From cute to empress

Chapter 350 The Threat of Otherworldly Powers Approaches

Zhen Youcai and I stared at each other for a long moment, the study utterly silent. The Sirius system—a realm we had never set foot on, never even heard of. Dark forces—a term that seemed to exist only in myth and legend. Yet, the crystal before us, that anxious cry for help, felt real.

"Your Majesty, I have something important to report!" The guard's anxious voice came from outside the door. I quickly put away the crystal, exchanged a glance with Zhen Youcai, and hurried to the door.

"Why are you so panicked?" Zhen Youcai asked in a deep voice.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Preceptor and the Meteorological Officer request an audience. They say there's something extremely urgent!"

My heart skipped a beat. Could it be... Without having time to think about it, I immediately called them in.

In a moment, a monk with gray hair and a cassock and a meteorologist in official uniform and holding a compass walked quickly into the study, both with rare solemn expressions on their faces.

"Your Majesty, I observed the celestial phenomena at night and found that the stars were moving strangely. It seems that an alien force is approaching!" The meteorological officer spoke first, his voice revealing an undisguised panic.

The monk clasped his hands together, his tone calm but unable to conceal his worry: "Amitabha, I observed the stars at night and also found that the Purple Star is dim. I am afraid that evil spirits are invading..."

I took a deep breath, forced myself to calm down, and slowly asked, "Do you two know where that otherworldly power comes from?"

The weather officer and the monk exchanged a glance, each seeing shock in the other's eyes. They knelt together, their voices trembling, "Your Majesty, we speculate that this power... originates from the Sirius system!"

My fists clenched unconsciously. It seemed that all this was not a coincidence... I looked at Zhen Youcai, and there was a firm light in his eyes.

"Pass the order, summon..." Before I could finish my words, Zhen Youcai held my hand. He looked at me with a firm yet gentle gaze: "Mengmeng, let me face this matter with you."

I took a deep breath and shook Zhen Youcai's hand. His palm was warm and dry, giving me great strength. "Youcai, thank you. Let's face this together!"

I've issued a nationwide recruitment drive for warriors destined for the Sirius system. The news has shocked the nation. The Sirius system is completely unknown territory for us, fraught with unknown dangers. But fortunately, applicants continue to pour in.

After careful selection, an elite team consisting of highly skilled warriors, technologically proficient scholars, and physicians with healing abilities was assembled. I named this team "Spark," symbolizing hope and courage. I hope they will be like sparks, illuminating the unknown darkness.

However, assembling a team is only the first step; preparations are far more complex and arduous than we imagined. The primary concern is supplies. We are traveling to the Sirius system, with no certainty of when we will return, so we need to prepare sufficient food, water, medicine, and all the necessary tools and materials. While the national treasury is full, it's still insufficient to meet such a massive demand.

"Your Majesty, I suggest that we collect supplies from the people." The Minister of Revenue proposed cautiously.

I shook my head, rejecting his proposal. "We cannot burden the people. Pass the order down. All furnishings and decorations in the inner courtyard of the Imperial Palace, if they can be sold, must be exchanged for supplies. In addition, from today onwards, I and all the concubines in the harem will only eat two simple meals a day, to help the people weather this difficult time!"

Besides material resources, technical difficulties also arose. According to the information in the crystal ball, the Sirius system is extremely far away from our own galaxy, and with our current level of technology, it is impossible to reach it.

"Your Majesty, we have studied the energy contained in the crystal ball and discovered a new energy source. If we can apply it to the power system of the spacecraft, we may be able to achieve space jumps and quickly reach the Sirius system!" A group of young scholars gathered around a huge instrument and excitedly reported to me.

I clenched my fists with excitement. As long as there's a glimmer of hope, we'll never give up! The Spark team worked tirelessly day and night, overcoming numerous difficulties, including material shortages and technical bottlenecks, to complete the construction of spacecraft, one after another, carrying hope and courage.

Looking at the silver-glittering behemoths on the tarmac, my heart is filled with lofty ambitions.

"Let's go!" I gave an order, and the Spark Fleet slowly took off and headed towards the unknown starry sky.

However, at this moment, my personal maid came running in in a panic, her face pale and her voice trembling: "Your Majesty...it's not good...the Prime Minister...the Prime Minister..." "The Prime Minister...the Prime Minister...has suddenly fallen ill and is now unconscious!" The maid spoke in a rapid tone with tears in her eyes.

My heart sank. The Prime Minister was a veteran of three dynasties, always assisting with his wholehearted support. How could something like this happen at this critical juncture? Without giving it any time to think, I immediately rushed to the Prime Minister's residence.

Inside the Prime Minister's residence, imperial physicians came in and out, each one's face etched with anxiety. I hurried to the bedside and saw that the Prime Minister was pale, his breathing weak, a complete absence of his usual spirited demeanor.

