Jiaotai Hall.
Emperor Zhengyong tapped the table with one hand and asked, "Grand Eunuch, how is Shadow performing?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Shadow... is very happy."
"Happy? ... Yes, he should be happy, after all, it's his child too."
Saying this, Emperor Zhengyong instinctively clenched his fist.
Wang Zhongyi hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say, but I'm not sure if I should..."
"What is it?"
"If Consort Shuu and Consort Bi give birth to a Dragon Child, what about the Empress Dowager and the Empress?"
Wang Zhongyi spoke softly while observing Emperor Zhengyong's expression.
"The Empress is the Empress, after all. If Consort Shuu and Consort Bi don't give birth to a Dragon Child, that's fine. However, if they do, it would certainly be the Crown Prince. If the Empress Dowager and the Empress..."
"Grand Eunuch, I understand your meaning..."
Emperor Zhengyong took a deep breath and said, "Enough, enough, I've handed Consort Shuu and Consort Bi over to Shadow just to test if he can sire a Dragon Child for me."
"Since he is capable, then... there is nothing else we can do about the Empress Dowager and the Empress."
"Consort Bi is just a commoner without any background, so even if she gives birth to a Dragon Child, she won't be able to keep him safe."
"As for Consort Shuu, her father is Yang Xuansu. If she gives birth to a Dragon Child, Yang Xuansu will definitely promote him as Crown Prince."
"The Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the maternal relatives will certainly react strongly."
"For the Great Yu World, the Empress must have a child."
"And... it must be a Dragon Child!"
"I understand."
Wang Zhongyi bowed and quickly left. Shortly after, the eunuchs of the Imperial Household Department briskly entered.
"Your Majesty, please choose a consort~"
Perhaps due to the two pregnant Concubines in the palace, the Chief of the Imperial Household Department spoke with a somewhat lighthearted tone.
Emperor Zhengyong was about to choose but paused in surprise, asking, "Where is the Empress's card?"
"Your Majesty, the Empress has her monthly period and cannot attend to Your Majesty for the next few days."
"Heaven's will?"
Emperor Zhengyong shook his head and casually chose a card.
"Tonight, it will be here."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The Chief of the Imperial Household Department quickly left to inform the chosen Consort to prepare.
...
Xianfu Palace.
Consort Duann, Xu Qingluan, was practicing martial arts in the training field opened within the palace.
Alone with a saber, she moved around the field, the Yanling Saber in her hand flipping up and down, even causing a piercing sound to resound through the air.
"Ha!"
With a sharp shout, she slashed diagonally with the Yanling Saber, creating a Sword Qi in the air that effortlessly severed a wooden training stake in two!
Consort Duann Xu Qingluan is the daughter of Dragon-soaring Army Commander Xu Mujun, and she has loved weapons and martial arts since childhood.
Xu Mujun indulged Xu Qingluan greatly, imparting all his martial arts knowledge to her.
Hundred Battle Blood Slaughter Saber!
Now, Consort Duann Xu Qingluan's abilities have already reached the First-grade Realm!
Three years ago, Xu Qingluan entered the palace by decree and was bestowed the title of 'Consort Duann.'
This title embodies the expectations of both Xu Mujun and Emperor Zhengyong, hoping that she would be dignified and virtuous.
Unfortunately... Consort Duann remains her own person, unable to fulfill their wishes.
"Hoo..."
After a tea break's time, she finally stopped, her chest gently rising and falling.
Two palace maids standing by immediately came up to her, one to wipe her sweat, the other respectfully offering tea.
Upon closer look, Consort Duann was not exceptionally beautiful; she had a certain heroic air and was dashing in appearance.
Her figure was particularly tall and slender, especially her long legs and waist.
The specially crafted light muslin training clothes accentuated her elegance and heroism even more.
Xu Qingluan sipped her tea and glanced toward the palace gate where several eunuchs stood, asking, "Jian Yu, who are those people?"
