Chapter 236: After Binding the Child-Bearing System, Becoming a Winner in Life Chapter 237: Cultivators Should Be Self-Reliant (7)

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Shen Yao

"Sister Shen, Grandmother and Mother sent me to say: there is absolutely no need to stand on ceremony with the Guogong Fu."

They will be one family very soon; being courteous back and forth only makes things seem distant.

Time has already arrived at the third month; the weather gradually warms, and the entire Jingcheng once again becomes lively.

Shen Yao no longer resides at the Farmstead now, but has returned to the capital residence to prepare for her wedding.

Because on the surface she has neither father nor mother, Shen Yao must prepare everything herself.

The Guogong Fu sees this and also feels heartache for Shen Yao's plight, so they arranged for Ren Minmin — who has been hiding at home for nearly half a year — to come over and help.

The already much-grown Ren Minmin still looks somewhat childish, yet the maturity she ought to have makes Shen Yao look at her with new eyes.

Indeed, after experiencing some incidents, a person grows; last year the Emperor killed a batch of court officials, dragging the entire Court into unceasing turmoil, which only slowly calmed down after the New Year.

The Guogong Fu is naturally safe, but such matters also made them vigilant.

The Third Prince nearly fell into it; their Guogong Fu would also have to pay the price of total ruin.

Whether those letters of the Xian Guogong Fu are true or false cannot be deeply investigated; they only understand one thing: if the sovereign wants a minister to die, the minister cannot but die.

The Emperor can no longer tolerate the Xian Guogong Fu; this kind of treatment will sooner or later fall upon their Jing Guogong Fu.

Before Ren Minmin came over, the Duke had already submitted memorials requesting resignation several times, every single one refused by the Emperor.

For this, the Noble Consort in the palace and the Third Prince are both very dissatisfied. After all, if the Guogong Fu retires, they lose a usable force.

"This marriage, Sister Shen has been wronged," Ren Minmin feels embarrassed; who let them be quarreling with the palace right now, directly affecting Third Brother's marriage.

Angry in her heart at the palace Noble Consort's excessive partiality, Ren Minmin's and the Guogong Fu's desire to compensate Shen Yao grows even heavier.

Shen Yao naturally understands this mentality, but on her side there is nothing busy; rather, Ren Chengzhou's side is more troublesome — the Guogong Fu and the palace have bad blood, and the one who suffers most is Ren Chengzhou.

"No need to worry, I am long accustomed; moreover, Grandmother and Uncle and them being able to safely leave the Court is the key for me."

Finding an opportunity, the two not-yet-married spouses met once.

Since the last parting some time has passed; Ren Chengzhou's spirit is still good, but his body is obviously weakened by several degrees.

Shen Yao is angry that this person never takes his body seriously; she helps with recovery, yet the mutual torment of Dragon Qi and Spiritual Energy still exists.

Ren Chengzhou now relies on youth to act recklessly; when he grows old, he will likely truly become a sickly beauty.

"Palace strife has nothing to do with us; whether the Guogong Fu can safely withdraw from the Imperial Prince Succession Struggle still depends on the Emperor's attitude.

However, having so offended the Noble Consort and the Third Prince, in the future — when the Third Prince ascends the throne — the Guogong Fu will not be heavily employed either.

New Emperors have always liked to use their own people; the Guogong Fu withdrawing halfway looks like a backstab in their eyes.

Ren Chengzhou's expression is fearless; he stretches out his hand, gently pulls Shen Yao to his side and embraces her, "Yao'er, you should know, I do not have only the Third Prince as a brother."

His mother Jiang Guifei gave birth to three sons and one daughter; only because he was a twin he grew up far from the court, while Jiang Guifei values the eldest son at the very front more.

In fact, the Seventh Prince Jiang Chengyu, born four years later, is also Ren Chengzhou's own younger brother.

"Grandmother and Uncle intend to support Chengyu; compared to the Third Prince, Chengyu has more opportunity."

Although the Third Prince holds the advantage of being older, Ren Chengzhou is still alive; they are twin fetuses — although their appearances are only seventy percent similar, a person with intent can still use this as a handle to cut off the Third Prince's path to the throne.

Before it was not pointed out because Ren Chengzhou's body was too poor; whether in the palace or outside, everyone defaulted to assuming Ren Chengzhou would not live long.

What would the Third Prince still worry about? A brother with similar looks would not be a threat.

But now it is different; Ren Chengzhou was pulled back by Shen Yao's medical arts, and the Third Prince in the palace is visibly panicked.

"If the Seventh Prince ascends, whether for the Guogong Fu or the palace there are benefits."

Shen Yao has not forgotten the incidents of the first five princes; that is a black spot that can be dragged out at any time — as long as the Emperor intends to choose one of them, related rumors will surely spread throughout the entire Jingcheng.

As an elderly person with palace struggle experience, Shen Yao can deduce quite a lot.

Ren Chengzhou did not say much, but Shen Yao can guess it exactly.

