Chapter 695

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

Lin Chengjing is not at the Prince's Mansion, but at the Dao Guan.

The moment Shen Yao and Lin Xingzhi entered the Prince's Mansion, they sent word to the Dao Guan in the Jingcheng, only waiting for things to be settled here before bringing Lin Chengjing back.

Lin Chengyan and Lin Chengjue returned happily to their own small courtyard, incidentally fighting over the Five-Colored Stone's right to reside in the Prince's Mansion.

Five-Colored Stone: ……

"You two don't need to keep arguing, I'm a demon living here," he wasn't going to babysit children; bringing them along this whole way had nearly drained his essence and spirit dry. Now that they'd reached the Jingcheng, if they didn't seize the time to properly tour this bustling metropolis, wouldn't his trip have been in vain?

Upon hearing this, Lin Chengyan and Lin Chengjue's eyes welled with tears. The two brothers had perfectly inherited Shen Yao and Lin Xingzhi's looks; calling their appearance outstanding would be an understatement — in reality, they didn't fall short of true Immortals (cultivators of the cultivation world) at all.

The Five-Colored Stone's heart inevitably softened, but it still didn't agree to the request to live together with the two children, only saying it would make time to keep them company more often in ordinary times. Besides, these two kids weren't truly free and idle either — Huang Jue Temple was still waiting for them.

"Amitabha, this poor monk went out following the Abbot's decree, and at this moment still needs to return to Huang Jue Temple to report back."

However, after resting for a moment, Yuan Kong Master found Lin Xingzhi and Shen Yao, the couple, and indicated his intention to take leave.

Lin Xingzhi urged him to stay as usual, after all, with Lin Chengyan and Lin Chengjue staying at the Prince's Mansion, their daily cultivation couldn't be without someone to guide them.

"Please rest assured, Prince. This poor monk will go and return quickly. Moreover, both young masters have reached the age requirement for entering the temple," even if he doesn't return, the two young masters can go directly to Huang Jue Temple to cultivate.

If that happens, the master used for daily guidance would be replaced by Huang Jue Temple's Abbot, which would be even more beneficial for the two young masters.

The words were spoken like that, but truly sending the children to the unfamiliar Huang Jue Temple, Lin Xingzhi and Shen Yao still felt a bit uneasy in their hearts.

On the surface they gave perfunctory agreements to get past it; once Yuan Kong Master left, the couple huddled together and quietly discussed Lin Chengyan and Lin Chengjue's matter.

"Right now is a time of many troubles; after we enter the palace, we'll find an opportunity to send Yan'er and Jue'er away for a period of time."

Not just Yan'er and Jue'er, there's also Jing'er staying at the Dao Guan. Watching the Jingcheng about to be engulfed in war, the two of them as a couple still had the capacity to cope, but what about the three children?

Lin Xingzhi hadn't forgotten that previous secret letter; the Empress had already stretched her hand to their side, and it wasn't impossible for her to have no bottom line at all.

Shen Yao pursed her lips and nodded, "We can only do this. The Jingcheng's storms are incessant, and victory between Emperor and Empress has not yet been decided." Although the Empress most likely cannot defeat the Emperor, before the dust settles, who dares to guarantee it?

Lin Xingzhi smiled, raised his hand, and grasped Shen Yao's wrist; the couple then returned to the back courtyard, handing over all the things they brought back to the Prince's Mansion servants to handle.

Before nightfall, a letter came from the palace, telling them to rest one night and enter the palace to pay respects tomorrow.

"All go?"

"The Prince and Princess are one body; naturally all should enter the palace."

"Troubling Eunuch Li to make this trip."

"Prince is courteous; these are all things this servant should do."

Watching Eunuch Li leave with a courteous face, Lin Xingzhi pondered for a moment, then turned and returned to the room.

Shen Yao was half-lying on the couch, looking leisurely as she ate the delicacies the servants had carefully sent over; the pastries, no bigger than a thumb, were soft and fine upon entry, leaving fragrance on lips and teeth.

Although Shen Yao wasn't very hungry since it hadn't been long since dinner, seeing such delicious food she still couldn't help but eat a few more bites.

Seeing Lin Xingzhi return, Shen Yao smiled and passed the pastries in the plate to him, while she herself rose along the couch edge like a beautiful snake, her hands naturally climbing onto Lin Xingzhi's shoulders, "You don't look very happy; is the palace situation bad?"

Lin Xingzhi pinched her chin and shook his head, "Eunuch Li came to deliver the decree; tomorrow morning, we husband and wife will enter the palace together."

Shen Yao raised an eyebrow, "You go pay respects to the Emperor, I go to Fengyi Palace?"

Most likely she would need to face the Empress directly; although they disliked each other, constrained by status, they had no choice but to maintain their personas.

"Yao Niang, how about tomorrow I enter the palace and claim illness for you, the Empress—" Lin Xingzhi couldn't help but frown, thinking that when the Empress goes mad no one knows what she'll do; if she's disadvantageous to Yao Niang, there'd be no way to get justice back.

