The wheels rumbled as Wang Simu sat somewhat stiffly on the wool-cushioned seat in the luxurious, spacious carriage, occasionally glancing at Aunt who maintained an expressionless face and sat motionless.

Her aura is so strong, making me feel quite pressured… Wang Simu thought silently. Intimidated by her future mother-in-law’s presence, she dared not move.

Why isn’t Simu moving at all, looking so formal and serious? Is meeting the Empress Dowager that frightening? Say something at least – my bottom is getting sore, and I want to shift a bit… Aunt maintained her cold, elegant posture while internally growing anxious.

But having never had an imperial audience before, she assumed this was the required etiquette.

Since Wang Simu didn’t move, neither did she.

The Xu residence wasn’t far from the imperial city. Two-quarters of an hour later, the luxurious carriage entered the imperial city, and after another quarter hour, finally arrived at the palace gates.

After questioning by the Imperial Guards, the carriage easily entered the palace, stopping at the carriage shelter.

With a maid’s assistance, Wang Simu stepped down from the carriage using a small wooden stool. Then she turned and helped Aunt down just as the maid had helped her.

The future mother and daughter-in-law led their maids toward Phoenix Rest Palace. Aunt kept her gaze forward, maintaining the bearing she had practiced extensively at home, and deliberately asked in a measured tone:

“Simu, this is my first time entering the palace. I’m not very familiar with palace etiquette – could you tell me about it?”

In truth, Aunt knew some of it. The considerate Empress Dowager, knowing the Xu family matriarch had never entered the palace, had already sent palace matrons to the Xu residence to teach the appropriate etiquette.

However, Aunt hadn’t studied very carefully, often yawning and feeling drowsy. After studying with the matron for several days, she somehow made no mistakes.

This wasn’t because Aunt was particularly gifted – how could Imperial Investigator Xu’s aunt make mistakes?

Wang Simu answered every question, softly explaining palace protocols. Hearing this, Aunt thought: Oh my, this is quite different from what I learned. That wretched old matron dared to trick me.

If they were at home, Aunt would have put her hands on her hips and raised her eyebrows in anger.

As they talked, the group was led by a eunuch into Phoenix Rest Palace.

The environment and arrangements of Phoenix Rest Palace startled Aunt – it was hard to imagine this was where the Empress Dowager resided, being so austere.

Crossing the threshold into the spacious, bright reception hall perfumed with sandalwood, Aunt saw the Empress Dowager – the current Empress’s mother, a dignified and exceptionally beautiful woman.

Aunt had seen countless beauties, as her nephew’s womanizing ways meant their home often housed exceptional beauties.

Adding herself and her eldest daughter Xu Lingyue, who were also outstanding beauties.

But upon seeing Empress Dowager, she suddenly realized that if Empress Dowager were twenty years younger, she might have been the capital’s greatest beauty. Oh, though that State Preceptor was the capital’s number one beauty.

As for a certain Flower Goddess, Aunt didn’t know her and thus didn’t consider her at all.

The Empress Dowager had a cold temperament and didn’t show special courtesy to Aunt despite Xu Qi’an’s connection.

The Empress Dowager was now unbending in her lack of desires. Recently when her daughter, now Emperor, came to propose annulling Lin’an and Xu Qi’an’s engagement, she rejected it, stating the marriage was already settled and couldn’t be changed.

Huaiqing tried to use her presence to pressure her mother into submission but found her mother, wanting nothing, and fearing nothing. She retreated in defeat.

Since then, Huaiqing had sulked and stopped visiting the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager didn’t mind.

“Imperial Investigator Xu is an outstanding young hero, the dream husband of countless unmarried ladies. I’ve heard some things about his past,” the Empress Dowager sipped her tea, speaking unhurriedly with elegant detachment. “Lin’an is a princess of Da Feng – there’s no reason for her to share a husband with other women. I heard from Simu that you’re a decisive matriarch who has kept him firmly in check since childhood.

“I need your definitive answer on this matter.”

