86: Royal Concubine

Chapter 86 Consort Cui's Plea

"Then I will tell you."

Zheng Yi said indifferently, "Your Cui Family has seventy-one direct descendants, one thousand six hundred and fifty-one branch members, and yet you have over fifty thousand tenant farmers and servants registered under your names!"

"These fifty-odd thousand people even form more than a hundred tenant villages."

"Almost the majority of Qinghe Commandery and more than a dozen surrounding commanderies and counties are entirely the lands of your Qinghe Cui Family."

"With so much land, do you know how many refugees it could support?"

"Th-This many..."

Cui Xiabing was startled; she had no idea about any of this.

A few days ago, her grandmother brought her mother to visit relatives, crying and talking about this matter, and finally asked her to beg Your Majesty for mercy.

Unable to resist their persistence, she could only come to see Your Majesty.

She never expected such horrifying things to be spoken from Your Majesty's mouth.

Zheng Yi also shook his head. Telling Consort Cui these things was useless, as she simply wouldn't understand.

Land annexation in a feudal society fundamentally had no solution.

With insufficient productivity, it could only be alleviated, not eradicated.

However, the current Zheng Yi had already thought of several solutions.

Culpability fields were merely the first of them.

"Alright, Beloved Consort, it is getting late. You should return to Jiao Fang Palace first."

Zheng Yi coldly issued an order to see guests out. Consort Cui slowly stood up with a sorrowful look in her eyes.

"Your, Your Majesty, this concubine does not understand national affairs, nor do I understand refugees or land. This concubine only knows that my grandfather, who has loved me since childhood, has now fallen ill."

"As, As long as it can help grandfather get through this crisis, this, this concubine is willing to do anything."

"Willing to do anything?"

Zheng Yi's eyes suddenly lit up as he said, "I do have a question here. If you can help me, I can reduce the one million mu of culpability fields to five hundred thousand mu!"

"Five hundred thousand mu?"

Cui Xiabing calculated inwardly and immediately asked, "What question does Your Majesty have?"

Zheng Yi helped Cui Xiabing back onto the stool and asked, "Consort Cui, you are a Cultivator, right?"

"Y-Your Majesty! How, How did you know, th-this concubine..."

Consort Cui abruptly stood up, startled.

Being a Cultivator was her greatest secret.

She had originally thought she could keep it hidden from Your Majesty for a long time, but she didn't expect it to be exposed so quickly.

"Your Majesty, th-this concubine did not mean to hide it from you."

Zheng Yi pulled her down again and said, "Beloved Consort, you don't need to worry. The reason I am speaking to you candidly about this matter means that I do not harbor any resentment toward you."

"You also know that I have spent two years seeking the Dao, yet I have gained nothing at all."

"Unexpectedly, the person sharing my pillow turns out to be a Cultivator. You really kept this hidden from me so bitterly!"

Cui Xiabing said sorrowfully, "Y-Your Majesty, it is not that this concubine refused to make it clear, but truly the Revered Master's orders are hard to disobey."

"Revered Master's orders are hard to disobey?"

Zheng Yi's heart suddenly raised a trace of caution. Behind Consort Cui, there was still a Cultivator?

"You have a Revered Master? Where is she?"

"Sh-She, that elderly woman, went traveling and there has been no news for three or four years."

Cui Xiabing said, "The last time this concubine saw her was four or five years ago."

"A-And the Cultivation Technique practiced by this concubine, according to Revered Master, is only suitable for women to Cultivate, not suitable for men."

"Oh?"

Zheng Yi's eyes flashed, and only then did he feel relieved as he said, "Beloved Consort, can you truthfully report how you became a Cultivator, as well as the specific details of that Cultivator behind you?"

Cui Xiabing hesitated for a moment before saying, "Understood."

"Your Majesty, that was during the period after this concubine became Your Majesty's Consort and went home to visit my family..."

Afterwards, Cui Xiabing told him all about the process of how she was able to become a Cultivator.

She also recounted everything about her Revered Master Xuanjizi, the Cultivation Technique she practiced, and her current situation.

"Dual Spiritual Root talent?"

"Mhm, Revered Master said this concubine has Water and Earth Dual Spiritual Roots, which would be considered outstanding even in the Cultivation World a thousand years ago."

"Revered Master Xuanjizi? What cultivation stage?"

"Mhm, Revered Master goes by the title Xuanjizi. Hearing her say it herself, it seems to be... the Middle Stage of Qi Refining, only a step away from the Late Stage."

"What is the Cultivation Technique you practice?"

