LRAB Chapter 158 Mu Yuyan? Madam? Unbelievable...
Chapter 158 Mu Yuyan? Madam? Unbelievable...
Rumors circulated that due to her intense displeasure, Mu Yuyan had expelled the commander of the Forbidden Army from the palace.
This left Gu Lan even more puzzled!
However, before she could contemplate the reasons fully, she found herself standing in the magnificent Hall of Nurturing Harmony.
Amidst the wafting scent of sandalwood, a graceful palace maid approached, smiling as she greeted Gu Lan and Eunuch Mao: "Master Gu, Her Majesty is indisposed today and unable to receive guests. Please accept his apologies."
Gu Lan was left speechless.
She thought to herself that Mu Yuyan's illness was indeed quite troublesome.
Unable to present her case today, she would have to return another day...
Nevertheless, the palace maid continued, "However, Her Majesty is aware of Master Gu's deeds and has bestowed upon the young master items on the dragon case."
"Please wait a moment, Master Gu, I will fetch them for you!"
Gu Lan was taken aback, but graciously replied, "Thank you."
As the palace maid disappeared behind the bright yellow dragon-patterned screen, she returned bearing a square tray with a pair of feather ornaments and a jade seal, sparkling brightly.
The guards beside the golden hall glanced over, swallowing hard with envy!
"I know Master Gu's prowess in chess is exceptional, but your aptitude for solving cases also astonishes me. Her Majesty has thus decided to confer upon you the title of first-ranked Earl, along with a hundred taels of gold and a thousand rolls of brocade..."
The palace maid read out the decree.
This was Mu Yuyan's acknowledgment of the incident, especially since Yexi had already mentioned the peerage during the banquet.
To avoid suspicion of favoritism, Mu Yuyan opted to delay a higher reward for now.
Nonetheless, the title of first-ranked Earl in the capital city of Jing Nation was already quite prestigious, particularly for one so young!
The sound of guards swallowing grew heavier.
Many palace maids also stole glances, admiring Gu Lan's presence, though they dared not linger too long.
"Thank you for Your Majesty's grace," Gu Lan responded calmly as he accepted the reward. He didn't think much of it, considering he had saved over twenty lives and later disclosed the location of the Blissful Immortal Palace to the court.
"Master Gu, Her Majesty has one more question for you."
Just as Gu Lan was about to depart with Eunuch Mao, the palace maid called out to him once more. Gu Lan couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.
Was Mu Yuyan planning another task?
Was she trying to squeeze him dry like a fruit press? Gu Lan's apprehension grew.
At that moment, the palace maid spoke crisply, "Her Majesty asks if Master Gu is willing to enter the palace."
Gu Lan was taken aback. They hadn't even met, and Mu Yuyan was already considering him for the harem...
This seemed rather outlandish!
The gazes of the guards around them shifted from envy to genuine respect, a reverence for their future lord, while Eunuch Mao, struck with surprise, couldn't hide his joy.
However, before Gu Lan could respond, the palace maid continued, "Is the young master willing to enter the palace... to replace former Forbidden Army commander Luo Chen and assume the position of a military consultant?"
Gu Lan paused. He couldn't help but think, "Could you speak a bit more calmly? Your message delivery might lead to insubordination."
Gu Lan sighed inwardly, preparing an excuse, "As a mere scholar, I lack martial skills. I fear I may not be suitable for Her Majesty's expectations."
"Her Majesty has stated that the Forbidden Army is merely a nominal position, requiring no extensive martial cultivation," the palace maid smiled. "
Although it is said to protect Her Majesty, everyone knows that Her Majesty safeguards the entire realm.
The position of military consultant is merely another reward for Her Majesty's appreciation of your talents."
Eunuch Mao chimed in, "Indeed, Master Gu. Since Her Majesty trusts you, how can you afford to disappoint such favor?"
Gu Lan fell silent, pondering.
Initially, it seemed Mu Yuyan was merely extending an invitation for him to prove himself further.
Yet, with each explanation and plea, it felt increasingly like a forced elevation to a lofty position within the palace.
"If the young master finds it difficult to decide, you may return home and contemplate for a few days before giving Her Majesty a reply," the palace maid suggested, sensing Gu Lan's hesitation, and then departed with a courteous bow.
Her task today was to ensure Gu Lan accepted the reward and to convey the final olive branch.
She couldn't afford Gu Lan's rejection!
Eunuch Mao grinned, helping Gu Lan accept the tray of rewards, fearing he might miss the opportunity nestled within his fortune.
"Master, take some time to consider. The position of military consultant holds far more prestige and power than the title of first-ranked Earl... Since Her Majesty has expressed his intention, you must seize the opportunity!"
