Chapter 583 - 284: Chen Sheng, a True Initial Saint

Chapter 583: Chapter 284: Chen Sheng, a True Initial Saint

"How would I dare deceive you, my Prince?"

Yu Nanzhi said, feigning displeasure.

In her heart, she was constantly telling herself things.

’I really haven’t intentionally deceived the Prince.’

After all, that was the truth of the matter.

During their exchange, Chen Sheng had been incredibly arrogant and overconfident, even talking back to her. But with her supreme, water-like eloquence, she had managed to talk him into submission.

That was how she had managed to close the deal.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Zhao Zhen was instantly overjoyed and couldn’t help but praise her.

"My dear consort, you are truly capable! I was not mistaken in you! To successfully talk Chen Sheng into submission using only your lips and tongue... truly a heroine among women! HAHAHA..."

"My Prince, er... besides that, there is one more thing. That Chen Sheng wants the Three-Color Treasure Lotus from the Prince’s Mansion. Only then will he agree to drop this matter. Otherwise, for a capital crime such as this..."

"...he would never dare get involved. This is also why I apologized to you earlier, my Prince."

Yu Nanzhi explained hurriedly.

"The Three-Color Treasure Lotus?!"

Prince Xiang, Zhao Zhen, fell silent for a few breaths.

"How does Chen Sheng know about this item?"

"That... I do not know. Originally, that scoundrel Chen Sheng demanded even more, but under the duress of my tireless persuasion, I finally convinced him to compromise. However, he insists he must have the Three-Color Treasure Lotus."

"The reason I contacted you, my Prince, was to ask for your decision."

Yu Nanzhi continued.

"Then... what do you think, my dear consort?"

Zhao Zhen was reluctant.

The Three-Color Treasure Lotus was not only very useful to him, but more importantly, it was an heirloom left by his mother. It held great sentimental value.

"I believe that while material possessions are important, they cannot compare to the safety of the Prince’s Mansion."

Yu Nanzhi advised.

"I... will consider it..."

Zhao Zhen knew the Princess Consort was right, but he just couldn’t bear to part with it.

However, to the Princess Consort Xiangyang, who knew him very well, Zhao Zhen’s words were as good as an agreement. He was just feeling reluctant at the moment. She immediately stated her position:

"I will follow your decision in all things, my Prince."

Zhao Zhen was touched and sighed.

"With a wife like you, what more could a husband ask for?"

"When you return, I will thank you properly. After all, I had the celebratory Spirit Wine ready even before you left."

"Yes. Thank you, my Prince."

Yu Nanzhi suppressed the strange feeling in her heart and replied as calmly as she could.

After a few more pleasantries, they cut off the connection via the Magical Artifact. Yu Nanzhi clenched her delicate fists and then let out a long sigh.

’Good, I managed to hold my ground.’

’After all, I only had a conversation with Chen Sheng.’

’I didn’t actually help him with his cultivation to Enter the Dao.’

’And not Entering the Dao means it doesn’t count as betraying the Prince.’

’In the end, I am still the Princess Consort Xiangyang!’

.....

「Elsewhere.」

After learning of his mother’s return, the Heir of Prince Xiang, Zhao Chengxiang, quickly went to pay her a visit.

He wanted the Princess Consort to have suffered a setback as well.

To have hit a wall with Chen Sheng.

That way, he could then persuade her to join him in convincing his father, the Prince, to trade the Three-Color Treasure Lotus to Chen Sheng. When that happened, he could take most of the credit.

After all, he was the one who had discovered the key to persuading Chen Sheng.

He believed that even his father, the Prince, would have nothing to say against it.

And when Zhao Chengxiang saw the Princess Consort, Yu Nanzhi, the change in her expression further confirmed his theory.

Although his stepmother was as beautiful and enchanting as ever, he keenly noticed a hint of unnaturalness on her face.

It was obvious.

Chen Sheng had been defiant toward his mother.

Causing her to return in defeat!

"Chengxiang, what are you doing here?"

Yu Nanzhi composed herself, returning to her usual demeanor.

"Mother, I was deeply concerned about the survival of the Prince’s Mansion. When I heard of your return, I grew impatient. I hope you can forgive me," Zhao Chengxiang said, bowing hastily as he explained.

"That’s thoughtful of you."

Yu Nanzhi nodded.

"Mother, how did the talks go? I see you look displeased. Did that Chen Sheng talk back to you? If so, I will go and teach him a lesson to avenge your honor!"

Zhao Chengxiang declared righteously.

"No, Chengxiang, you’re overthinking it. The trip went very smoothly."

