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So he agreed.

Chu Zhen didn't say anything about it. When Tang Leyan appeared in front of him, he only said one sentence: "You won't fall asleep again, will you?"

Tang Leyan chuckled and pulled Xiao Di out from behind her: "I promise not, we have helpers tonight."

Xiao Di lowered his eyes, like a wooden figure.

Chu Zhen had witnessed Xiao Di's skills at the Meridian Gate, and he nodded noncommittally, saying, "External forces are secondary; it's best if you control yourself more."

Tang Leyan was stunned for a moment, still pondering his words, when the Grand Secretary had already turned and left without looking back.

Xiao Di, sword in hand, stood behind her: "Young master, is this the person you suspect?"

"Hmm, although his martial arts skills may not be that great, it's a pity that I always hear him staying up all night. Could he be a person who is hiding his true abilities?" She reached out and touched her chin, her eyes darting around, staring intently at the departing figure of the Grand Secretary. With a smile on her red lips and her eyes darting around, she had a cunning and charming demeanor.

Xiao Di saw this and a thought struck him. He was about to blurt out a sentence, but he swallowed it back abruptly.

※※※※※

The moon's shadow shifts.

Tang Leyan watched Chu Zhen's every move and felt that he was calm and composed, neither arrogant nor humble, and knew how to advance and retreat with propriety, which was quite like that of a minister.

Unfortunately, he lacked any of the demeanor of a martial arts master.

She was disheartened, thinking that if things continued like this, she would miss the beautiful sight of him staying up all night.

She is already teetering on the brink of collapse, yet the envoy from Mingzhou continues his incessant chatter.

He said, "Our Mingzhou is a land of outstanding people and talents, and there are many outstanding figures. I have heard that the legendary General Tianqi of your country seems to have blood from our Mingzhou."

Tang Leyan almost coughed up blood.

Chu Ge walked beside her, his narrow eyes sweeping over her.

Xiao Di, holding his sword, stepped forward gently.

Tang Leyan reached out and placed her hand on Xiao Di's shoulder, then shook her head slightly at him.

Chu Gexing lowered his head, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Chu Zhen, the Grand Secretary of the Military Affairs Department, snorted and put down his cup.

Tang Leyan turned her gaze over there.

Chu Zhen said calmly, "Is that so? I have never heard of such a statement before."

Han Haojun said to himself, "The outstanding scholars of Mingzhou are conducting in-depth research, and they will surely produce concrete evidence soon." He had a smug expression on his face.

Tang Leyan couldn't help but burst out laughing.

No matter how deep Chu Zhen's cunning was, he couldn't help but roll his eyes at this moment.

The envoy from Mingzhou brought a large number of people, reportedly more than two hundred, who were still at the embassy. This time, however, he only brought a dozen or so people to the Grand Secretary's residence.

Mingzhou was originally a small country located in the northeast of Shun. Its territory was small, but its people were very fierce.

I never expected them to be this fierce.

Han Haojun, probably tired of talking, finally stopped, took a sip of wine, and then smacked his lips, saying, "Thank you for your hospitality, General. Although tonight's meal is not as lavish as that of our Mingzhou Kingdom, however..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Tang Leyan said in a low voice, "Luckily, it wasn't too lavish, otherwise, the envoy would have eaten the table too."

The sound wasn't particularly loud, but it wasn't quiet either.

Upon hearing this, Chu Zhen glanced at the empty plates and dishes in front of Han Haojun and chuckled inwardly. Fortunately, Han Haojun was experienced and composed, so he covered his mouth with his hand and only coughed lightly.

Chu Gexing, who was standing next to her, understood what was going on and immediately looked at her face.

Tang Leyan turned her head to look in the other direction.

Han Haojun was not angry. Perhaps he had drunk too much and his mind was a little confused. He smiled and said, "Then this envoy will take his leave for now and will pay homage to your emperor tomorrow."

"No need to see me out." Chu Zhen stood up and clasped his hands in a fist salute.

The group of clowns gradually withdrew from the Grand Council and the Imperial Household Department.

Chu Gexing waved goodbye, but stopped beside Tang Leyan and whispered, "Tonight... don't sleep here with the Military Advisor again."

※※※※※

Tang Leyan: Stepmother has updated! Everyone, vote now!

Chu Ge Xing: Stepmother, hurry up!

Chu Ge Xing: ...

Tang Leyan kicked out: Hurry up and go!

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Entering the Palace

After leaving the Military Affairs Office, Tang Leyan instructed Xiao Di to return first, and then entered the palace alone.

Having received the emperor's decree, he naturally had to return and reply. Thinking that the emperor should be diligently governing and caring for the people in his study at this time, he went straight to the study.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they stepped onto the Imperial Street inside the palace, they saw two red lanterns approaching from afar.

The person carrying the lantern was carrying a small box behind them and walked very steadily.

Having spent so many days in the palace, she had learned some of the rules. Seeing the strange appearance of the lantern, Tang Leyan tilted her head to look at it as she walked forward.

The two eunuchs carrying lanterns didn't recognize her. Seeing that she was dressed in ordinary imperial guard uniform, they immediately snorted. One of them said, "What are you looking at? Hurry up and leave. Is this something for you lowly guards to see?"

