“Then let me tell you.”

Zheng Yi said indifferently, “There are seventy-one direct descendants of your Cui Family, and one thousand six hundred and fifty-one branch members, while under your name, there are more than fifty thousand tenants and servants!”

“These fifty thousand people have even formed more than a hundred tenant villages.”

“Almost half of Qinghe County and more than a dozen surrounding counties are all the land of your Qinghe Cui Family.”

“Do you know how many refugees you have to support with so much land?”

“This…this much…”

Cui Xiabing was startled. She didn’t know any of this.

A few days ago, her grandmother came with her mother for a visit, tearfully telling her this and finally asking her to plead with Your Majesty.

She couldn’t refuse and had to come to Your Majesty.

Unexpectedly, such a shocking matter was revealed from Your Majesty’s mouth.

Zheng Yi also shook his head. These things were beyond Noble Consort Cui’s understanding.

Land consolidation in feudal society can’t be resolved.

With inadequate productivity, it can only be alleviated, not eradicated.

However, Zheng Yi now had a few solutions.

Punishment Field is merely the first among them.

“Well, my dear consort, it’s late. Please return to Jiaofang Hall.”

Zheng Yi coldly issued the order to leave, and Noble Consort Cui slowly stood up, her gaze mournful.

“Your… Your Majesty, I don’t understand state matters or refugees’ lands. I only know that my grandfather, who has loved me since childhood, is now ill.”

“As long as I can help my grandfather through this ordeal, I am willing to do anything.”

“Anything?”

Zheng Yi’s eyes suddenly brightened and said, “I have a question. If you can help me, I’ll change the one million acres of Punishment Field to five hundred thousand acres!”

“Five hundred thousand acres?”

Cui Xiabing calculated in her heart and immediately said, “What is Your Majesty’s question?”

Zheng Yi helped Cui Xiabing onto a chair again and asked, “Noble Consort Cui, you are a cultivator, right.”

“Your… Your Majesty! How did you know, I…”

Noble Consort Cui suddenly stood up, frightened.

Being a cultivator was her biggest secret.

She thought she could hide it from Your Majesty for a long time, but it was revealed so quickly.

“Your Majesty, I wasn’t intentionally hiding it from you.”

Zheng Yi pulled her down again and said, “My dear consort, no need to worry. The reason I’m openly discussing this with you means I’m not blaming you.”

“You know, I’ve spent two years seeking enlightenment without the slightest gain.”

“Unexpectedly, my bedside companion is a cultivator; you’ve really hidden it from me well!”

Cui Xiabing said mournfully, “Your… Your Majesty, it’s not that I didn’t speak, but obeying my master’s command is difficult.”

“Obeying your master’s command?”

Zheng Yi’s heart suddenly became cautious; is there another cultivator behind Noble Consort Cui?

“You have a master? Where is he?”

“She… she is traveling and has been missing for three or four years.”

Cui Xiabing said, “The last time I saw her was four or five years ago.”

“Moreover, the cultivation technique I practice, according to my master, is suitable only for women, not for men.”

“Oh?”

Zheng Yi’s eyes flashed, then he relaxed and said, “My dear consort, can you honestly report how you became a cultivator and the details about the cultivator behind you?”

Cui Xiabing hesitated for a moment but still said, “Yes.”

“Your Majesty, that was during the period when I became your noble consort and went home to visit…”

Afterward, Cui Xiabing revealed the entire process of how she became a cultivator.

Including her master Xuan Jizi, her cultivation technique, and current situation.

“Dual Spirit Root talent?”

“Yes, my master said I have water and earth dual spirit roots, considered excellent even in the cultivation realm a thousand years ago.”

“Master Xuan Jizi? What’s her cultivation level?”

“Well, my master named Xuan Jizi, and she said it seems to be… middle-stage Qi cultivation, just one step away from late-stage Qi cultivation.”

“What cultivation technique do you practice?”

“It’s called ‘Pure Maiden Yin Sha Skill: Qi Cultivation Chapter,’ and I only have the first to sixth layers of the cultivation technique.”

