67: Rain Noble

Chapter 67: Noble Lady Yu

A few days ago, Jiao Fang Palace.

"I, this palace has… broken through the Bottleneck?"

On the high platform of the flower bed that had been deliberately left empty, Consort Cui slowly opened her eyes, filled with disbelief.

On her body, thin Spiritual Qi fluctuations rippled slowly toward the surroundings like lake waves.

She quickly reacted, hurriedly reining in her mind and absorbing this hard-earned Spiritual Qi.

Then she quickly closed her eyes to regulate her breathing and consolidate her cultivation.

It wasn't until two hours later that she slowly let out a breath and stood up.

"This aura, I really broke through. Wonderful!"

"What on earth is going on?"

Consort Cui pondered deeply: "I didn't use a rank-breaking pill, nor a Spirit Gathering Formation, and even less the spiritual eyes and spiritual springs mentioned by Revered Master. What is going on with me?"

"Innately gifted?"

"As expected, this palace is a Genius!"

"Revered Master once said that among Mortals, those who possess Spiritual Roots are one in ten thousand, yet I am a Cultivator with dual Spiritual Roots."

"Even in the age of cultivation, I am a Disciple that all Sects would desperately desire!"

"This good news must be told to Revered Master!"

"But where on earth has Revered Master gone?"

Consort Cui walked toward her sleeping quarters while continuously thinking about something in her heart.

"Revered Master said it went to the East China Sea coast to find spiritual sand and a Magical Artifact for me. It has been three years without returning, nothing could have happened, right?"

"Unfortunately, before leaving, Revered Master only left behind three small Spell incantations, allowing cultivation only after advancing to Qi Refining Level 3."

"Now that I am already at Qi Refining Level 3, I can Cultivate the Spell incantations left by Revered Master. I wonder how it compares to an Innate Realm expert?"

Consort Cui's expression was incomparably excited, but then her gaze darkened again.

"At Qi Refining Level 3, I can serve Your Majesty. Should I go to the Jingshi Department to hang up my plaque?"

"Imperial decrees cannot be disobeyed. Last time, using the Soul-Bewitching Incense to render Your Majesty unconscious—if Your Majesty finds out, the Cui Family will face a catastrophe."

"Forget it, everything should wait until Revered Master returns."

"First, let the Imperial Kitchen make something delicious. Although Bigu Pills can keep me from eating for a few days, they have no taste at all."

At that moment, the corner of her eye suddenly caught a figure flashing by not far away, and she hurriedly said, "Who is there!"

A palace maid hurriedly knelt on the ground and respectfully said, "Reporting to Consort Niangniang, this servant is Moying!"

"Moying?"

Consort Cui asked strangely, "What are you doing here?"

"Th-this servant listened to Father-in-law Xiaodengzi's words and came here to dig some soil specially planted for orchids. Not knowing that Consort Niangniang is here, this servant hopes Consort Niangniang will grant forgiveness."

"Soil for planting orchids?"

Consort Cui glanced and immediately saw the small bucket of soil and small shovel placed to the side, nodding at once: "Since you've finished digging, hurry back."

"Understood."

Moying quickly stood up and slowly retreated.

"Remember, let this be an exception. From now on, without this palace's command, you cannot enter this place."

"Understood!"

Moying quickly bowed respectfully again and retreated rapidly.

Before long, Consort Cui summoned Xiaoer and asked with a frown, "Didn't I tell you to guard the entrance of the flower bed? How did you let Moying in? Have you forgotten my words?"

Xiaoer's expression was also somewhat strange, but she still spoke: "Reporting to Niangniang, this servant did not see Moying."

"Ah, that's right. Last night this servant seemed to have eaten something bad, and just went to Taiyuan Hospital to ask for a dose of herbal medicine. Perhaps Moying had just come around that time."

"Niangniang, what did Moying come in to do?"

"Nothing, she said she came to dig some soil for planting orchids."

Consort Cui shook her head and said, "Pay attention in the future. Without this palace's command, no one is allowed to enter this place, understand?"

"Yes, Niangniang!"

Xianfu Palace.

Tonight Consort Duan attended the bedchamber. After a round of activities, Consort Duan did not move anymore.

