Chapter 264: Steward Xu's Unwarranted Initiative
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Dongfang Jue briefly tried on the robe. She had to admit, even as a princess, this was her first time wearing a top-tier Immortal-grade skirt.
The Dragon-Riding Immortal Emperor Robe…
The title of Human Emperor Immortal Emperor had never crossed Dongfang Jue's mind, yet her master seemed to see far beyond her own horizons.
How far into the future could her master see?
She couldn't fathom it, nor would she waste time pondering such questions.
Fiddling with the Nine Radiance Heavenly Seal and the Heaven-Slaying Tower, Dongfang Jue hadn't even noticed what they were for.
After all, Li Shiyu didn't know what the gourd or the ankle bells were for either, and she didn't care much. In any case, whatever her master gave her, there must be a reason!
Finally, her gaze settled on the miraculous elixir Li Shiyu had described in rapturous detail. According to Li Shiyu, this potion was a life-saving immortal pill.
Even if one lost an arm or leg, or had one foot already in the underworld, this elixir could restore them to perfect health!
[System, what is this medicine?]
[Ding~ Searching…]
[Ding~ This medicine is named: 999 Miracle Cure. It rapidly heals all diseases and wounds, removes all negative status effects, and restores the body to peak condition. Effective only on living beings with vital signs.]
【A legendary mythical-grade elixir existing only in folklore, an unparalleled treasure of utmost rarity.】
[No acquisition methods found… No crafting recipes found…]
"Um… one for each of the three disciples? Are you sure this is an unparalleled treasure?"
Dongfang Jue wasn't doubting the system's capabilities. The point was, whenever something valuable appeared in his master's possession, it felt like they were just handing it out wholesale!
Spiritual elixirs were used to bathe disciples, innate treasures were given one per person, and immortal-grade artifacts even required a dedicated Moon-Holding Pavilion for storage!
Just as these thoughts crossed his mind, a series of thuds echoed from the door.
"Jue'er, are you in there?"
"Coming, Master!"
Dongfang Jue hurriedly got up to open the door. Though it wasn't locked, proper etiquette demanded it.
As a disciple, she dared not simply call out from her seat, inviting her master to enter and speak…
"Please come in, Master."
"Hehe, I shan't enter. I just remembered I forgot to give you two things."
Su Cheng spoke as he pulled a seed the size of a melon seed from his pocket. He gestured for Dongfang Jue to open her palm and placed it there.
"This is a seed, and there's also an egg. Given your talent…"
"Jue understands, Master. No need to say more. I will never disappoint your expectations!"
"No need to be so tense. Your master only hopes you both grow up happily. As for ambitions, pursue them along the way. If you can't manage, your master is here."
Dongfang Jue now understood Ye Qinghan and Li Shiyao's fearlessness more and more!
In the Northern Realm, Xu Zhanfeng was playing chess with the First Lady. Ye Qinghan had only won this one game all afternoon, and she began to suspect Xu Zhanfeng was deliberately letting her win.
"I'm done playing. Though it stings a bit, I'm just not cut out for chess."
Xu Zhanfeng scratched his head with a smile, changing the subject.
"Grandma, I've heard some things recently. It seems Second Grandma…"
Ye Qinghan's eyes narrowed sharply. "Shiyao? What about Shiyao?"
"It might just be a rumor, but they say Second Madam has a very beautiful younger sister who is to be given to…"
"Is that so? Shiyao never mentioned it… Perhaps she doesn't know either."
Ye Qinghan had heard her master mention it in passing. Had Xu Zhanfeng not brought it up, she would have almost forgotten!
If that was the case, it seemed there really was some truth to it.
If it were anyone else, Ye Qinghan wouldn't bother meddling in such affairs. But since it concerned her junior sister, she decided to send Shi Yao a message after all.
[Shiyao, how have you been lately?]
Xu Zhanfeng naturally wouldn't eavesdrop on the two grandmothers' messages, so he turned his back and stood to the side.
