Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 669: Chapter 665: A Solution

She thought of this and quickly shook her head.

This way, it’s impossible to break off the marriage agreement, since it’s something the two dynasties have already negotiated, and it can’t be violated.

Even if the Twelfth Princess is disgraced, his status as Prince Consort cannot be revoked.

If not the Prince Consort of the Twelfth Princess, he would still be the Prince Consort of some other Princess of the Phoenix Dynasty.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at You Lan, “These past few days, we’ll still not meet with any guests.”

“Yes,” You Lan agreed.

Chu Zhiyuan snorted, “Certainly, in these few days, they all want to come and freeload, seeking benefits.”

“Your Highness, actually…”

“Don’t worry about them,” Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand, “Even if we give them, they won’t speak well of us.”

“Yes,” You Lan understood his meaning and did not persuade further.

Originally, she wanted to persuade Chu Zhiyuan to use these Strange Flowers and Fruits to ease the relationship with other princes and improve his own situation.

Chu Zhiyuan said, “There’s no need for Aunt to think about them much, anyway, they’re people who are leaving.”

“Your Highness, our roots are ultimately still here,”

“You think your roots are here, but they do not think so,” Chu Zhiyuan said indifferently.

“…And there’s the Princess Consort still,” You Lan said softly.

She looked at Chu Zhiyuan’s calm and indifferent expression in a daze, feeling inexplicably bitter.

His Highness is truly pitiable.

The only ones who genuinely care about him in this world are the Princess Consort and Chu Zhen and Chu Qiao.

The Emperor’s disdain towards His Highness is never concealed; it’s rooted deeply.

The Emperor’s attitude affects those around him, causing everyone to disdain His Highness.

“As for Mother Consort…” Chu Zhiyuan raised his head to glance in the direction of the Imperial Palace, and said indifferently, “There are Zhen’er and Qiao’er, and also the Tenth Brother.”

The Tenth Prince is her real son.

Moreover, he is not of mediocre talent, though he can never become Emperor, he won’t be too bad either.

“Your Highness…”

“Aunt, rest assured, I’m fine,” Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand, “We’ll close the door and live our own small life; it’s quite good this way.”

“Yes.”

You Lan knew his fortitude, hated being pitied by others, and thus forcibly suppressed her bitterness and retreated.

…

Chu Zhiyuan first practiced the Spiritual Abyss Body Cleansing Record for half a day, then practiced the Infinite Brightness Scripture.

Once exhausted, he still fell asleep instantly.

Meanwhile, a small Flying Knife slowly and leisurely flew through the night sky over the Imperial City, blending into the night.

The next morning, after Chu Zhiyuan washed and ate under You Lan’s service, he directly headed to the Great Bright Peak.

Upon reaching the Great Bright Peak, the two middle-aged Imperial Guards were no longer seen.

He now need not be monitored and could directly head to the True Martial Institute.

While heading to the True Martial Institute, he encountered several Princes.

They greeted him one after another, curiously sizing him up, as if seeing a stranger.

Chu Zhiyuan’s expression was cold, merely nodding without speaking, displaying an aloof demeanor.

This sparked discussion among the Princes, who felt he remained as he was, unchanged.

Upon entering the cave where the True Martial Institute was, brighter by three parts than outside, a handsome young man was already seated inside.

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his hands, “Third Brother is here.”

After speaking, he directly sought a warm jade mat to sit on and prepared to cultivate.

The position he chose was the furthest from the handsome young man, showing a respectful but distant attitude.

The original host had no good impression of this Third Brother, always wearing a somber face as if everyone owed him much money.

Mysterious and secretive, one glance to know he is full of cunning ideas.

The Third Prince Chu Liyang glanced at him indifferently, “You’ve entered the Heavenly Intent Pavilion?”

Chu Zhiyuan opened his eyes to look at him, “Third Brother has also entered the Heavenly Intent Pavilion?”

“Hmm, it’s profound and unfathomable, wondrously mystical.”

“And what about Eldest Brother?”