When did I ever keep him firmly in check? That rascal irritates me every few days, just like Ling Yin, always giving me trouble… Aunt maintained her expressionless face while internally protesting.

Unsure how to respond to this question, she turned to look at Wang Simu.

Why is she looking at me? Is she unhappy that I informed the Empress Dowager? Wants me to solve the trouble she stirred up? Wang Simu’s heart tightened, but she smiled naturally and said:

“Your Highness need not worry. Imperial Investigator Xu and Princess Lin’an are in love – he definitely won’t disappoint Her Highness.”

Oh, seems Lingyue and Simu discussed this beforehand. That puts me at ease… Aunt’s eyes brightened. Seeing the Empress Dowager’s gaze, she nodded.

The Empress Dowager nodded as well: “Very good.”

They then discussed wedding procedures, occasionally chatting about other topics.

Whenever Aunt felt the Empress Dowager’s topics were too sophisticated, she would glance at Wang Simu.

Wang Simu took these glances as her mother-in-law giving her opportunities, grooming her as a future daughter-in-law, and became very attentive.

After lunch, back in the carriage, Wang Simu felt immensely relieved, as if she’d fought a battle, exhausted in body and mind.

The Empress Dowager and my future mother-in-law are both formidable. How I suffer, surviving in the gap between them. Er Lang, when will you return to the capital? Wang Simu suddenly missed her fiancé.

Meanwhile, she deeply admired her future mother-in-law who, despite entering the palace and meeting the Empress Dowager for the first time, could maintain such a stern face and bearing, as if she were the Empress Dowager herself.

Ordinary women, even if suddenly elevated in status and position, couldn’t cultivate such a mentality and bear it overnight.

My future mother-in-law is truly a hidden gem…

I’m exhausted, my face is nearly frozen from maintaining that expression. Xu Ning Yan, you wretch, even getting married has to trouble your mother… Aunt desperately wanted to massage her face.

In the Imperial Study.

Sitting behind her desk after reviewing memorials, Huaiqing spread out a sheet of paper and wrote:

“Dao Sovereign, Incense Fire Divine Path, Earth Book, Practitioners, Supervisor, Gatekeeper…”

In her mind, she connected all these clues.

Years ago, the Dao Sovereign destroyed the Incense Fire Divine Path and collected the Mountain River Divine Seals for unknown purposes, but it was now confirmed to be related to the Gatekeeper.

This was deduced from the Practitioner system created by the First Supervisor.

The Practitioner system was an extension or branch of the Incense Fire Divine Path, and with the current Supervisor suspected to be the Gatekeeper, what did this indicate?

It suggested that the ancient Incense Fire Divine Path likely involved the Gatekeeper, who was meant to emerge from it.

Thus, the Dao Sovereign’s actions became logical.

The three questions Xu Qi’an raised in the Earth Book revealed the cause and effect of this truth.

“That Earth Lineage divine soul became a spirit, so the First Supervisor had no connection to the Dao Sovereign. The First must have coincidentally obtained the Incense Fire Divine Path’s inheritance. Looking back, the Dao Sovereign’s approach to refining the Earth Book was wrong.

“In contrast, did the First Supervisor stumble upon the correct path to becoming the Gatekeeper? Something still feels off.”

Huaiqing pondered silently, actively thinking.

However, since the Heaven and Earth Society members still didn’t know what “Gatekeeper” meant or symbolized, effective deduction was difficult.

Huaiqing’s thoughts shifted, returning to the core issue – the Dao Sovereign!

“From existing clues, it’s clear the Dao Sovereign was attempting something. The Earth Lineage avatar tried the Incense Fire Divine Path. What did the Heaven and Human Lineage avatars attempt?

“Also, when the Dao Sovereign drove all demon descendants from the Nine Provinces, was it the true body or one of the Heaven and Human avatars?

“Furthermore, with the Earth Lineage avatar as a reference, the truth behind the Heaven Lineage Principal’s mysterious disappearance has surfaced.”

This too was one of the Dao Sovereign’s attempts, but apparently, all went wrong.

