Aunt Qin would rather Jin Li not be in that position.
However, she knew it couldn't be that way.
"Wolf ambition!" She glared at Sima Ting, her eyes full of anger, "Colluding with the Northern Khan Palace, his crime deserves death!"
The Northern Khan Palace and Nanqian Country were sworn enemies.
Every harvest season, the iron cavalry of the Northern Khan Palace would break through the border into Nanqian Country, ransacking and looting.
Between the two countries, there was a deep-seated hatred.
"This is the difference between you and me." Sima Ting raised his head and said, "Between countries, there are only interests, and the soldiers are the ones who speak of favours and grudges.
Madam Qin, I advise you to be self-aware, hand over the key to the treasury, or else…"
Sima Ting threatened.
As the lawful wife of the deceased General, Aunt Qin held the key to the imperial treasury.
And this key could unlock the Heavenly Fate Lock and retrieve the Jade Seal.
He wanted to usurp the throne; he needed to get the Jade Seal to justifiably inherit the fate of Nanqian Country.
"Don't even think about it."
Sima Ting looked at Aunt Qin without saying anything further.
Aunt Qin was, after all, the widow of that General.
Now, the General in the frontline was once a blood brother of that General.
If he killed Aunt Qin, things would become complicated.
But Aunt Qin, she was the Empress's pillar of support, he had to attack her and heavily injure her.
Then, the Empress would have no support.
"Madam Qin, may you take care of yourself." SimaTing said, "In three days, the Crown Prince of Nanfeng Country will arrive, and in ten days, it will be the date of the duel, how will you cope?"
With that said, Sima Ting left with a flourish of his sleeve.
Anger flashed in Aunt Qin's eyes, which then turned into a look of desolation.
She was now seriously injured, even damaging her foundation, almost impossible to heal in a short time.
She could only lose in the upcoming duel.
…
"Your Majesty, there are seven books here, all recording about Xuanyuan Forbidden." A maid held up the books and placed them on the Jade Throne.
"Hmm." Jin Li nodded, picked up a book, and began to read carefully.
Today, upon hearing Qi Yuan mention Xuanyuan Forbidden, she became interested in it.
Right now, Aunt Qin was severely injured.
And in ten days, the Crown Prince of Nanfeng Country would arrive at Nanqian Imperial City, and his State Preceptor would duel with Aunt Qin.
If they were to lose, Nanqian Country would lose face, and her…fate would be in danger.
Because, ten years ago, when Jin Li's father died, and she had not yet ascended the throne, Nanqian Country was in turmoil and Nanfeng Country amassed an army of two hundred thousand troops on the border, intending to take advantage of the situation to invade Nanqian Country.
Prime Minister Sima Ting went to the border to negotiate with Nanfeng Country on behalf of Nanqian Country.
This set a trap for Jin Li.
If she loses this battle, she will have to marry the Crown Prince of Nanfeng Country.
As a reigning Empress, how could she marry a prince from another nation?
This was the trap set by Sima Ting.
Because, ten years ago, she had not yet ascended the throne, the agreement Sima Ting made with Nanfeng Country did not cause much issue.
It was merely a trade-off of one princess for peace at the border.
Now, with Aunt Qin severely injured, to win this battle, she had to heal her injuries first to have the strength to fight.
Among the four forbidden places, there were many spiritual objects, maybe even some medicinal materials for treatment.
Just by flipping through a few books, she saw that in Xuanyuan Forbidden, there were some rare spiritual medicines with different medicinal effects, like healing injuries and extending lifespan.
"Nine-Flower Splendid Dew?" As she flipped through the book, Jin Li's eyes lit up.
According to the ancient books, in Xuanyuan Forbidden, there was a spiritual medicine called Nine-Flower Splendid Dew.
This spiritual medicine had nine petals, released nine different fragrances, and was known as the imperial medicine.
"If Aunt Qin gets this spiritual medicine, not only will her injury be cured, but she may even… breakthrough to the imperial level!"
This news came from the hands of a top-ranking emperor.
That emperor, by a stroke of luck, entered Xuanyuan Forbidden.
Originally, he had seen the spiritual medicine and wanted to pick it, but he was attacked by the beast king inside.
He was outnumbered and escaped from Xuanyuan Forbidden, but he never had the chance to enter again.
"So, there should be many beast kings in Xuanyuan Forbidden?
Beast Emperor... unknown."
Jin Li was deep in thought.
If there's no Beast Emperor, based on the Beast King's perception, if they sneaked in, they might be able to pick the spiritual medicine.
"It's a pity that there's no record on how to enter Xuanyuan Forbidden."
Each of the four forbidden places had their difficulties.
And the most difficult part about Xuanyuan Forbidden was how to enter.
"Could it really be like Qi Yuan said, going in with a ladder?"
Thinking of Qi Yuan, a smile involuntarily appeared at the corner of Jin Li's mouth.
Of course, that would be impossible.
This matter, it was too absurd, or to say… it didn't make any sense.
However, Qi Yuan didn't have any reason to lie to her.
She trusted Qi Yuan.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have asked the maids to gather information about Xuanyuan Forbidden.
She read the remaining books very carefully.
Regrettably, none of them contained any information on how to enter Xuanyuan Forbidden.
Just then, she saw a record that caught her eye, and she couldn't help but read out loud, "Xuanyuan does have beasts, it looks like a fox tail, similar to a pen, and it acts bizarrely, likes to attack at night."
This record was also recorded by the top-ranking emperor.
Jin Li was stunned.
Words Qi Yuan had said before came to mind.
The Bizarre Pen, particularly cunning, likes to transform into a pen at night and sneak attack people without any sense of honor.
"Is this the same beast?" Numerous thoughts flashed in Jin Li's mind.
"The top-ranking Emperor who left this information was once a Grand Sacrificer of Nanqian Country.
This information had always been kept in the book collection pavilion and never been leaked.
How did Qi Yuan... know about it?
Could it be that... Qi Yuan is a member of my royal family?"
Jin Li's heart was unsettled at this moment.
"No!"
"He knew that the beast was called the Bizarre Pen!
Could it be... Qi Yuan has really been to Xuanyuan Forbidden?"
Jin Li took out the Linglong Jade Seal and sent a message hurriedly.
"Qi Yuan, have you really been to Xuanyuan Forbidden? Carrying a ladder... to go in isn't fake, right?
I have an urgent matter... and need to go in once."
Although Qi Yuan was erratic and liked to make up nonsense.
She was afraid that Qi Yuan would answer carelessly after reading her message, so she mentioned her reason for going.
She was gambling with her life.
Qi Yuan... wouldn't joke about this.
However, she sent the message, but Qi Yuan didn't reply.
"It's a pity that Yiguan Forbidden is too far, otherwise… sigh."
Jin Li sighed, then her eyes became firm.
"Someone, prepare for my departure, I will leave the palace tomorrow."
There was no time left.
She decided to leave the palace tomorrow to go to Xuanyuan Forbidden.
She had no other choice.
Staying in the Imperial City was just waiting for death.
However, thinking of something else, she continued to instruct, "Kirin Guard, send a team to Yiguan Forbidden to see if there is any abnormality."
Qi Yuan said he had gone to Yiguan Forbidden.
If Qi Yuan was a strong man, then there must be some disturbances in Yiguan Forbidden.
She sent the Kirin Guard to investigate Yiguan Forbidden.
Meanwhile, inside Yiguan Forbidden.
Qi Yuan, carrying the golden great sword, looked at the strange creatures in front of him, his eyes filled with curiosity.