Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 373: Chapter 370 Cancellation

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Chu Zhiyuan also left the Bright Moon Tower.

He was surrounded by Guo Chi and the others, walking amidst the bustling crowd.

A bright moon hung overhead.

Countless lanterns hung high in the sky of Yujing City, making the streets and alleys bustling and lively, surpassing daylight.

Chu Zhiyuan walked with his hands behind his back, deep in thought.

With a mix of firmness and grace, Li Hongzhao finally agreed.

He then thought of the Linglong Bookstore and shook his head.

The Linglong Bookstore couldn’t be touched; even knowing it’s a den of spies, it couldn’t be moved.

The Inspection Department has always been watching it, and there are quite a few spies from the department inside.

Many false messages of Da Jing are spread from there.

Da Meng hasn’t had a new Secret Land for the time being, which is considered good news.

Li Hongzhao said that the Eighteenth Princess is not as soft as she appears on the surface.

Others might not believe this and assume it’s an attempt to sow discord, unwilling for this marriage to proceed.

But I believe it.

Li Hongzhao is not wrong in saying this.

This Eighteenth Princess is indeed deeply hidden, much like Xiao Ruoling was back then.

I am really fortunate that every woman I encounter is like this.

As he walked among the crowd, he caught sight of Huang Shiron and the other two from afar, simply clasped his fists, smiled, but didn’t stop to talk.

When he returned to the Prince Mansion, dinner had already ended.

——

The sound of a zither was drifting from the lake in the rear garden, echoing in the night sky, lingering endlessly.

Chu Zhiyuan stepped onto the corridor over the lake, slowly strolling to the outside of the Water Pavilion.

The felt curtain at the entrance of the Water Pavilion was already drawn up, showing the brightly lit interior, where a beautiful woman and a beautiful girl were serving.

Seeing him appear, the two women bowed gracefully, and the girl brought over an embroidery stool.

Bai Ningshuang was engrossed in playing the zither.

Her slender hands, skin like white jade, and hair like clouds.

Time favored her, leaving no marks on her.

Especially after using the Spirit Pill from the Yao Yue Palace, her skin became even more delicate, appearing even younger.

Chu Zhiyuan entered the Water Pavilion and sat on the embroidery stool, smiling and waving his hand.

The two beautiful women gently left the Water Pavilion, letting the felt curtain fall.

”Zheng!”

Bai Ningshuang stopped the zither, looked up at Chu Zhiyuan: ”The Emperor gave you three words, understood.”

”Hmm.” Chu Zhiyuan smiled.

It seems the Emperor wasn’t aware of this Secret Land before.

My dealing with Lu Donghu can be considered even now, no debts owed.

The gloom in his heart dissipated instantly, feeling an indescribable sense of relief and openness.

”What did you understand?” Bai Ningshuang asked curiously.

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head with a smile: ”I can’t say.”

”You can say it to the Emperor but not to me?” Bai Ningshuang said discontentedly.

Chu Zhiyuan laughed: ”Mother, it’s better if you don’t know, lest you accidentally let it slip and cause big trouble.”

”...Alright then.” Bai Ningshuang felt curious, laughed: ”The Empress praised your prudence and also gave me a lot of jewelry, you pick some to send to Ruoling.”

Clearly, these are not the Empress’s gifts, but a reward from the Emperor.

Imperially crafted jewelry, which cannot be bought outside, is extremely precious.

”Alright.” Chu Zhiyuan nodded with a smile.

”The Empress also asked about the Eighteenth Princess.”

”What did the Empress say?”

”The Emperor plans to announce it at tonight’s banquet.”

Chu Zhiyuan frowned: ”So urgent?”

”It is a pity for Ruoling.” Bai Ningshuang sighed: ”In the Royal Family, there is no freedom, Ruoling can understand it.”

”Understanding is one thing, emotions are another,” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head: ”If Father took another Princess, could you understand, Mother?”

Bai Ningshuang glared at him.

Then she sighed: ”Wouldn’t Ruoling, in a fit of anger, just dissolve this engagement and make way for the Eighteenth Princess?”

Chu Zhiyuan shook his head.

Xiao Ruoling isn’t the type to act so decisively, seeming shrewd but actually gentle.

She would consider the Duke Mansion, consider me, but at the expense of herself.

Chu Zhiyuan’s mind turned rapidly, thinking of a solution.

The time is too tight, yet to communicate with the Eighteenth Princess, lacking mutual understanding.

Just then, Feng Xi’s voice came from outside: ”Princess.”

”Chief Steward Feng, what is it?” Bai Ningshuang rose and lifted the felt curtain to ask.

