Chapter 369 - 134: Returning a Favor for a Favor, What Does He Plan to Do? An Inexplicable Enjoyment

"Yes, Your Majesty."

An attendant standing by her side heard the command and respectfully departed, her figure quickly vanishing from the grand hall.

Emperor Xia was very confident in Xia Zhu’s abilities. She could conceal her presence even under the very nose of an expert like Jiang Ruxian.

"Spring Orchid, what’s the status of the investigation into the Yijian Palace disciple, Zhang Yuan?" she asked, suddenly remembering the matter.

"Your Majesty, we have some leads," Spring Orchid reported respectfully. "Zhang Yuan is rather reclusive and keeps to himself. His talent is average. He joined Yijian Palace ten years ago and his performance was unremarkable. He only recently began to distinguish himself, and it’s suspected that he received an inheritance from some powerful expert..."

Emperor Xia’s brow furrowed slightly.

The Exotic Stone, which was related to the Ancient Emperor, had also been purchased by that same Yijian Palace disciple at the auction.

’Not only did he produce a Life-extending Divine Object, but he also dared to offend Jiang Lan to his face. And at the Desire Immortal Pavilion, he was astounding in battle, defeating the disciple from the Red Bright Ancient Sect with absolute power.’

’And upon entering Qianyuan Prefecture this time, it seems he was the first to discover that Heaven and Earth Wonder as well...’

Emperor Xia had always been a ruler who valued merit and was skilled at appointing the right person for the job.

As long as those young Celestial Prides had clean backgrounds and clear origins, she never hesitated to bestow resources and treasures to nurture their growth.

For example, the Royal Family’s Soaring Dragon Academy was full of young Celestial Prides she held in high regard. Once they matured, she was certain they would become pillars of Great Xia.

It wasn’t that she was merely curious and wanted to probe the secrets of the Yijian Palace disciple.

She simply couldn’t fathom why he would use a precious Life-extending Divine Object to snatch the Exotic Stone from Jiang Lan, only to immediately turn around and give it to a mysterious woman who had appeared so fleetingly that even she had failed to investigate her origins.

Wouldn’t such an act make a mortal enemy of Jiang Lan?

What gave an ordinary disciple of Yijian Palace such confidence and backing?

This matter had been weighing on Emperor Xia’s mind. She even felt that she might have missed out on something of great importance to her.

’It’s as if a dense fog I cannot see through shrouds everything. The more I try to investigate, the thicker it becomes.’

Emperor Xia rubbed her temples, feeling a headache and a wave of fatigue.

"Your Majesty, perhaps we should find an opportunity to ask Young Master Jiang about this."

"I believe Young Master Jiang must know a thing or two about the Prime Minister’s Mansion. If he were to help you from the shadows, your burden would surely be lightened..."

Seeing Emperor Xia in this state, Spring Orchid, who stood to the side, spoke with a touch of sympathy.

In the vast Great Xia Dynasty, almost every single matter had to pass through Emperor Xia’s hands. It could be said that the entire weight rested on her shoulders alone.

The various Vassal Princes and Commandery Princes, along with the elders among the Royal Clan Relatives, were all troublesome figures.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Xia glanced at Spring Orchid. "What’s this? You suddenly sound as if you know Jiang Lan quite well?"

"Perhaps I should gift you to him as a handmaiden?"

Spring Orchid froze, her face flushing crimson. She hastily waved her hands and said, "Your Majesty, I only meant that Young Master Jiang might be able to help you."

"Haven’t you noticed? The Prime Minister hasn’t been challenging you in court recently. In the past, that would have been unimaginable."

"Are you saying it’s actually Jiang Lan persuading the Prime Minister not to make things difficult for me?" Emperor Xia looked at her, her expression unreadable, but the slender hand holding the court memorial tightened its grip.

Spring Orchid said in a panic, "I was merely speculating, Your Majesty... I did not mean to anger you..."

Emperor Xia took a deep breath and said calmly, "That old bastard, Jiang Lintian... He took advantage of my youth, humiliating and refuting me in open court, in front of all the ministers, time and time again."

"You’re not wrong, Spring Orchid. His attitude has indeed softened considerably of late. In court, he has shown me sufficient respect."

"But as long as the Prime Minister’s Mansion stands, Great Xia will never know a day of true peace. If imperial authority is not firmly in my hands, then Great Xia might as well change its name to Jiang..."

In truth, she understood what Spring Orchid was implying.

But to her, such words were nothing but grating and humiliating.

No sovereign would willingly be threatened by a subject, much less be forced to act according to their whims.

She was patient, but that didn’t mean she lacked a temper. If anyone else had spoken such words to her, they would have already been dragged away for punishment.

"I was wrong..." Spring Orchid’s face was still fraught with panic as she inwardly berated herself.

Emperor Xia regained her composure and shook her head. "Jiang Lan’s position may differ from that of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, but his identity is immutable. He is the future heir to the Prime Minister’s Mansion, and he is Jiang Lintian’s son."

"If the day comes when Jiang Lintian and I have a complete falling out, what do you suppose he will do?"

Spring Orchid was stunned into silence, unable to answer.

A flurry of thoughts raced through Emperor Xia’s mind. She thought of Jiang Ruxian and Jiang Lan—wasn’t their relationship just like the scenario she had described?

’Jiang Lan would never betray the Prime Minister’s Mansion.’

For a moment, the grand hall fell silent.

Emperor Xia resumed reading through the memorials, making sure to review and approve every last one.

An hour later, Xia Zhu, who had gone to investigate the Blood Immortal Sect’s stronghold, returned.

Emperor Xia was a little surprised. ’So soon?’

"What did you find?" she asked casually.

Xia Zhu respectfully produced a Memory Stone from her robes and handed it to Emperor Xia.

Emperor Xia accepted it and probed it with her Divine Sense. She quickly scanned the scenes within. Her elegant brows knitted together, her expression turning grave as a clear flash of anger flickered in her eyes.