Chapter 63 - 61: My Dear Son, You’ve Deceived Your Mother So Terribly

Chapter 63: Chapter 61: My Dear Son, You’ve Deceived Your Mother So Terribly

「Main Hall.」

Zhao Ci listened quietly to their arrangements.

With a look of stunned surprise, he said, "Ah? Father Emperor, are you truly entrusting such an important technique to your son alone? Am I capable of handling it...?"

He looked to be under immense pressure.

Inside, however, he was already blooming with joy.

’All my long-term planning and constant anxiety weren’t for nothing.’

’I finally pulled it off.’

Just now, the two of them had unanimously decided to make Xiang’s Pill Workshop the Wine Refining and Medicine Extraction Department of the Xingyu Pill Association, with him as the sole manager. As for the other affairs of the Xingyu Pill Association, they would be left entirely to Gu Xiangzhu’s oversight.

This move fully secured Gu Xiangzhu’s interests.

But it also protected his own position as the key technical expert.

Of course.

Truly protecting it would not be a simple matter.

Because mass production couldn’t rely on him alone.

Before, he could still manage to save up some of the refined alcohol, just enough to supply the Gongdan Conference for a single day without any issue.

But from now on, the Xingyu Pill Association would surely operate at full capacity. It wasn’t impossible that he could work himself to death.

This presented a problem: he would have to recruit a considerable number of people. If even one or two people from either of those two sides managed to infiltrate his staff, things would get very troublesome.

The only trustworthy person Zhao Ci could think of was Xiang Yunzhan.

First, judging from his memories of the man.

Second, the wish floating above his head clearly indicated that the man genuinely wished him well from the bottom of his heart.

Even so, he couldn’t be certain that Xiang Yunzhan wouldn’t leak the secret.

But...

If he couldn’t even rely on Xiang Yunzhan, it must mean that he was fated never to control this technique.

[Zhao Huan’s Current Wish]: For Zhao Ci to entrust the technique to Xiang Yunzhan, so it may fall into my hands. Wish Fulfillment Reward: +1000 Insight, Stealable Skill: Flying Dragon Cloud-Seeking Hand.

[Gu Xiangzhu’s Current Wish]: Use both force and feeling to get the Alcohol Refining Technique from Zhao Ci. Wish Fulfillment Reward: +1000 Insight, Stealable Skill: Empathy Technique.

Zhao Ci: ’Heh...’

’As if I’d fall for your bullshit.’

’But from the looks of it, Zhao Huan trusts Xiang Yunzhan quite a bit, yet he hasn’t gotten anything from him. Seems my bet was right.’

’Gu Xiangzhu, on the other hand... is a bit of a problem.’

’Use force, is it?’

"Ci, on this point, your father must criticize you!"

Zhao Huan’s brow furrowed slightly as he reprimanded him, "You were granted your own residence long ago and can now stand on your own two feet. You are even leading by a wide margin in this year’s Seven Residences competition. Why do you still lack such confidence? You are my son. You must not belittle yourself so!

Having your Mother Consort act on your behalf for the Xingyu Pill Association is already the limit of what the Imperial Clan Court will tolerate.

This Alchemy of Wine must be handled by you personally. You must master this technique yourself; not even your Mother Consort can help.

If I discover that this Alchemy of Wine has been leaked to anyone besides your direct subordinates...

...even if you are my son, I will punish you severely!"

Zhao Ci: "..."

’This old bastard really knows how to talk!’

He nodded heavily, saying with fear and trepidation, "Yes! Your son will definitely handle it personally!"

"Excellent!"

Zhao Huan patted his shoulder, a gratified smile on his face. "The boy has finally grown up! You just had a breakthrough, so hurry and find and fix any deficiencies. I won’t delay your Mother Consort from acting as your Dharma Protector!"

With that, he gestured for Eunuch Li to help him leave.

Feeling Gu Xiangzhu’s slightly cold gaze on him, Zhao Ci asked reluctantly, "Father Emperor! Actually, your son is not in a hurry. It’s rare for you to visit Wangshu Palace. Won’t you stay the night?"

"I won’t!"

Zhao Huan’s expression stiffened for a moment. He then forced a smile, got directly into his palanquin, and soon disappeared from Wangshu Palace.

Zhao Ci: "..."

He turned his head, a nervous look on his face. "Mother Consort, I’m under so much pressure!"

Gu Xiangzhu: "..."

She stared quietly at Zhao Ci, trying to discern some other emotion in his eyes.

But after watching for a long time, all she could see was the anxiety of someone shouldering a heavy burden.

After a moment of silence.

She said flatly, "You’ll get used to it. Go and cultivate first. I will help you find and fix any deficiencies."

’Cultivate?’

’Damn it!’

’My breakthrough this time was anything but perfect. Are you really here to ’find and fix deficiencies’?’

A chill ran down Zhao Ci’s spine, but he feigned concern. "Mother Consort! You’re already tired enough. Why don’t you rest for tonight? I’ll try to figure it out on my own first. If I can’t manage it alone, I’ll come trouble you then."

"There’s no need!"

Gu Xiangzhu gently pushed his back. "Just listen to me."

The force of her push wasn’t strong at all; it was as if she had just placed her hand gently on his back.

But her attitude was firm, leaving Zhao Ci no room to object.

Zhao Ci’s scalp tingled, but his smile was perfectly natural. "Alright! Then I will listen to Mother Consort!"

With that, he walked slowly toward the Practice Room.

Gu Xiangzhu’s expression was serene, but a vicious aura churned within her like a dark, raging tide.

Although she could still obtain ample pills and wealth through the Xingyu Pill Association...

