Fairy, please don't do this!

Hearing the commotion outside, Lin Qingci and Mu Yiren thought something had happened and quickly asked, "Aunt Ruo, what's wrong?"

Si Ruoyu glared at Gu Jinzhao, embarrassed and annoyed, before explaining, "It's nothing!"

"I was just a little tired, and I pricked my hand while administering the acupuncture."

Lin Qingci then asked, "Has the acupuncture been completed?"

"It will be ready in a few more moments!"

Si Ruoyu quickly channeled her spiritual power to retrieve the hundreds of silver needles stuck in Gu Jinzhao's body into her sachet.

Gu Jinzhao felt that his upper body had lost sensation again, and he couldn't even move his fingers, as if he had become a vegetable.

He checked his internal condition. Although the meridians were connected, they were still unstable. He couldn't help but ask, "Aunt Ruo, how many more acupuncture treatments will it take before I can move around like a normal person?"

"Your injuries are too severe, and I'm not sure when you'll recover."

Si Ruoyu bowed her head and responded, slowly removing the ice silk stockings from her legs. Then she went to the screen and changed her nightgown into a soft dress.

Gu Jinchao said with some helplessness, "In that case, wouldn't I have to lie in bed for quite a while?"

Si Ruoyu did not respond, but simply took a damp towel and returned to the bed.

He carefully wiped the blood and sweat off the child's body several times to make sure the two women wouldn't notice anything before saying, "You should rest well. I'll come back tonight to give you acupuncture."

Having said that, she put on her embroidered shoes with bare feet and slowly left the bedroom.

Squeak!

The door was opened.

Upon seeing Aunt Ruo emerge, Mu Yiren and Lin Qingci hurriedly went to greet her: "How is Senior Brother (Jinzhao)'s injury?"

"Chao'er's meridians have been temporarily restored, but they are still unstable. She needs acupuncture twice a day, morning and evening."

Si Ruoyu maintained a calm demeanor while subtly revealing a hint of fatigue.

Thinking about how the two women had been guarding outside the door while she, as an elder, had been intimate with Gu Jinzhao inside, she felt ashamed but also guilty towards them.

Seeing that she looked exhausted, Mu Yiren said, "Aunt Ruo has been taking care of you all morning and night and must be exhausted. Go back and get some rest!"

Lin Qingci chimed in, "Senior brother, you can leave it to me and Sister Mu!"

After their life-or-death battle, she and Mu Yiren had no further conflict.

Although he still regarded him as his nemesis, and even wanted to kill him, those were all private matters between the two of them.

But in front of Aunt Ruo and even Gu Jinzhao, no one would reveal this.

"Thank you for your help!"

Si Ruoyu gave a soft "hmm" and then walked away gracefully.

Mu Yiren and Lin Qingci exchanged a glance and then walked into the room together.

Gu Jinchao was lying on the bed. Although his face was a little pale, his complexion was obviously much better.

Lin Qingci held the porcelain bowl and slowly sat down on the bed: "Senior brother, I have brewed a bowl of medicinal soup, which can not only nourish the blood and qi, but also nourish the bones and flesh."

Mu Yiren stepped forward with the tray, glanced at her, and said, "Have some breakfast first to fill your stomach, and then drink your medicine!"

Lin Qingci frowned slightly, but quickly relaxed: "Indeed, we should eat breakfast first. Sister Mu, why don't you feed Senior Brother breakfast first!"

As he spoke, he stood up and gave up his seat.

Mu Yiren sat down, picked up a steamed bun, and held it to Gu Jinchao's lips: "Try the scallion and pork bun from the Northern Territory!"

Gu Jinzhao subconsciously opened his mouth and took a bite.

The dough was soft and fluffy, the filling was delicious, the scallions were sweet and refreshing, and the overall flavor was savory and delicious.

"It tastes good!"

"Then let's eat a few more!"

Mu Yiren's lips curved into a slight smile.

Lin Qingci remained silent, simply watching the scene unfold.

Gu Jinzhao had been somewhat uneasy, thinking the two women would start fighting again.

