November 15th, before the Magic Ceremony of the Heavenly Giant Statue comnced.
Beneath the Imperial City, in one of the palace halls of the underground palace, Qing Yu and Feng Jiwu stood watching a golden pillar of light soaring skywards.
"In the court, the Hundred Officials, as well as the common populace who oppose , think that the Heavenly Giant Statue is but a wasteful project. Those loyal to believe in my good intentions; they think I am rely misguided by your Demon Path," Feng Jiwu suddenly chuckled.
"The Heavenly Giant Statue indeed serves , suppressing the Dragon Vein is rely a side effect. Their worries are not unfounded. However, this is not a project that squanders resources..."
Qing Yu slightly narrowed his eyes as he observed the golden pillar, within which a dragon seed intermittently visible.
This pillar was more gigantic and imposing than the previous three pillars, but amidst the golden aura, strands of black qi were wrapped around it.
"Feng Tianming and nine princes all died tragic deaths, their bones filled with resentful energy that is hard to dispel. Using them as suppression objects inevitably taints the Dragon Vein with malicious qi, affecting the country’s fate and the Nine Dragon Sky Array. Therefore, a powerful object is needed to suppress and purify the malicious qi."
Not far in front of Qing Yu and Feng Jiwu were ten sacrificial tripods—one large and nine small. These ten tripods contained the remains of Feng Tianming and the nine princes.
The nine smaller tripods were symtrically positioned around the largest tripod in a circular formation, centering around it as if they were worshipping the large tripod that held Feng Tianming’s remains.
In fact, that was exactly what they were doing. Drawing upon the essence of the Nirvana Ceremony’s Array formation, Qing Yu arranged the nine smaller tripods in the pattern of ’Nine Phoenixes Facing the Sun’, enhancing the effect of the suppression objects.
Otherwise, with Feng Tianming’s spent body, there wouldn’t be much suppressing force to offer. Moreover, this move killed two birds with one stone. Since Feng Tianming couldn’t enjoy ’Nine Phoenixes Facing the Sun’ in life, let him savor it in death as a form of respect for the forr emperor.
At that mont, the golden pillar fluctuated as if a heavy weight was pressing down on it, making the pillar appear much more solid.
"It’s done. It has resonated with the Heavenly Giant Statue; the Array Plate is now complete," Qing Yu closed his eyes and sensed for a mont, then declared.
"That’s good," Feng Jiwu revealed a smile, "Those traitorous officials think that the completion ceremony of the Heavenly Giant Statue is in two hours. They do not know that the Statue is already complete, requiring no ceremony. This is a perfect chance to capture all those traitors at once."
"Yes, a perfect opportunity to cleanse thoroughly, especially those sneaking around behind the scenes," Qing Yu’s eyes flashed with a cold fierceness.
People like the Imperial Censor Lan Feihong and the Physician of Guanglu Temple Liu Maoxing were actually trivial; Qing Yu and Feng Jiwu had long since thoroughly investigated everything about them.
Qing Yu’s real targets were those hidden behind these obvious scapegoats. Northern Zhou had long been seen by Qing Yu as his own backyard, and too many weeds in this garden was simply unacceptable.
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In Qianqing Palace.
Empress Si Qingwei, dressed in a loose floor-length dress, was lounging on a recliner, chatting with Feng Chuhuan.
"Sister Qingwei, has the baby kicked your belly?" Feng Chuhuan asked curiously.
"It’s only two months; how could it kick my belly?" Si Qingwei smiled and scolded.
At this mont, Si Qingwei, compared to so ti ago, seed less lancholic and more cheerful, even her complexion appeared much rosier.
Since completely opening up to Feng Jiwu previously, the Empress of Northern Zhou had thoroughly let go of the past and begun a new life.
"Han’er, from now on... you should call your sister-in-law," Si Qingwei said shyly.
The change in how she addressed herself signified Si Qingwei’s complete acceptance of her current status, resolving to henceforth live as Feng Jiwu’s wife and face the public as such.
Feng Chuhuan was also aware of the implication behind this address, she hesitated slightly but eventually called out, "Sister-in-law."
"Mhm." Si Qingwei’s smiling face blood with happiness.
Just then, a palace maid ca to report, "Empress, Princess, the Empress Dowager has sent over a tonic for nurturing the fetus, saying it’s for the Empress’s pregnancy."
"The Empress Dowager?" Si Qingwei furrowed her brows. She still rembered, Feng Jiwu had repeatedly warned her before, that the Empress Dowager might harbor ill intentions towards her, and to be extrely cautious.
However, it was not appropriate to outright reject the Empress Dowager’s envoy for no good reason.
At that mont, Si Qingwei could only say, "Let her in."
"Yes." The palace maid obeyed and went.
"Qingwei... Sister-in-law, the soup from the Empress Dowager shouldn’t be taken lightly," Feng Chuhuan said worriedly.
These days, she had heard from Feng Mingxiao, now the Great Princess, that the Empress Dowager was not a simple woman. The Empress Dowager, who had once outmaneuvered nurous concubines and suppressed Concubine Si, did not rely solely on her position as Empress.
Her scheming and tactics were her real assets.
"Don’t worry, Han’er, I won’t drink it," Si Qingwei said, smiling as she grabbed Feng Chuhuan’s hand.
Actually, she was also a bit uneasy inside, but seeing Feng Chuhuan reminding her, she was pleased. It showed that Feng Chuhuan had cast aside her hatred for her husband.
At least, she had not lost her senses to harm an unborn child.
At that mont, the palace maid sent by the Empress Dowager, holding a basket, ca into the hall and bowed, "Greetings, Empress!"
"Mm, you may dispense with the formalities," Si Qingwei said lightly lifting her hand, "The Empress Dowager cares about this palace, and this palace is very pleased. Leave the dicine here, and tell the Empress Dowager that I will personally visit to pay my respects in the coming days."
Despite being dressed in common attire, Si Qingwei still displayed the serene dignity of an Empress. It seed that over the past ti, she had taken her new role to heart.
"As you command," the maid bowed again.
She did not insist on watching the Empress drink the tonic, but turned around without hesitation to leave.
Seeing the maid leave, Si Qingwei felt a bit more at ease. Once the maid was gone, she imdiately disposed of the tonic. Regardless of whether the Empress Dowager had malicious intentions, as long as she did not drink the tonic, it would be fine.
However, just when Si Qingwei was slightly relieved, the maid who had turned to leave suddenly charged back towards her, her figure leaping in the air, spinning, with her right hand outstretched and fingers splayed, a sinister gleam flickering on her pale fingers.
An assassin, the palace maid was an assassin.
The Empress Dowager had not thought of any covert interference, but had directly sent soone to assassinate.
"Be careful!"
Feng Chuhuan urgently wanted to step forward to block, but just as she took half a step, she felt a suffocating sensation rush to her forehead.
Spiritual power.
The Empress Dowager had sent an assassin to ensure a fatal blow, so a master must have been dispatched. This Divine Origin Realm palace maid would easily overpower Si Qingwei.
Today, if nothing unexpected happened, even if Si Qingwei did not perish, the child in her belly would be hard to keep safe.
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