Chapter 091: Inviting the Wolf Into the House

After all, Li Xiuling had once been hailed as the greatest prodigy in the history of the immortal cultivation world. Had she not been imprisoned in the Nine Nether Great Prison for seven years, she would likely have become an immortal lord by now. If she truly wished to storm the palace, there was scarcely anyone within who could stop her.

Without slowing her pace, Li Xiuling walked straight to the gates of the Fengyang Hall, where two guards of the Purple Yu Guard blocked her path.

“Your Highness, please turn back. His Majesty has forbidden all audiences today. Please don’t make things difficult for us,” one of the guards said.

These two guards stationed at the door were both two-star members of the Purple Yu Guard from the Dayu Temple. Their strength was considerable—they had both attained the Void Spirit Realm, which, in a sect, would be equivalent to the rank of an immortal master.

“I have no intention of making things difficult for you. If you must, then draw your weapons,” Li Xiuling replied coldly.

Imperial command could not be defied. The two guards exchanged a glance.

“Forgive us, Your Highness.”

At once, true energy surged from their bodies as they attacked Li Xiuling from both sides.

Li Xiuling immediately formed a hand seal.

Nineteenth Water Technique—Ice Coffin!

A massive ice coffin materialized out of thin air, sealing both guards within its frozen walls. Their cultivation was far beneath Li Xiuling’s, so they could not brute-force their way free. Li Xiuling hadn’t intended to harm them—she merely wished to temporarily restrain them.

She then pushed open the grand doors of Fengyang Hall.

Inside, several ladies were dancing gracefully, accompanied by musicians. Li Qianshi was half-drunk, sprawled on the floor, with Consort Wei, her clothes in disarray, wrapped closely around him.

“Li Qianshi!”

At the sight, Li Xiuling was furious, shouting her imperial brother’s name outright—a grave offense. Yet in this moment, she saw not an emperor, but a wayward brother in dire need of discipline.

Li Qianshi sobered instantly at the sight of his sister. Panicked, he sprang to his feet and barked, “Stop! Stop the music—stop dancing! All of you, out, out, every last one of you!”

Li Qianshi had suffered many beatings from his sister since childhood, and though he was now the exalted Son of Heaven, his bones still remembered that fear and respect. After everyone else had left, he approached Li Xiuling nervously.

“Sister, what brings you here to see me?”

Consort Wei, having hastily straightened her clothes, obediently stood beside him.

Li Xiuling’s expression was thunderous.

She had suspected her brother was avoiding her out of guilt, and now, having forced her way in, she saw it confirmed: he spent his days here indulging in pleasure and neglecting his duties. How could the empire of Li bear such a slothful emperor?

She recalled her father’s words: “Qianshi lacks resolve and independence of mind. He is easily swayed and is perhaps not fit for the throne. But I promised your mother before she died that the crown would pass to him. Fortunately, he listens to you. Assist him as best you can, and do not be too harsh—so long as he avoids great folly, it will suffice.”

But now, Li Xiuling felt certain her brother was already treading the path of great error—he must be taught a lesson.

She raised her right hand slightly. Instinctively, Li Qianshi shielded his head with both arms—clearly, the habit of being beaten by his sister was ingrained deep in his bones.

Of course, Li Xiuling understood that things had changed. It was now a grave offense just to call her brother by name, let alone strike him. The emperor could not be hit.

Since she could not hit her brother—

With a sharp crack, Li Xiuling slapped Consort Wei across the face.

She had not used her inner strength, so Consort Wei felt only a burning pain on her cheek and a deep humiliation. After all, she was a consort, the emperor’s favored woman, second only to the empress in the harem.

“Your Majesty!” Consort Wei looked at Li Qianshi, aggrieved, hoping he would defend her.

But Li Qianshi, cowed before his sister, merely whispered, “Sister, please calm yourself. Consort Wei is delicate—perhaps it would be better not to strike her.”

“This hall is meant for imperial business and the review of state affairs. Yet here Consort Wei dallies with you, distracting you with pleasure and neglecting your duties. Tell me, does she not deserve that slap?” Li Xiuling demanded.

Li Qianshi was at a loss for words and remained silent.

Consort Wei, seeing how pathetic he looked before his sister—so far from the majesty of an emperor—stormed off in anger.

Once everyone else had gone, Li Xiuling spoke to Li Qianshi in earnest.

“Your Majesty, you must not favor Consort Wei too much. Surely you know her family is no simple matter. Yet you have appointed her brother, Wei Jiande, to the crucial post of Minister of War—this could bring great trouble!”

The four great cultivation clans of the Empire of Li were the Murong, Huanfu, Wei, and Cui families; Consort Wei’s clan was one of them.

“Don’t worry, Sister,” Li Qianshi replied. “I have discussed this with the veteran ministers, and they all agree Wei Jiande is the right man for the job. The Wei clan has many talented cultivators. If Wei Jiande becomes Minister of War, then should the Yan Kingdom invade again, we can draw on the Wei clan’s strength to resist.”

Li Xiuling thought to herself that these so-called veteran ministers had likely been scared witless by the last Yan invasion, and so sought to bring the Wei clan’s power into the court—never considering that they might be letting a tiger into the house.

But for now, with the support of the veteran ministers, it would be no easy task to topple Wei Jiande. She would have to wait for a more opportune moment.

After leaving the inner palace, Li Qianshi hurried to Consort Wei’s chambers to placate her. At first, she wore a sullen expression and said nothing. Only after Li Qianshi had coaxed her with many sweet words did she finally speak.

“Your Majesty, if you want me to forgive you, it’s simple—just send the princess away from Luocheng for a time. Otherwise, who knows? She might barge into the palace again, and I might have to endure another slap!”

Li Qianshi frowned. “But what excuse can I use to send my sister away?”

“I heard that the daughter of Prince Xiang is getting married soon in Yancheng, in three months’ time. Your Majesty could have the princess represent the court and travel to Yancheng to offer congratulations on your behalf,” Consort Wei suggested.