Chapter 454: Chapter 454: The Regent Empress.

Fen Dynasty Capital, Imperial Palace

Inside the Grand Vermillion Hall, the atmosphere had completely transformed.

Gone was the chaotic shouting and factional bickering.

Instead, a heavy, solemn silence filled the grand chamber as ministers and officials knelt in neat rows, listening attentively.

On the Dragon Throne sat Regent Empress Fen Ling.

Her crimson-and-gold imperial robes radiated an overwhelming presence.

Twin spectral dragons coiled around her throne, their crimson eyes scanning the court with ancient authority.

Her dark hair was crowned with the majestic phoenix headdress, and her piercing gaze swept across every face present.

In just five days, she had taken full control.

"Report." her voice rang out clearly, cold and commanding.

Prime Minister Mu stepped forward, bowing deeply.

His earlier fury had been replaced by reluctant respect... or at least fear of the woman now holding absolute power.

"Your Majesty, the eastern border has been reinforced with 30,000 additional troops and the suspected spies in the Ministry of War have been arrested and are currently being interrogated. We have also sealed all major spirit vein transport routes and increased inspections on all incoming goods."

Censor-in-Chief Zhao followed, his sharp face expressionless.

"The investigation into the Emperor’s poisoning has made progress. We have identified three suspicious eunuchs and two palace maids who had access to His Majesty’s chambers on the night the curse was likely planted. They are being questioned as we speak."

Grand Tutor Wei stroked his long white beard and spoke calmly.

"The imperial physicians have stabilized His Majesty’s condition for now using the methods Your Majesty provided. However... the unknown plague still continues to spread slowly. We still need the Azure Moon Sect’s envoy to arrive for any real hope of a cure."

The Empress listened without interrupting, her crimson lips curved in a faint, icy smile.

"Very good," she said softly, yet her voice carried through the entire hall. "Continue the investigations. Any minister found colluding with external forces will have their entire clan executed... and no exceptions."

A heavy chill swept through the court as several ministers paled visibly.

The Empress continued issuing decrees with calm precision:

"Double the food rations for the border fortresses. Send additional spiritual pills and weapons from the imperial treasury. Mobilize the hidden dragon guards to protect the Crown Prince at all times and increase surveillance on all the sects movements within our borders."

She paused, her gaze sharpening.

"Especially watch for any sign of demonic cultivators. Report everything back to me, even the smallest thing or slightest sign of them."

The ministers kowtowed in unison.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

As the court session continued, the Empress handled state affairs with frightening efficiency... military matters, finance, diplomacy, and internal security.

Her decisions were swift, decisive, and left almost no room for argument.

Many older officials who had initially doubted her regency were now quietly impressed.

The Long Dynasty’s royal bloodline was truly terrifying when fully unleashed.

Once again, they couldn’t help but wonder why such a capable and terrifying woman had chosen to marry into their Fen Dynasty and remained so low-profile until today.

The question lingered in many hearts, but no one dared voice it.

There were even some ministers who secretly thought... ’Maybe this plague is the Empress’s own work...’ but they quickly erased that dangerous idea from their minds the moment her piercing crimson gaze swept over them.

After several more decrees, the Empress finally rose from the Dragon Throne.

The court session had been long and intense.

Many ministers were drenched in cold sweat, yet they dared not show any signs of fatigue.

Just as the Empress was about to dismiss the court, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the Grand Vermillion Hall.

A pale-faced eunuch rushed in, his voice trembling with urgency as he kowtowed deeply on the floor.

"Your Majesty! Urgent report!"

The entire hall fell silent.

The Empress’s crimson eyes narrowed slightly as she looked down at the eunuch.

"Speak."

The eunuch’s forehead pressed firmly against the cold floor as he spoke rapidly.

"The Azure Moon Sect’s envoys have arrived!"

At the news, a wave of murmurs instantly swept through the hall.

Prime Minister Mu’s eyes widened, while Grand Tutor Wei stroked his beard with a calm expression.

And Censor-in-Chief Zhao’s sharp eyes flashed with hidden interest.

The Empress stood motionless for a brief moment, her phoenix headdress gleaming under the hall’s lights.

A faint, unreadable smile curved her crimson lips.

"Finally..." she whispered softly, then sat back down.

She raised her voice, clear and commanding, echoing through the Grand Vermillion Hall like a royal decree.

"Invite the Azure Moon Sect’s envoys in."

The eunuch kowtowed even lower.

"Yes, Your Majesty! This servant will see it done immediately!"

As the eunuch scrambled away to carry out the order, the Grand Vermillion Hall fell into a tense, expectant silence.

The Empress sat regally upon the Dragon Throne, her crimson lips curved in a faint, unreadable smile.

A short while later, the heavy golden doors opened once more.

Lan Suyao was the first to enter.

She walked with her usual cold dignity, arms crossed under her large chest, exuding an aura of icy confidence.

Her sharp eyes swept across the hall, taking in the kneeling ministers and the powerful woman seated on the Dragon Throne.

She couldn’t help but feel a bit surprised to see that woman sitting on the Dragon Throne.

She realized that this woman who had been quite famous in the past must have taken full control of the court after the Emperor fell ill.

Regent Empress Fen Ling’s eyes lit up with recognition, as a genuine, elegant smile bloomed on her face as she spoke warmly.

"Lan Suyao... It has been many years. You’ve grown even more outstanding."

Lan Suyao stopped a respectful distance away and gave a proper yet not overly humble bow.

"Your Majesty the Regent Empress. It has indeed been a long time."

Fen Ling didn’t mind the casual tone as she smiled,

"How is your master doing? I didn’t expect your sect to send the legacy disciple here as an envoy. What an honor that is."

Lan Suyao’s cold face cracked slightly at the mention of her master before she also smiled back.

"...My master is doing fine."

The Empress nodded approvingly, her gaze appreciative as she sensed the powerful aura around Lan Suyao.

If nothing went wrong, this woman would soon break through into the Golden Core realm.

"It seems she didn’t choose the wrong disciple. Truly a phoenix among women."

Inside, Fen Ling couldn’t help but think that the rumors of the Legacy Disciple being secretly seriously injured were false.

This woman was clearly in her prime.

Then her gaze shifted as she noticed another figure slowly walking in.

Next to enter was Yue Lan.

The moment the snow-haired beauty stepped into the hall, even the Empress’s eyes widened slightly in genuine admiration.

Yue Lan’s ethereal appearance made her look like a celestial maiden who had descended into the mortal world.

Fen Ling’s smile deepened, her gaze carrying sincere praise as she genuinely felt that this woman was truly someone extraordinary.

She felt that this woman was someone truly special... her aura was pure, profound, and carried a faint trace of something ancient and noble.

She couldn’t help but feel that the Azure Moon Sect really was full of hidden phoenixes.

Just as the Empress was about to continue speaking, the final figure stepped into the Grand Vermillion Hall.

Step.

The moment he walked in, the entire atmosphere in the hall changed.

Step.

The twin spectral dragons around her throne suddenly stirred violently, letting out low, wary growls as they sensed something terrifying.

And Regent Empress Fen Ling’s smile froze on her face.

Step.

Even though no one else noticed it, but due to her special bloodline... she could see it...

In her eyes... the entire world in front of her was groaning under immense, invisible pressure.

...as if every step the man took carried the weight of countless star itself.

And her crimson eyes trembled slightly the moment she met those dark and deep gazes.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.