chsdbacks Chapter 68 Preparing to Leave the Palace
Chapter 68 Preparing to Leave the Palace
"Nonsense! Why would I be jealous?"
Yu Qingyi's voice suddenly rose, but her pretty face flushed red.
Qin Xiao found it even more amusing to see Yu Qingyi pretending to care when she actually did.
He didn't rush to explain, but simply released Mu Ziyan's hand, took two steps forward, and calmly looked back at her, "If you weren't jealous, why would you get so angry? Mu Ziyan is my Daoist partner. I brought her to see you so that you could get to know each other. In the future, you can cultivate the Great Dao together and take care of each other."
"Qingyi, you are also the foremost Daoist partner recognized by me, and that will not change."
"But if you think that from now on, you will be the only one by my side, you are very wrong."
"The path of cultivation is not a solitary one; only by finding a suitable partner to support each other can one go further."
"Zi Yan, Qing Luan, Feng Ling, and you, all of you possess spiritual roots and are destined to be with me."
"Now that I have embarked on this path, I will not betray any destiny, nor will I abandon others because of your likes or dislikes."
Upon hearing this, Yu Qingyi's chest heaved, and the coldness in her phoenix eyes intensified.
She was the ruler of a country, accustomed to controlling everything and being supreme.
But in front of this man, her power and her pride were incredibly fragile.
Even her smallest emotions were analyzed so bluntly, without any mercy.
"Who...who cares how many women you have!"
Finally, Yu Qingyi turned her face away, looking out the window, her voice lowered, "I just... dislike your sudden intrusion with people, it's so rude!"
Mu Ziyan listened quietly from the side, then stepped forward again, gave a graceful bow, and said in a gentle voice, "Sister Qingyi, please calm down. I came here abruptly and disturbed you. It was my fault."
Yu Fengling also came to her senses and quickly tried to smooth things over: "Your Majesty, Miss Mu... oh no, Ziyan seems to be a gentle and kind person. We're all family, so let's talk things out."
As she spoke, she stole glances at Qin Xiao's expression.
I was afraid he would really get angry.
Qin Xiao looked at the tense lines on Yu Qingyi's profile and knew that she wouldn't be able to get over her anger anytime soon.
But I also understand that she's not completely unreasonable, she just needs a way out.
He stopped talking about it and said, "I have returned this time to take the two of you away from the Kingdom of Yu for a while."
Upon hearing this, Yu Qingyi turned her head sharply, her eyes filled with wariness: "Leave? Where to? I am the Empress of Yu Kingdom, how can I leave the capital so easily?"
"Go to Dayong."
Qin Xiao went straight to the point, "As for the affairs of the Yu Kingdom, have there been any disturbances in the court these past few days?"
Yu Qingyi pursed her lips and had to admit, "There is no major chaos. Although Grand Tutor Lin and others are worried, they are still able to maintain the situation."
Qin Xiao nodded: "That's it. You are the Empress, not a steward who has to do everything personally. Just select virtuous and capable officials, formulate strategies, and grasp the overall direction. Leaving the palace for a few months will not cause any major harm to the country. Moreover, you can use this time to test the petty villains. If anyone dares to have any thoughts, you can quell them at any time."
"Moreover, compared to the path to immortality, what are these mere months, or even years or decades, of mundane affairs? If you really can't let go of them, as your cultivation deepens and your divine sense becomes stronger, you will be able to know the movements of the court even if you are thousands of miles away, and remote command will not be difficult."
The Path to Immortality...
Remote command...
These words once again assaulted Yu Qingyi's defenses.
She truly couldn't let go of the Kingdom of Yu; it was her responsibility.
But the prospects Qin Xiao described were so enticing.
If one truly possessed such supernatural powers...
Mu Ziyan also gently advised, "Sister Qingyi, what the young master said is very true. At the beginning of cultivation, it is most important to calm the mind and concentrate, and not to be disturbed by external things. Sister, you might as well give it a try. If you are really worried about the affairs of the country, it is not too late to make a plan later."
Yu Fengling nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice: "Yes, yes, yes! Cultivation is the most important thing! Your Majesty, shall we listen to... listen to our husband?"
She tentatively used the term "husband," and her face turned red as soon as she said it. She then nervously looked at Qin Xiao.
Qin Xiao did not correct her, but simply looked at Yu Qingyi and waited for her decision.
The hall was quiet for a moment.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting dappled shadows on the polished floor.
Yu Qingyi lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow beneath them, obscuring the complex expression in her eyes.
Finally, she slowly raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping over Qin Xiao, then over Mu Ziyan, and finally landing on the expectant Yu Fengling. Her voice returned to its calm tone: "How long will it take to leave the palace?"
Qin Xiao calmly replied, "It could take a few months to a year or two, depending on your progress in cultivation."
Yu Qingyi remained silent for a few moments before saying, "Give me three days to arrange state affairs and hand over responsibilities to the regents."
"Can."
Qin Xiao readily agreed, "I will come to pick you up in three days."
The matter was settled.
Yu Qingyi stopped looking at Qin Xiao and Mu Ziyan and picked up the memorial again.
Qin Xiao didn't linger and said to Mu Ziyan, "Ziyan, you stay here for now and get to know Qingyi and Fengling. I'm going out for a bit."
Mu Ziyan nodded obediently: "Yes, young master."
Qin Xiao glanced at Yu Qingyi again, and seeing that she made no comment, he transformed into a streak of light and disappeared.
After Qin Xiao left, the atmosphere in the hall seemed to relax a bit, but a subtle awkwardness also crept in.
Yu Fengling, unable to sit still, sidled up to Mu Ziyan, curiously examining her, and whispered, "Ziyan, were you... were you also 'tricked' into marriage by His Majesty... oh no, by my husband?"
Mu Ziyan smiled slightly and shook her head: "That's not the case. I truly admire Your Majesty. I was originally the daughter of Mu Yunshan, a merchant from Jinyang Prefecture. I was fortunate enough to be accepted by you, young master, and led me into the Dao, which is how I came to be where I am today."
"A merchant's...daughter?"
Yu Fengling blinked, somewhat surprised.
She originally thought that only princesses or noblewomen would be chosen by Qin Xiao.
Although Yu Qingyi was still looking at the memorial, her ears involuntarily perked up.
"Um."
Mu Ziyan nodded, looked at Yu Qingyi, and said sincerely, "Sister Qingyi, you don't need to feel uncomfortable because of my status. Young Master once said that on the path of cultivation, only talent and fate matter, not social status. Sister, you are of noble birth and the ruler of a country. Your demeanor and magnanimity are far beyond what I can compare to. In the future, when we serve Young Master together, I hope you will give me more guidance and care."
Yu Qingyi finally put down the scroll of memorial she had barely read and looked up at Mu Ziyan.
The woman before him was indeed stunningly beautiful, and what was even more remarkable was her gentle and graceful demeanor, clear and honest eyes, and poised and confident manner.
She was completely different from the seductive, scheming woman she had imagined.
"You...have already begun your cultivation?"
Yu Qingyi spoke, her voice still clear and cold, but without the chill.
"Yes."
Mu Ziyan nodded, "I am grateful to Young Master for imparting the 'Hehuan Immortal Scripture' to me. I have only recently entered the second level of Qi Refining, and my cultivation is still shallow. Please forgive my ignorance, Sister."
"Second level of Qi Refining..."
Yu Qingyi murmured repeatedly, a complex emotion flashing in her beautiful eyes.
Despite years of arduous cultivation, relying on her Heavenly Spiritual Root and the "Water Element Technique," she only reached the sixth level of Qi Refining.
Judging from what she said, Mu Ziyan's cultivation period shouldn't be long...
"The Hehuan Immortal Scripture?"
Yu Qingyi caught the name of the cultivation technique, her phoenix eyes narrowing slightly.
Mu Ziyan blushed slightly, but she didn't hesitate and said frankly, "This is the main cultivation method of the young master, and it is also suitable for cultivation partners to practice together. It will benefit both of you in your cultivation."
It only touched on the topic briefly and did not go into detail about the dual cultivation process.
But the meaning is already quite clear.
A blush crept across Yu Qingyi's cheeks as she immediately understood the nature of this technique.
No wonder Qin Xiao said something about "suitable partners helping each other"...
So that's where the root of the problem lies.