Martial Arts Crossover: Something's Wrong with This Evil Sect

Chapter 161 Ancient Style Becomes Right and Wrong, How Delightful!

After Cao Zhengchun said this, the imperial guards and others had no doubt about the Empress Dowager's identity.

After all, even if they didn't know the Empress Dowager, they could certainly recognize the powerful head of the Eastern Depot.

The commander of the guards was the first to kneel down with a thud, his voice strong and clear: "Your humble servant pays respects to the Empress Dowager. Please forgive our offense just now!"

Seeing that their leader had taken the lead, the other imperial guards decided to stop talking and put down their weapons, kneeling down in unison.

"Please forgive us for our earlier offense, Your Majesty!"

"Please forgive us for our earlier offense, Your Majesty!"

"Please forgive us for our earlier offense, Your Majesty!"

For a moment, voices of apology rose and fell, echoing throughout the state guesthouse like thunder.

"Ah."

The Empress Dowager nodded as she watched the scene unfold, clearly satisfied with Cao Zhengchun and the others' reactions.

"Everyone, please rise. Ignorance is no excuse."

"Thank you, Queen Mother!"

Then the Empress Dowager looked at Shan Tianxie and Gu Santong and solemnly introduced them.

"I was able to escape danger this time entirely thanks to these two brave men. Eunuch Cao, you must treat my two benefactors well when the time comes."

"Yes!"

Cao Zhengchun accepted the order and stood up, looking at Shan Tianxie and the other man with a broad smile. It seemed his gamble had paid off this time!

The rest was simple: Cao Zhengchun ordered his men to collect the bodies of Wuhuan and Princess Lixiu.

He personally escorted the Empress Dowager back to the palace, while Shan Tianxie called on the people waiting outside to return to Zuisheng Tower together.

.......

Just as Shan Tianxie and the others reached the entrance of Zuisheng Tower, before they even went inside, they heard a sound beside them.

"How wonderful! Hahaha, there is such a beauty in the martial world! Why don't you drink with me!"

What's that saying again? "Enjoy poetry and wine while you're young!"

Dan Tianxie looked around at everyone present and laughed, "Oh? Where did this old-fashioned kid come from!"

A hint of surprise flashed across Gu Santong's face, because he recognized the voice.

It was his own son, Cheng Shifei, whom he hadn't had time to discipline before because he was in a rush.

So Cheng Shifei was placed in this Drunken Life Pavilion. I wonder what kind of trouble this kid is up to this time!

With this thought in mind, Gu Santong was the first to push open the door and walk in, and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Then they saw Cheng Shifei wearing an incongruous Confucian robe and a hat embroidered with patterns perched crookedly on his head.

The pretty girls surrounding Zuisheng Tower casually uttered a few elegant phrases like "How wonderful!" or "This humble scholar!" leaving everyone stunned.

To be honest, if an average parent saw this scene, they might be stunned and feel ashamed, and might even beat their son on the spot.

However, since Gu Santong was nicknamed the Invincible Rascal, he naturally disdained some rigid and dogmatic things.

Therefore, seeing this scene, he wasn't angry, but rather found it somewhat amusing. However, his expression remained expressionless, making it impossible to discern his true thoughts.

At the same time, I felt a warmth I had never felt before. He was making a fuss, he was laughing. Is this what it means to be a parent?

Su Xin, did you see that? Although our son didn't inherit his good looks, his sense of humor is definitely a trait inherited from the Gu family!

At this moment, Shan Tianxie stepped in from behind, and couldn't help but laugh when he saw Cheng Shifei.

"Brother Cheng, what are you doing? A young man in ancient style?"

Hearing the voice behind him, Cheng Shifei turned around and was taken aback when he saw his father and the others.

Then, with a grin, he said, "Oh, young master, I'm just imitating the refined and elegant manners of the ancients."

Upon hearing this, Shan Tianxie could no longer hold back and burst out laughing.

Seeing that everyone was looking at Cheng Shifei with strange eyes, Gu Santong coughed lightly.

"Alright, stop fooling around. There's been a lot going on today, you should calm down."

Cheng Shifei mumbled a reply.

After a busy night, everyone went back to their rooms to rest.

.......

In the Royal Study Room of the Imperial Palace.

The wisps of incense filled the entire room.

A young man dressed in a dragon robe was sitting on the dragon throne in the imperial study.

His eyes were slightly closed and his brows were furrowed, as if he were troubled by something.

His fingers tapped rhythmically on the throne, making a clicking sound.

Just then, a young eunuch slowly entered from outside the door, bowed, and then...

"Your Majesty, Eunuch Cao from the Eastern Depot requests an audience."

"Hmm?" The emperor slowly opened his eyes and said calmly, "Let him in."

"According to the order!"

The young eunuch took the order and left.

A moment later, Cao Zhengchun stepped into the imperial study and knelt down with a thud.

"Rise." Before Cao Zhengchun could speak, the Emperor asked softly, "Has the Empress Dowager returned to Cining Palace? How is her health?"

After Cao Zhengchun stood up, he respectfully replied, "The Empress Dowager is blessed with good fortune. She has already had the imperial physician check her pulse. She was just a little frightened, but she is otherwise fine."

The emperor nodded slightly, clearly satisfied with the answer.

However, the question was then steered in another direction.

"Minister Cao, do you think there are other forces involved in this matter?"

After he finished speaking, he stared intently at Cao Zhengchun, wanting to see how Cao Zhengchun would respond.

Upon hearing this, Cao Zhengchun's heart skipped a beat. He had been navigating the treacherous waters of officialdom for decades, surviving countless open and covert attacks.

However, at this moment, he was somewhat unsure of the deeper meaning behind the emperor's sudden question.

At the same time, he began to weigh the options in his mind: should he take this opportunity to cause trouble for the Dragon Guard Manor?

With his mind racing, Cao Zhengchun ultimately couldn't resist the temptation and cautiously said...

"In my opinion, it is definitely not something that a mere imposter or Princess Toshihide could accomplish by abducting the Empress Dowager from the inner palace."

At this point, Cao Zhengchun paused slightly, looked up to observe the Emperor's expression, and if anything seemed amiss, he would have to change his story.

Looking up, one sees that the emperor's face is neither sad nor happy, showing no emotion whatsoever.

"Huh? Why did it stop?"

Seeing that Cao Zhengchun had stopped, the emperor said calmly, "Continue speaking, and I will pardon you."

Unsure of the situation, Cao Zhengchun made a tough decision: "You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub." He decided to take the plunge!

"In my humble opinion, to commit such a shocking crime, one would certainly need a massive intelligence network."

Only then could they learn of the Izumo delegation's whereabouts immediately, and with their superior military strength, they could capture the real Karasuma without anyone noticing!

Upon hearing this, the emperor chuckled, "Minister Cao, you're practically blurting out the name of the Dragon Guard Manor! You can't use this as an excuse to retaliate."

"The old slave is scared!"

Upon hearing the Emperor's tone, Cao Zhengchun immediately admitted his mistake. The old masters were right: serving a ruler is like serving a tiger!

"Never mind, you can go now."

The emperor waved his hand, not dwelling on the matter further, and instead changed the subject.

"Let's talk about this later. Tomorrow, we'll hold a banquet in the side hall to thank the two heroes who rescued the Empress Dowager!"

After Cao Zhengchun left.

A complex look flashed in the emperor's eyes. Dragon Guard Manor!