3: Borrowing seeds

Chapter 3 Borrowing Seed

"Tsk, tsk, tsk... Exterminating the ten clans, this Tang Xiaozu is truly filial, enough to go down in history."

Inside the room, Zheng Yi clicked his tongue in wonder.

"Indeed."

Wang Zhongyi at the side also chuckled and said, "This Tang Xiaozu was formerly an adviser to Your Majesty, yet he defected to the Tang King due to certain matters."

"Unexpectedly, the one who laughed last was Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty deeply hates Tang Xiaozu. Originally, Your Majesty still thought Tang Xiaozu could repent and change his ways, but unexpectedly, this person still cursed Your Majesty wildly within the prison."

"In a fit of rage, Your Majesty had no choice but to..."

As he spoke, Wang Zhongyi even reached out and made a downward-cutting gesture.

"Exterminate the ten clans!"

"Father-in-law is wise."

Zheng Yi leaned over and said in a low voice, "Father-in-law, do you know what reason caused Your Majesty and this Tang Xiaozu to fall apart..."

Wang Zhongyi glanced at him and said, "Zheng Yi, this house sees that you are clever and eager to learn, and because of your identity, I am telling you some things."

"This Tang Xiaozu is already dead, and you will never see him again in the future. Why must you know so much?"

Zheng Yi's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly said, "Father-in-law's lesson is right. I wonder what Father-in-law today..."

"Today's task is to lead you to patrol the imperial palace, and tell you some places Your Majesty frequently visits, so as to avoid making mistakes when the time comes."

"Yes... Father-in-law!"

Under Wang Zhongyi's guidance, Zheng Yi spent three days touring more than half of the imperial palace.

"That is Taihe Hall, the place where Your Majesty and various ministers hold court assemblies."

"That is Yongshou Palace, the place where the Empress Dowager resides. Later, I will take you inside to get familiar with the Empress Dowager and the people around her~"

"That is Ganxi Palace; don't go there when nothing is happening. That is the cold palace, and inside are a bunch of crazy women!"

"That is Kun Ning Palace, the residence of the Empress. The Empress is the Empress Dowager's niece, and she has known Your Majesty since childhood. Be careful not to let her recognize you!"

"That is Jiao Fang Palace, the residence of Consort Cui. Consort Cui originates from the Cui Family of Qinghe, and she is Your Majesty's most favored consort..."

After the tour, Zheng Yi discovered a strange matter.

This Emperor Zhengyong was truly too diligent; out of the twelve double-hours a day, he spent almost eight or nine double-hours handling state affairs, and the number of times he went to the inner harem could be counted on one hand.

Furthermore, the number of consorts in the inner harem was extremely small. Aside from the Empress and Consort Cui, there were only three other consort positions.

As for the concubine ranks, noble ladies, talented ladies, and so on below that, he was not aware of them.

As if seeing through Zheng Yi's doubts, Wang Zhongyi said, "Your Majesty has recently ascended the throne and is diligent in state affairs. He does not pay much attention to matters of the inner harem, which is why the women in the inner harem are few..."

Entangled with imperial secrets, Zheng Yi did not dare to ask more.

After these few days of getting along, Zheng Yi had somewhat figured out some of Wang Zhongyi's temperament.

Coupled with idle chat with other little eunuchs and palace maids, he also roughly learned of the relationship between Wang Zhongyi and Emperor Zhengyong.

When Emperor Zhengyong was still the Prince of Jin, Wang Zhongyi was already Emperor Zhengyong's personal eunuch.

With a single morning of ascending the throne, Wang Zhongyi also rose to the heavens along with chickens and dogs, becoming the Grand Eunuch of the Great Yu imperial palace, in charge of the entire imperial palace.

Not daring to say his power reached the heavens, he was nevertheless below two or three people, yet above tens of thousands.

Towards Emperor Zhengyong, he was also extremely loyal.

