215: Twins

Chapter 213: Twins of the Twin-Lotus Palace

Zheng Yi brought Su Xi back to the capital, and all the way, the two of them conversed continuously inside the sedan chair.

Zheng Yi talked about some interesting things in the imperial palace, as well as some small jokes from his past life, which caused Su Xi to giggle continuously.

Under Zheng Yi's deliberate guidance, Su Xi also talked about some of the past between her and her grandfather, Tian Xingzi.

According to Su Xi, she and her grandfather had been living in seclusion in a valley in Bin Province.

The valley was shrouded by a Formation, making it completely impossible for Mortals to discover, and they spent over a dozen years there like that.

Living in seclusion with them was also a small village guarded by Tian Xingzi. They were all Tian Xingzi's clansmen, providing him with some living resources.

Because of Tian Xingzi, this group of clansmen stayed far away from wars, and thus they held deep respect and reverence for Tian Xingzi.

Su Xi was actually not Tian Xingzi's biological granddaughter, but a girl from Tian Xingzi's clan.

Among the entire clan, only Su Xi possessed a Spiritual Root, which was why Tian Xingzi took her in as his granddaughter.

The two of them were both teacher and grandfather-granddaughter, and Tian Xingzi taught her everything he knew without holding anything back.

Today, Su Xi was already a Qi Refining Level 3 Cultivator.

As soon as they entered the capital, a eunuch hurriedly ran over. After some communication with the guarding imperial guards, this eunuch successfully approached Zheng Yi's sedan chair.

"What is the matter?"

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Felicitations, Your Majesty! Consort Jie and Consort Yu have both successfully given birth, and both have given birth to imperial princes for you!"

"What? Dongyun Jie and Dongyun Yu have both given birth?"

"Return to the palace immediately!"

He had long been prepared for the matter of the two women giving birth, but he hadn't expected it to be so fast.

The two women had conceived on the same day, and their expected delivery date was also the same day. He had already ordered people to prepare for it.

Regarding the birth of the two imperial princes, he was very calm, having already known the answer after all.

Compared to the two imperial princes, he cared more about Dongyun Jie and Dongyun Yu.

After all, a pair of peerless twin-lotus flowers was rare, and both women also possessed wind-attribute Spiritual Roots, making it even scarcer.

The speed of the sedan chair increased, while Su Xi inside the carriage asked curiously, "Your Majesty, do you have children?"

"Of course I do."

Zheng Yi said, "I have ten princesses, as well as six... no, now there are eight imperial princes."

"Two other imperial concubines are already pregnant, and they will all give birth in at most half a year."

"So many!"

Su Xi exclaimed in surprise, "There were so few children in our village, and many of them died prematurely. Two of my little friends passed away due to accidents when we were young."

"It's a pity that Grandpa was in closed-door Cultivation at that time, otherwise he definitely could have saved them."

Zheng Yi became interested: "Xi'er, did Daoist Tianxingzi also teach you the art of divination?"

"He taught me."

Su Xi nodded and said, "In addition to the art of divination, there is also physiognomy and astrology, but I've only learned the surface."

"As for things like Feng Shui and Formations, Grandpa didn't teach me. He said that only by traveling across the world and personally experiencing the earthly veins and heavenly phenomena can one learn Feng Shui and Formations."

"So, this time Grandpa brought me out, which can also be considered traveling."

"I see~"

The two conversed while resting. Under Zheng Yi's deliberate guidance, Su Xi's vigilance in her heart immediately relaxed a lot, and her mood also became cheerful.

After all, she was just a little girl, and having just left her parents, she was innocent and naive. It was very easy for her to be tricked by Zheng Yi... Oh no, to be persuaded by Zheng Yi.

When Zheng Yi's sedan chair slowly entered the imperial palace, Su Xi couldn't help but poke her little head out from the window, looking around.

"Wah, Your Majesty, the city walls of the imperial palace are so tall!"

"So many people, they are really pretty~"

"Is that a carved Dragon? How majestic..."

Su Xi watched in astonishment. As Zheng Yi's sedan chair advanced, the passing palace maids, eunuchs, and guards knelt down one after another to salute.

After the sedan chair passed by, almost all the eunuchs and palace maids were discussing.

"Who is that girl? Why is she on Your Majesty's sedan chair?"

"Shh... Hush! A woman who can ride on Your Majesty's sedan chair will definitely be a concubine in the future!"

"I'm so envious of her. If I could also..."

The news that Your Majesty had returned to the palace with a young girl accompanying him on the sedan chair quickly spread throughout the entire imperial palace.

This was the first time such a thing had happened since Your Majesty ascended the throne.

Many people were guessing the identity of this young girl, wondering who on earth she was to actually be able to captivate Your Majesty.

There were even quite a few busybodies who opened a gambling pool, betting on when this young girl would be conferred as a concubine by Your Majesty.

Would her first imperial title be a Noble Lady, a Concubine of the Pin rank, or... directly conferred as a Consort?

When Zheng Yi stepped into the Twin-Lotus Palace, the mature and charming Consort Zhen hurriedly led people out to welcome him.

"This concubine greets Your Majesty~!"

"Rise."

Consort Zhen quickly stood up and said joyfully, "Your Majesty, Dongyun Jie and Dongyun Yu have both given birth to imperial princes. It's simply wonderful... Eh? Who is this younger sister..."

She had been far too happy just now, and only at this moment did she notice that a young girl was still following behind Zheng Yi, so she found it a bit strange.

Zheng Yi explained, "She is the descendant of a Senior, staying temporarily in the palace for a period of time."

"Oh~"

Consort Zhen had no doubts and made way, saying, "Your Majesty, please come in~"

Zheng Yi nodded and walked toward the interior of the Twin-Lotus Palace: "Right, where are the Empress and the others?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress came early in the morning. After Dongyun Jie and Dongyun Yu finished giving birth, she also chatted with the other sisters for a while. Seeing that it was getting late, this concubine had them return first."

"That is for the best as well."

While speaking, they stepped into the Twin-Lotus Palace.

The Twin-Lotus Palace was the living quarters of Dongyun Jie, Dongyun Yu, and their mother Li Lizhen.

Dongyun Jie and Dongyun Yu held the rank of Consorts, so logically speaking, the Twin-Lotus Palace should be centered around them.

However, who made Consort Zhen their mother?

Therefore, throughout the entire Twin-Lotus Palace, it was actually Consort Zhen who called the shots despite holding the rank of a Pin-ranked Concubine.

Yet no one felt that there was anything unusual about it.

Soon Zheng Yi saw Dongyun Jie and Dongyun Yu.

Perhaps to take care of both of them at the same time, Consort Zhen had actually arranged for the two women to be in the same bedchamber.

The two women's Dragon and Phoenix Ruyi Beds were also right next to each other, and they were resting at this moment.

A little palace maid had already reported His Majesty's arrival, and the two women had also meticulously dolled themselves up. But even so, Zheng Yi still felt a bit heartbroken; they were pitifully endearing.

"This concubine greets Your Majesty..."

"My two Beloved Consorts, quickly lie back down~"

Zheng Yi walked over in quick strides, taking one by each hand, full of distress.

"You have worked hard, Beloved Consorts, for giving birth to children for me."

Dongyun Jie took the lead and said, "Being able to deliver an imperial prince for Your Majesty is the honor of this concubine and my younger sister."

"That's right, Your Majesty. Elder sister used to always fuss about wanting to have children for Your Majesty, and now her wish has finally been fulfilled."

"Psh, you—! Aren't you the same? You were also making a fuss about wanting to give birth to two, one son and one daughter..."

"Hahaha~"

Zheng Yi laughed loudly and said, "Give birth! Have them all! You will both have plenty of opportunities in the future~!"

Looking at the happy smiles of her two daughters, Consort Zhen at the side was also filled with joy, and tears couldn't help but seep from the corners of her eyes.

Once upon a time, she had also fantasized about what kind of husband Dongyun Jie and Dongyun Yu would marry, treating each other with mutual respect like guests, raising the tray to their brows.

But she never expected that they would become the emperor's concubines.

Even she herself had fallen into it.

After chatting for a while, Zheng Yi asked, "Right, where are the children?"

Consort Zhen said, "They are in the next room. This concubine will have someone bring them over right away."

Before long, two loud wailing sounds came over, and two wet nurses walked out carrying the two infants while coaxing them.

"Wah~"

"Wawa~"

A wet nurse said, "Your Majesty, listen, the cries of the two little imperial princes are so loud~ Just by hearing them, you can tell they are extremely healthy."

"Not bad, not bad."

Zheng Yi also stood up to check and said, "All palace personnel up and down the Twin-Lotus Palace shall be rewarded!"

"Your Majesty~"

Consort Zhen said, "The Empress and this concubine have already given out rewards."

