Transmigrating into a Book: After Transmigrating to the Ending of the Book, I Became the Empress

Chapter 171 It’s not over yet

After the storm of the crisis gradually subsided, Chen Xiao and Chu Yanxi, like cunning infiltrators hidden in the shadows of the night, quietly but resolutely began a more secretive, profound, and intricately linked scheme.

Chen Xiao sat upright in the court, like a deep and tranquil pool, his face calm and undisturbed. His every move when handling government affairs was exactly the same as before, and his composure and calmness made it difficult to detect the slightest abnormality.

However, beneath the seemingly calm surface, she had quietly instructed Chao Yuan and others to further expand the already intricate intelligence network, like weaving a fine spider web.

Their vision was no longer limited to the words and actions of the court officials, but extended to a wider and more distant horizon with their keen and invisible tentacles.

All correspondence between local officials and the capital was quietly brought under close surveillance, and the whereabouts of personnel were precisely controlled. Everything was within that invisible yet tight and powerful control network, leaving nothing out.

Chu Yanxi's mind was as clear as a mirror. She understood perfectly that if she tried to resolve the numerous crises facing Ye Chao from the root, it would be futile for her and Chen Xiao to do so with their combined strength.

Xu Qian, the most respected, wise, and influential official in the court, naturally became the key to their breakthrough.

It was a sunny afternoon when sunlight filtered through the dappled leaves, casting shadows on the ground. Chu Yanxi strolled leisurely under the corridor of the Imperial Garden and unexpectedly ran into Xu Qian.

In an instant, past feelings were quietly stirred like a hidden spring, and a barely perceptible ripple gently rose in my heart.

But she immediately took a deep breath and used her strong self-control to forcefully suppress the sudden surge of emotion in her heart, her face instantly returning to its dignified, cold, calm and composed appearance.

"Does Prime Minister Xu have time to chat with me today?" She broke the somewhat awkward silence first, her voice calm and gentle, yet subtly carrying a deliberately crafted sense of distance.

Xu Qian was slightly startled, as if he had been suddenly awakened from the depths of a long and distant memory. He slowly raised his eyes and looked at Chu Yanxi.

Time, like a merciless carving knife, has sculpted marks of varying depths between them. Yet, these marks, like meticulously crafted works of art, add a touch of maturity and understated charm to their atmosphere, a result of weathered experiences.

Xu Qian was filled with mixed feelings, and a surge of emotions rushed through him. He quickly bowed and said, "The Emperor Emeritus has given his order, and I will obey it without the slightest negligence or disobedience."

The two strolled slowly along the corridor, and for a moment, only the soft, rhythmic sound of their footsteps echoed in the quiet air.

Chu Yanxi broke the somewhat dull and oppressive silence first: "Prime Minister Xu must have also keenly realized that the calamity that the Night Dynasty has encountered this time is by no means an ordinary little disturbance. I have recently obtained confidential intelligence, and it seems that a mysterious and unfathomable organization is secretly manipulating everything behind the scenes, and there are also treacherous ministers in the court who are secretly colluding with them and acting in concert."

At this point, Chu Yanxi looked up at Xu Qian and said, "Prime Minister Xu has served in the court for many years and must be very knowledgeable. I wonder if you have any clues or leads on this matter?"

Xu Qian lowered his head slightly, avoiding Chu Yanxi's gaze, and fell into deep thought. After a moment, he slowly spoke, "I have long had doubts and suspicions, but the person behind this is hidden too deeply and too secretly. The relevant evidence is as if shrouded in layers of thick fog, hidden deep within that fog, making it difficult to find any trace of them. However, after repeated consideration and weighing of the matter, I believe that we can start with those officials who have very close ties with neighboring countries and have recently acted strangely and behaved abnormally. By conducting a meticulous investigation one by one, we may be able to find some clues."

Chu Yanxi nodded slightly: "I have secretly sent people to keep an eye on Wang Qianyi, the Minister of Rites. His many actions are suspicious. However, I have a feeling that things are not as simple as they appear on the surface. It seems that in the unseen dark places, there is a deeper and larger conspiracy quietly brewing and undercurrents surging."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qian's eyes flashed with a complex and enigmatic expression: "I have been closely monitoring Wang Qian. I believe he may just be an insignificant pawn in this treacherous conspiracy. The real mastermind behind everything is probably hiding in a deeper, darker corner, insidiously watching every move inside and outside the court."

At this point, their conversation seemed to be abruptly interrupted by an invisible and mysterious force, their words coming to a halt and falling into a brief but meaningful silence.

