201: Chapter 201 Ancient Gu Insects!

"Manipulating corpses?"

Sikong Qianluo's eyes widened, her face filled with shock.

"It is indeed a thing, though the combat power of such controlled corpses is limited."

Shangguan Waner's tone was calm.

"Master, have you heard of this?"

Sikong Qianluo's eyes darted around as she asked curiously.

"There are many types of methods. One can use secret techniques to refine a corpse into a Jiangshi, use Gu insects to inhabit a corpse and move it, or use feigned death techniques combined with mind-controlling Cultivation Techniques."

Su Rui explained indifferently.

"This gentleman seems to have a deep understanding of the Baiyue region."

A soft, gentle voice drifted over.

Everyone looked toward the sound and saw a woman dressed in Baiyue clothing standing behind a street stall, watching them with a smile in her eyes.

"Who are you?"

Shangguan Waner was startled for a moment before frowning and questioning her.

"Greetings, Lady Minister. I am the newly appointed High Priestess of Baiyue."

As soon as these words were spoken, Shangguan Waner's expression changed slightly.

"The High Priestess herself has come to the Divine Capital, yet she's setting up a stall on the street?"

"It's just to handle some trivial matters.

Since the Empress is performing the Fengshan ceremony to Worship the Heavens, we of Baiyue naturally sent someone to observe the rites."

The woman's tone was gentle, and her expression remained calm.

"Master!"

A young girl of seventeen or eighteen walked over, also wearing Baiyue robes.

"Lian'er, have you wandered enough?"

The stall owner smiled and asked as she saw the girl return.

"Things are too expensive. I wanted to buy a new dress, but I didn't have enough money."

The girl sighed lightly, looking embarrassed.

"As your Master, I don't have much money either."

The woman behind the stall smiled bitterly and shook her head.

"That doesn't make sense, does it?" Shangguan Waner frowned. "Since you are the High Priestess, you should be receiving offerings from the royal family."

Her tone carried a hint of suspicion.

"Hmph! That fat Prince insisted we stay in the palace, but my Master refused, and I didn't want to either. So he cut off our allowance and sent us to the Divine Capital to run errands instead!"

The girl blurted out indignantly.

Su Rui's gaze focused as he carefully observed the young girl.

"Flame Spirit Princess?"

"Eh? You recognize me?"

The girl was stunned and looked Su Rui up and down.

"You are so good-looking; if I had seen you, how could I forget? Since I can't remember, I must have never seen you before."

Her logic was seamless, without a single flaw.

"Why does the gentleman know my disciple?"

The woman behind the stall finally showed emotion, a flicker of vigilance in her eyes.

Sikong Qianluo, Yin Luoxia, and Shangguan Waner all looked confused as well.

"I can peer into people's thoughts.

For example, you—you intend to leave Baiyue and pledge your loyalty to the Great Zhou Dynasty."

Su Rui smiled slightly.

The woman's face changed drastically, and she looked at him in shock.

Seeing this expression, Shangguan Waner's brow furrowed.

"You want to submit to the Great Zhou Dynasty? But Baiyue is already a territory of the Great Zhou Dynasty, so why the need for such thoughts?"

"Could it be... it really is related to what that girl just said?"

She followed up with more questions.

"Indeed.

To be honest, that King of Baiyue is my uncle."

When these words were spoken, even Su Rui was slightly shaken.

He immediately understood.

The customs of Baiyue were primitive, similar to those of barbarian tribes.

Practices like a younger brother marrying his deceased elder brother's wife or an uncle marrying his niece-in-law were common occurrences.

"It seems you have been deeply influenced by the ethics and culture of the Central Plains."

Su Rui nodded.

"Exactly.

I also believe those old customs should not be continued."

The woman's tone was firm.

"This matter must be reported to Your Majesty."

"We have the same intention and are just waiting for the Fengshan ceremony to conclude before seeking an audience."

The woman replied in a low voice.

"You're dressed so decently, do you have any money on you? Lend me some for an emergency first. Once we enter the Great Zhou and our lives are more comfortable, I'll definitely pay you back!" Flame Spirit Princess said to Su Rui with an eager tone.