"Yao'er, next you will be wronged a bit; we will very likely leave Jingcheng far behind."

Whether to show the Noble Consort and Third Prince on the surface, or to let other people relax their vigilance, Ren Chengzhou must hide away for a wave first.

Shen Yao smiles, "Between the two of us, where is there need for such courtesy.

Farmstead life is leisurely, and without all matters nagging, it is exactly what I wish for."

And after they marry, she can have Ren Chengzhou follow the Cultivation Manual to learn; then the offspring she bears will have even better aptitude.

Why did Shen Yao and Ren Chengzhou marry? The Mission comes first.

……

With Ren Chengzhou's prior words as foundation, for the next month Shen Yao shuts her doors and does not go out.

Even so, there are still those without long eyes who commit offenses to her doorstep.

Shen Yao cleanly and neatly catches the people and reports to the officials; at first the yamen does not take it seriously, but she still has the Guogong Fu and Ren Chengzhou stepping forward — how could some people muddle through?

Just like that, after several consecutive actions, the behind-the-scenes people also get the impression that Shen Yao is not to be trifled with, until the fifth month wedding, Shen Yao's side remains peaceful and stable.

Phew—

'It is also not easy; these people dare stretch their hands to other places to scheme against a lone weak woman like me — truly contemptible.'

If you want to fight for position, go fight yourself; hiding behind and not striving to improve, instead choosing to drag others down — it seems the Emperor's several backup heirs are of worrying quality.

'Host likewise returned the favor in kind; they must surely regret it now.'

Whom to move is bad, but they just had to move this system's own Host; just look at that pile of shiny treasures in the Host's space — mere mortals, how could they be the Host's match.

The system coldly snorts in its heart, thinking: being entangled by nightmares is merely a small punishment as a warning; later it will slowly become severe.

After all, sleeping badly is very torturous; even some with not-firm minds fear falling asleep.

The system didn't forget to share with its own host the miserable states of those few people, especially the Third Prince, and finally sighed that one cannot be too malicious, because it's easy to suffer retribution.

Shen Yao: ……

"You're a system, yet you still believe in karma?" Some worlds don't even have consciousness with this function; those words are merely comforting talk.

"With the host present, and the world consciousness not being a fool, some things are predestined in the dark."

The system acted all mysterious, but in Shen Yao's eyes the other party was just bored.

Perhaps recently all the troublemakers in the capital had been dealt with by her and were temporarily lying low; the system didn't want to watch other people's excitement — there's a difference between a Manchu Han Imperial Feast and congee and side dishes, who would like a bland, tasteless mouth?

Draped in a wedding dress, wearing a crown, Shen Yao smoothly made her way to the room.

After dismissing the attending servants, Shen Yao stood up and looked around the inner furnishings; not bad, at least they were all decorations she didn't dislike.

Outside there was a clamor; even though the Noble Consort and Third Prince hadn't come, with the Seventh Prince and Guogong Fu people present, and the Emperor sending congratulatory gifts, Ren Chengzhou's wedding banquet was not lacking.

Only considering Ren Chengzhou's physical condition, he didn't touch a drop of the wine at the banquet; it was all handled by Guogong Fu and the Seventh Prince.

After all, no matter how certain people looked down on Ren Chengzhou in their hearts, they still had to give face outwardly; a good background can indeed block a lot of trouble.

Cheeks flushed red, Ren Chengzhou in a full wedding dress appeared even more clear and handsome.

Creak—

Shen Yao looked up, directly meeting Ren Chengzhou entering.

The two people looked at each other and smiled; the originally nervous emotions all dissipated within.

"How did you come back? Are the people outside still there?" Shen Yao walked to Ren Chengzhou's side, eyes examining a few times, confirming the other's body was still fine, and let out a breath of relief.

No wonder she was so nervous; once married, she and Ren Chengzhou were family.

Some retreat routes can be thought of, but that doesn't mean Shen Yao hopes for a day when the retreat route becomes useful.

"Came to see you; with Seventh Brother and them looking after things, I'm rarely this relaxed nowadays."

No one dares to cause trouble on a great joy day; Ren Chengzhou has a good temper, but that doesn't mean he has no temper.

Hand grasping Shen Yao's wrist, Ren Chengzhou led her to the inner room to sit and rest; the atmosphere between the two was harmonious, chatting and laughing until night fell quickly.

Each went to the bathroom to wash and tidy; Shen Yao refused the servants' service, took out a pill herself and put it in her mouth to swallow.

Familiar steps, a natural union; when Shen Yao opened her eyes again, time had already arrived at early the next morning.

Shen Yao: …… Huh?

There was no trace of Ren Chengzhou beside her, but hearing movement outside the door, this person should have gone to the palace to pay respects.

Last night when resting, Ren Chengzhou had mentioned today's palace visit.

Ren Chengzhou's meaning was that he alone was fine; the Noble Consort in the palace isn't easy to deal with, and Shen Yao going over would likely be made things difficult for by the other party.

Shen Yao naturally wasn't afraid of the Noble Consort acting like that, but she was also happy to avoid such a situation.