"No need," doing so would only needlessly offend the Emperor; who knows, perhaps both the Emperor and the Empress hope she goes to Fengyi Palace.

Raising her hand to grasp Lin Xingzhi's wrist and pinching lightly, Shen Yao spoke lightly and playfully, indicating the Empress hadn't reached the point of complete madness yet; although her own situation wouldn't be too good, there wouldn't be mortal danger either.

Mm

A bit similar to a punching bag setting?

"Host, this is a sandbag, same as the Crown Prince back then."

It's just that the Host isn't as miserable as the Crown Prince; having such a pair of parents as Emperor and Empress, even the Jade Emperor would have to shed a layer of skin.

"Don't speak so bluntly," Shen Yao felt the System was heart-piercing, and also very good at pouring oil on fire.

Raising her hand to rub her somewhat aching temples, unable to sleep all night, Shen Yao was already a bit irritable and flustered, plus this trouble-making System; she was now the noble Jing Princess, smile~

Close eyes, automatically blocking out the System's nonsense; Shen Yao's breathing steadied, and in just a moment she entered the land of dreams.

System: ……

Can't shake the feeling the Host did it on purpose, using its words as a lullaby — truly disrespectful to the System!

Early the next morning, the couple finished washing up and rode a carriage into the palace.

Different from the previous two years when they came, this time they had more confidence.

Lin Xingzhi was already calculating in his heart what kind of title to request for his two children (the Heir didn't need a title), and Shen Yao was also pondering how she should deal with the Empress, and how to respond if the other party deliberately made things difficult.

"Stop the carriage"

A sharp voice rang out outside the carriage compartment; Lin Xingzhi and Shen Yao heard it, rose, and got down, exchanging greetings with the eunuchs waiting at the Palace Gate.

Don't look at these eunuchs all being young unfamiliar faces; but to get such an opportunity, they necessarily have a deep connection with the Imperial Guard's General Manager.

Laughing heartily, he led Lin Xingzhi and Shen Yao inside; this eunuch behaved extraordinarily knowingly — without Lin Xingzhi needing to open his mouth to inquire, he had already blabbered on about everything.

Like how recently the Emperor's mood hasn't been too wonderful, the Front Court has many affairs and isn't peaceful, the Imperial Harem is even more of a chaotic mess...

Lin Xingzhi: …… It seems these words aren't really suitable to be said to a Prince who just returned to the Jingcheng, right?

However, this eunuch spoke without any concealment, not even a disguise; it shouldn't be his own initiative — there's definitely someone guiding him from behind.

The two parted at a palace gate; Lin Xingzhi continued following this eunuch away, while Shen Yao was led by Fengyi Palace's palace maids.

"Jing Princess Highness, please walk this way."

"This doesn't seem like the road to Fengyi Palace?"

"The Empress is in the Imperial Garden."

Fine, anyway the Empress is the mistress of the Middle Palace, the eldest sister of the Imperial Harem, her word doesn't count on the matter of summoning.

Shen Yao spoke no further, instead following this Fengyi Palace maid on the journey, thinking to herself that in just two years of not entering the palace, the palace staff of Fengyi Palace had changed remarkably frequently.

One didn't know whether the Empress was hard to serve or the Imperial Household Department's training of people fell short, but the palace maids of Fengyi Palace could be said to be a strikingly beautiful scenery in the entire Imperial Harem.

Walking through the tree-shaded path where a hundred flowers bloomed, Shen Yao's view suddenly opened up.

A crowd of beauties with exquisite makeup, each of different appearance yet extraordinarily pretty, suddenly intruded into her field of vision.

Only the beauties' current situation wasn't good — some kneeling, some weeping — while seated at the very front was none other than the ever-lofty Empress.

"The Jing Princess has arrived."

"This subject's wife pays respects to the Empress, may Your Highness enjoy ten thousand blessings, and greets all the Imperial Consorts."

"Jing Princess, exempt from salute."

"Greetings, Jing Princess Highness."

"..."

Shen Yao rose and came before the Empress, and under the other's meaningful gaze silently took her seat.

The scene was set, the characters all in position — next came the Empress's home ground, showtime~

Shen Yao only heard the Empress above her let out a cold snort, actively provoking everyone present (including herself, this background-board princess).

It was at this moment that Shen Yao truly understood just how crazy the Empress was — one must know that among those kneeling were even noble ladies already enfeoffed as Imperial Consorts.

"An Imperial Consort is an Imperial Consort, a Noble Consort is also an Imperial Consort. As the Empress, governing the Imperial Harem is my duty," the Empress raised her slender fingers pointing straight at the consorts below who dared meet her gaze, "What, do you harbor resentment in your hearts?"

The consorts:...

Not just resentment in their hearts? Every inch of them refused to submit!

By what right?!

Such a woman who only cares for her private desires, utterly lacking the bigger picture, could actually sit on the Empress's throne because of her family background!

Fortunately Heaven has eyes, knowing this woman is no good — not only did she ruin her only offspring, she ignorantly offended the entire Imperial Harem, and even the Front Court wasn't spared.

Hmph!

They'd like to see how long this person can keep acting tough.

