Lu Li took the command token and did not delay any longer.
He turned and walked quickly out of the Yangxin Die, his figure flickering as he melted into the night outside the hall, hurrying toward the Regent’s Mansion in the east of the city.
Seeing this, Gu Qingying hurriedly used her hand to gently nudge Fu Shangyu beside her.
‘Hurry! Keep up with Master!’
In contrast, Fu Shangyu, who had just come to her senses, rubbed her chin and muttered to herself.
‘Why do I always feel like this Emperor of the Jin Kingdom has some bad intentions?’
Hearing this, Gu Qingying immediately rolled her eyes at her.
“There you go again. You said the same thing last time!”
She grabbed Fu Shangyu and spoke to her without brooking any argument.
“Stop being a fool. Master is almost out of sight!”
Inside the hall, Zhou Ruolin watched the direction Lu Li disappeared.
The corners of his mouth finally rose uncontrollably, revealing a meaningful smile.
He seemed to have already seen his cold and stubborn sister’s expression—trying to maintain her composure while unable to hide the joy in her eyes—after receiving his “edict.”
“Sigh, as her brother, I really have to worry about everything…”
he whispered to himself.
Shaking his head, he sat back down behind the imperial desk.
His gaze swept over the mountain of memorials, but his mood seemed inexplicably lighter.
Then, he decisively used the Spirit Stone Communicator to send a message to his sister, informing her that Lu Li was going to the Regent’s Mansion to borrow troops from her.
***
Inside the study in the inner courtyard of the Regent’s Mansion.
The Night Pearl illuminated the room as bright as day, but it could not dispel the anxiety in someone’s heart.
Zhou Ruoxi—or perhaps at this moment, she should be called the powerful Regent “Zhou Yan”—was tightly clutching the slightly warm Spirit Stone Communicator, pacing back and forth on the thick carpet.
The hem of her magnificent royal robes was unconsciously crumpled by her grip.
On that beautiful face that usually made court officials tremble with fear, there was now a look of panic and annoyance that was completely inconsistent with her status.
“Zhou Ruolin! You… you meddling, stupid Royal Brother!”
She almost ground her teeth as she cursed in a low voice, her tone carrying a rare sense of frustration.
“Who asked you to take it upon yourself to send Master to me? Borrowing troops? What troops! Does your imperial palace have no people left? Why does it have to be me?!”
With those words, Zhou Ruoxi suddenly stopped and looked out at the dark night, as if she could see through the numerous buildings to the familiar figure hurrying toward her.
Her heart beat faster uncontrollably.
A wave of panic, mixed with expectation, tension, and—most of all—the feeling of “not being ready yet,” submerged her like a tide.
At this time, Zhou Ruoxi had not yet figured out how to face her Master as “Zhou Yan,” let alone how to maintain the dignity of the Regent while hiding the deep-seated admiration and… even more complex emotions that were about to burst forth from her heart.
This move by her Royal Brother was simply putting her on the grill!
“It’s really… just adding to the mess!”
She stomped her foot and rubbed the space between her eyebrows.
However, annoyance was annoyance, and complaints were complaints.
The person was already on the way.
Could she really close the door and refuse to see him?
Wouldn’t that be even more suspicious?
Zhou Ruoxi took a deep breath, forcing down her tumbling thoughts.
Years of training at the center of power allowed her to quickly regain her calm.
Since things had come to this, she could only deal with it.
She walked quickly to a corner of the study where a giant mercury mirror stood.
Reflected in the mirror was a tall, charming woman with a heroic aura between her brows.
She stared at her reflection, her gaze gradually becoming firm and sharp.
The majesty belonging to the Regent returned to her.
“Someone, come,”
she called out, her voice having returned to its usual coldness and authority.
A personal guard dressed in black armor with a steady aura appeared silently at the study door and bowed to listen for orders.
“Prepare my armor. I want the set of black light armor,”
Zhou Ruoxi ordered, her eyes flickering.
“And bring the Nether Ghost Mask that conceals one’s aura.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
The personal guard took the order and quickly retreated.
Although he was curious as to why the Prince suddenly wanted to put on armor and a mask late at night, years of training ensured he would not ask a single question.
Before long, the guard returned, holding a set of neatly folded black armor that shimmered with a ghostly cold metallic luster, along with an ancient-looking, pitch-black mask that only revealed the jaw and eyes, emitting a faint cold mist.
Zhou Ruoxi dismissed the guard and personally closed the study door.
She moved nimbly, taking off her usual royal robes to reveal the form-fitting inner garments beneath.
Then, she began to skillfully put on the black armor.
The cold plates of armor collided with each other, making a crisp and rhythmic sound.
Each sound seemed to be beating a drum for her upcoming “performance.”
Once the armor was on, her graceful figure was completely hidden under the hard, cold lines, adding a bit of the fierce aura of a veteran general.
Finally, her gaze fell on the Nether Ghost Mask.
Touching the mask with her fingertips sent a piercing chill.
Without any hesitation, she slowly placed the mask on her face.
The icy sensation pressed against her skin.
Her field of vision seemed somewhat restricted, but more importantly, an invisible force field emanated from the mask, completely distorting and covering her original aura.
At this moment, even if the person most familiar with her stood before her, it would be extremely difficult to recognize her as the powerful Regent through this layer of disguise, let alone her Master from her former life.
In the mirror, the woman whose features vaguely carried the spirit of her memories was no longer visible.
Instead, there was a cold, mysterious general in black armor.
Her eyes, revealed through the mask, were as deep as the starry sky, yet cold and sharp.
Zhou Ruoxi made one last adjustment to the mask’s position in the mirror to ensure there were no flaws.
She took a deep breath.
The breath passed through the mask, carrying the unique, cold metallic scent.
‘Master… I’m sorry. Now… is not the time to reunite.’
‘But… don’t worry. Once this matter is settled, I will naturally return to your side!’
Thinking of this, Zhou Ruoxi suppressed the complex emotions churning in her heart.
Her gaze through the eyeholes of the mask became like a deep pool in an old well, undisturbed by any ripples.
“Let’s go.”
She pushed open the study door.
Her voice, coming through the mask, carried a dull resonance as she ordered the personal guard waiting outside,
“Follow me to the Front Hall to welcome… True Person Lu of the Xuling Sect.”
With that, she stepped forward, her black armor clanking as she walked toward the mansion’s Front Hall.
Every step was steady and powerful, as if stepping on all her hesitation and doubt, deeply hiding the soft heart belonging to “Zhou Ruoxi” under this indestructible disguise.
Just as her voice fell, Lu Li’s voice suddenly rang out from the Front Hall of the Regent’s Mansion.
“I, Lu Li, Peak Lord of Duanqing Peak of the Xuling Sect, have come by imperial order. I hope the Prince can come out for a talk.”