"It is called Su Nü Yin Sha Gong · Qi Refining Chapter. This concubine only has the incantations for the first to the sixth levels."

"Oh? Then what stage has your current cultivation reached?"

"Qi, Qi Refining Level 3."

"What kind of strength does Qi Refining Level 3 belong to?"

"Early Stage of Qi Refining, just one step away from stepping into the Middle Stage of Qi Refining."

"Do you know any Spells?"

"I know, know a little."

"A little, what does that count as?"

"Water Prison Spell, Water Arrow Spell, and also an Earth Essence Shield."

"Do you have any Magical Artifacts?"

"I have, I have one... It, It was given to me by Revered Master before she left."

"Where is it?"

"It is right on this concubine, it's a Flying Sword, and this concubine has just mastered and become familiar with it."

"Can I Cultivate your Cultivation Technique?"

"I, It seems not. Revered Master said that a man's body contains Innate Primordial Yang Qi, and moreover has, has a Yang root present. Su Nü Yin Sha Gong will harm a man's foundation, yielding twice the effort with half the result."

"Innate Primordial Yang Qi? Harming a man's foundation? Can eunuchs practice it?"

"Ah? Ah? Th-, This concubine does not know..."

"Last time you attended in bed, what method did you use to knock me out?"

"Ah? Your Majesty, you even know about this?"

"Heh, within the entire imperial palace, there are very few things I do not know."

"It, It is the Soul-Bewitching Incense left behind by Revered Master, which can even knock out Cultivators in the Middle Stage of Qi Refining."

"Why use this Soul-Bewitching Incense on me?"

"Revered Master said that Su Nü Yin Sha Gong contains Yin Sha power, and one must not lose their virginity before Qi Refining Level 3, otherwise it will harm the foundation."

"Before Qi Refining Level 3? Aren't you already at Qi Refining Level 3 now?"

"Mhm... Th-, This concubine managed to Breakthrough by luck a few months ago, right when Your Majesty went to Daizong Mountain."

"What about your Revered Master?"

Through their questions and answers, Zheng Yi quickly learned most of the secrets of Cui Xiabing, this rookie Cultivator.

In other words, behind Cui Xiabing, there was still a Cultivator whose cultivation strength was at least in the Middle Stage of Qi Refining.

How to deal with Cui Xiabing was still a major problem.

Just as he was pondering, Cui Xiabing's small hand suddenly grasped Zheng Yi's large hand, and she said softly, "Your Majesty, what are you thinking about?"

"This concubine has already told all her secrets. I, I also ask that you spare him and deal with it leniently, for the sake of my grandfather's hard work and great contributions over so many years."

Zheng Yi smiled and said, "Rest assured, since Beloved Consort is so candid, I won't be petty either."

"Minister Cui is a vital pillar of the state after all. The culpability fields... will be changed to five hundred thousand mu!"

"Five hundred thousand mu..."

Cui Xiabing hesitated for a moment and then sat a bit closer.

"Th-, Then what about adding this concubine?"

"Hmm?"

Zheng Yi's eyes flickered. What are you doing?

Young lady, this action of yours is very dangerous!

Looking at Cui Xiabing's delicate Face—as tender as it could be broken by a breath—and her somewhat flustered eyes, Zheng Yi smoothly scooped her up.

"Bing'er, have you thought it through? You are a Cultivator, while I might only be a Mortal for the rest of my life. Are you truly willing to offer yourself to me?"

Cui Xiabing instinctively closed her eyes, then nervously opened them, gritting her teeth as she said, "Y-, Your Majesty, although this concubine is a Cultivator, I, I am also Your Majesty's Consort!"

"Ever since I was sensible, my father, mother, grandfather, and many relatives have been warning me that I would become the new emperor's consort, and live my entire life for Your Majesty."

"Three years ago, I entered the palace, married Your Majesty, and was conferred as Consort. At that time, this concubine... was extremely happy, after all, I became Your Majesty's woman."

"Who would have known that at that time, this concubine was actually valued by Revered Master, and in a daze, I agreed to Revered Master to step into the Cultivation World. But this concubine's heart has always been right here with Your Majesty."

At this time, Cui Xiabing's expression finally stabilized, and she looked at Zheng Yi extremely earnestly as she said, "At that time, Your Majesty, you were dealing with the rebellion of the Tang King, lingering in the outer court all day long and never coming to the inner palace."

"Later on, the Tang King and Prime Minister Yang were overthrown by Your Majesty one by one, and only then did you begin to contact the inner palace."

"Th-, This concubine happened to be at the Bottleneck of cultivation at that time, and could only feign illness to avoid attending in bed."

