Yuan Imperial Palace.
"Khan, good news!"
"Ming Empress Dowager is selecting Consorts for Emperor Zhu Houzhao!"
Phagpa reported, beaming.
"Good news? It's just a bunch of women. I bed one or two every day."
"My Imperial Harem already counts in the hundreds."
Temujin waved indifferently.
"Khan, this is no ordinary affair. Remember Princess Minmin?"
"Do you mean this is a chance for her to enter the Imperial Harem more easily?"
Temujin's eyes brightened.
"That Zhu Houzhao brat can obviously discover her identities. How could he allow it? He might even guess our sleight-of-hand!"
"Khan, this is an overt move. Even if the Ming Emperor knows, he'll have to accept it, otherwise people will think he fears you."
"Furthermore, this time it's not just us. The Qin Dynasty, Sui Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, all these dynasties will use this chance."
"They'll certainly place their own people within the Ming Imperial Harem."
"The Ming Imperial Harem will become a tremendous whirlpool."
"The Empress Dowager's presumptuous scheme could bring great trouble to the Ming Emperor."
Phagpa spoke rapidly, explaining the implications. Temujin listened with growing interest.
"Minmin's power is still too weak. That would disadvantage her in the palace. We must select a few strong women to support her."
"And make them attractive, ones who can capture the boy Zhu Houzhao's attention."
Both Temujin and Phagpa were thrilled. A rare chance to scheme against him had arisen, and they would seize it!
==========
Tang Imperial Palace, Taiji Hall.
"Master Yuan, do you think we should send some women into the Ming Dynasty internal court as well?"
"To gain deeper intelligence?"
Li Shimin was tempted.
He was growing increasingly wary of Emperor Zhu Houzhao, especially his secrets.
That a twenty-something could possess such terrifying strength remained mysterious.
"What if we could uncover his secret? It could be the key to our complete revival."
"Your Majesty, ordinary women will not be taken seriously."
"Unless..."
Yuan Tiangang paused suggestively.
Li Shimin tensed.
"You're not suggesting using my sister, Princess Pingyang, are you?"
He fiercely protected his sister, and would never send her willingly into danger.
"It is Princess Pingyang Li Xiuning."
"What?! You!" Li Shimin was about to explode, but then fell silent, deep in thought.
She might indeed be the perfect candidate. Strong, noble, with great standing in Zhu Houzhao's Imperial Harem.
"Could it be dangerous?" Li Shimin asked with concern.
"As long as the Ming Emperor wants her alive, she'll be safe."
"No one, however powerful, could harm her if he defends her."
"But if she loses the Emperor's favor, even her allies cannot save her."
"It all depends on the Emperor's attitude."
"But one Pingyang alone may not suffice. We must send a few capable women to support her."
"I will make the arrangements, appearance, strength, temperament, strategy, all prime choices."
Yuan Tiangang's tone carried an inscrutable weight.
"Very well. Leave it to you."
"Hahaha... Zhu Houzhao boy, you truly enjoy a blessed life."
Li Shimin laughed with veiled malice.
==========
Sui Imperial Palace.
When Yang Guang heard the news, he summoned official Yuwen Tuo.
"My Sui Imperial Court has no suitable imperial ladies. Does that mean we lose this opportunity?"
"Compared to other nations, we'd have fallen behind. That would be trouble."
"Sir, what do you advise?"
"Your Majesty, if the Imperial Family lacks suitable women, we should secretly recruit talented ones and grant them Sui Dynasty Princess or nobility titles."
"That should be fine."
"Preferably with strong cultivation potential."
"Maybe the Ming Emperor will train some powerful figures for us."
He snorted in envy, jealousy flickering in his eyes.
==========
Qin Imperial Palace.
Ying Zheng waved to the Black Ice Platform Leader beneath.
"From now on, intensify training for potential spies."
"I will grant them proper origins and send them to the Ming Dynasty."
"I expect them to surprise me in future."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I'll arrange it right away!"
Ying Zheng treated this as a casual move, a spare pawn, success was welcome. Failure only meant a wasted piece.
==========
Han Imperial Harem, Consort Yu Jiang Yuyan Chambers.
A cold smile played on her lips.
She quietly issued orders to her confidants regarding the Ming Dynasty Consort Selection.
Over time, Jiang Yuyan had amassed significant power in the Han Imperial Court.
With the Emperor in her control, she could do as she pleased.
Her influence grew daily. She used both carrot and stick, enticing some, punishing others.
Noble families had begun suspecting her, she was more formidable than expected.
Even if they attained their goals, they'd suffer heavy losses.
Now, Jiang Yuyan quietly waited, like she once did before the crooked old man.
When she rose, it would shock the world.
So far, she had planted pawns throughout the Han Dynasty, and now her gaze extended across the entire Nine Provinces.
This selection gave her another opportunity to act and prepare her next strategic move, one that could yield unimaginable rewards.
For over ten days, all of Nine Provinces buzzed with the Ming Emperor's Consort Selection.