Memories of the past surged into my mind like a raging, uncontrollable tide. The deep affection of those youthful days, the regrets of missing out on time due to the capriciousness of fate, and the past when we could not walk hand in hand, all appeared clearly in my mind.

Now, as time flows by, they have all crossed the long threshold of forty years. The youthful vitality and passion of the past have long since settled and dissipated in the turbulent river of time.

Seeing Xu Qian remain silent for a long time, Chu Yanxi naturally understood what he was thinking. She sighed softly, her voice carrying a hint of helplessness and determination: "Prime Minister Xu, the years have passed in the blink of an eye, and many things have changed. But at this moment, Yechao is in a critical moment of life and death, on the verge of extinction. I have no time to care about past grievances and grudges. Only by putting everything aside for the time being and joining hands can we overcome this difficult situation and turn the tide."

Xu Qian paused briefly, then resolutely raised his head, his gaze unwavering: "Your Majesty, I understand that in the face of this matter concerning the life and death of the nation, I will certainly abandon all selfish thoughts and devote myself to assisting the Emperor Emeritus and Your Majesty, taking it as my lifelong mission to safeguard the peace, prosperity and strength of the Night Dynasty, even if it means going through fire and water."

Chu Yanxi gazed at him, her eyes filled with a deep, mysterious, and complex expression: "With Prime Minister Xu's words, I am at ease. After this crisis has completely subsided, let's settle things properly between you and me."

Xu Qian was silent for a moment, then replied in a low voice, "...Yes."

In just a quarter of an hour, the two turned around and went their separate ways, each leaving with complicated thoughts in their hearts.

Subsequently, with the full assistance of a group of loyal and unwavering former officials, Chu Yanxi by chance obtained a mysterious and unpredictable account book that seemed to hide endless secrets.

The pages of the ledger were slightly yellowed, as if silently telling the story of the vicissitudes of time, and as if carrying countless unspeakable secrets.

The document subtly records the flow of enormous sums of money, like a faint and elusive clue. What's astonishing is that the source of these funds all mysteriously points to a secret chamber of commerce.

On the surface, this chamber of commerce operates seemingly ordinary and unremarkable businesses throughout the north and south of Yechao, selling exquisite silk fabrics or dealing in fragrant tea, wine, rice, and grains.

However, the transactions behind it are like a huge, intricate, and mysterious network, with countless threads intertwined and seemingly connected to many officials in the court.

Chu Yanxi dared not delay in the slightest and quickly informed Chen Xiao of this astonishing discovery.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao frowned slightly and fell into a long and deep contemplation. After a long while, he slowly said, "It seems that this Chamber of Commerce is the malignant tumor hidden deep within the Night Dynasty, a very clever and seamless disguise used to cover itself. If we want to completely root it out, we must find a breakthrough from the core business of this Chamber of Commerce and its key figures."

Therefore, they carefully selected Ye Qi.

Ye Qi is exceptionally intelligent, clever, and cunning. He is also adept at concealing his presence, like a ghost that moves elusively in the dark night, appearing and disappearing without a trace.

He disguised himself and cleverly infiltrated the Chamber of Commerce, like a stone silently thrown into a calm lake, causing only slight ripples. He then began to cautiously and methodically explore the core secrets of its internal operations.

During the long wait for Ye Qi's news, Chu Yanxi finally had a chance to turn her attention to Chen Xiao's harem.

When she learned that Chen Xiao only had one person in his harem, she was slightly surprised. She then turned to Chen Xiao and asked, "Xiao'er, do you find none of those men pleasing to the eye?"

Chu Yanxi and Chen Xiao are "fellow villagers" from the same interface and are also the hosts of Xi Xi. However, on the surface, Chu Yanxi is Chen Xiao's "mother queen".

When the Empress Dowager inquired, Chen Xiao dared not conceal anything.

So Chen Xiao obediently explained to Chu Yanxi in detail why there was only one person left in her harem, and why she had kept that person until now.

After hearing this, Chu Yanxi learned that the remaining person was Xu Qianzhi's eldest son, Xu Ruyu, and fell into deep thought.

Seeing Chu Yanxi's state, Chen Xiao couldn't help but think of Xu Qian and Chu Yanxi's past.

Perhaps, these two really did have a deeply unforgettable past? Chen Xiao wondered to himself.

At this moment, Chu Yanxi slowly came to her senses and said, "A person with someone in their heart cannot stay in the palace. You did the right thing."

Finally, she added, "But I've heard that neither Yan Yun nor Che Yu has anyone they love, especially Che Yu, who is in love with you, as you surely know."