Smiling at Feng Xiyan and Gui Ying, Bai Hanyun added, "If those war prisoners can be converted into my believers, then by saving them, I will naturally gain a great deal of merit. After all, saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda."
After listening to what she said, Gui Ying nodded in agreement. "Fairy Bai is wise."
Sensing something in his tone, Bai Hanyun narrowed her eyes and warned, "Gui Ying, don’t even think about stealing my merit. Otherwise, I won’t consider you my friend anymore."
When Gui Ying heard her call him a friend, he froze for a moment.
Then, regaining his composure, he smiled and lazily said, "Don’t worry. This young master won’t steal your merit anymore. What you gave me before is already enough to help this young master treat my grandfather."
Satisfied with his answer, Bai Hanyun turned to Feng Xiyan. "Now, let’s discuss the details."
While the three of them were planning how to trick the war prisoners, news reached Wen Kang and the Empress Dowager Wen that Feng Xiyan had captured Jin Cen, Jin Yan, and Shi Yixi.
In the tranquility of the Imperial Palace of the Yu Empire, a young palace maidservant walked hurriedly, glancing around from time to time.
As she approached the main gate of Yong Ping Palace, she was stopped by imperial guards on patrol.
Startled by the captain’s powerful voice, the palace maidservant quickly turned around and bowed slightly.
Noticing her darting eyes, the captain narrowed his gaze and asked, "Which palace are you from? Why are you acting so sneaky?"
Being questioned, the palace maidservant hurriedly took her identity token and presented it to the captain.
"Sir, this servant works in the Yong Ping Palace. I was carrying out a task assigned by the Empress Dowager Wen, and I am now returning to report back."
Glancing at the identity token and seeing three words, "Yong Ping Palace", carved upon it, the captain said, "Alright, you may go. Next time, walk properly. Don’t act so suspiciously."
The palace maidservant quickly put away the identity token, bowed lower, and replied, "Thank you for the reminder, Sir."
Satisfied with her answer, the captain turned to his men and ordered, "Let’s go."
Once the imperial guards left, the palace maidservant straightened her back and let out a sigh of relief. Seeing the darkening sky, she whispered anxiously, "Oh no! I must hurry!"
She passed through the main entrance of Yong Ping Palace and quickened her pace. If not for the rule forbidding anyone from running inside the imperial palace, she would already have been sprinting.
After walking through long, ornate corridors and vast gardens, the palace maidservant finally arrived at the main hall.
Stopping outside, she wiped her sweat with a handkerchief, tidied her appearance, and took a few deep breaths to steady herself. Then, with her hands folded in front of her waist, she walked calmly toward the main hall.
Bowing to the two young eunuchs standing guard on the entrance, the palace maidservant said, "Gong Gong, please inform the Empress Dowager Wen that this servant brings a letter from her uncle."
One eunuch gave a curt nod and said, "Wait here." The most update n0vels are published on nοvelfire.net
"Thank you, Gong Gong."
Casting her another glance, the young eunuch walked into the main hall, his posture slightly bent. At the bead curtains separating the main hall, he knelt and softly said, "This lowly servant greets the Empress Dowager."
Behind the bead curtains, two palace maidservants were massaging Wen Qiaolun’s shoulders and legs.
Reclining on a luohan bed, Wen Qiaolun asked without opening her eyes, her voice languid yet carrying the weight of command, "What is it?"
"Empress Dowager, a palace maid claims to bring a letter from your uncle," the eunuch replied, head lowered, not daring to look at the figure beyond the curtain.
At his words, Wen Qiaolun’s eyes snapped open. Raising her hand, she signaled the two palace maidservants to step aside.
With her personal maid’s support, she sat upright and ordered, her calm voice edged with urgency, "Let her in."
"Yes, Empress Dowager."
Moments later, the young palace maidservant entered with her head bowed.
Kneeling on the cold floor, she presented a letter with both hands. "Empress Dowager, my master sends this letter and says only you may read it."
Wen Qiaolun exchanged a glance with her senior maidservant, who stepped forward, received the letter, and passed it to her mistress.
Unfolding it, Wen Qiaolun read quickly. Before long, her grip tightened, and she cursed through clenched teeth, "A bunch of useless trash! They can’t even accomplish something so simple!"
As her breath grew heavy with anger, the senior maidservant hurriedly poured her a cup of tea and said, "Empress Dowager, please calm yourself. Don’t damage your health with anger."
Wen Qiaolun accepted the teacup, sipped slowly, and regained her composure. Handing back the empty teacup to the senior maidservant, she coldly asked, "Did your master say anything else?"
"My master has words for the Empress Dowager," the palace maidservant replied steadily.
"My master said, if the Empress Dowager and Prime Minister Wen fail to fulfill their promise, he will end the cooperation and act on his own."
When she heard this, a faint, cold smile curved Wen Qiaolun’s lips as the letter crumpled in her tightening grip.
After several deep breaths, she forced herself to calm down and said, "Tell your master this empress dowager will honor our part of the deal. He need not question me again. Before the deadline, all shall be completed. Let him remember who he is dealing with."
Waving her hand, Wen Qiaolun coldly ordered, "You may leave."
At her words, the palace maidservant bowed and withdrew from Yong Ping Palace.
After reaching an abandoned palace, the palace maidservant checked her surroundings. When she was sure that nobody was following her, she peeled off the human-skin mask and quickly changed her clothes.
Within minutes, the frail young maidservant had transformed into a tall, slender man in black clothes. Putting on a half-mask on his face, he circulated his internal energy and then activated his lightness skill.
A second later, the masked man’s figure vanished, leaving only a drifting cloud of dust in the air behind.