The attacking assassins finally retreated.
And Zheng Yi also witnessed Zhao Suling, one of the only two Jade Token Tributers of the Sacrificial Institute.
Sect Leader of Taiyii Dao, also a Grandmaster Realm Martial Artist.
Facing Elder Xuan Ming, Zhao Suling used just one move to defeat him, forcing him to flee.
Zhao Suling chased after him, but the specific outcome of the battle was unknown.
By then, he had already been hurriedly escorted away by Wang Zhongyi.
Before leaving, Zheng Yi held Xu Qingluan's small hand and said many affectionate words, leaving Xu Qingluan extremely moved.
At the same time, Zheng Yi also noticed that Wang Zhongyi had suffered significant injuries.
Blood at the corner of his mouth, dazed eyes, even his walking was unsteady.
After sending Zheng Yi back to the courtyard of Jiaotai Hall, he quickly left to find Emperor Zhengyong.
"Your Majesty..."
"My trusted aide, how are your injuries?"
Emperor Zhengyong was already aware of the presence of assassins in the Imperial Palace, so he never stepped out of Jiaotai Hall.
Isn't the role of the shadow just for this moment?
Finally, when Wang Zhongyi returned, he hurried to meet him.
"Your Majesty, my injuries are not serious."
Wang Zhongyi quickly said, "The attacking assassins were the famous Elder Xuan Ming from the Martial Arts world. These two are twins, connected in mind, both practicing the Profound Nether Poison Palm, even if they are only in the First-grade Realm, if they join forces, they can even contend against a Grandmaster Realm Martial Artist."
"These two hail from Wu Country and have been wanted by Wu Country for over ten years. Even if they were to assassinate someone, it should be the Emperor of Wu Country, why are they appearing in our Great Yu?"
Emperor Zhengyong's face was sullen, "Currently, Black Mountain Pass in Wu Country has been seized, if it weren't for the Qingzhou civil unrest, Xu Mujun's army would have charged into Wu Country's territory by now."
"If I were to be assassinated by a Wu Country assassin at this time, who do you think would benefit the most?"
"Wu Country? And... Prime Minister Yang!"
Emperor Zhengyong let out a long breath, "That old fox, he finally couldn't hold back... My trusted aide, has there been any reply from Xu Mujun?"
"Yes, there has."
"What did he say?"
General Xu said, "If there is a Holy Decree, he will return to the Imperial Capital at the fastest speed. But..."
"But what?"
"But he said, there is also chaos around Datong County. If he wants to return to the capital, he can only return alone!"
"Alone?" Emperor Zhengyong gritted his teeth, "What good is he alone?"
Wang Zhongyi said, "Your Majesty, Xu Mujun is an Innate Realm Martial Artist. One person is enough to contend against an entire army!"
"Hehehe... it's nothing more than a Martial Arts legend."
Emperor Zhengyong said coldly, "If surrounded by an army, regardless of being a Grandmaster or Innate, even if not killed, exhaustion would be fatal!"
Wang Zhongyi remained silent, not daring to speak.
Surrounded by an army?
A Martial Artist is not a stone, how could they stay in place to be surrounded and killed?
More so, as long as they strike to assassinate the army commander, or if the army suffers over thirty percent losses, it will inevitably collapse.
Your Majesty, ultimately still does not understand the importance of Martial Artists.
"What about the Shadow Guard?"
"I have secretly trained over thirty little eunuchs, all of them at the level of Third-grade Experts, and I have acquired the 'Star Trapping Array' from Taiyii Dao, sufficient to trap a Grandmaster Realm expert!"
"Xu Mujun, Xu Mujun..."
Emperor Zhengyong gritted his teeth, "Go, bring the shadow here!"
"Yes... Your Majesty!"
Soon, the somewhat bewildered Zheng Yi, who was just about to rest, was led by Wang Zhongyi to Emperor Zhengyong.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Shadow..."
Emperor Zhengyong was about to say something, then suddenly paused.
The young man before him, is this today's shadow?
He still recalled the first time he met the shadow over half a year ago, the timid, nervous, and submissive young boy.
But now seeing the shadow, it was as if he was seeing himself from three years ago when he ascended to the throne!
Energetic, confident, full of vigor!