“Oh? What’s your current cultivation level?”

“Third-layer Qi cultivation.”

“What kind of strength is third-layer Qi cultivation?”

“Early-stage Qi cultivation, just a step away from middle-stage Qi cultivation.”

“Do you know any magic?”

“I know… just a little.”

“What do you mean by a little?”

“Water Prison Technique, Water Arrow Technique, and something called Earth Element Shield.”

“Do you have a magical artifact?”

“I have… one. It was a gift from my master before her departure.”

“Where is it?”

“I have it with me, it’s a flying sword, and I’ve just mastered it.”

“Can I cultivate your technique?”

“I think not. My master said that men contain Innate Primordial Yang Qi and have Yang Roots, and the ‘Pure Maiden Yin Sha Skill’ would harm men’s foundations and be less effective.”

“Innate Primordial Yang Qi? Harm men’s foundations? Can eunuchs practice it?”

“Ah? Ah? I don’t know…”

“Last time you attended my bed, what method did you use to render me unconscious?”

“Oh? Your Majesty, you knew even about this?”

“Ha, ha, there are few things in the Imperial Palace that are unknown to me.”

“It was a Mind-bending Fragrance left by my master that can even daze middle-stage Qi cultivators.”

“Why use the Mind-bending Fragrance on me?”

“My master said that the ‘Pure Maiden Yin Sha Skill’ contains Yin Evil Power, and before reaching third-layer Qi cultivation, losing virginity would harm the foundation.”

“Before reaching third-layer Qi cultivation? Aren’t you already third-layer Qi cultivation?”

“Yes… I luckily broke through several months ago during the time when you were visiting Taizhong Mountain.”

“Where’s your master?”

The two exchanged questions and answers, and Zheng Yi quickly learned most of the secrets of Cui Xiabing, this novice cultivator.

In other words, behind Cui Xiabing, there was still a cultivator with strength at least at the middle-stage Qi cultivation.

Deciding how to handle Cui Xiabing was still a big issue.

As he pondered, Cui Xiabing suddenly grasped Zheng Yi’s large hand with her small hand and said softly, “Your Majesty, what are you thinking?”

“I have already revealed all my secrets, please show mercy considering my grandfather’s years of loyal service.”

Zheng Yi laughed and said, “Don’t worry, my beloved consort, your honesty will not go unrewarded.”

“After all, Cui Aiqing is a significant minister; the punishment field… will be changed to five hundred thousand mu!”

“Five hundred thousand mu…”

Cui Xiabing hesitated for a moment and moved closer again.

“What about me?”

“Hmm?”

Zheng Yi’s eyes flashed. What are you up to?

Young lady, this action is very risky!

Looking at Cui Xiabing’s exquisite face, which was as delicate as porcelain, and her slightly panicked eyes, Zheng Yi took the opportunity to hold her in his arms.

“Xiabing, have you thought it through? You are a cultivator; I may be just a mortal in this lifetime. Are you truly willing to dedicate yourself to me?”

Cui Xiabing instinctively closed her eyes and then nervously opened them again, gritting her teeth as she said, “Your Majesty, although I am a cultivator, I am also your consort!”

“Since I was sensible, my father, mother, grandfather, and many relatives have advised me that I will become the new emperor’s consort and live my life for Your Majesty.”

“Three years ago, I entered the palace, married Your Majesty, and was made Noble Consort. At that time… I was very happy, after all, I became Your Majesty’s woman.”

“But who would have known that I was then favored by my master, in a moment of dizziness, I agreed to my master to enter the realm of cultivation, yet my heart always remained here with Your Majesty.”

At this moment, Cui Xiabing’s expression finally stabilized, and she looked at Zheng Yi with great seriousness, saying, “Back then, Your Majesty, you were handling the matter of King Tang’s rebellion, spending your days with the subjects upfront and not coming to the harem.”

“Later, King Tang and Prime Minister Yang were both overthrown by you. It was then that you began to reach out to the harem.”

“At that time, I happened to be at a cultivation bottleneck and could only avoid the imperial bedchamber by feigning illness.”

