Chapter 102: The Grand Envoy Mission

A few days later, outside the outskirts of Pengcheng.

The envoy team was ready to depart. The Sovereign of the Cold Moon stood against the wind, her willow-leaf-shaped eyebrows furrowed deeply into a crease.

The Sovereign was displeased because Fan Li, the chief envoy, was late.

Hundreds of envoys stood poised to set off, yet Fan Li had still not arrived.

“Could it be that Fan Li has seen through my intentions and is waiting for the right moment to strike against me?” the Sovereign of the Cold Moon pondered inwardly.

Hmph!

Even if Fan Li refused the mission to the Han Empire on some pretext, could this Sovereign not draw her sword and storm the Fan Manor to take his head directly?

As she contemplated this, she noticed a force of about three thousand troops slowly approaching the envoy group from the city.

“Three thousand Golden Core cultivators!?”

The Sovereign’s expression turned astonished.

Looking closer, her shock deepened.

Indeed, they were three thousand Golden Core practitioners, clad in Chu Dynasty’s standardized armor and armed, their military formation solemn and disciplined!

What was going on?

Was Chu preparing for war?

Ordinary soldiers in the Three Kingdoms mostly hovered at the Qi Refining stage of cultivation.

Only elite units or lower-ranking officers might possess Foundation Establishment or Golden Core-level prowess.

Soon, the Sovereign had her answer.

Her face darkened as she gazed at the man guarded within the formation of three thousand Golden Core warriors.

Fan Li!

This was no expeditionary army but rather a protective detail for Fan Li.

“I apologize for the slight delay, Sovereign,” Fan Li said cheerfully but kept his distance, greeting from afar.

“What do you mean by this?” the Sovereign of the Cold Moon said coldly. “Would the Han Emperor permit you entry with such a formidable guard?”

She knew full well the three thousand Golden Core cultivators were a defense against her!

If they were ordinary Golden Core practitioners, even in great numbers, they would be a ragtag crowd, and she would not be concerned.

But this was clearly an ironclad army of three thousand, masters of battlefield formations and fearless in combat.

If a fight broke out, even she would find it difficult.

“With me present, even three thousand more will not trouble my father,” Fan Li said without elaboration.

Then the curtain of the sedan chair he occupied was lifted, and a stunningly beautiful woman in palace attire gracefully rose.

“Princess Changle? You!?” The Sovereign’s gaze suddenly turned cold.

The princess had once cultivated in the Pure Sound Sanctuary, so the Sovereign knew her well.

“Sovereign, I hope you are well,” said Princess Changle.

Her status was illustrious—both the eldest princess of the Han Empire and the Empress of Chu.

She spoke politely but offered no formal bow.

“I have missed my father and wished to return to my maternal home. According to the folk, this is called a ‘return visit,’ yes?” Princess Changle smiled lightly, as if making idle small talk.

“The Duke of Jin has specially assigned three thousand guards to ensure my safe journey. If Father knew this, he would only be grateful for the Duke’s kindness, not obstructive,” she added.

The Sovereign of the Cold Moon’s face darkened.

With Princess Changle’s prestigious name, the three thousand guards had free passage.

Along the way, it was even more inconvenient for her to act.

Perhaps she would have to wait until they reached Chang’an to make her move.

“Three thousand guards cannot shadow him every hour,” the Sovereign thought bitterly. “So be it, let Fan Li live a few more days.”

Though she was inwardly furious, her words were sharp and biting.

Despising Fan Li, she unleashed a sneering tirade.

“Soldiers are the nation’s precious instruments.”

“Three thousand Golden Core warriors—surely the finest of Chu’s elite.”

“What a pity they are wasted guarding a mere bodyguard instead of defending the borders or deterring enemies.”

“Even I find it a waste of talent, like a bright pearl cast aside...”

The Sovereign exerted her strength silently, carrying her voice throughout the entire army to ensure every soldier heard.

Yet, contrary to her expectations, no disturbance arose.

The three thousand Golden Core warriors stood like statues, unmoving, not casting a glance her way, ignoring her words entirely.

