Chapter 75: She Can’t Possibly Break Through the Sky, Can She?
It was the height of summer, and the Imperial Garden of the Imperial Palace was bathed in bright sunlight, with myriad flowers in full bloom. This was all thanks to the vast population of the Imperial Capital and its abundant Yang Energy.
At this moment, two women, still graceful despite their age, were strolling along a shaded path, admiring the flowers. One was the current Empress Zheng. She was dressed in opulent and luxurious attire, with elegant and dignified manners. In terms of appearance, she indeed possessed an aura befitting the empress of a nation.
The other woman was of similar age to her, but her attire was much simpler and more refined. She wore a white dress paired with white canvas shoes, walking with a light and quick step. Her demeanor was unconventional, making her seem less like a woman of the harem and more like a wandering swordswoman. Yet, even so, her stunning beauty surpassed that of Empress Zheng by a fraction. This woman was Consort Jin, the most beautiful among the current concubines in the harem. Even though she was well into her forties, no one had been able to usurp her title of beauty.
Of course, compared to her looks, what made her even more enviable was having a good daughter: the Sixth Princess Lin Ran. At only twenty-six years old, she had entered the Huashen Realm two years prior and was the top Immortal Seed of the Broken Cloud Peak, the second largest sect in the Xihui Dynasty’s Cultivation World. At the previous Evergreen Convention, she had secured the second position.
“Sister, have you heard? His Majesty recently selected an Imperial Concubine.” Empress Zheng suddenly spoke.
“I’ve heard. In fact, His Majesty told me personally.” Consort Jin’s smile remained unchanged, appearing utterly detached from worldly affairs.
“What did His Majesty say to you?” Empress Zheng inquired curiously.
“Nothing much, just that he treats that Imperial Concubine purely as a tool for lineage, and that his heart belongs to me, and so on,” Consort Jin replied casually, dismissing the matter.
Empress Zheng was taken aback for a moment, then a self-deprecating smile appeared on her face. “His Majesty told me the same thing. Do you believe it, Sister?”
“What if I believe it, and what if I don’t? Who he chooses as an Imperial Concubine, how many he chooses, that is His Majesty’s prerogative. We concubines have no right to interfere.” Consort Jin’s expression remained as serene as ever.
Empress Zheng paused, as if wanting to say more. Then, she gestured to a few eunuchs and maids, “You all wait here.”
After walking a bit further, Empress Zheng spoke again, “Sister, forgive me for speaking frankly, but His Majesty choosing a clone of a cultivator as an Imperial Concubine is a sign of distrust towards you and your niece Ran’er.”
“Sister, why do you say that?” Consort Jin’s delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.
“It’s widely known that Ran’er is the current top Immortal Seed of Broken Cloud Peak. With her abilities, she might become the Xihui Dynasty’s first empress in the future, ensuring everlasting peace for this nation. Yet, His Majesty is still seeking a clone of a cultivator as an Imperial Concubine. Isn’t that a sign of not trusting you?” Empress Zheng reminded her with feigned concern. Her words were exceedingly malicious, aiming to sow discord and test Consort Jin’s reaction.
“Sister, you jest. The current Crown Prince of the Xihui Dynasty is your precious son. How could Ran’er be an empress? She is devoted to cultivation and has no interest in state affairs, so you can rest assured, we are not competitors.” Consort Jin shook her head and smiled, directly addressing the issue. Wu I Qi Ba Zhang Ling – Qi Liu Yi
“But that Imperial Concubine is your competitor.” Empress Zheng’s expression turned serious as she reminded her, “Sister, don’t forget that cultivation requires resources. The stronger one is, the more resources are needed. Ran’er’s current achievements, besides her astonishing innate talent, also benefited from His Majesty’s support. However, if that Imperial Concubine enters the palace, it will be different. Her main body entered the Huashen Realm at sixteen, indicating her extraordinary bloodline. If she were to bear offspring in the future, who do you think His Majesty would favor?”
Upon hearing this, Consort Jin’s expression finally turned solemn.
“I’ve said all I can. Sister, please think carefully.” Empress Zheng’s lips curved slightly.
“I understand what Sister means, but the main body of that Imperial Concubine is, after all, a Huashen Realm expert…” Consort Jin spoke hesitantly, a look of indecision on her face.
“It’s alright. She has been poisoned with Xieqisan and cannot recover her cultivation for a while,” Empress Zheng kindly reminded her.
“Sister has investigated quite thoroughly,” Consort Jin’s face showed a hint of mockery. “Sister is so concerned, it’s probably because you fear your own position is threatened, right? After all, most Imperial Concubines appointed by His Majesty eventually become Empress. You’re not worried, so why should I be?”
