From cute to empress

Chapter 328 A Contest Concerning National Destiny

"Shadow?" I muttered to myself, startled.

Who could be my "shadow"? Who could want to harm me?

"Master, can you explain it more clearly?" I asked anxiously, with countless thoughts flashing through my mind, but I couldn't grasp any clues.

Master Kongming shook his head and sighed, "The secret of heaven cannot be revealed. This is all I can say. Benefactor, take care of yourself."

I left Lingyin Temple with full of doubts, thinking about the meaning of "shadow" all the way.

After returning to the palace, I immediately summoned Zhen Youcai and told him Master Kongming's prophecy.

"Shadow? Does that mean there is a spy among us?" Zhen Youcai frowned after listening to my story.

"I'm not sure, but we have to be on guard," I said worriedly. "You need to pay more attention to the people around you these days to see if there's anything suspicious."

"Your Majesty, don't worry. I will definitely get to the bottom of this." Zhen Youcai said in a firm tone.

Just then, the weather officer asked for a meeting.

"Meteorologist, you've arrived just in time." I quickly let him in. "I was just looking for you."

"Your Majesty, I have observed that the climate in recent months has been abnormal, with a significant decrease in rainfall and severe droughts in various places. I'm afraid..." The meteorological officer hesitated to speak.

"Just say whatever you want to say," I said.

"I'm worried that this isn't a natural disaster, but..." The meteorologist paused, as if making a great decision, before continuing, "It's man-made!"

"Man-made?" Zhen Youcai and I asked in unison.

"I have been studying climate change in various countries over the years and have discovered that the Northern Frontier State, which borders our country, has been secretly developing a magical instrument capable of controlling the climate in recent years..."

"Climate control?" I was shocked, and a chill ran from the soles of my feet to the top of my head.

If what the meteorological officer said is true, then the Northern Frontier State's move is clearly intended to use natural disasters to weaken our national strength. Their intentions are despicable!

"Your Majesty, I have a plan that may be able to verify this..." The meteorologist leaned close to my ear and whispered something.

After listening to this, I pondered for a moment and said to Zhen Youcai, "You should immediately make secret arrangements and act according to the meteorologist's plan..."

It was late at night and I lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

The identity of "Shadow", the conspiracy of the Northern Frontier Kingdom, all of this is like a fog, shrouding my heart and making me feel unprecedented uneasiness.

Suddenly, there was a rapid knock on the door.

"Your Majesty, this is bad..." Xiaolian's voice trembled, and my heart sank as a sense of foreboding washed over me. "Come in!" I immediately jumped out of bed, a sense of inexplicable tension gripping me. Xiaolian rushed in, her voice hurried, "Your Majesty, this is bad! General Zhen... General Zhen is trapped in the deserted temple outside the city! It seems... it seems he's been ambushed!"

My heart sank. Without a second thought, I grabbed my cloak and rushed out. The night was dark, the wind biting, but I didn't feel the chill at all. My mind was filled with images of Zhen Youcai trapped in danger. The meteorologist's plan went smoothly. We successfully lured the Northern Frontier Kingdom's spies out, but they were well prepared and had set a trap. Zhen Youcai, to protect me, single-handedly led the enemy away.

"Your Majesty, let's take a shortcut!" Xiaolian anxiously warned me from behind. I realized then that we were heading for the popular Lingyin Temple outside the city. Deep within the temple, a desolate and dilapidated scene stood in stark contrast to the solemnity of the forecourt. Zhen Youcai was trapped here.

As soon as I stepped into the ruined temple, a strong smell of blood hit me, and I felt dizzy. In the dim candlelight, Zhen Youcai leaned against the shattered statue, covered in blood, but still holding his sword tightly, staring fiercely ahead. Before him stood a figure in a black cloak, his face indistinct, holding a gleaming blade pointed at Zhen Youcai.

"Zhen Youcai, you have no way to escape!" The shadow uttered a sinister and terrifying voice, "Just surrender obediently, and I can kill you!"

"If you want my life, you'll need to see if you have the guts to do it!" Zhen Youcai sneered, forcing himself to stand up, his sword pointed directly at the shadow. At this critical moment, an old yet resonant voice rang out from behind us: "Amitabha, benefactor, put down your butcher knife and turn back!"

Master Kongming appeared behind us at some point, his hands clasped together, his face compassionate yet carrying an irresistible majesty. The shadowy figure was clearly wary of Master Kongming. He hesitated for a moment, then sheathed his blade, turned, and disappeared into the night.

"Thank you, Master, for your help!" I bowed gratefully to Master Kongming. He shook his head, looked at me deeply, and said slowly, "Your Majesty, I have only just learned that the word 'Shadow' doesn't refer to a single person, but to an organization, one hidden in the mists of history and inextricably linked to this country..."

"Organization? What organization?" I pressed. However, Master Kongming remained silent. He simply gave me a deep look, turned, and walked away, leaving behind a meaningful figure. I became even more confused. What was the origin of this organization? Why did they want to harm me? Could it be...

"Your Majesty, look!" Zhen Youcai suddenly exclaimed, pointing at a piece of cloth on the ground. I hurried forward to examine it. The material and pattern of this piece of cloth seemed familiar to me...

"This...this isn't..." I widened my eyes, and a figure suddenly flashed through my mind, a person who couldn't possibly be here!