I have Immortality In The Cultivation World

Chapter 604: Chapter 443: Steal the Heavens and Swap the Days
 

The Hour of Dog.

The night was deep and quiet, every sound was still.

Lamps burned brightly in the Diligent Administration Hall.

Emperor Tianshun, with sleepy eyes, yawned and accepted the Refreshing Tea handed over by a eunuch.

Kneeling on the ground, Commander Lu Wei of the Western Depot reported changes in the Imperial Court, “Your Majesty, Elder Tang has intentions of relinquishing power, and a majority of the officials from all six ministries have pledged allegiance under his command.”

“A minority of officials pride themselves on their integrity, resolutely refusing to associate with the eunuchs. Among them, the Minister of Works Xu and Vice Minister of Personnel Zhong are the most vocal opponents. Should we eliminate them?”

Since the palace coup, the power of the Eastern Depot expanded rapidly, while the Western Depot’s influence steadily declined. Finally receiving Your Majesty’s command, Lu Wei needed to present heads as proof of his achievements.

If the Eastern Depot is adept at burying dragon robes, our Western Depot knows how to carve the Jade Seal!

“Not to worry, let them be,” the Emperor said.

Emperor Tianshun’s mind was clear as a mirror; there had to be different voices within the Imperial Court. Although he needed the Nine Regular Attendants to usurp power, he also had to prevent the eunuchs from monopolizing the regency.

“What has Commander Xie been up to lately?” the Emperor asked.

“Replying to Your Majesty, Commander Xie has been recuperating at home,” Lu Wei answered.

Knowing that was not what the Emperor wanted to hear, Lu Wei continued, “The Western Depot’s spies have been monitoring him night and day. Commander Xie hasn’t stepped outside his door, nor has he met with anyone from the Imperial Court or the Eastern Depot.”

“Only former First Assistant Zhang paid him a visit to offer congratulations. Both hailing from Jiajing Prefecture, their conversation mainly revolved around reminiscences of their homeland, nothing improper. It’s just that Commander Xie…”

“What did Commander Xie say?” the Emperor inquired.

“Commander Xie, whose ancestors were ennobled Earls of Pingjin, lamented his demotion to commoner status due to court strife, often sighing that he could not restore his ancestral glory,” Lu Wei said.

“Hahaha!”

Emperor Tianshun laughed joyfully, saying, “What’s an earl title worth? Tell Commander Xie to reorganize the Capital Garrison and inspect the Northern Border. Upon his return, I shall confer a marquis title upon him!”

Lu Wei was shocked. The Emperor was planning to move against the King of the Northern Defense.

Ever since the Imperial army began to equip itself with cannons and bombs, the Northern Border had become much more submissive, often sending in loyal proclamations, no longer as arrogant as before.

The reason for the inspection and not an outright northern expedition was that, by law, the Northern Border still belonged to Daqing.

Jing Gonggong, who was attending closely at the Emperor’s side, reminded him in a low voice, “Your Majesty, I’ve heard that Supervisor Zhang once had a deep relationship with Commander Xie.”

Emperor Tianshun frowned slightly and looked at Lu Wei, asking, “Is that so?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, that was a matter from the previous emperor’s time,” Lu Wei answered.

Cursing the old eunuch’s ill-intentions inwardly, Lu Wei explained, “Commander Xie once rode with Supervisor Zhang across the rivers and lakes. The former emperor, to prevent the Eastern Depot from intruding on military authority, assigned Commander Xie to guard the Southern Border.”

“Afterward, the two had no more dealings. If it were not for Commander Xie’s annihilation of the Southern Barbarians, he might have stayed in the Southern Border to retire.”

“I see,” the Emperor said.

Emperor Tianshun confidently stated, “A little grace for past knowledge is nothing; I can offer much more. Is there anyone in this world who does not wish to be an official, to not desire power?”

Respectfully, Jing Gonggong said, “I cannot compare to Your Majesty’s magnanimity. I only wish to guard against Supervisor Zhang, especially since the Eastern Depot has become too powerful to control.”

“You’re right,” the Emperor nodded in agreement.

Having taken back the power of the six ministries from Tang Mingyuan, the Emperor’s next target was to deal with the Eastern Depot. Zhou Yi had been Supervisor for too long; it was time to give young people a chance.

After cleaning up both the outer and inner courts, he would then dispatch troops to patrol the Northern Border.

Emperor Tianshun meticulously planned each move, convinced that once everything was in place, he would become an emperor to stand alongside the Great Ancestor.

Carefully, Lu Wei asked, “Your Majesty, do we still pass the message to Commander Xie?”

“In a few days,” the Emperor answered.

Emperor Tianshun, always cautious, did not want any complications at a critical moment. He then asked, “When is Concubine Shu due to give birth?”

Imperial Physician Liu reported back today that it will be within three to five days, though the exact hour is uncertain,” Sun Gonggong replied.

Emperor Tianshun nodded slightly, the successor was crucial for him. Without a prince, the foundation of the state was unstable, and he dared not easily strip Tang and Zhou of their powers.

