22: Urgent report from the North again

Empress Dowager Ji Ziyu flipped her palm, and an object appeared in her hand.

It was a small shield, but the moment the others present saw it, they couldn't help but be slightly surprised.

High Grade Spiritual Artifact, Flowing Moon Shield!

This was one of the Empress Dowager's defensive Spiritual Artifacts. Why was she taking it out?

Thinking of a certain possibility, Nangong Aotian and the others couldn't help but change their expressions slightly.

Ji Ziyu smiled and said, "This is Imperial Grandmother's first time meeting my good grandson Yuer, and I have no good gift to give, so I'll give Yuer this shield!"

As soon as she said this, the expressions of the others changed slightly, realizing that this was indeed the case!

Shangguan Yuexi quickly tried to stop her, saying, "Mother, this item is too valuable. We cannot accept it!"

Ji Ziyu glanced at her and said, "This Dowager Empress is not giving it to you, so stay quiet!"

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Yuexi was speechless and could only look pleadingly at Nangong Aotian, only to see him looking up at the sky, clearly unwilling to interfere.

Facing Shangguan Yuexi's gaze, Han Liyan also smiled faintly but said nothing.

Seeing this, Shangguan Yuexi could only show a helpless expression as she watched Empress Dowager Ji Ziyu take a drop of Nangong Yu's blood and complete the Flowing Moon Shield's acknowledgment of its master!

The Flowing Moon Shield instantly turned into a streak of light and hid itself within Nangong Yu's Dantian.

It was clear that Ji Ziyu seemed to have prepared in advance. Otherwise, why would her Spiritual Artifact not require the process of revoking the original ownership?

Just then, seeing Empress Dowager Ji Ziyu take out Spirit Medicine to heal the tiny needle prick on Nangong Yu's finger, Nangong Aotian quickly said, "Mother, no need to rush!"

As he spoke, he took out a white jade folding fan, drew out a drop of Nangong Yu's blood, and merged it into the fan.

And that White Jade Folding Fan was surprisingly a Medium Grade Spiritual Artifact!

The White Jade Folding Fan quickly completed the acknowledgment of its master and also hid itself within Nangong Yu's Dantian.

Seeing this, Han Liyan couldn't help but shake her head and smile, "I am not as wealthy as Mother and Your Majesty, but I should at least present a welcome gift. I hope Yuer likes it!"

As she spoke, she took out a golden needle!

While drawing out a drop of Nangong Yu's blood and merging it into the golden needle, she explained, "This is a Low Grade Spiritual Artifact I acquired by chance, named the Mother-Child Profound Spirit Needle!"

"The Mother-Child Profound Spirit Needle can be used against enemies, or it can split into nine, serving as a life-saving golden needle for a Physician. I wonder if Yuer will be interested in becoming a Physician in the future?"

As her voice faded, the golden needle also completed the acknowledgment of its master and hid itself within Nangong Yu's Dantian.

By this time, the needle prick on Nangong Yu's hand had vanished, but Ji Ziyu was still worried and took out some Spirit Medicine to apply to it.

Seeing this scene, Shangguan Yuexi felt both touched and perplexed.

She had taken her son back to her maternal home, the Shangguan Family, but they had parted on bad terms.

Her son had received 100,000 Spirit Stones and some Cultivation resources gifted by his Maternal Grandmother, but nothing else from anyone else.

Today, the Empress Dowager and the two others, whom she hadn't planned on visiting, had specifically invited them over and gifted Yuer three Spiritual Artifacts.

Furthermore, each of the three Spiritual Artifacts was of a higher grade than the last, which left her feeling quite confused.

Shangguan Yuexi composed herself slightly, stood up, and curtsied, saying, "Yuexi thanks Mother, thanks Elder Brother, and thanks Empress Sister on Yuer's behalf!"

Seeing her act this way, Empress Dowager Ji Ziyu couldn't help but frown slightly, "What are you doing? Get up quickly!"

Nangong Aotian also spoke, "Get up. These are gifts from us to Yuer. Don't overthink it!"

"Exactly, Sister Yuexi. If you really want to thank us, just bring Yuer to the Imperial Palace more often so I can see him more!"

Hearing Han Liyan's words, Shangguan Yuexi was slightly moved. She stood up and said, "As long as Elder Sister doesn't mind, I will certainly bring Yuer over often in the future!"

"That sounds right!" The Empress Dowager and the two others all smiled and said.

The group chatted and laughed.

Holding the happily laughing Nangong Yu, the Empress Dowager also managed to dispel some of her sadness.

A moment later, as Shangguan Yuexi and the others were having lunch with Empress Dowager Ji Ziyu, a palace maid walked in and went straight to Ji Ziyu's side.

"Empress Dowager, Eunuch Yan requests an audience with Your Majesty. He says there is an urgent military report from the Northern Border!"

As soon as this was said, Nangong Aotian's expression changed slightly. "Mother, Your subject will go handle this first, and won't be able to accompany you."

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly and waved her hand, saying, "Alright, go attend to your business."

Nangong Aotian nodded, turned, and quickly departed.

Seeing him leave, Ji Ziyu looked at the worried expressions of Han Liyan and the other woman, and smiled, "Let's eat first. Don't worry so much about it!"

"Yes, Mother!"

The two nodded.

They did not notice that when Nangong Yu heard the palace maid's words, a subtle, strange glint flashed in his eyes.

But Nangong Yu concealed all this very well, so it was normal that the others didn't notice... On the other side, Nangong Aotian walked out of the Empress Dowager's Sleeping Quarters and saw Eunuch Yan waiting outside.

Nangong Aotian frowned and asked, "What is wrong with the Northern Border this time? Has the Beichuan Empire made another move?"

Eunuch Yan shook his head, his expression complex, and said, "Your Majesty, no, it concerns the Zhenbei Army."

"The Zhenbei Army?"

Nangong Aotian frowned, "Didn't the Zhenbei Army receive the Grand Consort of Zhenbei's military order to guard the Northern Border? What have they done?"

Eunuch Yan shook his head slightly, his expression somewhat strange, and said, "In the early hours of yesterday, the entire Zhenbei Army mobilized, suppressed Deputy General Yao Jiawen of the Hubu Army, and sealed off the news."

"By the time the news broke this morning, along with Yao Jiawen, they had successively arrested six generals and three local officials, all of whom held important positions!"

"After arresting the nine individuals, the Zhenbei Army concealed their whereabouts and vanished without a trace."

"After General Yang Zhong learned of this news, although he was displeased, considering that they might be acting on the Grand Consort of Zhenbei's orders, he temporarily halted the investigation, merely strengthening border defenses and awaiting Your Majesty's decision!"

Hearing this, Nangong Aotian's brows furrowed tightly. He felt that the matter was not that simple!

He pondered for a moment and decided to first dispatch Shadow Guards to investigate the Zhenbei Army's location and the reason behind their actions.

But just as he was about to give the order, he saw a young eunuch running over in a panic.