Fan Li froze instantly. This secret couldn't be known by too many people! Princess Chang Le was as cunning as a fox, so it was one thing for her to see through it. But Lu Fubao had also figured it out?
"What is the Imperial Consort talking about?" Fan Li asked with a straight face, feigning seriousness. "This is a matter of great importance. As His Majesty's favored consort, you must not speak carelessly. Otherwise, it will shake the foundation of the nation, which would be detrimental to both His Majesty and yourself."
He guessed that perhaps Empress Dowager Li had deliberately told Lu Fubao in an attempt to sow discord within the palace. Although it was true, there was no evidence at the moment. As long as he refused to admit it and managed to appease Lu Fubao, it would be fine.
Fan Li wasn't very familiar with this young lady from Lu City. He was afraid that she might be easily swayed by Empress Dowager Li or Xiang Chong due to her youthful nature.
"Stop pretending." Lu Fubao's reaction, however, was calmer than Fan Li had expected. She stared at Fan Li for a long time, her gaze filled with resentment, but in the end, she only sighed.
"I discovered this matter myself. After the Three Emperors Summit, I followed His Majesty back to the palace. I noticed that he treated me with great respect but also kept his distance, never even touching me with a single finger.
With Lu City submitting to the Chu Kingdom, I could accept this kind of political marriage, after all, it was for my father and the Lu clan.
Until one day, I went to pay my respects to His Majesty as usual, but I found the bedroom empty. Instead, a palace maid, hearing my footsteps, panicked and hid on His Majesty's dragon bed.
I saw clearly that the person was indeed dressed as a palace maid. But when I asked, His Majesty's voice came from under the blanket, saying he was unwell and asking me to leave. I was startled at the time, thinking that His Majesty had a fetish for women's clothing."
Fan Li rolled his eyes. Good heavens! No wonder the saying goes, "If you often walk by the river, how can you not get your shoes wet?"
Xiang Ning must have secretly worn women's clothing so many times that Lu Fubao finally caught her.
"When I saw His Majesty again the next day, I couldn't help but observe him carefully." Speaking of this, Lu Fubao paused and took a deep breath.
"I have read the 'Book of Physiognomy' and have gained some insights. I discovered that His Majesty's facial features, complexion, posture, palm lines, and bone structure all indicate that he is a woman."
Fan Li shook his head repeatedly. "No, no, no, what 'Book of Physiognomy'? I have never heard of such a book. I advise the Imperial Consort to read fewer of these idle books, they are mostly filled with fallacies and heresies."
"Hehe?" Lu Fubao wasn't angry at his evasive denial. "The 'Book of Physiognomy' written by Xu Fu, the National Advisor of the former Qin Kingdom, was the standard for selecting concubines in the Qin palace. Is it just an idle book in Duke Jin's eyes?"
Fan Li fell silent, his expression gradually turning pained.
Seeing his reaction, Lu Fubao felt like she had finally vented her frustration. She felt much better!
"Don't worry, I have decided to keep this secret. I haven't even told my father." As Lu Fubao spoke, she became somewhat discouraged. "After all, my father and I have already been tricked onto your pirate ship. We're all grasshoppers tied to the same rope now."
Wow!
This girl understood the bigger picture!
Fan Li was touched and also curious. "How many ancient texts from the Qin Dynasty are preserved in Lu City?"
"Enough to fill your entire Rivers and Mountain Pavilion."
***
South of Mount Yunmeng.
The ten-day deadline was about to expire, and Fan Li finally arrived at his destination. He had traveled extremely slowly along the way, only aiming to avoid being late. As a result, he was indeed the last to arrive.
"Fan Li, you have such airs, making everyone wait for you?!" A sharp and sarcastic woman's voice rang out.
Although the speaker was a Great Vehicle Realm expert, Fan Li wasn't afraid in the slightest. He said with a sardonic smile, "I am not late. What do you mean by 'wait,' Sage Ruler Jin De? Could it be that I misremembered, and the ten-day deadline wasn't set by you?"
"You!?" Jin De was furious, wishing she could slap Fan Li to death. But she awkwardly realized that in this collaboration, it was actually the Pure Land asking the four kingdoms for help. Since Fan Li was here to help, Sage Ruler Jin De had no reason to boss him around.