“Prepare the carriage for Kunning Palace. I will visit Concubine Shu,” commanded the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, the new batch of beauties has already been sent to Yichun Palace,” Sun Gonggong said.

“The Imperial Kitchen has also prepared Nourishing Soup, a new recipe from Count Angong, enriched with several precious medicinal ingredients, exceptionally effective.”

Ever since Gonggong Yu passed away, the task of selecting beauties fell to Sun Gonggong.

Regarding Gonggong Yu’s death, rumors were that he died of resentment from drinking too much, accidentally falling into a well and drowning after hearing Gonggong Wu was conferred a marquisate.

“Hm…,” the Emperor mused.

Upon hearing the word “beauties,” Emperor Tianshun’s thoughts surged. He figured visiting Kunning Palace was not urgent, so he could first go and favor the beauties.

Once one tastes the marrow, the craving becomes insatiable, and human desires know no bounds.

Originally, Emperor Tianshun was not indulgent in sensual pleasures; he spent much time reading and attending to governmental affairs. Since the nights filled with songs and revelry, he felt utterly empty whenever it stopped.

“Then let’s head to Yichun Palace first!”

…

The hour of zi.

Kunning Palace.

A side hall.

A heavily pregnant woman suddenly experienced abdominal pain, and a midwife who was on standby immediately stepped forward to check on her.

“Hurry, go report to Her Highness, she’s about to give birth!”

Noble Consort Shu, who had been sound asleep, rushed over upon hearing the news. Seeing the woman who had bled a great deal, she asked with concern, “Is the royal child still well?”

The midwife knelt down and replied, “The amniotic fluid has broken, and she will soon give birth. The prince is all well.”

“That’s a relief,” said Noble Consort Shu.

Noble Consort Shu called her personal maid Lu Yu over and whispered a few instructions before turning around and leaving the side hall.

Lu Yu dismissed all the palace maids and eunuchs, leaving only the midwife: “As instructed by the Empress Dowager, for the stability of the National Dynasty, the Crown Prince can only have one mother.”

The midwife clearly understood and said, “Childbirth for a woman is already like passing through the gates of hell; accidents are normal, but as for His Majesty…”

Lu Yu said, “This woman was merely a furnace, His Majesty favored her once and has ignored her ever since. You need not worry.”

The midwife bowed and said, “As you command.”

The woman lying on the bed, having heard their conversation, was so frightened that she broke out in a cold sweat and tried to struggle to escape, but felt an intense pain in her abdomen.

Overcome by shock and pain, she fainted.

Seeing this, the midwife said, “This lowly wench indeed lacks fortune. It’s perfect, we’ll cut the abdomen to take the child.”

As she said this, she took scissors and a horrifying sound of cutting flesh followed, the bloody scene causing Lu Yu to retch repeatedly and step back, unable to watch.

Just then.

A strange wind blew open the window, extinguishing the lights in the side hall.

“Ah!”

Frightened by the sudden darkness, the midwife screamed, throwing the scissors behind her, fearing she might injure the prince she had just extracted.

Quickly.

The palace maid on duty outside closed the window and relit the candle. Under the light, the woman’s corpse was cold, and between her legs lay a newborn baby.

The midwife looked at the baby’s umbilical cord, already neatly severed, and felt puzzled, as she had been just about to cut it.

Thankfully, the baby’s wrinkled skin confirmed it had indeed been newly born.

Lu Yu asked, “Is it a Crown Prince or a princess?”

The midwife stepped forward for a closer look and happily announced, “A Crown Prince, it is a Crown Prince.”

Afterward, she placed the baby in the Jade Basin to clean him and wrapped him in a bright yellow swaddling cloth, after which Lu Yu, with great care, carried him to congratulate Noble Consort Shu.

As for the woman who died with her eyes still open on the bed, eunuchs would take care of the body and ensure not a trace of blood was left.

The main hall.

Noble Consort Shu took the baby in her arms, unable to hide the joy on her face.

“Look at this little face, the spitting image of His Majesty. He will surely inherit the great throne!”

“Your Highness, I have something to report,” said Lu Yu.

Lu Yu recounted the strange wind that blew out the light and added, “I clearly saw the umbilical cord was not yet cut before the light went out, but once the candle was relit, it was already severed.”

“Such a thing actually happened!” exclaimed Noble Consort Shu.

After staring at the baby for a long time, Noble Consort Shu noticed he indeed didn’t resemble Emperor Tianshun. However, if it were verified that someone had switched the prince, she would also be executed.

“Lu Yu, come closer, I have orders for you,” said Noble Consort Shu.

“Please speak, Your Highness,” answered Lu Yu.

Lu Yu, having served Noble Consort Shu closely for many years, had no reason to suspect anything amiss. But as she approached, she suddenly felt a severe pain in her abdomen.

Noble Consort Shu, holding the baby in her left hand, plunged a poison-coated dagger into Lu Yu’s stomach with her right hand.

“All I wish is to become the Empress, the Empress Dowager. As for who the Crown Prince is, I couldn’t care less!”