Originally, Yu Nanzhi had considered telling him a veiled version of the truth, but seeing Zhao Chengxiang’s demeanor, she decided it was better not to say more. Otherwise, she feared he might do something impulsive and cause trouble.

They had just settled on the terms, and the Prince was very likely to agree.

She certainly wouldn’t allow Zhao Chengxiang to ruin things.

Otherwise.

Wouldn’t all the hardship she had just endured be for nothing?

"What... Mother, your trip went smoothly?"

Zhao Chengxiang swallowed the words he had been about to say.

’Smoothly?’

’How could it have gone smoothly?’

’Didn’t Chen Sheng promise to give me ten days?’

’How could something have gone wrong?!’

"Yes, the Prince has already been informed. The matter in Chen County is more or less resolved. You must not act rashly and ruin everything. Don’t worry, I will put in a good word for you with the Prince."

"You won’t be punished for your dereliction of duty. You can return to Xiangyang now if you wish."

Yu Nanzhi forced a faint smile.

She and Chen Sheng would probably have to meet again, and there was no telling what might happen.

She couldn’t have Zhao Chengxiang discovering any clues.

It was best to send him away.

"Mother, so Chen Sheng just agreed like that? Did he not make any demands?"

Zhao Chengxiang asked in disbelief.

’Were his nearly one thousand Elemental Crystals for nothing?’

That was his entire savings at the moment!

"He did, but it wasn’t too difficult. I have tentatively agreed, and the Prince has no objections either." Yu Nanzhi didn’t want to go into specifics.

’The more you say, the more you get wrong.’

Zhao Chengxiang stood frozen on the spot.

’The demand wasn’t too difficult?’

’Don’t tell me Chen Sheng didn’t ask for the Three-Color Treasure Lotus?’

’That’s impossible.’

’His attitude at the time was clearly very firm.’

’Or could it be...’

’...that I’ve just paved the way for my stepmother?’

’Did the one thousand Elemental Crystals already soften Chen Sheng up?’

"I... I understand."

Zhao Chengxiang nodded blankly, verbally thanked his mother, and then returned to his room in a daze. But no matter how he thought about it, something felt wrong.

’Is that Chen Sheng an Initial Saint or what?’

’He took my Elemental Crystals but compromised with Yu Nanzhi!’

’That’s taking ’Initial Saint’ to a whole new level!’

The more Zhao Chengxiang thought about it, the more unsettled he felt. He immediately took advantage of the night to slip out of the Wang Family residence and hurried to the Initial Saint Sect. He had to see Chen Sheng and get a clear answer.

No matter what, he couldn’t be left in the dark like a fool.

.....

The moment he saw Chen Sheng, Zhao Chengxiang couldn’t hold back. Looking at the figure sitting cross-legged in the middle of the Spirit Pool cultivating, he was about to demand justice:

"Chen Sheng, you son of a..."

"Hm?!"

Before Zhao Chengxiang could finish, Chen Sheng’s eyes snapped open. A pair of cold, harsh eyes instantly locked onto him, carrying a clear warning:

"Young Master, what were you trying to say?"

"Lord Chen, that wasn’t a very honorable way to handle things!"

Zhao Chengxiang caught himself just in time, afraid of angering Chen Sheng.

"What do you mean by that?"

Chen Sheng frowned.

’I’ve always prided myself on doing things properly. What was dishonorable about it?’

"You clearly took my nearly one thousand Elemental Crystals and promised me ten days to make the Three-Color Treasure Lotus deal happen. So how could you turn around and make a deal with Yu Nanzhi in the blink of an eye?"

"Don’t you know I was the one who botched the Chen County affair? By doing this, where does that leave me?"

Zhao Chengxiang couldn’t hold back his bitterness.

"This matter... was a bit unexpected. Also, I think you might have misunderstood, Young Master."

Chen Sheng said after a moment of contemplation.

’I didn’t agree to Yu Nanzhi’s terms.’

’I just gave her a deadline.’

"Unexpected? Misunderstood? Lord Chen, that can’t be right. That stepmother of mine told me after she got back that you had already agreed, and that the demands you made weren’t even harsh."

"Now my father, the Prince, is on the verge of agreeing."

Zhao Chengxiang said with a frown.

"Really?"

Chen Sheng’s eyes lit up.

If that was the case, then it was a good thing.

His objective could be considered successfully completed.

——————

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Also, a quick note: don’t wait up for a Chapter in the early morning. It’s the New Year, and people are calling me out to celebrate every day, so it’s hard to refuse.

I’ll probably post an update around this time tomorrow to make up for it.

My apologies to everyone here.

Lastly, I wish you all a happy New Year’s holiday. After all, the happiest days of the New Year are the ones right before it.