As for not entering the palace to pay respects, isn't there still Ren Chengzhou? After marriage they have to go to the farmstead; the only ones with frequent contact with the capital left are Guogong Fu.

Guogong Fu has no objections, so Shen Yao won't actively find trouble for herself; she doesn't walk the palace intrigue track, what does it matter to her whether the cheap mother-in-law likes her or not.

Rising to sit up from the bed, Shen Yao and the system in her mind sighed that Ren Chengzhou's body was stronger than imagined; just based on last night's situation, she was very satisfied.

System: ……

The system felt the host was too improper; some words can't be spoken carelessly, or you'll be locked in the small black room.

Shen Yao rolled her eyes without the slightest courtesy, not a bit of a beauty's reserve.

"How are offspring made? It can't be that I conjure them out of thin air, right?"

Still dares to dislike her words being too explicit; later when she stops doing missions, it'll be anxious.

Hmph~

Getting off the bed and calling the servants waiting at the doorway, Shen Yao sat at the dressing table to wash and dress, then went to the main room for the morning meal.

As for Ren Chengzhou? Currently still hasn't come out of the palace; probably got held up by something.

Shen Yao found things to do herself, organized medicinal herbs or went to the study to read books, hid in the room to cultivate, until Ren Chengzhou appeared in the small courtyard with hurried steps, face as ugly as ever.

Raising an eyebrow, Shen Yao went up to meet him, incidentally handing over the teacup in her hand.

Ren Chengzhou seeing Shen Yao come over, had already regulated his facial expression.

But he didn't hide from Shen Yao; the palace situation is bad, they have to go to the farmstead as soon as possible.

"Yao'er, your medical skills are outstanding; I worry they'll make a move to drag you into the bureau."

Ren Chengzhou had to admit, this cheap prince's weight wasn't enough; at least not in front of his parents.

If one day someone must be sacrificed, he is the first choice.

So Ren Chengzhou thought back and forth, deciding to hide out first then push Seventh Prince to the throne.

As long as this conduct-qualified younger brother ascends fast enough, the parents' side won't be a problem.

"Father Emperor heard immortality talk from some wandering Daoist somewhere, and is now trying to cultivate immortality arts."

Ren Chengzhou entered the palace today and happened to witness the Emperor's absurd behavior; associating it with his wife's superb medical skills, Ren Chengzhou feared the Emperor would go mad.

"Chengzhou, is hiding out useful?" We're not far away; if the Emperor wants to summon us it's still effortless.

Ren Chengzhou smiled, signaling Shen Yao to calm down, "Useful; after we leave, the capital will fall into chaos, and Father Emperor will be too busy to mind us."

The capital falls into chaos?

A question mark popped up in Shen Yao's head, but she didn't ask how it would fall into chaos; anyway, the Emperor wants immortality, so his remaining lifespan will also flow away swiftly.

The five years mentioned before, half has already passed; it's about time.

Nodding, Shen Yao pulled Ren Chengzhou to sit properly; the two called servants to hurriedly pack luggage.

This Qin Wang Fu was originally bestowed by the palace; the things inside were also added by the palace; items belonging to the two of them were few and far between.

Letting the servants pack, in just an hour it was already settled.

Shen Yao accompanied Ren Chengzhou for the belated morning meal, and only then did the two board the carriage to Guogong Fu.

No other meaning; because they're going to the farmstead, they couldn't not visit Guogong Fu.

As for the Seventh Prince, Ren Chengzhou had met this decent younger brother-in-law while in the palace; after a brief exchange, they parted ways and each went home.

Nowadays, they only need to visit the Guogong Fu, and then they can go to the farmstead free of worry.

"Going is good; your uncle's retirement petition this time has a lead. Staying in Jingcheng isn't as pleasant as the farmstead."

So leaving is quite good—it's a state where you're good, I'm good, and everyone's good.

Shen Yao sat below He Shi's right, smiling as she echoed He Shi's words.

Occasionally adding that Ren Chengzhou's health also needed the farmstead's quiet, the excuse was all-powerful, and she was completely unafraid of others making trouble.

"Shen Jiejie, I can't go with you this time; it's truly a pity."

Ren Minmin saw Shen Yao out of He Shi's small courtyard; recently she had been looking at prospective matches, and the Guogong Fu meant to settle the marriage first, so Ren Minmin was restricted from going out.

Otherwise, at another time, Ren Minmin would have run off like a frolicking animal long ago.

"Be obedient; your aunt and the others are doing this for your own good. Once it's settled, you can breathe a sigh of relief."

What if the Noble Consort and the Third Prince are busy to the point of red eyes, and directly use Ren Minmin's marriage as a chip?

The Guogong Fu and the Noble Consort are like a broken bone connected to the sinew; even though the Guogong Lord can retire, he cannot sever his blood relation with the Noble Consort.

This is also the main reason why the Noble Consort and the Third Prince can restrain themselves from acting against the Guogong Fu even if they stamp their feet in frustration.