9th Year of Zhengyong, April 28th.

Consort Xu Qingluan is in labor.

In Xianfu Palace, Zheng Yi is anxiously waiting while holding Zheng Yuxuan.

A few other consorts are also constantly glancing towards the room.

Perhaps due to the incident with Xu Xuanwu, Xu Qingluan went into labor more than half a month early.

This poses a significant challenge for both the mother and child.

Lu Lin’er held Zheng Yi’s hand and said, “Your Majesty, please rest assured. Qingluan is very fortunate, everything will be fine.”

Zheng Yi said, “I know, Qingluan has martial arts cultivation. Hopefully, she can make it through.”

Zheng Yuxuan, who is almost six years old now, is also quite mature.

She hugged Zheng Yi’s neck and said, “Father, don’t worry. Mother will be alright, and she will definitely give me a cute little brother~.”

Zheng Yi pinched her nose and said, “How do you know that, Yuxuan?”

“Hmph! Mother herself said so~.”

Zheng Yuxuan said, “Mother said she dreamt many times of a little boy playing around her, he’s very cute.”

“Is that so? But surely no one is cuter than our Yuxuan, right?”

“Of course, Yuxuan is the cutest.”

“Hahaha…”

Zheng Yi laughed heartily. Even though the last test showed Zheng Yuxuan did not have a spirit root, it did not affect Zheng Yi’s fondness for her.

After all, he possesses the seed of the Reincarnation Nine-child Fruit. Once it is blood-sacrificed and planted, it will grow in nine thousand years. Upon consumption, it greatly increases the probability of awakening a spirit root.

Nine thousand years…

Of course, it requires essence blood for irrigation!

One drop of essence blood equals one year of lifespan, so for nine thousand years… it requires nine thousand drops of essence blood!

Thinking about it, Zheng Yi felt a bit overwhelmed.

Still, there is a probability of completing this.

“Wah wah wah…!”

Before long, cries of a newborn echoed from the inner hall, prompting Zheng Yi to stand up while holding Zheng Yuxuan.

“It’s born!”

“Consort Duann has given birth!”

“Mother has given birth! A little brother for Yuxuan~!”

Soon, the door to the inner hall opened, and an aunt came quickly out, holding a small infant.

“Congratulations Your Majesty, Consort Duann has given birth, it’s a prince!”

A prince!

As soon as the words were uttered, all the consorts around began discussing excitedly.

“That’s wonderful! Consort Duann has given birth to a prince!”

“There are good prospects ahead!”

“The second prince now…”

Though Lu Lin’er was smiling, a hint of unnaturalness was evident deep in her eyes.

Unexpectedly, Consort Duann also gave birth to a son.

Indeed…

But she quickly composed herself and approached Zheng Yi, saying, “Congratulations Your Majesty, Qingluan has birthed a prince for you. Our Great Yu is bound to prosper!”

Zheng Yi playfully teased the baby, making him cry loudly.

“Hahaha, crying with such a strong voice, definitely indicates strong martial roots.”

“You all return to the palace first. I will go check on Qingluan.”

“Yes!”

After handing the baby to the wet nurse, Zheng Yi entered Xu Qingluan’s inner hall.

“Your Majesty~”

Xu Qingluan, being a Grandmaster Realm expert, is unaffected much by childbirth, contrary to typical impacts on women.

Even though she delivered a month early, her spirits were high.

“My beloved Consort, no need to rise, just lie down.”

Ultimately, Xu Qingluan leaned against the bedding, gazing lovingly at Zheng Yi.

“Your Majesty, I have fulfilled the task entrusted to me, finally birthing a prince for you.”

Zheng Yi warmly reassured her, “Whether a prince or a princess, I love them all.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Tenderly, Xu Qingluan asked in embarrassment, “Have you chosen a name for our child, Your Majesty?”

“It’s already decided.”

Zheng Yi said, “You and Grand General Xu have been loyal throughout, excelling in both martial arts and military strategy, guarding the vast expanse of Great Yu for me.”

“Thus, I intend to use ‘Wu’ as the name for our child, how does that sound?”

“Wu? Zheng Chengwu?”

“Exactly, ‘Wu’ signifies achieving order and settling battles. Hence, ceasing strife is ‘Wu’,” Zheng Yi continued, “I hope when Wu’er grows up, there will be no more martial chaos in Great Yu.”

“With peace throughout the nation, tranquility across rivers and seas, horses resting in South Mountain, what do you say?”

Xu Qingluan promptly responded, “I… thank Your Majesty for bestowing the name!”

“Zheng Chengwu, Wu’er, Your Majesty, you have certainly given Wu’er a marvelous name~”

“I wonder how delighted father will be upon hearing this.”

Zheng Yi slapped his forehead and said, “Ah, I was so caught up in the joy and have yet to inform my father-in-law.”

“My beloved consort, rest well, I will send a message to your father now.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty~”

At this moment, Liu Cheng’en suddenly came in hastily, looking a bit anxious, “Your Majesty…”

“What is it?”

Liu Cheng’en glanced at Xu Qingluan, hesitating, “I have urgent news to report.”

“What’s the matter…”

“Your Majesty.”

Xu Qingluan held Zheng Yi’s hand and said, “Your Majesty has national affairs to attend to, I am not suitable to listen. Would Your Majesty please move to Baiyu City.”

Zheng Yi caressed Xu Qingluan’s forehead, “Then my beloved consort, rest well. I must attend to state matters.”

“Farewell, Your Majesty!”

Leaving Xianfu Palace, Zheng Yi frowned, “What’s so urgent?”

Liu Cheng’en quickened his pace and whispered, “Your Majesty, the Embroidered Uniform Guard reports that Xu Xuanwu… has committed suicide.”

“Hmm?”

Zheng Yi’s pupils shrank slightly, “Is it true?”

“Absolutely true!”

Liu Cheng’en said, “About an hour ago, a prison guard discovered Xu Xuanwu had died by hitting his head in the cell, leaving a blood message.”

“A blood message? For whom?”

“Grand General Xu’s.”

Zheng Yi immediately said, “Issue orders to protect the crime scene; no one is allowed to enter.”

“Yes!”

“And… report this matter to Grand General Xu.”

“Yes!”

“Forget it, I’ll go there personally.”

“Prepare for the Emperor’s departure~!”

The Grand General’s Mansion is located in the south of the Capital City, a residence granted by the late Emperor Tianqi when he was alive.

It covers more than a hundred acres, adjacent to the Imperial Guard Camp, a military stronghold.

Zheng Yi’s carriage slowly arrived, with the Imperial Guard opening the way and the Imperial Guard standing watch, soon reaching the Grand General’s Mansion.

“Minister Xu Mujun, paying respects to Your Majesty, wishing you ten thousand years of longevity!”

“Rise, my beloved minister!”

Zheng Yi quickly took two steps forward, helping Xu Mujun up, saying, “Between us, there is no need for such formalities.”

“This is the first time I come to the Grand General’s Mansion; why don’t you give me a good tour?”

“I obey the order!”

Xu Mujun stood up, stepping aside, “Your Majesty, please!”

Zheng Yi walked forward, glancing at Xu Mujun.

Compared to the last time, when Xu Mujun was high-spirited, now he appeared somewhat weary.

His previously resolute face now had a few wrinkles.

Especially a pair of eyes that seemed increasingly fatigued.

The empty left arm seemed to tell a story.

To personally bring back his son, Xu Mujun had lost an arm in Yunzhou!

The Emperor and the minister entered together, stepping into the Grand General’s Mansion.

“Your Majesty, this mansion was granted to me by the late Emperor in the 21st year of Tianqi, but I rarely stay in the Capital. Therefore, my clan takes care of it.”

