"Madame, the three great empires are already on the verge of collapse. Madame, please prioritize your health above all else."
"If anyone else had spoken such words, the assembled ministers might have dismissed them as mere pleasantries. But given Ju Zi's battle record, they now rose one after another to earnestly persuade her."
"This palace is naturally aware of what is important and what is not. However, His Majesty is still recovering from grave injuries, and now such rumors are spreading from the three great empires. We truly cannot let this matter rest here. Otherwise, where would His Majesty's dignity lie? Where would the prestige of our Sun Moon Empire stand?"
Ju Zi spoke while sweeping her gaze across the room. "I wonder which wise talent is willing to personally head to the front lines and crush the incoming enemy?"
Just moments ago, the faces of the ministers had all been filled with righteous indignation. But now, upon hearing that Ju Zi intended to dispatch someone to the front lines, silence fell over them all at once.
It was not that they lacked understanding of military affairs. On the contrary, anyone who could become a high-ranking minister of the Sun Moon Empire, even if not skilled in command, had at least some knowledge of warfare.
Precisely because of this understanding, none of them dared to speak lightly.
After all, the stalemate between the Sun Moon Empire and the three great empires had lasted nearly two years. If there truly were such a wise talent among them, they would have been sent to the front lines long ago.
After much thought, perhaps the only one capable was the Empress before them, the very one who had commanded the army at the outbreak of the great war.
But in Ju Zi's current condition…
Bang—
Ju Zi suddenly stood up and slammed the memorial in her hand heavily onto the table. Just as she was about to speak, her expression changed abruptly, and her body unconsciously bent forward.
Having reached such high positions, every person in the study was shrewd and perceptive. How could they fail to see Ju Zi's state? Panic immediately erupted in the study.
"Quick! Quick! Summon the imperial physicians!"
Bang—
The study door was suddenly flung open. But the one who rushed in upon hearing the commotion was not an imperial physician; it was Kong Deming.
He looked at Ju Zi, whose face had already turned deathly pale, and his brows furrowed slightly.
The maid beside Ju Zi wiped the beads of sweat continuously streaming from her forehead while supporting her as they walked out of the study.
Seeing this, Kong Deming stepped aside to make way. Only after Ju Zi's figure disappeared from the study did he sweep his gaze around the room before finally following after her.
Inside the Inner Palace, chaos had already taken over Ju Zi's sleeping chambers. Even the soundproofed room could no longer contain the tense voices within.
Kong Deming stood in the courtyard, his gaze fixed tightly in Ju Zi's direction, never shifting away.
Until the cry of an infant rang out from within the room.
Kong Deming suddenly took two steps forward and pushed open the door without hesitation. But the moment the door opened, he froze in place.
'Silver Moon Crown, you are also from the imperial family. This palace and His Majesty can also be considered your subordinates. Breaking into your junior's house at such a time, I'm afraid that's improper, isn't it?'
Inside the room, Ju Zi showed no sign whatsoever of having just given birth to a prince. She sat perfectly composed on the bed, lifting her head to look at Kong Deming, her brows slightly furrowed.
Indeed, things had reached the worst possible step.
As the Sun Moon Empire's sole Hyper Douluo and a Class 10 soul engineer, if Kong Deming wished to investigate something, no matter how carefully he acted, it was inevitable that some traces would remain in his eyes.
But as the time drew nearer and nearer, Ju Zi could no longer think of a better method.
Kong Deming's gaze swept past Ju Zi and landed to the side, his pupils suddenly contracted slightly.
There, lying quietly, was an infant who had only just been born not long ago.
With his eyes lightly closed, the entire sequence of events had already emerged clearly in his mind.
"Precisely because I considered you my junior as well, I did not expose the fact that over these past few months, you never showed any signs of pregnancy."
"Then this palace must thank Silvermoon Crown for that."
Seeing Ju Zi's calm demeanor, Kong Deming's brows furrowed even tighter. "Though His Majesty has flaws in his character, in the rear palace, aside from you, there has been no other person. Why would you collude with outsiders to secretly harm His Majesty?"
"Hah, sole favor toward this palace? It was merely that Xu Tianran had long since lost that ability."
"What did you say?"
Ju Zi did not explain further. She slowly rose to her feet. "Silvermoon Crown, as the pillar of the Sun Moon Empire, you should not involve yourself in matters of imperial succession. Why must you insist on meddling in this affair?"
"I indeed should not involve myself in imperial succession. But if I stand by and do nothing now, am I to watch as an outsider who secretly harmed the Sun Moon imperial family seizes control of the empire?"
"This palace is already the Empress of the Sun Moon Empire. How can you speak of an outsider?" Ju Zi said, turning her head to look at the infant on the bed. "In the future, will this throne not still belong to the Xu family?"
"If this matter could proceed naturally, that would be for the best. Why must you force the issue so relentlessly?"
Kong Deming shook his head and did not continue arguing with Ju Zi. "I have already seen through your intentions. Do you truly believe that without you, the Sun Moon Empire would be helpless against the three great empires?"
"You, a mere seven-ring Soul Saint, can never comprehend the kind of mighty power a soul master can wield."
"I admit that in terms of intellect and strategy, you are among the very best. Perhaps allowing you to hold power would not be a bad thing. But unfortunately, there is one thing you still lack greatly, and that is strength."
As Kong Deming spoke, he stepped toward Ju Zi. Yet he saw no trace of panic on her face. For some reason, an inexplicable sense of unease rose in his heart.
"So this is the reason."
Ju Zi suddenly spoke, causing a hint of surprise to appear on Kong Deming's face. "What do you mean?"
"Just as Silvermoon Crown said, this palace lacks strength. That is why I had no choice but to do as you described, collude with outsiders."
As her words fell, Kong Deming suddenly felt his heart tighten. But before he could react, his body became as if bound, unable to move even an inch.
Impossible!
A familiar aura rose from behind Kong Deming, and a flash of disbelief surged through his mind.
He was a ninety-fifth-level Titled Douluo, and he possessed the only Class 10 soul tool on the entire continent. Even if the other party was also a Hyper Douluo, it should have been impossible to restrain him so easily.
Moreover, just a few months ago, when he had clashed with the other party, that person had not possessed such power. How could such a massive change occur in merely a few months?
"Silvermoon Crown, now, are you willing to do as this palace suggests, let things proceed naturally?"
"This palace is but a woman. The throne has always belonged only to the Xu family. Back when Xu Tianran usurped the throne, you did not step forward. Why must you suffer such grievances now?"
Kong Deming raised his eyes and glanced at Ju Zi. "And if I refuse?"
"Then it would mean that Silvermoon Crown, as a member of the imperial family, after breaking through to become a Class 10 soul engineer, developed ambitions for the throne, concealed the news of His Majesty's death, and has now forced his way into the sleeping chambers of this palace with the intention of eliminating any future threats…"
Ju Zi likewise looked toward Kong Deming. "Presumably, what just happened was witnessed by many with their own eyes."
Kong Deming fell silent for a long moment without responding. Ju Zi glanced at the maid beside her, and the maid immediately understood, stepping forward.
"The Empress has given birth to a prince for the Sun Moon Empire. All imperial physicians shall be rewarded—"
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Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are chapters available on Patreon."
"From Douluo to Godhood by Defy 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo: Far North Invincibledo 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Peerless: Living as an Evil Soul Master 40 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Dalu 2:Peerless Tang Sect Dawn of Sun and Moon 40 Advance chapters."
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