Eternal Life as False Emperor-Chapter 30: Emperor Zhengyong Seeks Immortality
Liu Cheng’en exclaimed excitedly, "Your Majesty, the formation is almost complete, consisting entirely of seasoned palace veterans who are both reliable and astute."
"The most important thing is that they are all utterly loyal to Your Majesty!"
"Very well... From now on, the memorials submitted by the Cabinet shall be reviewed and categorized by you all, and only the most important ones brought to my attention."
"Understood!"
Liu Cheng’en respectfully replied, "This servant will sincerely follow and learn from the ministers..."
Zheng Yi’s action was entirely a replica of the Cabinet system of the Ming Dynasty from a previous life.
All the affairs of the state were handled by several ministers and eunuchs.
He himself could completely assume the role of a hands-off shopkeeper.
Just like Emperors Jiajing and Wanli.
Despite not appearing in court for decades, the entire Great Ming Dynasty remained as stable as Mount Tai.
As for the future of the Imperial Court, what did it matter to him?
With court matters resolved, he viewed the entire court as his resource and backing.
And he himself could entirely leverage the power of the court to aid him in... seeking immortality!
Of course, he also assigned Shen Xing and Lu Lian to form the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
The former Imperial City Department commander, Ma Jinwu, and the entire department were transferred under the command of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
With a mandate for intelligence gathering and overseeing officials, their authority was even greater than the Imperial City Department previously!
After finishing all this, Zheng Yi finally had time to address the matter he had long wanted to know.
"Cheng’en."
"This servant is here."
"Go and bring the whole family of Dongyun Feng from the underground palace."
"Understood!"
...
Celestial Prison.
This is a crucial location in the Capital City, where all Imperial Court-designated criminals are held.
Ordinary prisoners have absolutely no qualification to be held here.
Two months ago, Prime Minister Yang rebelled, causing widespread implications.
Solely among the high-ranking second-tier officials, seven or eight are imprisoned here, not to mention other slightly lower-ranking officials.
At least a hundred people are detained here, making the entire Celestial Prison as lively as a market.
At the entrance of the Celestial Prison, Yang Huan wore a black robe that completely enveloped her.
The newly appointed Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Shen Xing, respectfully returned the token and said, "Madame, this is a crucial area of the Celestial Prison. Later, please stay close behind me."
"Thank you, sir."
Although Yang Huan’s voice carried some sadness, it still remained gentle.
Shen Xing’s heart trembled as he quickly reacted, bowing his head even lower.
Indeed, she is the Emperor’s woman... truly a beauty!
Such a woman could only be enjoyed by Your Majesty.
Following behind Shen Xing, Yang Huan entered the Celestial Prison.
"Injustice! Injustice!"
"I have important matters to report to Your Majesty! Hurry to relay my message!"
"I am the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, how dare you serve me pig feed, watch out or I’ll have your head!"
"What are you shouting about! Whatever second-tier official or Assistant Minister you may be, you are now merely prisoners..."
As they delved deeper into the Celestial Prison, tumultuous sounds, curses, and furious shouts continuously echoed.
The air was also filled with a stench and a bloody smell.
Due to the numerous detainees, cells originally meant for one or two people had now crammed more than a dozen, making them highly crowded.
Many people even had faces full of despair, muttering something incomprehensible under their breath.
Shen Xing quietly said, "Madame, be careful, do not pay attention to these folks."
"Hmm..."
Soon, Shen Xing led Yang Huan to the depths of the Celestial Prison.
Here were several quiet rooms, all holding cells for serious offenders.
In one room was held a sixty-year-old man with graying hair and beard, his face ashen.
It was none other than Yang Xuansu!
Opening the cell door, Yang Xuansu subconsciously looked over.
"You are..."
"Madame, be careful. By order of Your Majesty, you may stay here for one hour."
"I understand."
"I will wait outside the door. Madame, if you have any matters, please summon me at any time."
"Alright."
"I take my leave."
"You are... Huan’er?"
Yang Huan removed her hat, and Yang Xuansu finally recognized the person before him.
It was his highly anticipated, already pregnant Yang Huan!
"Huan’er!"
"It’s Huan’er!"
"Come quickly, let your parents have a good look at you..."
Yang Huan’s appearance immediately caused an uproar in the surrounding cells.
A beautiful woman leaned against the left cell door, crying her heart out, vigorously waving toward Yang Huan.
On the other side were Yang Xuansu’s two sons.
The eldest, Yang Guang, had ruptured veins, reduced to a cripple.
The second, Yang Kang, was severely ill due to fright, now in a dazed state.
Besides them, there were also several children ranging in age from seven or eight down to one or two years old, some just a few months.
These were all Yang Xuansu’s grandchildren.
"Father, Mother!"
Huan’er burst into tears, instinctively rushing to her mother’s side, sobbing uncontrollably.
For a moment, the entire cell was filled with the sound of wailing, extremely heart-wrenching.
After a long while, Yang Xuansu finally spoke, "Alright, it’s not easy for Huan’er to come see us. All this crying and wailing, what does it achieve?"
"Father..."
Huan’er looked at her father, who seemed to have aged twenty or thirty years, and said with deep sorrow, "Why, why is it like this? You are already the Prime Minister, and I am carrying a Dragon Child..."
