Chapter 352: The Stunning Empress
Before stepping into the place known as the "Imperial Pool," Luo Wusheng's mind was still replaying the scene he'd just witnessed.
How should he even describe it? Well, Night Crow's situation was still manageable—after all, this was already the second time he'd seen that fellow get physically kited around like a fool.
But Xuan Ming… hmm. Compared to the overwhelming pressure that person was now facing, what really caught Luo Wusheng's attention was the drastic change in his appearance.
To be honest, with that current look—something straight out of a "Killer-Style" fashion disaster—if he hadn't been able to vaguely recognize his physique and had it not been for Wutong's confirmation, he never would have connected that guy to the simple-minded, easily-deceived Daoist warrior he'd traveled with.
The mask of the Six Gate Bureau Golden Ranked member really was something else. Not only could they completely alter a person's aura, but they could even obscure one's identity so well that you had to rely on vague silhouettes to tell people apart.
(If I put on one of those masks… would I have to make some extra changes too? If I went full "Killer-Style" with the look, would I and Xuan Ming end up ruining the entire aesthetic of the Six Gates Bureau…?)
Damn it, what the hell am I thinking? If I really went that far, wouldn't the Empress kill me on the spot?
There were already two excellent cautionary tales right in front of him!
Suppressing his ever-reliable urge to court death, Luo Wusheng lifted his head slightly.
He was now deep within the Imperial Palace. Twin rows of lush gardens lined the path, spiritual energy dancing lightly in the air, lending the place a tranquil, almost ethereal beauty.
In the middle of the palace walls stood an arched gate, shrouded in mysterious white mist. The fog was so dense that not only could the naked eye not pierce through it, even spiritual awareness was completely blocked.
"Your Majesty, Pavilion Head Luo has arrived," Wutong stepped forward and spoke in the clear, formal tone of a royal official.
"…Let him enter alone."
A calm but unmistakably authoritative female voice drifted out from behind the gate.
"As you command."
The two Six Gate Bureau Golden Ranked members bowed in unison. Wutong stepped aside and extended a hand in a guiding gesture.
"Pavilion Head Luo, this way please."
…
Compared to their previous meeting at the Wandering Immortal Inn, this entire process felt far more formal.
So formal, in fact, that even someone like Luo Wusheng couldn't help feeling a little nervous.
Sure, considering all three of her Alter Egos, he'd actually interacted with the Empress quite a bit already. But for some inexplicable reason, this time felt different—his heart was uncharacteristically uneasy.
(Maybe it's the fault of that damn marriage contract my Master pulled out of nowhere…)
When dealing with her other identities, he was fine. But every time he faced her Imperial Alter Ego, that ridiculous piece of paper would float into his mind uninvited.
Especially on this walk through the palace… the deeper he went, the more dazzling the surroundings became.
Luo Wusheng's body finally passed through the swirling, mystical fog.
The scenery beyond the gate came into view.
A stone path wound ahead, surrounded by a variety of exotic spiritual plants. To one side lay a shimmering fish pond, its surface reflecting sparkles of light. From time to time, golden-scaled spirit fish would leap playfully from the water, splashing down with crisp, clear sounds.
Beside the pond stood a small pavilion, and within it sat a solitary figure at a neatly arranged tea table—awaiting his arrival.
But the moment Luo Wusheng caught a clear glimpse of that person, his breath hitched.
It was undoubtedly the same face he'd seen not long ago—gorgeous beyond compare. And yet, the aura she now gave off was entirely different.
The stunning woman was no longer clad in her imposing imperial robes. Instead, she now wore a red palace dress trimmed with golden thread. Compared to the stately grandeur of her usual attire, this outfit showcased her youthful charm to perfection. It subtly highlighted the contours of her breathtaking figure, offering tantalizing glimpses beneath the thin layers of silk.
Gone too was the ornate purple-gold phoenix crown she usually wore. In its place, a few delicate hairpins nestled among her silky tresses, golden chains swaying gently, adorned with luminous pearls that accentuated the otherworldly beauty of her moonlit face.
In that moment, even the breathtaking landscape around her was reduced to a mere backdrop.
She alone stood at the center of this perfect picture—like a scene from a dream he was afraid to disturb.
