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At this moment.

In a military tent at the City Defense Force, Deputy Commander Lu Tao was dealing with military affairs.

Suddenly, a young officer in black armor rushed into the tent, his expression urgent, and shouted loudly:

“Commander Lu, something terrible has happened!”

“Your daughter, Lu Xuanxuan, has been taken away by the eunuch Feng Yu, who serves the Empress Dowager.”

“What?” Upon hearing this, Lu Tao’s expression changed drastically, and he stood up abruptly, filled with rage.

Why would the Empress Dowager take his daughter at this time?

Is it because I had previously refused the Empress Dowager’s attempts to win me over, and now she was seeking revenge?

“Did you personally witness Feng Yu taking my daughter away?”

Lu Tao suppressed his inner fury, quickly regaining his composure, and asked the young officer before him in a deep voice.

“Commander Lu, I personally saw that eunuch Feng Yu, leading hundreds of guards with great force, took your daughter away.”

“That’s why I came quickly to inform you.”

The young officer in black armor spoke respectfully, without concealing anything, recounting everything he had seen on the streets of the imperial city. Of course, because he had rushed to report the situation to Lu Tao, he hadn’t witnessed the later arrival of the Royal Shadow Guards, who rescued Lu Xuanxuan.

After listening to the report.

Lu Tao’s face darkened. He remained silent for a moment before letting out a sigh:

“I understand. You may leave.”

“Yes, Commander!” The young officer nodded and left the tent.

Alone in the tent, Lu Tao paced back and forth, his expression shifting between anger and contemplation.

He understood the purpose behind the Empress Dowager’s actions.

She wanted to use Lu Xuanxuan to coerce him into obeying her and pledging his loyalty.

For now, it seemed that his daughter’s life was not in immediate danger.

But if he continued to refuse the Empress Dowager’s advances, given her ruthless nature, not only might he be eliminated, but even his daughter could meet a grim fate.

“Do I have no choice but to submit to the Empress Dowager?”

Lu Tao’s face remained silent as he hesitated, thinking it over for a long time. Gritting his teeth, he prepared to head to the palace.

However, just then, a familiar and gentle voice came from outside the tent.

“Father, I’ve returned.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Tao’s expression turned to joy, and he hurriedly stepped outside the tent to find his daughter, Lu Xuanxuan, standing safely before him.

What’s going on?

The Empress Dowager had gone through all the trouble to abduct my daughter as a bargaining chip to threaten him—why would she so easily return Lu Xuanxuan?

But as Lu Tao looked at his daughter, he noticed the presence of a middle-aged man next to her, wearing a phoenix-crested helmet, the distinctive flying fish robe, and carrying an embroidered spring knife at his waist, exuding a fierce aura. Lu Tao immediately understood what had happened.

As the Deputy Commander of the City Defense Force, he naturally recognized the middle-aged man before him as Qing Long, the Commander of the Royal Shadow Guards.

It was likely that the Royal Shadow Guards had intervened to rescue his daughter from the Empress Dowager’s clutches.

“Many thanks to the Royal Shadow Guards for your assistance,” Lu Tao said with a smile, cupping his hands in gratitude to Commander Qing Long.

“There’s no need for formalities, Commander Lu. I’ll take my leave now.”

Commander Qing Long nodded slightly, returning the gesture, before turning and departing from the City Defense Force.

Watching his figure disappear into the distance, Lu Tao was filled with gratitude. He understood that this was His Majesty’s way of showing goodwill toward him.

After Commander Chen Zhan had defied an imperial decree and was executed by the Emperor, the tens of thousands of soldiers in the City Defense Force had all come under Lu Tao’s command.

Thus, both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager sought to win him over.

After this incident, Lu Tao had witnessed the Empress Dowager’s shameless tactics and naturally would never pledge his loyalty to her.

Moreover, without the Emperor’s intervention, his daughter, Lu Xuanxuan, might have fallen into the Empress Dowager’s hands, leaving him at her mercy for the rest of his life.

With these thoughts, Lu Tao made up his mind.

After settling his daughter, he would go to the palace to personally thank the Emperor and, in doing so, secure a powerful patron.

…

The Great Zhou Dynasty, the majestic imperial palace.

In the imperial study.

Gu Changsheng sat on the dragon throne, expressionless, reviewing the memorials in his hand.

[Ding! The host has rescued Lu Tao’s daughter from the Empress Dowager, altering the course of the plot, earning 10,000 plot points!]. [Ding! Lu Tao, Deputy Commander of the City Defense Force, has developed a sense of loyalty toward the host, earning 10,000 plot points!].

At that moment, the system notifications rang out consecutively.

With 20,000 plot points earned, Gu Changsheng’s lips curved into a slight smile.

The system’s rewards meant that the Empress Dowager’s scheme to abduct Lu Xuanxuan and use her to threaten Lu Tao had completely failed.

It wouldn’t be long before Lu Tao would come to him of his own accord.

He would then be able to seize control of the City Defense Force’s military power.

Not long after, Commander Qing Long slowly opened the door to the imperial study, stepped inside, and reported the results of the mission.

“Your Majesty, I have completed everything you instructed. The Empress Dowager’s eunuch, Feng Yu, has also been imprisoned in the Great Zhou dungeon, awaiting your decision.”

Qing Long bowed respectfully to Gu Changsheng as he reported.

“Well done, you have not disappointed me.”

Gu Changsheng nodded in satisfaction.

Had it not been for the Royal Shadow Guards, secretly protecting Lu Xuanxuan all along, the Empress Dowager’s plot might have succeeded.

As for Feng Yu, although he was the Empress Dowager’s personal eunuch, Gu Changsheng did not consider him a significant threat. This incident was a convenient opportunity to get rid of him.

However, Gu Changsheng knew that by intervening and dispatching the Royal Shadow Guards to rescue Lu Xuanxuan, he had foiled the Empress Dowager’s plan, and she would undoubtedly retaliate fiercely in the future.

This realization stirred a sense of danger within him, and he knew he could not afford to let his guard down.

At present, his foundation was still shallow, and he could not afford to completely break with the Empress Dowager.

Fortunately, by thwarting the Empress Dowager’s scheme and rescuing Lu Xuanxuan, he had gained Lu Tao’s loyalty.

Soon, he would be able to take control of the City Defense Force’s military power.

Gu Changsheng waved his hand, dismissing Commander Qing Long.

Next, he checked his accumulated plot points, which had reached 30,000!

“System, use 30,000 plot points for three draws!”

Without any hesitation, Gu Changsheng mentally commanded the system. Soon, the 30,000 plot points were cleared.

[Ding! 30,000 plot points have been used. Beginning the draw…]. [Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining Ten Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea!]. [Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Constitution of Immunity to All Poisons!]. [Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Red Lotus Flame!].