[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-imperial-cultivation":3,"chapter-imperial-cultivation-imperial-cultivation-chapter-104":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Imperial Cultivation",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1054763,1365,"Chapter 104 - 104 102 Persistence","imperial-cultivation-chapter-104",104,"\u003Cp>104: Chapter 102 Persistence 104: Chapter 102 Persistence “`html\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Chu Zhiyuan returned to the Listening Wave Pavilion for a noon rest, he lay on the couch, still thinking about how to deal with Song Tianhai before sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Song Tianhai had directly challenged him, he would not have been angry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not directly attacking him but instead dealing with his younger sister Chu Yi, involving family members, made him especially hate it, deciding to severely deal with Song Tianhai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, since Song Tianhai was a young Duke and a guerrilla general in the army, dealing with him would require some thought and consideration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The court has its own laws, and the princely heir cannot completely ignore the laws, doing whatever he wants, hitting whoever he wishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must act according to the law and occupy a justified position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barging into the Duke Kang Mansion and dragging Song Tianhai out for a beating, although no one would stop or even retaliate against him, he would face severe punishment from the Emperor, at worst being ordered to seclusion for reflection, at best penalized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cancelling the opportunity to earn merits for several years would delay his cultivation; a single misstep could lead to further delays, ultimately costing him the chance to become a Grandmaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suffering such a loss for one Song Tianhai is truly not worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, when he attended a banquet at the Eighteenth Prince’s Mansion, Chu Mingxuan, amid the revelry, he brought up the issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deal with Song Tianhai?” Chu Mingxuan sneered, “That kid indeed needs some discipline; Third Brother has long wanted to deal with him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan looked towards Chu Zhiyao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyao frowned and said, “How did that guy offend you, Fourth Brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan recounted the events.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s precisely that guy’s method, despicable and vicious!” Chu Zhiyao snorted coldly, “Like a toad, not biting but nauseating!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Third Brother, have you been at a loss against him for years?” Chu Zhiyuan asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyao said, “Not always at a loss; I can defeat him openly and outdo him in achievements!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan smiled at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Mingxuan chuckled, “Besides taking losses, what can you do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he’s the elder brother-in-law, part of the family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fourth Brother, I support you in dealing with him, just don’t kill him!” Chu Zhiyao snorted, “I’d be eager to see him suffer a loss!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan asked, “Does he have any weaknesses?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Weaknesses…” Chu Zhiyao thought for a moment, “He seems to have no weaknesses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyone he cares about?” Chu Zhiyuan probed, “Does he have someone he loves or a woman he’s fond of?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Return in kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to deal with Song Tianhai’s sisters, since they were related to Chu Zhiyao’s wife or her sisters, another woman had to be involved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyao said, “He spends all his time practicing martial arts, uninterested in women, rarely going out for pleasure, and as for marriage, he hasn’t been engaged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s only infatuated with Xiao Ruoling, the most beautiful woman in Yujing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now that Xiao Ruoling had become Fourth Brother’s sister-in-law, it was inappropriate to mention her, so he avoided saying it directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan pondered, “Martial arts…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyao hastily asked, “Fourth Brother, how are you planning to deal with him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes showed excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His disdain for his elder brother-in-law was extreme, yet he was powerless, making him feel exceptionally frustrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s just say that it’s better to resolve enmity than to create more, after all, he’s your elder brother-in-law, and a young duke, you can’t make an irreconcilable grudge,” Chu Zhiyuan pondered, “Why not invite him for a drink and settle this matter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This statement took Chu Mingxuan and the others by surprise, and they exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fourth Brother, are you kidding?” Chu Mingxuan quickly asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan smiled, “Eighteenth Uncle, I’m serious, not speaking in jest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fourth Brother, are you really not joking?” Chu Zhiting was puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhichuan also looked at him confusedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fourth Brother, you really want to invite him over for a meal?” Chu Mingxuan asked incredulously, “That guy is extremely arrogant, he may not even appreciate the invitation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not just him, but us together as well,” Chu Zhiyuan smiled, “And not at the Prince Mansion, but at my new residence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The new house near the Bright Moon Tower?” Chu Mingxuan asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan smiled, “Everyone must be curious, so let’s have the banquet there, inviting the young duke and a few of his friends, and best to include other young dukes as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This sounds good,” Chu Mingxuan laughed, “It’s a pity there aren’t many of the eight young dukes in the capital; most are in the military.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Invite as many as we can get, but not sure if they’d give me face,” Chu Zhiyuan smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Absolutely no problem,” Chu Mingxuan exclaimed with enthusiasm, “Everyone wants to get closer to you, but just hasn’t had the chance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Fourth Brother defeated Cheng Tianfeng at the imperial palace’s night banquet, he won the hearts of the entire Imperial Family, so there was no concern about invitations being refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even not just the eight young dukes, but if eight dukes were invited, they’d come to the banquet if in the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then send the invitations tomorrow, and hold the banquet the day after, how does that sound?