Obviously, even if the Empress is driven from the Empress position tomorrow, right now she is still the Empress, still has the authority to reprimand these lower-ranked consorts.

Reluctantly saying "we dare not, we dare not," the consorts could only lower their eyes and listen to the Empress's yin-yang sarcasm, desperately suppressing the anger in their hearts.

Shen Yao:...

Thinking she'd have nothing to do with it, Shen Yao rarely had the interest to watch the Empress's methods from the sidelines — one could only say they were far too crude, with no one behind her, she'd have to pay it back sooner or later.

"Jing Princess, you've returned from outside, unaware of the current situation in the capital.

Just like these consorts before me, most are newcomers from two years ago, quite favored before the Emperor, yet unfortunately no matter what they cannot change the rules consorts must abide by — just as they constantly complain when facing me, they still obediently accept my teaching," the Empress finished with a face full of arrogance, she turned her head to look at Shen Yao seated in the chair, meaningfully saying, "Rules are rules, I wonder if the Jing Princess understands?"

Shen Yao:... This, with the Empress's words, should she say she understands or doesn't understand?

"The Empress speaks correctly, rules once set must be followed. No matter who, everyone has their own rules; if one acts rashly, it will surely backfire on oneself."

Shen Yao smiled brightly and returned the exact same words, thinking: you remind me, I'll remind you too — although the Empress indeed possesses power and background that countless women envy, some words should be spoken and some not; rules don't merely restrict subordinates.

Empress:...

Looking at Shen Yao's face that showed no age, the Empress suddenly laughed, "Sharp-tongued."

Worthy of the woman the Jing King fancies, the same mold as the detestable Jing King.

"In the Imperial Harem, I am the rules. Only by following my rules can you survive here," the Empress couldn't help but bend her fingers and tap the tabletop, "No matter whether you're convinced in your hearts, as long as I am Empress for a single day, you can only bow your heads and kneel before me."

After all, consorts are common, but the Empress is unique.

Lifting her face and slightly raising her eyebrows, the Empress seemed to have grown tired of playing, rose leaning on a palace maid's arm, and prepared to leave.

But before departing, the Empress still didn't forget to mock Shen Yao a few times — who told her to be someone who never takes a loss no matter what she eats.

Shen Yao:... You don't take losses, so I have to take them?

"Jing Princess Highness, please stay."

"Wei Zhaoyi."

Wondered who it was — turned out to be that cuckoo bird, she actually entered the palace after all.

Shen Yao vaguely remembered this person seemed to be called Hui Ning? Her promotion speed was quite fast.

"Wonder what matter Zhaoyi has to speak of?" Shen Yao didn't wish to stay in the palace longer, so when she was stopped her inner irritation increased sharply.

Seeing this, Wei Huining merely pursed her lips and smiled, mentioning she admired the Jing Princess, had never been able to meet her before, and now finally had an opportunity to exchange a few words.

Exchange a few words?

Shen Yao found it laughable inside — she didn't want any exchange with a cuckoo bird; with so many traces of cultivation techniques in the palace, chatting amiably with a demon race member in the open would easily attract certain people's attention.

Lowering her eyes but smiling without speaking, Shen Yao just watched the cuckoo bird's feigned posturing until a palace servant came to interrupt, allowing Shen Yao to smoothly extricate herself and leave.

"What is this cuckoo bird blocking the Host for?" The System popped out jumping in frustration.

"Aren't you able to monitor the entire Imperial Palace? Just watch yourself and you'll know everything."

System:...

Walking out the Palace Gate, Lin Xingzhi stood outside, and upon seeing Shen Yao approach, he hurriedly went up to meet her.

"Yao Niang."

Shen Yao smiled, soothing the somewhat panicked Lin Xingzhi, and the two then boarded the carriage and departed.

"How is the Empress? From the Emperor's meaning, the Empress position won't last much longer."

The Emperor's words revealed an intention to depose the Empress; some officials have already submitted memorials denouncing the Jin Family; now both Front Court and Imperial Harem are adding fuel to the fire, unknown when it will burn to the real culprit.

Shen Yao recounted in full detail everything she experienced in the palace today; sure enough, Lin Xingzhi listened and was filled with indignation, only feeling the Emperor's handling of affairs was as dilatory as ever — with such an Empress, why keep her? Should strip her down sooner rather than later.

"Let's not speak of these boring topics. What about Jue'er and Jing'er's titles?" Yan'er did not need a title, because he was the imperial heir designated as the Crown Prince of Jing.

Lin Xingzhi's attention was indeed diverted; a smile spread across his eyebrows and eyes, indicating that several titles had already been drafted for Jue'er and Jing'er, and after choosing among them, he finally settled on the two characters Lingyu and Changping.

Lingyu: "A fine person nurtured by the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth," meaning a fine person nurtured by the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth, highlighting the Owner's intelligence and grace.

Changping: Long-lasting peace and prosperity, a country at peace and its people content, placing hopes on the long-term stability and security of the nation's territory.

"The titles are good, and the meanings are good too," Shen Yao leaned on Lin Xingzhi's shoulder, serene and carefree.