The little palace maid who was wiping her sweat responded with surprise and delight, "Congratulations, Your Highness, that's people from the Imperial Household Department. Tonight, His Majesty has chosen your card..."
Upon hearing this, Xu Qingluan furrowed her brow, a trace of dislike flashing in her eyes.
If not for her father's orders, why would she enter the palace as a consort?
What she longed for was the battlefield and the martial arts world!
Especially when thinking of the gloomy-eyed Emperor Zhengyong and the rumors of recent times, she couldn't muster any liking for him.
However...
Being the daughter of Xu Mujun, she remembered what her father had told her when she entered the palace. She could only shake her head and say,
"I understand, prepare me for bathing."
"Yes... Your Highness!"
In the late night, Zheng Yi, led by Wang Zhongyi, headed towards Xianfu Palace.
"Eunuch, where are we going tonight?"
"You will know when you get there."
Wang Zhongyi said, "Tonight's Consort is not easy to serve, do your job and speak less, or she might see through you~"
"Not easy to serve?"
Zheng Yi asked curiously, "Is there anyone in the harem who is not easy to serve?"
"You'll find out soon enough~"
Under Wang Zhongyi's guidance, Zheng Yi soon arrived at the high-walled palace gates.
Strangely, the palace halls within the Imperial Palace had two arrow towers at the entrance!
"What, this..."
Zheng Yi also noticed the peculiarity and instinctively looked towards the two arrow towers.
"Xianfu Palace? Consort Duann?"
Wang Zhongyi then explained, "Consort Duann comes from a military background and has loved weapons and martial arts since childhood. His Majesty also favors her and ordered a part of Xianfu Palace to be rebuilt as a military camp for her."
"This truly is favoritism..."
"His Majesty is here~!"
With Wang Zhongyi's shout, a group of eunuchs and palace maids surrounded a tall figure wearing moon-white palace attire as she walked out.
"This consort greets Your Majesty!"
Upon seeing the girl's figure, Zheng Yi's eyes lit up.
This woman... so tall!
In Zheng Yi's eyes, Consort Duann's height must be at least around 1.75 meters.
Especially her long legs, they were the perfect artillery frame!
No wonder she's Xu Mujun's daughter, hearing she practiced martial arts from childhood, who knows how skilled she is?
After a few moments of hesitation, without a word from Zheng Yi, Wang Zhongyi gave him a nudge from behind.
"Uh... ahem, beloved consort, please rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty..."
Consort Duann spoke softly and gracefully stood up.
Only when up close did Zheng Yi realize, this girl's gaze was aloof, her expression indifferent, yet her posture was still upright and imposing, captivating Zheng Yi's eyes.
A queen!
Definitely a queenly demeanor!
Those long legs, if only she had stockings, would be top-notch!
Plus high heels...
Indeed, as the Emperor, with so many exceptional women in the Three Palaces and Six Courtyards waiting for his favor.
Even if only for the sake of so many harem women, Emperor Zhengyong... must die!!!
"Beloved consort, it's late, accompany me to rest."
Only now did Consort Duann's face flush a bit, making her look even more beautiful beyond compare.
Even so, she took a deep breath and bravely stepped forward, "Your Majesty, let me help you change clothes..."
After more than half an hour, a surge of Pure Yin Qi rushed into the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror.
Clear handwriting appeared on the mirror surface once again.
[Absorbed Pure Yin Qi, lifespan +19.]
[Absorbed Pure Yin Qi, mastered "Hundred Battle Blood Slaughter Saber."]
[Absorbed Yin Qi, "Hundred Battle Blood Slaughter Saber" Inner Strength +10.]
[Absorbed Yin Qi, root bone enhanced.]
"Hmm?"
Zheng Yi's large hand suddenly paused, "Hundred Battle Blood Slaughter Saber"?
Root bone enhancement?
This is the enhanced version compared to Bi He and Consort Shuu.
He immediately turned over Consort Duann, who had her back to him.
"Your Majesty?"
"Beloved consort, let me teach you a new playstyle."
"Ah?"