Chapter 18: Shadow Guard Number Three of the First Division

Night had fallen.

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Zheng Yuansen was diligently attending to matters of state.

On the left side of the spacious desk, memorials to the throne were piled more than half a man’s height. To the right, even more memorials lay in disarray, all clearly already reviewed, their surfaces marked with vermilion commentary. Nearby, a pot of strong tea exuded a rich aroma. The entire desk was chaos incarnate.

Though he had been emperor for less than three months, Zheng Yuansen was exceptionally devoted, burning the midnight oil nearly every night to handle the endless memorials. Under his relentless efforts, both the court and the kingdom of Yu were gradually returning to order.

Yet the greatest challenges still before him were the rebellion in the Wilderness Province, and the rebel king Chong Heihu and his followers around Luocheng. Only by crushing these two forces could peace be restored to the Yu kingdom.

Ye Ge slipped in quietly, adjusted the candle wick, and whispered, “Your Majesty, the ministers have taken their leave.”

“Mm.”

Zheng Yuansen’s brush did not pause as he continued annotating the memorials.

“How is my father faring?”

“Your Majesty, in the past three months, today was the first time the Retired Emperor left Xingqing Palace. After the selection of concubines, he returned immediately and has not left since.”

A sigh escaped Zheng Yuansen as he finally set his brush aside, stretching his sore shoulders, his expression softening in relief.

“A pack of idle, useless men—my father only wanted a few women, what does it matter? As long as he will peacefully remain in Xingqing Palace…”

His words trailed off as Ye Ge bowed again.

“Let it be. So long as my father does not leave Xingqing Palace, let him do as he wishes; make sure all his requests are fulfilled.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Ye Ge added softly, “By the way, Your Majesty, the Empress just sent word, inquiring whose chamber you will stay in tonight among the new concubines. The Imperial Household Department has prepared the name plaques of the four new consorts…”

Zheng Yuansen’s eyes grew shadowed. He shook his head. “There’s too much state business tonight. I won’t be turning any plaques.”

“Ah…”

“Give the Empress my reply as such.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

At that moment, a sudden knock sounded at the door.

“Who is it?”

“Your Majesty, the Shadow Guard requests audience!”

“The Shadow Guard?” Zheng Yuansen replied, “Let them enter!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Soon, the door opened and a slender figure cloaked in black hurried inside. Halfway across the room, the figure lifted the black veil, revealing her true face.

Alluring features and captivating eyes—it was none other than Xiao Ruxue.

“Shadow Guard, Number Three of the Alpha Division, pays her respects to Your Majesty!”

Zheng Yuansen frowned. “Number Three? You now serve as one of my father’s beauties; you need not salute me in the future.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“What urgent matter brings you here in person?”

Xiao Ruxue rose and replied, “Your Majesty, I do have urgent news to report. Today’s selection saw over two hundred young women enter Xingqing Palace amidst great confusion, which allowed me to come to the Hall of Supreme Harmony under pretense.”

Zheng Yuansen nodded. “What is it?”

“The Retired Emperor’s martial cultivation… has broken through!”

“My father’s martial cultivation broke through?” Zheng Yuansen’s eyes lit up. “What realm?”

Xiao Ruxue replied, “The Channel-Refining Realm.”

“According to my observations, His Majesty the Retired Emperor has stepped into the Channel-Refining Realm, and is faintly approaching the threshold of the Innate Realm…”

“Channel-Refining Realm?” Zheng Yuansen was surprised. “I did not expect that after his abdication, my father’s martial path would advance further. Truly, enlightenment comes with letting go—destruction begets creation.”

“As for the Innate Realm…” He shook his head. “The Innate Realm is the dream of all martial artists. Only a handful in my service have reached it. My father is advanced in age, his vitality waning; to break through would be a fantasy.”

“Anything else unusual?”

Xiao Ruxue shook her head. “It seems the Retired Emperor has mastered a health-preserving art; his body grows ever more youthful, his spirits are relaxed, and he appears younger by the day.”

“Has he built connections with any court officials?”

“None.”

“Any confidants among the staff?”

“None.”

“Any alliances with the imperial relatives?”

“None.”

“Any ties with the provincial governors?”

“None.”

“Has he tried to win over the Divine Martial Army?”

Xiao Ruxue hesitated. “Tang Cheng and Wang Dong, the two officers.”

Zheng Yuansen shook his head. “I am aware. When the remnant traitors from the former Jin dynasty tried to assassinate my father and me, those two risked their lives to protect him. I am deeply grateful.”

“In the future, unless it is of great importance, you need not report to me again.”

Xiao Ruxue’s body trembled. She glanced at Zheng Yuansen, receiving only his cold, indifferent gaze.

At last, she bowed her head. “Your subordinate… Number Three of the Alpha Division, obeys Your Majesty’s command.”

“Go now. Serve my father well.”

“Yes… Your Majesty!”

Xiao Ruxue bowed and retreated slowly, her once slender figure seeming drained of all strength as she left the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Ye Ge, unable to help himself, muttered, “Your Majesty, Miss Ruxue has always…”

“I know.” Zheng Yuansen’s tone was cool. “Compared to the fate of the empire, what does mere affection matter? Her duty is to watch over my father, to observe him, and to serve him all her life.”

“Yes… Your Majesty.”

Xingqing Palace.

With the arrival of more than two hundred chosen women, Xingqing Palace instantly grew lively.

Some gathered together to explore the palace grounds. Others, after being settled by the palace maids, collapsed in tears, overwhelmed by uncertainty about their futures. A few desperately sought ways to escape, but the main gates were all heavily guarded by the Divine Martial Army and Palace Guards. Within the palace, eunuchs, Divine Martial soldiers, and hidden Shadow Guards patrolled ceaselessly.

For these young women, leaving was all but impossible.

A very few, however, harbored hope of being favored by the Retired Emperor. After all, he was once emperor; to be chosen and elevated to the rank of Beauty would mean a meteoric rise, a life free from worry. For girls from humble backgrounds, this was not a bad fate.

The Hall of Sinking Fragrance.

Once the private chambers of Beauty Chan, this spacious hall with its many side rooms now housed several of the new consorts. Beauty Chan herself occupied the largest main hall. After greeting her new companions, she retired alone to her inner quarters.

Within, a woman of about forty awaited her.

Upon seeing Beauty Chan, the woman bowed deeply. “Greetings, Holy Maiden!”

Beauty Chan’s demeanor shifted, the former coquettishness vanishing, replaced by a piercing gaze.

“What have your investigations uncovered?”

“Your Holiness, this matter will take time,” the woman replied in a low voice. “Our order’s personnel are scarce within Xingqing Palace; a thorough investigation will require some days yet. But rest assured, Holy Maiden: according to the map we obtained from the remains of the Fragrant Mountain cultivator, the secret treasury lies within Xingqing Palace—there can be no mistake.”

“If we can obtain the legacy of the cultivator, our Benevolent Mother Sect…”

“Enough,” Beauty Chan interrupted. “No matter what happens, by sacrificing myself to become a beauty for the Retired Emperor, I can no longer serve as Holy Maiden. I only hope the sect will honor its promise to me.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” the woman said solemnly. “The Holy Mother herself has decreed: so long as the secret treasury is found, our sect’s supreme scripture, ‘The Salvation Sutra of the Thousand Benevolent Mothers,’ will be yours.”