"Your Majesty~"

Xu Qingluan's beautiful eyes rippled as she hugged Zheng Yi's arm and said, "Th-This concubine is unable to withstand the conquest, and hopes Your Majesty will forgive her."

"It's fine, I happen to be a bit thirsty as well."

said Zheng Yi, picking up the tea on the table and taking a sip.

"Your Majesty, let Jian Yu in. Sh-She has also waited for a long time."

"No need, I want to whisper some sweet words with you."

Zheng Yi shook his head, then asked, "Luaner, do you still exchange letters with your father?"

"Still quite a few."

Xu Qingluan lowered her voice and said, "Father said that the war with Wu Country is still extremely fierce and deadlocked, and he does not have absolute certainty of victory."

Zheng Yi nodded. He had also consistently paid attention to the battle reports sent every month from Xu Mujun.

Although Xu Mujun's injuries had already healed, facing the Wu Country army and Yin Mountain Old Ancestor, he still did not have absolute certainty of victory.

Coupled with the raging civil unrest in the northern six prefectures and the difficulty of transporting provisions and forage, he could now only rely on Canglong City as his root to barely block the Wu Country army.

And last month's battle reports showed that the Wu Country army had already begun splitting its forces, scattering toward the cities surrounding Canglong City, wanting to capture other cities and treat Canglong City as an isolated city.

Facing this situation, Xu Mujun had no choice but to divide his forces to garrison and resist the Wu Country army.

"That's right, Your Majesty!"

Xu Qingluan suddenly said, "Why not let Xuanwu lead an army to support my father? Under Xuanwu's command, there are still twenty thousand Longxiang Army soldiers; coupled with other troops, it's enough to gather an army of one hundred thousand."

Xu Xuanwu, son of Xu Mujun and brother of Xu Qingluan.

He had long since been a First Grade Realm Martial Artist, and perhaps had now broken through to the Grandmaster Realm.

Moreover, since his youth, he had always followed Xu Mujun in battles across the south and north. Skilled with troops and horses, he was also a major general who roamed the battlefield freely.

Zheng Yi shook his head and said, "I also have this thought, but Nanyue County is not peaceful either. Nanzhao Kingdom, united with the Black Yue Tribe, has launched a massive invasion, so Xu Xuanwu cannot move."

"Your Majesty need not worry about this."

Xu Qingluan extended her arms as tender as green scallions, massaging Zheng Yi's head with her small hand and said, "Father also said that General Cui Xiawu, whom Your Majesty dispatched last time, is also a fierce general."

"Just upon arriving in Bin Province, he ambushed the supply train transporting provisions and forage for the Wu Country army, killing over two thousand enemies and burning most of the provisions, causing heavy losses to the Wu Country army."

"Father praised this person greatly."

"Cui Xiawu?"

Zheng Yi murmured, recalling this top martial scholar who was enfeoffed a few months ago.

"As expected of a person from the Cui Family, even if it's just a branch of the Cui Family, they are still so outstanding."

"However, through Jinyi Guard investigations, this person has a tense relationship with the Cui Family and once stated that in this lifetime he would no longer be a person of the Cui Family. He is a talent worth molding."

Xu Qingluan obediently did not interrupt. When Your Majesty was considering personnel appointments and removals, and someone from the Cui Family at that, whatever she said would be inappropriate.

Whatever Your Majesty wanted to tell her, she would listen.

If he didn't want to tell her, naturally she would not speak.

After a few moments of silence, Xu Qingluan spoke again: "Your Majesty, this batch of palace maidens has already entered the palace, and the royal etiquette taught by people sent by the Ministry of Rites has concluded. When do you plan to bring them into the palace?"

"What, is Beloved Consort not jealous?"

Xu Qingluan curled her lips and said, "There are so many women in the palace. If this concubine were jealous of every single one, wouldn't this concubine's Xianfu Palace be filled with a sour smell?"

"Hahaha."

Zheng Yi laughed loudly and said, "Then how about Beloved Consort thinks when they should enter the palace?"

"This concubine originally scheduled it after the Shangyuan Festival. How does Your Majesty find this?"

"Now that the war of our Great Yu is imminent, this concubine's meaning is that there is no need to hold a grand ceremony. Your Majesty only needs to receive the palace maidens in the Imperial Garden, select and retain them according to Your Majesty's preferences, and then bestow titles and palaces upon them. I wonder if this arrangement is acceptable?"

