Although it was Princess Chang Le who was kneeling, and Xiang Ning was standing, Xiang Ning felt like the kneeling princess was extremely tall while she herself was exceptionally tiny.
'This oppressive feeling... not even that scoundrel Fan Li has made me feel this way before...'
Princess Chang Le's confident smile completely suppressed Xiang Ning mentally. Unlike Fan Li's overt wickedness, Princess Chang Le's innate strength and unfathomableness completely sapped Xiang Ning of any courage to resist.
Moreover, before Xiang Ning could even say "rise," the princess had already stood up herself. She had followed proper etiquette when kneeling, but disregarded the emperor when rising.
Was Princess Chang Le loyal or treacherous?
"Princess Chang Le pays respects to Empress Dowager."
"Haha, the Princess is too courteous, please rise." The Empress Dowager smiled from ear to ear, obviously not sharing Xiang Ning's complicated feelings. Especially since it was clear that Princess Chang Le only dared to stand after obtaining the Empress Dowager's permission.
"Mother?" Xiang Ning looked questioningly at the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager smiled. "The three of us women meeting today is to get straight to the point and discuss the matter of your marriage."
Xiang Ning's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked back and forth between the Empress Dowager and Princess Chang Le.
She had always felt like a puppet emperor. Now Xiang Ning increasingly felt that not only was she a puppet, but it seemed like anyone at all had the qualifications to manipulate her however they wished.
***
After an entire month of closed-door cultivation, Fan Li's realm once again increased, directly reaching the sixth stage of Body Refining Realm.
During this time, Fan Li did not participate in any of Great Chu's government affairs.
The ostensible reason was that he was in closed-door cultivation, but the actual reason was that the System had not issued a single mission.
"Second brother, His Majesty dismissed a Nine Minister today who was close to our Fan clan."
"I see."
"Eldest brother, the Emperor cited the upcoming grand wedding as justification to transfer 30% of the imperial guards to suppress bandits. But in truth it was a disguised attempt to weaken the strength of the guards in Peng City."
"Alright, I'll remember."
Fan Li continuously received similar messages, but remained completely indifferent, solely focused on cultivation.
He also felt puzzled. It had only been a month since he stopped attending court. How could Xiang Ning be so gutsily daring as to start weakening the Fan clan's power?
Intuition told Fan Li this was not Xiang Ning's style.
"Wait and observe changes." Fan Li chose to continue cultivating.
The System had not issued any missions, so he was unable to obtain important items like Life Extending Pills and Substitute Dolls.
And Emperor Liu Xie had set the time to jointly explore the Map Leading to the Suspected Tomb two months from now. To make preparations for the exploration, increasing his strength took priority over anything called "government affairs."
As for the changes in court, Fan Li even sensed a trace of childish power struggle. This was not Xiang Ning's style at all. Just who was it, eagerly wanting to seize power over Great Chu?
Another half month passed.
When Wu Gang requested to see Fan Li, he directly told her to come to the cultivation training room.
"As expected, master is no ordinary person." Seeing the three identical Fan Li's, Wu Gang's expression was very calm.
Because she had sworn allegiance by the Heaven's Way, Fan Li was too lazy to hide such secrets from her.
The three Fan Lis spoke in unison, "You seem rather accustomed to such extraordinary things?"
Wu Gang nodded. "Those with the fate of a Son of Heaven are all destined to be extraordinary. I once followed Chu's founding emperor, Xiang Yu. Back then during the three kingdoms' struggle for dominion, the three founding emperors all had the fate of a Son of Heaven. What kinds of miracles did they not possess, much less just two or three clones?"
Fate of a Son of Heaven?
Fan Li actually had some doubts all along.
Was he a Son of Heaven?
Or was it the original Fan Li who was the Son of Heaven?
If it was the original, could he inherit that legacy?
Fan Li's understanding towards this world was limited after all. The basic information provided by the System did not include such highly classified secrets like the fate of a Son of Heaven.
But the Wu Gang before him now could perhaps resolve his doubts.
"I refined this treasure, what do you think of its quality?" Fan Li casually tossed his Jade Seal of State Power to Wu Gang.
The latter's expression changed slightly. Even with her early stage Grand Vehicle Realm cultivation, she still carefully caught it with both hands.
After carefully examining it for a while, Wu Gang softly said, "Although master is a Son of Heaven, to be able to refine your own Jade Seal of State Power so early is truly extraordinary. As for its quality, this is the best I've seen."
"Those with the fate of a Son of Heaven can all refine Jade Seals? How many have you seen, and mine is the best?" Fan Li curiously asked further, unable to resist a trace of vanity.
Wu Gang replied, "The Jade Seal of State Power is virtually the destined object for those with the fate of a Son of Heaven. As long as the timing is right and their cultivation is accomplished, Sons of Heaven need only follow their heart's guidance, perceive the Heavenly Way, and they will all surely be able to refine a Jade Seal belonging only to themselves."
"As for me, before master, I have only seen the Jade Seal belonging to Chu's founding emperor, Xiang Yu. Master's seal is indeed somewhat better than the Overlord's."
Fan Li smiled wryly upon hearing this. He had just thought he thrashed a bunch of founding emperors, but it turns out he only slightly exceeded Xiang Yu alone?
Wu Gang clearly saw through Fan Li's thoughts and explained, "When I followed Xiang Yu campaigning across the land, his rivals had yet to perceive the Heavenly Way and refine their own Jade Seals of State Power."
"Also, although Xiang Yu's Jade Seal was weaker than master's, that was because he possessed the Overlord Spear, his main divine weapon. The Jade Seal of State Power also specializes in divine weapons. Its function overlaps with the Overlord Spear. Thus, Xiang Yu was too lazy to waste effort on the Jade Seal."
Fan Li was rendered speechless. Alright, the peerless Xiang Yu was indeed extraordinary, clearly not caring for using something like the Jade Seal of State Power to battle.
Just as Fan Li was done vainly rejoicing, he asked, "What business do you have with me?"
Without wasting words, Wu Gang directly extended her hand. "Please grant this one medicine, master."
So she had come to beg for Life Extending Pills?
Fan Li could only refuse. He truly had no more pills left. Even if Wu Gang urgently needed them, he would have to wait until the System issued a mission.
"Ding!"
Just as this thought flashed in Fan Li's mind, he heard the System notification tone.
"Mission issued: Harem Shall Not Meddle in Politics."
"Mission description: With the eunuch controlling power, how can others meddle as well? The System has detected that the Empress Dowager of Great Chu harbors intentions to meddle in political power. Please stop her as soon as possible, my host."
"Mission reward: Two mid-grade Life Extending Pills, extending lifespan by one year each."
Fan Li almost laughed.
As expected, the "Treacherous Minister System" was thoughtful, giving him exactly what he just thought of. And it also conveniently let him know the reason for the changes in court.
The Empress Dowager?
That woman can't just stay put in the Inner Palace, but actually wants to meddle with power?
"I have one mid-grade Life Extending Pill that can extend lifespan by one year. But I need to deal with a troublesome character first. I'll give it you afterwards." Fan Li stalled.
A trace of delight flashed in Wu Gang's eyes.
Life Extending Pills that could only extend life by one month were far from sufficient for her needs. But now there was a mid-grade Life Extending Pill that extended lifespan by one year? She wanted it very much!
"Which bastard lives too comfortably and dares add trouble for master? Wu Gang requests orders to remove the nuisance for you!"
With the intervention of a Great Vehicle Realm expert, who within the borders of Chu could be her equal?
Fang Li suppressed a laugh, scratching his head with a troubled expression, "The trouble I need to deal with is the Grand Empress Dowager of Chu."