Cultivation: Starting from a Mortal Bone

Chapter 521: Chapter 479: You Foolish Monarch!

The outside world was deliberately blocked off by Qin Yu, so Little Ling’Er only knew that he and Her Majesty the Empress were out dealing with matters, but as for what exactly, she hadn’t a clue.

”Little Ling’Er, you’ve grown up!”

In their embrace, the Empress Dowager quickly noticed that Little Ling’Er had indeed grown a great deal—while still nowhere near the size of her Great Phoenix, she was noticeably bigger than before.

”Ah? Really?”

Little Ling’Er felt a bit shy, and couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Qin Yu out of the corner of her eye.

She wondered if Brother Qin Yu had heard that just now.

The Empress Dowager herself said she had grown up!

When the group returned to Jade Flower Palace, Qin Yu sat alone in the stone pavilion, his gaze distant.

Since the Empress had regained consciousness, she’d barely spoken a word to him; aside from being blasted away at the very beginning, he hadn’t suffered any punishment.

Yet the more this was the case, the more uneasy Qin Yu felt.

The Empress’s status was so eminent—no matter how much she pretended as if nothing had happened, Qin Yu still couldn’t help but worry.

He wasn’t really afraid of any punishment the Empress might deal out; it was just the fear that their distance might widen because of this.

[Ji Luoxi Romantic Point: 17 (Initial Acquaintance)]

Staring at the small flame where another Romantic Point had dropped, Qin Yu felt even more troubled.

During the ”Love” trial, her Affinity toward him had soared to as high as eighty!

A petite figure ran into the stone pavilion.

Little Ling’Er grabbed both of Qin Yu’s hands, putting on a sweet, coquettish tone, ”Brother Qin Yu, will you play chess with me?”

”Of course.”

Faced with the simple, lively girl, Qin Yu couldn’t refuse. For the moment, all he could do was press down his worries.

In the bedchamber.

The Empress silently watched everything within Jade Flower Palace.

Seeing that the Empress Dowager hadn’t continued her questioning, instead becoming absorbed in playing with Little Ling’Er and the others, she finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.

It seemed she had managed to get by for now.

As for Qin Yu?

Watching the way he acted so respectfully toward the Empress Dowager, the Empress had no intention of being fooled by such appearances again.

If auspicious beasts could also face the Seven Emotions Tribulation, she had no doubt this fellow would...be even more outrageous!

Hmph!

If he didn’t at least have a sense of awe for royal authority, the Empress would have long since strictly forbidden the Empress Dowager from getting close to this dangerous man.

But...

So what should she do from now on?

The Empress felt a bit of a headache coming on.

Suddenly, she froze for a moment.

Because she realized that, unconsciously, her own hand had come to rest on her lower abdomen.

Her expression instantly became a bit unnatural.

She might actually be carrying Qin Yu’s child.

Just this single thought sent ripples through the previously calm lake of her heart.

Forget it.

Let’s just say she is pregnant then.

From here on out, as long as she gives birth to the life in her womb, she can act as if nothing ever happened.

But—

What about the warm current?

The warm current within her was indeed much stronger than before, but still far too small; if she was relying solely on such a feeble current to transform her own body, it would take at least several thousand years, wouldn’t it?

It’s not that the Empress lacked patience, just that...

Given the current situation within the Great Yan Immortal Country, if her constitution could be strengthened sooner, it would be much easier to handle certain matters.

And besides—

Though she and the Empress Dowager had long since arranged for Qin Yu to be Little Ling’Er’s future husband, nothing had been finalized yet, had it?

Little Ling’Er’s body was so small and so frail, there’s no way she could withstand it!

As her older sister, should she help shoulder some of it for her?

Wait a minute.

The Empress’s heart jolted—how could she have such terrifying thoughts?!

That man—she absolutely would not allow him to ever get so much as a step closer again. No matter how miraculous that warm current might be, she didn’t care!

So what if it could mend the cracks on the Grand Dao Staircase? So what if it could strengthen her body? So what if it might let her take that last step and become a Venerable?!

”...”

But seriously, thinking it through—such temptation was truly hard to resist!

Even as Empress, she couldn’t possibly remain completely unmoved.

”Hoo!”

The Empress knit her brows slightly and let out a long breath.

It seemed this Seven Emotions Tribulation was still not quite over for her.

If not, why would she have so many muddled and chaotic mood swings?!

”Your Majesty, here are this month’s processed state documents.”

”Also, the Second Elder of the Bai Family of the Ancient Race and the Great Elder of the Lin Family from Great Chu Immortal Country... have both long since submitted their visiting cards, seeking an audience, Your Majesty.”

Only after steadying her composure did the Empress summon Yan Zhi, who entered with an armful of memorials.

Looking at that thick stack of memorials, the Empress suddenly felt no desire at all to review them.

Honestly, even if she didn’t handle them herself, with the Cabinet and Yan Zhi present, she had no need to worry about such trivial affairs.

For the Great Yan Immortal Country, the Empress’s true value was more as a spiritual pillar.

As long as her strength remained formidable, with her overseeing things, Great Yan would only flourish more and more.

”Let them enter the palace tomorrow, then.”

The Empress gave the pile of memorials a cursory glance but had no intention of reviewing them; as for the visiting cards from the other great powers, she couldn’t just leave them hanging forever.

Especially the Bai Family of the Ancient Race?

Wasn’t that the family behind that fellow’s newest beloved wife?

She wouldn’t mind seeing what impression the Bai Family has of Qin Yu.

For some reason, the Empress felt as if all under heaven were muddleheaded, and only she alone was sober and clear-sighted.

Wait.

Does the Bai Family already know about Qin Yu’s situation?!

If they did, surely they’d try to snatch him away.

The Empress well understood just how important the warm current was to any cultivator.

But thinking it over, since the Bai family had sent only an Elder, Bai Yaoyin probably hadn’t said anything yet.

As for Bai Yaoyin, the Empress did know her somewhat.

Even so, the Empress’s brows only knit tighter and tighter.

Bai Yaoyin wouldn’t say—but with Qin Yu’s womanizing ways, who knows what absurd stunts he might pull?

That guy already has so many beloved wives, yet he’s still not satisfied?

But then, as if recalling something...

A trace of awkwardness flashed across the Empress’s face, though she quickly reined it in—fortunately, Yan Zhi hadn’t noticed a thing.

Still, this was indeed a problem.

It seemed Qin Yu really did need to be managed with a firmer hand.

But who would do it?

That was a question.

The Empress Dowager?

”Your Majesty, Yan Lin has already returned to the Imperial Capital. She...is also quite worried about you and Tributor Qin.”

Yan Zhi said respectfully.

”What’s she so worried about him for?”

The Empress’s brow furrowed. Noticing a ripple in her own mood, she gave a faint ”Oh” and said nothing more.