"Your Majesty, the city defenses are tight. I went to several other courtyards, and they have not been discovered."
Xue Zining nodded. "Tell them not to act rashly. They are to await my command."
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I have already instructed them," Feng Jiu said.
"Is there any news of Li Chenxuan?"
Feng Jiu shook her head. "There is no news."
"No news is good news," Xue Zining said.
"Your Majesty, what do you plan to do next?" Feng Jiu asked.
"I want to see my corpse." Today she thought it was Anning who called her. She had gone to see Anning during her rest, and Anning said she had never called her.
Only just now did she realize it might be her own body calling out to her.
"Feng Jiu will accompany you," Feng Jiu said.
Suddenly, footsteps were heard from outside.
Xue Zining and Feng Jiu exchanged glances and then leaped up to hide on the rafters.
Xue Zining saw two men and one woman enter through the doorway. They casually found a place to sit down.
The woman spoke first, "I wonder why the person is looking for us?"
The older man looked at the woman and said, "Whatever it is, it's not our place to ask. Just help the Daoist complete what he needs to do. Don't interfere or ask too many questions about anything else."
"Senior Brother, don't worry, I won't be reckless. I definitely won't mess up your affairs."
Senior Brother nodded. "That's excellent."
The young man who had been silent spoke up. "But crossing souls goes against the natural order of heaven and reincarnation. Will doing this not invite heavenly punishment?"
"Second Senior Brother, if there were heavenly reincarnation, and Heaven had eyes, it wouldn't have allowed Master to be threatened by Fan Min. Heaven's ways are unjust."
Hearing his Junior Sister say this, the young man fell silent.
On the rafters, Xue Zining and Feng Jiu exchanged a look. Fan Min? Soul crossing.
This made her think that Xue Changan wanted to cross souls into her corpse.
While contemplating how to enter the imperial palace to see the corpse, she thought, isn't this coming to her without even trying?
Xue Zining signaled Feng Jiu, and they descended almost simultaneously. Before the three people below could react, Feng Jiu had knocked out the Junior Sister and Second Senior Brother.
The remaining Senior Brother, his expression stern, looked at Xue Zining and said coldly, "Who are you? What do you want?"
Feng Jiu placed a dagger against the Junior Sister's neck and said, "We don't want anything, we have a request for you."
Senior Brother sneered. "Is this how you ask for favors?"
Are they here for a laugh?
Xue Zining stepped forward. "Were you threatened by Fan Min to enter the palace to assist him in soul crossing?"
Senior Brother was taken aback, frowned, and said coldly, "Who are you? How do you know so much?"
Xue Zining shrugged. "You just told your Senior Brother and Junior Sister."
"To be eavesdroppers, truly disgraceful," Senior Brother said indignantly.
"The same to you. Soul crossing goes against heavenly ways, yet you still did it?" Xue Zining asked coldly.
Senior Brother faltered and said, "We... we were also forced. They captured Master and threatened us..."
"If that's the case, no one is without shame. You have indeed done something that goes against heavenly ways," Xue Zining said.
"Miss, what exactly do you want to do?" Senior Brother had also realized that this man and woman were not here to harm them or for personal gain, so they must have some ulterior motive.
Xue Zining walked forward. "We will follow you into the imperial palace."
Senior Brother, upon hearing this, said, "That's impossible."
"Why?" Xue Zining asked, raising an eyebrow.
Senior Brother said, "Fan Min will discover it. Then Master's life may be in danger."
"Feng Jiu," Xue Zining said, looking at Feng Jiu.
Feng Jiu nodded and fumbled around for a moment, producing two human skin masks.
In Senior Brother's astonishment, Xue Zining put on the mask.
Senior Brother's mouth fell open in surprise, and he took several steps back. If the unconscious Junior Sister wasn't lying on the ground, he would have thought the person in front of him was his Junior Sister.
"How... how is this possible?" Senior Brother was somewhat disbelieving. He had never seen such an exquisite and lifelike human skin mask before.
"How is it? Is this acceptable?" Xue Zining asked.
Feng Jiu also put on a human skin mask, looking exactly like his Second Senior Brother.
Senior Brother knew that if he refused today, he might not be able to leave this dilapidated temple. Moreover, his Junior Sister and Second Senior Brother were in their hands, so he had no choice but to agree.
"I can agree, but you must do as I say."
"Alright," Xue Zining said.
Senior Brother said, "Junior Sister Qiao Qiao, Second Senior Brother Bi Luo."
Xue Zining nodded and looked at Senior Brother. Senior Brother said, "Just call me Senior Brother."
Xue Zining nodded. "Senior Brother."
Senior Brother was stunned. Even his voice sounded similar now.
Senior Brother led her and Feng Jiu into the imperial palace. Someone guided them to a side hall.
This side hall was very secluded. Even when she was on the throne before, she had never been here.
In front of the side hall, heavy guards were stationed, clearly indicating that something important was inside.
Suddenly, her heart ached intensely, and Xue Zining clutched her chest.
Feng Jiu, standing beside her, quickly supported her and asked in a low voice, "How do you feel?"
Xue Zining shook her head. "I'm fine."
She could feel her corpse was here. "She" was calling out to her.
"Junior Sister is almost here," Senior Brother also sensed Xue Zining's abnormality and couldn't help but remind her.
Xue Zining knew Senior Brother was reminding her not to reveal any flaws.
"Senior Brother, don't worry, I know. I'm just a little curious about entering the imperial palace for the first time."
Senior Brother said indifferently, "Don't cause me any trouble when we enter." With that, he walked in first.
Xue Zining and Feng Jiu followed.
As soon as Xue Zining stepped inside, she felt a gaze fall upon her. She looked up and met familiar eyes.
She did not flinch, but simply looked at the owner of those eyes.
"Rong Bo from Dao An Temple pays his respects to the Empress with his Senior Brother and Junior Sister."
Senior Brother bowed and cupped his hands.
"Is this your Junior Sister? She's quite bold."
Senior Brother looked up and was almost scared out of his wits. Xue Zining stood there, not kneeling, nor performing any courtesies.
"Junior Sister, do not be rude," Senior Brother quickly admonished.
Xue Zining looked up at Xue Changan on the throne, then lowered her eyes and said, "Your Majesty, forgive me. This commoner was simply so captivated by Your Majesty's peerless beauty that I was momentarily stunned."
Xue Changan's interest was piqued. "Is that so? Rong Bo, I quite admire your Junior Sister."
Senior Brother, already drenched in cold sweat, said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your praise."
"You all know why you are here, I trust. We will need your assistance later," Xue Changan said.
"It is this commoner's honor, Your Majesty," Senior Brother quickly replied.
"The National Preceptor has arrived!" a voice called from outside.
Soon, an old man with a white mane and ruddy complexion walked in. Who else could it be but Fan Min?
"Rong Bo, you are here," Fan Min said.
"Greetings, Martial Uncle," Rong Bo bowed.
Xue Zining was surprised. Martial Uncle?
Rong Bo looked at her and said, "Junior Sister, come quickly and greet Martial Uncle."