Imperial Cultivation

33: Chapter 31 Beginning

33 -31 Beginning

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When he returned to the mansion at night, the moon was already at its zenith.

The streets and alleys of Yujing City were still bustling, even livelier than during the day, especially with the laughter and chatter from the taverns carrying far.

Amid the entourage of guards, Chu Zhiyuan strolled leisurely, shaking his head.

Do these people not sleep?

Why is it busier at night than during the day?

Is it because martial artists have abundant energy, leading to this?

But martial artists also need rest and training.

He truly couldn’t comprehend the lifestyle of these people.

Suddenly, in the crowd, he saw Huang Shiron surrounded by two girls in white garments.

Huang Shiron remained serene and aloof, still possessing unmatched beauty.

Clad in a pale yellow gauze gown, she swayed elegantly, like a tender willow in the wind, yet the longsword at her waist made anyone watching afraid it would break her slender waist.

She saw Chu Zhiyuan from a distance and suddenly quickened her pace, weaving lightly through the crowd to approach him.

Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand.

Guo Chi sensibly stepped back, making way.

Huang Shiron, with a faint fragrance, approached Chu Zhiyuan and cupped her fists with a charming smile, “Heir Apparent.”

“I hope Master Huang has been well.” Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

Huang Shiron smiled, “What brings the Heir Apparent such good spirits?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, “I set up a house near Mingyue Tower, occasionally go there for a change of mood.”

Huang Shiron gently nodded.

Under normal circumstances, the luxurious and grand Prince Mansion is enough to live in for a lifetime, with no desire to buy another house.

But the Fourth Prince is different, having been imprisoned in the Prince Mansion for twenty years, it’s possible he feels an underlying aversion and fear toward it.

This Fourth Prince is also quite pitiful, with inner turmoil that might take a lifetime to heal.

Chu Zhiyuan said, “Have you figured out why it’s so lively?”

Huang Shiron frowned gently, “Recently, more and more experts are flooding in, saying they are here to watch the spectacle.”

“What spectacle?”

“The Da Zhen Mission is entering the capital, they’re here to see the people of Da Zhen.”

Chu Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow, “They’re here for revenge, right?”

Huang Shiron nodded slightly, her expression heavy.

They say they’re here to see the people of Da Zhen, but evidently, they are eagerly scheming to retaliate against Da Zhen.

Da Zhen and Da Jing once had a honeymoon period, but during the recent reigns of two emperors, they have almost always been at war.

Da Zhen and Da Meng secretly allied, collaborating seamlessly to deal with Da Jing, causing Da Jing significant loss.

This time, Da Zhen wishes to form an alliance through marriage with Da Jing, and many oppose it.

Those who lost loved ones in the Da Zhen and Da Jing wars harbor deep hatred and cannot allow Da Jing to spare Da Zhen.

Despite that aligning with Da Zhen is more beneficial in countering Da Meng.

But ordinary people care not for long-term benefits, only desiring revenge and retribution.

This has placed immense pressure and burden on the Military Suppression Department and City Patrol, any misstep could lead to major trouble.

If something were to happen to the Da Zhen Mission, it would surely affect the alliance between the two countries, a responsibility none in the Military Suppression Department can bear.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, “The thought of it alone is headaches.”

Huang Shiron sighed lightly.

Chu Zhiyuan said with a smile, “However, Director Jiang is not an ordinary person, and Master Huang, you are shrewd and astute, this won’t trouble you both.”

“I hope for the Heir Apparent’s good wishes,” Huang Shiron smiled wryly.

Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fists, recognizing Huang Shiron as she took her leave.

When he returned to the Prince Mansion, the entire Prince Qing Mansion had already quieted down, only guards were patrolling.

The Prince Qing Mansion Street was as bright as day.

On both sides of the street, rows of intricately carved lanterns inscribed with the character “Qing” gathered to illuminate the entire street, causing the newly painted gates and gold nails to glisten brightly.

Chu Zhiyuan entered the mansion gate, returned to his courtyard, and waved to send the four girls dozing off at the table, including Mo Yi, back to their quarters.

Just then, Zou Fang came in to say that Liang Guanjie had been waiting all night, insisting on waiting for the Heir Apparent to return.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

A moment later, Liang Guanjie lifted the drapery and entered the study, cupping his fists in salute.

Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand, “The hour is late, let’s be brief, how is it?”

The Maitreya Buddha-like smile on Liang Guanjie’s face vanished, his expression turned serious, and he whispered, “Heir Apparent, it’s been found out, the guards of King Jing Mansion are jointly handled by the City Patrol and the Military Suppression Department, with the Inspection Department also involved.

There is a Grandmaster in each direction within the mansion, and I suspect there is even a Great Grandmaster present.

No one within the mansion is allowed to leave, all purchases are handled by the Sect Martial Department and then handed over to dedicated Forbidden Palace guards, then to internal supervisors.”

Chu Zhiyuan frowned, “Still so strict?”

After thirty years, why is the confinement of King Jing Mansion still so stringent?

If one is truly dissatisfied with the Second Prince, even after thirty years the anger should have dissipated, ignoring them would make more sense.

Remaining so tightly controlled is indeed unusual.

Liang Guanjie solemnly said, “I also found out that these guards are replaced every year, never repeated.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded slowly, his gaze flickering.

Liang Guanjie said, “I suspect there might be a Great Grandmaster, so I did not dare venture deeper, and couldn’t uncover more.”

