f him.When the two arrived at Shutai's courtyard, all the maids and servants who usually attended to her had been replaced by unfamiliar faces. Seeing them, they hurriedly bowed and paid their respect...獨孤雁攙著太後坐下來，“我這不是在誇她聰明，隻是希望太後不要因此責怪風雨夕，比起風淩兮，她並不遜色。”

"The Emperor certainly holds her in high regard, I wonder how much better I am than her."

The Empress Dowager let out a cold snort. "This Empress advises you not to waste your thoughts on Feng Lingxi anymore. This Du Gu Cheng holds fifty thousand troops in his hands and has already betrayed the empire by bringing small border countries into the fold. Let me advise you, if you still want this throne, get rid of him sooner rather than later, lest future trouble arise."

“Mother, I understand your concerns. With 500,000 soldiers in his hands now confined to Linxi County with no supply lines, how long can he hold on After I resolve the border conflicts with the small nations, by then, those 500,000 soldiers will likely be reduced to a mere handful without me lifting a finger. Besides, with your watchful eyes on him, there's nothing to fear.”

Just relax.

The Empress Dowager let out a furious snort, her voice dripping with satisfaction. She had chosen him to be the crown prince for precisely these reasons: his sharp intellect, his cunning mind, and his ruthless methods. It was these qualities that earned him the position of Prince.

獨孤雁朝著太後微微一笑，“有了母親在鎮守，皇上自然心寬。”

This joke is too funny, making me feel great. Taking this opportunity, Dugu Yan asked, "Mother Empress, even without the Zi Xing Great Yuan Dynasty, one could unify the world. Why must we spend so much effort looking for Zi Xing I heard that even if the Yao Clan artifact, Zi Xing, is obtained, it may not necessarily open the treasure."

The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes. "Your Majesty, what do you mean by that Could it be that you still have thoughts for Feng Lingxi and don't want this world"

獨孤雁 hurriedly stood up, "Mother Empress, I have no such intention. I just think it's not necessary to spend so much effort looking for this legendary Yaozu treasure."

"Fool."

"How dare you! You know how many people desire this treasure I have spent decades searching for it, finally finding the key, Zi Xing. You tell me it's unnecessary If you don't want to rule the world, I'll give the throne to the sixth brother!"

Du Gu Yan's face changed drastically, and she hurriedly apologized and soothed, "Mother, please calm down. I didn't mean that. I will listen to everything you say."

The Empress Dowager let out a cold snort, looking at Dugu Yan's obedient expression, and scolded angrily, "Your Majesty, I was the one who helped you ascend to this position, and I can also be the one to remove you from the dragon throne. Remember this, Your Majesty, it is because of me that you are able to sit on this throne."

Du Gu Yan's face was very ugly, she clenched her fists and respectfully replied, "My daughter understands, I will listen to my mother's arrangements."

Then the Empress Dowager's anger subsided somewhat, "If we let Dugu City get his hands on this treasure, not only could he seize the throne, but even if he wanted to rule the entire world, it would be as easy as turning his palm. Think carefully for yourself, is the country more important or that woman"

Du Gu Yan once again obediently spoke for a while before the Empress Dowager let him leave.

"Convey the empress dowager's order: Feng Yu Xi must be killed within half a month. If she fails, she is not to return."

The Empress Dowager, thinking of Dugu Yan's attitude, her eyes turned cold. "Send word to the Sixth Prince, and have him take advantage of the situation with Feng Yu Xi and join forces. This Empress does not care what means they use, they must kill Feng Ling Xi for me."

In Xincun County, Feng Lingxi sneezed and glanced out the window. The sky was overcast, about to rain. After a day of research, she was still short of her goal.

"My queen, why don't you rest for a while You've been busy all day."

Little Li carried in the lotus seed soup, seeing the Queen's weariness, she felt deeply distressed.

