A few days later, outside of Peng City.
The diplomatic envoy was fully prepared. Sage Ruler Han Yue stood facing the wind, her slender willow leaf eyebrows twisted into the shape of the character "川" (chuan).
The Sage Ruler was displeased because Fan Li was late. The convoy of several hundred diplomats was fully prepared, yet Fan Li, the chief envoy, had still not arrived.
"Could Fan Li have seen through that I plan to make a move against him?" Sage Ruler Han Yue thought to herself.
Even if Fan Li tried to make excuses and refused to go on this diplomatic mission to Great Han, couldn't this Sage Ruler still take his head by drawing her sword and barging into the Fan manor?
The Sage Ruler was thinking this when she saw a convoy of around 3,000 men slowly approaching from the direction of the city towards the envoy.
"3,000 Golden Core cultivators?!" The Sage Ruler's face revealed astonishment.
Upon closer inspection, her shock only grew further. It really was 3,000 Golden Core cultivators wearing the Great Chu military armor and weapons, with a solemn and strict military bearing!
What was going on here?
Was Great Chu going to war?
The cultivation levels of normal foot soldiers were usually limited to Qi Refining Realm.
Unless they were elite troops or lower ranked officers, it would be difficult to see experts at the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core realms.
Soon, the Sage Ruler obtained the answer. Her face turned dark as she looked at the man escorted by the 3,000 Golden Cores in the center of the formation.
It wasn't a troop about to set off for war. Rather, it was a guard escort for Fan Li alone!
"I apologize for the slight delay, to make the Sage Ruler wait so long." Fan Li laughed heartily as he spoke, yet he did not approach any closer and simply greeted the Sage Ruler from afar.
"What do you mean by this?" the Sage Ruler coldly said, "With such a huge escort guard, will the Han Emperor even permit your entry into their territory?"
She understood in her heart that these 3,000 Golden Cores were here specifically as precautions against herself!
If they were ordinary Golden Core cultivators, the Sage Ruler would not take a mob flocking together too seriously.
But from the present situation, they were clearly an elite troop of 3,000 skilled in teamwork who feared not death. Once conflict started, even the Sage Ruler felt it would be troublesome.
"With me here, not even over three thousand more troops would cause Father Emperor any issues."
Fan Li did not reply. But from within the carriage he rode in, the curtains lifted to reveal an absolute beauty dressed in palace robes elegantly rising to her feet.
"Princess Chang Le? It's you?!" The Sage Ruler's gaze turned frosty cold. She had trained with the princess in Brahma Sound Pure Land, so she of course recognized her.
"Greetings, Sage Ruler."
As both the elder princess of Great Han and also the empress of Great Chu, Princess Chang Le’s status was very lofty. Although she greeted politely, she did not actually bow.
"I suddenly began missing Father Emperor and thought of returning to my maternal household for a visit. The common saying goes that this is called 'returning home', no?" Princess Chang Le laughed demurely as if speaking casually about family life.
"To ensure my safety all the way, Duke Jin specially dispatched three thousand escorts. If Father Emperor found out, he would only feel grateful towards Duke Jin for his considerate arrangements, and would not obstruct us."
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The Sage Ruler's face darkened. With Princess Chang Le as a protective golden nameplate, of course the 3,000 escorts could proceed unimpeded.
Along the way, it would be inconvenient for the Sage Ruler to make a move. It seemed she could only wait until they arrived at Chang'an before finding another chance.
"It's impossible for the 3,000 escorts to stick by his side every day." The Sage Ruler thought in her heart, "Forget it, I'll let Fan Li live a few more days then." But indignant anger burned in her chest while she remained impolite on the surface, heaping both scorn and sarcasm at Fan Li.
"The army is a nation's most important weapon."
"These 3,000 Golden Core elites should stand guard at the borders to deter enemies, not waste their might on escort duty!"
"Even This Sage Ruler feels that is utterly misusing the exceptional talents of these outstanding troops."
The Sage Ruler quietly circulated her qi, allowing her voice to resound through the entire army, ensuring every soldier could hear her words. Yet the restlessness she expected did not appear.
The 3,000 Golden Core soldiers stood stock still like terracotta statues, not even glancing at the Sage Ruler another time or even seeming to have heard her words.
What was going on here?
