Chapter 367: Chapter 324: Princess Langhuan and the Selection of Concubine Candidates

"Your Majesty~"

Consort Lan exhaled softly as she leaned on Zheng Yi, gently massaging his thighs.

"You’ve been in closed retreat for half a year now; I’ve missed you dearly~"

"Oh? Missed me where?"

"Missed you everywhere~"

"Hahaha..."

After a day and night of indulgence, Zheng Yi finally relaxed; the Noble Ladies in the Wine Pool and Meat Forest had already changed twice over.

"Hmm... all familiar faces, no fresh ones."

Stepping out of the hot spring, Zheng Yi loosened up his body: "I wonder how the Empress’s selection of Concubine Candidates is going?"

"Your servant greets Your Majesty!"

Liu Cheng’en approached quickly and respectfully said, "Grand General Xu requests an audience."

"Oh? So soon."

Zheng Yi muttered, "I’ve been out of retreat for only a day; how did Grand General Xu find out?"

Liu Cheng’en immediately felt his scalp tingle and hurriedly explained, "Well, well, Grand General Xu has been occupied with the military review these past few months."

"He comes to the Cabinet daily, inquiring about Your Majesty, then goes to Celestial Longevity Mountain to train the soldiers, hence learning Your Majesty is out of retreat."

"I see."

Zheng Yi asked, "Any major events in the Cabinet?"

"One issue..."

Liu Cheng’en said, "Lord Lu requests to retire."

"Oh? Why?"

"Last month in autumn, Lord Lu was struck by an evil wind and suddenly fainted; after diagnosis by the Imperial Physician, although awake, he is bedridden, even needing assistance for food and drink..."

"Evil wind in the body? Isn’t that just a stroke?"

After pondering, Zheng Yi said, "Lu Qing has served the nation well, must not be neglected. Send the best Imperial Physician from the Imperial Hospital for his treatment."

"Yes!"

"Also, I shall personally visit the Lu Mansion in three days; the retirement matter shall be discussed later."

"Yes!"

"Summon Grand General Xu."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Liu Cheng’en withdrew, and soon Xu Mujun walked in with large strides.

Sitting on the Dragon Throne, and seeing the travel-worn but clearly spirited Xu Mujun, Zheng Yi felt a stir in his heart.

Xu Mujun is a Martial God.

Chen Hu is also a Martial God.

However, compared to Xu Mujun, Chen Hu’s Martial God Realm seems somewhat flawed.

Or perhaps doesn’t reach Xu Mujun’s realm.

Perhaps due to their differing experiences or different worlds they belong to, resulting in different Martial Gods.

But most importantly, it’s the Martial Dao Will!

"Minister Xu Mujun greets Your Majesty!"

"Xu Qing, please rise swiftly."

Zheng Yi ordered, "Grant a seat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After Xu Mujun sat down, he directly said, "Your Majesty, I came today concerning the military review."

"Oh? Shuyue isn’t present, but Xu Qing is already prepared?"

"Indeed."

Xu Mujun respectfully stated, "This time deploying elite troops for the military review, totaling more than twenty-three thousand."

"Including the Imperial Guard, Dragon-soaring Army, Binzhou Border Army, Black Mountain City Border Army, Imperial Army, Cannon Army, all troops trained and ready, awaiting Your Majesty’s command."

Zheng Yi tapped the table and asked, "The drill grounds, review platforms, are they prepared by the Ministry of Industry?"

"Completed on the seventh of last month, awaiting Your Majesty’s inspection."

"Has my dear minister reviewed them?"

Xu Mujun hesitated briefly before saying, "I have reviewed them, yet..."

"Never mind, since Xu Qing has inspected, I shan’t go."

Zheng Yi continued, "And, has the time been chosen?"

"Your Majesty, the Astronomical Bureau has decided on three dates, awaiting your decision."

"October 1st, Cyan Dragon Yellow Dao, Taiyi Star, Celestial Noble Star, favorable for pursuits, success assured, wishes granted. Auspicious."

"October 28th, Mingtang Yellow Dao, Honorable Star, Bright Assistant Star, beneficial to meet noble persons, favorable for pursuits, success assured. Auspicious."

"December 25th, Celestial Virtue Yellow Dao, Treasure Light Star, Celestial Virtue Star, great prosperity, success in endeavors, favorable for pursuits. Auspicious."

"These three days are the last three auspicious days of the 14th year of Zhengyong, requiring Your Majesty’s decision."

Zheng Yi asked, "What’s the date today?"

"14th year of Zhengyong, September 8th."

"Then October 1st."

Decision made promptly, Zheng Yi stated: "All troops are in the capital, various matters inconvenient, and facing external threats; must not be negligent."

"I... follow the decree!"

Xu Mujun accepted the order and departed, while Zheng Yi proceeded to Kunning Palace.

"Father!"

Lu Lin’er, having received the news, quickly led the people of Kunning Palace out to welcome him, the fastest being Zheng Yuhuan.

Zheng Yi hadn’t yet reached Kunning Palace when Zheng Yuhuan, dressed in a green long dress with a jade hairpin, adorably charming, ran rapidly and leapt into Zheng Yi’s arms.

"Father, you’re finally visiting Huan’er again, sob sob sob..."

Zheng Yuhuan now ten years old, grown gracefully, almost as tall as Zheng Yi’s chest.

And like her mother, possessing a mature demeanor despite her age.

Zheng Yi embraced Zheng Yuhuan with a smile, "Have you missed Father?"

"Yes!"

Zheng Yuhuan nodded vigorously, clutching Zheng Yi’s head, her voice suddenly tense and sorrowful, whispering:

"Father, Huan’er secretly tells you a secret~"

"Oh? What secret?"

"Huan’er... is dying soon! Sob sob sob..."

"Hmm?"

Zheng Yi’s eyes shifted, puzzled, "Dying? What’s going on? Who dares threaten you? An assassin?"

"No, none of that..."

Zheng Yuhuan glanced around, and Zheng Yi waved his hand, prompting nearby eunuchs and palace maids to withdraw.

"The day before yesterday after waking, the bed was covered in blood, and even my legs had it. I was so scared I cried, sob sob sob..."

Zheng Yi’s mouth twitched, amused and exasperated, "That’s... your first period, haven’t the other palace maids or aunts told you?"

"First period? Father, it’s just as the aunts said~ but Huan’er is still scared..."