Who Let Him Cultivate?! (WX)-Chapter 841: Great Folly Appears as Wisdom

The Second Imperial Prince hadn’t found any lifespan-extending immortal grass in the Eastern Sea.

However, this did not affect his plans.

If I could find the immortal grass in the East Sea to prolong Emperor Father’s life, my standing in Emperor Father’s heart would rise, potentially even surpassing Big Brother, leading to my appointment as the crown prince.

If I couldn’t find the immortal herb, that’s also fine. Emperor Father would still witness my filial piety. Compared to Big Brother, who did nothing, this is still an advantage.

Moreover, this journey to the East Sea was genuinely perilous. A clash between two immortals at the Dragon Palace had broken out. If I had been slightly caught in the aftershocks, I would have met my demise. With all those dangers I’ve braved, Emperor Father can’t possibly remain unmoved.

Thus, it doesn’t matter whether I found the immortal grass. What matters is that I went to the East Sea.

Despite this, after he returned, he waited a year. The Xia Emperor had grown increasingly frail, yet there was still no sign of a crown prince being appointed. This inevitably made him somewhat anxious.

Coincidentally, Lu Yang arrived in the imperial city at this time. Drawing on the bond they had formed at the East Sea, he invited Lu Yang to his residence for a chat and to strengthen their rapport. Asking Lu Yang to help me ascend the throne will naturally follow.

