Chapter 370

"Mother, but those titled ladies are gossiping nonstop?"

The Empress furrowed her willow brows.

Qi Wan Shi shook her head and said.

"Your Majesty, you shouldn't blame others for this matter—what kind of image would it be for the exalted Emperor to have only two empresses?"

"Although His Majesty favors only the two of you, you are now noble as Empress, yet you are not merely the mistress of a single household! You are the mistress of the Six Palaces, the mother of the nation to all under heaven!"

Upon hearing this, the Empress fell silent for a moment, then nodded slightly and said to Qi Wan Shi.

"Mother, you are right—among the Six Palaces, there cannot be only the Central and Western Palaces. Coincidentally, I have suitable candidates at hand, and it is time to secure their futures!"

"Yu Yao, Qu Lian!"

She spoke calmly.

Standing beside her, two beautifully dressed beauties exchanged a glance, then slowly stepped out from behind her.

"Your Majesty!"

Qi Wan Shi watched this scene from the side, her brows slightly furrowed. She glanced at her dignified and noble daughter beside her, a mixture of words unspoken in her eyes, but ultimately she remained silent, knowing her daughter appeared gentle yet had her own convictions since childhood, impossible to sway easily.

The Empress's gaze softened as it fell upon the two women, a hint of emotion in her eyes, and after a moment she smiled faintly.

"Qu Lian, Yu Yao—you have served by my side for over a decade. Now at this age, it would be inconvenient for you to marry outside. Thus, I shall grant you this favor: let His Majesty take you as consorts, so that if you bear sons or daughters in the future, you will have someone to rely on!"

Hearing this, the two women started. Qu Lian hurriedly knelt: "Your Majesty, we servants harbor no such thought—we only wish to forever follow and serve you!"

Yu Yao quickly followed suit and knelt as well.

The Empress watched this scene, a faint smile appearing on her dignified jade-like countenance.

"Very well, I know your loyalty. You were originally my chamber maids—granting you a title is only fitting!"

She waved her hand, gesturing for the two women to step aside first, then smiled again.

"As for the Six Palaces lacking masters, this is easily resolved—I can have His Majesty issue an edict ordering civil and military officials from the court to select talented girls from their homes and send them into the inner court. I will personally train these girls to enrich the harem!

If His Majesty takes a liking to them, he will naturally admit them into the harem!"

The Empress's expression remained calm, then she turned her gaze toward Qi Wan Shi and said.

"Mother, do you consider my handling of this matter appropriate?"

Qi Wan Shi met the Empress's tranquil gaze, feeling as if a hidden thought deep within her heart had been laid bare by that look, and she could not help but feel a sense of pressure, so she averted her eyes.

After pondering, she said: "Although the affairs of the inner court are matters of the realm, they are also your family affairs, Your Majesty. You may decide as you see fit—why bother asking an old woman like me? I am aged and dare not instruct you!"

Upon hearing this, the Empress smiled faintly.

"What nonsense, Mother! Your visage shows no sign of age—if we mother and daughter spoke together now, others might mistake us for sisters rather than mother and daughter!"

Her composure remained untroubled, as if she heard no other meaning in Qi Wan Shi's words.

Qi Wan Shi, hearing the affection in her tone, felt much better—after all, blood is thicker than water, and any grudges quickly dissolved.

In truth, her mention of harem affairs was indeed for her younger daughter's future, and also to test the Empress.

She believed the Empress was intelligent enough to grasp her implication, and now the Empress had, in this manner, subtly and clearly refused her.

……

Within the Hall of Containing Yuan, Zhang Jian met with the Tai Yin Immortal.

Should any Primordial Spirit True Person be willing to join the Great Xia Bureau of Astronomy, willing to become a Guardian True Person of the State, Great Xia would grant them corresponding treatment.

This treatment is comparable to that given to major heterodox sects, and even slightly better.

After all, the territory under Great Xia's control is even broader.

This treatment currently takes the form of spirit crystals as the main commodity, supplemented with portions of heavenly and earthly spiritual materials, as well as various magical treasures, cultivation techniques, and exchangeable arts.

After Zhang Jian had slain many Primordial Spirit True Persons, his wealth remained substantial, and paying 'salaries' to a few such cultivators posed no problem—especially regarding cultivation techniques, his reserves were especially astonishing.

