Eternal Life as False Emperor

Jiaofang Hall.

As Zheng Yi stepped into the grand hall, he was immediately greeted by a group of consorts.

"We have seen Your Majesty!"

Besides the Empress, there were the heavily pregnant Consort Yu and Consort Chan, as well as Consort Qing and Consort Yinn present.

All of them were pregnant, and Consort Yu, Consort Chan, and Noble Consort Cui were all due to give birth in the next few days.

As for Consort Qing and Consort Yinn, they were due around next month.

In other words, Zheng Yi was about to have ten sons.

By then, a new Three Thousand Worlds would open for him!

"Rise, all of you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"How is Noble Consort Cui?"

"Your Majesty, the midwife has been inside for nearly half an hour, the baby should be born soon."

"Half an hour, so long?"

Previously, the births of the Empress and Consort Duann took no more than the time it takes to burn an incense stick; why is Noble Consort Cui so slow?

Lu Lin'er consoled, "Your Majesty, it's Xia Bing's first childbirth, naturally, it might be more difficult."

"But rest assured, with so many Imperial Physicians and midwives in the palace, she will be fine."

"Hmm."

Hearing Lu Lin'er say so, Zheng Yi nodded.

Sure enough, after waiting for about the time to drink a cup of tea, a loud cry finally came from the room.

"Wah wah wah..."

"Phew..."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and shortly after, a nurse emerged quickly, holding a small baby.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations! Noble Consort Cui has given birth to a Prince for you~!"

A Prince!

Another Prince!

The many consorts exchanged surprised glances but quickly reacted, kneeling down, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, Congratulations..."

"Please, my beloved consorts, rise quickly!"

Zheng Yi hurriedly held up Consort Yu and Consort Chan, and signaled the Empress with his eyes to support Consort Qing and the others.

These consorts were all pregnant, so they must avoid sudden movements.

If these small matters cause harm to the fetus, it would be quite unfortunate.

Zheng Yi laughed, "This is also thanks to the ancestors' blessings. Quickly, bring the child over for me to see."

"Your Majesty."

With the child in his arms, Zheng Yi closely observed.

Like the other newborns, the child in his arms had wrinkled skin and tightly closed eyes, resembling a little monkey.

However, the face was rosy and had double eyelids, surely taking after his mother, Cui Xiabing, a great beauty.

Yet, who knows if the child would have a Spirit Root?

"Wah wah wah~"

Perhaps feeling a bit cold, the baby started crying, and despite comforting from Zheng Yi, there was no improvement, so he handed the child over to the waiting nurse.

"Wait here, I will go check on Noble Consort Cui."

"Understood!"

"Also, Cheng'en."

"I am here."

"Escort Consort Yu, Consort Chan, and the other pregnant consorts back to the palace for rest."

"Understood!"

The consorts departed, while Zheng Yi went towards the sleeping quarters.

"Your Majesty~"

Perhaps because Noble Consort Cui is a cultivator and constitutionally strong, she was not lying down to rest after childbirth but was already able to sit up.

"Beloved Consort, please lie down."

"There's no need, Your Majesty. I don't feel any discomfort, sitting is also fine."

Zheng Yi sat by the bed, gently asking, "How does my beloved consort feel?"

"All is well, just some pain during childbirth, followed by much relief."

Cui Xiabing smiled, "By the way, Your Majesty, have you seen our child?"

"I have, and he is very adorable."

"I am glad I fulfilled my duty to give birth to a Prince for our Great Yu."

"Thank you for your hard work, my beloved consort~"

"By the way, has Your Majesty decided on a name for our child yet?"

Zheng Yi nodded, "I have given it much thought."

"Currently, I have four Princes: the eldest, Zheng Chengji, born to the Empress Lu Lin'er; the Second Prince, Zheng Chengwu, born to Consort Duann Xu Qingluan; the Third Prince, Zheng Chengrui, born to Consort Lan Lingrong; and now our child."

"However..."

Zheng Yi lowered his voice, "The mothers of Chengji, Chengwu, and Chengrui are all mortals. Their constitutions are likely to be merely mortal without any Spirit Root."

"But you are the first cultivator to bear me a Prince, greatly increasing the likelihood of having a Spirit Root."

"Therefore, I intend to name our child 'Zheng Chengqian', symbolizing the initiation of great deeds."

"Qian, also signifies strength."

Zheng Yi continued, "I hope that our child can be strong and healthy, inherit a Spirit Root, and walk the Path of Cultivation to become a cultivator."

Cui Xiabing's expression slightly changed, hesitantly saying, "Your Majesty, this name might be inappropriate."

"Oh, why so?"

"Qian is often reserved as a name for the Emperor's firstborn, signifying rightful inheritance and succession."

"Naming our child Chengqian could lead to speculation from many ministers, especially from the Empress and others..."

"Would this really be the case?"

Cui Xiabing nodded, "Your Majesty, caution is necessary."

"Though I love my child, I do not wish for him to compete for the position of Crown Prince against the stability of our Great Yu. Please consider carefully when bestowing a name upon our child."

Qian, is it?

Zheng Yi murmured, pondering the potential consequences?

Thinking further, he recalled something.

Chengqian...

Isn't that the unfortunate Crown Prince of the Great Tang from a past life?

He quickly reacted.

The name Qian, indeed seems inappropriate.

The Empress's son, named Chengji, already carries the meaning of inheriting the empire.

If Cui Xiabing's son is named Chengqian, it also implies inheriting heaven and earth, which would surely cause speculation and unrest among many.

