Chapter 238
"Chancellor Zhao Suling, pays respect to Your Majesty!"
Wearing a Daoist robe, exuding an ethereal and ancient aura, Zhao Suling walked in slowly and performed a Daoist salute.
"No need for so many courtesies, Daoist Zhao."
Zheng Yi gestured an imaginary support and said, "I wonder what brings Daoist Zhao to find me today?"
Taiyii Dao.
Due to Zhao Suling, Zhuang Yuheng, and others entering the Imperial Court as officials and consorts, they have long been intertwined with the Great Yu Court.
You are in me, and I am in you; there's no distinction between us.
The Great Yu Court has gained a large number of martial artists from the Martial Arts Department, greatly enhancing its top-tier combat power.
Meanwhile, the martial artists of Taiyii Dao have swiftly advanced their martial arts cultivation due to the abundant spiritual qi surrounding the Capital City.
Take Zhao Suling, for example; he is already an Innate Realm Martial Artist.
Other disciples of Taiyii Dao have also experienced rapid progress in their martial prowess.
For instance, Zhao Suling's junior brother, Zhao Sufeng, is already a Grandmaster Realm Martial Artist.
And several other disciples have also stepped into the Grandmaster Realm, significantly raising the overall strength.
Zhao Suling said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, I entered the palace this time on the orders of my master."
"Oh? Senior Zhao Xizheng?"
Zheng Yi was a bit surprised. After so many years, Zhao Xizheng has finally emerged from seclusion?
"I wonder what important matter compels Senior Zhao to send Daoist Zhao in person?"
Zhao Suling said, "My master has learned that Sister Yuheng is about to give birth, and has specifically prepared a small gift, which I'm to deliver to Sister Yuheng in the palace."
"Oh? A gift for Consort Yu?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Zhao Suling said, "Besides the usual Daoist gifts, my master specifically refined a protective magical artifact for the unborn child."
Zheng Yi exclaimed, "Senior Zhao can also refine artifacts?"
"My master's cultivation has been stagnant in the Qi Cultivation Stage for nearly a hundred years, and he traveled extensively in his youth, acquiring many skills in the Hundred Skills of Cultivation. He knows a little of everything."
Zhao Suling smiled and said, "My master also mentioned that more than thirty years ago, he traveled to the overseas Cultivation Realm for several years and learned quite a few things."
"I see."
Zheng Yi said, "Then I shall thank Senior Zhao on behalf of the unborn child."
"Your Majesty is too kind."
"I suspect that Senior Zhao did not send Daoist Zhao here merely to deliver gifts. Is there any other matter?"
"Your Majesty is indeed wise."
Zhao Suling said, "Recently, my master learned that numerous Heavenly and Earthly Treasures have appeared in the Capital Region, all of which have been guarded by Your Majesty's men."
"Upon learning of this, my master wishes to use some Spirit Sand to purchase a Purple Spirit Ginseng from you, Your Majesty."
Zheng Yi blinked and said, "If Senior Zhao desires a Purple Spirit Ginseng, there's no need for such trouble; he can just take it. Let's not mention Spirit Sand or anything else."
"The Great Yu Zheng Clan and your Taiyii Dao are as one; why make such a fuss?"
With that, Zheng Yi got up and left swiftly, saying, "I'm off to Yuheng Palace to see Consort Yu. Daoist Zhao, please feel at home."
"Elder Chen, I remember there are seven Purple Spirit Ginsengs; take… five coins, and have them all sent back with Daoist Zhao."
"Yes!"
Chen Liancang quickly walked away, seemingly preparing to personally head to the location where the Purple Spirit Ginseng grows to pick them.
"Your Majesty! Alas, Your Majesty!"
Zhao Suling hurried to catch up, shouting, "My master is willing to exchange thirty Spirit Sands and ten Yellow Dragon Pills for the Purple Spirit Ginseng, Your Majesty, slow down..."
The two quickly ran off into the distance, causing eunuchs and palace maids to rush after them.
Yet, Zheng Yi moved unimpeded, while Zhao Suling had to show a token at several palace gates. Some gates couldn't be entered, and he could only watch helplessly as Zheng Yi's sedan chair moved further away.
After shaking off Zhao Suling, Zheng Yi let out a long sigh of relief.
Racing to gift someone and fearing they wouldn't accept it was indeed a first for him.
"Your Majesty~"
Liu Cheng'en panted beside him, saying, "Since Daoist Zhao wishes to exchange Spirit Sand, why does Your Majesty refuse?"
"Elder Immortal Zhao is akin to an immortal; I presume the items in his possession are quite precious..."
Zheng Yi shook his head and said, "If we take Spirit Sand, then it becomes a transaction."