Synthesizing his own factors, Zheng Yi, after considering for several days, still told Wang Zhongyi about his desire to learn martial arts.

After all, being in the imperial palace with eunuchs monitoring him at all times, his actions could not escape Wang Zhongyi's eyes at all.

Since that was the case, why not state it clearly.

"Learn martial arts?"

Wang Zhongyi looked Zheng Yi up and down, his gaze shifting unpredictably, and his mouth still carried a faint, illusory smile.

"You want to learn martial arts?"

Zheng Yi said with trepidation, "Y-Yes, Wang Zhongyi, I was thinking that in case I encounter an assassination, I can still protect myself so that I can continue serving Your Majesty in the future."

"This house doesn't care what reason you want to practice martial arts for; remember your identity!"

Wang Zhongyi said coldly, then grabbed Zheng Yi's shoulder, his hands rapidly feeling around his body.

Only then did Zheng Yi's gaze change drastically; this seemingly frail Wang Zhongyi turned out to be a martial arts expert as well!

"Heh..."

After a few breaths, Wang Zhongyi let out a cold chuckle and said, "Your bone age is already old, your Meridians are closed, and your Innate bone structure is of the lowest grade. Even if you are given the most brilliant Internal Skill and Mind-Cultivation Technique in this world, you won't be able to practice anything out of it!"

"At most... you can only practice some inferior physical Cultivation Techniques."

People are divided into grades, and martial arts Cultivation Techniques... of course are also divided into grades.

The highest grade, naturally, are brilliant Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Techniques.

For example, the Evergreen Skill of the Taiyi Sect, the Wheel-Turning Scripture of the Golden Zen Temple, or the Nine Revolutions Reincarnation Technique of the Moon Worship Cult, and so on, are all famous Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Techniques in the Martial Forest.

To practice these brilliant Cultivation Techniques, bone structure, Comprehension Ability, and Opportunity are all indispensable.

Those Grandmasters and Innate experts who are famous throughout the world today, over ninety-nine percent of them are people who Cultivate Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Techniques.

As for the Physical Body horizontal training methods, like the Golden Bell Shield, Iron Cloth Shirt, Iron Sand Palm, Five Tigers Door-Breaking Saber, and so on, they are all just common street goods.

After a few breaths of silence, Wang Zhongyi said, "When Your Majesty was young, he also practiced martial arts. After this house reports this to Your Majesty, Your Majesty will make the decision."

Zheng Yi said with great joy, "Many thanks, Wang Zhongyi."

Late at night, Taihe Hall.

Emperor Zhengyong said in surprise, "What did you say? The shadow wants to practice martial arts?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Wang Zhongyi hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, this servant sees that this kid has other thoughts, how about..."

"Do not rush for now."

After pondering for a few breaths, Emperor Zhengyong said, "Let him practice, but he can only practice horizontal training methods; do not teach him brilliant Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Techniques."

"How about the Evergreen Skill; it is merely a health-preserving Cultivation Technique of the Taiyi Sect, capable of nourishing Qi and blood and extending one's lifespan. I have also practiced it."

"Finding a suitable shadow is not easy, it cannot be wasted casually."

"This... is understood."

"Your Majesty..."

Suddenly at this time, a voice came from outside the door.

"Who is it?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this servant Zhao Dahai, the chief superintendent of the Jingshi Department, has been ordered by the Empress Dowager to deliver tonight's consort tallies to Your Majesty. Please flip a tally, Your Majesty."

Soon, a slightly chubby eunuch walked in, holding a wooden tray on which lay several tallies representing the consorts.

Emperor Zhengyong's originally calm expression quickly turned irritable, and even somewhat disgusted.

He waved his hand and said, "Tonight I still need to discuss border military affairs with the ministers. You may withdraw."

"This... Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager's side..."

"Withdraw!"

"Y-Yes, yes, yes...!"

After the Jingshi Department eunuch left, Emperor Zhengyong asked, "Old companion, how are the matters I asked you to prepare coming along?"

