Imperial Cultivation

48: Chapter 46 Imperial Grant

48 -46 Imperial Grant

Chu Zhiyuan showed a look of longing.

With Concubine Rou’s cleverness, she should know how to get the message to the Emperor, but it’s uncertain how the Emperor will respond.

It would be great if he could really bestow the Dragon Orb.

Chu Yi curiously asked, “Big Brother, what do you need the Dragon Orb for?

Is it fun?”

“It’s beneficial for cultivation.”

“Oh.” Chu Yi immediately lost interest and then excitedly said, “Today, Miss Suyue from the Flying Flower Sword Sect came over.

She is really amazing!”

“How amazing?”

“She’s exceptionally good at cultivating flowers and plants, even more skilled than I am.

It’s incredible!”

“Her martial arts are also better than yours.”

“Bi——g Bro——ther!”

“Instead of indulging in leisure with flowers and plants, practice martial arts more.

It’s not like before anymore,” Chu Zhiyuan said, “There’s still danger outside the mansion.”

“It’s not like there aren’t any guards.”

“You can’t rely entirely on others for your life,” Chu Zhiyuan stated, “Start practicing martial arts today.”

“I still have to learn etiquette.”

“According to your two aunts, your etiquette is already adequate,” Chu Zhiyuan said, “Start practicing martial arts in the afternoon.”

“…” Chu Yi had a face full of resistance.

Chu Zhiyuan said, “Otherwise, don’t count on me to collect those strange flowers and plants for you anymore.”

“All right, all right.” Chu Yi quickly compromised.

Bai Ningshuang and Chu Minghou watched with laughter, not interrupting.

Chu Zhiyuan said, “By the way, Mother, I’m attending Uncle’s birthday banquet this time.”

“You’ve thought it through?” Bai Ningshuang immediately smiled, “That’s the way!”

“This morning when I went to Mingwu Hall, Third Brother formally invited me.

It was hard to refuse, so I agreed,” Chu Zhiyuan said.

He went to Mingwu Hall early today, intending to leave when the morning sun turned from red to golden, shining brightly, to check in at the Ministry of Rites.

At that moment, Chu Zhiyao caught up to him with an invitation, asking him to attend Father King’s birthday banquet.

Seeing his hesitation, Chu Zhiyao mentioned that Chu Mingxuan, Chu Zhitian, and Chu Zhichuan were also invited, and all those from Mingwu Hall would be there.

The plan was to gather a few tables for fun, with no outsiders present.

Chu Zhiyuan had no choice but to agree.

Refusing under such circumstances would not only save face for Chu Zhiyao but also for Prince Xuan.

Social manners must still be observed.

Bai Ningshuang put down her bowl and chopsticks, exclaiming excitedly, “I must go through your clothes and dress you up a bit more spruced up.”

At Prince Xuan’s birthday banquet, there will not only be members of the Imperial family but also dukes, marquises, and lords from the State Duke Mansion and Marquis Mansion along with their families.

This occasion is both a gathering of nobility and an event for young people.

If they fancy each other and their family backgrounds match, they might propose marriage.

“Mother, that’s unnecessary,” Chu Zhiyuan said.

“You don’t understand this; it’s very necessary.” Bai Ningshuang stood up and left, her steps hurried yet light.

Chu Minghou laughed, “Your mother has been mumbling, complaining about your reluctance to go.

Now, she’s finally relieved.”

Chu Yi giggled as she approached, “With Big Brother there, I’m relieved.”

She really didn’t want to go to crowded places; she felt uncomfortable, and just the thought of it made her nervous and pressured.

Now, upon hearing that Chu Zhiyuan would be there, she immediately relaxed.

With Chu Zhiyuan by her side, she felt reassured and less anxious, at least not having to talk to others, and she could just talk with Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan said, “Don’t forget to practice martial arts.”

“I know, I know.” Chu Yi waved her hand, “Big Brother, you’re so naggy!”