"Then everything shall follow Beloved Consort's will."

Zheng Yi hugged Xu Qingluan closer again, "Right, how many people are there in this selection?"

Xu Qingluan recounted as if reciting family treasures: "Reporting to Your Majesty, this session of palace maidens was announced across the thirteen prefectures of the country, selecting over five thousand individuals with upright character and beautiful appearances to enter the capital."

"After three rounds of evaluations, only five hundred thirty-two people remain to enter the palace, being taught royal etiquette by the Ministry of Rites."

"Among them, over three hundred people are daughters of officials selected from the family dependents of officials at all levels, and over one hundred people are individuals of noble character recommended by officials of various prefectures."

"Furthermore, over fifty people are daughters of military officers at all levels."

Speaking of this, Xu Qingluan sat up and covered her delicate body with her undergarment, saying: "As for the Jianghu women Your Majesty previously thought about day and night, there are only seventeen."

"Among them, four are First Grade Realm Martial Artists, six are Second Grade Realm Martial Artists, and seven are Third Grade Realm Martial Artists."

"Your Majesty, do you really want to let these Jianghu women enter the palace as consorts?"

Zheng Yi asked, "Why not?"

Xu Qingluan shook her head and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager previously said that Jianghu women are both sentimental and full of resentment. In case they stir up trouble in the palace, how should they be dealt with?"

"I have also considered this matter." Zheng Yi said: "Therefore, the Sects selected are all closely connected to the imperial court and share common interests."

"For example, Taiyi Sect, Cihang Nunnery, and so on—which are what people in the Jianghu call righteous Sects."

"These women from righteous Sects bear imperial grace and Revered Master's grace, and their personal honor and disgrace are tied to the rise and fall of the Sects. They will not be disadvantageous to me."

"Since that is the case, we can only obey Your Majesty's command."

Xu Qingluan could only helplessly say, "Right, Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has not been well recently and has been inviting imperial physicians for treatment. On the day of selecting palace maidens, will the Empress Dowager go to the Imperial Garden?"

Zheng Yi felt a stir in his heart. It was already the dead of winter, and even inside the grand hall, a trace of chill could be felt.

After the Shangyuan Festival, the weather alternated between cold and warm; although it was starting to warm up, it was still quite cold.

In that case, it was all the more necessary!

"This matter was decided by the Empress Dowager, so of course we must invite her."

Zheng Yi said, "Tomorrow, Zhen will go to Cining Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager."

"Everything shall follow Your Majesty's command."

Xu Qingluan's face suddenly turned red. She grabbed Zheng Yi's large hand and pleaded, "Your Majesty, this concubine... this concubine really cannot take anymore."

"J-Jian Yu, h-hurry and come in!"

"Coming, Your Ladyship~"

Jian Yu's puzzled voice came from outside the door, and Zheng Yi couldn't help feeling his appetite whetted, instinctively looking toward the outside.

"Your Majesty."

Xu Qingluan leaned closer, her breath smelling like orchids as she said, "Jian Yu is a Noble Lady personally designated by Your Majesty. This concubine won't care about other palace maidens, but Your Majesty must definitely not forget Jian Yu~"

Zheng Yi immediately said, "Rest assured, Beloved Consort, how could Zhen be such a heartless person?"

"Tomorrow, Zhen will bestow upon Jian Yu the rank of Noble Lady, as Noble Lady Yu, and she shall live in... let Zhen think."

"Xianfu Palace!"

Xu Qingluan hurriedly said, "This concubine and Jian Yu are as close as sisters, and there are many vacant rooms in Xianfu Palace. With Jian Yu living there, this concubine won't find it desolate."

"Desolate?"

Zheng Yi's heart stirred as he lightly flicked her dainty nose and said, "In a few days, Zhen will get a few little gadgets for you all, so you won't be idle in the palace."

Women simply couldn't be allowed to be idle!

Once they were idle, trouble easily arose.

As imperial concubines, it was naturally impossible to leave the palace at will.

In that case, he would just make a few small gadgets for them to play with by themselves.

To save them from playing palace intrigue games in the palace when the time came.

With a creak, the room door was pushed open, and Jian Yu's tall figure walked in.

Her face was flushed red, and her head was almost touching her chest, completely lacking her usual heroic and dashing demeanor.