"Only Confucian cultivators are allowed to enter Mount Yunmeng. I wonder what kind of Confucian cultivators the Wei, Han, and Wu kingdoms have sent."
Compared to Sage Ruler Jin De, Fan Li was more curious about the Confucian cultivators from the Three Kingdoms. He even had a faint guess.
Not far away, three small guards stood silently, each protecting a carriage. Perhaps it was the commotion on Fan Li's side that alerted them.
The curtains of the three carriages were lifted almost simultaneously. Three men stepped out and walked towards Fan Li.
One was dressed in luxurious clothes, tall and handsome, like a graceful young master, his eyes filled with composure and confidence.
Another had a face like jade, lips like red dots, and an air of romantic charm. He wore a sword at his waist, looking heroic and extraordinary!
The last man was eight feet tall, with a handsome face and a feather fan in his hand. His gaze was calm and profound.
"Fan Li, Duke Jin of the Chu Kingdom. May I ask who the three of you are?" Fan Li greeted them with a calm and composed smile, cupping his hands.
The handsome young master cupped his hands and said, "Guo Jia, Marquis of Weiyang Ting of the Wei Kingdom. I have long heard of your esteemed name, Duke Jin. It is an honor to meet you today."
The sword-wielding man saluted and said, "Zhou Yu, Grand Commander of the Wu Kingdom. Greetings, Duke Jin."
Fan Li thought to himself, "It is indeed you two!" Even without an introduction, Fan Li could guess the identity of the last man.
"Zhuge Liang, Chancellor of the Han Kingdom. I have long heard of your great name, Duke Jin."
Three important ministers, one powerful official, although they were meeting for the first time, they all felt a sense of mutual appreciation.
Just as Fan Li was about to exchange pleasantries, Sage Ruler Jin De spoke up again. "Fan Li, did you know? These three are all disciples of Guiguzi! The fact that Wei, Han, and Wu sent these three Confucian cultivators to assist us shows their sincerity!
But what about you? With your mere Foundation Building cultivation, you might have the life to enter the mountain but not the life to come out. For the Chu Kingdom to send you as its representative to invite Guiguzi out of seclusion shows a complete lack of sincerity!"
After saying this, Sage Ruler Jin De sneered repeatedly.
With Fan Li's self-cultivation, he naturally wouldn't be angered by such provocation. But he was also quite surprised.
He hadn't expected that the three ministers under Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan in this life would actually be from the same school!
Seeing Sage Ruler Jin De's verbal attacks on Fan Li, the three men frowned slightly.
Guo Jia shook his head and said, "Whether we can persuade our master to emerge from seclusion has nothing to do with our cultivation."
Zhou Yu also said, "Indeed. With Master's temperament, he only cares about whether he finds someone agreeable. If he is not pleased, it is entirely possible that he might change his mind and refuse to come out of seclusion even after meeting us."
"He speaks the truth." Zhuge Liang also said with a helpless expression. "Although the three of us are Master's disciples, we cannot expect any special favors. Sage Ruler, one more person means one more chance. Duke Jin is no ordinary man. Perhaps he might catch Master's eye."
Sage Ruler Jin De opened her mouth wide, unable to speak for a long time. She had originally thought that with three of Guigu's top disciples as intermediaries, this trip would be a sure success, and Fan Li was just there to make up the numbers.
In the end, this was the result?
Just as Sage Ruler Jin De was feeling depressed, an army suddenly approached from afar. Judging by the number, there were about five thousand of them!
Everyone looked and saw fluttering banners. Upon closer inspection, they discovered what seemed to be the emperor's dragon flag!
"The Jiajing Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, he actually came himself?!" Fan Li was secretly shocked. But on second thought, he felt something was wrong.
The Jiajing Emperor was known throughout the world for his cultivation of Daoism and the mysteries of the universe. He couldn't possibly possess Confucian righteousness.
However, besides the Jiajing Emperor, who in the Ming Dynasty would dare to use the dragon flag and imperial insignia?!
Suddenly, the five thousand Ming soldiers shouted in unison, "The Wanli Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty has arrived! You ministers of lowly vassal states, kneel and pay your respects!"