Chapter 415

Constant Virtuous

Inside the deep, secluded, solemn imperial palace courtyard, today it had gained a bit more festive cheer; Heng Xian and Ji Yaoyue walked ahead, while behind them a group of palace maids and Tàijiān carried assorted gifts, constantly making sounds.

Some of these gifts were bought by Ji Yaoyue; some were brought by Heng Xian from his hometown in Donglan, taken out of the Storage Bag; carrying them like this looks better than pulling them out later.

Eldest Princess

Heng Xian adjusted the freshly changed brocade robe; his whole appearance shone dazzlingly, making anyone who saw him inevitably exclaim, 'What a fine young master!'

However, it being the first time in two lifetimes meeting his mother-in-law, to say he wasn't nervous would be false.

Empress Saint Ze

Heng Xian said: 'Excellent, you can now use the word "shuai" flexibly!'

Crown Prince

After thinking, Heng Xian asked: 'Besides the mother-in-law and Ji Yaoyfan, is there anyone else we need to see?'

Ji Yaoyue said: 'My sisters are all married; they're not exactly mothers, and we're not that close. The crown prince is busy, but the Qin princess might come!'

Empress Dowager Su Zhen

Ji Yaoyue laughed: 'The Qin princess is my young aunt, my mother's cousin!'

Empress

Just then, from a palace ahead, a group emerged, their purple robes dazzling, all of them civil and military officials of the court, from senior to junior; even from afar they gave an air of dignity and solemnity.

At the front was a young man wearing a four-clawed dragon robe and a heavenly dragon crown—none other than the crown prince.

Upon seeing Heng Xian and Ji Yaoyue, the officials immediately bowed: 'Greetings, Princess Taiping!'

Ten Guards of Great Zhou

Imperial City Guard

Heng Xian hesitated slightly, then also clasped his fists: 'Your Highness, Crown Prince, and all officials!'

The crown prince smiled gently: 'It's surprising to meet you here; where are you headed?'

National Elder Pavilion

Great Zhou Capital

Ji Royal Clan

Virtuous Celebration Palace

Only then did the crown prince lead the officials away, but before leaving he still glanced at Heng Xian—his eyes were no longer cold, now carrying a hint of amusement.

Watching the group depart, Heng Xian exclaimed in surprise: 'Is this crown prince born of the empress?'

Middle Primordial Elixir

Hundred-forged Battle Armor

Just now, the crown prince's gaze toward him actually made him feel as if he were being stared down by a fierce beast.

Ji Yaoyue said: "The Crown Prince studied under the two State Elders in the State Elder Pavilion; three years ago he already was at the middle stage of the Prime Elixir."

"State Elder Pavilion?" Heng Xian, during his time in the Great Zhou Imperial Capital, had some understanding of all the factions, but this was the first time he had heard of the "State Elder Pavilion"!

Ji Yaoyue gestured to continue on the road, while walking she carefully pointed to a secluded spot in the imperial city: "That is the Ji clan's royal family; it is where the ancestors of all generations and the clan's talented elites reside; they basically rarely involve themselves in worldly affairs, and it is said that inside there is a pocket-sized world where one can cultivate, which only appears when the royal family faces turmoil."

Heng Xian understood in his heart, the royal family's elder institute, ah, he laughed and said: "Since they don't involve themselves in worldly affairs, why would they take the Crown Prince as a disciple?"

Ji Yaoyue glanced around, walked together with him, and transmitted her voice secretly: "More than twenty years ago, the father emperor personally governed, but the Holy Virtue Heavenly Empress refused to relinquish power; the emperor and empress vied, the empire was unstable, and in the State Elder Pavilion appeared two pavilion elders, Yin and Yang, whose cultivation reached the heavens, suppressing the world!"

The Holy Virtue Heavenly Empress admitted defeat, relinquished power to the father emperor; the Yin and Yang elders took the Crown Prince's elder brother as a disciple, imparting cultivation insights and techniques, then retreated back to the State Elder Pavilion!

Therefore, the Crown Prince's position is extremely stable; don't listen to the rumors that my younger brother, the Prince of Wu, is vying for the Crown Prince's position—in fact, it's utterly impossible!