"Me?" Su Rui was taken aback and instinctively patted his robes.

He really didn't have a single copper coin.

He turned to look at Shangguan Waner beside him.

With just one look, she understood and untied an embroidered pouch from her waist, handing it over.

"There are a dozen gold beads inside, enough for your expenses for a few days."

"Great! Thank you so much, now I can buy new clothes!" Flame Spirit Princess was so happy she almost jumped.

Su Rui looked at this chattering, guileless girl, his eyes flickering slightly.

Is this the Flame Spirit Princess who hasn't yet experienced the pain of her country's fall?

Why does she seem like a child who knows no sorrow?

Her Master didn't even have time to stop her.

"Take this token to the Qilong Street guesthouse, and someone will naturally arrange a place for you to stay." Seeing Su Rui's serious expression, Shangguan Waner took out a jade token and handed it to her.

"Alright." The woman took it and nodded slightly.

"Do you want any of these things? I don't mind giving them to you as a gift." Flame Spirit Princess smiled and pointed to the items on the stall.

Su Rui and Shangguan Waner didn't think much of it and walked straight past.

Sikong Qianluo, however, stopped and looked through them curiously.

On the stall were dried grass-like plants, likely medicinal herbs; some animal bones, several colorful stones, and a few oddly shaped small knives.

"What is this?" She pointed to one of the grayish-brown stone blocks and asked.

"That is an ancient Gu insect. It was buried underground for too long and didn't rot; instead, it grew into the stone."

Hearing this, Sikong Qianluo picked it up to examine it closely, her eyes full of interest.

It's just a fossil.

Su Rui thought to himself but didn't point it out.

The group then left.

Yao Hua watched Su Rui's receding back, her eyes flashing.

She hadn't felt comfortable speaking up just now.

She just didn't understand—what kind of person could have the Goddess accompany him in person?

...

Meeting the Flame Spirit Princess and her Master was just a small interlude on the journey.

As the sky grew dark and everyone had finished their meal at a brightly lit tavern, Shangguan Waner called for a carriage to go directly back to the palace.

After first dropping off Yin Luoxia and Sikong Qianluo at their respective residences, she then led Su Rui toward the Morning Star Palace.

Before the palace gates, Su Rui paused.

Shangguan Waner pushed open the hall doors: "Please enter, Mr. Su."

He nodded slightly and stepped inside.

The palace gates quietly closed behind him.

The Morning Star Palace was a sleeping chamber. At this moment, the candlelight was bright, making the interior feel warm and cozy.

He walked around a large carved screen and his gaze landed ahead—on the broad bed, the brocade quilt was slightly raised, clearly indicating someone was lying beneath it.

"What does she want to do?" Su Rui had already sensed something.

"Can the gentleman not see my thoughts?" The figure on the bed slowly sat up. Empress Wu revealed a section of her fair arm, wearing only a crimson Dudou.

"You also know that I will not stay in this palace for long." Su Rui's voice was calm.

"I understand.

But Senior Sister always mentions you in my ear. I was curious and only wished for you to resolve my doubts tonight." Empress Wu's expression was composed, her tone soft.

...

If one wasn't moved by these words, could they even be called a man?

Su Rui did not hesitate. He walked forward and with a light wave of his sleeve, all the lights in the hall were extinguished.

This day was the grand ceremony of the Empress of Great Zhou ascending Mount Tai for the Fengshan rites.

It was the first time since her coronation.

The entire Great Zhou Dynasty, especially the people of the Divine Capital, were all overjoyed, putting on their finest clothes to watch along the streets.

The people supported her not just because she was the Empress, but because under her rule, life was stable and prosperous.

She might not be well-versed in political schemes, but she had the boldness and strength to suppress all dissent.

As the people's lives got better and better, they naturally followed Empress Wu willingly.

On both sides of the official road leading to Mount Tai, there was a sea of people, their cheers like a tide.

On the dragon carriage, the Empress sat in the center, while Su Rui sat slightly behind and to her side.

"It seems your prestige among the people is not low." He spoke in a low voice.