Chapter 346: Meeting the Consort

Chapter 346: Meeting the Consort

The Mystic Beasts pulled the carriage along the smooth ground, making the ride exceptionally steady inside.

"Brother, are you planning to give Princess Qianxi a Life Pill as well?" Ning Xin'er's voice was gentle and melodious, like a babbling brook or a breeze rustling through bamboo, utterly delightful to the ear.

Ning Xiaochuan shook his head. "Princess Qianxi doesn’t lack Life Pills. After all, she has an elder brother too."

Prince Jindu was Yu Qianqian's biological brother.

It was worth noting that in the Heavenly Emperor's Divine Palace, Prince Jindu had obtained no fewer treasures than Ning Xiaochuan. He must have brought back plenty of Three-Leaved Life Grass for Yu Qianqian to consume.

Yesterday, when Yu Qianqian clashed with Yu Ningsheng, Ning Xiaochuan had already noticed that Yu Qianqian's Martial Path cultivation had grown significantly stronger, reaching the Fifth Level of the Transcendent Realm. Moreover, her physique had advanced to a once-in-five-millennia level, clearly the result of consuming numerous rare and precious resources.

Ning Xin'er pursed her lips. "Then, Brother, do you love Her Highness the Princess more, or do you love Miss Ningsheng more?"

Ning Xiaochuan chuckled. "That’s none of your concern. Don’t just focus on me—what about you? You’re already eighteen, a grown woman now. Do you have someone you fancy?"

Ning Xin'er blushed furiously, her cheeks turning crimson as she shyly replied, "Brother, I don’t want to get married yet."

Ning Xiaochuan grew even more intrigued. "I’ve heard my sister is now one of the Imperial City’s most renowned beauties, with countless suitors. Surely there’s at least one who catches your eye?"

"I don’t like any of them. None can compare to my brother," Ning Xin'er said with a pout.

Ning Xiaochuan laughed. "If you’re looking for a man better than me, you might never marry in this lifetime."

"If I can’t marry, then I’ll cling to you for the rest of my life," Ning Xin'er declared.

"Fine, fine. Even if you cling to me forever, I’ll make sure you’re well provided for. No one will dare bully you," Ning Xiaochuan assured her.

He wouldn’t force his way into her romantic affairs, leaving the choice to her.

But if anyone dared mistreat her, Ning Xiaochuan would be the first to send that person straight to hell.

Upon arriving outside the Golden Roc Prince's Manor, Ning Xiaochuan stepped down from the carriage and personally presented his visiting card.

The manor’s Guard, upon reading the name on the card, immediately straightened with respect and bowed deeply. "So it is the Minor Marquis gracing the Golden Roc Prince's Manor with your presence. This subordinate will report to Her Highness the Princess at once."

Before long, the Guard returned from the manor, wearing an awkward expression. "Her Highness the Princess says… she says…"

Ning Xiaochuan raised an eyebrow. "What does she say?"

"She says… for you to drop dead," the Guard replied nervously.

Ning Xiaochuan chuckled. "Then I must trouble you to relay another message to Her Highness: I have no intention of dying just yet."

Not long after, the Guard returned once more. "Her Highness says she will see you on one condition—unless the Minor Marquis brings Miss Ningsheng to stay at the Golden Roc Prince's Manor for a few days. Her Highness wishes to discuss the Martial Path and share heartfelt words with her."

Knowing Yu Qianqian was still sulking, Ning Xiaochuan decided not to press his luck. "Since Her Highness has no wish to see me today, I shall return another time."

Just as Ning Xiaochuan was about to leave, the gates of the prince's manor opened, and a guard hurried out, saying, "Minor Marquis, please wait. The Western Mu Consort wishes to see you."

Ning Xiaochuan immediately halted, a look of surprise flashing across his face. The Western Mu Consort?

He hadn’t expected this matter to have reached the consort herself!

The Golden Roc Prince's Manor truly lived up to its reputation as the foremost prince's manor in the realm. The estate was extravagantly luxurious, teeming with formidable Martial Artists. Even though they remained hidden, their powerful Martial Path Auras were palpable to Ning Xiaochuan’s mental transmission.

This place was practically an iron fortress. Anyone attempting to force their way inside would have to overcome countless obstacles.

Though Ning Xiaochuan considered himself among the ranks of first-rate experts, even he would likely perish if he tried to storm the Golden Roc Prince's Manor.

The Western Mu Consort was the Great Golden Roc King’s most beloved consort and the birth mother of Yu Qianqian.

This consort was not merely beautiful—she was a Martial Venerable herself, with profound cultivation. Within the Golden Roc Prince's Manor, she held considerable status and authority, even capable of mobilizing large military forces.

A sixteen-year-old, charming maidservant led the way, guiding Ning Xiaochuan to a three-story Purple Bamboo Building. She instructed him to wait outside while she went in to announce his arrival.

Ning Xiaochuan naturally understood the protocols of Marquis Houses, so he waited patiently, taking the opportunity to observe his surroundings.

Though it was merely a bamboo building, it was far from shabby.

The pillars were crafted from Mystic Wood, draped with golden silk and white gauze curtains. The walls were adorned with various Mystic Artifact Weapons—crimson treasured blades, bronze spears, Black Iron halberds, and more—dozens of artifacts in total.

Outside the bamboo building lay a small garden brimming with Profound Medicine.