What was going on?

Were they deaf?

The Sovereign’s confusion deepened, feeling foolish as if speaking to deaf ears.

Fan Li chuckled lightly. “Sovereign, you misunderstand.”

“Oh?” The Sovereign glanced at him, waiting for his explanation.

“Our Chu military system has border troops guarding the frontiers and garrison troops protecting the capital. Apart from these, the three thousand Imperial Guards are specially assigned palace protectors.”

“Today, with Her Majesty the Empress traveling with the envoy, I’ve followed the Chu military regulations and only mobilized the Imperial Guards.”

After finishing, Fan Li smiled as if saying, “You didn’t expect that, did you?” and looked at the Sovereign cheerfully.

“You!?”

The Sovereign was genuinely taken aback.

Imperial Guards?

No wonder every one of them had Golden Core cultivation!

She suddenly recalled something and couldn’t help but ask, “You’ve summoned all three thousand Imperial Guards? What about the palace? Who guarantees the safety of the Emperor and Empress Dowager?”

After she asked, Fan Li’s expression froze.

After a long moment, he slapped his forehead.

“Oh no! I was careless and forgot about His Majesty and the Empress Dowager! What if assassins storm the palace now?”

The Sovereign of the Cold Moon’s heart leapt in alarm, nearly drawing her sword on the spot!

Forgotten?

How could that be forgotten?

Was it intentional?

Had the Emperor’s sworn son she had just accepted been set up by Fan Li?

Lost in troubled thoughts, the Sovereign heard Fan Li sneer coldly.

“Sovereign, rest assured. With Chief Eunuch Chen, the top expert of the Imperial Guards, here, I guarantee the safety of His Majesty and the Empress Dowager.”

In truth, Fan Li had indeed considered assassinating the Empress Dowager and Xiang Chong.

It was not too difficult a task but would almost certainly enrage the Pure Sound Sanctuary.

Then Xiang Ning’s fate would be uncertain, and the entire Fan clan might face destruction.

At present, Fan Li was not yet prepared to confront the Pure Sound Sanctuary directly.

“Hmph!”

“If your arrangements are so thorough, then let us depart!”

Furious but powerless to act, the Sovereign coldly dropped these words and turned to board her sedan chair.

Fan Li, meanwhile, wiped sweat from his brow. He could sense the Sovereign’s murderous intent.

Fortunately, his arrangements were sound, leaving her no opening.

“Congratulations. Before arriving in Chang’an, she should not make a move against you,” Princess Changle’s gentle and sweet voice floated like silk.

“Mm,” Fan Li nodded, entering the sedan chair alongside the princess.

The royal sedan was spacious and comfortable.

As for Fan Li and the princess being alone together, the three thousand Imperial Guards were Fan family loyalists, so no need for propriety.

“Sorry for the trouble this trip has caused you,” Fan Li said earnestly.

Princess Changle had been secluded, studying the “Records of the First Emperor,” only to be dragged out by him.

“Hehe, are we really going to be so polite?” The princess laughed lightly, her laughter sweet but tinged with a subtle allure.

“How about repaying me by letting me bear your child early?” she suggested.

Was she still thinking about that?

Fan Li looked at the enchanting princess before him and then out at the bright sun and vigilant three thousand guards.

He swallowed, “Not today. Another time.”

“Oh?” Princess Changle pressed on relentlessly. “When then?”

Damn!

Fan Li was utterly out of patience.

He could manipulate all the civil and military officials of Chu, even the emperor.

But this woman had seemed to have him completely under her thumb since their first meeting!

“Aren’t you aiming to become the Empress?” Fan Li said speechlessly. “Why the sudden rush for a child?”

He didn’t expect an answer, yet Princess Changle replied earnestly.

“Once I bear a prince, I will make him Emperor of Chu. I will rule behind the curtain for several years, then depose him and establish myself as Empress...”

Fan Li was dumbfounded.

He looked down at the “Records of the First Emperor” in Princess Changle’s hands, making sure it wasn’t the “Records of Wu Zhao.”