Chapter 231: Bound to the Child-Bearing System, Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 232: Cultivators Must Strengthen Themselves (2)

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

"Nainai said she's a person of the jianghu; could she be a chivalrous heroine who upholds justice?"

Ren Minmin's eyes sparkled with excitement; she was clearly imagining things.

Wei Mama sighed, "Young Lady, we can only wait for this young lady to wake up first."

She knew nothing of what lay before her eyes; with only a sword and hands completely free of calluses, there was truly nothing to discern.

……

The carriage rocked; Shen Yao closed her eyes to rest her spirit while feigning unconsciousness, not forgetting to chat with the system.

The two of them had discussed it at length before, finally deciding to first stage a collision with someone and follow them into the city to scout the situation.

Otherwise, Shen Yao, an outsider who had appeared out of thin air, would truly have a hard time getting by here.

Don't think Shen Yao can do as she pleases in the Mortal World just because she cultivates immortality; she is currently a half-baked cultivator who can't even perform simple hypnosis.

"Sigh, the sorry experiences are all similar. System, can't you find a better situation next time?"

Shen Yao felt her luck was poor; she didn't know if the thigh she'd clung to this time would hold up.

As it turned out, the Ren family she had found really was not an ordinary clan.

When Shen Yao was settled by Ren Minmin and Wei Mama in the mansion's small courtyard, she learned quite a bit about the Ren family through eavesdropping along the way.

The family hailed from the Jingcheng Guogong Fu; they had appeared in Yunwu Cheng because Lady Lao had returned to pay respects to her ancestors.

"In half a month, Grandmother will set off for the capital; Shen Jiejie, why not go to the capital with us?"

Since Shen Yao woke up, and in front of Ren Minmin showed off a bit with the waist sword in her hand, Ren Minmin had successfully fallen for Shen Yao, this martial arts-proficient fairy elder sister.

Even because Shen Yao unintentionally saved Lady Lao, revealing medical skills not of the common sort, Ren Minmin went all out to invite Shen Yao to return to the capital together.

Shen Yao smiled and nodded, "Thank you, Ren Meimei, it's just that on Lady Lao's side" was ultimately not something Ren Minmin, an unmarried young girl, could decide.

Ren Minmin took Shen Yao's hand and waved it, "Grandmother will be happy to hear it."

Not only would she not blame her, she would praise Ren Minmin for doing this well.

Revealing beautiful crescent-moon smiling eyes, Ren Minmin hugged Shen Yao's arm and acted coquettishly.

Ai yah yah, she had long wanted to have such an outstanding elder sister before her eyes; pity her father was useless, there were only a few brothers in the house, and though she had sisters, they weren't particularly close.

Ren Minmin was usually also restricted and hemmed in by the Guogong Furen in the Guogong Fu; it was only this time accompanying her grandmother back to the ancestral home to pay respects to ancestors that she let herself loose, otherwise she was so proper it made people depressed.

Elsewhere, while Ren Minmin and Shen Yao were chatting, Guogong Fu's Lady Lao, He Shi, was also speaking with Wei Mama.

As one of the people in power in the mansion, He Shi, whether in Yunwu Cheng or in Jingcheng, was an existence whose word was final.

Wei Mama was He Shi's person; following Ren Minmin this time was also by He Shi's orders.

No matter what, Ren Minmin was He Shi's own granddaughter, and had accompanied her from Jingcheng to Yunwu Cheng; her personal safety needed to be guaranteed.

"Lady Lao, this is the medicinal soup sent from the kitchen."

Wei Mama held the bowl of soup in her hands, carefully delivering it to He Shi's side.

When one gets old, all sorts of small ailments appear on the body.

He Shi had never suffered hardship in her entire life, whether at her natal home or her husband's home; her days had gone smoothly to an unbelievable degree.

Pity that despite this, He Shi's body still developed small ailments.

Like the tonic medicine she drank daily, almost every meal had it, never interrupted.

"Rongzhu, do you think that Miss Shen is someone I've asked too much of?"

Can it really work? Chengzhou's body hasn't improved at all; even the palace has given up on him; what good ideas can I, this adoptive grandmother, have?

Unable to help but sigh, He Shi slowly turned the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, feeling that everything was fate.

"Five years since the late Guogong passed, the younger generation has also propped up the Guogong Fu's door lintel."

I shouldn't have had so many foolish fantasies; only this child Chengzhou, whether at birth or in growing up, has suffered greatly.

Seeing he's already twenty years old, yet the palace still has no movement regarding a marriage bestowal; the Third Prince's legitimate son, born of the same mother as Chengzhou, is already two years old."

He Shi truly felt aggrieved; siblings born at the same time had descendants surrounding them, while she was alone, not to mention her health was deteriorating day by day; as the Guogong Fu that had raised this child all along, they were simply at a loss.

Here we need to mention He Shi's family background again; the conversation sounds somewhat complex, but actually it's relatively simple and easy to understand.

He Shi, as the Lady Lao of the Guogong Fu, married the late Guogong Ye of the Guogong Fu five years ago who passed away; after marriage she raised two sons and one daughter, three children.