“Afterwards, when I luckily broke through, intending to reconcile with Your Majesty, you rarely came to Jiaofang Hall…”

Zheng Yi chuckled despite being a bit annoyed at the beauty in his arms and asked, “Does that mean, if your grandfather hadn’t gotten into trouble, you wouldn’t have planned to see me?”

“No, not at all!”

Cui Xiabing hurriedly sat up, “I am Your Majesty’s consort, and should serve Your Majesty.”

“Even if my grandfather did not get into trouble, I had plans to seek out Your Majesty after some time anyway.”

“Hmm.”

Zheng Yi nodded and asked, “If you serve the bedchamber, aren’t you afraid of your master’s reprimand?”

“This… definitely not.”

Cui Xiabing replied firmly, “Master has clearly stated that she will not interfere with my life.”

“When I reach the third layer of Qi cultivation, whether to serve the imperial bedchamber or not is my own decision.”

“Master once said, nowadays the immortal path is severed; it would take me at least ten years to reach the third layer of Qi cultivation in a place like the Imperial Palace.”

“I didn’t expect I accomplished it in three years!”

Zheng Yi was moved and thought.

Ten years to reach the third layer of Qi cultivation?

But Cui Xiabing achieved it in three years.

Innate Pure Yin Qi?!

Indeed, the princesses born through the consorts with the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror can enhance this world’s Spiritual Qi!

If I keep having children, the Spiritual Qi of this world will sooner or later be revitalized.

Do those children born with innate spiritual energy have any abnormalities?

Or… are they bearing Spirit Roots?!

Zheng Yi quickly asked, “Beloved consort, do you know how to test for Spirit Roots?”

“Test for Spirit Roots?” Cui Xiabing shook her head. “No, but my master definitely can.”

“Where is she?”

“I don’t know. Three years ago, Master said she was going to wander the world to find the opportunity for a breakthrough. Before leaving, she only gave me a Flying Sword Artifact and stone-like Spirit Sand.”

“Spirit Sand? What is that?”

“It’s a sand containing Spiritual Qi. Previously cultivators used Spirit Stones, but now they can only use Spirit Sand.”

“Do you still have any?”

“Uh, no. I used it all for cultivation a long time ago.”

“By the way, is your master male or female, and how old?”

“Uh… Master is a woman, and she’s exceptionally beautiful too. As for age, I never asked.”

Cui Xiabing thought for a moment and said, “But Master’s appearance is exquisite, no less than mine.”

“Really?”

“Really!”

“Do you have a way to contact your master?”

“No, Master said she would return in as little as three years, but no more than five years…”

After a lengthy conversation, Zheng Yi understood much more.

At this time, Cui Xiabing’s eyes sparkled as she said, “Your Majesty, it’s late; let me serve you as you rest.”

Zheng Yi joked, “Let me serve you instead!”

As he lifted Noble Consort Cui’s delicate and boneless figure, Zheng Yi inexplicably felt a bit nervous.

A cultivator!

In his arms, he embraced a genuine cultivator!

He lifted Cui Xiabing’s exquisite face and asked, “Are you really not regretting this?”

Cui Xiabing’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she still earnestly looked at Zheng Yi, saying, “Your Majesty, I am your consort.”

“I have no regrets!”

“I, too, will never let you down!”

An hour later, Cui Xiabing slept soundly, while Zheng Yi closed his eyes, concentrating his spirit entirely on the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror.

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

“Absorbing Pure Yin Qi, lifespan +20;”

“Absorbing Pure Yin Qi, learned ‘Pure Maiden Yin Sha Technique’;”

“Due to constitution limitations, ‘Pure Maiden Yin Sha Technique’ was automatically forgotten;”

“Absorbing Pure Yin Qi, Water Attribute Spirit Root +6;”

“Absorbing Pure Yin Qi, Earth Attribute Spirit Root +4.”

“Absorbing Pure Yin Qi, Magical Power +10. (‘Pure Maiden Yin Sha Technique’ automatically converted)”

“Absorbing Yin Qi, Magical Power +1.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep