Faced with Zhang Yuwen’s attitude, Ye Qiu could neither find fault nor wanted to argue with him. After all, he still had to rely on him to deal with the State Preceptor. Although Zhang Yuwen’s sect was detached from worldly affairs and did not allow disciples to participate in disputes with other cultivators, since Zhang Yuwen couldn’t resist taking action in the previous life, he probably wouldn’t stand by in this one either!
"No need, they are just old problems." Ye Qiu lightly coughed, casually waving his hand. "I appreciate your thoughtful gesture, bringing the thousand-year-old ginseng."
"It is the blessing of the people that Your Majesty’s sacred body remains healthy. Offering a thousand-year-old ginseng to Your Majesty is indeed appropriate," Zhang Yuwen replied impeccably.
"I hear you’ve been traveling for over a decade before returning. Do you have any intentions of going out again?"
"Returning to Your Majesty, I have been away for many years. I returned to the capital to fulfill filial duties before my parents, so I won’t be going out for the ti being."
"Then have you considered entering officialdom? Since you’ve presented the thousand-year-old ginseng to , it’s not right for to take it for nothing. Though I don’t hold much power, the Junior Prefect has recently gotten into trouble, and if I intervene, the State Preceptor likely won’t object." Ye Qiu sighed, revealing a sorrowful expression.
This depiction of not being able to appoint even a fourth-rank official increased Zhang Yuwen’s concern. If the Emperor of a nation is like this, how much worse will it be for his cousin, the Empress, in the palace? He originally didn’t want to ddle in worldly affairs, but now, perhaps, he shouldn’t stand aside.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your favor." Zhang Yuwen knelt down to express gratitude. Though being a Junior Prefect is rely a fourth-rank officer, it involves managing various matters throughout the capital, possibly allowing him to look after his cousin in the future.
State Preceptor Gao Zhuo frowned upon receiving Ye Qiu’s decree appointing Zhang Yuwen as Junior Prefect, instructing a child, "Go investigate the background of this Zhang Yuwen, daring our timid Emperor to bypass with a direct appointnt."
"Master, should we intercept this appointnt decree right away?" The little boy asked unhappily, believing anyone defying his Master’s command should die, even if it’s the Emperor.
"No need." Gao Zhuo chuckled lightly, "This is the first ti our Emperor dares to muster so courage, let’s not crush his self-esteem."
"But if this sets a precedent, will it cause trouble later? What if the Emperor is ambitious and wants to take power?"
Upon hearing this, Gao Zhuo sneered, "Does he have the capability? The first to oppose would probably be his good Empress Mother!"
"Disciple doesn’t understand why you, Master, endure dealing with that old woman?" The child felt constrained for his Master.
"You don’t understand. The Empress Dowager still has so use, and I never believed the Ye Family has truly fallen to their current state. Maybe there’s a secret hidden in the Imperial Palace." Gao Zhuo squinted his eyes, his tone incredibly greedy and nacing.
Unaware of his thoughts, Ye Qiu himself had doubts. Clearly, the State Preceptor had mastered the national power, yet why keep the Ye Family as a puppet royal family? Could it be the Ye Family holds so secret?
Furthermore, why does the State Preceptor take only his second and third brothers as disciples among all in the capital? Do they really have a gift for cultivation just due to their royal status? Unfortunately, when Zhang Yuwen and Gao Zhuo fought in the last battle, as Emperor, his body was severely broken, and no one inford him of the specific details.
"Elder brother, look quickly." Ye Ying excitedly ran in while Ye Qiu was pondering.
"Why so reckless?" Ye Qiu’s tone was reproachful, yet his expression was affectionate and caring.
However, today Ye Ying’s focus was not on her elder brother’s face but nervously and quietly said, "Brother, quickly have the servants leave."
"Is there a problem with cultivation?" Ye Qiu guessed it wasn’t sothing serious, seeing his sister wasn’t scared but rather happy. He dismissed everyone, leaving only the siblings in the hall, then used Divine Sense to scan the entire hall, reassured that only they were indeed present.
"Brother, look quickly." Ye Ying, both excited and tense, extended her hand, from which a continuous stream of spring water flowed above her palm.
"It’s actually the Water Spirit Root." Ye Qiu wasn’t surprised, but he was very pleased with his sister’s quick cultivation achievent.
"What is a Water Spirit Root?" Ye Ying asked, puzzled.
"It’s like what you’re doing now. If you succeed in cultivation, the Water Elent will be at your command. With effort, you can even control the waters of great rivers and lakes, perhaps even create rain like an immortal."
"Isn’t that like being Godlike?" Ye Ying gasped, wondering if she could really achieve it.
"Cultivators’ training draws them incredibly close to becoming immortals. Those considered immortals by people are cultivators with profound cultivation. Although, we can’t rule out the existence of true immortals in even higher realms."
"Can I really do it?" Ye Ying’s hand trembled slightly, wondering if immortals are mightier than the State Preceptor. If she works harder, wouldn’t her elder brother be freed from the State Preceptor’s control?
"Of course, you can. Soday, your elder brother may need your protection!" Ye Qiu joked, patting her head with a smile.
Unbeknownst to him, Ye Ying took it seriously, thinking, her elder brother’s health has always been poor, and he never discussed his cultivation with her. Is it because his talent is lacking? Thus, she must strive harder.
"Rember, though you’ve joined the ranks of cultivators, you mustn’t let anyone from the National Master Mansion see you," Ye Qiu soberly instructed.
"I know, elder brother. Apart from visiting you, I won’t wander the palace freely, and even the attendants in my chamber are unaware of my cultivation," Ye Ying cautiously replied, showing she had matured early due to the harsh palace environnt.
"Alright, as long as you’re aware. Take these, drink them during cultivation."
"Brother, please keep them yourself. I don’t need them." Ye Ying refused, feeling her elder brother needed these more. Previously ignorant, after so cultivation, she realized how precious the items her brother gave her were.
"I have enough, and your quick progress ensures your elder brother’s safety."
Hearing this, Ye Ying felt unable to refuse, promising again: "Don’t worry, brother, I won’t be lazy."
Ye Qiu smiled at her, saying, "No need to overexert yourself. We’ve survived so many years; enduring a few more is nothing. Anyway, the State Preceptor probably won’t act against us in the short term."
"Brother, why are you so certain?"
"Firstly, given the State Preceptor’s ability, I would already be dead if he targeted . Secondly, based on my speculation, our Ye Family’s past might not be simple, perhaps holding sothing the State Preceptor desires, hence he won’t act rashly until he finds it."
"But we shouldn’t let our guard down." Ye Ying still dared not relax.
"Yes, trust your brother." Ye Qiu replied confidently.
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