"Y-Your Majesty, Your Ladyship, I wonder what important matter you have in calling Jian Yu?"

Xu Qingluan clutched her chest, wanting to get up, but was pulled back into an embrace by Zheng Yi.

"Ah, J-Jian Yu, quickly kowtow to thank His Majesty. His Majesty has conferred upon you the title of Noble Lady Yu."

Jian Yu hurriedly knelt and said, "Th-this servant kowtows to thank His Majesty for the heavenly grace. Th-this servant will definitely take good care of His Majesty and Your Ladyship."

"Why are you still calling yourself this servant? From now on, you must refer to yourself as 'this concubine', understand?"

"This... this concubine obeys the order."

"Tonight, you shall stay here. Jian Yu, lead His Majesty to your room!"

Zheng Yi pulled Xu Qingluan back and motioned with his eyes for Jian Yu to come over.

"What is Luaner so anxious about? The night is long tonight, stay together."

"Ya~!"

Early the next morning, Zheng Yi took a sedan chair to Cining Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

At the same time, he explained the matter of selecting palace maidens in the Imperial Garden after the Shangyuan Festival.

Of course, Zheng Yi's true purpose was to see how the Empress Dowager was doing now.

A month ago, before heading to the Golden Emperor Peak of Daizong Mountain, he had left a Blood Moon Gu in Cining Palace.

For the interests of the Lu Family, the Empress Dowager actually thought of swapping a civet cat for a prince to deceive Zheng Yi; while securing the Lu Family's power, she also wanted to seize the supreme throne.

This matter was something Zheng Yi absolutely could not tolerate.

For this reason, the Empress Dowager confined herself at Yuhuatai to worship Buddha; though called self-confinement, she had already been placed under house arrest by Zheng Yi in secret.

At the same time, as Empress Lu Liner, one of the aggrieved parties, Zheng Yi didn't know whether she really didn't know or pretended not to know.

But regardless of that, along with Lu Liner, she was also placed under house arrest in Kun Ning Palace.

Unexpectedly, she actually persuaded Prince Xian in secret, wanting to gain freedom?

Release her so she could continue stirring up trouble in the palace?

This was something Zheng Yi absolutely could not tolerate.

You don't want to maintain your dignity?

Then Zhen will give you your dignity!

Of course, the Empress Dowager couldn't suddenly drop dead, lest some accidents happen.

He only needed to use the Blood Moon Gu to gradually absorb her energy, causing her to fall into heart palpitations, deep sleep, and eventually serious illness over a long period.

After a few months of this slow process, she could naturally die of a serious illness.

With such an operation, no one would be able to detect any problems.

Furthermore, as a spiritual insect, the Blood Moon Gu had secretive movements; even Innate Realm powerhouses would find it very difficult to discover their existence.

Even if Prince Xian personally went to pay respects to His Majesty, he would never notice it!

What Zheng Yi needed to do now was to slowly wait!

Thinking of this, he closed his eyes once more, sank his consciousness into his mind, and looked toward the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror.

Sure enough, lines of handwriting appeared on the mirror surface.

[Absorbed Pure Yin Qi, lifespan +19.]

[Absorbed Yin Qi, Hundred Battles Blood Fiend Saber Internal Energy +100.]

[Absorbed Yin Qi, bone structure enhanced.]

Jian Yu had indeed also cultivated the Hundred Battles Blood Fiend Saber!

Xu Qingluan and Jian Yu attending to Zheng Yi together would cause his Hundred Battles Blood Fiend Saber Internal Energy to grow rapidly.

With a thought, another line of text appeared.

[Revered Master of Fate: Zheng Yi]

[Talent: Yin and Yang]

[Lifespan: 25 / 82]

[Cultivation Technique: White Lotus Reincarnation Divine Skill Level 2 (765/1000)]

[Hundred Battles Blood Fiend Saber Level 3 (55684/100000)]

[Comprehensive Strength: First Grade]

[innate spiritual energy progress (Tier 1): 5/10]

Previously, in order to Cultivate those ten Blood Moon Gu, he had consumed a total of fifty points of essence blood; now, having gained 19 years of lifespan from Jian Yu, his total lifespan had reached eighty-two years once more.

The sedan chair quickly arrived at Cining Palace. The eunuchs outside the palace hurriedly trotted over as soon as they saw Zheng Yi.