For some reason, a trace of jealousy unexpectedly welled up in his heart.
After a few moments of silence, Emperor Zhengyong quickly recovered.
"Shadow, I have a task for you."
Zheng Yi's heart stirred, bowing, "Please, Your Majesty, instruct me."
"Half a year... no, three months!" Emperor Zhengyong raised three fingers, "I give you three months to impregnate Consort Duann!"
"This is my command, do you understand?"
Zheng Yi's heart tightened, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"You may go."
"Yes."
On the way back, Zheng Yi recalled the scene of just meeting Emperor Zhengyong.
"Killing intent?"
"Emperor Zhengyong's killing intent, has it finally reached its limit?"
"Does this mean I only have the last three months left?"
"In that case..."
In the darkness, a flash of killing intent also passed through Zheng Yi's eyes.
If you don't want me to live, then you shouldn't live either!
In the 3rd Year of Zhengyong, December 15.
Emperor Zhengyong was once again assassinated!
The assassins were martial artists from Wu Country, Elder Xuan Ming among them.
Fortunately, Zhao Suling from the Great Yu Honored Guest Institute intervened, repelling the assassins, otherwise Emperor Zhengyong would have been in grave danger.
Enraged, Emperor Zhengyong ordered a thorough investigation of the Imperial Palace, executing 351 eunuchs, 232 palace maids!
Executing the Imperial Army... seventy-two people!
Countless people were sent to the Celestial and dungeon prisons.
For a time, everyone in the Imperial Court was on edge, and no one dared to engage in private conversations.
Zheng Yi couldn't care less about the matters of the Imperial Court. After receiving Emperor Zhengyong's order, every evening at 7:00 PM, after the late meal, he would be semi-escorted by Wang Zhongyi to the Xianfu Palace.
Day by day of labor, night by night of indulgence.
And Emperor Zhengyong, hiding deep within Jiaotai Hall, constantly reviewing memorials, was extremely weary.
A month later, vitality returned to the entire Imperial Palace once more.
And everyone who looked at Xianfu Palace was filled with envy.
"The Emperor dotes on Consort Duann too much, it's been more than half a month..."
"This past month, except for those few days when Consort Duann had her monthly cycle, the Emperor has practically been at Xianfu Palace every day."
"Hmph! So what if the Emperor is there every day? If the belly is not cooperative, no child can be born!"
"How many months do Consort Shuu and Consort Bi have left?"
"About five months, soon..."
"And Empress, Consort De..."
"Who knows which lady will give birth to the Dragon Child?"
"Surely it will be Consort Shuu, she's the most favored..."
Late at night, in Xianfu Palace.
Qingluan lay on Zheng Yi, saying, "Your Majesty, I am powerless, unable to give birth to a Dragon Child for you?"
Zheng Yi replied indifferently, "Luan'er, why say such things? As long as I diligently cultivate, Luan'er will eventually conceive, don't worry."
Xu Qingluan playfully reproached, "Your Majesty is the Emperor, how can you say such things?"
"Hehehe, what about being an Emperor, as long as I like it?"
Zheng Yi glanced at the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror, "Luan'er, you must keep up the effort."
"Ah, Your Majesty, do you want more?"
"Be good!"
Over the following month, Zheng Yi stayed at Xianfu Palace every night.
With his diligent cultivation, Xu Qingluan became increasingly radiant and exceptionally attractive.
And on this day, his "Hundred Battle Blood Slaughter Saber" broke through to the third level.
His overall strength had already stepped into the First-grade Realm!
Strangely, after entering the First-grade Realm, he and Xu Qingluan continued, yet the proficiency of the "Hundred Battle Blood Slaughter Saber" no longer increased.
He speculated, probably a bottleneck had been reached.
Unless Xu Qingluan broke through, or he figured it out on his own, only then could he continue to increase his strength.
With time pressing, he decisively injected a stream of Innate Yin Qi into Xu Qingluan's body, ending this period of intense dual cultivation.
First-grade Martial Artist.
At this moment, he already had the power to protect himself.
"Emperor Zhengyong was assassinated twice in succession, and I heard that recently the Imperial Court has not been very stable."
"It seems, Prime Minister Yang is making his move?"
"Opportunity, is this it..."