“Sister, you’re joking. How could I not be worried? If you’re interested, we can cooperate.” Empress Zheng offered her sincerity.
…
Meanwhile, at the Immortal Alliance’s sub-branch in the Imperial Capital, the situation was also far from calm. A notice from Qi Huang had cornered them with no room to retreat.
Elder Zuo sensed the gravity of the situation and immediately convened a meeting with his subordinates, including Steward Cai, to discuss the matter.
“Everyone has likely heard about the recent events concerning Qi Huang, right?” Elder Zuo inquired.
“This Lin Tu is clearly trying to exploit loopholes by insisting that a clone is an independent individual, aiming to siphon the Immortal Alliance’s resources to strengthen the royal family’s power. Therefore, we must intervene and stop him.” A dark-skinned steward expressed his stance.
“Yes, if we stand by and do nothing, what will become of the Immortal Alliance’s reputation?” another short and plump steward echoed.
“Stop him? Why stop him? He only wants a clone, and it’s a clone that isn’t considered a cultivator. If we intervene, we’ll offend the sovereign of a nation, which would be more loss than gain!” Steward Cai immediately objected.
“Steward Cai is right. Qi Huang was poisoned with Xieqisan, losing her True Qi. She can’t be considered a cultivator. Even if we don’t intervene, it’s not a disgrace,” another tall and thin steward concurred.
Thus, the four stewards were divided into two clear factions, with neither side able to persuade the other.
“Everyone, I met with Lin Tu a few days ago and clearly stated my firm stance on defending the Immortal Alliance’s dignity. He also promised that if we don’t interfere, he would provide certain benefits to the Immortal Alliance. If that’s the case, it wouldn’t hurt to give him some face.” Elder Zuo interjected.
Upon hearing this, the two stewards who advocated for intervention fell silent.
“But the problem is that Qi Huang is causing trouble now! She released a notice claiming she has recovered her True Qi. If we let this be, and she enters the palace, the Immortal Alliance’s authority will surely suffer a severe blow.” Elder Zuo said with a grave expression.
“That’s impossible. Her cultivation is only at the Juling Realm. If she was truly poisoned with Xieqisan, how could she recover so quickly?” Steward Cai stated with great certainty, as this matter had been personally confirmed by Elder Zhou.
“That’s true. There are only two ways to detoxify so quickly: first, reach the Huashen Realm and expel it by cultivating a clone; second, reach the Shentong Realm and transfer it through an existing clone. But for her? She was originally a clone. Even if her cultivation was sufficient, she couldn’t achieve either of these. So she must be lying. I just don’t know what her intentions are.” Elder Zuo fell into thought.
“Master, I believe she is deliberately trying to harm our Immortal Alliance,” Steward Cai offered his opinion.
“What do you mean?” Elder Zuo inquired curiously.
“Previously, the HongHua Sect asked for my help with some trivial matters, but I was too busy to rush over in time. Qi Huang must harbor resentment because of this. So, by deliberately claiming her True Qi has recovered, she intends to thoroughly disgrace our Immortal Alliance once she enters the palace.” Steward Cai speculated with malicious intent. He did this because…
“Something like that actually happened?” Elder Zuo was astonished. After a moment, he narrowed his eyes, “A mere clone dares to cause trouble for our Immortal Alliance? Who gave her the courage?”
“Who? It must be Cheng Hong Ling! As the main body, she cannot shirk her responsibility.”
“Cheng Hong Ling is too young. Having some talent makes her arrogant, which is understandable.”
“As a cultivator, protected by the Immortal Alliance, it’s bad enough she doesn’t show gratitude, but she’s actually repaying kindness with enmity? She’s simply ungrateful. What’s the use of having great talent?”
…
Several stewards rebuked her indignantly. Steward Cai subtly curved his lips. His ulterior motive in slandering Qi Huang and Cheng Hong Ling was clear: with the Evergreen Convention approaching, he needed a reason to alter the rules again.
“Yes, but the problem is that the people of Yongning Prefecture are neither outstanding nor resourceful. There is no one with talent comparable to Cheng Hong Ling. In the next Evergreen Convention, she will undoubtedly achieve good results again. We can only raise a tiger as a potential threat,” Steward Cai said with feigned regret. Liu]0 Er Er 3 Si VIII `Ba Si +
“Is it that easy? No matter how fast a tree grows, can it break through the sky?” Elder Zuo chuckled dismissively, a cold glint in his eyes. “The tallest tree in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. I will let her grow only as high as I wish, not an inch more.”