"this servant greets Your Majesty!"

"Go and report to the Empress Mother, tell her that Zhen has come to pay respects to her."

"This...?"

The two eunuchs hesitated for a moment before saying, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is still in a deep sleep, please wait a moment, Your Majesty."

"Still in a deep sleep?"

Zheng Yi frowned and said, "Audacious! The Empress Mother's health is indisposed, why did no one report this to Zhen?"

"Move aside! Zhen wants to go see the Empress Mother in person!"

With a kick, he sent the blocking eunuch flying, and Zheng Yi led his men barging into Cining Palace.

"Kowtow to greet Your Majesty!"

"Kowtow to greet Your Majesty!"

"Kowtow to greet Your Majesty!"

Along the way he came, there were eunuchs and palace maids everywhere.

Upon seeing Zheng Yi's figure, they immediately knelt in a hurry, their expressions a mix of excitement and panic.

Zheng Yi furrowed his brows. Why were these eunuchs and palace maids so panicked?

Could it be that there was someone else here?

Thinking of this, he increased his speed even more.

As a First Grade Realm Martial Artist, even if he hadn't deliberately practiced any lightness skills, his speed still far surpassed that of these eunuchs and palace maids by countless times.

When he arrived at the bedchamber of Cining Palace, he saw that the doors to the Empress Dowager's bedchamber were tightly shut, and two young eunuchs at the doorway hurriedly knelt.

They were just about to speak out when Zheng Yi raised his hand to stop them.

He walked up to the bedchamber door and listened carefully, only to hear low shouting inside the room, as well as the voices of two people.

One of them was impressively the Empress Dowager.

As for the other person, their voice was somewhat hoarse, carrying a strange cadence.

"Recluse, will this illness of Ai Jia really get better?"

"Please rest assured, Empress Dowager. You are merely plagued by nightmares. This deity only needs to pray for blessings for you and eliminate the nightmare, and you will recover."

Immediately after, this voice rang out again: "Does the Empress Dowager know what she saw in her dreams?"

"Seen in dreams?"

The Empress Dowager murmured, "Ai Jia... Ai Jia seems to have seen insects! So many insects—"

"Right! Blood-colored, extremely ferocious insects!"

"A-And Consort Wang, Consort Li, and the others... They weren't killed by Ai Jia, why must you haunt Ai Jia~!"

"Empress Dowager, there is no need to be agitated. This deity has already set up the altar and performed rites. In just seven days, the nightmares will be completely cleared away, returning safety to Your Ladyship!"

"Bang!"

Hearing this, Zheng Yi could no longer listen any further and kicked the door wide open with a single kick!

A massive force surged forward; although the bedchamber door was locked from the inside, it was still kicked open by Zheng Yi, sending wood splinters and debris flying everywhere.

The two people inside the room also turned back in astonishment, utterly unable to believe that anyone would dare to act presumptuously inside Cining Palace.

"E-Emperor!"

Seeing clearly who had come, the Empress Dowager immediately panicked and said, "Y-You... why have you come? A-Ai Jia is fine."

Zheng Yi's gaze was ice-cold as he said indifferently, "Zhen came to pay respects to the Empress Mother, but never expected to see the Empress Mother practicing—witchcraft and Gu sorcery? As expected..."

Then he looked toward the other person, who turned out to be a priest dressed in colorful attire, wearing a tall crown, and having his face smeared in two colors of black and red!

By his side respectfully stood two similarly dressed child attendants, their eyes filled with panic.

Seeing that he had been discovered by Zheng Yi, this person was not flustered in the slightest. Instead, he gave a one-handed salute and said, "This outsider, Zhai Fang, greets Your Majesty~!"

The Empress Dowager also steadied her mind and hurriedly said, "Emperor, this is Great Master Zhai Fang, he has extraordinary abilities."

"Ai Jia's illness has been getting better and better under his treatment."

"That's right, Emperor, haven't you always been searching for extraordinary people and strange scholars, wanting to seek immortals?"

"This Great Master Zhai Fang Revered Masters immortal Spells~"

This chapter inexplicably went under review; they were all normal sentences, and I don't know if it can be released after editing.

This chapter has been edited twice, and I don't know if it will be edited further in the future. Asking for monthly votes.