I was a stepmother in ancient times, and I led my whole family to wealth.

Chapter 394 The Empress's Implied Meaning

This old man's every word and action exudes profound cultural knowledge, truly deserving of the title "cultured".

Those eyes were like a deep, unfathomable pool, with undercurrents surging beneath the calm surface.

The occasional flash of sharp light seemed to see through people's hearts, just like a cunning fox, making it hard to fathom.

As everyone was discussing, a third-rank official said with concern, "No matter what, I'm afraid the people from Xiliang have come with ill intentions."

Our court must first unite as one, otherwise these foreign powers will laugh at us and look down on us even more.

The lady-in-waiting Dongyou beside the Empress leaned slightly closer to Dongfang Jin, her voice low but with a hint of gossip: "Princess, you'd better watch carefully."

That Duke Wen, he's a cunning old fox in our court, incredibly shrewd.

As she spoke, she subtly gestured to Dongfang Jin to look at Duke Wen.

"Take the court dispute a few years ago, for example. Officials from the North and South argued fiercely over tax policies, and it looked like they were about to come to blows."

Duke Wen stood up slowly, his face bearing his signature warm smile.

He looked exactly like a kind elder, just like he did just now.

Dongping leaned closer, squinting slightly, lost in his memories, as if the scene was right before his eyes.

He also echoed Dongyou's words: "He first spoke softly to the radical southern officials, praising them for their dedication to the people."

The proposed policy ideas were novel and of excellent intent, which pleased the officials greatly, and their previously tense expressions eased considerably.

Dongping paused, and seeing that the Empress did not reprimand them, he continued, "Then, he turned to the Northern officials and said that they had considered everything carefully."

"Considering the overall situation and implementing policies cautiously is also for the long-term stability of the country," the northern officials nodded in agreement.

Dongping's lips curled up slightly, revealing a hint of admiration.

Finally, he proposed a compromise that seemed to offend no one and take care of both sides.

In reality, however, this method concealed his own calculations, making both factions feel they had won while subtly achieving his own objectives.

After Dongping finished speaking, he shook his head helplessly: "From now on, you'll have to be more careful when you run into him."

Helian Jingyun, supported by Dongzhi and Dongchan, walked over, stared at the banquet hall, and said with a smile, "Xiao Jin, do you know that this Duke Wen is the grandfather of Duan Jing'an, the sister-in-law of Gu Chenglin?"

Dongfang Jin nodded: "I know, my cousin gave me a lot of information before, it's written in there."

Ruyi, [My cunning is on full display, haha...]

Don't be silly, my cousin did give me a lot of information before.

One should always be wary of others, as people can change.

Dongfang Jin...

This spirit was truly something; one had to admit it made sense, and its gaze involuntarily drifted towards the belly of the Empress's cousin-in-law.

Dongping stepped aside, and the Empress moved closer to Dongfang Jin with a concerned and solemn expression: "Little Jin, what Dongping and Dongyou said is absolutely right."

If you encounter someone like Duke Wen in the future, you'll have to be extra careful.

She sighed softly, her eyes filled with a complex mix of worry and relief: "Luckily you didn't want to show yourself. If those people knew you were the one they'd been looking for, it would be a huge problem."

After Helian Jingyun finished speaking, she turned slightly to the side, raised her hand to half-cover her mouth, and whispered to Dongfang Jin, "Dongping and the others are the Royal Shadow Guards."

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Jin was startled and subtly glanced at Dongping and the others.

They stood tall and straight, and even when they were standing quietly, they exuded a restrained yet murderous aura, just like Long Yi and his group.

At this moment, Ruyi's voice rang in Dongfang Jin's mind again: "These people's martial arts are not as high as Yu Ying and the others. Their martial arts level is probably at the Grand Martial Master level."

However, I have a feeling that the empress is trying to extract information from me.

Dongfang Jin pondered to herself, her face remaining impassive, but inwardly she was communicating with Ruyi: "[It might be one of the symptoms of pregnancy syndrome, paranoia.]"

