Imperial Cultivation

Chu Zhiyuan walked alone on the street.

The bustling crowd around him was like a flowing river, while his guards were like reefs, separating the crowd.

He strolled leisurely, pondering the conversation he had just had with Gao Jiuqu.

A gentleman can be deceived with righteousness. The best way to deal with someone with Gao Jiuqu's temperament is to be honest and sincere, rather than playing tricks or being clever.

Gao Jiuqu didn't seem to harbor any hostility towards him, or perhaps the Cliff Master saw his nature and didn't mention these things.

Or perhaps he hasn't come into contact with these affairs of Wentian Cliff and is focused on cultivation.

In any case, building a good relationship now will only bring benefits in the future.

Dealing with Wentian Cliff is different from dealing with the Evil Sect.

Dealing with the Evil Sect means directly destroying them.

Dealing with Wentian Cliff is like dealing with Great Zhen, it's a struggle without breaking apart.

It's not about destroying the other party, just suppressing them.

And observing a Grandmaster Perfected cultivator breaking through to the Great Grandmaster realm is crucial to him, it's the key to his own breakthrough to the Great Grandmaster realm.

First, understand how to transform, understand the path you want to take, and then you can walk smoothly.

Gao Jiuqu and Chu Mingrui are both excellent subjects for observation.

Unfortunately, Chu Mingrui is in the Northern Border and cannot return to allow him to observe.

What changes will occur?

Gao Jiuqu is the best target. Through observation, Gao Jiuqu's essence, energy, and spirit haven't changed much.

There's no difference from when he first arrived.

And thus trigger the collapse of Wentian Cliff? Or have a fatal impact on Great Zhen?

These thoughts swirled in his mind, several thoughts each pondering.

After a moment, he arrived at the Martial Arts Hall and saw the ten people in this session of the Martial Arts Hall.

The debate in the court finally stopped.

The various changes and tug-of-war during the period can be described as extremely fierce.

The forces of all parties came to the fore, fighting fiercely, but they were evenly matched and difficult to distinguish.

Roughly divided into two forces.

One side is the noble military officials, mainly the Eight Great Duke Mansions. The other side is the Six Ministries, mainly the Ministry of Rites.

Behind the Ministry of Rites are the martial arts sects, the Four Great Sects and the Flying Flower Sword Sect.

During the period, sometimes it was said that the Town Guard Division occupied eight people and the military occupied two, and sometimes it was said that the military occupied eight people and the Town Guard Division two.

Then it was six people from the Town Guard Division and four from the military, or seven to three. Or four people from the Town Guard Division and six from the military, or three to seven.

The final result was a 50-50 split.

Five people from the military and five from the Town Guard Division.

The courtyard of the Martial Arts Hall was not large. He arrived at the training ground, directly began to observe each person, and then instructed them on the key points of their respective cultivation, instructing the order and time one by one. Then he left on his own.

The Martial Arts Hall was just a stop along the way for him, he didn't take it to heart.

He didn't show closeness or warmth, and didn't make any gestures to win people's hearts.

He acted like he was handling official business, as if it was just his own government affairs, like sitting in the Ministry of Rites.

After explaining it once, he left and returned to the Prince's Mansion to continue practicing his skills.

The Lapis Lazuli Saber Sutra was at a critical moment, he couldn't stop if he wanted to, and wished he could cultivate it all the time.

Chu Zhiyuan sat on the couch, concentrating his saber intent, when he suddenly sensed something and raised his voice, "Mr. Zhu."

Zhu Caifu flashed into view at the window, wearing a light blue plain silk robe, her face gloomy as she looked at him.

Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fist: "Mr. Zhu." Zhu Caifu flashed into the room. Chu Zhiyuan said: "What happened?"

"An envoy has come from the palace, it's the Emperor's imperial decree, a reprimand for Miaozhen's actions."

Chu Zhiyuan raised his eyebrows: "It seems they have already received the news over there?"

"That's natural, this kind of news is probably received on the same day."

"Does the Great Zhen Emperor intend to continue the marriage alliance?"

"That's for sure."

"...Has the Great Zhen Emperor received the news of Your Highness's suicide?"

"He should have received it, but the imperial decree should have already been issued, it's just that I don't know if there will be a second imperial decree."

"..." Chu Zhiyuan pondered.

"Once this imperial decree is issued, it will be difficult to change."

Zhu Caifu was a little anxious: "The Emperor can't change his orders from morning to evening, sometimes even if he makes a mistake, he has to swallow his teeth and keep it to himself."

Chu Zhiyuan pondered: "Your Highness, don't worry, this matter requires two hands to clap."

"I'm just afraid that the two emperors will exchange messages, and then find out that Miaozhen is faking it, and in anger, they will force her to marry."

"...It shouldn't be like that." Chu Zhiyuan shook his head: "There is still room for maneuver in this matter."

Zhu Caifu said with a gloomy face, anxiously: "The imperial decree is coming, it's already very difficult to change."

She bit her lip: "The Emperor has issued this decree, reprimanding Miaozhen for fooling around, and not to act willfully anymore, but to think about the hundreds of millions of people of Great Zhen."

As she spoke, she revealed a sneer: "Hundreds of millions of people, why don't hundreds of millions of people think about Miaozhen?"

Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

It seems that the envoy that Gao Jiuqu welcomed was the one who brought the Great Zhen Emperor's imperial decree of reprimand. The Great Zhen Emperor probably felt that Cheng Miaozhen was fooling around, being willful, acting recklessly, and just acting out her princess temper.

Chu Zhiyuan could understand her anxiety. It seemed that things had reached this point and all the previous efforts were in vain, just a bubble that could be punctured with a single poke.

Zhu Caifu said: "If the Great Jing Emperor agrees with him, and then forces you to marry, can you refuse?"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded: "I will refuse... The rumors circulating in the city are a good excuse to refuse."

"...That's true." Zhu Caifu suddenly smiled: "I didn't expect these rumors to be quite useful."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: "Mr. Zhu, you are overthinking it. Miaozhen, don't worry either. Things haven't reached the worst point yet. Grandfather won't do that."

Zhu Caifu snorted: "Who can guess the mind of an emperor?"

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: "The Great Zhen Emperor can force the Eighteenth Princess, but Grandfather won't."

"I hope it's in time." Zhu Caifu sighed.

Chu Zhiyuan was about to speak when Zou Fang's report suddenly came from outside: "Your Highness, Chief Steward Huang has arrived with an imperial decree."

Chu Zhiyuan looked at Zhu Caifu.

Zhu Caifu waved her hand: "Go and receive the imperial decree first."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: "Then, Mr. Zhu, please don't leave yet. Grandfather's imperial decree should be related to this matter."

"Alright." Zhu Caifu agreed. Chu Zhiyuan came outside.

Huang Cheng brought two red-robed eunuchs to the front hall, and Feng Xi was keeping them company while they drank tea.

Seeing Chu Zhiyuan coming over, Huang Cheng cupped his fist and chuckled: "Your Highness, congratulations."

Chu Zhiyuan smiled: "Where does the joy come from?"

His gaze had already turned to the sandalwood tray held by a red-robed eunuch. The tray was covered with golden silk, highlighting its nobility.

Huang Cheng uncovered the golden silk, held the imperial decree with both hands, and presented it to Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan received it with both hands, slowly unfolded it, and then revealed a smile: "Grandfather is wise!"

Huang Cheng smiled: "His Majesty is indeed wise. Then, Your Highness, this servant will take his leave. Please trouble Your Highness to go to the Sifang Hall to read this imperial decree to the Eighteenth Princess of Great Zhen."

"Leave it to me."

Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fist.