Qin Chuan understood her feelings; such a thing was truly heartbreaking, and she even felt like she was dreaming.
Back at the palace, they ran into the Empress. She smiled and took the Imperial Tutor's hand, and the three of them ate together. Qin Chuan now knew that the two women had definitely made things clear.
Qin Chuan wasn't worried; he knew the Empress wouldn't mind, and might even be happy. Sometimes women's minds were truly mysterious, and the friendships between women were completely different from those between men.
Qin Chuan personally cooked a large table of delicious dishes. His ability was indeed impressive; food is essential for everyone, whether ordinary people or powerful emperors. It was just a matter of how much they ate.
However, the atmosphere was still a little awkward. The Imperial Tutor felt a little guilty towards the Empress. She had expected the Empress to blame her, and she was prepared to accept whatever the Empress might do.
She wouldn't argue with her, but she also didn't want to be separated from Qin Chuan. She had finally changed her perspective, and even if it was only for him, it was enough.
However, the Empress showed no sign of blaming her, which only made her more uneasy. She was a woman herself and understood women. If the Empress had argued and made a scene, it would have been easier for her to change her
mind. But the Empress's silence and kindness made her uneasy.
They say those involved are often blinded by their own feelings. After all, she had liked the Empress before, then the Empress liked Qin Chuan, and now she had gotten there first, entering the Empress's room that night. Now they seemed more like a couple, and she even felt like she was doing it on purpose.
But only she knew that it wasn't true at all, though she knew the Empress wouldn't believe her.
The Imperial Tutor ate somewhat absentmindedly. Although the food was delicious, she had something on her mind. After the meal, Qin Chuan left first, knowing the two women must have something to discuss. As
soon as Qin Chuan left, the Empress sat down beside the Imperial Tutor with a smile.
The Imperial Tutor sighed, "I know you don't believe me. I really didn't..."
"I believe you. I'm very happy. Do you think we need to be so formal? I was just curious, really. I'm very happy. I really hoped to see this day. It's perfect for me," the Empress said with a smile.
The Imperial Tutor looked at the Empress: "Are you serious?"
"Do you think I'm joking?" the Empress asked with a slight smile.
"Why? He originally belonged to you. Now I'm interfering. Aren't you angry?" the Imperial Tutor asked.
"Didn't I tell you before? He doesn't belong to me alone, nor to both of us. Perhaps he belongs to us for a while. He won't stay here. The Guardian God is growing. What do you think he needs to help us find this Guardian God for? If he could stay, he wouldn't be in such a hurry to find a Guardian God."
The Imperial Tutor was stunned. She knew, but recently she found herself disliking using her brain. She preferred the days when she didn't think about anything and had someone to rely on.
Before, she was a strong woman, standing behind the Empress, shielding her from the wind and rain, supporting her through so much. But now, she needed someone else to support her, and it was a man at that—truly incomprehensible.
...
When Qin Chuan saw the Imperial Tutor again, it was naturally evening. The Imperial Tutor was now spending the night with Qin Chuan. This time, seeing her, he noticed she was much more relaxed. He knew the two women must have had a serious talk.
Many things are better left unsaid. Besides, this matter wasn't actually that complicated. Qin Chuan sensed it, but the Imperial Tutor didn't. Perhaps he was too close to the situation to see clearly, or perhaps he was just feeling guilty.
Qin Chuan loved peaceful days; they were as calm as still water. Such days were rare, so he cherished them. However, sometimes many things are beyond one's control.
The Hou family was destroyed, but the Hou family actually had a powerful backer. Now, this backer has announced that they will destroy the Heavenly Kingdom, that they will make the entire imperial city pay the price, that they will massacre the imperial city, leaving not a single blade of grass. In an instant, the entire Heavenly Kingdom's imperial city was filled with
panic. Even within the Heavenly Kingdom itself, people were in a state of disarray. Many moved away from the imperial city, and even those on the outskirts of the Heavenly Kingdom were preparing to leave, because the Heavenly Kingdom's opponent was too powerful.
The Five Qi Yang Sect!
This was a super behemoth. They were five forces allied together, closely connected. Although they were called five forces, they were actually one sect many years ago, only later becoming five separate sects.
Although they were five, they were united and always got along well. In this world, the Five Qi Yang Sect was definitely the hegemon.
This colossal power has sent shivers down the spines of the Heavenly Kingdom. Most people instinctively fear national wars, knowing they bring devastating casualties, rivers of blood, and fields strewn with corpses. The conflict
between the Five Qi Yang Sect and the Heavenly Kingdom doesn't qualify as a national war; many see it as a one-sided massacre. It's neither particularly good nor bad compared to a true national war. They
can't afford a war, but the Heavenly Kingdom risks becoming a fallen nation, or even a puppet state. Living in such a country offers no sense of security and is often humiliating.
Furthermore, many in the Imperial City were preparing to leave, and some had already taken action. However, news quickly spread that those who escaped were all dead, making them afraid to leave.
Staying meant certain death, leaving meant certain slaughter—either way, death was inevitable.
This instilled despair in many. The greatest fear isn't death itself, but the absence of hope, the deepest despair.
The Empress was deeply troubled, truly troubled. The Imperial Tutor wasn't much better off. Every day, crowds gathered outside the palace, hoping to find a solution. They could only place their hopes on her.
"Has the Imperial City Array been activated?" Qin Chuan asked.
"No, it's useless. The Imperial City Array is just a bluff, a show of force. It's not that powerful; it's easily defeated by a truly skilled array master," the Empress shook her head. "
Activate the array, let me see," Qin Chuan said.
The Empress nodded.
The array activated. This was the Imperial City Array, essentially the Heavenly Kingdom's protective array. After all, as long as the Imperial City existed, the Heavenly Kingdom existed; if the Imperial City disappeared, the Heavenly Kingdom would vanish, perished.
Qin Chuan felt immense pressure. He couldn't just stand by and watch the Heavenly Kingdom perish.
If the Heavenly Kingdom fell, the Empress would be expelled from her faction, and she would certainly be eliminated. Qin Chuan didn't have the confidence to fight against an entire faction, so he had no choice but to prevent the Heavenly Kingdom's demise.
This array indeed lacked power.
Qin Chuan sensed the activation of the great formation the moment it was activated, which made his heart sink. If there was no way to deal with it through the formation, Qin Chuan really didn't know what to do. He was powerful now, but there were always people stronger than him, and besides, he was limited by his cultivation level.