From cute to empress

Chapter 207: The Forbidden Technique Reappears

In the Golden Palace, Zhen Youcai's hesitant expression made my heart tighten. For a while now, I've been immersed in the joy of my country's growing strength, almost forgetting the fear and uneasiness I felt when I first crossed over to this world.

"Tell me, what's the matter?" I tried to control my emotions and asked in a calm tone.

Zhen Youcai took a deep breath, glanced at the civil and military officials in the palace, and finally lowered his voice and whispered in my ear: "Your Majesty, we found some strange symbols on the border, like some kind of ancient writing, but we don't recognize them. And..."

He paused, as if trying to organize his words. "Also, the animals in those places are behaving very abnormally, becoming agitated and restless, as if they're being controlled by something."

My heart sank suddenly and an ominous premonition came over me.

"Do you suspect someone is behind this?" I asked.

"I dare not speak rashly, but this matter is too strange and we must be on guard." Zhen Youcai said in a deep voice.

I was silent for a moment, countless possibilities flashing through my mind. Was this a spy sent by some country? Or was there some supernatural power in this world?

"Let's not make this public for now." I finally made a decision. "Send someone to investigate secretly. Make sure you find out the source of this power and their purpose."

"I obey your order." Zhen Youcai took the order and left.

I forced myself to concentrate and continue with my duties, but my mind had already wandered off to other places.

That night, I tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. Zhen Youcai's words kept echoing in my ears. Those strange symbols, those agitated animals, all foreshadowed the coming of a huge storm.

I got up and walked to the window, looking at the bright moonlight outside, my heart filled with confusion and anxiety.

"Your Majesty, aren't you going to rest yet?" A familiar voice came from behind.

I turned around and saw Zhen Youcai standing at the door, holding an ancient parchment scroll in his hand.

"What is this?" I asked.

"This is an ancient book I stumbled upon while investigating those symbols." Zhen Youcai handed the scroll to me. "It contains some legends about ancient sorcery..."

I took the scroll and slowly opened it.

A stench of decay washed over me. The words on the scroll were twisted and strange, as if written in blood. By candlelight, I carefully deciphered the contents, my expression growing increasingly grim as I read further.

"This...how is this possible..." I muttered to myself.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong with you?" Zhen Youcai noticed my abnormality and asked with concern.

I took a deep breath, pointed at the words on the scroll, and said in a trembling voice, "What is recorded here is an extremely evil forbidden technique that can summon the power of darkness through the sacrifice of life... and those symbols are used to construct the altar..."

Before I could finish my words, I heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

"Your Majesty! This is bad!" A guard rushed in in a panic, "Prime Minister Li..."

Before the guard could finish his words, Prime Minister Li walked in, pale and supported by someone. His lips were bloodless and his body was shaking uncontrollably, as if he had experienced a great shock.

"Prime Minister Li, what's wrong with you?" I asked hurriedly standing up.

"Your Majesty... I was just in the mansion..." Prime Minister Li spoke haltingly, as if he had been extremely frightened. "Suddenly, a black mist appeared, and in the black mist... in it, there was a pair of scarlet eyes..."

"What?!" Zhen Youcai exclaimed, stepped forward, and supported Prime Minister Li. "Prime Minister, can you see clearly what that is?"

Prime Minister Li took a few deep breaths, his face regaining some color, but his tone still couldn't hide his fear: "That thing...that thing told me...told me to tell His Majesty to give up resistance...otherwise..."

When he said this, he seemed to remember something horrible, his body trembled violently again, and he couldn't speak.

"What else?!" Zhen Youcai asked, with a bit of anxiety and anger in his tone.

Prime Minister Li just shook his head, as if he didn't dare to say what came after "otherwise".

"Enough!" Shangshu Wang, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up. He walked up to Prime Minister Li and said in a serious tone, "Prime Minister, as the head of all officials, it's unbecoming of you to be so flustered when faced with such a situation!"

Prime Minister Li was instantly sobered by Minister Wang's rebuke. He took a deep breath, tried to calm himself, and said with a folded hand, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I...I lost my composure for a moment."

"Prime Minister Li, did the black fog you mentioned come from the symbols recorded in this ancient book?" I suppressed my uneasiness and asked, pointing to the parchment scroll on the table.

Prime Minister Li glanced at the scroll, his expression changing again. He nodded and said in a trembling voice, "Exactly... Exactly those strange symbols..."

"Your Majesty, this matter is of grave importance. We must act swiftly!" Zhen Youcai said solemnly, "I suggest mobilizing the army immediately to destroy all those symbols to prevent future trouble!"

"No!" Minister Wang objected immediately. "Those symbols were used to construct the altar. Destroying them hastily will only anger them! We know nothing about this dark force. If we act rashly, we'll only alert them!"

"Then, according to Minister Wang, what should we do?" Zhen Youcai asked with a frown. "Should we just watch them grow stronger and allow them to do whatever they want?"