Feng Xi hurried to the outside of the Water Pavilion, his expression solemn: ”Chief Steward Huang just came by to deliver the news, the Eighteenth Princess of Da Zhen has been injured and cannot attend the Imperial Palace banquet, the Emperor has already canceled tonight’s banquet.”

”Injured? An assassination attempt?”

”Yes, an assassination attempt on Princess Eighteenth.”

”Who did it?”

”Grandmaster Zhu has already chased after them, but hasn’t found the assassin yet.”

”Damn it!” Bai Ningshuang gritted her teeth: ”And what about Princess Eighteenth, is she alright?”

Feng Xi said: ”The Imperial Physician has already gone over, the severity is unknown.”

”Then go wait at the Four Directions Pavilion, relay any updates immediately.”

”Yes.”

Chu Zhiyuan frowned and pondered.

An assassination?

Da Meng behind it?

Li Hongzhao had just mentioned being careful of Princess Eighteenth assassinating me, and now Princess Eighteenth has been assassinated.

A bit too coincidental.

But Da Meng shouldn’t dare to act so recklessly.

Even if they wanted to sabotage this marriage, they wouldn’t use such crude methods, the consequences would be too severe.

It seems more like the Evil Sect.

Is it retaliation from the Evil Sect?

...Or is there another story inside?

——

The news soon arrived.

”Princess, the Imperial Physician has completed the diagnosis, the Eighteenth Princess is not seriously harmed, but...”

”But what?”

”The Eighteenth Princess has two scars on her face, caused by a mysterious poison, these scars are untreatable.”

”What about top-grade Spirit Pills?”

”The Spirit Pills are also ineffective, it’s an unnamed strange poison, very eerie.”

”Damn that assassin!” Bai Ningshuang said angrily: ”It was intentional, right?”

This is clearly aimed at Princess Eighteenth’s face, deliberately to disgust Yuan’er.

Forcing Yuan’er to marry a disfigured woman as Princess.

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Chief Steward Feng, has Grandmaster Zhu returned?”

Feng Xi said: ”Couldn’t catch up with the assassin and returned because of concerns about additional assassination attempts.”

Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded, in thoughtful consideration.

Zhu Caifu’s cultivation is extremely high, still, achieving nothing while in a rage seems odd.

Bai Ningshuang looked at him.

Chu Zhiyuan said: ”Mother, say nothing for now, let’s see how things unfold.”

Under circumstances where nothing is clear, it’s best not to make any decisions or speak rashly.

Bai Ningshuang remained solemn, angrily saying: ”That damn assassin!”

Chu Zhiyuan looked up towards the Four Directions Pavilion: ”Let’s see.”

This night is destined to be sleepless, not just for Bai Ningshuang, the entire Imperial Family is discussing the matter.

Chu Zhiyuan continued practicing.

Everything else is superficial; to master one’s own destiny, cultivation is the key, becoming a Great Grandmaster is the goal.

The Glazed Blade Scripture under the pressure of the silver-sheathed long knife was rapidly advancing in the Spirit Transformation Realm.

The Sword Intent kept becoming more concentrated, the spirit increasingly pure, and the two Sword Gangs nurtured at the Heavenly Pond Acupoint also grew purer.

They were continuously attacking the last layer of the copper tower, the most solid and massive layer yet.

At the sight of this massive and sturdy copper tower, an inexplicable sense of despair loomed over him.

Compared to the previous layer, it’s at least two-thirds larger and one-third thicker.

A copper tower of such magnitude, breaking through it could take an untold amount of effort.

Thus, to shorten the time, mastering the Glazed Blade Scripture is imperative.

If he could reach the Divinity Transformation Realm, breaking the copper tower and achieving Grandmaster Perfection should be straightforward.

...

The next morning, as he arrived at Mingwu Hall at dawn, he encountered sympathetic glances.

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled and approached Chu Qingfeng.

Chu Qingfeng waved a hand: ”Get on with your training!”

The two moved to Zhiqiu Hall, sitting upon the warm kang inside the hall.

Chu Qingfeng sighed: ”Your engagement is likely to be ruined.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: ”Da Zhen won’t send another princess, will it?”

Chu Qingfeng shook his head.

”Naturally, it won’t,” Chu Zhiyuan smiled: ”That would be too embarrassing.”

Chu Qingfeng nodded.

Chu Zhiyuan’s smile widened: ”The alliance through marriage will be canceled, won’t it?”

Chu Qingfeng sighed: ”According to elder brother, it should be canceled.”

Chu Zhiyuan clapped and praised: ”That would be right!”

His determination to reach the realm of the Great Grandmaster grew more steadfast and urgent.

He was certain, this was orchestrated by the Eighteenth Princess herself, a masterful move indeed!

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