Wang Zhongyi hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, the candidate has already been prepared. She is a newly entered palace woman originating from Qingzhou, presented by Li Ruyan, the prefect of Mount Tai Commandery in Qingzhou."

"Now Qingzhou is suffering from a severe drought, and many commoners are selling their sons and daughters; this woman is..."

"Qingzhou, you say..."

Emperor Zhengyong shook his head and said, "Resolve court matters first; the matter of Qingzhou can be temporarily delayed."

"Yes."

"Take him there, if it truly can be like this..."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

...

"Wang Zhongyi, where are you taking me?"

In the dark of night, Zheng Yi asked curiously.

He had originally prepared to sleep, who would have known that Wang Zhongyi would suddenly find him, and even make him put on the dragon robe, without knowing what they were going to do?

"Shh... Your Majesty, we have almost arrived."

Your Majesty?

Zheng Yi's heart stirred; at this moment, was he the emperor?

He stealthily looked around, his mind already plotting an escape route.

Soon he was brought into a huge palace. The palace was brightly lit, and team after team of little eunuchs and palace maids wandered about.

Upon seeing Zheng Yi arrive, almost everyone knelt to the ground and worshipped, saying, "May Your Majesty be blessed with ten thousand fortunes."

"Rise~"

Wang Zhongyi flicked his whisk and said calmly.

The two continued forward, arriving inside an exquisite room.

Waving his hand to signal the palace maids and eunuchs inside the room to leave, Wang Zhongyi said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, rest here today."

"Ah? No task?"

Wang Zhongyi's gaze was peculiar as he lowered his voice, saying, "Kid, tonight you are going to enjoy great blessings!"

After speaking, he waved his hand, and the two accompanying maidservants immediately walked in.

"Undress Your Majesty."

"Understood."

Two little palace maids, only sixteen or seventeen years old and looking quite charming, immediately had their small hands wandering all over Zheng Yi's body.

Soon they stripped him down until only his underclothes remained.

"What are you doing?"

Zheng Yi was completely baffled and said in a low voice, "Wang Zhongyi, what kind of trick is being played tonight."

Wang Zhongyi said, "Just sleep at ease; this house will guard the door if anything happens."

After speaking, he left, leaving behind a bewildered Zheng Yi.

"Strange... Whatever, sleep!"

He casually pulled the quilt beside him and lay down. Though he said he was sleeping, in secret he still kept his eyes open, constantly paying attention to the surrounding environment.

Not long after, just as he was dozing off, the door of the room was pushed open with a creak, and several people walked in.

Zheng Yi hastily sat up, only to see Wang Zhongyi leading the way, with four little eunuchs carrying a quilt as they walked in.

Wang Zhongyi hurriedly reached out and pressed downward, signaling Zheng Yi to lie down.

Soon the four bowed-headed little eunuchs placed the quilt from their shoulders onto the bed, knelt to pay respects, and then walked out.

Wang Zhongyi said, "Your Majesty, rest early."

After speaking, he also walked out, closing the door behind him.

"This..."

Looking at this strange yet familiar scene, how could he not know what had happened.

Borrowing seed!

Damn!

Emperor Zhengyong and Wang Zhongyi actually sent a woman to him!

Isn't this the entrance method of those consorts, noble ladies, and mistresses in the palace intrigue dramas of his past life!

Sure enough, that rolled-up quilt suddenly wriggled.

A woman with waterfall-like black hair and tender white skin crawled in from the quilt at his feet, slowly wriggling all the way in front of him.

Feeling the warm, trembling delicate body, Zheng Yi could not help but gasp a breath of cold air.

"Your Majesty~"

A tender voice sounded, immediately making Zheng Yi snap out of it.

"Y-You are..."

At this moment, though the young girl was still somewhat pretty and cute, her face was completely flushed, and she cast a tender, affectionate glance at Zheng Yi.

"Your Majesty, this servant is Bi He. Please cherish me~..."