Feng Zexuan had just stepped through her front door when she barely had time to sit down before Wang Dehai rushed in, breathless.
“Lord Northern Protector! His Majesty urgently summons you to the palace!”
Feng Zexuan blinked.
【What now? The emperor’s up to something again… don’t tell me he’s “not working” again?】
Wang Dehai’s legs nearly gave out when he heard her inner voice.
Ancestors above! Could she stop thinking about that?!
The emperor is perfectly fine!
“Let’s go,” Feng Zexuan said, patting herself up and standing.
She was already wondering what kind of big gossip awaited her this time.
In the Imperial Study, several high-ranking ministers were already seated in a row, waiting for the emperor to speak.
Xiao Juechen sat behind the imperial desk, looking mysterious as he pulled out a bundle.
“My dear ministers, I summoned you here for this.”
He played it up for suspense, then tossed the bundle onto the table.
Everyone craned their necks forward, squinting.
Xiao Juechen slowly opened it.
And in the next second, everyone’s eyes nearly popped out.
A pink embroidered bellyband!
Feng Zexuan almost laughed out loud.
【Oh wow! The emperor really moves fast! He already got that pervert monk Tontian’s pink bellyband!】
【That pink color is way too flashy! That monk’s taste is… something else.】
【Host, we were a step too late.】
The ministers already knew from Feng Zexuan’s inner voice that a treasure map was hidden inside.
But seeing this ridiculous pink item in person still made them deeply uncomfortable.
General Chu coughed awkwardly, forcing his gaze away.
The Crown Prince turned his head completely, ears turning red.
Xiao Juechen carefully pulled a yellowed parchment from the hidden layer of the bellyband.
Covered in strange, crooked symbols.
“This was found on the monk Tontian. I suspect it’s a treasure map.”
He spread it out for everyone to examine.
“Can any of you read this gibberish?”
The ministers crowded around to study it.
Prime Minister Lin frowned so hard his eyes almost stuck to the paper.
Chu Tiankuo held it up to the light, trying to see through it.
Chu Heng even leaned in and sniffed it—only to sneeze violently from the moldy smell.
“Your Majesty, we’ve never seen these characters before,” Prime Minister Lin said, shaking his head.
“It truly looks strange… like heavenly scripture,” Chu Tiankuo added.
When it reached Feng Zexuan, she glanced at it casually—and immediately smiled.
【Ha! I can actually read this!】
【It’s a mix of Sanskrit, Persian, and Arabic! Those random language lessons I once learned are finally useful!】
【Host, I’ve got your back too!】
Everyone immediately turned to look at her.
Eyes full of anticipation.
Xiao Juechen almost stood up from his chair in excitement.
“Lord Northern Protector, you can read it?”
“I understand a little,” Feng Zexuan replied modestly.
She pretended to study it seriously, secretly delighted.
Finally, her moment to show off.
She cleared her throat.
“It says… this is a treasure left by the royal family of the previous dynasty for their descendants…”
“There are five million taels of gold, three million taels of silver, countless pearls and jade…”
As soon as the words fell, the room’s breathing grew heavier.
Chu Heng’s voice trembled.
“T-this much money? Enough to fund the empire for ten years!”
Prime Minister Lin tried to stay calm, but his voice still shook.
“Five million taels of gold… this is unimaginable!”
Chu Tiankuo was already calculating.
“With this money, military expenses would be completely solved!”
Feng Zexuan continued reading—and the deeper she went, the more shocked she became.
This wasn’t just a treasure map.
It was a full guide!
【System, the previous dynasty was way too considerate! Even the traps are explained in detail!】
【Host, maybe they were worried their descendants were too dumb to find it.】
After calculations and geographical comparisons, Feng Zexuan reached a shocking conclusion.
“The treasure location…”
She paused.
“Where?! Speak quickly!”
Xiao Juechen couldn’t hold back anymore, completely abandoning imperial dignity.
The ministers also held their breath.
“Inside the Dragon Throne… underneath it!”
The entire Imperial Study fell dead silent.
“What?!”
Xiao Juechen shot up from his seat.
“Under the Dragon Throne?! Then doesn’t that mean…”
【Holy crap! That’s insane! Hiding treasure in plain sight?!】
【The previous dynasty really played the ‘hidden in the obvious place’ trick to perfection!】
The system chimed in casually:
【Host, Tontian found this map from under a corpse’s backside while looting an imperial tomb of the previous dynasty.】
Feng Zexuan was speechless.
【That monk really… doesn’t even spare dead people’s butts!】
Xiao Juechen’s expression turned wonderfully complex.
So the gold mountain had been beneath his throne all along?
It was like sitting on a treasure vault while begging for money—absurd beyond belief.
The ministers were equally stunned.
Prime Minister Lin murmured:
“No wonder historical records say the founding emperor of the previous dynasty found the palace already empty when he conquered it… so it was hidden underground!”
Chu Tiankuo immediately said:
“Your Majesty, should we dig it up right away? I’ll assemble men immediately!”
“Not yet.”
Xiao Juechen forced himself to stay calm.
“Lord Northern Protector, anything else?”
Feng Zexuan continued analyzing the map, growing more shocked.
【System, how deep is it?】
【Ten meters underground, Host! And multiple chambers!】
She inhaled sharply.
Ten meters deep—and multiple chambers?
The previous dynasty really went all out.
“Your Majesty, according to the map, the treasure is ten meters underground.”
She paused again.
“And it’s not just one chamber—there are at least three large vaults.”
Xiao Juechen nodded heavily.
“Immediately arrange personnel. Secret excavation!”
Prime Minister Lin reminded:
“This must be kept strictly confidential, or it could cause chaos.”
“I understand.”
Xiao Juechen thought for a moment.
“Say the Dragon Throne requires maintenance. Seal off the Imperial Hall. Court will be moved to the Taihe Hall!”
Chu Tiankuo volunteered immediately.
“Your Majesty, leave the excavation to me!”
“Good. I trust you.”
Xiao Juechen then turned to Feng Zexuan.
“Lord Northern Protector, you will serve as chief commander of this operation. Any traps or mechanisms—you will handle them.”
“I obey.”
【Hahaha! I’ve become an archaeological commander now!】
【System, is this treasure real? Could it be a trap to trick later generations into rebellion?】
【Rest assured, Host. I’ve scanned it—there are massive metallic signatures underground. It’s genuine.】
Feng Zexuan finally relaxed.
Xiao Juechen could no longer hide his excitement.
“My dear ministers, this matter must remain absolutely confidential! Anyone who leaks a word—will be punished without mercy!”
“We obey!” the ministers responded in unison.
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