Chapter 680

Wu Zetian smiled and said, though her words suggested otherwise, her eyes were full of approval—clearly that was exactly what she meant.

Ai!

How has this empress become more and more feminine!

Shangguan Wan sighed inwardly, but she could only accept it.

Yet she secretly admired—even as the empress grew more feminine, her grand strategy remained utterly unchanged.

Lanruo Temple is indeed a bone stuck in the throat: unpleasant to eat, yet impossible to discard.

But waiting for Dayuan to seize it allows us to use Yan Chixia's hands to tie down a large portion of Dayuan's elite and resources.

Moreover, Shangguan Wan faintly sensed that since Lanruo Temple is the sealed entrance and exit to Yin Yue Dongtian,

it is likely not only Yan Chixia who guards it.

In truth, Xuanxinzheng Sect may have sent many agents there, both openly and covertly.

They have remained hidden thus far because the Tang Dynasty has always treated them with courtesy.

Even when Cang Qu went, he returned immediately after recognizing Yan Chixia's prowess.

Thus, if Dayuan forcibly breaks the seal for the sake of Yin Yue Imperial Court,

it will inevitably alienate Xuanxinzheng Sect!

Consider that the Four Divine Generals—Qinglong, Bai Hu, Zhu Que, and Xuan Wu—alone are already four Heaven's Dao Golden List-level experts.

Above them, whether Xuanxinzheng Sect has other experts is almost certainly yes.

This time, Dayuan will likely end up losing more than they gain.

"By the way, Lian Wuhen…"

At that moment, Wu Zetian happened to spot Lian Wuhen.

Lian Xinluo had just entered the Heaven's Dao Hundred Flowers List, and now her master, Lian Wuhen, has ascended to the Heaven's Dao Golden List.

Add to that the still-unrevealed Qu Feiyan.

The three-person Xiaozong Sect, Xiejian Sect, has now fully revealed itself.

Yet Wu Zetian wondered: the three share the surname Lian—could there be a connection?

Shangguan Wan, naturally understanding Wu Zetian's thoughts, immediately said,

"In truth, apart from Qu Feiyan being somewhat older, Lian Wuhen is barely ten years older than Lian Xinluo.

Though all three share the surname Lian and are master-disciple-granddaughter, it was Qu Feiyan who established the rule: all who join Xiejian Sect take the surname Lian.

As for Lian Nishang, it was merely a coincidence!"

"The world is vast—truly, nothing is impossible."

Wu Zetian sighed, and just then, Yan Hongye appeared on the list.

"Seven lifetimes of fate? Only Ximen Wudi can help her escape destiny? Indeed, no wonder he's the man I chose.

He's truly amazing!"

Regarding the empress's evaluation of Ximen Wudi as "amazing," Shangguan Wan agreed.

After all, across the entire realm, who else could truly be called "amazing" and deserve it so fully but Ximen Wudi?

But what do you mean, "the man the empress chose"?

Your Majesty!

Empress!

You're sounding like a lovesick girl!

Seeing Wu Zetian's reaction, Shangguan Wan suppressed her urge to scold her and said,

"Perhaps Ximen Wudi truly can resolve this so-called fate, but what exactly this fate is remains unknown!"

Judging from this, Young Sima Sanniang's heart ailment is almost certainly Yan Hongye.

Your Majesty, why not ask the State Tutor to perform a divination and see if other solutions exist?"

The State Tutor Yuan Shoucheng excels in fortune-telling and fate calculation, nearly equal to Dayuan's Lotus Life Buddha and Qinglong Society's Mud Bodhisattva.

Could Yuan Shoucheng also unravel Yan Hongye's fate?

"Fine! But I have to say, Wan'er—

If the Heaven's Dao Golden List says so clearly, how could anyone other than Ximen Wudi break it?

Would the Heaven's Dao Golden List still have authority? Would Heaven even have any dignity left?"

Wu Zetian covered her mouth and laughed softly; she knew Shangguan Wan was thinking of Tang's interests.

But if the Heaven's Dao Golden List explicitly names only Ximen Wudi, then chances are no other solution exists.

Hearing this, Shangguan Wan's face turned bitter as she watched her empress still laughing carelessly, and she couldn't help saying,

"But has Your Majesty never considered this?

If only Ximen Wudi can resolve Yan Hongye's fate,

then Young Sima Sanniang and Yan Chixia will inevitably turn to Qinglong Society for help.

In that case, Xuanxinzheng Sect…"

"You're too clever by half."

Wu Zetian extended her slender finger and tapped Shangguan Wan's forehead, her expression tender.

"Yan Chixia might grow closer to Qinglong Society because of this.

But as for Xuanxinzheng Sect, I dare not reach out.

Remember, Yan Chixia's skill is one even Cang Qu acknowledged.

Someone like him is a rare gem even within Xuanxinzheng Sect.

Yet from the exposure of Yan Hongye's information, Yan Chixia has clearly retired in seclusion for his daughter."

In that case, Yan Chixia is almost entirely severed from Xuanxinzheng Sect.

Shangguan Wan's eyes lit up, and she finally understood.

"Does Your Majesty mean that Xuanxinzheng Sect is Xuanxinzheng Sect, and Yan Chixia is Yan Chixia?"

"Exactly! Recruiting Yan Chixia is better than trying to recruit Xuanxinzheng Sect!"

Having made this point, Wu Zetian lazily stretched out her arms.

Her magnificent figure was laid bare.

Even Shangguan Wan, herself a peerless beauty, couldn't help but envy such a figure.

She quickly shook off this disrespectful thought and asked again,

"Then, aside from Yan Chixia, how should we approach Xuanxinzheng Sect?"

Your Majesty rarely avoids indulging in Ximen Wudi's male charm—this is the perfect moment to extract maximum value!

Shangguan Wan could gather information and perhaps distill useful methods.

But to neglect using Your Majesty herself—isn't that a waste?

"You, you! I barely get to slack off, and you drag me back into mental labor—you're too human!"

Wu Zetian put on a look as if she were about to cry, as though she were Shangguan Wan's abused underling.

Shangguan Wan's forehead twitched with black lines—wasn't she the one serving Your Majesty?

But she knew that Wu Zetian always maintained a dignified facade in public.

The only two close friends she had were herself and Ying Gou.

Ying Gou had gone to Qinglong Peak for treatment and had not been heard from since.

The only person Wu Zetian could be tender with was herself.

Since Your Majesty had dropped her imperial guise and now wore the demeanor of a little woman,

Shangguan Wan set aside her burden and played along.

"You little vixen, looking for a beating? I'm ordering you—dare you refuse?"

Saying this, Shangguan Wan placed her hands on her hips and pointed accusingly, embodying the role of a ruthless, bullying boss.

Seeing this, Wu Zetian wasn't the least bit angry—she was delighted.

She curled up in a corner of the imperial bed, trembling slightly, looking pitiful and fragile.

"Your Excellency, it's not that I'm slacking off—it's just that…"

Here she paused, as if wanting to speak but holding back.

"Oh? So three days without a beating and you're ready to tear the roof off? You little vixen, you're asking for it!"