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kind of formal dinner invitation is inappropriate to be delivered on the same day as the invitation; there needs to be at least a day’s gap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sounds good!” Chu Mingxuan clapped his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He loved lively events the most, and hearing of such an occasion, wished the banquet could start immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan sat in a room within the Inspection Department.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was so quiet a pin drop could be heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, the chirping of birds was loud and clear, echoing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianhe stood solemnly by the side, saying nothing, merely watching the dossier in Chu Zhiyuan’s hands, waiting for him to finish reading one and then placing it in the box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan’s gaze had been fixed on one dossier for a long time, motionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianhe did not dare to urge or speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan’s silence at this moment exerted enormous pressure, as if a storm were about to come, not daring to make a rash move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan frowned at the dossier before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It detailed the negotiations between officials from Da Jing and Da Zhen, every word of their conversations recorded meticulously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One can’t help but admire the Inspection Department’s prowess, with its vast network and talented individuals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To remember all these words clearly required not only having someone present but also extraordinary memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among those he met, only two people had such an eidetic memory: Zou Fang and Huang Shiron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such individuals were indeed rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, there were such talents within the Inspection Department.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What surprised him wasn’t the talents within the Inspection Department but the contents of the negotiations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were multiple sticking points between the two sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was the number of troops at the border, with Da Zhen leaning towards retaining more, whereas Da Jing preferred fewer troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other contentious point was the candidate for a marriage alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Jing had selected the Twenty-Third Prince, but Da Zhen firmly disagreed, insisting on Chu Zhiyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Da Jing officials had clearly stated that the Prince Qing’s heir was already engaged to the Duke An’s Mansion’s lady and could not break this engagement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Da Zhen proposed having two consorts, Chu Zhiyuan could marry two Heir Consorts, the East and West Princess Consorts, with no distinction in rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Jing officials categorically opposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two consorts, being a privilege exclusive to the Emperor, with the East Palace Empress and West Palace Empress, as an heir, one could only establish a primary wife, not allowing two consorts to coexist equally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Zhen’s officials argued for making Xiao Ruoling a concubine and Da Zhen’s princess the primary wife, as the Da Zhen princess was royalty while Xiao Ruoling was merely a duke’s daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Jing officials insisted the Twenty-Third Prince should marry Da Zhen’s princess; prince and princess were most suitable matches, while heir and princess fell short, not conveying the alliance’s sincerity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Zhen officials held firm that Chu Zhiyuan should establish Da Zhen’s princess as the primary Heir Consort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both sides were deadlocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had already debated for four rounds, unable to persuade each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan’s expression grew increasingly grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He vaguely sensed that the tone of Da Jing’s officials was softening, and if this trend continued, they might not withstand Da Zhen’s stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This situation was indeed unfavorable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly put down the dossier, and Ma Tianhe quickly stepped forward to take it, placing it in the box, and softly asked, “Your Highness…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan sighed, “A tree wishes to be still, but the wind does not cease.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianhe asked, “Your Highness, do you have worries?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I am foolish, perhaps I might have a foolish insight!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan looked at him and smiled, “Your courtesy is appreciated, Lord Ma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the way, the Twelfth Prince from the Da Lie envoy seems peculiar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Twelfth Prince of Da Lie?” Ma Tianhe was taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan said, “The other day at the Four Directions Pavilion, I ran into him, and this Twelfth Prince seemed not quite right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What seemed wrong?” Ma Tianhe’s spirit lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Zhiyuan frowned, “He doesn’t quite seem like a prince, …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it’s just a feeling; it’s hard to explain, just intuition, but there’s likely something strange.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princes and heirs of royal blood had a certain aura that ordinary people did not possess, an aura so subtle and faint that it’s hard to describe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Super Sense, however, could sense this aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princes and heirs of Da Jing, Da Zhen, and even the Da Jian envoy all had this aura, yet the Da Lie prince did not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, the expressions of Da Lie’s prince and his guards were unusual, clearly suggesting guilt, as if fearing a discovery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The combination of these observations could not help but arouse suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This served as a contribution to the Inspection Department, an exchange of favors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“`\u003C\u002Fp>",1695,"2026-06-03T09:57:58.104Z","2026-06-03T09:58:02.813Z",1,"novelbin.me","540a3afe3515835e326419436da42c6ba84ffc4314fb99a0239c60ea85ba220d","imperial-cultivation-chapter-105","imperial-cultivation-chapter-103",1378,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimperial-cultivation-cover.jpg"]