"Mother, are those Imperial Decree Ladies gossiping indiscriminately?"
The Empress furrowed Liu Mei.
Madam Qi Wan shook her head and said,
"Your Majesty, you shouldn't blame others for this matter. What does it look like for a dignified Emperor to have only two Empresses?"
"Though His Majesty solely favors the two of you, you are now the Empress, not merely the mistress of a single household! You are the mistress of the Six Palaces and the mother of the people all over the world!"
Hearing this, the Empress fell silent for a moment. She then nodded slightly and said to Madam Qi Wan,
"Mother, you're right. The Six Palaces should not consist only of the Central Palace and the West Palace. Just as it happens, I have suitable candidates by my side; it's time to provide them with a future!"
"Yu Yao, Qu Lian!"
She spoke calmly.
Beside her, two gorgeously dressed beauties exchanged a glance and gracefully stepped forward from behind her.
"Your Majesty!"
Madam Qi Wan watched this scene, frowning slightly. She looked at her elegant daughter beside her, hesitated to speak, but ultimately remained silent. She knew that although her daughter appeared gentle, she had her own opinions since childhood and could not be easily swayed.
The Empress gazed gently at the two women, with a hint of sentiment in her eyes, and then smiled warmly,
"Qu Lian, Yu Yao, you have been with me for over a decade. At this age, it's not convenient to marry you off. Therefore, I shall bestow you with grace, allowing His Majesty to take you as concubines. If you have a son or daughter in the future, you'll have support!"
The two women were taken aback upon hearing this. Qu Lian quickly kneeled, saying, "Your Majesty, we have no such intention; we only wish to stay by your side, serving you!"
Yu Yao also promptly kneeled.
The Empress looked at this scene, a smile appearing on her dignified face.
"Alright, I know your loyalty. You were originally my maidservants; giving you a formal status with His Majesty is only right!"
Gesturing with her hand, she motioned for the two women to stand aside, then smiled and said,
"As for the Six Palaces being without a master, that's easily resolved. I can have His Majesty issue a decree, selecting beauties from the families of the civil and military officials to enter the Imperial Court. I will personally train them, enriching the Palace of the Imperial Harem!
If His Majesty takes a liking to any, they will naturally be taken into the Palace of the Imperial Harem!"
With a calm expression, the Empress then turned her gaze to Madam Qi Wan, saying,
"What does Mother think of my handling of the matter?"
Madam Qi Wan faced the Empress's gentle gaze, feeling as if her inner thoughts were exposed, which caused a slight sense of pressure. She shifted her gaze and said,
"Though matters of the Palace of the Imperial Harem are matters of the world, they are also family matters of Your Majesty. You can decide on your own; why ask this old body? I'm too old to dare instruct the Empress!"
Upon hearing this, the Empress laughed gently,
"Why must Mother speak in such a manner? Mother's appearance is still youthful. If we were to speak together, others might mistake us for sisters rather than mother and daughter!"
She remained composed, seemingly ignoring any underlying tone in Madam Qi Wan's words.
Hearing the affection in her words, Madam Qi Wan felt somewhat relieved; after all, blood ties run deep, and any misunderstandings were quickly dissolved.
In fact, mentioning the matters of the Palace was indeed for the future of her younger daughter while also testing the Empress's intentions.
She believed the Empress was intelligent and would understand the underlying message, but now the Empress had subtly declined her in this gentle manner.
...
Within Hanyuan Hall, Zhang Jian was meeting with the Taiyin Fairy.
If any Primordial Spirit Master was willing to join the Great Xia Qintian Platform and become a National Guardian Master, the Great Xia would offer considerable treatment.
This treatment was comparable to that of the major foreign sects and even slightly more favorable.
After all, the domain governed by Great Xia was broader.
Currently, this treatment is primarily based on top-grade spirit crystals, supplemented by a portion of heaven and earth spiritual materials, as well as various magical treasures and cultivation techniques for exchange.
