Chapter 312 121: Not Wanting to Owe a Favor, Imperial Extreme Creation Pill, So She Wasn't Executed?

"Is there something special about that woman? Why would she be connected to the Prime Minister's Mansion?" Emperor Xia set down the memorial in her hands and glanced over.

Spring Orchid stepped forward, handing the portrait to her and explaining, "After her investigation, Linglong Commander discovered that the ones who tried to kill the woman in this portrait seem to be connected to the Prime Minister's Mansion. They were apparently acting under orders from the Prime Minister's Mansion."

"Orders from the Prime Minister's Mansion?"

"Why would the Prime Minister's Mansion want to kill the woman in this portrait? Is there anything special about this woman?"

Emperor Xia frowned, clearly perplexed. She then unrolled the portrait and examined the person depicted inside.

The portrait looked to be quite old, its edges already yellowed. The woman in it appeared to be in her twenties, with pretty features and a full figure.

She was attractive, but not uncommonly so.

"This portrait is more than a decade old…" Emperor Xia murmured, stroking a faded spot on the scroll. She could clearly feel the marks left by the passage of time.

Spring Orchid said respectfully, "The woman is currently under the protection of Linglong Commander. However, we do not yet know why the Prime Minister's Mansion sent people to assassinate her."

"According to Linglong Commander, the portrait shows the woman's true appearance from over a decade ago. She has since altered her looks, but her would-be assassins possess a Secret Treasure that can reveal her true form…"

Emperor Xia set the portrait down, her expression thoughtful. "This is getting interesting," she mused. "Could this be connected to some secret of the Prime Minister's Mansion?"

"Where is this woman now?" she asked.

Spring Orchid replied, "She is currently with Linglong Commander of the Observatory. She seems terrified of retaliation from the Prime Minister's Mansion. No matter how the Commander questions her, she refuses to say a single word."

"Linglong Commander is constrained by her official position and the laws of Great Xia, so she can't very well torture her for information…"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Xia said coolly, "Then order the Dark Flower Pavilion to bring the woman to me. I will question her myself. If she fears any consequences or later retaliation from the Prime Minister's Mansion, I will be her backer. She may speak freely."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Spring Orchid respectfully withdrew.

Meanwhile, at the Prime Minister's Mansion, Jiang Lan noticed that You'Er, who had been diligently studying and comprehending her cultivation techniques, had finally made a breakthrough. After several days of hard work, she had successfully refined and gained control over the Magical Power filling her body.

Jiang Lan then had her consume an Imperial Extreme Creation Pill, after which she successfully opened a Spirit Sea within her Dantian.

Its scope surpassed a thousand zhang, exceeding that of many young Celestial Prides.

"Excellent."

He nodded in satisfaction. You'Er was overjoyed at his praise.

Jiang Lan thought for a moment. As a reward for her breaking through to the Third Realm, he decided to take her to the Immortal Robe Pavilion and Yunshui Shop in the Imperial Capital to buy some dresses and accessories she liked.

Upon hearing this, You'Er's amber eyes seemed to light up, shining with delight and anticipation.

「Meanwhile, tens of thousands of miles away in Guangyuan City.」

In a quiet courtyard, Linglong Commander was tapping her fingers on the table, slow and deliberate. She was clad in Soft Armor, her face concealed by a mask, and all of her black hair was tucked away.

Across from her sat a middle-aged woman. She was reserved, yet still possessed a certain charm, her figure full and graceful. She clutched her teacup tightly, clearly on edge.

"There's no need to be nervous. I am a Commander from the Observatory. As long as I'm protecting you, no one will dare to try and harm you again."

"This is a senior brother I once cultivated with in my Sect. He means you no harm; he just wishes to ask you a few questions."

Linglong Commander's voice was crisp and cold, showing little emotional inflection. Her tone was as flat as always.

Also at the square table sat a middle-aged man dressed in coarse linen. Embroidered on his sleeve, so subtly it was almost invisible, was a flower of gold and black thread.

He was none other than Hu Heng, a member of the Dark Flower Pavilion established by Emperor Xia, and an agent the Emperor held in high regard.

He also happened to hail from the same faction as Linglong Commander—the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain—though he was considerably older than her.

"I… I don't know anything. Please, can't you just stop asking me…"

The middle-aged woman of the Liu Clan had eyes filled with panic and distress. She shook her head relentlessly, her hand trembling so hard the teacup rattled, her voice shaking with fear.

Linglong Commander's expression remained unchanged. She said coolly, "The people who came to assassinate you are from the Prime Minister's Mansion. You must know what grudge lies between you and them, and why they want you dead."

"If I hadn't happened upon the scene, you would already be dead."

"Hiding the truth does you no good. If I were to wash my hands of you, the Prime Minister's Mansion would just send more people to kill you."

"Do you think you'll be so lucky next time?"

Her tone was cold and detached, merely stating a fact.

But the woman before her was stubborn, insisting she knew nothing and had no idea why anyone would show up at her door trying to kill her.

And yet, the moment she heard the words "Prime Minister's Mansion," she couldn't conceal the fear that made her tremble.

Linglong Commander had questioned her multiple times to no avail, and the situation was becoming a headache.

If not for her official position and the laws of Great Xia, she would have already resorted to other methods of interrogation.

As a Commander of the Observatory, she had spent the last several days tracking a Blood Immortal Sect lair. The trail had unexpectedly led her to Guangyuan City, which was how she stumbled upon this affair.