"Imperial Physician, how is the Prime Minister?" My voice trembled unconsciously.

"Your Majesty," an elderly imperial physician knelt tremblingly, "The Prime Minister... he seems to have been poisoned by some kind of chronic poison. The poison has already penetrated into his internal organs. I... I am powerless to help!"

"Chronic poison?" My heart tightened, a sense of foreboding washing over me. The Prime Minister usually lived in seclusion, his food and daily life meticulously cared for. How could he be poisoned? And at this critical moment?

"Youcai," I turned to look at Zhen Youcai, my eyes filled with seriousness, "Immediately send people to seal off the Prime Minister's residence and thoroughly investigate this matter! We must find out who poisoned him and what the purpose behind it is!"

Zhen Youcai took the order and left, and I stayed in the Prime Minister's Mansion, taking care of the Prime Minister while dealing with the mountains of government affairs.

However, matters were far more complex than I had anticipated. News of the Prime Minister's poisoning spread like wildfire, shocking the court and the nation. Some prominent figures, already opposed to the Sirius System project, seized upon the situation and petitioned me to halt the project and focus on domestic affairs. Some even spread rumors, claiming the Sirius System was a calamity star and that a rescue operation would only bring disaster.

For a time, all kinds of rumors were rampant, and people were in a state of panic. Every day, I had to deal with countless memorials and ministers' admonitions, while also worrying about the Prime Minister's safety and the progress of the Sirius System project. I was exhausted both physically and mentally.

"Mengmeng, don't worry. The Prime Minister is blessed by fate. Everything will be fine." Zhen Youcai held my hand, giving me strength. "As for those obstacles, leave them to me."

I nodded. I knew Zhen Youcai would have a solution. He swiftly and thoroughly investigated the prime minister's poisoning, while simultaneously appeasing the people and stabilizing the government. Thanks to his efforts, those forces attempting to exploit the situation were gradually suppressed, and the Sirius System Project was able to proceed.

Finally, after a series of twists and turns, the Spark Fleet was ready to depart. Standing on the platform, I watched the warriors about to embark on their journey, my heart filled with anticipation and anxiety.

"set off!"

Following my command, the Spark Fleet slowly took off and disappeared into the vast universe.

"Your Majesty, aren't you worried?" An old voice came from behind me.

I turned around and saw the Imperial Preceptor standing quietly, whisk in hand, his eyes gleaming with wisdom... "Imperial Preceptor, it's not that I'm not worried, but I'm confident." I looked in the direction where the Spark Fleet had disappeared, my gaze firm. "I believe in our soldiers, and even more so, I believe that the people of the Sirius system are waiting for our rescue."

The Imperial Preceptor smiled faintly and stroked his graying beard. "Your Majesty is merciful. This trip will surely turn a disaster into a blessing. I observed the celestial phenomena at night and found that the Big Dipper has been unusually bright recently. Next to the sixth star, Kaiyang, there seems to be a faint starlight echoing with it, flickering unsteadily. I dare to speculate that this star may represent the Sirius system, and that faint starlight..."

He paused, then looked at me with a burning gaze. “Perhaps it is the symbol of His Majesty and the Spark Fleet.”

My heart moved. Could it be that there really is God's will in this world?

"Your Majesty," the meteorologist hurried over, "I've observed an unusual spatial fluctuation appearing above the Imperial Palace. It seems...it seems like the Spark Fleet has activated its space jump engine!"

Space jump engine! My heart suddenly sank. This technology is still in its infancy and not yet mature. Whether it can reach the destination safely is still unknown.

"Your Majesty, don't worry." Zhen Youcai walked over to me and gently held my hand. "We have been preparing for this day for a long time. The Spark Fleet is equipped with the most advanced equipment and the best soldiers, and..."

He paused, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes: "And I promised Your Majesty that I will return safely."

I squeezed his hand, a warm feeling welling up in my heart. Yes, no matter how many unknown dangers lie ahead, as long as we are together, we will definitely be able to overcome them.

"Imperial Master, I entrust the safety of the imperial city to you." I looked at the Imperial Master deeply, turned and walked towards the starship that had been prepared long ago.

"Your Majesty, don't worry. I will do my best." The voice of the imperial teacher sounded behind him.

I stepped onto the starship and the hatch slowly closed, isolating me from the world behind me.

"Start the engines, target - Sirius system!"

Following my command, the starship began to vibrate violently, and the surrounding scenery began to distort and deform...

"Mengmeng, hold on to me!" Zhen Youcai's voice sounded in my ears, and his hand held mine tightly, as if he wanted to melt me ​​in his arms.

I closed my eyes, feeling this wondrous journey across the galaxy, my heart filled with anticipation and... a hint of indescribable uneasiness.

Because, at the moment the starship was launched, I clearly felt the communicator on my wrist getting slightly warm... That was the emergency contact signal from the Prime Minister's Mansion!