They all want to change my future.

Chapter 36 The Empress Doesn't Believe in the Future

People are curious about what the top floor of the observatory looks like.

After all, only two people can reach the top.

One is the owner of the building, and the other is the current empress.

Actually, it's quite empty there.

The sky was so empty that only the countless stars visible when you looked up could be seen.

The eaves are extremely high.

Thirty-eight luminous pearls are embedded on the top for illumination, their warm and flowing light creating a luxurious yet silent effect.

This building was originally built for stargazing, so it is naturally not suitable for human habitation.

Therefore, Qu Hongxiao did not like this place.

Although she is the nominal owner of this building, it is ultimately the "Empress's" building.

She has to stay and watch over the Empress.

Even though the Empress did not require her to stay here, Qu Hongxiao, having nothing else to do, would still come here to linger.

Tonight, she never expected to see that figure here.

A figure that was both incredibly majestic and incredibly beautiful.

Just standing quietly by the railing, her elegant and luxurious palace attire exuded a captivating domineering aura, making people dare not look directly at her.

Ke Qu Hongxiao is not afraid.

She walked over and gently took the hand that emerged from her sleeve, her voice filled with familiar intimacy: "Your Highness, what brings you here today?"

The empress, whom outsiders called "Demon Queen" and whom she addressed as "Your Majesty," slowly turned around.

Bathed in the soft glow of the luminous pearl, that face was breathtakingly beautiful, its features exuding the nobility and indifference of someone long accustomed to a high position.

Qu Hongxiao was somewhat mesmerized by what she saw.

Indeed, the Empress is much prettier than that phoenix.

"We came here, of course, to stargaze," the Queen said, her voice cold and awe-inspiring.

Qu Hongxiao, however, was not afraid and followed her gaze to the night sky.

The Star-Gazing Tower is so high that the stars seem within reach, and the lights of the entire capital city are laid out before you.

Qu Hongxiao glanced at it and immediately lost interest, then tugged at the Empress's sleeve like a little girl:

"But the stars tonight don't seem to be anything particularly beautiful."

The Empress raised her hand and gently stroked her loose hair: "The changing of the stars is a sign of the future."

"Really?" Qu Hongxiao's eyes brightened slightly. "Then, Your Majesty, did you foresee something about the future tonight?"

I don't believe in the future.

The empress spoke in a calm tone, yet there was an underlying sense of disdain in her voice.

"Oh..." Qu Hongxiao sensed that she was unwilling to talk more, and tactfully changed the subject, "By the way, Your Majesty, something interesting has happened in the capital recently, are you aware of it?"

"What is it?"

"That phoenix... seems to be about to be released from its cage."

The Empress finally showed some interest: "How will it be presented?"

I've been by the Empress's side for so many years.

Qu Hongxiao knew that besides caring about the fate of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the only thing the Empress cared about most was that phoenix.

It was this deep concern that made her so jealous.

"She recruited a retainer who came from a sect, and the two became quite close."

"The Phoenix is ​​cooperating with the sect..." The Empress's lips curled into a faint sneer, "It's starting to look more and more like a human being."

Hearing this, I felt that there was an indescribable meaning in the Empress's words—it was as if she was watching a divine bird that should have soared in the nine heavens, but instead willingly fell into the dust and mud, and became one with the mortals.

Qu Hongxiao knew that the Empress looked down on humans, but she didn't care, and she herself looked down on those men.

"Anything else?" the Queen asked.

"Also, because of this matter, I asked the emperor for twice the number of places for the Dragon Gate Examination."

As she spoke, Qu Hongxiao's stunning face revealed an expression seeking praise.

This is the glamorous and charismatic master of the Star Gazing Pavilion, who outwardly outshines everyone in the capital, but inwardly remains a mystery.

If outsiders knew about his childish behavior in front of the Empress, they would probably be shocked.