Now that Great Xia is newly established, it is certain that in the future, the number of cultivators within its court will only increase.

With the Holy King holding court, he will, to a certain extent, grow into a colossal conglomerate jointly defended by countless extraordinary forces, even immortal clans and heterodox sects.

And after establishing the cabinet, regarding the extraordinary aspect of power, Zhang Jian also prepared to begin exploring and constructing a supernatural platform belonging to Great Xia.

For example, opening marketplaces belonging to Great Xia, with merchant caravans and trade names to accumulate wealth, constructing weapon-refining workshops and pill-refining workshops to better develop Great Xia's subterranean resources.

Even to the point of establishing new spirit mountains and blessed lands, supporting official cultivators.

Gradually completing the transition from a secular dynasty to the Holy King holding court—this process requires considerable time.

However, achieving an immortal body of longevity, Zhang Jian does not lack time.

He wishes to properly open this treasure land of Great Xia, to accomplish this unparalleled feat.

……

After comforting the Tai Yin Immortal, Zhang Jian thought for a moment and stepped into the inner court.

He already knew what had transpired in the inner court.

In the Phoenix Perfume Palace, Zhang Jian, from afar, saw a resplendent figure—the Empress gazing at the flower garden.

Zhang Jian smiled from a distance: "Your Majesty, your interest today is not small—actually admiring this beautiful moonlight alone in the night!"

Upon hearing this, the Empress glanced at Zhang Jian, then bowed slightly and said.

"I have not yet congratulated Your Majesty on quelling Chu and achieving this unparalleled feat!"

Zhang Jian quickly helped her rise, smiling faintly at the corner of his mouth.

"Empress, it is only right that we share this joy together!"

The Empress, her eyes like water, glanced at Zhang Jian and softly snorted: "Shared joy? That may not be the case!

I have heard that the women of Northern Chu are tall and graceful, with unique charm—this time, the triumphant army has brought back not a few Northern Chu royal princesses and ladies of noble rank, among them peerless beauties—Your Majesty's fortune in love is not shallow!"

Zhang Jian stared blankly, then laughed helplessly, walking to the Empress's side and said.

"How could the women of Northern Chu compare to Your Majesty, whose beauty crowns all flowers, whose grace could overturn a nation!"

The Empress's lips curled into a faint smile, but after a moment, her smile slightly faded, she unconsciously brushed her cloud-like hair, gazing at the bright moon before her with a hint of melancholy.

Zhang Jian saw the situation, understood the Empress's concern, and smiled.

"Your Majesty the Empress need not worry, for the Empress possesses the Innate Yin Essence Pearl and the Phoenix Blood Jade on her person, surely she will remain eternally youthful and her beauty will not fade—this is what countless women throughout history have dreamed of.

When I complete this unparalleled undertaking, we shall together lift our residence and ascend to immortality, certainly able to jointly attain immortal bodies and dwell in the world forever!"

Zhang Jian smiled faintly, and with the founding of the Great Xia, he also began gathering some health-preserving cultivation methods for the Empress.

He did not seek for the Empress to attain the Primordial Spirit, but merely wished to assist her in prolonging her life and enhancing her longevity through these practices, to support him until he completes his unparalleled achievement, so they may ascend together.

These, in fact, Zhang Jian had also inquired about from Daoist Jue Ming and the True Monarch Slaying Demons.

Lifting the residence to ascend is feasible.

Even similar to the Holy King Ancestral Master of the Tongshan Dao lineage, as well as some ancient emperors who once existed in this realm, they could lead the entire court to ascend, bringing numerous nobles and high officials together to rise to the heavenly realm.

As long as merit is sufficient and strength reaches a certain level, enough to pierce through the gates of heaven and earth.

Of course, the difficulty is not small either.

Therefore, the upper limit of this great realm is extremely high, allowing for the existence of immortals and demons dwelling in the world.

There are even ancient immortals remaining.

This great realm once had a glorious history.

As Zhang Jian's thoughts turned, he suddenly heard the Empress softly speak again.

"Actually, this subject does not oppose Your Majesty taking concubines..."

"Hmm?"

Zhang Jian directed his surprised gaze toward Empress Qi.