Among them, three Nine-Star Spiritual Herbs shimmered within a halo of profound light, emitting a rich medicinal fragrance that attracted Spirit Butterflies, fluttering gracefully around the garden.

These Spirit Butterflies were First-Grade Mystic Beasts, capable of killing low-level Martial Artists.

"Ning Xiaochuan, do you know why I summoned you here?" The Western Mu Consort’s voice echoed from within the Purple Bamboo Building, her tone neither hurried nor slow, making it impossible to discern her true thoughts.

Her voice sounded youthful, like that of a woman in her twenties—clear and melodious.

Ning Xiaochuan replied, "Could it be related to Princess Qianxi?"

"Given your intelligence, you must have noticed Princess Qianxi’s feelings for you. You should never have hurt her heart over a brothel girl."

Ning Xiaochuan said, "Princess Qianxi’s affection for me is genuine, but Yu Ningsheng is also deeply devoted to me. May I ask, Consort, if you were in my position, how would you choose?"

The Western Mu Consort’s voice turned stern. "As the heir to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, destined to inherit the title of Marquis, how can you achieve great things if you need others to decide even sentimental matters of the heart for you?"

Ning Xiaochuan bowed slightly. "Your reprimand is justified, Consort."

The Western Mu Consort continued, "Look at Qianxi’s father—he has hundreds, even thousands of women by his side, countless concubines. Do you truly believe he is devoted to just one? As a Marquis, one must not only rely on strength to uphold a family but also ensure the flourishing of descendants. If the lineage dwindles, it would be an affront to our ancestors. How then can the family prosper?"

"It matters little if a Marquis has a few more women by his side. Such trivialities are for you to decide. Qianxi’s tantrum merely reflects her immaturity—a result of my indulgence since childhood. She is still young, and such girlish outbursts are natural. You should be more tolerant of her."

Ning Xiaochuan’s heart raced with disbelief. He never expected the Western Mu Consort to hold such views. Was she truly not sabotaging her own daughter?

In truth, Ning Xiaochuan’s mindset remained anchored in his past life, making it difficult for him to comprehend the Western Mu Consort’s words.

This was, after all, a world of male superiority and female inferiority, especially in the imperial court, where men were expected to wield absolute authority, and wives and concubines were bound to obey their will without question.

To the Western Mu Consort, Ning Xiaochuan was destined to become a Marquis. If he couldn’t even handle sentimental matters of the heart, he would inevitably be scorned by many. Such a man could never achieve greatness.

Though she cherished Yu Qianqian dearly, she would not permit her to act recklessly.

Of course, if Yu Qianqian were truly wronged, she would undoubtedly confront Ning Xiaochuan herself. The two matters had to be treated distinctly.

Ning Xiaochuan said, "Since Her Highness did not summon me regarding Princess Qianxi’s matter, may I ask what this is about?"

The Western Mu Consort replied, "The 'Weapon Ranking List'—was it compiled by you?"

Ning Xiaochuan’s heart skipped a beat, but he remained composed. "Before the list was published, I did review it. However, I was not the one who compiled it."

"Then what was your purpose in creating the 'Weapon Ranking List'?" The Western Mu Consort’s voice grew sharp, her aura as a Martial Venerable surging, causing the very air to grow heavy.

Her demeanor was stern.

Ning Xiaochuan replied calmly, "It’s merely a ranking, nothing more than a playful diversion. There is no deeper intent."

"A playful diversion? This single sheet of yours rivals an army of a million, capable of defeating opponents without shedding a drop of blood, wouldn’t you say?" the Western Mu Consort pressed.

Ning Xiaochuan smiled. "Your Highness overestimates its significance."

"Very well. You may leave," the Western Mu Consort said.

Just like that?

Ning Xiaochuan exhaled slightly in relief and took his leave.

Out of respect for the Western Mu Consort, Ning Xiaochuan refrained from using his Mental Energy to probe the situation inside the Purple Bamboo Building. Thus, he remained unaware that not only was the Western Mu Consort present, but so too were the Great Golden Roc King, Prince Jindu, and Yu Qianqian.

"Mother, am I not your own flesh and blood? How could you side with him? Aren’t you just encouraging his arrogance? Today he dares to bring a brothel woman back to the Marquis’s residence—tomorrow he’ll bring a whole crowd of them!" Yu Qianqian pouted, grinding her teeth in frustration.

The Western Mu Consort chuckled. "She’s just a brothel woman. How could she ever compare to our Princess Qianxi? Do you truly fear Ning Xiaochuan would marry her?"

Prince Jindu said, "Ning Xiaochuan bringing Yu Ningsheng into the Jian Pavilion Marquis House is actually extremely beneficial for our Golden Roc Prince's Manor. This is Ning Xiaochuan's indirect way of declaring that he has taken an absolute opposing stance against the Jade Emperor."

The Western Mu Consort replied, "Exactly. If Ning Xiaochuan wishes to redeem Yu Ningsheng, he must stand in opposition to the Jade Emperor. And when he compiled the 'Weapon Ranking List,' placing the Jade Emperor at the top—wasn’t there a deeper meaning behind that?"

"It likely won’t be long before the Yulan Empire descends into chaos, with warlords rising and rebellions erupting everywhere." Prince Jindu glanced subtly at the Great Golden Roc King, clearly indicating their shared curiosity about his thoughts. Now was the perfect opportunity for the Golden Roc Prince's Manor to seize the imperial throne!