The Empress, however, seemed unfazed. She raised her hand again and gently stroked Qu Hongxiao's flawless face: "I was right to entrust the Star Gazing Tower to you."

Qu Hongxiao didn't dislike such caresses; on the contrary, she liked them very much: "As long as Your Majesty doesn't blame me, I can do things in your name."

"You're my person. How can you do anything without my name?"

The Empress spoke calmly, yet with an air of dominance.

Qu Hongxiao stared at the Empress in a daze, thinking to herself, "Indeed, the Empress is the best in the world."

But he himself did not listen to the Empress.

Qu Hongxiao lowered her head somewhat ashamed: "I secretly went to see that phoenix last night."

"You went to see her?"

The voice remained calm, but Qu Hongxiao was frightened. Her beautiful eyes filled with tears, and she lowered her head even further, like a disobedient child who had done something wrong.

The Empress lifted Qu Hongxiao's small face, looked at her tear-streaked appearance, and gently wiped away her tears.

"Since you know I've already warned you, and you're afraid, why do you still want to go see it?"

"Because I'm curious about what the phoenix that the Empress always talks about actually looks like."

The Empress withdrew her hand and walked to the railing of the Star Gazing Tower. This time, she did not look up at the stars, but instead gazed at the capital city.

"So, what did you see?"

Her voice remained devoid of emotion, but Qu Hongxiao, who had felt a chill in her heart when the Empress's hand left, burst into laughter through her tears.

"That phoenix is ​​indeed beautiful, but it is far less beautiful than the Empress."

Qu Hongxiao spoke these words with utmost sincerity.

The Queen did not turn around: "Do you know why I wouldn't let you see her?"

"have no idea."

Qu Hongxiao could naturally sense that the Empress was not angry. She mustered her courage again, approached the Empress, and whispered:

"However, I know that Her Majesty's decision not to let me go is definitely for my own good."

"It is indeed for your own good," the Empress continued. "With your temperament and appearance, I'm afraid that once you see that phoenix, you'll remember it and be unable to let it go, which will affect your future cultivation."

"Your Majesty, you are right." Qu Hongxiao pondered for a moment, "Now it is indeed even more impossible to release them. I have also made an agreement with the Phoenix's retainer."

"It seems something interesting has happened."

Since the Empress was interested, Qu Hongxiao naturally wouldn't hide it. The Star Gazing Tower collected intelligence from all over the world, and its biggest purpose was to amuse the Empress.

"It's quite a coincidence, but I met him at the Red Silk Pavilion today. He said something that I found quite interesting."

"What are you saying?"

He said he could make the phoenix descend to earth and fall in love with him.

"That's really interesting."

The Empress smiled gently, a smile so beautiful that Qu Hongxiao was stunned for a moment.

"Your Highness, shall I offer him some small assistance?"

"No need." The Empress gazed towards the distant Zhaoyang Mansion, her eyes flickering with light. "If he can truly bring the phoenix down to the dust, then let him do it. You should not get involved anymore and focus on your cultivation."

"Yes," Qu Hongxiao replied. "I'll just keep an eye on him and see how things develop."

The Empress, however, did not believe this. Having already gotten involved, how could she so easily back down?

Qu Hongxiao naturally sensed the Empress's displeasure, and she carefully added, "She will also instruct the people below not to touch him."

"Is someone down below trying to take him down?"

"There are always people who overthink things."

The queen fell silent.

The night wind suddenly picked up, causing her wide sleeves to flutter, which also made her feel somewhat listless.

That's enough for today.

As soon as he finished speaking, the figure vanished like smoke, leaving the railing empty, with only the night wind blowing through the corridor.

Qu Hongxiao stood alone, gazing in the direction where the Empress had disappeared, and sighed softly.

The Empress's cultivation is truly high.

Even though he was already a seventh-level grandmaster, he was still as unattainable as gazing at the stars and the moon in front of the Empress.

However, in the end, the Empress seemed somewhat disappointed in me.