Because the late Guogong Ye fought on the battlefield in his early years, his physical condition affected offspring; so although the late Guogong Ye had several concubines, there were no concubine-born sons or daughters.

And after the late Guogong Ye passed away, He Shi's eldest son smoothly became the new Guogong Ye from the Guogong Fu's heir, and the heir's wife also became the Guogong Furen.

The second son inherited the late Guogong Ye's martial artist constitution; he currently relies on himself to be granted the title of Boke, leading his whole family to guard the border pass and not return; only during festivals and holidays will they arrange servants or the younger generation's offspring to enter the capital to visit He Shi, this birth mother.

The youngest daughter, namely Chengzhou whom He Shi often mentions, and the birth mother of the Third Prince, is the current Jiang Guo Noble Consort, also Jiangdi's favored consort.

In the palace for over twenty years, favor has not declined; she has borne three sons and one daughter (counting the son raised at the Guogong Fu).

Only because Ren Chengzhou and the Third Prince Jiang Chengjin were born as twins from the same pregnancy, plus royal taboos and Ren Chengzhou's weak constitution, was he brought to the Guogong Fu to live after the full moon.

And Ren Chengzhou even changed his surname from Jiang; clearly the Emperor and Noble Consort did not want to recognize him back.

He Shi pitied Ren Chengzhou, this grandchild not favored by his parents, and had carefully cared for him for many years; even coming to Yunwu Cheng to pay respects to ancestors, she did not forget to think of ways for Ren Chengzhou.

Shen Yao returning to the capital with them was because He Shi was moved by Shen Yao's medical skills, wanting to ask Shen Yao to take Ren Chengzhou's pulse and try.

As for this childish decision, it was nothing but trying a dead horse as if it were alive; He Shi was not doing this for the first time, long since skilled and familiar.

After all, when He Shi was at the Guogong Fu, she had even had the whimsical idea of inviting all the doctors in the city to come treat Ren Chengzhou.

Finally because this behavior was too high-profile, and even the Imperial Palace's imperial physicians were helpless, she unwillingly gave up.

However, giving up was only temporary; He Shi, in treating the grandchildren of the family, especially cared most about Ren Chengzhou; even the children born of the Guogong Furen could not compare.

As it is, she even remembers to fetch a physician when stepping out to worship ancestors — fortunate that those by He Shi's side are all her confidants plus the carefree Ren Minmin; otherwise, swap in those capital types with eight hundred schemes apiece and they'd die of jealousy.

Wei Mama is a loyal servant; toward her own master she is loyal through and through.

No matter how bizarre her master's words, Wei Mama will always open her mouth to agree.

Today is likewise; even though her master speaks only the same old refrains, Wei Mama shows not a trace of impatience, and on her lips she still urges her master not to overthink — if the palace forgot the marriage bestowal then it forgot, but there is still the one her master holds in her heart; when the time comes, no matter which family's daughter, a single word from the Emperor bestowing marriage is all it takes.

"Lady Lao, with you watching over Young Master Chengzhou, his health is sure to improve."

Wei Mama once again pushed forward the tonic that had already cooled.

He Shi reached out to take it, slowly ladling spoonful after spoonful down her throat.

When only a bit of bowl-bottom remained, He Shi handed the medicine bowl to Wei Mama, "Regardless of whether this attempt succeeds or fails, trying costs nothing.

Besides, that young lady doesn't look like an ordinary heroine; she might produce an unexpected effect."

It is still that these years, for the sake of Ren Chengzhou's matter, He Shi has become somewhat obsessed; otherwise, in earlier years she would never have done such a bizarre thing.

Wei Mama watched all this with her own eyes, yet did not dampen her own master's enthusiasm.

What can be said — Young Master Chengzhou's features are identical to those of the master's little young master who died young back then; on the surface the master bore only two sons and one daughter, but in truth she bore three sons, only the youngest passed too early, and it became a taboo topic in the Guogong Fu, so no one dares mention it.

Turning away with the medicine bowl in hand, Wei Mama decided to keep a close watch on Miss Shen these few days.

The Guogong Fu in the capital is not without external enemies; caution ensures a ten-thousand-year ship — just in case.

……

These past few days, when Shen Yao went to the Yanwu Chang to exercise her body, she constantly felt someone surveilling her.

Not very obvious, but in the eyes of Shen Yao the cultivator it appeared full of holes.

Shen Yao gave it brief thought and then ceased to mind the matter — her rescuers came from the capital's Guogong Fu, and moreover had a relative in the palace serving as a consort; a family so wealthy and imposing would inevitably choose to keep a precautionary hand.

"No movement these past few days? Looks like the person is still safe."

He Shi learned from Wei Mama about Shen Yao's recent situation, and laughed heartily, expressing that she could rest easy for the time being.

And even if they truly schemed against the Guogong Fu, that would wait until they returned to the capital.

Yunwu Cheng has nothing at all; it is not worth the opponent laying down such heavy chips.