After eliminating several Primordial Spirit Masters, Zhang Jian had amassed considerable wealth and had no issue paying the 'salaries' of several Primordial Spirit Masters, especially in terms of cultivation techniques where his reserves were particularly abundant.
Now that Great Xia was newly established, it was certain that there would only be more cultivators within the Great Xia Court in the future.
With the Saint King's ascension, he could become a colossal entity supported by countless extraordinary influences and even cultivation clans and foreign sects.
After forming the Cabinet, Zhang Jian also planned to explore and build a platform belonging to Great Xia against the side of extraordinary powers.
For instance, establishing markets specific to Great Xia, using trading companies to accumulate wealth, and building artifact refining workshops and alchemy workshops to better exploit Great Xia's underground resources.
Even establishing Spirit Mountain Blessed Lands and supporting official cultivators.
Gradually transitioning from a secular dynasty to the Saint King's ascension will take time.
However, in achieving the longevity immortal body, Zhang Jian was not short on time.
He wanted to cultivate Great Xia's treasure land to achieve unparalleled merit.
...
After pacifying the Taiyin Fairy, Zhang Jian thought and stepped into the Imperial Court.
He was already aware of the happenings in the Imperial Court.
In Fengzhi Palace, from a distance, Zhang Jian saw the Empress, dressed gorgeously and gazing toward the flower garden.
Zhang Jian smiled from afar, saying, "The Empress is in high spirits today, enjoying this beautiful moonlight in solitude at night!"
Hearing this, the Empress glanced at Zhang Jian, then slightly bowed and said,
"I've yet to congratulate Your Majesty on the triumphant conquest of Chu, achieving an unparalleled merit!"
Zhang Jian quickly helped her up, lightly smiling,
"Empress, you and I both should celebrate!"
The Empress's eyes, like flowing water, briefly glanced at Zhang Jian and lightly snorted, "Celebrate? Not necessarily!
I hear the women of Beichu are tall and uniquely charming. This time, with the army's triumphant return, you've brought back many princesses and commandery princesses from the Beichu Royal Family, many of whom are of unparalleled beauty, Your Majesty is quite fortunate!"
Zhang Jian chuckled helplessly as he walked to the Empress's side and said,
"How can those women of Beichu compare to Your Majesty's beauty, which outshines all others and has the grace to captivate the nation!"
The Empress's mouth curved into a smile, but after a moment, her smile slightly faded. Subconsciously, she gently adjusted her cloud-like hair, gazing at the bright moon with a hint of melancholy.
Seeing this, Zhang Jian understood the Empress's concerns and smiled,
"Why should the Empress worry? With the Innate Yin Essence Pearl and Phoenix Blood Jade, you'll remain youthful and forever beautiful, a dream of countless women throughout history.
When I complete this unparalleled achievement, we shall ascend together, sharing the immortal body and living in eternal union!"
Zhang Jian smiled gently. With the founding of Great Xia, he had also been gathering cultivation techniques for maintaining health for the Empress.
He didn't expect the Empress to achieve the Primordial Spirit, just to use these techniques to extend her lifespan until he accomplished his unprecedented achievements, so they could ascend together.
He had consulted Jue Ming Daoist and True Monarch Zhanmo about this.
Ascension as a family is feasible.
Even a Daoist lineage like the Tongshan Daoist Lineage's Ancestor Saint King and ancient Emperors of this world managed to ascend together, bringing numerous kings and ministers with them into the Celestial Realm.
With enough merit and power at a certain level, it is possible to open the portal to the heavens.
Of course, it's not without difficulty.
Thus, the upper limit of this Great Realm is exceedingly high, able to house immortals and demons.
Ancient immortals even remain in existence.
This Great Realm has experienced glorious history.
As Zhang Jian's thoughts swirled, he heard the Empress suddenly murmuring,
"I don't actually oppose Your Majesty taking concubines..."
"Oh?"
Zhang Jian turned his curious gaze towards Empress Qi.