Although he doesn't suspect anything, he can't prevent his followers' wild speculations.

In that case, we can only change a character.

Or rather…

His eyes suddenly brightened, and he said: "My beloved, see if this proposal works."

"We still use the sound 'qian', but not the character for 'heaven and earth'."

"Oh?"

Noble Consort Cui asked curiously: "What character does Your Majesty intend to use?"

"What about the character 'Qian'?"

"Qian? Zheng Chengqian?"

"Exactly."

Zheng Yi nodded: "The word 'Qian', like 'a hidden dragon deep in the abyss!'"

"This child is the first born to you and me, both cultivators, potentially possessing spirit roots, and having a bright future."

"It signifies 'a hidden dragon in the abyss, ready to soar through the heavens', how about that?"

This time, Noble Consort Cui finally smiled, admiringly saying: "I obey, thank Your Majesty for bestowing the name!"

"By the way, my beloved, I have another request."

"Feel free to say, Your Majesty."

"Do you remember a few months ago the Shadow Guard discovered several spirit grasses?"

"I remember that matter; Your Majesty also assigned people to protect them. Has something happened to these spirit grasses?"

"Indeed, the Ghost Spirit Grass was discovered and stolen by a cultivator."

Zheng Yi explained: "Fortunately, Chen Li fought with his life, ultimately capturing the cultivator and safeguarding the Ghost Spirit Grass."

"However, Chen Li was seriously injured, with spiritual Qi from the cultivator wreaking havoc in his body, leaving me no solution."

"Didn't you mention earlier that your mentor left you some elixirs? I hope to ask for a few healing elixirs for Chen Li."

"Alien magical power?"

Noble Consort Cui said: "A cultivator's magical power is most perplexing, containing the cultivator's life essence and will. Once it intrudes into a mortal's body, it will undoubtedly ruin mortal lives."

"Luckily, Chen Li is an Innate Realm strongman, who can temporarily suppress it with true Qi, but not for long."

"Please let him in, Your Majesty. I will heal his wounds now."

Zheng Yi laughed: "I knew my beloved wasn't stingy."

"You're kidding, Your Majesty. Chen Li works diligently for you, how could I refuse?"

"Hahaha, thank you, my beloved~."

Zheng Yi laughed heartily: "Chen Li!"

Soon, the palace door was pushed open, and a cautious figure walked in.

He bowed his head and quickly approached without surveying the surroundings, knelt, and said: "Servant Chen Li, thanks for Your Majesty and Consort's grace!"

"Rise."

"Thank Your Majesty."

"Chen Li, step forward."

This time it was Noble Consort Cui's voice; Chen Li promptly moved forward, keeping his eyes downcast, seeing only a pair of red base gold-thread mandarin duck embroidered shoes neatly placed under the couch.

"Raise your head~"

Upon command, Chen Li raised his head to see a languid beauty observing him from the couch.

Instinctively, he closed his eyes, avoiding a direct gaze.

Yet he heard the gentle voice of the Noble Consort.

"Don't worry. Your injury indeed results from flames transformed by spiritual Qi, fortunately, you didn't have prolonged contact with these flames, only suffering surface wounds."

"There is also a trace of alien magical power within, but fortunately, as an Innate Martial Artist, your true Qi is robust enough to suppress it."

Noble Consort Cui continued: "Here is a first-grade elixir, the 'Spring Rain Pill', bestowed by my mentor, excelling in expelling alien magical power and nourishing flesh."

"After consuming it, circulate your heart method to expel all alien magical power within."

"Thank you, Noble Consort!"

Chen Li took the warm elixir in his hands, feeling its temperature, causing a glimpse of excitement.

"Alright, Chen Li, you may leave now, keep an eye on that cultivator."

Zheng Yi's voice timely sounded: "Once I finish other matters, I will go over."

"Yes!"

Chen Li respectfully retreated, Cui Xiabing suddenly said: "Wait!"

Chen Li paused, and Zheng Yi asked curiously: "My beloved?"

"I suddenly sensed something peculiar about the alien magical power within Chen Li, the eunuch."

Noble Consort Cui hesitantly said: "Come over here."

Chen Li returned and kneeled: "Noble Consort?"

"Don't speak, breathe deeply!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Cui Xiabing pointed her right hand with her index and middle fingers, steadying them at Chen Li's brow.

Immediately, a faint, chilly aura arose from Chen Li's brow, circulating throughout his body.

Knowing that Noble Consort was diagnosing the alien magical power within, Chen Li focused without moving, letting the aura circulate.

Quickly, the aura converged at his abdomen, precisely where the alien magical power was rampant.

This alien power was suppressed with thick true Qi, yet couldn't be entirely removed.

Strangely enough, as Noble Consort Cui's power approached this alien power, both began to slowly merge.

Under the influence of her power, the alien power started to be drawn out!

When he opened his eyes, Chen Li first saw Noble Consort Cui looking at him oddly, with astonishment and insight in her gaze.

"Chen Li, the alien magical power within has been extracted by me, now go recuperate."

"Thanks to Noble Consort!"

Chen Li respectfully said: "As for the Spring Rain Pill…"

"It's also a reward for you. After consuming it, it will clear all hidden injuries in your body. Serve His Majesty well."

"I obey!"

Chen Li departed, and Zheng Yi said strangely: "My beloved, what is it?"

Noble Consort Cui hesitated briefly but continued: "Your Majesty, the one who stole your Ghost Spirit Grass should be none other than my mentor… Xuan Jizi!"