Keyboard Immortal - Chapter 2833

Chapter 1346 Death

A slender, graceful woman, like a figure from a traditional Chinese ink painting, slowly approached. She wore a simple white palace gown, her dark hair held back only by a single white jade hairpin, exuding an aura of aloofness and coldness.

However, the moment her eyes met Zu’an’s, a fleeting, elusive ripple seemed to fall from the depths of her gaze, like a peach blossom petal landing on a still pond.

“Greetings, Empress Yi’an!” The other palace maids and eunuchs bowed in unison.

Even the Fifth Elder had to follow suit, clearly indicating that in this world, the other woman held a higher status than her.

Although unwilling, she dared not openly contradict her, lest her identity be exposed and trigger unpredictable chain reactions.

This was a bloody lesson learned by various forces across countless worlds after entering numerous similar realms.

Zu’an, having chatted with Isabella, had already understood the important figures in the palace.

Because the previous emperor had no son, his empress had decided to appoint the late emperor’s younger brother, the Chongzhen Emperor, as his successor.

Emperor Chongzhen treated his sister-in-law with utmost respect and courtesy. Since they were of the same generation, it was inappropriate to address her as Empress Dowager

, so he addressed her as Empress Yi’an. Because she didn’t want to reveal her identity, everyone from the Grand Elder down treated her with great respect, daring not to show the slightest disrespect.

Zu An wouldn’t have been so shocked by this identity alone; it was because this noble Empress Yi’an was none other than Zheng Dan, whom he hadn’t seen for many days!

He reacted quickly, not showing it, even wondering if she was another person in the universe resembling Dan Dan.

Empress Yi’an seemed not to recognize him, instead looking at the Fifth Elder: “The country is currently facing a great calamity; I urge Consort Tian to restrain her words and actions to avoid criticism.”

Although the Fifth Elder was seething with hatred, in front of everyone, she could only bow and apologize: “Your Majesty is right.”

Fearing further lectures from this woman, the Fifth Elder quickly left dejectedly.

Just as Isabella was about to leave with Zu’an, Empress Yi’an spoke up: “Ajiu, your mother seems to be looking for you.”

“Ah?” Although Isabella was reluctant, she could only leave temporarily, while secretly sending a telepathic message to Zu’an to wait for her outside the capital; she still had much to say.

Empress Yi’an then looked at Zu’an: “I heard that Lord Hong made great contributions in suppressing the rebels in Shaanxi this time. Lord Hong is truly a blessing to our Great Ming, possessing both literary and military talents.”

Zu’an’s heart sank. Could it really just be a resemblance?

Suddenly, he noticed that she raised her orchid finger and moved it slightly. This gesture was perfectly normal to the other palace maids and eunuchs, but Zu’an’s eyes lit up because Dandan used to tease him with this gesture every morning.

Empress Yi’an spoke again, looking at him with utmost dignity:

“Lord Hong, do you think the sunlight of this Great Ming can still illuminate those dark places?”

The people around her only thought that Empress Yi’an was worried about national affairs, and they all sighed inwardly, but Zu’an felt as if he had received a secret signal.

“I definitely can. Even if the sun can’t reach a place, I can still get in,” Zu’an replied.

At this moment, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Empress Yi’an’s eyes: “It’s good that Lord Hong has this intention.”

After saying that, she left with the palace maids and eunuchs.

Originally, a eunuch was leading Zu’an out, but Zu’an found an opportunity to knock him unconscious and hide him in the rockery.

Then he quietly came to Empress Yi’an’s palace, and sure enough, the palace maids and eunuchs there had already been sent away with various excuses.

“Dandan!”

Their eyes met, and Empress Yi’an could no longer hold back, throwing herself into his arms: “Azu, I thought I would never see you again, sob sob…”

Zu’an felt his chest being soaked with tears and hurriedly comforted her.

Unexpectedly, she suddenly kissed him, and the two, separated for a short time, felt like newlyweds, and the room quickly became warm.

“This might not be a good idea. You’re the Empress’s sister-in-law now, and I’m a minister. What if we’re discovered…”

“Don’t worry, my status in the palace is special. No one dares to come here on ordinary days.”

“Those eunuchs and maids?”

“I’ve sent them all away. They won’t be back for a while.”

“But…”

“You just said the sun can’t enter, but you can. How come your courage is getting smaller as your strength increases?”

Zu An was furious and naturally wanted to teach her a lesson.

Zheng Dan quickly lost her initial arrogance and begged for mercy repeatedly.

The originally cold palace was now warmer, and the flower buds outside the window gradually bloomed.

…

When Zu An found the unconscious eunuch in the artificial hill again, he hypnotized him with the Soul Transfer Technique before leaving the palace.

Isabella was overjoyed to see him: “Brother Zu, where have you been? I thought you left.”

“I just went out to wander around to see if I could find Chu Yan.” Zu An was a little guilty. He couldn’t very well say that he had just gone to the inner palace to steal the Empress.

“Brother Zu, you’re so good to Sister Chu.” Isabella suddenly wrinkled her nose. “Huh, what’s that smell so good?”

Zu An knew he was covered in Zheng Dan’s scent and, worried she’d discover his deception, quickly changed the subject: “Sister Bella, I’ve received an imperial decree to return to Shaanxi as soon as possible. I can only ask you to help me find Chu Yan’s whereabouts.”

“Don’t worry, the Grand Elder ordered me to lead the Imperial Guards to secretly monitor the officials and princes. I’ll use the Imperial Guards’ intelligence network to search. I’ll notify you immediately once I have information about Sister Chu.” Isabella’s attention was indeed diverted.

Zu An patted her shoulder: “Bella, you must be careful. There might be some changes at this Order Ceremony.”

“Okay! You be careful too.” Isabella didn’t press further. The experience of the last death trial made her trust his judgment completely.

After saying goodbye to her, Zu An activated the imperial decree and returned to Shaanxi, his expression extremely solemn.

Zheng Dan had also entered the Temple of Order after completing several trials before entering this world.

So many familiar faces gathered here; it seemed as if some mysterious force was orchestrating everything.

Thinking of Hong Chengchou’s fate in history, he felt a sense of walking a tightrope over a precipice.

Now, with Isabella, Zheng Dan, and Tang Tian’er on the Ming side, and the missing Chu Yan, he couldn’t possibly surrender to the Manchus.

First, he had to deal with Li Zicheng’s side before facing the final boss outside the Great Wall.

Next, he reorganized the military affairs, leading the government troops to relentlessly suppress rebels across the land.

Having once held a high position and possessing experience from various worlds, he was truly adept at warfare. With the intelligence gathered by Hong Niangzi and Li Yan’s undercover work, he quickly annihilated the most powerful rebel army, and their leader, Gao Yingxiang, was also killed.

This battle made him famous throughout the land; all the rebels fell silent, and the morale of the Ming Empire soared.

Although Li Zicheng fled into the vast mountains with 18 horsemen, Zu’an didn’t take it seriously. After all, this wasn’t the late Ming Dynasty history. With the help of the Order of the Nation, the imperial court had rebuilt the economy, exempted the three taxes, and begun a period of recuperation. The rebels no longer had the means to replenish their troops, and Li Zicheng couldn’t amount to anything.

However, at this time, shocking news came from beyond the Great Wall: Augustus and his elite Templar Knights had been completely annihilated in battle against the Manchu army, and the situation beyond the Great Wall was extremely precarious.

“How is this possible!” Zu’an was dumbfounded when he heard the news. Although the other party was the enemy, he had to admit that Augustus was extremely powerful. In terms of individual combat strength, he was even above the Grand Elder. How could such a guy have died in battle?