"In a transaction, once money and goods are exchanged, I gain nothing in return."
"But if I gift it to Elder Celestial Master Zhao Xizheng, he will owe me a favor."
"Over the long run, that's far better than a mere few dozen Spirit Sands."
"I suspect that Elder Celestial Master Zhao is over a hundred years old and nearing the end of his lifespan. It's likely that he wants the Purple Spirit Ginseng to refine an elixir for extending lifespan."
"Such a substantial favor, I doubt Elder Celestial Master Zhao would sit idly by."
Liu Cheng'en was sincerely impressed, saying, "Your Majesty is sagacious."
"However..."
Zheng Yi shook his head and said, "After all, Elder Celestial Master Zhao is the master of Consort Yu. It's only right that I send some things."
"As long as he treats Consort Yu well enough..."
When Zheng Yi and his entourage reached Yuheng Palace, a loud and clear cry echoed from the grand hall.
The child was born!
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Blessings to Your Majesty!"
Lu Lin'er, leading several consorts, came up in quick steps, "Sister Consort Yu has given birth to another prince for Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, you are truly full of vigor, now with five consecutive princes!"
"I shall see what those rebellious ministers have left to say!"
"Hahaha..."
Zheng Yi laughed heartily, "Rise, my beloved consorts, no need for formalities."
"Come, let me see~"
Zheng Yi picked up the child, who was almost identical to the fourth Prince Zheng Chengqian, looking like a wrinkled little monkey.
"Everyone in Yuheng Palace, receive a reward!"
"Your humble servants thank Your Majesty!"
All the palace maids in Yuheng Palace respectfully knelt and chanted long live.
After teasing the child for a bit, Zheng Yi handed the baby to the wet nurse.
"Beloved consorts, you may return now, I shall go see Consort Yu."
"Farewell, Your Majesty!"
Zheng Yi entered Zhuang Yuheng's chamber on his own; like Cui Xiabing, Zhuang Yuheng recovered swiftly after childbirth.
"Your humble concubine greets Your Majesty!"
"No need for such formalities, beloved consort."
Zheng Yi sat down beside Zhuang Yuheng and said, "For giving birth to a prince for me, you have served me greatly. Ask for any reward you wish!"
Zhuang Yuheng smiled and said, "Your humble concubine is grateful but anxious, for there is nothing I lack in the palace."
"I see, then I shall reward your kin."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"By the way, beloved consort, Daoist Zhao Suling entered the palace and brought many gifts, some of which were sent by Elder Celestial Master Zhao."
"Has my master come out of seclusion?"
"Yes, and he even wishes to purchase a Purple Spirit Ginseng from me with Spirit Sand."
Zheng Yi said, "How could I let Zhao Xizheng, your master, spend so much?"
"Last time we communicated, a total of seven stalks of Purple Spirit Ginseng grew, and I picked five of them to be sent to Elder Celestial Master Zhao Xizheng," the Emperor said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhuang Yuheng's beautiful eyes filled with gratitude.
"Master is already advanced in age, and Purple Spirit Ginseng is an essential spiritual herb for refining Longevity Elixirs. I suppose it must be for this reason as well," she remarked.
"I thank Your Majesty on behalf of my master!"
"Beloved Consort, what are you saying?"
Zheng Yi embraced Zhuang Yuheng and said, "Your master is also my master, how could I be unwilling?"
"This is just a small token of our juniors' regard."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhuang Yuheng was even more moved, and after a moment of tenderness, she sat up, blushing, and adjusted her disheveled clothing.
With a laugh, Zheng Yi said, "After giving birth, my beloved consort has become even more radiant."
"Your Majesty teases me~" Zhuang Yuheng replied, smiling.
Getting up, she asked, "Has Your Majesty already decided on a name for our child?"
"Does my beloved consort have any good suggestions?"
"I will follow Your Majesty's arrangements," she said.
Nodding, Zheng Yi said, "Your Taoist name is Yuheng, which refers to one of the stars in the Big Dipper, the brightest star among them."
"Therefore, I shall name our child 'Chengzhao.' What do you think?"
"'Zhao,' meaning sun and brightness, resonates with my beloved consort's name as well," he explained.
"Zheng Chengzhao, Zheng Chengzhao..." Zhuang Yuheng murmured, "I deeply thank Your Majesty for bestowing the name!"
"My beloved consort, take a rest now. I have other matters to attend to."
"I respectfully bid Your Majesty farewell!"
After leaving Yuheng Palace, Zheng Yi went to visit the expectant Consort Chan, as well as Jie'er, Yu'er, Consort Yinn, and Consort Qing.
Their due dates were also set for the latter half of this year, just a few months away.
Once they all give birth, the second of the Three Thousand Worlds will descend!
