Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

Wu Li, the former empress of the Wu Kingdom, was graceful and pure as ice and snow.

She ascended the throne at the age of fourteen and reigned for a total of thirty-three years. To date, she is actually seventy-two years old.

But now she still looks as mature and voluptuous as a woman under thirty, and at a glance she must be well-versed in the health preservation methods of martial artists.

Before Wu Li took office, he promoted water conservancy projects, rectified the court, reorganized the new army, suppressed powerful families, and to some extent prevented the sects from infiltrating the court.

He even personally led a large army to confront the Song army on the battlefield, forcing 400,000 Song soldiers to not dare to cross the border even a step.

Empress Wu Li is a sacred and inviolable figure in the hearts of the people of Wu Kingdom and even the Eastern Region, standing like a monument in the hearts of the people.

Jiang Mengxuan also regarded him as a role model for her lifelong learning.

However, Wu Li was later forced to abdicate in a coup. In order to avoid being hunted down by the Wu Kingdom, she fled to various countries for protection and eventually arrived in the Chu Kingdom.

Today is the day Wu Li visits the State of Chu seeking refuge, and Jiang Mengxuan personally greets this legendary empress at the city gate.

Because Wu Li's identity was sensitive and it was not appropriate to make too much of a fuss, Jiang Mengxuan kept everything simple. After receiving the Empress, they boarded the carriage back to the palace together.

Inside the car, Jiang Mengxuan carefully examined the former empress, whom she had aspired to be when she was young.

Upon closer inspection, one could only sense that Wu Li exuded an aura of goddess-like grace.

In terms of appearance, Wu Li is not as good as the young and energetic Jiang Mengxuan.

But in terms of mature and voluptuous charm, no matter how you compare, the inexperienced Jiang Mengxuan can't match Wu Liyi.

Wu Li, her eyes alluring, gazed silently through the curtains at the bustling street. After a long while, she smiled and said, "As expected of Jinling City, it is indeed a rare sight of prosperity."

After speaking, she turned her gaze to Jiang Mengxuan, revealing a thoughtful expression.

Unaware of her thoughts, Jiang Mengxuan smiled slightly and said, "I have always aspired to be Empress Wu since I was a child. I never expected to see her in person today. She truly lives up to her reputation and there is no room for falsehood."

Upon hearing this, Wu Li looked puzzled, then giggled.

"Empress Jiang, do you really want to make me your target? Hehehe."

Jiang Mengxuan frowned, not understanding what she was laughing at.

Wu Li then asked, "Tell me, why do you target me? What is it about me that attracts you?"

Jiang Mengxuan said, "During the reign of Empress Wu, the Wu Kingdom's national strength was growing rapidly, the court was enlightened, the people were prosperous, and foreign enemies dared not invade. I, as a junior, should learn from any of these things."

Wu Li played with a string of white jade beads in her hand and said quietly, "It seems you know quite a bit about my life, but unfortunately you only know one side of the story."

Jiang Mengxuan looked confused.

Wu Li adjusted her sitting posture, and a corner of the ribbon draped over her shoulders slipped down, revealing her fragrant and fair shoulders.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Mengxuan once again showed a hint of doubt.

Wu Li's image seems somewhat different from the dignified and virtuous image portrayed in rumors...

Wu Li said, "Since you call yourself a junior, then as an elder, I feel it's necessary to remind you that what you see may not be the truth."

I'm afraid that once you know the truth, you won't be able to accept that your beautiful childhood fantasies have been ruthlessly extinguished.

Jiang Mengxuan shook her head: "I don't quite understand what the Empress means."

Wu Li quietly sized up Jiang Mengxuan, then parted her lips slightly: "If I'm not mistaken, Empress Jiang, you are still a virgin, an unborn phoenix untouched by the rain, aren't you?"

Jiang Mengxuan replied frankly, "I am not yet married, so I have never experienced such a thing, and I do not know how to answer Empress Wu."

"Ugh--"

Wu Li looked on with a hint of envy and sighed softly.

"I truly envy you newly crowned empresses who know nothing, unaware of how filthy and treacherous the world of martial arts and the imperial court truly is."

However, it's believed that it won't be long before Empress Jiang, with her exceptional beauty,

You'll inevitably follow in my footsteps unless you have a reliable person by your side who will protect you at all costs.

Jiang Mengxuan once again showed a puzzled expression.

Wu Li's words were loaded with meaning; what exactly was she trying to express?

"What, you still don't understand?" Wu Li gently licked her lower lip. "Then let me explain it more clearly."

The title of Empress is just an identity; we are all women at our core.

In truth, for a woman to become empress and stand at the pinnacle of power is a bittersweet experience.

It all depends on your choice. For example, if you admire me, you only see my glamorous and dazzling side, the side that shines in front of others.

In fact, it may seem impressive to show off in public, but what about in private?

Everything comes at a price, although that price may not necessarily be a bad thing for me.

But for Empress Jiang, this was certainly an unacceptable reality.

Jiang Mengxuan smiled slightly: "Empress Wu, you must be tired after your long journey. I have prepared a welcome banquet for you in Chang Le Palace."

