Eternal Saber-Chapter 231 - 16: Thunder Element Talent
The second day, morning court.
Chen Tang entered the palace with Yuan Qingmo.
However, Chen Tang went to the harem.
As for Yuan Qingmo, being Prince Wei and the Marshal of the Qilin Bureau, he attended the court session.
According to Yuan Qingmo, the position of the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince is ranked as First Grade, belonging to one of the three tutors, with a status just below the Grandmaster and the Grand Protector.
In the previous dynasty, the positions of the three tutors were mostly honorary.
But in Qian Country, due to the existence of the Profound Celestial Sect, the status of the three tutors is extremely high.
For instance, the Grandmaster is the Emperor's Tutor, held by the current State Preceptor, and is ranked as First Grade.
Back then, in that study, in front of the Three Dukes, he admonished the Emperor, and even Yuan Qingshan did not dare to refute.
The Grand Tutor, who is the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, is essentially the Crown Prince's teacher, held by the Left Protector of the Profound Celestial Sect, ranked as First Grade.
As for the Grand Protector to the Crown Prince, it roughly means being like a brother and companion to the Crown Prince, of course also bearing the responsibility of teaching and protecting the Crown Prince.
Generally speaking, Chen Tang did not need to attend the morning court.
Hearing this, Chen Tang let out a sigh of relief.
If he had to take on some official post requiring daily court attendance, how would that be different from clocking in for work in his past life?
Chen Tang went to the harem, intending to meet Yuan Qingmu.
The Eldest Princess had not yet married and logically was still living in the harem.
Several palace maids were already waiting in front of the harem. Upon seeing Chen Tang arrive, they all stepped forward to greet him and led him to the residence of the Eldest Princess.
Yuan Qingmu had been waiting in a pavilion for quite some time.
"Greetings to the Eldest Princess."
Chen Tang approached and respectfully saluted.
Yuan Qingmu, with a half-smile, chided, "Don't pretend!"
"Hey!"
Hearing this, Chen Tang smiled, sat down opposite Yuan Qingmu, picked up the freshly brewed fragrant tea without worrying about getting burnt, and drank it all in one go.
The surrounding palace maids sneaked a glance, their pupils trembling, jaws nearly dropping to the ground.
This man could casually enter the harem.
And even in front of the Eldest Princess, he could behave so wantonly!
But seeing that the Eldest Princess did not seem to mind, the many palace maids pretended not to see, merely growing more curious in their hearts.
Judging by their actions, the two seemed quite familiar with each other.
Yuan Qingmu waved her hand, dismissing the numerous palace maids, then looked at Chen Tang and asked with a smile, "I heard you've been wandering the Jianghu and met many beautiful girls?"
"Who said that?"
Chen Tang replied, "That's not true."
He counted, and it seemed like he only knew two, far from 'many.'
Yuan Qingmu said, "I heard one is even the most beautiful woman in the Jianghu of Nanxia, the Jade Flute Fairy, ranked first in the Human Ranking. I haven't met her; is she really that beautiful?"
"Mm."
Chen Tang subconsciously nodded.
Yuan Qingmu's eyebrows raised.
Feeling something amiss, Chen Tang quickly said, "But she's a bit inferior to you."
Yuan Qingmu's heart delighted, and she then asked, "I heard you also know a granddaughter of the Former Emperor Wu and that you shared life and death experiences with her, fighting enemies together?"
"Ahem, just friends..."
Chen Tang ambiguously replied.
He couldn't let the conversation linger on this topic.
Chen Tang had a sudden thought and asked, "By the way, why haven't I seen Zhiwei? How is she doing?"
Yuan Qingmu hesitated, weakly saying, "You must first promise me that when I tell you, you won't get angry..."
"Go ahead."
Chen Tang waved his hand.
Yuan Qingmu said, "She was taken away by a Mystic Master of the Profound Celestial Sect."
"Hm?"
Chen Tang slightly frowned.
