Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts - Chapter 492

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

At the entrance of the Wudu Imperial Study, Wei Xun bowed slightly to Consort Xiao.

Although the Wu Kingdom had no official empress, Consort Xiao was effectively the mistress of the harem. All the concubines and palace maids were under her management. She had not failed the emperor’s trust, running the harem in perfect order, with every concubine obedient and respectful toward her.

“Has His Majesty still not eaten?” Consort Xiao asked worriedly, looking toward the Imperial Study.

To her, the tightly shut doors of the study were like the emperor’s heart—firmly closed.

Wei Xun nodded. “That is correct, Your Highness.”

He sighed. “Whenever His Majesty has unresolved matters weighing on his mind, he refuses to eat or drink. It has already been a full day and night since he last ate anything. His Majesty is not like those cultivators who can go without food. If this continues, how can his body endure?”

The more Wei Xun spoke, the more distressed he became. It was as if the emperor’s fasting pained him more than being cut by a thousand blades.

Consort Xiao waved to the palace maid beside her. Understanding her intent, the maid brought forward a food box. Taking it, Consort Xiao stood outside the study and called out, “Your Majesty, this consort requests an audience.”

“Leave. I do not wish to see anyone these days.” From inside the study, the emperor’s voice came through, sounding heavy with frustration. “I just want some peace and quiet.”

Wei Xun swallowed and whispered to Consort Xiao with good intentions, “Your Highness, perhaps we should withdraw for now. His Majesty is not in a good mood.”

But Consort Xiao remained composed, continuing to call out, “Your Majesty, this consort requests an audience.”

“I already said I’m seeing no one. Did you not hear me?” The emperor’s voice carried a tinge of impatience now.

Yet Consort Xiao did not back down, repeating firmly, “Your Majesty, this consort requests an audience.”

A long silence followed from within the study.

Wei Xun and the maid wiped cold sweat from their foreheads.

They had never seen Consort Xiao so persistent before.

To put it bluntly, it seemed as if she was unafraid of death.

Finally, the emperor’s voice, laced with helplessness, came through. “Come in, then.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” A bright smile appeared in Consort Xiao’s eyes.

Wei Xun was momentarily stunned before he quickly stepped forward to open the doors for her.

Consort Xiao entered, and Wei Xun promptly shut the doors behind her.

Glancing at Consort Xiao’s personal maid, he asked, “What is Her Highness up to today?”

The maid shook her head, indicating she had no idea either.

Even after serving Consort Xiao for years, she, too, was seeing this side of her mistress for the first time.

“This consort greets Your Majesty.” Holding the box of pastries, Consort Xiao bowed slightly.

“Rise,” the emperor said, rubbing his eyes before looking up at her. “What brings you here?”

Straightening up, Consort Xiao replied, “This consort heard that Your Majesty has not eaten for a full day and night. The osmanthus flowers in the western garden have bloomed, so this consort picked some and made osmanthus cakes and osmanthus wine, hoping Your Majesty would have a taste.”

The emperor chuckled. “And for this, you insisted on disturbing me? Aren’t you afraid of death?”

Consort Xiao blinked innocently. “Would Your Majesty truly kill this consort out of frustration?”

The emperor sat up. “That’s not out of the question.”

Her eyes remained pure and sincere as she continued, “If my death could ease Your Majesty’s troubles and make you eat and drink something, then this consort would gladly die.”

The emperor: “…”

“You…” The emperor sighed. “Out of everyone, you resemble—”

Midway through his sentence, he fell silent, choosing not to continue.

Consort Xiao knew what he had meant to say. He wanted to say that she resembled someone—someone who was the only true empress in his heart. A name that was forbidden within the palace, a name no one dared to mention.

The emperor glanced at the pastries and osmanthus wine in her hands. “Forget it, forget it. You put in the effort. Bring them over, let me have a taste.”

“As you wish, Your Majesty.”

Consort Xiao stepped forward, placing the tray before him and pouring him a cup of osmanthus wine.

As he ate, she gently massaged his shoulders.

“This osmanthus cake is indeed quite good,” the emperor nodded approvingly. “Your skills have improved again.”

“Then does Your Majesty still wish to kill this consort?” Consort Xiao asked softly.

“You…” The emperor shook his head with a smile. “Now you’re even holding a grudge?”

Consort Xiao pouted playfully and turned her head away. “How would this consort dare?”

The emperor simply chuckled.

The heavy frustration that had weighed on him earlier had eased considerably, thanks to her presence.

“You don’t need me to say it—you already know what’s been troubling me, don’t you?” he asked.

Consort Xiao carefully chose her words. “Is it about the King of Xiliang?”

“That’s right.”

A shadow flickered through the emperor’s gaze.

“The King of Xiliang is a problem that just won’t go away. It’s impossible to forcibly strip him of power. Every past attempt to weaken the feudal lords has somehow missed him. The authority of the imperial court remains trampled under his feet.

In Xiliang, there’s even a children’s rhyme now—’Only recognize Xiliang, not the emperor.'”

Consort Xiao lowered her eyes slightly and asked, “But wasn’t the Tui’en Decree implemented? Given time, it should have resolved the Xiliang issue.”

The emperor chuckled. “But, my dear consort, the King of Xiliang has only one son. Tell me, even if he were to divide his land, how would he do it? Should I order him to father more children?

And even if he had multiple sons, what then? The Tui’en Decree only works when the heirs fight amongst themselves. But given the King of Xiliang’s authority, if he refuses to acknowledge the decree, who would dare to challenge him?

Unless he dies.

His son certainly doesn’t have his level of influence. That old bastard doesn’t have many years left anyway—I’ve just been waiting for him to die.

Once he’s gone, his son won’t be able to suppress the decree’s effects, and then Xiliang will slowly be divided under my rule.

And the old bastard knows it. He knows his son doesn’t have his skills, and that once Xiliang is in his son’s hands, it’s only a matter of time before it fractures.

But before he dies, he insists on making a move!

Do you think he’s marrying his son to Yan Han just for the sake of marriage?

No—what he really wants is the throne!”

As his words fell, Consort Xiao immediately knelt. “In the hearts of the people of Wu, in the hearts of the court officials, and in the heart of this consort—there is only one emperor of Wu, and that is Your Majesty!”

The emperor laughed. “Rise. There’s no need to say it—I don’t need reassurance.

He thinks he can put me in a difficult position in Wudu?

Hah!

This time, I will make sure that old bastard never returns!”