Aunt Qin would rather Jin Li not be in that position. But she knew it was not possible.
"You treacherous wolf!" She glared at Sima Ting, her eyes full of anger. "Colluding with the Northern Khan Court, you deserve to be executed!"
The Northern Khan Court and the Nangan Kingdom were archenemies. Every autumn harvest, the iron cavalry of the Northern Khan Court would break through the border and raid the Nangan Kingdom. The two nations had a deep blood feud.
"That is the difference between you and me," Sima Ting said proudly. "Between nations, there are only interests; warriors talk about grudges and revenge. Lady Qin, I advise you to know your place and hand over the treasury key, or else..."
Sima Ting threatened. As the legitimate wife of the late Great General, Lady Qin held the key to the imperial treasury. This key could unlock the Tianyun Lock and retrieve the Tianyun Imperial Seal. For Sima Ting to usurp the throne, he needed the Tianyun Imperial Seal to legitimize his claim and receive the national fortune of Nangan.
"Don't even think about it."
Sima Ting looked at Lady Qin and said no more. After all, she was the widow of the Great General. Currently, General Tianqi on the frontline had been as close as brothers with the Great General. If he killed Lady Qin, things would get complicated. But Lady Qin was the Empress's reliance, so he had to severely injure her, rendering the Empress without claws and teeth.
"Lady Qin, take care of yourself," Sima Ting said. "In three days, the Crown Prince of Nanfeng Kingdom will arrive. In ten days, the duel will take place. How will you respond?"
With that, Sima Ting left, flicking his sleeves. Anger flashed in Lady Qin's eyes, then turned to desolation. She was severely injured, her foundation damaged, making a quick recovery almost impossible. The duel would likely end in defeat.
...
"Your Majesty, there are a total of seven books here, all records about Xuanyuan Forbidden Land," the maid said, placing the books on the jade throne.
"Mm." Jin Li nodded, picking up a book and reading it carefully. Today, after hearing Qi Yuan mention Xuanyuan Forbidden Land, she became interested in it.
Now, Lady Qin was seriously injured. In ten days, the Crown Prince of Nanfeng Kingdom would arrive in Nangan's capital, and his national teacher would duel Lady Qin. If they lost, Nangan Kingdom would lose face, and her own fate would be in jeopardy.
Ten years ago, when her father passed away and she had not yet ascended the throne, Nangan was in turmoil. Nanfeng Kingdom stationed 200,000 troops at the border, ready to invade. Prime Minister Sima Ting went to the border and reached an agreement with Nanfeng Kingdom on behalf of Nangan. This agreement left a pitfall for Jin Li. If they lost the duel, she would have to marry the Crown Prince of Nanfeng Kingdom. How could an empress marry a foreign prince? This was Sima Ting's trap. Ten years ago, before she ascended the throne, the agreement Sima Ting made with Nanfeng Kingdom was just a matter of exchanging a princess for border peace.
Now, Lady Qin was seriously injured. To win this duel, she needed to recover first to have the strength to fight. Among the Four Forbidden Lands, there were many spiritual items, possibly medicinal herbs for healing. After reading a few books, Jin Li discovered that Xuanyuan Forbidden Land contained rare spiritual herbs with various effects like healing and longevity.
"Nine-Flower Celestial Silk?" Jin Li was moved when she read this. According to ancient records, there was a spiritual herb called Nine-Flower Celestial Silk in Xuanyuan Forbidden Land. This herb, with nine petals emitting nine different fragrances, was called the emperor's herb.
"If Lady Qin obtains this herb, not only would her injuries heal, but she might even break through to the emperor level!"
This information came from a top emperor. By chance, he entered Xuanyuan Forbidden Land and saw the herb, but was attacked by demon kings inside. Outnumbered, he escaped but never had the chance to enter again.
"So, Xuanyuan Forbidden Land has many demon kings? Demon emperors... unknown."
Jin Li pondered. If there were no demon emperors, and only demon kings' senses to deal with, they might sneak in and collect the herb.
"Unfortunately, there's no record of how to enter Xuanyuan Forbidden Land."
Each of the Four Forbidden Lands had its own difficulties. For Xuanyuan Forbidden Land, the hardest part was entry.
"Could it really be as Qi Yuan said, just bring a ladder to enter?"
Thinking of Qi Yuan, a smile appeared on Jin Li's lips. Of course, that seemed impossible. It was too outrageous, lacking any logic. However, Qi Yuan had no reason to deceive her. She trusted him deeply; otherwise, she wouldn't have asked the maid to gather information about Xuanyuan Forbidden Land.
Jin Li read the remaining books carefully, but none mentioned how to enter Xuanyuan Forbidden Land. Suddenly, she saw a passage and read it aloud: "In Xuanyuan, there is a monster, resembling a fox tail and a pen, mad and aggressive, favoring night attacks."
This record was also from the supreme emperor. Jin Li was stunned. Qi Yuan's previous words came to mind: a mad pen, very sneaky, likes to turn into a pen at night to ambush people.
"Is this the same beast?" Countless thoughts flashed through Jin Li's mind.
The supreme emperor who left this information had been a grand protector of Nangan Kingdom. This information had always been in the library, never spreading out. How did Qi Yuan know? Could Qi Yuan be a member of the royal family?
Jin Li's mind was in turmoil.
"No! He knows that beast is called the mad pen! Could it be... Qi Yuan has really been to Xuanyuan Forbidden Land?"
Jin Li took out the exquisite jade and quickly sent a message.
"Qi Yuan, have you really been to Xuanyuan Forbidden Land? Entering with a ladder... is that true? I urgently need to enter."
Although Qi Yuan was often unreliable and liked to joke, she feared he might answer casually, so she mentioned her own need. She was betting her life on this. Qi Yuan wouldn't joke about this.
However, after sending the message, Qi Yuan did not reply.
"Unfortunately, Yiguan Forbidden Land is too far. Otherwise... alas."
Jin Li sighed, then her eyes became determined.
"Prepare for departure. Tomorrow I will leave the palace."
Time was running out. She decided to leave the palace tomorrow and head to Xuanyuan Forbidden Land. She had no other choice. Staying in the capital was just waiting to die.
She then ordered, "Send a squad of Kirin Guards to Yiguan Forbidden Land to see if there are any disturbances."
Qi Yuan said he went to Yiguan Forbidden Land. If Qi Yuan was a strong man, there would certainly be turmoil in Yiguan Forbidden Land. She sent the Kirin Guards to investigate.
Meanwhile, in Yiguan Forbidden Land, Qi Yuan carried a golden great sword, looking curiously at the strange creatures ahead.