At that time... who knows what kind of world it will be?
After comforting them, he returned to the dungeon once again.
Cui Xiabing continued to work tirelessly for Xuan Jizi's sake.
The ice sculpture encasing Xuan Jizi had already been more than half melted, with less than a third of the ice still freezing her.
"Beloved Consort, how goes the progress?" Zheng Yi inquired.
With a deep breath, Cui Xiabing responded, "Returning to Your Majesty, at most in half a month, I can have Master's ice sculpture completely melted."
"Thank you for your hard work, beloved consort," Zheng Yi said. "Once the unfreezing is complete, you and your master will be able to reunite."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
...
Several days later.
At Taizhong Mountain, on Jinghuang Peak.
Zhao Xizheng looked in astonishment at the five jade boxes containing five stalks of Purple Spirit Ginseng and said, "Five stalks of Purple Spirit Ginseng!"
"That young man sent all of this to me?"
"He didn't ask for a single grain of Spirit Sand?"
With respect, Zhao Sufeng said, "Yes, Master, His Majesty said all of this is a token of regard from us juniors for you."
"I wanted to give the Spirit Sand to His Majesty, but His Majesty directly went into seclusion for cultivation. I couldn't leave it arbitrarily, so I brought it back."
"Cultivation?" Zhao Xizheng wondered, "I recall that youngster was already an Innate Realm Martial Artist. What more could he be cultivating?"
Hesitant, Zhao Suling said, "Master, His Majesty seems to be engaging in cultivation."
"Nonsense!" Zhao Xizheng cursed, "I personally examined him; he has no Spirit Root and lacks a Cultivation Technique. What kind of cultivation could he be doing?"
"Master, there's something I forgot to tell you," Zhao Suling said. "His Majesty seems to have excavated the Grand Ancestor's Mausoleum and obtained a Cultivation Technique from it. Chen Liancang has also embarked on the path of cultivation."
"What?" Zhao Xizheng could hardly believe his ears. "What did you say? That brat excavated the Great Yu Ancestral Emperor's Mausoleum?"
"Such audacity!"
Hesitantly, Zhao Suling said, "Master, although His Majesty can sometimes act impulsively, he has always treated Taiyii Dao well."
"He not only arranged positions for disciples but also regarded Taiyii Dao as the National Religion, even gifting you five stalks of Purple Spirit Ginseng!"
"As far as I know, those discovered spiritual medicines only included five Purple Spirit Ginseng stalks... "
"Are you a fool?" Zhao Xizheng exclaimed, rolling his eyes. "If he had taken the Spirit Sand, it would have been a fair trade, a clear-cut exchange."
"But this brat actually let you bring the Purple Spirit Ginseng back without asking for anything. It's making the old man owe him a great personal favor!"
"Troublesome..."
Cautiously, Zhao Sufeng inquired, "Master, perhaps you're overthinking it? Master treats Junior Sister very well, and besides..."
"Leave, leave!" Zhao Xizheng interrupted, waving him away. "What kind of Sect Leader are you? Can't see through such a simple trick?"
"Forget it..."
With a wave, three jade scrolls shot out, and Zhao Sufeng instinctively caught them.
"Here's the complete content of the 'Vitality Purple Mist Technique,' with my annotations. Give it to Yuheng," Zhao Xizheng instructed.
"As for the other two jade scrolls, one is the 'Explanation of Lower-tier Elixirs,' and the other is the 'Explanation of the Lower-tier Talisman.' Give them all to him."
"Sigh, it's just that the old man is in urgent need of Purple Spirit Ginseng for refining the Longevity Pill. Such a headache..."
"As you command, Master!" Zhao Sufeng replied, exiting with the jade scrolls respectfully. However, Zhao Xizheng called out again, "Wait a moment!"
"What else does Master instruct?" Zhao Sufeng asked.
"Didn't Yuheng previously mention that several kinds of spiritual medicines appeared in the Capital Region?"
"Yes, Master," Zhao Sufeng confirmed.
"What about the other state counties?"
"It seems... no reports from them."
"Understood. You may go now!"
Zhao Suling left respectfully, while Zhao Xizheng pondered, "Strange, how could so many spiritual medicines suddenly appear in the Capital Region with so many mortals?"
"Suling!"
"Disciple is here."
Soon, a tall youth emerged quickly from another cave mansion, and he spoke with respectful tone.
"You have followed me in cultivation for over ten years and have now reached the late-stage Qi Cultivation. It is time for you to gain experience outside."
Gesturing with a hand, Zhao Xizheng said, "From today, go down the mountain to train. Investigate those spiritual medicines in the Capital Region."
"Also, look for anything peculiar in the Capital Region."
"As you command, Master!"