Eunuch Mao whispered the last part into Gu Lan's ear, implying not just the employment of talent but also the deliberate intention to draw Gu Lan closer to the palace, to become a trusted confidant under Mu Yuyan's sway.
Gu Lan nodded faintly, withholding his judgment.
His eyes glittered, "Kindly escort me out of the palace, please. I will consider this matter."
"Of course!" Eunuch Mao felt a surge of relief, believing that Gu Lan had finally seen the light.
The two walked along the grand avenue leading to the palace.
Amidst his astonishment, his brow furrowed slowly.
"Madam adores this robe; she wouldn't lose it. Besides, she wore it just the other day. This morning... right! She wasn't wearing this when she left!"
Stay connected with empire
Gu Lan pondered. The fragrance in Mu Yuyan's chambers seemed to intensify, flooding his senses with a familiar feeling, and causing him to shudder.
"Madam... Mu Yuyan... Could it be? Holy crap?!"
Seated on the dragon throne, Gu Lan's heart trembled.
Subconsciously, he straightened his back, his eyes widening as past coincidences flashed through his mind!
"In Lang Province, I couldn't perceive that mysterious sword immortal, nor could I discern Madam's aura with the Qi-Insighting Technique!"
"Jing Nation's Mu Yuyan... Isn't she one of the few sword immortals in Jing Nation?!"
"And a while back, Si Qingqu mentioned Mu Yuyan was exhausted after her husband's venture into Heaven Mountain, breaking through spatial barriers... Could it be because of me?!"
"And those major events in the world... Madam seemed to know about them much earlier than ordinary people..."
Images flashed before Gu Lan's eyes as he muttered in shock. Initially, the two could not possibly have been associated!
After all, Madam was gentle and affectionate, the epitome of perfection!
On the other hand, the original Jing Nation's Mu Yuyan was cold, and ruthless, showing no mercy to her subjects!
One was a delicate wife, the other a ruthless ruler...
How could they be the same person?!!
But now!
Even if there was no connection, the accumulation of so many coincidences, coupled with the evidence of the robe, forced Gu Lan to start doubting... Could Madam be Jing Nation's Mu Yuyan?!!
"Well... Whether it's true or not, I'll find out by checking Mu Yuyan's records in the Eastern Palace over the years. I must figure it out today!"
Taking a deep breath, Gu Lan didn't care about the Stealth Art's duration, swiftly heading towards the eastern palaces!
Feeling an inexplicable breeze, the guards along the road scratched their heads, showing puzzled expressions.
Along the way, Gu Lan observed the graceful palace maids passing by.
While they were undoubtedly beautiful, they paled in comparison to Madam. They couldn't possibly be sisters!
"If my speculation is correct, the mysterious elder sister should indeed not exist..."
With everything pointing to that possibility, Gu Lan finally arrived at the chambers where Mu Yuyan had lived as a princess. His breath quickened!
Finally!
On a side table, Gu Lan found the imperial records, fresh with ink, detailing Jia Qing Mu Yuyan's whereabouts over the past half year.
Eager to confirm Madam's identity, Gu Lan eagerly flipped through the pages, his eyes tense!
[You have reviewed Mu Yuyan's records, Special Degree: Unique]
[Reward: cultivation +1000, additional Loyalty 100%, Saint Stage Peak Dead Soldier x1]
[Host can summon at any time]
Hearing the mechanical voice, Gu Lan's heart stirred!
This additional reward... was quite unusual! Based on past experiences, rewards were not only related to the books read but also to the content within them!
It seemed there was indeed something suspicious in these records...
Focused, Gu Lan browsed through, his brow furrowing slightly!
"Mu Yuyan's whereabouts in the records are all within the palace. Could it not be Madam? Did I guess wrong?"
"In the fourth year of Jia Qing, Mu Yuyan gathered advisors, focused on Linjiang City's grain cultivation, and rewarded thousands... Is this all just a coincidence?"
Looking at the conflicting imperial records, Gu Lan's eyes flickered, his conjectures shaken!
However, ...
Just as he was pondering without a conclusion...
A gorgeously dressed beauty appeared out of nowhere.
Without shouting, she observed Gu Lan with curious eyes, already revealing her figure.
After a while, Princess Ming Yue's gaze shifted from reminiscence to realization, and she exclaimed softly, "Oh, it's you? The rascal who saved me that night?"
Gu Lan snapped out of his thoughts, raising his gaze to meet hers.
That night, he didn't see her face clearly as she was bathing and he didn't dare to stare.
But now!
Staring at her enchanting face, which bore a striking resemblance to Madam's exquisite features, Gu Lan's eyes widened, his pupils contracting sharply.
Indeed...