It seems that they have reached some kind of agreement and will not compete with each other as they used to, which makes him breathe a sigh of relief.

Chapter 451, I'm coming clean: I've fallen for Your Majesty! (3K)

After Mu Yiren and Lin Qingci left, the room returned to calm.

Gu Jinzhao had just closed his eyes for a short rest when he suddenly sensed something and abruptly opened his eyes.

hum-

Suddenly, the space in the bedroom distorted, like ripples spreading across water.

The next instant, a figure dressed in a black phoenix robe, with half of his face covered by a lace mask, revealing only a pair of pale golden phoenix eyes and delicate red lips, stepped out from the crowd.

It was none other than Empress Dowager Xiao Qingyi.

Although Gu Jinzhao was unable to move, he still cleared his throat and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, this humble subject greets Your Majesty!"

"Your humble servant is injured and unable to rise to perform the proper greetings..."

"I have never cared about such empty formalities!"

Xiao Qingyi walked slowly to the bedside, flicked her sleeves and sat down in the chair, her black phoenix robe cascading down like night clouds: "Give me your hand."

Gu Jinzhao did as instructed and extended his right hand.

Xiao Qingyi placed three fingers on his wrist pulse and closed her eyes to sense the condition inside his body.

A moment later, her pale golden phoenix eyes opened again: "The meridians have been reconnected, and most of the qi and blood have been replenished."

"I will use my true essence to nourish you, and after some rest, you will be fully recovered."

She didn't let go, but gently placed her other palm on his lower abdomen, and her gentle true energy slowly flowed in, like a spring stream nourishing parched land.

Wherever it passes, warmth spreads, even easing the hidden pains in the internal organs.

Gu Jinzhao looked grateful: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

Xiao Qingyi parted her red lips slightly: "Gu Qing has treated me with sincerity, repeatedly risking his life without hesitation."

"Putting myself in your shoes, I will naturally treat you with sincerity..."

Gu Jinzhao met her gaze and gave her a sincere smile: "Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail your trust."

Xiao Qingyi glanced at him, her red lips parted slightly, and said, "In this Cangmo Hunting Ceremony, you fought three battles in a row, turning the tide and making invaluable contributions."

"Have you decided what reward you want?"

Gu Jinzhao said solemnly, "Protecting the imperial court is the duty of a thousand-household commander of the Demon Suppression Division. I dare not claim credit for it."

Xiao Qingyi gave a faint "Oh" and withdrew her gaze: "If that's the case, then I won't reward you."

Gu Jinzhao coughed lightly and quickly tried to salvage the situation: "Actually... Your Majesty does have something that I wish to ask for."

Shouldn't it be that he pretended to refuse, and the Empress insisted on giving it to him?

This has happened before!

This time, things have changed.

Sure enough! A woman's heart is like the bottom of the sea; she changes every moment!

Xiao Qingyi asked, "What is it?"

Gu Jinzhao slowly uttered three words: "[Heavenly Stem Mirror]".

Xiao Qingyi's gentle gaze turned icy: "Did you already know that this item was on me?"

If that's true, this lackey must have known all along that the Demoness in the Heart Realm was her, but he pretended not to know and deliberately played tricks on her.

Thinking of her repeated defeats and even the scenes of being desecrated and humiliated, her gaze toward Gu Jinzhao became increasingly hostile.

She even suspected that Gu Jinzhao's purpose in entering the Jade Capital Demon Suppression Division and getting close to her was for this item.

After all, the Heavenly Stems Mirror and the Earthly Branches Mirror are the two sides of the Destiny Plate, the sacred artifact of the Destiny Saint.

If it can be reforged, not only can one obtain a celestial artifact, but there is also a possibility of obtaining the inheritance of the Life Saint.

Such temptation, how many people in the world could resist it?

Gu Jinchao shook his head: "This humble subject was unaware that the Heavenly Stems Mirror was on Your Majesty."

"It was only after seeing the Empress's true face at the Spirit Spring that day that I realized it was exactly the same as the face of that demon in the Heart Realm... cough cough... that woman. That's when I belatedly realized it."

This matter must not be acknowledged.