“Allow me to nag a bit more; let’s go and start teaching you martial arts,” Chu Zhiyuan stood up.

Chu Yi sighed, dejectedly following Chu Zhiyuan out.

…

In the afternoon, Chu Zhiyuan first went to the Ministry of Rites, where he saw Gao Lingfeng waiting outside his office, so he waved him in to talk.

“Sir, the Grandmaster Mansion has taken action,” Gao Lingfeng spoke with a heavy expression, sighing, “It’s said they’ve already caught the thief and retrieved the item.”

“What happened after it was retrieved?”

“The Court took it back, saying it’s an item that was initially lost by the Court and later acquired by ancestors of the Thick Earth Sect, and now it returns to its rightful owner.”

Chu Zhiyuan couldn’t help but smile.

Gao Lingfeng gave a cold laugh, showing disdain, “The Thick Earth Sect insisted on returning things to their original owner, and now, returning it to the Court is truly giving it back to the rightful owner, so no one else can have it.”

Chu Zhiyuan clapped his hands and laughed, “Brilliant!”

The Court is indeed as formidable as expected.

This move of returning the same adversarial trick to the Thick Earth Sect left them speechless.

But what about the Flying Flower Sword Sect?

Gao Lingfeng said, “The Flying Flower Sword Sect should be quite unwilling, right?

I wonder if they’ll cause a stir.”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, “The Court must have considered it and should have a way to handle it.”

After all, the Court must maintain face for the Great Grandmaster, so they wouldn’t be too harsh on the Flying Flower Sword Sect and would surely provide compensation and comfort.

While they were talking, a minor official reported from outside that an imperial envoy from the Court came to see the Junior Minister.

Chu Zhiyuan stood up and went out of the room with Gao Lingfeng.

On the open space outside, a middle-aged eunuch wearing a red robe stood smiling, holding a White Jade Dust Brush, looking as steady as a mountain.

This red-robed eunuch had a slender build, gentle demeanor, and fair, lustrous skin, clearly a Grandmaster.

Two younger eunuchs in green stood behind him, each holding a square mahogany tray covered with golden satin, exuding a sense of luxury.

Seeing Chu Zhiyuan walk out, the red-robed middle-aged eunuch brought his fists together and bowed, “Servant Huang Cheng greets Princely Heir Yuan.”

Chu Zhiyuan returned the gesture with a smile, “Imperial Envoy Huang, what orders does the Emperor have?”

“His Majesty ordered this servant to accompany Princely Heir Yuan to the Flying Flower Sword Sect to deliver the decree.”

“Oh—?

What is the decree?”

“His Majesty bestows two treasures on the Flying Flower Sword Sect, one is the Glazed Dragon Pearl, and the other is the Evil-breaking Sword.”

“I must take a look then.” Chu Zhiyuan laughed, “Alright, Imperial Envoy Huang?”

This maneuver by the Emperor is truly interesting.

“If Princely Heir Yuan wants to see, please feel free.” The red-robed eunuch smiled.

Chu Zhiyuan glanced at Zou Fang.

Zou Fang approached the two green-clad young eunuchs, using the White Jade Dust Brush to lift the golden satin covering the trays.

Beneath the satin was a small purple sandalwood box and an ancient-looking longsword, exuding a weighty sense of age.

The small purple sandalwood box and ancient sword both bore a golden seal, with the inscription “Decree,” indicating they were made by the imperial craftsman under the Emperor’s command.

Chu Zhiyuan pursed his lips.

Zou Fang stepped forward and gently opened the small purple sandalwood box, revealing a dark green round pearl lying quietly inside.

About the size of an egg, it resembled sculpted dark jade, translucent and warm as if there was spring water flowing within.

Chu Zhiyuan instantly felt the Dragon Transformation Technique operating wildly, as if it had gone mad.

He acted as if disinterested, waving his hand dismissively.

Zou Fang closed it and then drew the longsword from its sheath.

