After a series of threats and temptations, Princess Lingyin finally settled down.

She was merely a little princess spoiled by her father and mother, who had never experienced the hardships of life.

Now, alone and far from home, she had no sense of her own limitations and dared to act recklessly. In this deep palace compound, only death awaited her.

In some ways, Zheng Yi’s threats were actually saving her.

Otherwise, if she offended people she shouldn’t, she wouldn’t even know how she died.

By then, Zheng Yi would have lost a Furnace providing the Fire Attribute Spirit Root for nothing.

Over the course of more than a month, in order to obtain enough Fire Attribute Spirit Root from Princess Lingyin, he spent almost every day in Lingyin Palace, constantly working on her.

After so long, the originally spoiled and willful Princess Lingyin vanished, replaced by the clingy and affectionate Consort Yinn.

After all, as the saying goes, there is only one path to a woman’s heart, and that is…

As for Xu Xuanwu, she had long forgotten about him.

After Zheng Yi’s Fire Attribute Spirit Root also reached the middle grade, and he could no longer absorb the Spirit Root’s attributes from Princess Lingyin, he immediately transferred a strand of Innate Pure Yang Qi into her body, helping her get pregnant.

From then on,

Zheng Yi had nine sons.

Two had been born, and seven were awaiting birth.

Consort Lan, Yue Chan, Noble Consort Cui, Consort Yu, Consort Jie, Consort Yuu, and now Consort Yinn.

Just one more, and he could open the second of the Three Thousand Worlds.

Should he randomly choose an Ordinary Consort to have another son?

Zheng Yi thought for a moment but shook his head and refused.

He had a premonition that the next Three Thousand Worlds and whether the next boy born would possess a Spirit Root were greatly related.

The more of these eight boys who bore Spirit Roots, the more intense the Spiritual Qi would be in the second activated Three Thousand Worlds.

Conversely, if they were all ordinary children, the second Three Thousand Worlds would be quite ordinary.

After much deliberation, he decided to target the nearly adult girls in Youwei Palace.

Over the past six months, Consort Yu’s continuous practice had significantly improved the success rate of the Spirit Testing Talismans.

Now, she had drawn more than fifty Spirit Testing Talismans, enough to test these girls.

However, Zheng Yi did not plan to use the Spirit Testing Talismans on them.

All these Spirit Testing Talismans drawn by Consort Yu were intended for use by his loyal Shadow Guards, Imperial Guards, or Emperor Faction members.

Once someone with a Spirit Root was detected, they would be rigorously cultivated.

The remaining Spirit Testing Talismans were to be used to test his remaining five daughters.

Zheng Yi’s first five daughters had all been tested for Spirit Roots, and only two bore them.

They were Zheng Yuyao and Zheng Yuhuan, while the other five daughters had not been tested yet.

These daughters were almost five years old, and Zheng Yi planned to wait until the Tenth Princess Zheng Yuxiao turned five before testing them all together.

He wondered which of the latter five daughters would possess a Spirit Root?

Precious Spirit Testing Talismans should not be wasted carelessly.

Currently, Zheng Yuyao and Zheng Yuhuan had already begun to learn cultivation techniques under Noble Consort Cui’s guidance.

Without the two daughters, the palace was much less lively.

Fortunately, he still had eight daughters.

As for how to test the fifty or so girls in Youwei Palace for Spirit Roots, it was simple.

By sleeping with them, of course.

Naturally, Zheng Yi was not a heartless person. He gave each girl three days of companionship.

Starting with the first girl, chosen randomly.

Under his instruction, the Imperial Household Department brought up the identity cards of the fifty-eight girls from Youwei Palace.

He casually flipped through them and picked a girl named ‘Zhang Yiting’.

That night, Zhang Yiting was bathed and sent to Baiyu City.

Zhang Yiting was very pretty, her black hair like a waterfall, and her long legs especially captivated Zheng Yi.

In her shy presence, Zheng Yi received only the prompt “Lifespan +17”.

He wasn’t disheartened, lovingly holding her as they drifted into sleep.

Three days later, the second girl, named ‘Liang Qiaoyun,’ was chosen.

Lifespan once again increased by 18.

Subsequently, one girl after another was brought into Baiyu City, each typically staying only three days, with few managing to stay even four or five days.

This approach eventually made its way to the Imperial Court.

“What is His Majesty doing? Having already emerged from seclusion, he should attend court to manage state affairs. Why is he indulging in newcomers every day?”

“Indeed, the world is in chaos now. Although Grand General Xu is suppressing the situation, the disorder cannot last long.”

“Your Majesty! I must present a petition…”

For a time, numerous memorials from courtiers, especially those from Imperial Censors, snowed into the Cabinet. Unfortunately, none reached Zheng Yi’s desk.

During today’s Great Court,

three ministers were beaten severely, bloodied, lying beneath the grand hall, their breathing erratic.

The entire hall was as silent as a tomb, with no one daring to speak.

Before the Dragon Throne, Liu Cheng’en coldly said, “His Majesty has labored for great achievements. Now he is in seclusion, and I have said repeatedly not to disturb His Majesty, yet you do not listen!”

“Not only did you petition the Cabinet, but you also sought ways to intrude into the Imperial Palace. What are you planning? Rebellion!!!”

The empty great hall only echoed with Liu Cheng’en’s voice.

His hoarse voice was extremely grating.

“Huff, huff…”

Imperial Censor Han Yang struggled to stand and said, “Mongrel eunuchs! You are mere servants, yet you dare obstruct us from meeting His Majesty. What is your true intent?”

“If you dare, kill this old man in court today; otherwise, I will impeach you again!”

