Chapter 1100

The Emperor had always lived with the Empress in the Kunninggong, only occasionally residing in the back hall of the Qianqing Palace when state affairs were urgent, or occasionally visiting other concubines in the inner palace.

So when he spoke of his sleeping quarters, he meant the Kunninggong.

The Empress happily pulled the State Master toward the Kunninggong: "For this entire period, His Majesty has been living alone in the back hall of the Qianqing Palace to cultivate."

The Empress muttered under her breath: "Actually, His Majesty is just lazy—he'd rather sit cross-legged and sleep in the Qianqing Palace than return to the inner palace."

Pan Yun felt concerned: "How old is His Majesty? How has he lost interest in the inner palace already? He only has one Imperial Prince so far."

The Empress fell silent, her hand gently resting on her abdomen.

After walking a short distance, she still glanced back subtly at the palace attendants behind her.

Those following behind silently slowed their steps, increasing the distance between themselves and the Empress and Pan Yun.

Pan Yun's steps paused slightly, then she continued forward as if she noticed nothing.

The Empress walked beside her, one hand resting before her abdomen, asking: "Could the State Master please cast a character for the child in my womb?"

Pan Yun stopped in her steps, glanced at the Empress's still-flat belly, then stepped back two paces and fixed her gaze on the Empress's face.

Pan Xiaohei, crouched on Pan Yun's shoulder, turned around and tilted his head to look at the Empress.

The Empress's facial features had changed, but her fortune regarding children remained unchanged—still only two daughters. Yet her children's palace carried deep blessings: her two daughters' fates had altered, unlike in another timeline, where one bore no children after marriage and the other remained unmarried and died young.

Pan Yun's lips curled slightly: "The Princess has profound blessings. Congratulations, Your Majesty."

The Empress paused, a flicker of regret crossing her eyes, but she quickly rallied, gently stroking her abdomen and smiling: "As long as it's safe, that's enough."

The two walked together toward the inner palace; they had just sat down when the Emperor strode in.

His mood had improved greatly; he no longer cared that the yellow talisman couldn't move Pan Yun, and chatted with her like a friend: "State Master, why can't I ever sense Qi no matter how hard I cultivate?"

"Your Majesty's strength lies not in cultivation, but in governing."

Zhu Qiyu sighed deeply, his voice tinged with sorrow: "State Master, is it true that no matter how hard I try, I'll never sense Qi?"

"No. If Your Majesty were to apply yourself as a cultivator does, given your innate constitution and comprehension, you could indeed sense Qi—and even advance further, living a hundred years without issue."

At twenty-one, Zhu Qiyu desired immortality but was not yet desperate; hearing Pan Yun say he could enter cultivation simply by applying himself, he immediately cast aside his self-doubt and regained his confidence.

Pan Yun smiled slightly at him: "Your Majesty may try. In three months, if you still wish to cultivate, I will surely guide you."

The Emperor was overjoyed, asking at once: "What must I do?"

"Since Your Majesty wishes to cultivate, reside in the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. I will draft a daily schedule for you that neither interferes with state affairs nor neglects cultivation."

The Empress was stunned, but the Emperor agreed at once.

Pan Yun said: "To succeed in cultivation, you must draw in the celestial and terrestrial spiritual energy each morning—daily morning practice is essential."

Since her birth in this world, unless gravely wounded or in battle, Pan Yun had never missed her morning practice.

What was easy for ordinary people was difficult for the Emperor; after careful thought, he decided to show mercy to the ministers who always arrived at court before dawn.

Pan Yun's father was fortunate enough to break through the fifth-rank barrier in his lifetime and gain the right to attend morning court.

Then Pan Yun learned how insane Great Ming's morning court truly was.

The start time of Great Ming's morning court was not fixed—it was set at dawn.

Like the national flag raised before Tiananmen, it shifted earlier in summer when days were long and later in winter when days were short, generally between five and seven in the morning.

Thus, the ministers had to line up outside the Wu Gate by the third watch to avoid being late.