“Clang…”

A dragon’s roar accompanied the sword being drawn, its blade emitting a chilling radiance, with the cold air rapidly spreading.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded, “Great sword.”

In terms of aura, it surpassed his own Qingying Sword at his waist.

This sword might be sharper and more imposing, but the blade looked obviously very heavy, not as suitable for him as the Qingying Sword.

He looked at Huang Cheng, “Imperial Envoy Huang, shall we proceed so as not to delay the Imperial Grandfather’s decree?”

“Certainly,” Huang Cheng hurriedly smiled, “Princely Heir Yuan, please—!”

Gao Lingfeng watched the scene with some astonishment.

He felt Huang Cheng’s attitude was a bit too servile.

Since Huang Cheng could be assigned to deliver the decree, he wasn’t an ordinary eunuch, certainly a trusted one by the Emperor with significant influence.

For such a Grand Eunuch to treat the Princely Heir of Prince Qing Mansion with such a demeanor was indeed excessively obsequious.

Could this be the method by which Huang Cheng became a Grand Eunuch?

He secretly sighed, thinking he couldn’t achieve such flexibility, unable to act so fawningly.

Losing face could be considered a kind of skill as well.

Chu Zhiyuan didn’t express approval or disapproval towards Huang Cheng’s attitude; he wasn’t overly flattered nor too arrogant, just treating it normally.

These eunuchs within the forbidden inner court were like willows, bending with the wind, leaning whichever way the Emperor’s wind blew, lacking personal will.

The two left together, with Huang Cheng deliberately trailing half a step behind.

They exited the Ministry of Rites, proceeding in a grand procession.

In addition to Chu Zhiyuan’s guards, there were the Imperial Palace’s guards, making up a group of more than fifty men, presenting an impressive momentum.

——

Upon arriving at the residence of the Flying Flower Sword Sect, the people inside had long since received the news.

Lu Wan, accompanied by another Elder Yang Jifan, and some disciples of the Flying Flower Sword Sect, came out to receive the imperial decree.

All the disciples’ eyes gleamed, fixed on the red-robed Huang Cheng.

Huang Cheng didn’t look at them, only focusing on Chu Zhiyuan, staying half a step behind him, underscoring Chu Zhiyuan’s noble status.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and clasped his hands, “Elder Lu, congratulations, Imperial Envoy Huang from the palace has brought a treasure bestowed by the Emperor.”

Lu Wan solemnly clasped her hands, “Thank you, Princely Heir.

Thank you, Imperial Envoy.”

Huang Cheng amiably bowed his head, made a bow towards the direction of the Imperial Palace, then looked solemn and grave, “His Majesty says he has been watching the Flying Flower Sword Sect, hoping the disciples will strive hard, and not lose their way, contributing more achievements to the Court, to live up to the great fortune and His Majesty’s expectations!”

“Thank you, Emperor!” Lu Wan solemnly clasped her hands, “The disciples of our sect are grateful beyond measure and will strive with all our might to not disappoint the Emperor’s generous favor!”

A smile crept onto Huang Cheng’s solemn face, “Elder Lu’s words will be conveyed to the Emperor by me.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, “Elder Lu, please accept these two treasures.”

He stepped forward, unveiled the golden satin to reveal the purple sandalwood box and ancient sword, and gestured towards the two.

The two young eunuchs in green each stepped forward to present the trays.

Lu Wan and Yang Jifan accepted the trays respectively.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, “Open them and have a look.”

Lu Wan handed the trays to Li Suyue and Xu Wanshan respectively, then opened the purple sandalwood box and drew out the long sword.

Xu Wanshan’s eyes were immediately drawn to the Chi Dragon Pearl, unable to look away.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled as he glanced at him.

Huang Cheng bid farewell promptly, eager to return to the palace to report back, bowing once more to Chu Zhiyuan before leaving, his smile both flattering and warm.

Chu Zhiyuan didn’t hurry to leave.