The Imperial Capital of the Kingdom of Tiansheng.
The Grand Preceptor’s Manor.
A middle-aged man in long green robes, Grand Preceptor Su — the Head of the Three Ducal Ministers — was walking briskly through his home. After enduring such a long period of torment, he barely had the heart to manage government affairs.
Su Tao’er had been away from home for so long, and there had been no news of her until now. Forget about politics; he felt like his hair was falling out in clumps.
Although Su Xuan had been back for two days, he stubbornly refused to reveal his sister’s whereabouts. He claimed that Su Tao’er was out seeking the Tao under a master and that she was living well, even advising his father not to worry.
This infuriated Grand Preceptor Su. Despite several rounds of intense questioning, Su Xuan refused to budge. The Grand Preceptor was so angry he nearly slapped him, but in reality, he only considered it in his mind. He would never actually strike Su Xuan — he wouldn’t dare, not even if he were given a few extra lives’ worth of courage.
But just as he was feeling most irritable, a loud commotion erupted behind him. Two beautiful women, both around age 20, were practically tearing each other’s clothes off as they tumbled out of the inner rooms, locked in a struggle.
“You little minx! You want to act all high and mighty with me? Since you want to be so smug, let’s see if I don’t beat you to death today!”
“Oh, please! You old hag, do you think I’m afraid of you?”
The two women, both cultivators at the Three Souls Realm, initially traded proper moves. However, it soon devolved into a chaotic mess. They ended up rolling on the ground, clawing at each other like village women. Their elegant hair was a mess, and their clothes were disheveled, creating a rather provocative scene. Meanwhile, up in the pavilions, several other women of similar ages — between age 20 and 30 — dressed in Magnificent Clothing, were busy placing bets on a chessboard and cheering for the spectacle.
This was the backyard of the Grand Preceptor’s Manor, a place where, essentially, only women were allowed.
This was common in wealthy households. Men were strictly forbidden from entering the courtyards where wives and concubines lived. Even a legitimate son of a specific branch had to be announced by a maid before entering. Because of this, these wives and concubines had few inhibitions when they caused a scene. Sometimes, in the heat of a fight, they would tear each other’s clothes to shreds. As the two women kicked and shoved, their inner silks fell away, leaving much of their snowy white chests exposed.
Seeing this, Grand Preceptor Su quickly pretended not to notice. He covered his face with his long sleeve and scurried away through a different corridor.
Aside from his first wife, most of these concubines were rewards from the Emperor. An imperial gift could not be refused. In fact, Grand Preceptor Su had never even touched many of them. But since the Emperor had forced them upon him, he had no choice. He had originally thought about finding them good homes to marry into, but once these women entered the Grand Preceptor’s Manor, why would they be willing to go to an ordinary family? They resorted to all sorts of crying, screaming, and even threatening to hang themselves just to stay.
Among them, only two concubines had given birth to children for him — two sons and two daughters. This was because his first wife, Lady Xiao — Su Tao’er’s mother — had been unable to conceive at the time and had insisted that Grand Preceptor Su take concubines. After all, of the three ways to be unfilial, the worst was to have no heirs. Lady Xiao also came from a prominent family, so she adhered strictly to these traditions.
Even for a Human-God Cultivator, there was an end to one’s lifespan. Within 1,000 years, one would eventually turn to dust, and children were still needed to carry on the bloodline.
Grand Preceptor Su reached the inner chambers of the backyard, the private courtyard where Lady Xiao lived.
Lady Xiao was also waiting in the room, looking anxious and unsettled.
Seeing her husband arrive, she hurriedly asked, “How is it? Is there any news? Is Xuan’er willing to talk?”
Grand Preceptor Su said indignantly, “Xuan’er won’t say! He simply won’t. He only mentions that Tao’er went to find a master and seek the Tao, telling us not to worry. But… but where did that girl go? I’ve asked every sect, and there isn’t a single shred of news!”
Lady Xiao’s face turned pale. “Then what do we do… what do we do, husband? How will we explain this to the Emperor?”
Grand Preceptor Su said with a long, troubled face, “The Emperor has already asked me several times why Tao’er hasn’t visited him lately to play chess or drink. He wonders if he was too attentive and made her dislike him. He asked again today. I’m afraid… I’m afraid I can’t hide it much longer.”
Lady Xiao said urgently, “Then you… you must hurry and force the truth out of Xuan’er.”
Grand Preceptor Su looked extremely uncomfortable and displeased. “If Xuan’er won’t speak, what can I do? I can only scold him; I can’t exactly use physical punishment on him…”
Grand Preceptor Su lowered his voice and glanced outside. “Years ago, shortly after the Emperor ascended the throne, he feared his position was unstable and that his children might be slaughtered. Because of that, he sent the son and daughter of Consort Yan to be raised by us. You happened to have no children of your own, which eased your heartache. The Emperor entrusted his own children to us, and now we’ve lost one. How… how can we possibly justify this?”
Grand Preceptor Su grit his teeth as if making a final decision. He said with a look of grim determination, “I’ve never laid a hand on Xuan’er all these years, which has made him a bit too arrogant. But since the Emperor gave his son to me, if this brat won’t listen, then I’ll just have to get rough with him today…”
Lady Xiao hastily stopped him. “No! Xuan’er is an Imperial Prince. You… I raised Xuan’er myself, and I won’t allow you to touch him! Besides, Xuan’er says Tao’er is doing well, so she surely isn’t suffering out there. If she were, Xuan’er would have brought her back long ago. Later… later I’ll go talk to Xuan’er again. He will surely tell me the truth.”
Grand Preceptor Su felt a surge of stifled frustration. “He’s been spoiled rotten by you!”
Grand Preceptor Su knew in his heart that Tao’er was likely fine. Otherwise, an elder brother who cherished his sister so much would never have left her alone outside. The problem was that the Emperor was now asking about her several times a day. Even during the morning court session, he would ask with a smile, “Grand Preceptor, why hasn’t your daughter come to see Us lately? We miss that girl dearly. Have her come play chess and see the pavilions in the palace soon.”
He remembered how an official had tried to be clever this morning, quickly flattering the Emperor by saying, “Your Majesty, since you like the Sixth Young Lady of the Grand Preceptor’s house so much, this humble official believes she should be brought into the palace. If she enters the harem, she can serve Your Majesty even better.”
That official thought himself wise, assuming the Emperor’s favor for the girl meant he had his eye on her. He figured he would be the one to voice it and fulfill the Emperor’s wish.
As a result, that official was dragged away that very morning by the Imperial Guards and beaten with Water and Fire Sticks until he couldn’t get out of bed for half a month.
It was at this moment that a maid came rushing into Lady Xiao’s courtyard, shouting, “Master, Madam! The Emperor is here! The Emperor is already waiting for the Master in the main hall!”