“Your Majesty…!”

“Please, come out and see for yourself. The Eunuch Faction dominates the Imperial Court, framing loyal ministers. You must wake up!”

“Hmm?”

Inside the grand hall, Liu Cheng’en frowned and said, “How dare you slander Your Majesty? Do you really think I wouldn’t dare to beat you to death?”

“Guards…”

“Eunuch Liu!”

Suddenly, a voice rang out, interrupting him.

Liu Cheng’en’s eyes twitched, filled with apprehension.

Below the grand hall, Wang Anshi slowly emerged and spoke, “Lord Han is loyal to the people and also works for the Great Yu Court. I hope Eunuch can show mercy and forgive Lord Han this time.”

Liu Cheng’en suddenly smiled and said, “Since Lord Wang is pleading for Lord Han, I shall oblige.”

“However, Lord Wang, His Majesty does indeed have important matters at hand, and I hope the Cabinet officials can manage the officials well and not disturb His Majesty.”

“Otherwise, if His Majesty blames us, there’s nothing I can do to appeal to mercy for all the ministers~”

Wang Anshi frowned and said, “Eunuch Liu, I have important matters to discuss with His Majesty. Can you convey this message?”

Liu Cheng’en laughed and said, “Lord Wang, please don’t make it difficult for me.”

“His Majesty is currently in seclusion in Baiyu City, and all court affairs are to be deliberated and concluded by the Cabinet and the Ritual Department. Have you forgotten the Holy Decree from His Majesty?”

“Since there’s nothing more, let us adjourn the court~”

At this command, numerous eunuchs and palace maids retreated, and many officials turned away in helplessness.

“Alas, the court is silenced again, what is His Majesty thinking?”

“His Majesty hasn’t held court for almost a year!”

“At this rate, the nation will fall into ruin…”

“Lord Han and the others are just unfortunate. They merely advised His Majesty and sought to meet him in Baiyu City, yet were beaten like this by the Eunuch Faction!”

“Sigh… Quick, help Lord Han back to his residence…”

“Lord Wang.”

“Lord Zheng.”

“Lord Lu…”

At this moment, several individuals paid respects as a few Cabinet members approached.

Wang Anshi, Lu Xiangqing, Zheng Xuanyue.

The three nodded to their colleagues, whispering among themselves.

“What exactly is His Majesty doing? It’s been almost a year without attending court.”

“I’ve heard people say His Majesty seems to be cultivating immortality?”

“Cultivating immortality? Nonsense! Where are the gods and immortals in this world? The wise do not speak of strange and supernatural things!”

“Alas… I’ve heard that His Majesty obtained a Cultivation Technique from the Grand Ancestor’s Mausoleum, and now he’s cultivating in Baiyu City with several consorts!”

“The Eunuch Faction has grown strong, creating chaos within the court, while our army fights outside. What can we do…”

The three were worried, especially Wang Anshi and Lu Xiangqing.

Instead, Zheng Xuanyue counseled, “There’s no need to worry. Before His Majesty secluded himself, he decreed that we should manage and decide state affairs.”

“For such a long time, the court operates normally, and officials perform their duties without incident. Why worry?”

Wang Anshi frowned and said, “Lord Zheng, you are mistaken.”

“With our army fighting outside, we must stabilize the court to ensure success on the front line.”

“General Xu has reclaimed Bingzhou, General Cui Xiawu has reclaimed Shuzhou, General Meng Guang has reclaimed most of Jinggzhou, General Guanshan has reclaimed Yunzhou and much of Yuezhou. Officials must be appointed to manage these areas.”

“Such political affairs must be decided by His Majesty, but he is absent from court. How can these officials be appointed?”

“With so many positions at stake, countless people seek audience with Liu Cheng’en, and the threshold of that eunuch has nearly been worn out!”

Zheng Xuanyue’s eyes glimmered slightly, saying, “Lord Wang, we have authority over official appointments as well. In old man’s view, we must work together to bring peace to the realm!”

“Alas, it seems we have no choice.”

Wang Anshi suddenly said, “Lord Lu, can you seek an audience with His Majesty through the Empress?”

Lu Xiangqing was silent for a few moments before saying, “I shall try.”

“Thank you, Lord Lu!”

In the Imperial Palace.

Liu Cheng’en walked slowly, and a little eunuch quickly approached.

“Godfather, after today, many courtiers have become much more behaved. Hehehe, even those few within…”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Liu Cheng’en frowned and said, “We are all working for His Majesty. If these ministers do their jobs obediently, I wouldn’t have so much trouble!”

“Godfather is right. Oh, Godfather, several officials have presented their cards today, saying they have important matters to discuss, and they’ve sent many gifts.”

“Oh?”

Liu Cheng’en’s eyes flickered with interest, and he smiled, “Who are they?”

“There’s…”

“Godfather! Godfather~”

Suddenly, a little eunuch ran over quickly and said urgently, “His Majesty summoned you.”

“Oh? His Majesty called for me? Quickly, over there…”

They hurried towards Baiyu City and soon arrived there.

“Your Majesty~”

Upon entering the grand hall, they saw Zheng Yi standing beside a young girl in pink attire, charming and beautiful, a refreshing and stunning young beauty.

Liu Cheng’en quickly recalled.

This girl was the Beauty sent to Zheng Yi’s Dragon Bed last night by the Imperial Household Department, named… Yang Liuqing?

Zheng Yi held Yang Liuqing’s small hand and said, “Liu Cheng’en, announce the decree.”

Liu Cheng’en promptly bowed and said, “Your Majesty, please speak.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep