My Wife Turns Out to be an Empress of the Dynasty

"Brother, I came across something peculiar in an ancient text regarding the Yin God Palace..."

Zhongren spoke to Gu Lan upon his return to the residence on Dongzhi Street.

Although Gu Lan had mentioned earlier that Yunlong had informed him of everything regarding the Yin God Palace, Zhongren still felt it necessary to mention it to Gu Lan.

"Oh?" Gu Lan raised a curious eyebrow.

He knew his younger brother's talent, so bringing it up separately might imply that there were aspects of the Yin God Palace that Yunlong might have overlooked.

"The ancient text records that the master of the Yin God Palace possesses endless longevity, enduring for countless millennia until now, but how could this be possible within our mortal realm?" Zhongren furrowed his brow.

"I refuse to believe in some immortal cultivator with endless longevity. No matter how high their cultivation level, eternal life is simply impossible," he continued.

"And although the strength of the master of the Yin God Palace is shrouded in mystery, I find it unlikely that they could surpass you, brother. How could their longevity be endless?"

Gu Lan also raised an eyebrow slightly, a notion not mentioned by Yunlong.

However, given Daoist Yunlong's astute methods, even he must face the limits of life and death.

Why would the master of the Yin God Palace dare to claim endless longevity?

Unless their cultivation had transcended the Six Realms and reached the realm of the heavens, only then could they be on par with the heavens, immortal.

But Gu Lan doubted the existence of such a cultivator in the mortal realm...

Otherwise, why would they remain so reclusive?

They would have long unified the world!

Endless longevity is merely a legend, and whether anyone can achieve it is debatable.

Throughout history, even the most exceptional individuals could not escape death; it is the fate of all beings.

Yunlong didn't mention it, probably because he didn't believe it at all, right?

No matter how mysterious the Yin God Palace may be, it cannot reach such a level.

But since the Tianji Pavilion's ancient texts record this, there must be something peculiar about it!

Anything, even if it's just a groundless rumor, cannot be without some truth.

Gu Lan took note of this and resolved to investigate further upon encountering the master of the Yin God Palace in the future, to understand what exactly was going on.

...

In the blink of an eye, it was morning.

Gu Lan hurried to the palace.

The road was clear, and no one would dare trouble him, the newly appointed prince.

"Oh? Madam is not here?"

Inside the Hall of Nurturing Harmony, there was no one to be seen.

Gu Lan frowned slightly and inquired with a palace maid, only to learn that Madam Mu Yuyan was attending the morning court in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

With some spare time, he recorded recent events and future plans on paper... Once settled, it was time to jot down some diary entries.

"On the twenty-third day of the twelfth month, clear skies. Subdued the Misty Rain Building's assassination organization, displaying both grace and might. They are now under my employ. In the future, they can be utilized for assassinations and intelligence gathering... However, Li Xiong's cultivation is too low; currently, he can only serve as a scout."

"Gathered information from the Tianji Pavilion about the Yin God Palace. The master of the Yin God Palace is indeed peculiar, of indeterminate gender, and appears to be an ancient monster... There seem to be quite a few ancient monsters lately."

"Next, I must visit Dark Ridge and find the whereabouts of the Abyssal Clan. It's better to subdue them beforehand, as they will likely become subordinates of the protagonist in the future!"

"Madam's cultivation and energy have been advancing rapidly lately. I must intensify my own training, or I might find it difficult to keep up..."

"Well, that's all for now!"

Gu Lan focused intently, contemplating future plans, including how to subdue the Abyssal Clan and how to utilize them afterward.

Only when he felt a bit weary from thinking did he allow the palace maid to bring some refreshments?

...

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Mu Yuyan sat on the dragon throne, adorned in a golden imperial robe, radiating authority without anger.

Courtiers lined both sides of the hall, with Great Chancellor Sima at the forefront of the civil officials, while General Wu Fan of the military was conspicuously absent.

"I have matters to address; those with none may depart," Mu Yuyan's tone was indifferent, starkly different from her demeanor with Gu Lan, her voice exuding imperial majesty.

"Your Majesty, I have a matter to report!"

A seventh-rank imperial censor among the civil officials stepped forward.

Imperial censors, also known as censors, had the authority to report on matters they heard of.

If the reports were true, they would be rewarded; if false, there would be no consequences.

Therefore, although their rank was low, they held considerable pride and did not yield to anyone's face.

"Proceed," Mu Yuyan granted.

"The newly appointed Prince Jingyang, Gu Lan, has spent multiple nights in the Hall of Nurturing Harmony, disrupting court norms. I humbly request the revocation of his title and punishment!"

Mu Yuyan furrowed her brow, her gaze icy as she looked at the imperial censor. With a slight pause, she smiled, "Besides you, does anyone else share this sentiment?"

Sensing her suppressed anger, many officials remained silent.

Even if they shared the same thoughts, they dared not speak up.

"Humph!"

Seeing no one dared to respond, Mu Yuyan snorted coldly, "The court provides ample salaries to support so many censors, not for monitoring me, but to oversee officials and empathize with the people!"

"Such trivial matters need not be reported again, wasting the time of the courtiers!"

The imperial censor was somewhat disgruntled, his face full of loyalty and righteousness, "Your Majesty, this matter is improper according to protocol; protocol should not be discarded!"

However, ...

Mu Yuyan had no intention of dwelling on such trivial matters with him.

Having Gu accompany her into the palace was a hard-won arrangement, how could she abandon it because of a mere imperial censor?

"Dismissed!"

Her tone grew colder, and the imperial censor, being ignored, had no choice but to return to his position, disgruntled.

Prince Jingyang was in favor, and even if he was dissatisfied, he had no recourse.

There were even rumors that Her Majesty already bore his child...

This made those lower-ranking officials who admired Mu Yuyan's beauty day in and day out envy her to madness!

"Is General Wu Fan still convalescing?"

Mu Yuyan scanned the hall, looking at where Wu Fan should have been standing, her tone unreadable.

The courtiers' memorials were filled with uncertainty, especially Sima Qin, who felt a stirring in his heart. He had a premonition...

Her Majesty was probably going to act against Wu Fan!

However, ...

He did not know how Her Majesty had found out...

Sure enough!

The next moment, Liu Yexi stepped forward to report, "According to the investigations of the Imperial Announcements Bureau, General Wu Fan is not ill; rather, he feigned illness at home and dared not attend court, suspecting him of deceiving the monarch!"

"Oh? Why the reluctance?" Mu Yuyan responded lightly.

The courtiers all knew that perhaps Liu Yexi and Mu Yuyan were acting in concert.

Outside the grand hall, a young eunuch clenched his teeth and quietly left, finding an excuse for feeling unwell, unnoticed by anyone.

Inside the Golden Hall!

Liu Yexi continued, "Because the Imperial Announcements Bureau found that when General Wu Fan was in power, he embezzled and oppressed the people, even... attempting to bribe courtiers and raise private armies, akin to treason!"

"Ah!"

A commotion stirred among the courtiers, thankfully they knew better than to cause a disturbance in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the seat of political discussion.

But the shock in their eyes was palpable!

Sima Qin's gaze sharpened as he discreetly glanced at Mu Yuyan, silently nodding to himself.

"Is Your Majesty truly preparing to act against the faction of General Wu Fan..."

He had long known that Mu Yuyan would never tolerate Wu Fan, but he hadn't expected her to move so swiftly.

Many ministers' faces turned pale, revealing a hint of fear.

One of the charges mentioned by the Imperial Announcements Bureau against Wu Fan was the bribery of courtiers!

Many among them were the ones who had been bribed!

After all, during Mu Yuyan's seclusion in the palace some time ago, Wu Fan wielded immense power, and few could resist his solicitations.
Stay tuned to empire

Mu Yuyan's eyes were icy, her tone even colder, "This is intolerable. Liu Yexi, I command you to lead the secret guards of the Imperial Announcements Bureau and immediately arrest Wu Fan for questioning. You must thoroughly investigate this matter and find out who dares to conspire and commit such treasonous acts!"

"Yes!" Liu Yexi promptly bowed and accepted the command, leading his men to apprehend Wu Fan.

"You may all depart!"

Mu Yuyan had no intention of continuing the charade with the courtiers, leaving many trembling in her wake.