...this still fell short of her expectations.

She knew very well what monopolizing this Alcohol Refining Technique meant.

Of course.

This wasn’t because she was greedy. The current situation had already far exceeded the expectations she’d had when she first entered the Pill Realm.

But one thing was driving her mad.

It was... the feeling of being played for a fool.

Scenes from the past flashed through her mind. While each event seemed perfectly reasonable on its own...

...when pieced together, something felt wrong. It was as if every logical coincidence had been a setup for her to fail at the very last second today.

This feeling of being made a fool of.

It was driving her to the brink of insanity!

In her seventeen years in the palace, she had never suffered such a loss, not even at the hands of Zhao Huan.

’Where did things go wrong?’

Gu Xiangzhu looked at Zhao Ci, feeling he was the most likely source of the problem.

’Could it be that he’s already realized my identity is not what it seems? Did Zhao Huan tell him long ago?’

’Did he get close to me just to use the power of the Pill Workshops under my command?’

’No!’

’Zhao Huan wouldn’t take such a risk.’

’And even if that were true, he could have just taken the technique to make money for himself. Why put on this whole show today?’

She was almost certain that Zhao Huan had not yet obtained the technique from Zhao Ci.

’Why?’

’This is all too strange!’

’This boy!’

’He’s either a complete fool...’

’...or utterly treacherous!’

But she had no concrete evidence.

’So... should I just force the truth out of him?’

’But if I interrogate him and get the opposite of what I expect, wouldn’t I be exposing my own identity?’

’That would be troublesome from then on.’

Thoughts flooded her mind, and in the blink of an eye, they had arrived at the Practice Room.

"Mother Consort, what should I do now?"

"First, sit cross-legged and meditate!"

Gu Xiangzhu said flatly, "Circulate the Emperor’s Extreme Body Refining Technique for one full cycle. That way, I can more clearly see where your problems lie!"

"Yes!"

Zhao Ci didn’t know what trick she was trying to pull, so he could only sit cross-legged and begin circulating his energy.

As he cultivated, he listened intently to every sound and movement from the outside world.

He had to be careful she wasn’t setting a trap for him.

Unexpectedly, he completed one full, stable cycle, and nothing happened.

The only sound from outside was Gu Xiangzhu’s steady breathing. She hadn’t even moved from her spot.

"I’m starting to see the issue. Don’t stop. Circulate it for another cycle."

"..."

Zhao Ci could only nod and circulate his energy for another cycle.

Another cycle passed.

He was perplexed. ’Is she really just helping me find and fix deficiencies?’

’I don’t get it.’

One cycle after another.

Zhao Ci even began to suspect she had fallen asleep.

Finally.

"Alright!"

Gu Xiangzhu spoke suddenly. "I’ve found your problem. Open your eyes!"

Zhao Ci opened his eyes, and when he saw the scene before him, he instinctively cursed, ’Holy shit.’

Because the Gu Xiangzhu before him had clearly removed her palace robes.

She was wearing only a thin, light blouse.

Her fragrant shoulders were half-exposed, their snowy-white skin dazzling to the eye.

Her eyes were hazy, veiled in a faint mist.

She was beautiful beyond description.

’Hah!’

’Truly a Demoness.’

He had just circulated the Emperor’s Extreme Body Refining Technique for seven full cycles; it was a time when his entire body was brimming with energy.

Coupled with his already lecherous thoughts toward Gu Xiangzhu, his gaze instinctively drifted to certain... spectacular areas, and his body began to react uncontrollably.

’This is bad!’

Zhao Ci quickly averted his gaze, bit his tongue, and forcibly suppressed his body’s reaction, a feeling of deep dread washing over him.

He asked in confusion, "Mother Consort, what is this...?"

Gu Xiangzhu said flatly, "I have a Secret Skill to help you eliminate the minor hidden ailments in your body. It cannot be performed while wearing too much clothing."

"I see..."

Zhao Ci feigned a look of sudden realization.

"However..."

Gu Xiangzhu leaned forward slightly, her gaze turning meaningful. "When you just finished cultivating and opened your eyes, your reaction was a little... off!"

Zhao Ci: "!!!"

His heart clenched.

’Did something go wrong after all?’

Before he could even think of a countermeasure...

Gu Xiangzhu’s pair of fair, slender arms suddenly shot up, her hands darting swiftly toward Zhao Ci’s temples.

Zhao Ci’s heart tightened, and his body instinctively flinched back.

Gu Xiangzhu’s smile widened. "I only wanted to help you clear the meridians in your head, but you... seem a little scared! Why is that, my... dear... son!"

The last three words were practically squeezed from between her teeth.

Her hands instantly became a blur.

Zhao Ci’s pupils contracted, and all the hairs on his body stood on end.

’This woman is as ruthless as I thought.’

’She has no evidence.’

’So she created two opportunities to judge my instinctive reactions.’

’I reacted as quickly as I could, but she still caught on.’

It was too late to run or dodge. He felt a slender hand seize his neck, and then his entire body was pinned against the wall by Gu Xiangzhu.

Gu Xiangzhu looked at him with a beaming smile. "My dear son, you’ve deceived me so thoroughly! My foot... did it feel good in your hand?"

Her smile was beautiful.

Zhao Ci had never seen such a beautiful smile in his entire life.

It was like the spider lilies on the banks of the Yellow Springs.

Zhao Ci: "..."

He knew his first great test had arrived, right on schedule.

’This is the class-change quest after the end of the newbie protection period.’

’If I pass, I’ll feast and drink.’

’If I fail, I’m in for a world of hurt!’