Chu Zhiyuan slowed his pace.
This young man's cultivation was shallow, not even at the Xiantian stage. This was normal for his age group, not a martial arts prodigy.
The young man had handsome features, surpassing the average person, and a slender figure. Several places on his chest and shoulders were oozing blood, making his face as pale as paper.
Judging by his rapid breathing, his injuries were clearly severe.
He had narrowly escaped death.
With such a low level of cultivation, barging into that underground chamber without knowing the mechanisms was tantamount to courting death. His survival was extremely lucky.
It was also possible that the mechanisms had deteriorated and weakened due to the passage of time.
With his shallow cultivation, Chu Zhiyuan could see the flow of his inner energy at a glance without even physical contact.
He was using the True One Sect's martial arts techniques.
This was a disciple of the True One Sect.
A disciple of the True One Sect knowing about that underground chamber… could he be Bai Jingmang's disciple?
He turned his head and said, "Old Gao, there's a young man inside. Investigate his background, but don't alarm him."
"Yes," Gao Jiong hurriedly said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. Leave it to me!"
Chu Zhiyuan knew they were eager to do something. Assigning them tasks not only didn't make them feel burdened but made them happy.
Relationships between people were extremely complex. Being a Grandmaster wasn't enough for the Wangfu's servants and guards to quickly accept and become close to him. He needed to establish more connections.
The quickest way was to work together.
This could accelerate their integration into the Wangfu.
Chu Zhiyuan quickened his pace, turned into a small alley, and entered the bustling crowd. He met Huang Shirong and the other two women on the west side of Phoenix Avenue.
Huang Shirong was still wearing a yellow robe, her slender waist accentuated by a sword. She swayed like a willow, graceful and charming. The two women beside her were dressed in white like snow, beautiful and captivating, easily attracting the attention of the surrounding crowd.
Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fist at her from the crowd, and Huang Shirong also smiled and returned the gesture.
They exchanged a smile without stopping to greet each other.
The moon was like a jade plate.
Qing Wangfu's main street was wide, clean, and orderly.
Carved lanterns with the character "Qing" were hung high, string after string, illuminating the area as bright as day.
Guards patrolled in shifts, full of energy and spirit.
As soon as Chu Zhiyuan stepped into the Wangfu's gate, Feng Xi greeted him with a smile, "Your Highness, the Wangfei is waiting in the back."
"How long has Mother Consort been back?" Chu Zhiyuan asked.
Feng Xi replied, "More than two hours."
"She must be getting impatient," Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile.
Feng Xi nodded with a smile.
The Wangfei was an impatient person, decisive and efficient. In the waterside pavilion, she played chess and plucked the zither, restless, constantly asking if Chu Zhiyuan had returned.
Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand and quickened his pace.
Guo Chi and the other three dispersed, and Feng Xi also went to attend to his own matters. Only Zou Fang followed him to the back garden.
They arrived at the lake.
The small pavilion and waterside pavilion on the lake were brightly lit, illuminating the entire lake surface.
In a brightly lit pavilion, Bai Ningshuang was listlessly feeding the fish, occasionally absentmindedly spilling a handful of fish food, causing the fish below to surge, creating ripples and disturbances.
Seeing him arrive, Bai Ningshuang perked up, waved her hand, handed the fish food to the girl beside her, and sat on the Arhat bed in the pavilion.
"Mother, how is Grandmother?"
"It really was poisoning!" Bai Ningshuang snorted. "After taking the antidote pill, she was immediately better!"
"That's good."
After all, having not seen the specific situation there, he didn't have complete confidence whether it was as he had expected. Now it seemed that his judgment was correct.
Bai Ningshuang said, "Niangniang went directly to see the Emperor."
Chu Zhiyuan paused.
Bai Ningshuang said, "The Emperor immediately threw Consort Zhen into the Cold Palace!"
"So quickly?" Chu Zhiyuan was puzzled.
Upon hearing this information, the Emperor would definitely be furious.
In his fury, the first step would naturally be to investigate who administered the poison and what their motives were, and then pursue responsibility.
But if he knew, he wouldn't have waited until now to throw her into the Cold Palace, right?
Or did Consort Zhen have a previous record, having done such a thing before, having administered such poison?
But no matter what, he should investigate clearly before taking action, right?
What if someone framed her, what if she was wronged? Consort Zhen couldn't escape from the palace, so why rush to take action?
His imperial grandfather was an enlightened ruler, he wouldn't be unaware of this simple logic, yet he resolutely threw Consort Zhen into the Cold Palace.
In his eyes, this matter was instantly shrouded in a layer of mist.
The affairs of the inner palace were unpredictable, and it was really too difficult for outsiders to understand.