Chu Zhiyuan slowly asked, “Were you able to see my Second Uncle?”

Liang Guanjie nodded, “I took a distant peek, King Jing seemed in good spirits.”

Chu Zhiyuan asked, “What about the others?”

Liang Guanjie said, “Three years ago, King Jing’s Princess passed away, leaving only a Commandery Princess, about the same age as the Commandery Princess.”

Chu Zhiyuan frowned, “Anyone else?”

“King Jing has no concubines or mistresses, and now it seems the large mansion is only occupied by King Jing and the Commandery Princess.”

“What about the servants in the mansion?”

“Far less than our Prince Mansion,” Liang Guanjie shook his head, “Their spirit is slack, they’re all lazy and negligent.”

Chu Zhiyuan remained silent.

Liang Guanjie softly said, “Heir Apparent, should we send a message to King Jing?”

“Let’s wait a little longer, you should withdraw first…

Were you discovered?”

“Rest assured, Heir Apparent, it’s impossible for them to discover us.”

“Get Steward Feng to provide some silver and Spirit Pills, go into seclusion at the manor outside the city for half a month and then return.”

“Understood.”

Liang Guanjie cupped his fists and withdrew from the study.

Chu Zhiyuan paced with his hands behind his back, shaking his head.

Though Father greatly wished to visit King Jing, it seems for now the situation is too abnormal to visit, to avoid drawing trouble to oneself.

If visits are necessary, he must wait until he becomes a Grandmaster.

Thirty years have passed, a year or two more won’t matter.

——

The next morning, at dawn, he went to Mingwu Hall to practice with Chu Mingxuan, Chu Zhichuan, and Chu Zhitian.

He assumed the Purple Sun Stance, while they practiced the Small Purple Sun Technique, he practiced the Great Purple Sun Technique.

The True Qi of the Great Purple Sun Technique possessed many wonders.

It is supremely Yang and firm, extremely pure, and presents a unique burning effect upon entering the opponent’s meridians, even those one or two levels higher find it difficult to dispel.

Moreover, the Great Purple Sun Technique promotes health, extending longevity when in the same realm, and is a miracle technique directly reaching the Great Grandmaster level.

Ordinary mental methods may harm the foundation during practice, causing damage to spirit, undermining deep enough progress needed to become a Great Grandmaster.

This is one of the reasons why Great Grandmasters are so rare in the world.

During practice intervals, he exchanged casual talk with the princes and other heirs.

He spoke of his experiences at the Ministry of Rites, while they shared tales they heard from their parents, engaging in lively discussions.

After the sun rose higher, he bid farewell to everyone and went to the Ministry of Rites for attendance.

He stayed at Tongtian Pavilion until noon, then returned to Prince Qing Mansion, where the family dined together for lunch.

During lunch, Chu Zhiyuan noticed Bai Ningshuang smiling broadly, so he curiously inquired about the reason.

“In a few days, it will be Prince Xuan’s birthday, and he has invited me to attend the birthday banquet, Yuan’er, you should accompany us then.”

“Fourth Uncle?” Chu Zhiyuan smiled, “Congratulations, Mother Consort.”

Although due to his exceptional performance in the winter hunt and stepping into the Innate realm, joining the Ministry of Rites, marriage proposals started coming in.

Upon entering the palace, the attitude of the princesses changed as well.

However, this was the first time an invitation had been extended by a prince.

This signals a major indication, signifying a new beginning, the first step for Prince Qing Mansion to integrate into the Imperial Family.

“It’s because Yuan’er made us proud!” Bai Ningshuang smiled broadly, “Otherwise, they’d still pretend not to know me!”

She turned a beaming smile towards Chu Zhiyuan, “Yuan’er, you should accompany me.”

Chu Zhiyuan hurriedly waved his hand, saying he was busy.

He truly was busy with training, not satisfied with his current progress, he wanted to advance faster.

Bai Ningshuang glared at him in displeasure.

Chu Minghou persuaded her with a few words, telling her not to delay Chu Zhiyuan’s important work, as their son was now not an idle person, working at the Ministry of Rites.

“Duke An Mansion should also be invited, perhaps that Commandery Princess Xiao as well, Yuan’er, don’t you want to meet her?”

Chu Zhiyuan decisively shook his head.

At present, he had no time to be distracted by these matters, only keen on training.

Bai Ningshuang snorted dissatisfiedly, “Fine, I will go with Yi’er.”

Chu Yi immediately frowned, looking at her with a pitiful expression.

Bai Ningshuang, however, was unswayed, snorting, “Stop staying in the yard all day fiddling with flowers and plants, come with me to meet people!”

“Mom——!”

“No more nonsense, it’s settled then!”

Chu Zhiyuan ignored the pleading look Chu Yi cast his way, keeping his head down and eating.

Today, he needed to visit the Auditing Department, personally hasten the progress while exchanging his Ninth Grade merit for a small Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill.

“Also, I’ve had your grandmother find a palace female official to teach you etiquette over the next few days.”

Chu Yi retorted defiantly, “Mom, I don’t need to learn anymore.”

“You’ve learned haphazardly, if something goes wrong, it would be a disgrace, humiliating your name.”

“Mom——!” She turned, pleadingly looking at Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan pretended not to notice, putting down his bowl and saying “I’m full,” before leaving, Chu Yi’s complaining calls unable to stop his departure.