All sound faded into silence, as though the world itself wished not to disturb the beauty of the scene.
"What are you standing there for, Pavilion Head Luo?"
The girl at the table gently sipped her tea, her captivating eyes never once leaving Luo Wusheng.
"I've been waiting here for a full incense stick's time. Are you planning to make me wait even longer?"
The words, on the surface, carried a tone of reproach. Yet when spoken with such a gaze, such subtle intonation, they felt far more like the teasing of a close friend than the scolding of a ruler.
Luo Wusheng swallowed dryly. A flash of embarrassment crossed his face, but he quickly composed himself, putting on a proper, respectful smile.
Even so, he didn't immediately bow or offer formalities. Instead, he slowly stepped into the pavilion, closing the distance.
"Forgive my rudeness, Your Majesty. It's simply that the sight before me today is so different from what I've seen before… I was momentarily stunned. I hope Your Majesty won't take offense."
"No harm done," the Empress replied lightly. "You're still recovering, after all. Formalities can be spared—please, sit."
Luo Wusheng didn't stand on ceremony. Following her invitation, he seated himself across from her, using the close proximity as an excuse to subtly examine the girl before him.
It was obvious now—she had dressed up for this.
The Empress, dressed in a form-fitting red palace gown, was breathtaking beyond words. He had never once imagined that the sovereign of an Empire would appear before him in such attire.
Yes, it was the middle of the day—but that didn't make this any less of a dream.
And yet, the scene before him was undeniably real. Too real. His imagination simply wasn't vivid enough to conjure such a perfect vision from scratch.
"…So, may I ask—what brings Your Majesty to appear this way today?"
Almost getting lost in the allure again, Luo Wusheng forced his eyes to shift slightly, bringing himself back to his senses.
"It's nothing much," the Empress replied, setting her cup down with elegant poise. Her fingers lightly adjusted the hem of her red gown as she continued, "I simply found myself feeling nostalgic today."
She glanced down at the folds of her dress, her voice softer. "When I was still a royal princess of the Immortal Nation, these were the kinds of dresses I wore. After ascending to the throne, I rarely put on anything like this again."
"Today's still early, the official court matters haven't begun. I had a certain feeling in my heart… and so I chose to meet Pavilion Head Luo like this."
She tilted her head slightly, her expression playful. "Though it's a bit casual, I trust Pavilion Head won't mind?"
Her long, slender fingers traced the rim of her teacup, tapping lightly. The crisp clinking of her nail against the porcelain echoed delicately in the quiet air.
Mind? Of course I don't mind! In fact, please keep being this casual—feel free to get even more casual!
Luo Wusheng felt a rather treasonous thought bouncing left and right in his mind, dancing dangerously close to the line of lèse-majesté.
And yet, alongside the rising heat in his chest, doubt flickered in his heart.
Despite her words, he didn't believe for a moment that all this was truly "casual." No one looked that flawless from head to toe by accident. The gown, the jewelry, the understated makeup—it was all meticulously arranged.
This was more than a simple wardrobe change.
If anything, slipping into the typical imperial robes would've been easier than achieving this effortless elegance.
(Hold up… did the boost in favorability that I got earlier… result in this bonus content?)
His thoughts churned, but outwardly Luo Wusheng simply reached for the tea before him. The warmth still lingering in the cup felt grounding. He smiled softly.
"When I first heard the title of the Empress of the Immortal Nation, I remember wondering what Your Majesty might have been like as a princess. Now that I've seen it for myself, I feel that regret has been more than made up for. How could I possibly mind?"
He took a light sip, the tea smooth and fragrant.
"But it's I who should apologize, for keeping Your Majesty waiting. That was inconsiderate of me."
"Thankfully," he added with a slight glint in his eye, "I've brought something of value today—something I believe Your Majesty will find quite useful."
He set the cup down gently.
"I assume Your Majesty has already noticed the Nether Formation the Netherkin Race has set up within the capital?"
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Note: Link to the character Illustration:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lkIcPnCxeyuyZA4Kkb621dPC05UvWjhD[1]
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[1] https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lkIcPnCxeyuyZA4Kkb621dPC05UvWjhD
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