Wujiu. However, without waiting for Xiao Yu's instructions, they stepped forward to pay their respects, cupping their fists and saying, "Greetings, Young Master's successor." In such a large sect, only these few people were dressed simply, yet their demeanor was pure and approachable. It was clear at a glance that they were disciples who cultivated in seclusion in the inner sect, and they truly had some of Li Wujiu's temperament.

A Qiu released Meng Jue, held the Moon Embroidery in front of her, and said without any emotion, "A Qiu is here on the orders of Master Gu Yi to ask Chief Xiao of the Hidden World Sect two questions."

In reality, Gu Yi was unconscious and unable to ask any questions. But A Qiu remembered that he had said that if Xiao Yu had any rebellious thoughts, he would take on the responsibility of cleaning up the sect in place of Li Wujiu. Now that Gu Yi was a cripple, A Qiu naturally had to do this in Gu Yi's place.

Despite having a sword pointed at him, Xiao Yu remained remarkably calm and said, "Please speak, young lady."

A Qiu stared at Xiao Yu without blinking and said, "If Sect Master Li is no longer alive and can no longer care about or concern himself with Chief Xiao's actions, has Chief Xiao considered returning to the Xiao family in the North?"

There was a deeper meaning in her words. Li Wujiu's current situation was like that of someone from another world. And he made it very clear to A Qiu that his personal feelings for Xiao Yu should never be mentioned again.

Therefore, if Xiao Yu stayed in the Hidden World Sect for Li Wujiu's sake, she could simply leave and return to her Lanling Xiao family. If that were the case, A Qiu might be able to let her go.

Others might not understand what A Qiu meant, but Xiao Yu's face suddenly turned deathly pale upon hearing her words.

Suddenly, the words Li Wujiu had said to her before he went into seclusion flashed before her eyes.

"Once I go in, I may not come out for a long time. Is there anything you want to say to me?"

She didn't dare ask how long "a long time" was. Five years? Ten years?

Even twenty years wouldn't matter. She could wait until her master emerged from seclusion, and then hand over a revitalized sect to him. That way, her master would understand that he hadn't misjudged her, and she could at least somewhat make up for her guilt.

She was unaware of the details of the life-or-death ordeal, only knowing that her master had probably exhausted too much of his true essence and internal energy in order to deal with Xiao Chang'an's questioning, and that he should be fine after a period of seclusion.

At that moment, she lowered her head and said, "This disciple will definitely manage the Hidden World Sect diligently and wait for you to emerge from seclusion."

Li Wujiu did not reply, his gaze fixed on the distant starry sky, seemingly wistful yet yearning.

At this moment, A Qiu's questioning also implied another meaning: since Li Wujiu was not present, there was no one to stand up for her. Given the relationship between Young Master Gu Yi and Li Wujiu, and A Qiu's status as the successor of the Heavenly Secret Token, it was possible to disband the Hidden World Sect and send her back to the Xiao family.

A voice came from somewhere in Xiao Yu's heart. She didn't even know if it was the voice in her own heart or the voice of her master.

Without a master, would your original aspiration still remain? Would you still be willing to embark on this path?

This was a question that Li Wujiu had never uttered aloud, yet which had been repeatedly hidden in his probing gaze.

A Qiu then used Li Wujiu's pine-patterned cloud to point to the group of disciples behind Xiao Yu, and said calmly, "The Hidden World Sect's purpose in this world is actually only one thing: to protect the successors of Ghost Valley. In addition, its cultivation is all about transcending the world. Before you enter its path, you must give up the desire for all worldly pleasures. Moreover, if you do not have the will to be nameless and desireless, and to willingly protect and help the successors of Ghost Valley, then you should not stay in the Hidden World Sect."

Among the disciples who had stepped forward to pay their respects to A Qiu, some nodded in agreement. Most of them were disciples that Li Wujiu had taken in during the chaos of the world before Xiao Yu went up the mountain. They lived a simple life in seclusion within the sect, just like their master Li Wujiu had lived, eating simple food and drinking simple water, growing their own food and eating their own food.

After Xiao Yu arrived, the Hidden World Sect underwent significant changes, but they observed these changes with the same indifference and composure as their master.

Seeing that Xiao Yu did not answer, A Qiu emphasized again and said, "Chief Xiao."

Aside from a few individuals, most of these people likely gathered under the Hidden Sect because of Xiao Yu's power and abilities. Therefore, Xiao Yu's statement is of great importance.

Xiao Yu bit her lip so hard it almost bled. In the end, she made a decision that surprised everyone.

She knelt before Li Wujiu's Pine-Patterned Cloud-Concealed Sword, her voice calm yet firm as she said, "Xiao Yu has failed Master's trust, both... harming Master and implicating the Young Master. Xiao Yu requests to be expelled from the sect and will never return to the mountain again."