"Has the Lord returned"

After receiving news of her mother concubine, Ye Xi hadn't returned for several days. It was unknown how the investigation was progressing. Dugu City led troops to quell bandits; this was already the third day, and there was no word on when he would return. Now, she was in charge of the entire Linxi County. She had to research gunpowder while managing everything else. She was constantly busy.

"The Lord hasn't returned yet." Xiaoli walked over and took the gunpowder from the Queen's hand, saying with a worried expression, "Your Highness, can't you rest for a bit You've been busy all day. If you keep going like this, when the Lord returns, I shall be punished."

Feng Lingxi washed her hands and took the lotus seed soup she offered, drinking it down. "I know my own body best," she said. "Besides, I'm not busy. I feel unwell all over."

Xiaoli sighed helplessly, "Your Highness can't be like other princesses, always tinkering around. First it was making medicine, now it's gunpowder."

Feng Lingxi drank it all in one gulp, pushing the bowl aside. "Xiao Li, where's Third Sister"

Just like always, the Third Miss was wandering around aimlessly. She knew that the Crown Princess was busy and didn't come to ask me about her.

Feng Lingxi's eyes narrowed slightly, while Feng Yu Xi seemed to remain calm. She hadn't mentioned the assassin incident from that night, instead, she spent every day wandering around the city. Could it be that she was trying to familiarize herself with the terrain in preparation for a strike

Now that Dugu City is no longer in the city, she can't be careless and let her plot succeed.

"Xiao Li, have dinner with my elder sister and me."

Feng Lingxi finished giving the orders, then took the gunpowder and went out.

Feng Yu Xi learned that Feng Ling Xi invited her to have dinner together, so she returned early. Looking at the table of delicious dishes prepared by Feng Ling Xi, she was surprised, "Xi'er, did you make all this yourself"

Feng Lingxi responded, her gaze falling on Yu Xi's surprised eyes. She spoke softly, "I haven't had time to accompany you these past few days. Today, I cooked a few dishes myself for you. Please try them."

Feng Yu Xi picked up her chopsticks and hurriedly grabbed a piece of Dongpo pork and put it in her mouth. With a face full of praise, she said, "Xi'er, your cooking is really good. It's delicious."

"Sanjie, eat more."

Feng Lingxi smiled as she helped her pick up some dishes, watching her eat with gusto. She chuckled and asked, "Third Sister, have you found anything fun in the city these days"

Feng Yu Xi's expression stiffened slightly as she looked at the curiosity in her eyes. She put down her chopsticks and said, "Xi Er, there's really nothing to do in Lin Xi County. Can I go out of the city tomorrow to play for a while I'll take Xiao Rou with me, and I promise to be back before noon."

"This..."

Feng Ling Xi, as always, refused. The wind and rain grew heavier, and Yu Li pleaded desperately, "Ling Xi, I'm going crazy being cooped up here! Besides, the King isn't around. Just let me out for a bit, please! I promise I won't wander off and I'll be back quickly."

"Then be careful, and take a few guards with you when you go out."

"It's alright, I have Xiaorou with me, and anyway no one here knows me."

Feng Yu Xi Lian hurriedly refused the guards, Feng Ling Xi couldn't persuade her, so she agreed.

"Xier, have you finished making that gunpowder I see you holding that saltpeter every day." If she could really develop gunpowder, and take the recipe with her, she would be able to accomplish a great feat.

"It's not that easy, there's never a response."

As the wind and rain were falling, I saw her eyes dimmed. I hurriedly handed her a box and said, "These past few days, I found so many snakes, insects, rats, and ants around my room when I was sleeping. It's scorching hot this summer, and the weather is oppressive. You put this sulfur near your room to ward off snakes and keep venomous ones from sneaking in."g Lingxi calmly said, "Third Prince, don't worry. I only gave her a needle to make her sleep soundly."Dugu Yu looked at Feng Lingxi, "The matter of the Tian Shan snow lotus is probably not so easy to...