"Tired, really tired, but also very happy."

Wu Li simply lay lazily on the soft cushion.

"Alright, Empress Jiang, thank you very much for taking me in. However, there are some things you'd better not know right now, lest your young heart be unable to bear such a huge blow."

However, as someone who's been through it, I still feel it's necessary to remind you that many things are beyond your control. I hope Empress Jiang will prepare for this soon.

Here is a poem for you; ponder it carefully and you will understand what the future holds.

That year, the flowers bloomed on the south bank of the Yangtze River.

Soldiers from beyond the Great Wall returned wrapped in their shrouds.

An evil wind blew into Yumen Pass.

The world is a scene of devastation.

I've never heard of a female knight-errant or a sword immortal.

To vanquish demons and restore order to the world.

But then one sees the phoenix wings of the imperial city spread out.

Alone I ascend to the ninth heaven to embrace the vastness of the universe.

"Empress Jiang, I've said all I need to say. Figure out the mysteries within yourself. I'm only doing this because you're willing to offer me protection."

I've only told you so much in the hope that you can always stay true to your original aspirations.

Although many people, including those with personal experience, tell me that this is difficult, even impossible, I still hope for a miracle.

"I'm tired, I'll rest for a while. I hope Empress Jiang won't blame me."

After saying that, Wu Li struck an extremely seductive pose, closed her eyes, and drifted off to sleep.

Jiang Mengxuan had wanted to ask her for some advice on government administration, but seeing Wu Li's expression, she knew that it would be useless to say anything now.

Moreover, her inexplicable words seemed to be implying something, which made her lose the desire to inquire about government affairs and their reasons.

However, it doesn't really matter whether Jiang Mengxuan asks or not, as Shen Lang has already pointed out a clear path for her.

势！

As long as one is powerful, any schemes and tricks are nothing but clowns in the face of absolute power.

Indeed, the cotton fabric produced by the spinning mill in the past few months has been plentiful, of good quality, and highly breathable. As soon as it was released, it was immediately loved by the people.

The cotton cloth was once exported to countries such as Song, Wu, Taiji, and Yunshang, generating a total profit of 250,000 taels of gold. Furthermore, factory orders continued until the following summer, and even the upper echelons of Yan made large-scale purchases.

With enough money, Jiang Mengxuan realized the benefits; she could now make decisions on many things herself, bypassing the Six Ministries of the Imperial Court.

She knew that all of this was thanks to Shen Lang.

The thought of Shen Lang made Jiang Mengxuan's heart skip a beat, and her ears felt slightly hot.

"I wonder how Shen Lang is doing now, and how far has the situation in Nanzhao developed?"

The carriage slowly drove into Changle Palace.

As soon as he entered the palace gate, Jiang Chaoyun ran to see the emperor, covered in sweat.

"Your Majesty, this is a secret report sent by the Commander from Nanzhao with an urgent message, stating that Mu Yuanying and Tang Zhao intend to impeach Lord Shen!"

Jiang Mengxuan was startled upon hearing this. She glanced at Wu Li, who was still fast asleep, and then quietly got off the carriage.

"Your Majesty, please take a look."

After receiving the secret report from Jiang Chaoyun, she hesitated to open it for a long time, fearing that she would see words about the fall of Nanzhao and the devastation of its people.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the secret report.

After reading the above content, even though Jiang Mengxuan was usually very calm, a faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, and her slightly furrowed phoenix eyebrows slowly relaxed.

"Shen Lang has led the Chu army into Luchuan territory?"

Jiang Mengxuan's face remained calm, but her heart was in turmoil.

If you calculate the time, the army has only been in Nanzhao for about a month, right? How could they have recaptured Laoshan Garrison so quickly? And still have the strength to attack Luchuan's homeland?

"Your Majesty, please look closely. Tang Zhao and Mu Yuanying have jointly submitted a memorial impeaching Lord Shen for the massacre of tens of thousands of prisoners of war!"

"Oh, is that so? I understand."

Unexpectedly, Jiang Mengxuan didn't care about Shen Lang's actions at all.

In her mind, this was the price invaders should pay, and the ridiculous notion that killing prisoners was unlucky was truly unacceptable.

After all, being a prisoner of war in an enemy country doesn't come with this kind of treatment.

"Your Majesty, the impeachment letters will reach the court in a few days. What should we do then?"

Jiang Chaoyun was amazed that the empress didn't take it seriously at all, while he was getting anxious.

"We'll discuss everything after the army's triumphant return. I will consult with the Prime Minister about this matter in detail."

Jiang Mengxuan left a sentence behind, turned around and got into the carriage.

The carriage continued slowly toward the inner courtyard of Chang Le Palace, leaving Jiang Chaoyun completely bewildered...

Meanwhile, Shen Lang led three thousand Chu troops to sweep up the upper reaches of the Mengjiang River day and night.

Five days later, after arriving at the upper reaches of Mengshang and looking at the ever-flowing natural river, Shen Lang smiled.

"Luchuan Dynasty, your lifeline is now in my hands. Prepare to kneel down and call me father."