Si Jianye narrowed his eyes slightly, his deep male voice devoid of any extra emotion: "This Seat only sees an endless expanse of human puppets."
The simple words struck Feng Ninghe's heart, causing it to sink involuntarily.
She could even imagine how Si Jianye had spent the past seven days trapped in the black hole.
To prevent the human puppets from invading Lin Country, there was no choice but to fight relentlessly.
She had no idea that Si Jianye had actually enjoyed these past few days immensely, even giving orders to the human puppets...
Su Hongxiu turned her gaze to Si Jianye with great interest, her eyes burning with intense curiosity: "King of the Underworld, the Dragon Domain is fraught with peril, yet you are determined to go. Why?"
Her question also drew everyone's attention to Si Jianye.
This was precisely what Feng Ninghe wanted to know.
She, too, looked at Si Jianye.
Facing the inquiry, the man did not rush to speak. He calmly raised his eyes to meet Su Hongxiu's gaze.
A cool male voice slowly emerged from Si Jianye's lips: "Since Sixth Master is so interested, you might as well go to the Dragon Domain and see for yourself."
It was clear that he had no intention of elaborating.
His journey to the Dragon Domain was inevitable. If they wanted to know about his affairs, they would find out once they reached the Dragon Domain.
Su Hongxiu's lips immediately pouted, and she withdrew her gaze irritably.
The atmosphere inside the carriage became somewhat stiff at this moment.
Sensing the unusual tension, Feng Linyuan changed the subject: "Ninghe, tell us about how you've spent these years. Our reunion is too sudden, and there's much I still don't know."
With the human puppets descending from the sky, they hadn't had a proper chance to gather.
In response to his question, Feng Ninghe smiled and briefly recounted the events of the past years.
The carriage continued to move forward, and soon arrived at the imperial palace.
Zhenzhu approached with a radiant smile: "Empress, the damaged barrier has been repaired. Eliminating the human puppets is only a matter of time. We should have a good celebration. This servant has already ordered a table of fine wine and delicacies."
Feng Ninghe looked at Zhenzhu with slight satisfaction and nodded gently: "Good. It's a rare occasion for my brother and me to reunite, so we should indeed celebrate."
The maids busied themselves serving the hot dishes.
In a short while, the table was laden with food.
Feng Linyuan casually took a sip of the soup, his dark pupils clouding over slightly: "In the blink of an eye, you've become a young lady. If our parents could see you now, they would surely be overjoyed."
Feng Ninghe had grown into a graceful young woman, no longer comparable to the little girl she once was.
She bore the weight of an entire Lin Country on her shoulders.
Hearing the praise, Feng Ninghe's delicate face flushed slightly with emotion: "It's a pity that Lin Yuran and Feng Linyuan have not yet been brought to justice."
They had caused the deaths of many innocent girls, yet they were still at large.
"Ninghe, do you want to go to the Dragon Domain to find them?"
Feng Linyuan saw through her thoughts at a glance and fixed his gaze upon her.
Feng Ninghe did not hide her feelings and readily admitted: "Countless girls were ruined because of them. Why should they be allowed to escape justice?"
She was not aware of the situation in the Dragon Domain.
But she believed that Lin Yuran and Ji Binyu were not fools. They would not have driven themselves to a dead end unless there was a way out, which was why they decided to go to the Dragon Domain.
As her voice fell, a composed gaze slowly settled upon her.
A hint of coldness flickered across Si Jianye's chiseled face, and his gaze towards Feng Ninghe held a trace of tenderness.
If this woman also wished to go to the Dragon Domain, he would have to pave the way in advance.
The Dragon Domain was fraught with danger, and even he could not predict what might happen.
To protect Feng Ninghe, he had to prepare early...
Feng Linyuan had been investigating from behind the scenes and was well aware of the sordid deeds committed by Ji Binyu and Lin Yuran in secret.
Without hesitation, Feng Linyuan nodded in agreement: "Indeed. Their evil deeds have harmed countless girls and caused many commoners to lose their homes and families. They cannot be allowed to escape justice."
Su Hongxiu was a shrewd person and immediately discerned Feng Ninghe's intentions. His clear male voice slowly stated: "Miss Feng, you wish to go to the Dragon Domain?"
Feng Ninghe lowered her eyes slightly, a hint of deep resolve creeping into her gaze: "Both for public and private reasons, I must apprehend these two and give the people of Lin Country an explanation."
Publicly, as the Empress of Lin Country, she enjoyed the people's adoration and therefore had to handle this matter, giving an explanation to the victims.
Privately, she had a long-standing feud with Lin Yuran, and she had to settle this score.
If it weren't for the spatial jade bracelet, a divine artifact capable of containing souls, she would have perished long ago. How could she be sitting here so peacefully now?
Su Hongxiu pondered for a moment and gently reminded her: "The ignorant are the most terrifying. We know nothing about the Dragon Domain, nor why there are countless human puppets. You should think carefully."
No one wanted to go to a place fraught with danger and filled with human puppets.
Going there could very well mean never returning.
Feng Ninghe's bright face broke into a radiant smile, her eyes beneath her delicate brows filled with determination: "A hundred years ago, Lin Yuran framed me. I am not a saint, and this debt cannot be written off. I once said that no matter where they fled, I would bring them to justice!"
"Empress is right! Zhenzhu is willing to accompany the Empress to the Dragon Domain!"
Zhenzhu's gaze was slightly emotional, tears welling up in her eyes, her voice choked with emotion: "When Lin Yuran was in power, many palace maids went missing without reason. I personally witnessed Lin Yuran ordering the killing of palace maids, who were simply executed for overhearing something they shouldn't have..."
The Dragon Domain was dangerous, and Zhenzhu's cultivation was only at the Foundation Establishment stage. Yet, she was willing to disregard her own life and accompany her to the Dragon Domain.
Looking at Zhenzhu before her, Feng Ninghe couldn't help but smile: "Zhenzhu, I won't be leaving Lin Country anytime soon. If I were to leave, someone would still need to manage the palace."
The implication was that she needed Zhenzhu to manage the harem.
If the vast palace were left unmanaged, it would surely fall into chaos.
Her words immediately silenced Zhenzhu, who bit her lip and said no more.
"Mother, wherever you go, I go!"
Si Xin Xin tilted her young, fair face, her bright eyes blinking as she said without hesitation: "Xin Xin will always be with Mother!"
Xiao Zhao also chimed in repeatedly at this moment: "Master, and me! Xiao Zhao will surely protect you!"
Looking at the people before her, Feng Ninghe's heart warmed involuntarily.
Along the way, more and more people had come to accompany her.
She was not fighting alone.
Feng Ninghe casually picked up a piece of meat and placed it into Si Xin Xin and Xiao Zhao's bowls, her clear voice as melodious as a spring stream: "You've all worked hard these past few days. Everyone should eat more today and rest well."
Si Jianye leisurely picked up his tea and took a sip, a few faint glints appearing in his pupils.
That night.
The bright moon hung in the ink-black night sky.
The palaces of Lin Country were silent.
Si Xin Xin slept soundly, completely unaware of Feng Ninghe quietly rising and leaving the room.