“This mansion covers more than one hundred and fifty acres, with over thirty houses. I specifically established a training ground within the mansion…”

Under Xu Mujun’s guidance, Zheng Yi quickly toured the Grand General’s Mansion.

To be honest, covering more than one hundred and fifty acres sounds large, but for someone of Xu Mujun’s status, it still seemed too small.

After all, he is not alone but has many clansmen to look after.

And also some personal guards who fought for him.

After retiring, becoming disabled, or critically ill, they were all supported by Xu Mujun in the mansion.

Zheng Yi saw many servants and guards in the mansion, all missing arms or legs.

But each looked extremely robust, with sharp eyes.

Zheng Yi believed that if these disabled men wanted to kill, they would be far stronger than ordinary martial artists.

After the tour, Zheng Yi brought up the main issue.

“Beloved minister, I come this time with important news to share.”

“Your Majesty, please speak.”

“A piece of good news and a piece of bad news, I wonder if you would…”

Xu Mujun smiled, “Shall I try to guess?”

“Is it that Qingluan has given birth to a prince for Your Majesty?”

Zheng Yi said, “Truly the Grand General.”

“Indeed, Luan’er has given birth to a Prince for me, whom I named Zheng Chengwu!”

“I hope in the near future, Wu’er can ride into battle like you, achieving great victories for our Great Yu World!”

Xu Mujun respectfully said, “I obey the decree!”

“I will certainly educate Wu’er well, turning him into a leader among men, the cornerstone of Great Yu!”

Zheng Yi hesitated, “And there is bad news…”

Xu Mujun said, “Is it about Xuanwu?”

“Whatever Your Majesty decides, I have no objections!”

Zheng Yi shook his head, “Xuanwu committed suicide in prison, leaving a blood letter.”

“What?”

Xu Mujun was surprised, staring blankly as Liu Cheng’en handed a blood-stained prison garment to him.

“Grand General, please accept my condolences.”

Xu Mujun quickly regained his composure, silently taking the garment, “Such actions by Xuanwu are truly… brought upon himself!”

“Is the Grand General alright?”

“I’m fine.”

Xu Mujun said, “Your Majesty, please, I have already arranged a banquet for you…”

“No need.”

Zheng Yi shook his head, “I have matters in the palace; I will return now.”

“Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty!”

Zheng Yi turned back, “By the way, Xu Xuanwu’s body and suicide scene are still in the Embroidered Uniform Guard Imperial Prison. If the Grand General has time, feel free to check anytime.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Zheng Yi sighed deeply, slowly walking out of the Grand General’s Mansion, returning to Baiyu City.

After dismissing everyone around, Chen Liancang slowly walked out.

“Your Majesty.”

“Elder Chen, you did well on this matter.”

Zheng Yi said indifferently, “However, are you confident that Xuanwu’s matter won’t be discovered?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, this old servant is now a Qi Cultivation Stage Cultivator and has practiced the ‘Enchanting Soul Technique’ from the Netherworld Scripture, akin to the spiritual secret techniques of Innate Realm experts, but far more discreet than theirs.”

“This old servant used the Enchanting Soul Technique to confuse Xu Xuanwu, commanding him to write a blood letter and commit suicide. Unless a cultivator can summon Xu Xuanwu’s remaining soul, no one will uncover this.”

“Even if Grand General Xu Mujun personally inspects it, it’s the same!”

“That is good.”

Zheng Yi muttered, “Send Zhong Chun to the Grand General’s Mansion.”

“Yes!”

“Your Majesty.”

Chen Liancang added, “During the three months of Your Majesty’s seclusion, this old servant complied with the imperial order to conduct a thorough investigation of the Grand Ancestor’s Mausoleum, and finally, as entrusted by the Emperor, discovered a secret room at the bottom of the mausoleum!”

“Discovered a secret room?”

Zheng Yi exclaimed in surprise, “Is there treasure inside?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, there is!”

Chen Liancang said, “And quite a lot, but…”

“But what?”

“Your Majesty, you should personally check it out, then you’ll see.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep