Chapter 503: A Perfect Match

"The Empress has arrived?"

Hearing the announcement from outside the hall, Lü Yang immediately raised his eyebrows. The next moment, the grand doors swung open, revealing a graceful figure adorned in phoenix coronet and rainbow robes.

The woman possessed willow-leaf eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes, her jade-like countenance glowing softly. She wore a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠long silk dress draped with an outer robe embroidered with golden clouds and phoenix patterns, its wide sleeves flowing elegantly. A pearl-adorned hairpin swayed gently with her movements as Lü Yang's gaze traveled upward from her graceful form, finally settling on her exquisitely beautiful, fair-skinned face.

"Your humble servant greets Her Majesty the Empress."

Lü Yang swiftly lowered his gaze and bowed respectfully. Yet in the next instant, a heavy thud echoed through the hall—the sound of the doors being firmly closed behind her.

What did this mean?

At this moment, the Four Treasuries Dao Repository fell into complete silence, where even the breathing of Lü Yang and this suddenly appearing Empress could be heard distinctly.

Then, Lü Yang noticed a radiant light emanating from between the Empress's brows. The dimly lit hall of the Dao Repository abruptly brightened, as if space itself had expanded infinitely, revealing vast fields of crops, flourishing vegetation, and scenes of agricultural abundance surrounding her at the center.

Above these myriad images shone an earthen true light, flawless and complete:

[Empress Cisheng Lingsi]

Countless beams of light descended, seemingly intangible yet pressing upon Lü Yang's physical form with the weight of entire mountain ranges.

'[Roadside Earth].'

'As expected, everything within the imperial palace is sustained by Emperor Jiayou—including this Empress. In terms of status alone, she's no less significant than Crown Prince Longxing...'

As Lü Yang pondered this, the Empress—who had maintained an extremely low profile within the Dao Court's bureaucratic system, nearly invisible behind Emperor Jiayou—was also studying him. Her beautiful eyes reflected Lü Yang's form, where she seemed to glimpse a peerless dragon of pure yang essence, capable of overturning rivers and seas.

Yet in the blink of an eye, he appeared again as a handsome young man.

'Half-human, half-dragon?'

'Not merely a blending of bloodlines, but something where each contains the other... How is this possible?'

The Empress's maiden surname was "Xiao," hence she was also called Empress Xiao. Though born a commoner, she was exceptionally intelligent and sharp-witted, having memorized the entire Four Treasuries Dao Repository by heart.

Among all Foundation Establishment cultivators in the world, there were few things she didn't understand.

Yet Lü Yang's "half-human, half-dragon manifestation" was bizarre and unfathomable, leaving Empress Xiao utterly perplexed and burning with curiosity.

However, she quickly regained her composure:

'No rush... This can be discussed later. I have more pressing matters.'

With this thought, Empress Xiao deliberated for another moment before parting her vermilion lips to speak softly: "This palace must thank Commandant Lü for assisting Longxing in securing the Tianwu Hall."

"This humble servant merely fulfilled his duty," Lü Yang replied with clasped hands.

"Commandant Lü need not be modest."

Empress Xiao shook her head: "This palace knows Longxing's temperament well—he covets grand achievements yet fears personal risk, chasing petty gains while forgetting his greater purpose. He is no true sovereign."

"Were it not for Commandant Lü's presence, he would likely have been manipulated by the officials by now. This palace had considered stepping forward personally to stabilize the court on his behalf, but Commandant Lü's sudden emergence spared this palace the trouble—and saved this mere woman from appearing publicly."

"However..."

Here, Empress Xiao glanced meaningfully at Lü Yang and added cryptically: "This palace observes that Commandant Lü bears the countenance of tigers and wolves—likely not one to remain peacefully subdued."

Her words caused Lü Yang to frown.

At this moment, he contemplated a single question: If he were to forcibly subdue Empress Xiao here, how much chaos would it cause in the imperial harem? Would it be discovered?

'Pity that [Puppet on Strings] is useless against perfected Foundation Establishment...'

Otherwise, why bother with such complications? He could simply manipulate Crown Prince Longxing and all the officials to effortlessly control the Dao Court.

'Refining her into a banner spirit... also ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠impossible.'

When a Dao Court cultivator dies, their official position dissipates. Even if refined into a banner spirit, they would become mere mortals—utterly useless.