Yuan Qingmu hurriedly explained, "Back when we returned to the Imperial Palace, the Grand Tutor accidentally saw Zhiwei and noticed that she had the potential to cultivate Mystic Skills."
Chen Tang said, "During the test in Wu'an County, I remember Zhiwei couldn't cultivate."
Yuan Qingmu nodded, saying, "The Grand Tutor said that the Profound Celestial Temple in various places could only test five spirit root attributes: gold, wood, water, fire, and earth, but there are some special spirit roots that the temple cannot test for."
"Zhiwei belongs to one such category; she can cultivate thunder elemental Mystic Skills."
Over the past year, Chen Tang's impression of the Profound Celestial Sect was not very favorable.
Zhiwei joining the sect certainly made him feel a bit worried.
However, if Zhiwei had such an extraordinary talent for cultivation, it would be a waste not to cultivate. Maybe only the Mystic Masters of the sect could guide her and pass on their knowledge.
Yuan Qingmu continued, "At that time, I actually didn't want Zhiwei to leave. After all, keeping her by my side, I could take better care of her and protect her."
"Later, the Grand Tutor mentioned that such talent as Zhiwei's does not exist for any Mystic Master in Qian Country to guide her. Only in Nanxia is there a Mystic Master qualified to teach her thunder elemental Mystic Skills."
"Nanxia?"
Chen Tang's expression changed, asking, "Does Nanxia also have a Profound Celestial Sect?"
"Yes."
Yuan Qingmu said, "However, it seems that the sect in Nanxia and the one in Qian Country belong to two different branches, but both revere the Profound Celestial Immortal Venerable. Moreover, in Nanxia, the sect's influence is very minimal, far less than in Qian Country."
After a pause, Yuan Qingmu continued, "In fact, Zhiwei wanted to cultivate Mystic Skills. I once asked her, and she said she wished to become a powerful Mystic Master to protect us."
"Only, Zhiwei was still a bit hesitant about this matter. Later, when she heard she had to go to Nanxia to cultivate, she made up her mind to join the sect and cultivate Mystic Skills."
Chen Tang nodded.
He had previously speculated that Zhiwei's home might be in Nanxia.
Perhaps Zhiwei wanted to go to Nanxia also because of this reason.
"You won't blame me, will you?"
Yuan Qingmu asked cautiously.
Chen Tang shook his head and said, "Since it was Zhiwei's own decision, why would I blame you? It's just that she's far away in Nanxia, with no acquaintances by her side, I wonder how she's doing, if she's being mistreated."
"There's no need to worry about that."
Yuan Qingmu said, "I heard from the Grand Tutor that Zhiwei's thunder elemental spirit root is very rare among Mystic Masters, and the Mystic Master in Nanxia will surely treat her as a treasure, and will never allow her to suffer any grievance."
Chen Tang pondered silently.
If Zhiwei can find her family in Nanxia and reunite with her biological parents, that would be the best outcome.
The two chatted for a while longer until an attendant conveyed His Holiness's order for Chen Tang and Yuan Qingmu to proceed to the central hall.
Chen Tang and Yuan Qingmu rose, followed by two Black Tortoise Guards, and soon arrived outside a study.
They pushed the door open and entered.
Yuan Qingshan sat at the main seat.
Yuan Qingmo stood on the left, both looking at a scroll of a drawing, gesticulating and discussing something.
To Yuan Qingshan's right stood a boy in his early teens, with features somewhat resembling Yuan Qingshan.
Although he stood with hands by his sides, looking obedient, his eyes were darting around, his mind seemingly elsewhere.
Chen Tang's heart stirred.
This boy must be the current Crown Prince, Yuan Taiping.
The one whom he, as the Grand Protector to the Crown Prince, must face.
On the way here, Yuan Qingmo mentioned the Crown Prince, holding back words as if there was some unspeakable issue.
"Brother!"
Yuan Qingmu softly called and quickly stepped forward.
Chen Tang stood below, bowed, and said, "Greetings to His Holiness."