After a while, Huaiqing rubbed her temples and decided to tell Xu Qi’an about this – let him rack his brains, We are tired…

Just then, a eunuch hurried in and said softly:

“Your Majesty, the Xu family matriarch just visited the Empress Dowager.”

Huaiqing said flatly:

“I know.”

She paused, then said:

“Go to the Astronomical Bureau and send the woman Xu Qi’an left there to the Xu residence. Then take a message to Lingbao Temple – say that Imperial Investigator Xu and Lin’an will marry in a month.”

Huaiqing still disdained to target someone as insignificant as Lin’an – she just wanted to create a little pressure for her dear Imperial Investigator Xu.

Make him focus on fighting in Yong Prefecture instead of thinking about romance.

In Xuan Prefecture, at the prefect’s office meeting hall.

Yang Gong had gathered all senior commanders for a meeting, including Xu Qi’an, their pillar of strength.

They had won the battle defending Xuan Prefecture, but it was only a local victory – the situation remained grave.

What followed would be the true crisis facing Da Feng’s defenders.

Sun Xuanji entered with Guardian Yuan, surprising Yang Gong and the commanders who wondered what was happening.

Guardian Yuan wore prisoner’s clothes, with handcuffs, shackles, and a wooden collar – looking like he was headed for execution.

Guardian Yuan glanced at everyone, easily reading their thoughts and understanding their confusion. He explained sadly:

“Imperial Investigator Xu made me wear these to teach me a lesson about watching my words.”

Everyone was secretly delighted and couldn’t help asking:

“What if you don’t learn your lesson?”

Guardian Yuan replied sadly:

“In my state, naturally the next step would be execution.”

Yang Gong waved his hand:

“It won’t come to that.”

Second Young Master Xu waved:

“Big Brother is going too far.”

Miao Youfang sighed:

“Guardian Yuan is still an ally. Imperial Investigator Xu is indeed excessive.”

Guardian Yuan looked at them and grew even sadder.

Yang Gong’s true thoughts were:

This monkey finally gets what he deserves. Heaven’s justice is clear, and karmic retribution is certain. Imperial Investigator Xu is doing a public service.

Second Young Master Xu thought:

Big Brother must have encountered something extremely embarrassing. I’ll investigate later, haha.

Miao Youfang thought:

After the beheading, can I have a taste of monkey brain?

But with Imperial Investigator Xu as a warning example, Guardian Yuan forcefully suppressed his instinct to read and voice their inner thoughts.

Li Mubai said irritably:

“Monkey, how did you offend Xu Ning Yan?”

Just as Guardian Yuan was about to speak, Xu Qi’an arrived fashionably late, walking in from outside.

Everyone looked at him and was stunned.

Imperial Investigator Xu had a bright iron sword pierced through his skull, the blade entering through the crown of his head, only the hilt visible.

Too, too tragic… Yang Gong and others stared wide-eyed, all turning to look at Guardian Yuan, wondering what sins he had committed.

“Big, Big Brother, what happened?”

Second Young Master Xu’s face twisted in pain, his mouth nearly splitting to his ears.

“Accidentally offended the State Preceptor. She made me wear this sword to reflect. When the sword forgives me, she’ll forgive me.”

Xu Qi’an looked at Guardian Yuan:

“When she forgives me, I’ll forgive you!”

Guardian Yuan anxiously asked:

“Then when will the sword forgive you?”

Hearing this, Xu Qi’an gazed at the monkey with a “come to terms with it” expression:

“This is a divine sword without a spirit.”

“…” Guardian Yuan froze like a wooden monkey.

Sun Xuanji patted Guardian Yuan’s shoulder.

Next life, strive to be mute.

Xu Xinnian “coughed” and said:

“Lord Yang, everyone’s here. Let’s begin the meeting.”

He feared he couldn’t control himself from thoroughly mocking his big brother.

In years past, Big Brother often seized on his embarrassing moments and teased him mercilessly.

Now vengeance was his.