The inner palace was even more competitive. None of those concubines with well-known names were kind-hearted, otherwise they wouldn't have had the opportunity to rise, including Consort Rou.
"What is the background of this Consort Zhen?"
"It is said that Consort Zhen came from the martial world, a chivalrous woman."
"Then she must be exceptionally beautiful and have powerful means," Chu Zhiyuan said.
If it were the previous dynasty, women from noble families were the only ones qualified to enter the palace. The Great Jing Dynasty's harem didn't have high thresholds, but the standards were high.
The scope of selecting concubines included daughters of meritorious officials, daughters of officials, chivalrous women from martial arts sects, and even phoenixes from the common people.
Although the Emperor said he treated everyone equally, how could he truly achieve equality?
Considering the faces of monks and Buddhas, the daughters of trusted confidants or meritorious officials would be given some consideration by the Emperor.
It was difficult for chivalrous women from martial arts sects to rise to prominence.
This Consort Zhen must be extremely beautiful and have powerful skills.
"She is indeed naturally beautiful," Bai Ningshuang nodded in agreement. "Even I feel ashamed of my inferiority when I see her."
Chu Zhiyuan raised his sword-like eyebrows.
Bai Ningshuang snorted, "Such beauty, yet she acts so viciously!"
Chu Zhiyuan said, "Which sect in the martial world does Consort Zhen come from?"
Bai Ningshuang said, "It should be some mysterious sect, at least not one of the Four Great Sects."
If it were one of the Four Great Sects, everyone would have known about it long ago.
"Not even one of the former Four Great Sects?"
"---I don't know about that," Bai Ningshuang shook her head. "Niangniang didn't say, only said to let me ask less about this---could it be Inviting Moon Palace?" Chu Zhiyuan said.
Consort Rou told him to ask less about it, it was very likely one of the Four Great Demonic Sects.
Bai Ningshuang said, "The one from Inviting Moon Palace is sitting in the West Palace."
Chu Zhiyuan was even more surprised.
He really didn't know that the current Empress of the West Palace was actually from Inviting Moon Palace.
All along, it was the Empress of the East Palace who came forward and showed her face. The one who appeared beside Chu Qingquan at the imperial palace banquet that night was also the Empress of the East Palace.
It was said that the Empress of the West Palace was in poor health and rarely saw outsiders. She had always been self-sufficient in the imperial palace and had very little interaction.
Therefore, many people didn't know the Empress of the West Palace, let alone seen her.
Chu Zhiyuan had even less opportunity to see her.
"Niangniang reported directly to the Emperor and specifically mentioned you," Bai Ningshuang said with a smile. "Just wait, there will definitely be a reward."
Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile, "What reward will there be?"
"Niangniang estimates it will be a Grade Seven Merit."
"Grade Seven---not bad," Chu Zhiyuan nodded.
His constant exploitation of the Emperor's generosity had led to one consequence: his standards had been raised, and he wasn't as happy about Grade Nine Merits anymore.
Grade Eight Merits were passable, Grade Seven Merits were okay, Grade Six was good, and Grade Five was not bad.
Grade Seven Merits couldn't give him a sense of surprise.
Bai Ningshuang said, "The Emperor knows that you are meticulous and a martial arts genius. In the future, when you reach the Grandmaster realm, you will be able to get a good position."
Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile, "Niangniang has put in a lot of effort, and you have worked hard too, Mother."
Grandmasters could once again choose their positions.
His mother, Bai Ningshuang, hadn't thought so far ahead. Her focus was on his food, clothing, housing, and marriage.
Consort Rou was concerned about his future.
His mother also knew that her vision was lacking. Having been confined for thirty years, she was somewhat unfamiliar with the outside world and didn't dare to interfere with his decisions.
"It's nothing for me to work a little harder," Bai Ningshuang heard this and glared at him. "You should go see Ruoling. Don't disappear after getting engaged. You should visit her more often. You are indifferent to the number one beauty of Jade Capital!"
Chu Zhiyuan hurriedly agreed to avoid her nagging and got up and said, "It's getting late, I have to go back to practice my skills. You should rest early too, Mother."
"
Bai Ningshuang was still full of enthusiasm and wanted to talk more about the changes in the palace.
Consort Zhen's entry into the Cold Palace had a huge impact.
The entire inner palace was stirred up, with undercurrents surging, and each palace and courtyard had their own actions, which was very lively.
She found it too interesting and wished she could go there every day to watch the excitement.
Chu Zhiyuan didn't pay much attention to the palace. No matter how the situation in the palace changed, it wouldn't have much impact on Qing Wangfu.
It also had no impact on him.