Don't forget, Yu Ying and the others are able to achieve their current skills because they took my pills.

It was only after eating passion fruit that he had the opportunity to improve his internal strength and refine his martial arts skills.

Ruyi echoed, "That's true. You think the Empress might want passion fruit but is too shy to ask directly, so she's just saying it on purpose?"

[It's not out of the question, but doesn't she also know that the passion fruit in the valley isn't ripe yet?]

Hey, don't forget, she's royalty.

【Know. 】

Since Ruyi had already said all that, it wasn't appropriate to delve deeper, so she changed the subject. "However, this Duke Wen is quite capable; with him in charge, things will be much better."

These shadow guards were much more obedient, and even those hiding in the shadows behaved themselves.

It seems your cousin has quite a few talented people under his command.

Dongfang Jin sighed softly in her heart. She really didn't understand what Ruyi meant, and replied helplessly: "Unfortunately, there are still too few people like this."

Given the volatile political situation at court, this limited manpower is truly insufficient.

Dongfang Jin stopped chatting with Ruyi and shrugged at his cousin-in-law, the Empress: "I know, I'm afraid I can't match him."

Helian Jingyun's gaze unconsciously drifted towards the banquet hall, where it was brightly lit and bustling with people, seemingly lively but actually rife with undercurrents.

"You're right. Think about it, what if you appeared in the banquet hall?"

To confront those who are cunning and scheming.

They will definitely try every means to extract information from you, and will make a big deal out of any opportunity they get.

With your naive nature, if they cause a ruckus, you'll probably give yourself away in an instant.

Upon hearing this, Ruyi burst into laughter, clutching her stomach in the virtual space. "Oh my, you're so naive, haha..."

Your cousin-in-law is hilarious! Which eye of hers sees you as innocent and naive? Haha...

[Don't cause trouble, be careful!] To be honest, when it comes to palace intrigue, she's really not one of those ancient people.

However, if she were to actually face him, she could handle it.

Helian Jingyun gently held Dongfang Jin's hand and patted it lightly, but her thoughts drifted to the distance.

The Eastern Kingdom has finally begun to show signs of prosperity and is now in a crucial period of steady development.

It's like a large ship that has just adjusted its course and is ready to brave the wind and waves; it cannot afford the slightest mistake.

Once Dongfang Jin's identity is exposed, it will undoubtedly cause a huge upheaval and completely disrupt this hard-won stable situation.

The Queen felt a pang of pain as she recalled the figures who had fallen while trying to keep the secret.

They were all loyal Shadow and Dragon Guards who disappeared silently into the darkness while carrying out their missions.

Some were spies lurking in the shadows, whose identities were exposed by the enemy and who suffered endless torture, yet never uttered a single word until their deaths.

These sacrifices weighed heavily on her heart like stones, and every time she recalled them, she felt immense pain.

But when she thought of the country's stability and the people's happiness, a firm and resolute look appeared in the Empress's eyes.

To ensure the smooth sailing of the great ship that is the Eastern Nation, and to allow countless people to live and work in peace and contentment on this land, all those sacrifices... are worthwhile.

Yelu, the War King of the Oirat Kingdom, was tall and strong, with a dark face and sharp, fierce eyes.

He wore a crown made of animal bones and a black cloak embroidered with mysterious red runes.

With a sharp curved knife at his waist, he slammed his wine cup down on the table with a dull thud, and snorted coldly: "I, the warrior of the Oirat, roam freely across the grasslands."

"Wherever they go, none can stop them. You, the Eastern Kingdom, are content with your corner of the world, guarding your prosperity, yet you know nothing of the thrill of riding on horseback."

His tone was full of contempt for the Eastern Lin Kingdom under Cang Lingyuan's rule.

Yelü Da, a Xiongnu leader who was friendly with them, echoed this sentiment, repeatedly emphasizing that he would not be like the Xiongnu king.

But the ambition and ruthlessness in his eyes were undisguised.