“What is it that has you in such a hurry?”
As soon as Xie Subing finished court, he saw Sheng Shizan waiting anxiously. Only upon seeing him did Sheng Shizan compose himself slightly. The Taiyong Emperor, already irritated by a morning full of ministers’ remonstrations, darkened his gaze. Dismissing Lin Pingzhi, he walked alongside Sheng Shizan and asked.
Sheng Shizan had followed him since childhood and was already at the high stage of Martial Sect, so the two communicated in secret speech, inaudible to the attendants and guards nearby.
“Master, this servant has discovered that Lady Yi has qi circulating around her body. She has reached the middle stage of Martial Master.”
“Hm?”
The accumulated irritation in Xie Subing’s heart paused. His phoenix eyes swept toward Sheng Shizan in surprise, questioning, “Middle stage of Martial Master?”
They were both Phoenix Bone Physiques—why was the benefit to Xi’er’s cultivation so vastly different from his mother’s?
Back then, when his mother had dual cultivated with the late emperor for the first time, it had only improved her physique and strength. She had not even reached the level of innate body tempering—barely qualifying as a martial practitioner.
Yet Xi’er had already drawn qi into her body?!
“Yes. When this servant paid respects, I specifically examined Lady Yi’s meridians. She is indeed at the middle stage of Martial Master.”
It was fortunate Sheng Shizan himself was at the Martial Sect level; otherwise, he would not have been able to accurately assess her cultivation.
“Have you arranged the shadow guards for your mistress?”
Hearing of Xi’er’s extraordinary physique, much of Xie Subing’s pent-up anger dissipated. With a shift in thought, he asked directly.
“Yes. This servant took the liberty of assigning Hongying and Qingluo to serve at Lady Yi’s side.”
Hearing his master acknowledge Lady Yi’s status, Sheng Shizan’s eyes lit up as he reported, “Nanny Luo has also sent her adopted daughter, Rongshan, to serve by Lady Yi’s side.”
“Mm, approved. Prepare to go to Cining Palace.”
“Yes.”
Sheng Shizan immediately turned to issue orders, and the imperial guards and eunuchs behind them moved into action.
“Azan, you need not follow me. Go personally to Zhongcui Palace and tell Qi to rein in her claws!”
Xie Subing turned the jade ring on his thumb and ordered coldly, “If any more rumors spread through the palace, her position as Noble Consort will no longer be necessary.”
The incidents of the First Princess and Second Princess nearly drowning were already serious enough.
Previously, Xie Subing had been occupied with war preparations and court affairs. Moreover, he had little interest in the women of the harem and thus did not bother interfering.
Although the women’s infidelity could not entirely be blamed on them at first, to not even distinguish who their husband was? Prince Huai was lame, after all!
Since they were not his true household, he had no interest in meddling.
But now, things were different.
He remembered clearly what his father and master had once said—the better the martial womb physique, the higher the chance of conceiving during the first dual cultivation.
Perhaps Xi’er was already carrying his golden bloodline. For the sake of his future child’s safety, how could he allow the women of the harem to continue stirring trouble and targeting her?
After all, she was his first woman, possessed the rare Phoenix Bone Physique, and carried a fragrance that calmed him. All these reasons combined were enough for Xie Subing to value her deeply.
Moreover, if she truly conceived his child, she would naturally become his future empress. He would not allow his bloodline to suffer the same humiliation he once endured as an illegitimate son.
“Yes, this servant will go to Zhongcui Palace to deliver the decree.”
Sheng Shizan bowed and hurried away, failing to notice the cold, murderous glint in Lin Pingzhi’s eyes as he watched him leave.
…
Yikun Palace
As soon as Fu Lingxi returned to the main hall and heard that Ziluan had prepared hot water, she happily took a relaxing bath. Without even drying her hair, she lay down on the couch and fell asleep. Later, it was Hongying who carried her onto the bed.
When she woke up, lunchtime had already passed.
Fortunately, she was the sole mistress of Yikun Palace, with no other concubines residing there. Everything in the palace was under her authority.
The imperial palace strictly adhered to meal times. Even with a private kitchen, once the time passed, no open flames could be used for cooking.
Luckily, Ziluan had prepared in advance. She had simmered nourishing chicken soup and a pot of minced meat porridge, ensuring that Fu Lingxi could still enjoy a warm meal upon waking.
“…Again these dishes?!”
Looking at the soup, porridge, and small pastries placed before her, Fu Lingxi felt miserable inside, though she did not show it. Her hunger had already diminished significantly.
After finishing her meal in silence, she sent Surang to show the newly arrived Nanny Rong around Yikun Palace and dispatched Xuduo to gather the latest palace news. Then she asked Ziluan:
“Ziluan, do you know this Rongshan?”
【Hongying and Qingluo are shadow guards turned visible attendants, so it’s normal the palace staff don’t know them. But from Sheng Shizan’s tone, this Nanny Rong seems highly capable.】
“Replying to Mistress, Nanny Rong is an important figure in the Imperial Household Department.”
Ziluan answered softly while applying hand cream to her mistress, explaining:
“She is the adopted daughter of Nanny Luo, the chief instructor of court etiquette. Her adoptive elder sister, Song Zhuer, is the chief matron of Cining Palace under the Empress Dowager.”
“That influential?!” Fu Lingxi asked in surprise. “Then what is Nanny Luo’s background?”
“Replying to Mistress, Nanny Luo was the wet nurse of the late emperor. Before his death, he entrusted her to His Majesty’s care. Afterward, His Majesty placed her in charge of palace personnel and etiquette.”
“I see… No wonder even the emperor addresses her respectfully as ‘Nanny Luo.’ But tell me—what position did Nanny Rong hold?”
“She was the Director of Palace Food in one of the six bureaus of the Imperial Household Department.”
“That’s quite prestigious!”
“Yes. Even Sister Surang would not dare breathe loudly in front of her.”
“Then coming to my Yikun Palace—isn’t that a demotion for her? I’m only a minor concubine…”
“Mistress, it’s not like that!”
Ziluan quickly shook her head and explained in a hushed voice:
“In Shangyi, female officials who do not retire may choose a mistress to serve. Their authority is not stripped away because of this. However—”
“However what?”
Fu Lingxi truly did not know this—rather, the original host had been too ignorant.
Glancing around, Ziluan leaned closer and whispered:
“According to palace rules, female officials serving as chief matrons are meant to serve the empress of the central palace.”
Just like the emperor governed the court, the empress traditionally oversaw the inner palace.
Thus, the female officials were essentially the empress’s household retainers, and their assignments were determined by her.
“Mm, but with the late emperor’s decree, there won’t be a central empress anytime soon…”
Fu Lingxi understood the implication but shook her head, reminding her of a crucial point:
The late emperor’s decree.
It was precisely because of this decree that Consort Qi—despite being the primary consort from the emperor’s princely residence—had lost her chance to become empress simply due to “three years without issue.”
Note: This story is set in the lower realm of the Martial Spirit Continent. Cultivation levels are as follows:
Family levels: Martial Apprentice → Martial Practitioner → Martial Warrior → eligible to join sects
Sect levels: Martial Master (Qi Refining) → Martial Sect (Foundation Establishment) → Martial King (Golden Core) → Martial Sovereign (Nascent Soul) → Martial Saint (Deity Transformation, highest level)