Free Web NovelChapter 1859: Chapter 879: Unrivaled Under Heaven! (Part 2)
After all, a person’s lifespan has an end. When the final limit arrives, no one can reverse it. They all wanted to stay by Chen Yuan’s side for a little longer, so of course they racked their brains trying to raise their own Cultivation.
And thereby extend their lifespan.
Only Noble Consort Yang was something of an exception. She had no talent for cultivation; even with resources piled on her, she couldn’t pass the Core Realm heart demon, so she simply gave up and lay flat.
Live happily one day, that’s one day.
It was just a pity that once Chen Yuan left, it was for several years, making her miss him terribly.
"Your Highness, may I ask why you summoned your concubines today?" Noble Consort Yang bowed with her head lowered. In front of Su Ziyue she didn’t dare put on the slightest Noble Consort airs.
Not only because of the other woman’s status as Empress and her powerful Cultivation, but also because she herself was only a leftover concubine from the former dynasty, barely allowed to stay in the palace by relying on Chen Yuan’s favor.
If she truly offended Su Ziyue, let alone her, even her daughter Pingyang would have no way to oppose her.
"His Majesty has been gone too long. Today this palace will hold a family banquet. Younger sister needn’t be so restrained." Su Ziyue sat at the head, dignified and gorgeous, and spoke softly.
If one really compared ages, Su Ziyue actually was a bit older than Noble Consort Yang; it was just that in terms of cultivation, she still looked extremely young.
"Thank you, Your Highness..."
Noble Consort Yang let out a breath of relief, found a seat next to Pingyang, and knelt down.
"Your Highness, what exactly did His Majesty go to do?" Hearing Su Ziyue call it a family banquet, Shen Yanshu plucked up her courage and asked, a trace of hope in her eyes.
And the moment she spoke, all the Concubines present raised their heads to look over as well, gazes burning, wanting to know an answer.
In the years that Chen Yuan had vanished, although the world rumored that the Great Emperor had gained an insight and gone into seclusion to cultivate, there were still all sorts of other rumors spreading.
Though they were Chen Yuan’s pillow-side women, none of them actually knew as clearly as Su Ziyue. They had all privately asked in secret, but the answer they got was always that he was in seclusion cultivating.
The time of emergence was uncertain.
But when it went on like this, it inevitably made people anxious, guessing whether something had happened to Chen Yuan.
"Haven’t I said it already? His Majesty is currently in seclusion cultivating and must not be disturbed by anyone." Su Ziyue’s brows knit slightly as her gaze swept over everyone in the hall.
"But... His Majesty has never gone into seclusion for so long before." Lady Xu hesitated for a moment and spoke.
"Then what do you think His Majesty went to do?"
"This concubine is only worried..." Seeing that Su Ziyue seemed somewhat displeased, Lady Xu hastily apologized.
"You think this palace would still deceive you? If His Majesty had truly met with an accident, would this palace have ordered the building of the Human Emperor Sacrificial Altar? His Majesty is the strongest in the Human World—who could possibly harm him?"
Su Ziyue said in a deep voice.
As Empress, she did have authority. Once she spoke, the atmosphere in the palace gradually cooled.
"Enough, you all..." Su Ziyue’s tone softened a bit. She was just about to say something to comfort these women, when she suddenly saw that in all their eyes there flashed disbelief and delight as they looked at her.
As if she had suddenly undergone some kind of change.
Su Ziyue’s eyes moved and she immediately understood the situation. She said faintly:
"His Majesty comes out of seclusion and doesn’t even inform me in advance, making this palace play the villain for nothing."
As soon as she finished speaking, a pair of large hands covered her slender waist. Chen Yuan slowly sat down and chuckled:
"The Empress is as smart as ever."
He wasn’t joking with praise here, but speaking words that truly came from his heart. Su Ziyue was definitely the most perfect woman he had ever seen—brilliantly intelligent, gifted with exceptional aptitude, and with a changeable temperament.
She could also hold the stage, making her the most suitable person by his side to be Empress.
If she were a man, she would definitely be no lesser than Jiang He.
"Just by looking at their expressions, one can guess everything." Su Ziyue shot Chen Yuan a sidelong glare.
"Hehehe..."
"Why did His Majesty stay in seclusion for so long this time?" Su Ziyue asked softly.
