After another session of cultivation, upon seeing the words "White Lotus Reincarnation Divine Skill Inner Power +1" appear in his mind, Zheng Yi nodded to himself in satisfaction.
For the past half month, he had been engaged in dual cultivation with Bi He almost every day.
Luckily, Bi He secretly practiced the White Lotus Sect's Inner Power Heart Method; otherwise, she would have long collapsed under Zheng Yi's needs.
As for what this White Lotus Sect demoness Bi He intended to achieve by infiltrating the Imperial Palace, that was none of Zheng Yi's concern.
It was nothing more than gathering intelligence or putting down roots for future operations within the palace.
To attempt an assassination of the Emperor…
In the short term, such actions have not yet been planned.
Taking advantage of the fact that the eunuchs outside hadn't yet called out the time, Zheng Yi cuddled with Bi He, whispering sweet nothings as he eagerly recuperated in preparation for another round.
After all, every bit added to his inner strength!
At this moment, Bi He's cheeks were rosy, her eyes could drip water, and she softly said, "Your Majesty~ I've heard that you're planning to send troops to suppress the rebellion in Qingzhou. Which General will you dispatch?"
Zheng Yi felt a prickle of vigilance and asked, "Why are you asking about this?"
"My family is in Qingzhou, with my mother and younger brother still there. I'm worried about them…"
"The ministers are still deliberating over the expedition, and you'll know when the time comes."
"Oh…"
"Little beauty, have you rested enough? Watch as I battle with you for another three hundred rounds!"
"Ah~ Your Majesty…"
Another war is about to unfold.
A few days ago, rebel forces in Qingzhou attacked the Dongping County Government, set it aflame, killed all the officials, and opened the granary to distribute food.
They gathered more rebels and successfully repelled the attacks from the county soldiers, making waves for a time.
Nearby counties, hearing of this, immediately responded, and soon, a rebel army of tens of thousands gathered, besieging the Qinghe County's county city.
Pleas for aid flew into the Capital City like snowflakes.
At the forefront of this rebellion was a private salt dealer from Qingzhou named "Huang Jie," who self-titled as the Celestial Dragon General, while his rebels called themselves the 'Yellow Heaven Army'!
Besides him, there were eighteen other prominent traitors, each proclaiming themselves kings, seizing control of various mountain territories, while launching raids on surrounding counties.
They broke through the government office, killed the Imperial Court officials, coerced more rebels, and began spreading into adjacent areas like Jizhou and Yuzhou.
Sadly, these matters had little to do with Zheng Yi, and even if he wished to intervene, he couldn't.
Daily, he continued his martial arts practice and dual cultivation, steadily strengthening his powers.
Notably, his "Eternal Spring Skill" unexpectedly broke through, possibly due to practicing the "White Lotus Reincarnation Divine Skill."
After that breakthrough, the tributers who had been instructing him from the Sacrificial Institute suddenly vanished.
It seemed they were dismissed by Wang Zhongyi and Emperor Zhengyong.
All they required was a shadow, not a puppet with potential for harm!
This didn't surprise Zheng Yi; he had anticipated it long before.
However, through subtle inquiries, he managed to unearth the origins of the "White Lotus Reincarnation Divine Skill" from the mouths of several tributers from the Sacrificial Institute.
Indeed, the "White Lotus Reincarnation Divine Skill" was confirmed to be one of the White Lotus Sect's pinnacle skills.
Practicing this cultivation technique, one's inner power becomes invisible and enigmatic, effortlessly circulating throughout the body.
Moreover, one could easily conceal their true cultivation level unless a powerful individual personally examined their Dantian, making it nearly impossible to gauge the true strength of the cultivator.
Several days later, the Imperial Court dispatched Commander Yang Guang of the Imperial Guard, leading 20,000 Imperial Guards, together with the Qingzhou county soldiers and a part of the Binzhou Border Army, to aid Qingzhou.
Meanwhile, Emperor Zhengyong was fuming within Jiaotai Hall.
"Damn it! Yang Xuansu! He actually took away 20,000 Imperial Guards!"
"The Qingzhou rebellion could have been suppressed by surrounding county soldiers. Why stir such a commotion to mobilize the Imperial Guard!"
"Damn it…!"
"Your Majesty, please calm down; don't let it affect your health."