Tang Leyan smiled, not annoyed, but instead asked, "Young eunuchs, what are you carrying?"

"Go away, go away, did you ask that question?" one of them said in a very rude manner.

Another glanced at Tang Leyan and saw her smiling face and beautiful appearance. He couldn't help but feel a stirring in his heart and lowered his voice to say, "This guard brother looks unfamiliar."

"Yes, I only recently entered the palace," Tang Leyan replied with a smile.

The young eunuch pursed his lips: "No wonder you have such a wild air about you... Don't ask about this, it's something the Emperor bestowed upon the harem."

Another person, seeing that he was being nosy, couldn't help but pull him back: "Why are you talking to this person? The Emperor will be going to Tinglan Palace soon, don't delay him."

"Okay, okay." The little eunuch agreed, then suddenly smiled, "What are you afraid of? Are you afraid that he will stop the emperor from visiting the harem like that newly appointed martial arts champion?"

The two of them chuckled and laughed for a while, then slowly walked away, carrying lanterns.

Tang Leyan stood there dumbfounded, gritting her teeth: "So he wanted to go find his concubines, you wicked emperor..."

His eyes darted around, and a wicked idea popped into his head. He quickened his pace and rushed towards the emperor's palace.

※※※※※

As soon as Tang Shaoxuan stepped into Tinglan Palace, a fragrant and delicate beauty came forward to greet him, bowing and saying, "Your Majesty, this concubine greets you."

"Rise." With a wave of his hand, he strode forward.

The beauty behind her raised her head, but the emperor was no longer in sight. She couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. She had put a lot of effort into dressing up after hearing that the emperor was coming that night, but she didn't expect that the emperor would not even look at her or help her up. All the bowing postures she had practiced thousands of times were wasted.

"Lady Xu, why aren't you going yet..." the accompanying eunuch whispered a reminder from behind.

Consort Xu then realized what was happening, her smile widening as she took small steps toward the emperor.

Tang Shaoxuan sat in Tinglan Palace, gazing at the graceful beauty beside him, and for some reason felt a little uneasy.

"Make me a cup of tea first," he said calmly.

The palace maid beside Consort Xu immediately agreed and quickly went out.

"Your Majesty..." the beautiful woman beside him spoke softly, her body moving as her delicate fragrance wafted over, captivating and alluring.

"Your Majesty has not visited my palace for quite some time. I thought Your Majesty had forgotten about me..."

When it comes to feminine charm and sweetness, if Consort Xu of the palace claims to be second, no one would dare to claim to be first.

Tang Shaoxuan smiled bitterly. After being spoken to so sweetly and coquettishly, coupled with her captivating actions, he couldn't help but be somewhat moved, being a man after all.

"I am busy with official duties," he said reluctantly, raising his eyes to look at the beauty beside him.

Xu Meisheng has a round, oval face, her eyes are always watery, and her cheeks are sometimes reddish from the powder she wears.

The emperor's heart skipped a beat: It's been so long since I've been here, to see such a beauty...

She looked shy and charming, her red lips like cherries moistened with water, making her extremely endearing.

A hint of spring was slowly rising in the emperor's heart, and he couldn't help but reach out and gently take her hand: "I have never..."

Before he could finish speaking, a commotion arose at the door: "This..."

"I have important business to discuss with the Emperor," the man said.

Upon hearing that cool voice, the emperor's initial spring-like mood instantly turned into a wave of cold water.

Even he himself didn't know why he was like this.

Consort Xu also felt her hands, which had just warmed up, suddenly turn cold, as the emperor's hand quickly withdrew from hers.

The accompanying eunuch, seeing that Consort Xu's methods were indeed superb and that the emperor was somewhat swayed, had just shown a hint of joy on his face. But when he heard this voice, he was startled and turned around to see the emperor quickly withdrawing his hand. His previously joyful face immediately turned ugly.

※※※※※

Tang Leyan rushed to the imperial study, but the emperor was not there.

They rushed to the emperor's bedroom again, but he was still not there.

Although she had been in the palace for a few days, she had not actually walked around the inner palace, so she was not very clear about the residences of the other concubines.

However, in her anger, she was determined to find the emperor. So she captured a palace guard and used the "emergency" as leverage to blackmail him. Finally, after many twists and turns, she found Tinglan Palace.

Before the person even entered the door, a sweet, delicate voice could be heard.

Then the man said, "I am busy with official duties, how could I..."

A surge of anger rose within him, just as the eunuch at the door asked, "Who goes there?"

Tang Leyan snorted twice, then raised her voice and said, "Leyan, the Imperial Guard, has important business to discuss with His Majesty the Emperor!"

Chapter Forty: Stopping the Emperor

After much persuasion, the emperor finally chose her, and tonight he will grace Tinglan Palace with his presence.

It seemed like a good thing was about to happen, but unexpectedly, this "royal swordsman" suddenly interfered again.

The accompanying eunuch looked at the emperor's face, which had instantly calmed down, and felt a surge of hatred.

"Guards! Block the palace gates!" Before the emperor could speak, the accompanying eunuch stepped forward and said coldly, "His Majesty is not seeing anyone at the moment. Whatever it is, we can talk about it tomorrow."