Other news paled in comparison. The Emperors and forces of various nations all deployed schemes to place their people in Zhu Houzhao's Imperial Harem, some with goodwill, others with ill intent.
The scale of the selection far exceeded expectations.
==========
Ming Imperial Harem, Empress Dowager Palace.
Cao Zhengchun handed portrait after portrait of potential Consorts to the Empress Dowager.
"Hmm, this one's good, clearly fertile."
"This one looks refined. A well-cultured lady."
"This one's also acceptable."
"This one's no good, fox-like face, too much like the Empress. But she could be trained to counter her. Not bad."
The Empress Dowager flipped through images, making remarks. Some she liked, fertile, dignified, elegant candidates.
Others, sultry or martial, she didn't dismiss, instead seeing them as counters to the Empress.
Cao Zhengchun sweated. He couldn't offend either the Empress Dowager or the Empress.
His life was in a precarious balance.
But all favors came from the Emperor, so long as he pleased Zhu Houzhao, angering either might not matter.
==========
At the same time.
The Dark Guard Leader presented all candidate portraits to Zhu Houzhao. He flipped through many familiar faces and titles, approving them without hesitation.
"Dark One, have their identities been verified?"
"Initially verified, Your Majesty. I'll double-check, to prevent another Empress-level incident."
"Good. Keep digging deeper."
"This time I'm giving all nations a chance, don't disappoint them completely."
Looking at the drawings, a cold smile curved Zhu Houzhao's lips.
==========
Empress Chambers.
"Wan'er, from these portraits, which women pose real threats to me?"
Empress Wu Zhao studied each one disdainfully.
With her current cultivation, such rivalry was hardly concerning.
If the Empress Dowager wanted to play, she'd indulge, just for amusement.
Perhaps she could convert some new Consorts into her own agents.
If she went personally, it would be beneath her dignity.
"No real threats, but several with potential talent."
"You could absorb them."
"But there are definitely schemers too."
"These are agents of foreign courts. You must be cautious."
"To avoid affecting Your Majesty's relationship with you."
Shangguan Wan'er had scoured information through their informant network, uncovering each candidate's background thoroughly.
"Any Land Immortal Realm among them?" Wu Zhao asked, only such high-level threats truly concerned her.
Shangguan Wan'er nodded.
"Yes. And several on the verge of ascending."
"Make a ranking. Monitor them at all times."
"As for foreign spies, they're insignificant."
"This is all part of His Majesty's grand design."
"If they return to the right path, they may survive. Otherwise, their future ends in death."
==========
Night.
Snow Moon City.
On the highest rooftop, Zhu Houzhao and Li Hanyi lay beneath the stars.
"It's late. Why aren't you in the palace with your Consorts? Why come here? I won't indulge your mischief!"
Li Hanyi complained, irritated.
"Heh, are you jealous? Jealous, you're adorable."
"I'm not jealous!" she protested, yet couldn't hide her joy.
"I like being with you, stargazing, moon-watching, it feels wonderful."
Zhu Houzhao spoke sincerely, effortlessly charming. And she fell for it.
"Did you come to ask why I'm not in the Imperial Harem?"
Li Hanyi asked.
Zhu Houzhao shook his head.
"No. The Imperial Harem's not for you. You're meant for the Martial World."
"You're a fairy. You shouldn't be trapped in the palace."
"You're destined to reach the God Demon Realm, and beyond. The Imperial Harem would hold you back."
"Ha, good words."
Li Hanyi smirked.
"With our abilities, we can meet anytime."
"The palace can't confine us."
"Like now, I reached Snow Moon City in less than a tea cup's time."
"Every night, I could come see you."
He pulled her close.
She didn't resist.
"But if the Empress finds out, she'll make trouble, I don't want Snow Moon City dragged into this."
"Don't worry. The Empress isn't stupid."
"You say sweet words to others too, right?"
Li Hanyi scoffed.
Zhu Houzhao shrugged.
"Here. Take this. It helps your cultivation."
He handed her a round orb.
"What is this? I sense a powerful sword intent inside."
"It's a Sword Core, containing some sword path principles. If you fully comprehend it, you might reach the God Demon Realm."
"The martial powers of the Nine Provinces are more numerous than you think. Many hide in the shadows."
"You're strong already, but I worry."
"You must reach the God Demon Realm for me to be at ease."
"The last Heaven Dao Reward, the Myriad Sword Diagram, wasn't much help to you. Consider this my consolation."
Li Hanyi accepted gratefully. She had given him her mind and heart, what courtesy remained?
Feeling the energy within the orb, she grew confident she could advance within the Mythical Realm, God Demon Realm was within reach.
Seeing her happiness, Zhu Houzhao's mind drifted to the women from Hundred Yue City.
The trait of a scoundrel revealed once more, his thoughts strayed to those not present, even as he held her.
If Li Hanyi knew what he was thinking, she'd find his actions intolerable, and possibly banish him from Snow Moon City forever.