"Later, when this concubine luckily achieved a Breakthrough and was thinking of reconciling with Your Majesty, you didn't come to Jiao Fang Palace very often..."

Zheng Yi was laughed into anger by the beauty in his arms, and asked, "Doesn't that mean if your grandfather hadn't had this incident, you wouldn't have planned to see me for the rest of your life?"

"N-, No, it's not!"

Cui Xiabing quickly sat up: "This concubine is Your Majesty's Consort, and naturally ought to serve Your Majesty."

"Even if grandfather hadn't gotten into trouble, this concubine originally planned to come find Your Majesty after some time."

"Mhm."

Zheng Yi nodded and said, "If you attend in bed, aren't you afraid of your Revered Master's punishment?"

"This... won't happen."

Cui Xiabing said decisively, "Revered Master once stated clearly that she would not interfere with this concubine's life."

"After this concubine reaches Qi Refining Level 3, whether or not to attend in bed is entirely decided by this concubine."

"Revered Master once said that nowadays the path to immortality is cut off, and for this concubine to step into Qi Refining Level 3 in a place like the imperial palace would take at least ten years."

"Who would have thought that this concubine accomplished it in three years!"

Zheng Yi's heart stirred.

Cultivate to Qi Refining Level 3 in ten years?

Yet Cui Xiabing accomplished it in three years.

Innate Pure Yin Qi?!

Those five princesses derived from the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror and born through the bodies of the consorts could indeed enhance the Spiritual Qi of this world!

As long as I keep having children, the Spiritual Qi of this world will sooner or later recover.

Are there any abnormalities in those children born accompanied by innate spiritual energy?

Or rather... possessing a Spiritual Root?!

Zheng Yi hurriedly asked, "Beloved Consort, can you test Spiritual Roots?"

"Test Spiritual Roots?" Cui Xiabing shook her head and said, "No, but my Master definitely can."

"Where is she?"

"I don't know. Master said three years ago that she was going to travel the world and look for a Breakthrough Opportunity. Before leaving, she only left this concubine with a Flying Sword Magical Artifact and stone spirit sand."

"Spirit sand? What is that?"

"It is just sand containing Spiritual Qi. In the past, Cultivators all used Spirit Stones, but now we can only use spirit sand."

"Do you still have any on hand?"

"Uh, no more. This concubine used them all up long ago for Cultivation."

"Right, is your Revered Master male or female? How old is she?"

"Uh... Revered Master is a woman, and moreover an especially pretty woman. As for her age, this concubine has never asked."

Cui Xiabing thought for a moment and said, "However, Revered Master's appearance is peerless, not below this concubine."

"Really?"

"Really!"

"Do you have a way to contact your Revered Master?"

"No, Revered Master said she will return in three years at the shortest, or five years at the longest..."

After a round of conversation, Zheng Yi learned a lot more.

At this time, Cui Xiabing's eyebrows and eyes were brimming with spring-like affection as she said, "Your Majesty, it is getting late, this concubine will attend to your rest."

Zheng Yi smiled and said, "Let me attend to you instead!"

Picking up Consort Cui's boneless and tender figure, for some reason Zheng Yi was also a bit nervous at this moment.

A Cultivator!

The one he was holding in his arms was a genuine Cultivator!

He cupped Cui Xiabing's delicate Face and asked, "Do you really not regret this?"

Cui Xiabing's Face flushed slightly, but she still stared earnestly at Zheng Yi and said, "Your Majesty, this concubine is your consort."

"This concubine does not regret it!"

"Nor will I ever fail you!"

An hour later, Cui Xiabing fell into a deep sleep, whereas Zheng Yi closed his eyes, concentrating his entire spirit upon the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror.

Sure enough, lines of clear text appeared once again on the mirror surface of the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror.

[Absorbed Pure Yin Qi, lifespan + 20;]

[Absorbed Pure Yin Qi, learned Su Nü Yin Sha Gong;]

[Due to Physique limitations, Su Nü Yin Sha Gong was automatically forgotten;]

[Absorbed Pure Yin Qi, Water-attribute Spiritual Root + 6;]

[Absorbed Pure Yin Qi, Earth-attribute Spiritual Root + 4.]

[Absorbed Pure Yin Qi, mana + 10. (Automatically converted by Su Nü Yin Sha Gong)]

[Absorbed Yin Qi, mana + 1.]

Father-in-law is hospitalized and I have to watch over him at the hospital these past few days. The draft was also written at the hospital, so there should be quite a few typos and the plot might be a bit messy, but I will try my best to maintain updates, that is all.