Wang Zhongyi advised on the side, "Since Yang Xuansu can mobilize the Imperial Guard, it indicates that those guards are already under his command, whereas the remaining guards are loyal to Your Majesty."
"Then why mobilize the guards now?"
"This… I, your humble servant, do not know."
"Forget it."
Emperor Zhengyong rubbed his head and asked, "How is Shadow doing over there?"
"Your Majesty, that lad, despite his rustic origins, never married. Now that he has Consort Bi, he indulges in pleasure, at least three times a night."
Wang Zhongyi said, "Yet for some reason, Consort Bi still hasn't conceived."
"Still not pregnant?"
Emperor Zhengyong frowned and said, "Could he have an issue too?"
"This... shouldn't be."
"I'm barely holding on." Emperor Zhengyong furrowed his brows and said, "Last month, I used the matter of the Nanyue County's Miracle Doctor to prevaricate before the Empress Dowager, but following Consort Bi's incident, the Empress Dowager frequently sends people to persuade me."
"The goal, undoubtedly, is all about Lin'er…"
"Besides her, Noble Consort Cui, Consort Shuu, Consort De, Consort Duann… all have their agents."
"Why... won't they believe?"
"I... just want a son! "
Wang Zhongyi remained silent, allowing Emperor Zhengyong to vent.
"Shadow, Shadow… Consort Bi, Consort Bi…"
He murmured, "Since one isn't sufficient, then let's try two!"
"If they fail, then three!"
"I refuse to believe a child cannot be born!"
"Summon the Imperial Household Department! "
"Yes… Your Majesty!"
The eunuch from the Imperial Household Department soon arrived, carrying a tray. Emperor Zhengyong considered several wooden plaques, gritting his teeth, and said, "Since you want to see, I'll let you see to your satisfaction!"
Consort Shuu, Yang Huan!
Daughter of the current Prime Minister, Yang Xuansu!
Tonight, the Emperor shall stay in Yonghe Palace with Consort Shuu!
"Changing personnel today?"
Seeing Wang Zhongyi leading the way ahead to a foreign palace, Zheng Yi scratched his head.
What did this mean?
He wanted to continue discussing his ideals with Bi He, just a little short of mastering the "White Lotus Reincarnation Divine Skill!"
Nonetheless, upon thinking of encountering a new woman tonight, Zheng Yi couldn't help but feel a tinge of excitement.
"Yonghe Palace?"
Reading the name on the plaque, he quickly realized who would be arranged for tonight.
Consort Shuu, Yang Huan.
Indeed, Emperor Zhengyong was generous, sharing one of the three major consorts!
"I greet Your Majesty!"
Unlike Bi He before, Yang Huan, as Consort Shuu, was the daughter of the sitting Prime Minister and didn't require an escort by eunuch to Jiaotai Hall.
She had her own palace.
"Rise, my loveliness…"
Zheng Yi slightly raised his hand, imitating Emperor Zhengyong's tone.
Months of mimicry had led him to fully emulate the behaviors and speech of Emperor Zhengyong.
Outsiders couldn't distinguish between him and Emperor Zhengyong.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
A crisp, soft voice replied as Yang Huan, clad in a cyan palace dress, gracefully stood up, casting affectionate glances at Zheng Yi.
Zheng Yi took the opportunity to discreetly study Yang Huan, having heard about her unparalleled beauty pursued by many.
Upon seeing her now, it was indeed true!
Her long hair cascading over her shoulders, bright eyes, and delicate facial features made her incredibly captivating.
Her slender and graceful arms hinted at elegance, her attire was opulent yet tasteful, and as she stood aside, she resembled a bashful flower, inviting multiple glances.
Yang Huan hailed from a noble family, embodying refinement and elegance; particularly, her expressive eyes exhibited a scholarly aura.
"Dearest consort, night falls, accompany me to rest."
"Yes… Your Majesty."
As lamps dimmed, snow appeared, and the faint fragrance filled the air.
Several hours later, Zheng Yi found himself invigorated and deeply immersed in the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror.
As he expected, lines of text appeared again on the mirror's surface.
[Absorbed Pure Yin Qi, lifespan +19.]
[Absorbed Pure Yin Qi, dancing skill +100.]
[Absorbed Pure Yin Qi, zither skill +100.]
[Absorbed Pure Yin Qi, root bone enhanced.]
"What is this?"