Chapter 453 - 154: Dragon-man Princess Ao Yin, The Needed Chess Piece, Great Xia’s War Goddess

"Did Emperor Xia say what this was about?" he asked casually.

"No, but a young woman named Spring Orchid is waiting for you outside the mansion," the maidservant replied.

"I see. You may go."

Jiang Lan nodded. After a moment’s thought, he decided to bring You’Er with him.

Outside the Prime Minister’s Mansion, a woman with her hair in a coiled bun and dressed in palace attire stood waiting for Jiang Lan beside a prepared carriage.

"This servant greets Lord Feng Jun."

Seeing Jiang Lan emerge with You’Er, Spring Orchid immediately bowed and greeted him. Her eyes then swept over You’Er with a questioning look.

’She has served Emperor Xia for many years and knew her personality well. Although the Emperor hadn’t asked about Jiang Lan’s whereabouts these past few days, she was clearly displeased.’

’They had just completed their wedding ceremony, yet Jiang Lan had returned to the Prime Minister’s Mansion early the very next morning.’

’Then, the day after, she heard about Jiang Lan’s "private meeting" with Fairy Miaoyin of the Divine Maiden Palace...’

’The look on Emperor Xia’s face that day was simply beyond description.’

’Standing by her side, Spring Orchid could feel waves of chilling pressure, and she walked on eggshells, terrified that a single wrong word would unleash the Emperor’s fury.’

"It’s fine. I’m used to You’Er taking care of me. Having her around makes my daily routine much more convenient," Jiang Lan said casually, understanding the meaning behind Spring Orchid’s questioning gaze.

Spring Orchid gave a wry smile inwardly but said no more, simply lifting the curtain for him.

The carriage was filled with a peculiar, faint fragrance. Though it didn’t look large from the outside, it was a different world within.

From the snow-white couch draped in the fur of a Demon Beast to the soft carpet covering the floor, it was clear its owner knew how to live in comfort.

Jiang Lan knew this was Emperor Xia’s personal carriage, so he made himself comfortable, leaning back and closing his eyes as if to rest. Before long, they arrived at the Imperial Palace.

You’Er was led by Spring Orchid toward a side hall, while Jiang Lan went directly to see Emperor Xia.

In truth, even if Emperor Xia hadn’t summoned him, he would have come to see her on his own initiative to set some plans in motion. It seemed she had run into some trouble.

Although the situation in Great Xia had stabilized, an undercurrent of turmoil still churned within. The dissatisfaction of the Imperial Clan Court and the Royalist Faction—who had once stood by her—was now great enough to overflow rivers.

To say nothing of the various Vassal Princes and Commandery Princes, who had already begun to make their moves. After the Southern Hunting drills, the Elders and Disciples of the various Immortal Sect Lineages had departed, and the guests from the other provinces had all returned home. But in doing so, they had managed to probe Great Xia’s true strength.

Dongyuan Province and other regions were on the verge of acting out, while the Barbarian Race of the Southern Wilderness Province was also gathering its strength and making preparations.

Meanwhile, in Chengming Hall, Emperor Xia paced back and forth, her hands clasped behind her back. She wore a Red Profound Gold-Edged Dragon Robe and a Heaven-Peace Jade Crown.

All the palace maids and eunuchs had been dismissed, leaving only one other figure in the hall.

It was a tall figure clad in armor. Her full head of dark hair was held up by a simple wooden hairpin in a style somewhat resembling a man’s topknot.

Her features were sharp and exquisite, as if drawn with fine ink, yet they radiated a heroic aura. A short sword was tucked at her waist.

The fact that she could attend court while armed spoke volumes of the trust and high regard Emperor Xia had for her.

Her armor was shattered in many places, bearing the marks of blades and spears. Faint wisps of a baleful Evil Qi could be seen circling around her, as if she had just clawed her way out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.

If Prince Wuxuan were present, he would have recognized this woman as his own daughter, Xia Jin, who had long since struck out on her own.

She was also the female God of War of Great Xia, responsible for guarding the south and defending against the Barbarian Race. The barbarian noble from the Southern Hunting drills had been captured by her own hands.

Emperor Xia had personally bestowed upon her a fiefdom and the title of Southern Grand General.

"Your Majesty, the Southern Hunting is imminent. The Barbarian Race will not stand idly by. The incident at the drills was their show of force. In recent days, my informants have learned that many barbarian tribes have secretly dispatched their experts to Nanmo Province..." Xia Jin’s voice was not soft and feminine; rather, it was cold, hard, and crisp, like the clashing of steel.

Years of fighting on the battlefield against the Barbarian Race had forged her personality, leaving no room for womanly weakness.

Indeed, many men who met her gaze would be so terrified by her intense Evil Qi that their legs would tremble, unable to stand firm.

"Nanmo Province?"

Emperor Xia’s brow furrowed slightly. "Nanmo Province lies between the Southern Wilderness Province and Xiling Province. It is a vast, boundless land, home to many Hidden Immortal Sects and Ancient Families. The Barbarian Race is sending their experts there... could they be seeking reinforcements?"