CHAPTER 212: CHAPTER 211: MIRROR DEMON?

The next day, at the agreed-upon time with Nan Guili.

Just as they were about to leave, someone from the palace blocked their way.

"Miss Yu, Princess Consort Su! Please hurry and follow this old servant into the palace."

Mr. Wang, sweating profusely, anxiously urged, "The carriage is already waiting outside, His Majesty and the Imperial Noble Consort are waiting for you in the palace."

"What has happened?" Yu Nianzhao furrowed her brow, her eyes flashing, "Has something happened to the Empress?"

Mr. Wang dared not breathe heavily, and with a wry smile, said, "Matters of the royal family, this servant dares not discuss them outside, but your divine insight surely could guess, it’s better to hurry into the palace first."

"Understood!"

Seeing Mr. Wang’s expression, she knew she’d guessed correctly, and without further thought for Nan Guili, she boarded the carriage and hurried to the palace.

Normally, one would disembark at the palace gates and walk inside, but this time the carriage was stopped directly in front of the Empress’s sleeping quarters.

"Princess Consort Su has arrived!" Mr. Wang hurriedly announced, and the agitated Emperor Anqing rushed out.

His eyes were red, clearly anxious, "Zhaozhao, please go in and see the Empress, something is wrong; she fell asleep yesterday afternoon and hasn’t woken up since."

Yu Nianzhao was puzzled, "Just sleeping?"

"Yes, just sleeping!"

Emperor Anqing frowned deeply, "I know pregnant women sleep a lot, but which pregnant woman can sleep this long? I tried waking the Empress, but there’s no response, as if she’s in a coma. So, I called Mr. Chen, who was baffled yet affirmed her health, even the baby is healthy, just sleeping deeply and for long. Mr. Chen suggested I summon you to discern what’s wrong."

"I will go take a look."

Yu Nianzhao entered the inner room and saw Mr. Chen shaking his head with a troubled expression.

The Imperial Noble Consort was fiddling with a Buddhist rosary, murmuring blessings for the Empress.

"Zhaozhao, you’ve finally come, I really cannot ascertain what illness the Empress might have contracted; she’s healthy, yet prolonged sleep without food or drink isn’t good for either the mother or the child."

Mr. Chen was deeply concerned as the offspring of the Empress was vital to the Great Chao Country, and he dared not be careless.

"Could she truly be bewitched?"

The Imperial Noble Consort furrowed her brow, clutching the rosary, whispering several ’Amitabha.’

Yu Nianzhao did not respond, stepped forward for a better look, and found the Empress’s complexion rosy. Even in deep sleep, the corners of her mouth held a faint smile, as if dreaming sweetly.

"Empress, Empress..."

Yu Nianzhao called a few times, saw no response, then pushed her shoulder lightly; still, no awakening.

"No use, we’ve tried everything just now, including careful acupuncture, and the Empress showed no reaction." Mr. Chen sighed, "If it’s evil influence, she sleeps so peacefully; if not, there seems no toxin at work? What poison could be so undetectable to my scrutiny?"

"What about those two mirrors?"

Yu Nianzhao suddenly asked, as she pasted a Clear Heart Talisman onto the Empress.

The golden aura disappeared into the Empress’s body, her fingers moved slightly but she didn’t awaken.

"Mirror?"

The Imperial Noble Consort was surprised, "The mirror you’re talking about, is it the bronze mirror presented by Nanwang Country?"

"Yes!"

"That bronze mirror, one is in mourning residence, and another was..."

"Here."

Yu Nianzhao had already moved to the corner, where an item was covered with brown cloth.

Yu Nianzhao uncovered it, revealing the bronze mirror with divine patterns.

The mirror gleamed brightly, reflecting Yu Nianzhao’s impossibly captivating visage.

"Magic mirror, magic mirror, am I beautiful?"

Yu Nianzhao felt a stir in her heart and suddenly recited a line.

"..."

The mirror remained still, the Imperial Noble Consort and Mr. Chen bewildered.

"Is this really a magic mirror?"

Emperor Anqing asked skeptically.

They thought...

Zhaozhao must have her reasons for this; it must be right... right?

Yu Nianzhao’s expression was embarrassed for a moment but quickly regained composure.

She covered her mouth to lightly cough, then said, "Not quite a magic mirror, it’s better termed a demon mirror."

"Demon mirror?"

The Imperial Noble Consort gasped, worried, "Does the mirror harbor a demon? I have a similar mirror yet haven’t fallen into sleep."

"Demon? Encountered many spirits and ghosts, but never demons!"

Emperor Anqing expressed surprise, "This was presented by Nanwang Country, are they feigning harmony while planning disruption?"

Emperor Anqing gritted his teeth, unable to conceal his rage, "Is this an attempt to harm the imperial lineage? Insidious plot, I shall order Nan Guili’s capture at once."

"Hold on!"

Yu Nianzhao’s cool voice calmed Emperor Anqing’s agitation, he inhaled deeply and said, "For the Empress and my unborn child, launching a war with Nanwang Country—a matter to consider."

He and the Empress shared a tender bond from youth, rising to create today’s peaceful era. He naturally cannot let harm befall the Empress.

"This indeed was a gift from Nanwang Country, yet the demon inside may not be their doing."

Yu Nianzhao questioned, "Would anyone dare to brazenly send a treacherous gift while still present themselves?"

Emperor Anqing frowned, "Is there really a demon? Did it cause the Empress’s sleep? Was it not placed by them? Could it have entered the mirror itself?"

"Why not ask directly?"

Yu Nianzhao tapped the mirror surface; no response surfaced. She sighed lightly, "Indeed, ordinary access is obstructed."

"Access?"

"Yes, likely a mirror demon inside, responsible for dragging Empress’s soul into mirror’s realm, causing her sleep."

Yu Nianzhao raised her hand, drawing a symbol on the mirror.

The golden light penetrated the surface, causing it to ripple like water.

"This, this, this..."

The Imperial Noble Consort and Emperor Anqing were stunned.

Mr. Chen, being familiar with the fantastical, was more composed but also voiced awe.

"Zhaozhao, how will you awaken the Empress?" Emperor Anqing hesitantly asked.

"By using the same method for entry!"

Yu Nianzhao remarked, "Your Majesty, please summon Dongfang Chenyuan and Dongfang Chenyue to the palace to safeguard me."

"Safeguard?"

"Indeed! These mirrors, Dragon Auspicious and Phoenix Auspicious, there are two; ensure caution in case multiple mirror demons dwell within. Unlike evil spirits, demons... excel in deception."

Yu Nianzhao turned, offering a smile that sent chills down one’s spine.