"Certain circumstances made it unavoidable. I’ve made you all worry." Chen Yuan didn’t want to say more; even if he did, they wouldn’t be able to understand.
"Very well then. But has His Majesty, being away for so long this time, missed us at all?"
Su Ziyue’s beautiful eyes rippled.
"Of course."
Chen Yuan nodded. It wasn’t like he didn’t like women; otherwise the Harem wouldn’t be filled with so many stunningly talented girls. It was just that when his cultivation was weaker, he hadn’t wanted to divert his attention.
"Then... what is His Majesty still waiting for? You have no idea how the little hooves in this hall have missed you so much they can’t sleep at night." Su Ziyue gave Chen Yuan a half-smiling, half-not look.
Then she waved her hand, directly grabbing Yu Qingyan and Princess Pingyang, who had been trying to slip away, and shut the great hall doors with a snap. Veils of pink gauze floated in the air.
"Elder sister, you can’t do this."
"Your Majesty, th-this... how can this be proper?"
"Ai, you all..."
...
The next few days could be described as fierce. Chen Yuan made up for everything they had missed, leaving everyone with flushed cheeks; many even rolled their eyes at him outright.
He really had tormented them too much.
Especially with the Empress assisting, making them both shy and furious, unable to endure.
It was pure oppression by force.
So what if your Cultivation is high?
That was what was going through Shen Yanshu’s mind.
And the ones who found it hardest to accept were none other than Noble Consort Yang and a certain Princess. This time, Su Ziyue’s targets were them. She was very excited to have Old Chen try out all kinds of "knowledge" on them.
They truly ate a full "set meal" for once.
Extremely satisfying.
.....
During the few days after Chen Yuan returned to the Imperial Palace and indulged himself, the news of his emergence from seclusion was also deliberately spread, gradually causing a sensation in the Capital.
In fact, when Chen Yuan had long failed to appear, under heaven there had already been undercurrents stirring. It was just that the Dynasty’s power was too great, so no one dared give birth to any real designs.
Now that Chen Yuan had revealed himself, he very quickly reversed the thoughts in everyone’s hearts.
This was also his goal—to soothe the hearts of the people.
He was the Emperor; naturally it was impossible for him to remain unseen forever.
And after he appeared, he quickly issued an edict, summoning Vassal Kings and important Ministers from all over to enter the capital and pay court, and to host a grand banquet for the court. Some people thus anticipated something.
They all responded one after another, preparing to head to the Capital.
But before the grand banquet, there was actually a smaller feast held in the Imperial Palace. It was mainly Chen Yuan inviting Jiang He, Yang Huatian, Li Suqing, and a few valued Ministers.
For example, his nominal disciple, now first on the Hidden Dragon List, Shi Yi.
Aside from them, there were also Su Ziyue, Pingyang, and the former Jin Jianye Emperor, Sima Ke, now enfeoffed as Anle Duke. As for the other women, they didn’t like this sort of occasion.
So Chen Yuan didn’t force them.
"Not bad, not bad..." Chen Yuan sized up the White-clothed Sword Immortal sitting below and nodded slightly. Jiang He truly had not failed his expectations, becoming the first to break through the Six Realms after the founding of Great Yan.
He even outpaced the various Immortal Sect Leaders and was honored as Sword Saint.
"Your Majesty’s strength is even greater." With outsiders present, Jiang He still addressed Chen Yuan as "Your Majesty."
"Hehehe..."
The hall was full of laughter and conversation, talking about the past and present. Chen Yuan did not put on the Emperor’s airs, but instead chatted amiably with the Ministers in the hall from time to time.
It made people feel like a spring breeze.
Only one person seemed entirely out of place—that was Sima Ke, kneeling in a corner. He watched the graceful figures dancing in the hall, his gaze somewhat dazed.
After the founding of Great Yan, as a ruined monarch, he actually had no purpose left. It was as if in an instant he had lost all attention; no one would bother with a useless man.
From then on, he seldom left the Anle Duke’s residence, indulging himself in wine, women, and music. His body also grew worse day by day. By now he was far more haggard than before.
After all, his own Cultivation had never been high; without restraint, his Origin naturally leaked away, his face aged. Now, looking at those women, the sad thing was that he couldn’t even get it up anymore.
His expression looked somewhat dejected.
His whole demeanor was noticed by Chen Yuan, who suddenly smiled and said:
"Anle Duke, seeing the joy here, do you find yourself missing Jin?"