Puzzled yet also feeling awkward as if playing music to cattle, the Sage Ruler couldn't help asking:
"Did you make a misunderstanding here?" Fan Li laughed.
"Oh?" The Sage Ruler glanced at Fan Li, waiting for his explanation.
"In Great Chu's military system, we have border troops garrisoning the national frontiers, capital guards defending the imperial stronghold, while another separate force exists - the Three Thousand Palace Guards responsible solely for duties inside the imperial palace.
Today, because the Empress Consort is traveling with the convoy, This Duke must dispatch the palace troops in accordance with regulations."
After finishing, Fan Li looked expectantly towards the Sage Ruler with a 'Did you expect that' expression.
"You...?!" The Sage Ruler truly hadn't expected this.
No wonder they all had Golden Core cultivation. She suddenly recalled something else and couldn't help asking:
"With all Three Thousand Palace Guards called away, what about security inside the palace? Who's going to guarantee the safety of the emperor and empress dowager?"
Yet the Sage Ruler saw Fan Li's stunned blank expression.
After a very long time, he finally slapped his forehead. "Aiya, this official carelessly forgot about Their Majesties! If assassins sneak in right now, what should be done?"
The Sage Ruler's heart thumped wildly and she nearly drew her sword on the spot!
How does one just forget this?!
Deliberate, wasn't it?!
Could her newly adopted imperial son be getting assassinated by Fan Li already?
The Sage Ruler was lost in her chaotic thoughts when she heard Fan Li sneer:
"The Sage Ruler can feel relieved. With Imperial Guard Commander Chen Gonggong present, I guarantee the emperor and empress dowager's safety."
He had truly considered assassinating the empress dowager and Xiang Chong. This matter wasn't actually too difficult. The main problem was it could thoroughly anger Brahma Sound Pure Land.
By then, Xiang Ning would be beyond saving while destruction would fall upon the entire Fan clan.
The current Fan Li had yet to make preparations to directly face off against Brahma Sound Pure Land.
"Since you've made such appropriate arrangements, let's set off then!"
The Sage Ruler furiously raged yet had nowhere to vent. She could only coldly throw out this line before striding onto her own carriage.
Fan Li also secretly broke out in cold sweat. He could sense the Sage Ruler's killing intent towards him. Fortunately, his arrangements were perfect, finally letting the Sage Ruler find no opportunities.
"Congratulations. She shouldn't make a move against you before arriving at Chang'an." Princess Chang Le’s gentle and sweet voice drifted over, soft as silk.
"Mm." Fan Li nodded before entering the carriage alongside the Princess.
The interior of imperial carriages for royalty were very spacious and comfortable.
As for Fan Li and Princess Chang Le's situation where a man and woman were alone together, with the 3,000 diehard Fan clan troops present, there was no need to avoid suspicion.
"I've caused you trouble this time." Fan Li said sincerely.
He had pulled Princess Chang Le, who had been immersed in studying the First Emperor's secret records, away from her closed door cultivation.
"Hehehe, the two of us standing on ceremony?" The princess laughed sweetly, her voice carrying traces of allure. "Why don't you hurry and get me pregnant with your child as repayment? What do you think about that?"
She still had this on her mind?
Fan Li looked at the enchanting Princess before him, then out the carriage window at the blazing sun and the 3,000 guards with sharp eyes and ears. He swallowed his saliva.
"It's not convenient today. Let's put it off to another day."
"Oh?" Princess Chang Le unrelentingly pressed her advantage. "Put it off to which day then?"
Fan Li's patience was utterly depleted. He held Great Chu's civil and military power firmly in his grasp, even playing the emperor like a toy. Only this woman was like she had utterly dominated him ever since their first meeting!
"Aren't you planning to become the emperor? Why are you impatient about having children already?" Fan Li speechlessly said.
He didn't actually expect an answer from the princess. Yet she replied very honestly.
"Once I give birth to an imperial prince, I'll have him enthroned as the Chu Emperor! Then I can listen to state affairs from behind a curtain for a few years before deposing him again and establishing myself as the female ruler...."
Fan Li stared dumbfounded.
He lowered his head to look at the copy of the First Emperor's secret records in Princess Chang Le’s hands. Was he certain this wasn't the Female Emperor Wu Zhao’s secret records?