“Eldest Brother hasn’t mentioned, but presumably he’s also entered; otherwise, with his talent, he wouldn’t have reached the Evolution Realm so quickly.”

“And Second Brother?”

“Second Brother also entered.”

“So, we’ve all entered the Heavenly Intent Pavilion? Is that why we can reach the Evolution Realm at such a young age?”

“Hmm.”

“I’ve heard outside, many at our age and cultivation level are about the same!”

“The Four Great Sects, perhaps?”

“About that, I’m not sure.”

“The Four Great Sects are Ancient Sects; they also have sacred places for cultivation similar to our Heavenly Intent Pavilion.” ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭⚑𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⚑𝕟𝕖𝕥

“I see…” Chu Zhiyuan suddenly understood.

“People of our age and cultivation, aside from the Four Great Sects, wouldn’t be possible.”

“What about the Spirit Guards?”

“The Spirit Guards number a thousand, not all can be disciples from the Four Great Sects. They’re geniuses from various sects and factions, … The world is vast, and there are indeed many prodigies.”

“Does Second Brother want to join the Spirit Guards?”

“Naturally, don’t you want to join the Spirit Guards?”

“I do want to, but I cannot join.”

“…” Second Prince Chu Liyang fell silent, speechless.

He knew Chu Zhiyuan’s situation, indeed he can’t become a Spirit Guard.

Chu Zhiyuan closed his eyes, “Second Brother, let’s continue cultivating.”

“If you don’t want to be this Prince Consort, it’s not impossible.”

“Self-harm? No need for that.”

“You can commit suicide.”

“Hmm——?”

“Your Mother Consort is Father’s most favored woman; you didn’t know this, did you?”

Chu Zhiyuan’s face instantly darkened, glaring coldly at him.

Chu Liyang, however, calmly said, “No one’s told you this, right?”

“…”

“Few know this; those who do fear Father and dare not speak carelessly. Everyone thought you were scorned by Father because he dislikes your Mother Consort, not knowing it is quite contrary.”

Chu Zhiyuan coldly said, “How does Second Brother know?”

“I once overheard Mother and Father arguing, inadvertently discovering it, Mother lamenting that Father always has your Mother Consort in mind, unable to let go.”

“…” Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

“You suffered a deadly injury as a child; your Mother Consort performed a secret technique using her lifespan as a price to save you, but she passed away.”

“Who harmed me?”

“…Not known, said to be the Demon Clan, but who can say for sure.”

“Father despises me because I cost Mother Consort her life?”

“Indeed, … But your life was saved at the cost of your Mother Consort’s life, Father would never allow your suicide.”

“…Second Brother, that’s a lousy idea,” Chu Zhiyuan snorted.

Contemplating threatening the Emperor with suicide to make him change his mind?

This is but Second Prince’s unilateral claim; what if it’s false?

Using suicide as a threat would surely provoke the Emperor’s wrath, likely resulting in being directly deposed.

This risk cannot be taken.

Even if it’s true, it cannot be done; it would still anger the Emperor and result in being deposed.

Chu Liyang indifferently said, “I think it’s a clear path.”

Chu Zhiyuan discerned he was speaking truthfully, genuinely believing it, and thus asked, “What is Eldest Brother busy with?”

“Affairs of the Ministry of War,” Chu Liyang said, “Related to the distribution of military provisions, a chaotic mess.”

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded, “It seems this imperial throne should belong to Eldest Brother.”

Chu Liyang snorted, closed his eyes.

Chu Zhiyuan said, “Second Brother, you stand no chance; being born later was a disadvantage.”

Chu Liyang coldly said, “You’d better worry about your own affairs!”

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, shook his head, “Even if Eldest Brother doesn’t become Emperor, it wouldn’t be Second Brother; there’s also Third Brother.”

Chu Liyang sneered, “Do I fall short?”

“We’re pretty much the same; I’m loathed by all, while Second Brother is shunned by all,” Chu Zhiyuan laughed, “No one wishes to be close to you.”

Chu Liyang snorted, kept silent, too lazy to speak more.