"Only by knowing both ourselves and the enemy can we fight a hundred battles without danger," Minister Wang said calmly. "We should first understand the goals and motives of this dark force, and then formulate corresponding countermeasures."

Zhen Youcai was about to say something more, but I raised my hand to stop him. I turned to look at Minister Wang and slowly said, "Minister Wang, what suggestions do you have?"

"Minister Wang, what suggestions do you have?" I looked at the Minister Wang in front of me, who was always shrewd and calculating, hoping to get a safe plan from him.

Minister Wang stroked his beard and said slowly, "Your Majesty, I believe we can first send an envoy to contact this dark force to explore their true strength and purpose."

His proposal was exactly what I wanted. Unlike Zhen Youcai's radical approach, I preferred to use courtesy first and force later. Knowing both ourselves and our enemies is the key to success. I nodded and looked at Prime Minister Li, who had remained silent. "Prime Minister Li, this matter will be fully under your control. Be sure to select someone who is resourceful, brave, and eloquent to deal with the dark forces."

"I obey your command." Prime Minister Li took the order and left. Soon, a young general named General Sun was nominated to take on this dangerous and important task.

General Sun, bearing my instructions and numerous rewards, traveled deep into enemy territory and established contact with the dark forces. A few days later, he returned, exhausted, with a reply.

"Your Majesty, I have fulfilled my mission and have established contact with that dark force." General Sun knelt on one knee, his tone heavy. "They call themselves 'Shadows,' and their leader claims to possess immense power, enough to overthrow the entire world."

"What do they want to do?" Zhen Youcai couldn't help but stepped forward and asked.

General Sun glanced at him and continued, "They have only one request, which is for Your Majesty to hand over the ancient parchment scroll."

"What?!" Zhen Youcai slammed the table and stood up. "They're dreaming! That ancient book concerns the fate of our dynasty, how can we hand it over to them?!"

I was also shocked by this condition. I knew the importance of the ancient parchment scroll. It not only recorded the method of building the altar, but also concealed many ancient secrets that were related to the safety of the entire country.

"Your Majesty, this absolutely cannot be done!" Prime Minister Li also stood up to object. "If those ancient books fall into their hands, the consequences will be disastrous!"

"What else did they say?" I suppressed the uneasiness in my heart and tried to remain calm.

"They said..." General Sun hesitated, as if weighing his words. "They said that if Your Majesty refuses, they will launch an all-out war and massacre the entire Imperial City at all costs!"

"How dare you!" Zhen Youcai shouted angrily, drawing his sword. "How dare you, a bunch of scoundrels, speak such arrogant words!"

The atmosphere in the hall instantly plummeted to freezing point. Zhen Youcai and I exchanged glances, each seeing solemnity in the other's eyes. I knew a storm was brewing.

I took a deep breath and waved my hand for silence. I knew I had to make a decision at this moment, a decision that would determine the fate of our nation... I slowly stood up, my gaze sweeping across the anxious faces in the hall, finally landing on the ancient parchment scroll lying quietly on the table...

My eyes fell on the ancient parchment scroll on the table. It felt like it was carrying a heavy burden, making me breathless. Handing over the ancient book could buy temporary peace, but who could guarantee that the "Shadow" would keep its promise? Furthermore, this ancient book is related to the lifeblood of the country. How could I give it away?

"Your Majesty..." Zhen Youcai looked at me worriedly. I knew what he wanted to say, something like, "No need to compromise, fight them!" Prime Minister Li and Minister Wang remained silent, but I saw the same determination in their clenched fists and determined eyes.

A warm feeling welled up in my heart. Once upon a time, I was a newcomer, a panic-stricken little girl. Now, I am the ruler of a country, surrounded by trustworthy ministers and a lover who is willing to fight alongside me. What do I have to fear?

"I will not hand over the ancient tome." I raised my head, my tone firm. "This not only concerns the fate of my dynasty, but also the lives of all people in the world! If 'Shadow' really wants to fight, I will fight to the end!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Prime Minister Li said excitedly, and other ministers echoed him. The whole court was filled with the roar of "swearing allegiance until death."

Looking at these loyal subjects before me, I felt a surge of strength in my heart. I knew this battle was inevitable, but I had the confidence to lead them to ultimate victory.

"General Zhen," I looked at Zhen Youcai, "pass the order down. Strengthen the city defenses, train the troops, and prepare for battle!"

"Yes!" Zhen Youcai took the order and left. His back was as straight as a pine tree, as if he could hold up the sky.

I slowly walked to the window, gazing at the towering palaces and bustling streets in the distance, my heart filled with emotion. This prosperous era was earned by Zhen Youcai and I, along with countless loyal ministers and generals, with our blood and sweat. I will never allow anyone to destroy it!

"Come here," I turned around, a determined light flashing in my eyes, "Guardian of the Ancient Books..."