Meanwhile, Empress Xiao abruptly changed tack:

"Commandant Lü, how about this palace proposes a transaction?"

"Let us join forces to suppress the Three Dukes faction and stabilize my son's authority... In return, my son shall reign nominally while actual power is delegated to you."

"Your Majesty flatters this unworthy servant."

Lü Yang responded with feigned trepidation: "This servant's heart belongs solely to the imperial family—to His Majesty and His Highness. Stabilizing the court for the Crown ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Prince is this servant's inherent duty."

As he finished speaking, Lü Yang saw Empress Xiao's lips curl into a knowing smile:

"Commandant Lü, do you know where my Xiao family's ancestral home is?"

Without waiting for an answer, she continued: "The Xiao ancestral home lies north of the river, where a branch family still regularly sends disciples to the Demon Sect in the north..."

Lü Yang's heart skipped a beat as he calculated the karmic threads, abruptly recalling a name:

'Xiao Shiye!?'

Noticing Lü Yang's odd expression, Empress Xiao seemed to misinterpret his reaction and chuckled: "What? Does Commandant Lü suspect this palace of secretly colluding with the Demon Sect?"

"Shall this palace be investigated too?"

"This humble servant wouldn't dare." Lü Yang hastily bowed again.

"Enough, rise."

Empress Xiao stepped forward, bringing with her a wave of delicate fragrance as she lifted Lü Yang up by his arms, bringing him face-to-face with her mesmerizing eyes:

"This palace prefers directness. Commandant Lü hails from the True Dragon Clan and surely craves establishment at court, while this palace seeks greater authority for my family. Yet the officials block our path, with the Three Dukes' disciples obstructing at every turn... Commandant Lü, you and this palace are natural allies—why veil our intentions?"

In those beautiful eyes, Lü Yang saw naked ambition.

'This woman isn't of Tianwu imperial blood, possesses no cultivation, and holds no heavenly or earthly fruit position within the Dao Court... yet she still harbors golden aspirations?'

'With Crown Prince Longxing added to the mix, they're both eagerly awaiting Emperor Jiayou's Dragon-Riding Heavenly Ascent...'

In the Dao Court, even as one of the Three Dukes or the Son of Heaven holding a Golden Core True Lord's position, one's lifespan extended only a thousand years before mandatory retirement.

Retired Three Dukes must enter the cycle of reincarnation.

While retired Sons of Heaven, having cultivated their own nature, need not reincarnate—this was called "Dragon-Riding Heavenly Ascent," where they ascended with their grotto-heavens to serve the Dao Lords.

Yet regardless of which path, the position would be vacated.

And vacant positions attracted contenders.

After all, among all Foundation Establishment cultivators under heaven, who ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠wouldn't seek the golden path? Even the faintest hope could drive countless True Persons to abandon everything in pursuit.

Considering this, Lü Yang changed his approach.

Empress Xiao wasn't wrong—the Dao Court officials and Three Dukes' disciples were their common enemies, making cooperation mutually beneficial.

Even if they were to turn on each other, it could wait until after dealing with the Three Dukes' faction and the officials.

Moreover, with Empress Xiao's open support, his legitimacy within the Dao Court would become unshakable, beyond anyone's reproach.

This was truly a case of mutual benefit.

Nevertheless, Lü Yang wouldn't openly commit to anything that could be held against him, merely bowing again: "This servant awaits Your Majesty's instructions."

Empress Xiao smiled in satisfaction: "Excellent!"

Their alliance was sealed.

Soon, the atmosphere between them grew noticeably warmer. Empress Xiao even glanced at the two Dao texts Lü Yang had selected earlier, inquiring pleasantly:

"Commandant Lü seeks cultivation methods? Any success yet?"

Lü Yang shook his head: "None yet meet this servant's needs."

Empress Xiao smiled: "Why not share your requirements? Having memorized the entire Four Treasuries Dao Repository, this palace might recommend suitable options."

"Oh?"

Lü Yang's eyes brightened instantly as he looked at Empress Xiao like she was a priceless treasure trove—an unexpected windfall indeed.

'Having memorized the entire Four Treasuries Dao Repository—what immense cultivation depth that represents... No wonder this Empress Xiao harbors golden aspirations. If I could use the Mending Heaven True Classic to absorb all her knowledge, it would undoubtedly fill any gaps in my own cultivation depth when pursuing the golden path!'