"It's different. That is the reward from the Empress and you. How can My reward be missing?"

"this servant and the others thank Your Majesty for your heavenly grace!"

The clever eunuchs and palace maids serving nearby all knelt down to express their gratitude.

"Rise~ You all have merit in taking care of Consort Jie and Consort Yu, so I naturally will not be stingy with the rewards."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Right, Your Majesty, the two imperial princes haven't been given names yet. I wonder..."

Consort Zhen asked cautiously. The names of the imperial princes had to be determined through discussion by Your Majesty, the imperial clan, or court ministers, and they also contained some special meanings.

Zheng Yi said, "There's no rush... Xi'er, didn't you say you studied physiognomy under Daoist Tianxingzi? Can you take a look at these two children for me?"

Su Xi frowned and said, "Your Majesty, newborns are innocent, and they also contain a trace of Innate Qi, making it impossible to read their physiognomy."

"Oh? Then how old must they be?"

"At the very least, we have to wait until the infant's heavenly gates close."

"I see..."

The so-called heavenly gate was actually the fontanelle on the infant's head.

According to Daoist legends, the fontanelle was the place where infants received Innate Qi.

As the infant grew up and became tainted by secular air, the heavenly gate would close, and from then on, they would no longer be able to perceive Innate Qi.

"However, I can look at the physiognomy of the two elder sisters. Their lives are intertwined with the children's, so I can also vaguely see the fate of the two imperial princes."

"Oh~ Come and take a look then~"

Zheng Yi stepped aside, and Su Xi also walked over.

Consort Jie asked curiously, "Your Majesty, who is this younger sister~"

"She is the granddaughter of a Senior, entrusted to me to take care of for a few days."

Consort Yu pouted her small mouth and said, "What granddaughter of a Senior? I think she's a new concubine you've taken in, Your Majesty~"

"Dongyun Yu, don't talk nonsense~"

Zheng Yi's tone turned cold, and Consort Yu was startled, subconsciously lowering her head to say, "This concubine spoke out of turn. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"It's nothing. Rest assured and let Xi'er read your physiognomy."

"Yes!"

Su Xi first came before Consort Jie and examined her carefully.

Starting from the heavenly gate, passing through the glabella, pupils, nose wings, all the way to the lips and chin, while examining, she also formed hand incantations with one hand, not knowing what she was calculating.

Afterwards, she turned to look at Consort Yu, repeating her previous actions, but her gaze held a slight speculation.

"Your Majesty, both consorts have the physiognomy of great wealth and nobility."

"A full forehead and a square chin—this is great wealth."

"Glossy like black lacquer and fine like silk, they possess the posture of Mortal wealth and honor. Their hair is long and hangs down, surpassing the vulgar masses; southern shapes and northern physiognomy are even more rare and marvelous."

"Both consorts have northern features with southern physiognomy—this is supreme nobility."

"From this, it can be seen that the imperial princes born to the two consorts also possess the destiny of great wealth and nobility."

Upon hearing this, Dongyun Jie, Dongyun Yu, and Consort Zhen were all beaming with joy, and the looks they gave Su Xi became much more affectionate.

"However..."

Su Xi's tone suddenly changed as she said, "If this physiognomy were in an ordinary household, it would be great wealth and nobility."

"But in the imperial family, it is already great wealth and nobility to begin with. Why would there be any need to go a step further?"

"If one steadfastly guards their original heart, they will naturally be free of worries for a lifetime and live a long life."

"Once one is ambitious and greedy thoughts suddenly arise in their heart, a calamity will naturally descend."

"The Yin Fu Jing states: When Heaven triggers the murderous intent, dragons and snakes rise from the land; when man triggers the murderous intent, heaven and earth are overturned; when Heaven and man trigger it together, the foundation of all changes is set!"

The imperial family!

The expressions of everyone present all changed, vaguely guessing what Su Xi was talking about.

Being born into the imperial family was naturally great wealth and nobility.

But once greedy thoughts suddenly arose, calamities would naturally descend.

What is a greedy thought?

Naturally, it was the imperial throne!

"Your Majesty~"

Consort Jie, Consort Yu, and Consort Zhen all instinctively looked toward Zheng Yi, their moods apprehensive.

Zheng Yi suddenly smiled and said, "I suddenly thought of this: the children born to Dongyun Jie and Dongyun Yu are my flesh and blood."

"It's just that I don't know what we should call Consort Zhen?"