Heng Xian nodded and said: "The Great Zhou State Elder Pavilion is indeed terrifying!"

Ji Yaoyue's expression suddenly turned grim: "The Holy Virtue Heavenly Empress is even more terrifying!"

"How so?" Heng Xian asked.

Ji Yaoyue said: "Three months after the Yin and Yang elders retreated back to the State Elder Pavilion, the Holy Virtue Heavenly Empress went alone to the State Elder Pavilion; no one knew what happened inside, only knowing that after she emerged, she sent people to seal the State Elder Pavilion and took the Imperial City Guard from the Great Zhou's Ten Guards into her command."

The remaining six guards were given to her biological children, the Prince of Qin and the Chang Gongzhu aunt!

Hearing these royal secrets, Heng Xian felt greatly complicated: "So, your father emperor is not the biological son of the Heavenly Empress?"

Ji Yaoyue's expression turned awkward: "The father emperor was born of the grandmother of Consort Su Zhen; the senior consort passed away many years ago, and the father emperor only obtained the throne because it was actually the intention of the previous emperor!"

As they spoke, they had already arrived at the "Xianqing Palace"; a group of palace maids and Tàijiān waiting at the gate, from afar, glanced over; some happily ran inside to report, while many more desperately stared at Heng Xian.

Heng Xian instantly lost the mood to speak, coughed once, and straightened his body rigidly.

Ji Yaoyue looked amused, took his hand, and said: "Are you very nervous?"

Heng Xian said solemnly: "That's impossible; how could I possibly be nervous?"

"Hehehe..." Ji Yaoyue laughed out loud.

Upon entering the gate, a group of Tàijiān and palace maids enthusiastically came forward, first paying respects, then taking the gift-bearing pole.

Up ahead, Ji Yifan, dressed in formal attire, had already come out from afar, putting on an act: "Oh my! It's the brother-in-law and sister who have come!"

Ji Yaoyue's face flushed slightly: "Deserves a beating!"

Ji Yifan shrank his neck, stepped aside: "No way! Please!"

Ji Yaoyue glanced at Heng Xian, gave a light laugh, and accompanied him inside.

As they passed by Ji Yifan, Heng Xian, like performing a magic trick, produced a red envelope: "Red packet!"

"What is a red packet??" Ji Yifan exclaimed in surprise, tore it open on the spot, and saw inside a Storage Bag containing a set of Hundred-Forged Battle Armor; he couldn't help but joyfully say: "I like this, brother-in-law, you're thoughtful!"

Heng Xian glanced at the surrounding female officials and Tàijiān, waved his hand, and hundreds of red packets fell to the ground.

Of course, it's impossible for each to contain a Storage Bag; they were merely simple Great Zhou common currency.

A group of female officials, palace maids, and Tàijiān happily scrambled for them.

On this day of the New Year, they disregarded formalities.

In a moment the whole courtyard was filled with laughter, directly praising this prince consort as truly generous!

After entering the main hall, I saw two middle-aged women in palace attire sitting upright inside. They were all dignified and virtuous, noble in bearing, and lovely in appearance. Especially the one in pink palace attire, who glanced lightly at Heng Xian, her eyes carrying a hint of scrutiny and thought.

Ji Yaofan stood behind Heng Xian, poked him, made faces, and didn't know what it meant.

Beside her, Ji Yaoyue whispered an explanation: "The Qin Prince's consort's aunt and..."

Without waiting for her to finish, Heng Xian bowed directly to the woman in pink palace attire: "Greetings, Consort De!"

Then he bowed to the other: "Greetings, aunt of the Qin Prince's consort!"

The two women exchanged a glance, both letting out a soft "Huh?".

The woman in pink palace attire laughed and said: "This is your first time coming to Virtuous Celebration Palace, seeing the two of us here—how did you know our identities?"

Heng Xian laughed and said: "Consort De, you set the standard for virtue, dignified and solemn; in observing me, you naturally have a mother's measure."

The aunt of the Qin Prince's consort, graceful and luxurious, treats wealth and honor as mere vulgarities, thus she is refined and outstanding; in observing me, she uses the eyes of an elder.

(End of chapter)