Yang Xuansu shook his head and said, "It’s just the victor and the vanquished. What use is there in saying these things now?"
"Moreover, do you really think an old man like me rebelled willingly?"
"Throughout history, imperial power and ministerial power have always been like water and fire, incompatible."
"The fact that I have come to this point is partly because Emperor Zhengyong forced it!"
"Father..." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖
"Enough."
Yang Xuansu waved his hand and said, "Emperor Zhengyong made an exception to let you see me, presumably because of the child you’re carrying."
"It seems inevitable that my family and I are doomed to die."
"I... really want to see what my future grandchild looks like!"
At this point, Yang Xuansu’s eyes also turned slightly red.
"Father..."
Huan’er suddenly seemed to remember something and quickly said, "Oh right, Father! I went to plead with Your Majesty, and he said that as long as you are willing to confess certain matters, he will make an exception and let me take two children away."
"Take two children away!"
Yang Xuansu’s eyes suddenly lit up, "What matters?"
"Don’t say anything yet... let me think!"
"In my lifetime, I’ve accumulated a great fortune, but no matter how large the fortune, it can’t escape the looting of the Imperial City Department and Xu Mujun."
"The agricultural lands, mines, and shops in the regions can’t escape the encroachment of the local noble clans."
"Does Emperor Zhengyong want evidence of my collusion with foreign countries? No, no... it’s..."
"Fire Spirit... immortal cultivation!"
"Emperor Zhengyong wants the secret knowledge of immortal cultivation?"
Huan’er was shocked and said, "Father, you are truly... astute."
"Your Majesty has sent Huan’er to inquire about the origin of this Fire Spirit and matters concerning immortal cultivation..."
"Hahaha, hahahaha..."
Yang Xuansu suddenly laughed, "Emperor Zhengyong could push me to this extent. I originally thought he was some kind of character, but it turns out even he cannot resist the temptation of immortal cultivation!"
"I did not lose to Emperor Zhengyong, but to Xu Mujun!"
"If it weren’t for Xu Mujun..."
"Father..."
Yang Xuansu’s tone turned manic, "Emperor Zhengyong wants immortal cultivation? Then I shall lend him a hand!"
"Throughout history, how many mortals have resisted the temptation of immortal cultivation?"
"From peddlers to princes and ministers. Even if he is an emperor, he’s no different!"
"The number of countries that have perished due to the pursuit of immortality is countless."
"I would like to see if Emperor Zhengyong’s quest for immortality will lead to the downfall of the Great Yu Dynasty."
"And whether Xu Mujun would be so angry as to kill Emperor Zhengyong, hahaha..."
"Huan’er, come closer!"
Yang Xuansu spoke softly, and Huan’er, being clever, memorized every word he said.
An hour later, Yang Xuansu suddenly said, "I’ve told you almost everything I know, but there are a few words you must listen to, Huan’er."
"Father, please speak."
"Since ancient times, there is no affection in the emperor’s family; our Emperor Zhengyong is no exception!"
Yang Xuansu suddenly said, "My rebellion is bound to implicate you and the child in your womb. If it’s a Dragon Child, it will surely become a target of resentment and won’t live to adulthood."
"If it’s a girl, she might survive."
"Even you will be thrown into the Cold Palace, never to leave the palace for life."
"To ensure the safety of you and the child, I must leave you with a plan."
"Or rather, a plan to make Emperor Zhengyong value you again."
"At the very least, it will allow you to preserve your life in the deep palace!"
Huan’er said earnestly, "Please tell me, Father."
"Emperor Zhengyong will surely mobilize national resources to seek immortality. You must divulge seventy to ninety percent of the secret knowledge I told you."
"But the remaining ten to thirty percent, you should reveal when Emperor Zhengyong’s quest for immortality reaches an impasse and he hesitates!"
"Twice, you have only two opportunities!"
Yang Xuansu said calmly, "These secrets of cultivation can ensure your safety for life."
"As for regaining Emperor Zhengyong’s favor, there’s no chance..."
Huan’er’s eyes were filled with tears, her voice trembling as she said, "Father, I understand."
"Alright, you should leave now." Yang Xuansu waved his hand and said, "Also Huan’er, since Emperor Zhengyong allows you to take two children, take Zhao’er and Ling’er with you."
Yang Zhao, the eldest son of Yang Guang, nine years old.
Yang Ling, the eldest son of Yang Kang, seven years old.
The two children had been meticulously groomed by Yang Xuansu since a young age and were now eagerly watching Huan’er from the cell next door.
Not only them, but Yang Xuansu’s concubines, upon hearing Yang Xuansu’s arrangements, were filled with despair.
Huan’er hesitated for a moment and said, "Father, I’m sorry, I lied to you."
"Your Majesty’s wish is that I can take two people, but they must be girls and under three years old."
"What?!"
Yang Xuansu suddenly lifted his head, gritting his teeth, "Your Majesty... what a ruthless heart!"
"This is leaving me with no descendants!"
"Huan’er... I have wronged you. If it weren’t for me implicating you, you might have a chance to sit on the empress’s throne!"
"Now... we can only barely save our lives."