If he admits it, Xiao Qingyi's subtle goodwill and trust in him will probably vanish instantly.

After all, no woman would like a man who approaches her with ulterior motives from the very beginning.

At that time, let alone winning over Xiao Qingyi, even obtaining the [Heavenly Stem Mirror] will be as difficult as climbing to heaven.

Xiao Qingyi was clearly not so easily fooled. Her pale golden phoenix eyes stared intently at him: "The condition that Gu Qing previously made to me, was it that he wanted the [Heavenly Dry Mirror] that I possess?"

This statement clearly contains a trap!

If he answers yes, it would be tantamount to admitting that he already knew the Heavenly Dry Mirror was on her.

Gu Jinzhao remained silent for a moment before cautiously replying, "Your Majesty, I had only guessed that this item might be in the hands of Supervisor Tantai Xuanji."

"The reason I made that request to Your Highness was that I wanted Your Highness to ask the Supervisor to give me this item."

"Oh?" Xiao Qingyi tapped her fingertip lightly on the armrest of the chair. "So you never suspected that this item was on me?"

Gu Jinchao "frankly" said, "Of course I had my doubts, but I think it's unlikely."

“Previously, I learned from Aunt Ruo that the Heavenly Stem Mirror that Xuan Ye, the former sect leader of the Heavenly Sect, possessed was neither given to her nor left in the Heavenly Sect.”

"Knowing that his time was coming to an end, Xuan Ye would never take such a precious treasure to his grave, and would certainly entrust it to the person he trusted most."

"This person is most likely her personal disciple, Supervisor Tantai, and only secondarily the Empress."

This statement is logically clear, reasonable, and flawless.

Xiao Qingyi nodded slightly, the coldness in her phoenix eyes dissipating somewhat, indicating that she had temporarily accepted his explanation.

She leaned back in her chair, her jade-like legs elegantly crossed beneath her skirt, and said leisurely, "Then why is Gu Qing so determined to obtain the [Heavenly Stem Mirror]?"

Gu Jinzhao remained silent for a longer time before whispering, "It's for Aunt Ruo."

Xiao Qingyi's eyes flickered slightly: "Why does she need the Heavenly Dry Mirror?"

Instead of answering, Gu Jinchao asked, "Does Your Majesty know about the earth-shattering upheaval that occurred in the Heavenly Sect back then?"

Xiao Qingyi nodded slightly: "Xuan Ye mentioned it to me a few times."

"After her senior sister Xuan Yi broke through to the first level of cultivation, she was corrupted by mad desires, lost her mind, and went on a killing spree within the sect."

"Xuan Ye used the sect's most precious treasure, the Heavenly Stems Mirror, and joined forces with many powerful figures within the sect to suppress it."

"It's a pity that the vitality of a first-grade cultivator is too tenacious. In the end, we could only shatter his physical body and seal his soul."

Gu Jinchao then asked, "Does Your Highness know where Xuan Yi's soul is sealed?"

Xiao Qingyi shook her head: "Xuan Ye did not explain this matter in detail, and I did not ask any further questions."

Gu Jinchao sighed softly: "Although Xuan Yi's physical body was shattered and his soul was injured, he was not completely annihilated."

"At the last moment, a wisp of her remnant soul entered the body of her closed-door disciple, intending to devour the disciple's soul and seize his physical body."

Xiao Qingyi paused, as if she had thought of something, and said with slight surprise, "The Supervisor Tantai once mentioned to me that Si Ruoyu is her senior sister."

"Could the person Xuan Yi is trying to possess be her?"

"indeed so!"

Gu Jinzhao nodded: "Xuan Yi's remnant soul is still sealed inside Aunt Ruo's body."

"Therefore, I wish to find the Heavenly Stems Mirror and the Earthly Branches Mirror, recast the Destiny Plate, and activate the wisp of the Great Dao of Destiny left behind by the Sage of Destiny to completely annihilate it!"

The Great Dao attained by the Sage of Destiny is called the "Mandate of Heaven".

This path uses itself as an anchor to construct a unique lineage.

Within this lineage, Heaven is me, and I am Heaven.