"Besides, Miss Shen differs from those people; her whole bearing is not that of sneaky, furtive types —" rather like those Immortal Maidens in paintings.

As an elderly person who daily visits various Buddhist temples and Miaohui, He Shi is most familiar with the aura around Shen Yao; it carries a kind of void-like, ethereal flavor.

Wei Mama nodded, "Miss Shen in no way falls short of capital women —" had Shen Yao not herself said she was a jianghu hero, she would more resemble a noble young lady raised in luxury and honor.

"Mm, take extra care of her on the road, forge a good karmic tie — count it as accumulating merit for this child Chengzhou."

He Shi opens her mouth and closes her eyes, it's all Ren Chengzhou; fortunately Wei Mama has long since grown accustomed.

With an "Mm" she nodded, and Wei Mama sent people below to prepare matters for the return to the capital.

After but a few days, Lady Lao He Shi, bringing Ren Minmin, bid farewell to the clan members and boarded the carriage bound for the capital.

Shen Yao accompanied them, incidentally not forgetting to use the opportunity to firmly establish her identity as a physician.

"Shen Jiejie, are these silver needles?"

Ren Minmin drew close to Shen Yao's side, both hands cupping her chin as she observed the other's every move.

Shen Yao gave an "Mm" and nodded, "And other tools for healing and saving people."

The small toolbox was bought from the medical hall in Yunwu Cheng, along with various herbs.

Of course, Shen Yao also did not forget to smuggle some alchemical pills from her space — anyway, there is spiritual energy here, and after her cultivation stabilized she could freely take items from her storage bag.

The persona still has to be maintained, even though this sort serves no real purpose.

Ren Minmin does not know Shen Yao's true identity; she only feels that a physician and a wulin heroine are rather cool; a careless girl like her just goes "wah wah wah" nonstop.

Shen Yao: ……

Shen Yao helplessly shook her head, thinking inwardly that it is only because the Guogong Fu's wealth is considerable that they have the confidence to raise Ren Minmin so innocently pure and unworldly; swap in a slightly lesser family and they wouldn't dare do this.

Patiently she introduced the effects of each pill to the Ren Minmin beside her, even handing out some that could beautify and nurture the complexion — "Not worth any money, take them back and try; if the effect is good, come to me again for more."

Reaching out, she placed the porcelain bottle in her hand into Ren Minmin's bosom, then Shen Yao put the wooden box away.

Ren Minmin smiled gratefully and thanked Shen Jiejie, then leaned in and whispered softly about fun and tasty places in the capital — "When Jiejie reaches the capital, I'll take Jiejie everywhere to look around."

Having finally waited for such a compatible person, Ren Minmin naturally refused to let go.

You must know, her staying alone in the Guogong Fu day after day is dreadfully boring.

Shen Yao nodded, "When the time comes we sisters must surely stroll properly —" best if she can find a suitable candidate and quickly complete the mission.

Ren Minmin does not spend all day free to stay with Shen Yao; she still has to set aside time to accompany Lady Lao He Shi.

Shen Yao occasionally also rides a horse to hurry the journey; however, although Jiang Chao does not strictly restrict women, some things are still best avoided.

Most of the time, Shen Yao sits in the carriage compartment with eyes closed, nurturing her spirit while simultaneously trading barbs with the system in her mind.

"Host, this time — do we enter the palace?" The system behaved eagerly, perhaps the previous life's mission rewards moved it; it thought, becoming an emperor's offspring brings considerable harvest.

Shen Yao refused the system's proposal, "Entering the palace — the restrictions of palace intrigue are not small; moreover, the current Emperor is already over fifty years old —" too much of a hardship for Shen Yao.

Never denying her face-con attribute, Shen Yao reminded the host not to be insatiably greedy, "We can make a move elsewhere; it's not that only letting the born child become an emperor yields more rewards.

You previously mentioned this world's spiritual Qi revival — it can let the child's cultivation talent points max out; before leaving this world, help with a small favor."

For example, accelerate the spiritual Qi revival progress, or open a stable passage leaving this world for the Cultivation World.

The World Consciousness's rewards are often related to plot progression; raising this world by one dimension is certainly more useful than a single emperor.

The system hemmed and hawed, "But in Yunwu Cheng we couldn't even find a cultivable candidate —" never mind Spirit Root Quality, not even the most ordinary Mixed Spirit Root existed.

Shen Yao: ……

Shen Yao felt her teeth ache, "Perhaps the spiritual Qi revival hasn't taken effect yet?" Logically it shouldn't be — spiritual Qi has revived, humans are also living beings of this world, there should be changes.

The system doesn't understand, "Having a child — relying on the host alone is useless."

And if the offspring has no Spirit Root, still better to obediently go be a Guo Zhu; otherwise they can only count as mission completion, with no extra rewards whatsoever.

"No rush, the capital is a Fengshu Baodi — perhaps there will be gains there."

Besides, if it really won't work, she could consider the imperial family; if her father won't work, she could start with her son.

Dragon Qi had always been something special; by utilizing Dragon Qi together with the many spirit pills and medicines in the space, a spiritual root could be created.