Few knew that the Second Imperial Prince was a meticulous person.

~~~

“Hmm? The Jiang Family’s second son wants to invite this immortal over?” After receiving the invitation, the Everlasting Immortal Fairy felt that the imperial city was truly bustling. She received invitations daily. Apart from the Jiang Family’s second son’s invitation, many invitations from scholars and literati arrived in quick succession, all inviting “Lu Yang” to compose and recite poetry. She had declined them all per Lu Yang’s wishes.

“Your Majesty, you must call him the Second Imperial Prince,” Lu Yang reminded. If she calls him the “Jiang Family’s second son” to his face, she can expect a foul expression in return.

“Oh, alright then.” The Everlasting Immortal Fairy was a qualified emperor who readily accepted advice. She would listen to whatever Lu Yang said.

“Then let’s go to the Jiang Family’s second son’s home.” The Everlasting Immortal Fairy enjoyed lively places. The invitation states that the Jiang Family’s second son will host a banquet in Lu Yang’s honor.

“Let’s also bring Old Meng. He’s more familiar with matters in the imperial city. That way, when we arrive at the Jiang Family’s second son’s...the Second Imperial Prince’s home, we won’t be completely in the dark,” Lu Yang suggested, nearly following the way the Everlasting Immortal Fairy addressed him.

Upon learning that the Second Imperial Prince intended to host Lu Yang, Meng Jingzhou frowned slightly. Based on my understanding of the Second Imperial Prince, I’m afraid this banquet won’t be merely a simple meal.

But since the immortal wishes to go, I dare not stop her. At worst, if any trouble arises, I will shield the immortal.

This time, Meng Jingzhou didn’t bring Meng Jingyu. It was unsuitable for Meng Jingyu to tag along for such an occasion.

The Second Imperial Prince’s banquet was set for three days later. When the time came, the Everlasting Immortal Fairy, along with Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, headed to the banquet.

The Second Imperial Prince regarded Lu Yang highly. On the day of the banquet, he personally greeted “Lu Yang” and Meng Jingzhou at the entrance.

Spotting them approaching from afar, he jogged over. His face wore a warm smile that was just right, and he greeted them with cupped fists. “Gentlemen, it’s been a year since we parted in the East Sea. I have missed you greatly.”

Meng Jingzhou wore a similar smile, returning the salute. “Your Highness is too polite.”

“Please, come inside.”

“After you.”

The Second Imperial Prince’s purpose for hosting the banquet was to welcome Lu Yang. Now that the key figure had arrived, the banquet naturally commenced.

Perhaps fearing the banquet might lack liveliness, the Second Imperial Prince had also invited many scions. Lu Yang recognized a few, but he hadn’t seen most of them before, indicating that not all the scions invited were peers of the same age.

After the three took their seats, the Second Imperial Prince spoke first. “I have long heard of Fellow Daoist Lu Yang’s arrival in the imperial city. Unfortunately, I have been occupied with official duties and haven’t had time to receive you. Today, I have finally found the time to welcome you properly. I hope you will not take offense.

“Fellow Daoist Lu Yang has certainly made a grand splash in the imperial city. Not only did you beat all the geniuses of your generation here, but you also composed a poem at Lotus Blossom Brothel, earning resounding applause from the crowd. Even the great Confucian masters of the Hanlin Imperial Academy have praised your poem effusively, lauding its ability to illuminate one’s clear heart and true nature.

“Come, let me introduce these individuals to you.

This is Hong Guanshan, grandson of the Minister of the Treasury.

“This is Kong De, son of the Grand Governor’s Office Chief Secretary.

“This is...”

The Second Imperial Prince introduced them one by one. Hong Guanshan and the others wore proud smiles; their identities were their pride.

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy simply nodded politely. She was uninterested in these people’s identities. Besides, I have no idea what a “Minister of the Treasury” or the like actually does.

Listening by the side, Meng Jingzhou’s expression shifted slightly. The Everlasting Immortal Fairy might not understand what these individuals represented, but he certainly did.

These people were involved in every aspect of Great Xia—the military, finance, security of the imperial city, and more. If they could all be rallied to the Second Imperial Prince’s cause, they would form an immensely powerful force.

This was the Second Imperial Prince displaying to Lu Yang the number of backers he had.

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy grew somewhat impatient listening and finally couldn’t help but ask, “Why do you keep mentioning who their fathers and grandfathers are when you introduce them? Aren’t they famous themselves?

“Look, when I introduce myself, I just say I’m Lu Yang, and everyone knows me. There’s no need to say anything else.”

Once those words left her mouth, the smiles on the faces of Hong Guanshan and the others stiffened. This had struck a sore point of theirs.

With just a single encounter, she has made us feel utterly ashamed. This ability to perceive the subtlest details is truly terrifying! No wonder His Highness the Second Imperial Prince is so desperate to win Lu Yang over!

“Moreover, what does their status have to do with me?” The Everlasting Immortal Fairy asked, perplexed. I don’t care what their names are, so why bother about who their fathers and grandfathers are?

Better to finish the introductions quickly and start the banquet.

The Second Imperial Prince’s heart skipped a beat. I refuse to believe that Lu Yang doesn’t understand my underlying intentions. But he said he doesn’t care about their identities and status. Is he trying to hint that he’s unwilling to participate in this struggle for the throne?

The Second Imperial Prince decided not to continue showcasing his backing and instead proceeded with the banquet as Lu Yang had wished.

The banquet proceeded smoothly, with female dancers providing entertainment, cups clinking, and everyone drinking and making merry.

The dancers moved gracefully, but compared to Ye Mengyin, they were like minor magicians in the presence of a great magician. Compared to the Everlasting Immortal Fairy, they weren’t even fit to hold her shoes. The Everlasting Immortal Fairy had little interest in watching them dance. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

“Having Zhu Tian instead would be more like it.”

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy wasn’t fond of alcohol. She remembered that the Epoch Immortal once used his body to brew a jar of immortal wine. Its aroma was so potent that even a Transcendent Tribulation cultivator would become dizzy and feel like they had been transported to an immortal land with just a sniff. Back then, the Qilin Immortal and the Nine-Layers Immortal had drunk straight from the jar. They got drunk and caused a ruckus, which was rather unbecoming.

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy felt that as the head of the Ten Ancient Beauties, she must be mindful of her status and not engage in such déclassé behavior. Hence, she had always harbored some resistance toward wine.

“By the way, Xiao Yangzi, would you like to see the scene of the Qilin Immortal and the Epoch Immortal throwing a drunken tantrum? I still have a recording here.”

Lu Yang hurriedly shook his head. Anyone who sees this will die. I still want to live a few more years.

The Second Imperial Prince drank until he was thoroughly intoxicated. Riding the alcohol’s influence, he leaned close to Lu Yang and began pouring out his woes.

“Fellow Daoist Lu Yang, my heart is filled with bitterness. Emperor Father is reaching the limit of his lifespan, yet the matter of succession remains undecided. Big Brother claims to have no interest in the throne, but there is no kinship in imperial families. Who can say for sure?

“And there’s also Old Four and Old Five. They also claim to have no interest in the throne, yet they all have preparations in secret.”

The Second Imperial Prince shook his head and sighed, his genuine feelings slipping through. “The winds and clouds in the imperial city are unpredictable. Fellow Daoist, you are an outsider and see things most clearly. Tell me, who will ultimately seize the throne?”

Upon hearing the Second Imperial Prince’s words, the crowd, who had been drinking and enjoying themselves, pretended to converse while secretly observing Lu Yang’s reaction.

His Highness is using the alcohol as an excuse to lay his cards on the table, hoping to know whether Lu Yang will join our faction.

Meng Jingzhou’s expression changed slightly as realization dawned upon him. If the answer contains any flaw, it may drag both the Meng Family and the Dao-Seeking Sect into the struggle for the throne!

But both the Meng Family and the Dao-Seeking Sect have always maintained a neutral stance and don’t participate in the contention for the throne!

Such a precedent must not be set!

Realization also dawned upon Lu Yang. This is the Second Imperial Prince’s true objective in inviting me here.

He’s forcing me to choose a side!

I must answer cautiously and not give the Second Imperial Prince an opening to exploit.

Just as Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were pondering how they should respond, they saw the Everlasting Immortal Fairy reveal a surprised expression.

She asked, “So it’s actually up to me who gets to be emperor?”