Free Web NovelChapter 1153: Chapter 1152: Lavish Evening Meal
Lingwu Royal Mansion, the small courtyard is tranquil.
"Tsk tsk, it’s truly unexpected. When I first traveled here, I was worried about my illegal identity. Now, I’ve moved into the Zhongjing Lingwu Royal Mansion."
Lu Zheng sat on the stone stool in the pavilion of the small courtyard, eating ice-chilled fruits stored in the mansion’s cellar until summer, crossing one leg over the other, and leisurely said, "And I don’t even have to regard this generation’s Lingwu King."
Shen Ying found a crabapple, put it in her mouth, took a bite. Despite its sweetness, it carried quite a bit of sourness, causing her to shake her head, but she still "crunch, crunch" consumed the fruit, "Never mind the Lingwu Royal Mansion. With your Dao practice, even if you entered the palace for an audience, Emperor Jing must treat you with respect."
Though Great Jing was founded and established in a Xianxia world, except for special departments like the military, the Anomaly Suppression Bureau, and the palace guards, most officials governing the country, even Imperial Family members, are ordinary people.
Even among the Royal Family, not everyone has the qualification to become a Ghost God upon death and enjoy incense offerings. After all, no matter how ample incense is, it is finite. How could it infinitely supply incense to an ever-growing number of people?
Take the lineage of the Lingwu King, stretching six hundred years along with the nation. Only Jing Gaoqi achieved godhood, cultivated Great Divine Techniques, and enjoyed royal offerings. After him, only one descendant had decent talent, became a god after death, and is currently serving as the Celestial Firmness Star Official in the Spiritual Void Celestial Realm.
And consider this generation’s Emperor Jing — can you believe he eats all sorts of supplements but absolutely does not cultivate?
However, Emperor Jing and the Lingwu King differ. No matter which Emperor Jing generation, they can become gods and enjoy incense posthumously. This is the sole exception in the Great Jing Court; others, even including the Empress, depend on their qualifications.
With good qualifications, they may be deified posthumously as an Earth God or City God.
With even better qualifications, they enter the Spiritual Void Celestial Realm, becoming Star Officials for the court, serving as the dynasty’s foundation.
As for those with poor qualifications...naturally, they are dead and gone, no lingering obsessions, unstable Divine Souls, unable to enter the Netherworld, let alone becoming a ghost.
Besides these Ghost Gods, the court, holding their legitimate claim, governs the Central Plains. Of course, they possess ample resources like cultivation techniques, Spirit Medicine, treasures, etc., thus attracting the world’s masters for their use and nurturing gifted children from a young age. These individuals are the court’s confidence in dealing with other forces.
Take the Anomaly Suppression Bureau, for instance, the origin of Governors varies. In the State Capital Anomaly Suppression Bureau in Weizhou Prefecture, Luo Yixian is a disciple of White Cloud Temple, while in the Yizhou Prefecture Anomaly Suppression Bureau, Chu Jin is a talent nurtured by the court itself.
After saying so much, it all boils down to one meaning: although the Great Jing Court has many experts, it has even more ordinary people.
Given Lu Zheng’s strength, even presenting himself at the Imperial Palace would earn him the respectful title of "Immortal Master," let alone the Lingwu Royal Mansion.
During the afternoon’s meeting, Lu Zheng saw clearly that, in the entire mansion, aside from a few Martial Arts Guards and an Alchemist, besides this generation’s Lingwu King having a century of Dao Practice, only Jing Qianyu, dispatched by Jing Gaoqi to act as a guide, had exceptional talent, a cultivation likely comparable to Yuan Jing.
Yuan Jing: 눈_눈
This generation’s Lingwu King, seeing their ancestor personally lead the group forward, naturally knew Lu Zheng and the others were remarkable abnormal people and experts justifiably respected by Jing Gaoqi himself, so they were cautious yet warmly welcomed them, without hesitation assigning Jing Qianyu as a guide.
Although the Lingwu King holds an uncommon status within the Da Jing Imperial Family, who wouldn’t want more opportunities?
"Knock knock knock!"
The sound of knocking suddenly echoed, followed by Steward Liu San’s voice outside the door, "Are the young masters and misses here? Dinner is ready; shall I have it brought over to you?"
"Come on in." Lu Zheng responded briefly and then laughed, "Perfect timing to taste the cuisine of the Zhongjing Royal Mansion."
The courtyard gate swung open, and twelve people, each carrying a double-layer food container in both hands, walked in one by one. Without even glancing at the pavilion, they entered the great hall under Liu San’s direction and began arranging things.
A large round table was hoisted in, four Grand Master chairs were placed side by side, bowls, chopsticks, and towels were placed in front, and dish after dish of steaming food was brought out, displaying a delightful pattern on the round table.
Forty-two dishes, rich in aroma, diverse in color, arranged at various heights, forming a stunningly beautiful array.
Then, aside from Liu San, four maids stood behind the seats, each holding a pair of long chopsticks, with two more maids standing by a side table, ready to provide or exchange items such as hot water and towels whenever needed.
"Young Master Lu, three ladies, dinner is prepared, please take your seats." Liu San approached the pavilion, bowed respectfully to Lu Zheng and the others, and spoke.
Lu Zheng: (꒪⌓꒪)
"I take back what I said earlier; indeed, the Royal Mansion is extraordinary. It was shallow of me." Lu Zheng murmured blankly.
Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying couldn’t help but laugh, while Si Lingxi shook her head with a smile, stood up, and said, "Though the face is well presented, I’ve had a royal feast once, aside from a few dishes having unique characteristics, most are not as good as what you can casually whip up."
Lu Zheng’s culinary skills were enhanced by the Light of Fortune, approaching Dao-level mastery. How can ordinary chefs with mere decades of experience compare?
"It’s fresh to taste, but merely by the appearance and flavor, one can tell the Royal Mansion’s kitchen has ample ingredients." Lu Zheng joked, "If it’s not to our liking, I’ll make use of their kitchen tomorrow."
The group laughed while seated. Lu Zheng, feeling cheerful, didn’t mind letting the maids stay and enjoyed a little pampering.
It must be said that these maids, as expected of serving in the Royal Mansion, were truly skilled, providing service just right, allowing one to enjoy without disrupting the rhythm, eating comfortably.
Their professionalism exceeded even the best hotpot service, which occasionally made Lu Zheng feel overly enthusiastic and somewhat awkward.
After the meal, Lu Zheng took the rinsing water from a maid, rinsed his mouth, spat into a copper basin, then washed his hands in a fresh copper basin, accepting a clean towel offered by the maid to dry off.
Lu Zheng then gently wiped his mouth with the towel and placed it in the tray held by the maid in front of him, watching as the attendants cleared away the leftovers on the table, taking the large table back to the rear hall.
In just half an incense stick’s time, the great hall returned to its original state, while Lu Zheng now sat at the head of the hall, holding a steaming tea cup.
Watching the attendants and maids bow to him and leave one after another, Lu Zheng couldn’t help but shake his head with a sigh, "Too decadent... If it weren’t for my successful cultivation, I would’ve been definitely corrupted..."
