NCCnovel Chapter 263 Preparing to Enter the Palace
Chapter 263 Preparing to Enter the Palace
The Minister of Revenue bowed and smiled broadly as he replied, "Don't worry, Nanny Wang. I've already sent people there many times. Many of my maids and servants have been completely captivated by Jinxiu Yantang after they went there. I don't know what kind of witchcraft this girl Cen Jiexiao has used..."
He paused and continued, "After the people I sent out came back, they all praised that place highly. I have to say, they all seemed to have become more beautiful after returning. Their skin, facial features, etc., felt different."
"Are those things really that magical?" asked the nanny.
"That's right! The maids and servants I sent there all praised Jinxiu Yan Tang after they came back, and each of them seemed to be possessed by her." The Minister of Revenue said in a low voice.
"Oh? What did they say?" asked the nanny curiously.
"They said that Cen Jiexiao's anti-aging technique is simply miraculous. After using it, the skin becomes smooth and delicate, radiant, and the whole person looks several years younger." The Minister of Revenue described it vividly.
"Is it really that magical?" The nanny was skeptical.
"It's absolutely true!" the Minister of Revenue said confidently.
The nanny pondered for a moment and said, "Anyway, the Empress Dowager's safety is of paramount importance. We must ensure that nothing goes wrong."
"Don't worry, Ma'am. I will make sure it's all arranged." The Minister of Revenue quickly assured.
"If Sister Cen Xiao can really restore the empress dowager's youth, then it will naturally be a great merit, and the empress dowager will definitely reward her handsomely. But if she has ill intentions, the consequences will be unimaginable. By then, all of us will have our heads chopped off." The nanny continued.
"I understand!" The Minister of Revenue nodded quickly.
Hiding in the shadows, Xiaoman overheard their conversation clearly, sneering inwardly. Empress Dowager Li was truly fanciful, actually wanting the teacher to enter the palace to perform a technique to preserve her youth. Xiaoman and Ye Qingwu exchanged glances, already forming a plan. Since Empress Dowager Li was so eager to have the teacher enter the palace, they could exploit this opportunity to gain access to her.
Back at the academy, Xiaoman eagerly shared all the intelligence she had gathered with Sister Cen. She vividly described the conversation between the Minister of Revenue and Nanny Wang, her tone tinged with excitement and pride. Sister Cen, after listening, paused in thought before a confident smile appeared.
"It seems that we can start our plan now." Cen Jiexiao said with a decisive tone.
She immediately called Xiaozhi and Yulan, took them to the study, closed the door, and ensured that their conversation could not be heard by outsiders.
"Xiaozhi, Yulan, what I am about to say is very important." Cen Jiexiao said in a serious tone, her eyes sweeping over the two of them.
"Dean, please speak." Xiaozhi and Yulan answered in unison.
Cen Jiexiao told the two of them in detail about her plan to enter the palace, including how to approach Empress Dowager Li, how to gain her trust, and how to use this opportunity to achieve her goals.
After hearing this, Xiaozhi showed a worried look on his face: "Dean, is it too dangerous to enter the palace this time? What if Empress Dowager Li finds out..."
"I know you are worried about me, but don't be afraid, I have made all the preparations. Moreover, I will go into the palace with the Queen. It will be relatively safer with the Queen with us on the road." Cen Jiexiao comforted.
Cen Jiexiao smiled confidently and continued, "Moreover, this time when I enter the palace, I not only want to get close to Queen Mother Li, but also make her dependent on me. Only in this way can we better control the situation."
Yu Lan remained calm. She listened quietly to Cen Jiexiao's plan, like a finely carved jade statue. She seemed to have no emotional fluctuations at all, but her deep eyes flashed with wisdom, as if she could see through everything.
After Cen Jiexiao finished speaking, she turned her gaze to Yu Lan.
Yu Lan thought for a moment, her eyes lowered, as if she was thinking about something important.
Then, she slowly raised her head, looked at Cen Jiexiao with a firm gaze, and asked, "Dean, what do I need you to do?" Her voice was clear and calm, without a trace of hesitation.
"Your mission is very important." Cen Jiexiao turned her gaze to Yu Lan, the corners of her mouth curled up, and a sly smile appeared on her face, like a shrewd fox.
"You have my Imperial Zhou Order. If the Emperor comes in person, you must keep it properly." Cen Jiexiao took out a token with exquisite dragon patterns carved on it from her sleeve and handed it to Yu Lan.
"Bring Lu Qingyun and Wen Kuan with you. They are two of the best disciples in the academy. They are highly skilled in martial arts and resourceful. They can become your right-hand men." Cen Jiexiao continued. "They are highly skilled in martial arts and resourceful. They can become your right-hand men."
"In addition, select ten skilled fighters from the Qiming Group and the Wuke Class. These fighters must be the elite among the elites, the kind that can fight ten at a time, to ensure that nothing goes wrong." Cen Jiexiao added.
"After arriving at the capital of Qifeng, we will meet up with the members of the Qiming Group who are lurking in the capital of Qifeng. They have been lurking in the capital for a long time and are well aware of the situation in the city. They can provide you with the necessary help." Cen Jiexiao's tone became serious.
"Wait for my next instruction. I will adjust the plan at any time according to the situation. You must keep in touch. I will arrange for someone to use the sunset flute to convey information to you at any time." Cen Jiexiao said finally.
Yu Lan took the Yu Zhou order, nodded solemnly, and replied concisely: "I understand."
Yu Lan was still the same, without saying much, but there was a determined light in her eyes, as if she was ready to face the challenge.
Cen Jiexiao looked at Xiaozhi again and instructed, "Xiaozhi, you are in charge of the affairs of the academy. While I am in the palace, everything will continue as usual. You will be fully responsible for the daily operations of the academy, and the students' studies and lives."
"Yes, Dean. You must be careful and return safely soon." Xiaozhi replied respectfully with a hint of worry on his face.
Cen Jiexiao nodded in satisfaction and began to prepare the necessary items for entering the palace. She opened her wardrobe and carefully selected the appropriate clothing and jewelry, striving to appear at her best in the palace. She also needed to prepare some special herbs and tools to deal with any unexpected situations.
At dawn, light golden sunlight shines into the room through the window lattice.
Cen Jiexiao had carefully selected a simple, elegant dress, delicately embroidered with orchids, which looked even more refreshing and elegant in the morning light. She carefully dressed in front of a bronze mirror, applying only a light touch of powder and brushing her eyebrows. She appeared remarkably gentle and serene, yet calm and composed. After completing her preparations, Cen Jiexiao once again went to the palace to meet with Chai Zhen and He Yunshu.
Inside the palace, Chai Zhen was reviewing memorials, while He Yunshu was flipping through books nearby. When Cen Jiexiao arrived, the palace attendants immediately announced her arrival.
"President Xuan Cen is here to see you." A voice came from the inner hall.