[Shiyao is having a terrible time! Shiyao misses Senior Sister so, so much!]
【Oh? Is someone bullying Shiyu?】
【No, Shiyu just misses Senior Sister~】
【Glad to hear it. Has Holy Mountain sent Shiyao any letters lately?】
【No, Elder Shi hasn't sent any news since his last visit.】
【Be a good girl and wait for your senior sister, Shiyu. She'll be back in a few days and bring you some delicious treats then, okay?】
【Yes! Thank you, senior sister. You're the kindest person in the entire world!】
After cutting the connection, Ye Qinghan turned to Xu Zhanfeng.
"Is your information reliable? Is she really Shiyu's biological sister?"
"Never mind. Go investigate. Since she's my junior sister's blood relative, I should assist as her senior sister."
"First Lady, if this proves true, how should Zhanfeng handle it?"
Xu Zhanfeng dared not decide on his own. After all, she was the Second Lady's blood relative. If he neglected her and angered the Second Lady, being given the cold shoulder would be the least of his worries!
"Your mission is merely to investigate. Once you've thoroughly verified the facts, simply relay the news to Qinghan."
With that, Ye Qinghan waved her hand, signaling Xu Zhanfeng to withdraw before turning her attention to the day's tasks.
The reconstruction of the Demon Capital had only just begun, and moving in would likely take some time.
Their current residence was already the Demon Emperor's temporary palace. Though Ye Qinghan hadn't formally ascended the throne yet, she effectively held absolute power over the Northern Realm.
Dongfang Jue's army had already been dismissed by her.
Once we enter the pass, the great scholars will defend my cause. When the Ling Shuang Sword sweeps across the Northern Realm, submitting is their only path to survival.
As Xu Zhanfeng had said, Ye Qinghan need not rush. Whether it came easily or not, she would never lack for followers.
Ye Qinghan may call herself the acting ruler, wielding the Demon Emperor's authority on her mother's behalf to protect the thousand-mile snowfields of the Northern Realm.
Yet her civil and military officials all urged her to act in accordance with Heaven's will…
Follow the will of Heaven?
Ye Qinghan rested her chin on her hand, gazing at the maid beside her. "Who sent you?"
The maid immediately knelt, pressing her forehead firmly against the floor tiles, her voice trembling as she replied, "Your Majesty the Demon Emperor, I was brought back from the street by Lord Xu Zhanfeng. He said he was giving me a job where I could eat my fill."
Ye Qinghan studied the maid beside her, her interest piqued.
"Xu the Steward? How interesting. Rise. Tell me more."
The maid hastily rose to respond.
The maidservants by Ye Qinghan's side had all been rigorously selected by Xu Zhanfeng. Their family backgrounds were thoroughly vetted: no officials or merchants within four generations, and no cultivators in the household.
Beyond that, they had to possess regular features, a well-proportioned figure, normal intelligence, and be able to recite at least four four-character idioms.
They were all young women between fifteen and twenty-three years old, required to be observant, quick-witted, adaptable, and possess good judgment.
Once candidates were identified, Steward Xu personally took to the streets to recruit them—the maids before him were among those captured…
Despite this, Xu Zhanfeng granted them a choice. Fearing they might flee, he did not force them.
The captured girls must undergo training, assessments, and a personal interview with Xu Zhanfeng before becoming attendants to the Demon Emperor.
Ye Qinghan listened intently, finding the process remarkably impressive.
Ye Qinghan found herself increasingly impressed by this Xu Zhanfeng. While he certainly wasn't a saint, he sure knew how to get things done!
If that was the case, the guards outside the palace were most likely recruited by Xu Zhanfeng too…
But doesn't Steward Xu fear any repercussions? Heh~
"Have someone prepare some snacks and treats later. I'll bring some for my junior sister."
"Oh, and prepare some gifts too—choose the finest ones. That slut Dongfang Jue—after just a few days, she's become this Emperor's junior sister!"
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