Chapter 38 - 37: Man, You’ve Crossed the Line

Chapter 38: Chapter 37: Man, You’ve Crossed the Line

Fifteen minutes later.

A eunuch on duty came over and told Zhu Li she could go in.

Zhu Li, who had gotten the Yangzhi Ganlu she’d been waiting for, was now happily sipping it from a wooden cup.

Strangely enough.

Zhao Ci found that the food and drink in this world were so similar to those of his past life. Yet, historical records offered no clear origin. Every investigation he conducted pointed to the same conclusion: they were all unearthed from the ruins of a previous dynasty.

Yes, the ruins of a previous dynasty.

The historical records of the time before the Great Yu were incomplete. The nation itself had risen from a barbaric wilderness. However, it was certain that before this wilderness, there had existed an incredibly prosperous civilization—an Immortal Martial Dynasty—that had mysteriously collapsed, leaving not a single trace behind.

Fortunately, it had left ruins behind. And while few historical records survived, its myths and cultural achievements had been passed down.

’Once I’m strong enough and have the right to enter those ruins, I have to go check them out. Who knows, maybe they’re connected to my past life.’

[Wish Fulfilled! Reward: +10 Insight, Taotie Talisman x1.]

[Taotie Talisman]: When applied to the target’s stomach, it maximizes their digestive abilities for twenty-four hours, allowing them to absorb all beneficial components for their own use.

Whoa!

’This is great stuff!’

Zhao Ci was secretly pleased. This world had plenty of top-grade elixirs, but completely absorbing their medicinal properties was incredibly difficult. It was similar to how the Feng Family’s spirit beast dung was considered a treasure by herb merchants; in reality, even the latrines of many great clans were often raided by petty thieves.

It was all due to incomplete absorption.

The general consensus was that absorbing even seventy percent of an elixir’s medicinal effect was considered a great feat.

’If I save this to use with an Emperor Pill or other Heavenly and Earthly Treasures, it’ll be a massive score.’

"Zhao Ci, what are you smiling at?"

Zhu Li looked at Zhao Ci in confusion.

Zhao Ci blurted out, "Seeing you so happy drinking your Yangzhi Ganlu makes me happy too."

Zhu Li: "..."

She subconsciously slowed by half a step, putting some distance between herself and Zhao Ci.

’Mustn’t let our relationship go beyond that of a boss and his subordinate.’

’Men.’

’You’ve crossed the line.’

Zhao Ci paid her no mind and kept walking, soon leading her to Wangshu Palace.

Since they had been announced in advance, they went straight into the main hall where Gu Xiangzhu usually spent her time.

Wangshu Palace was quieter than usual today.

Gu Xiangzhu was, as usual, brewing tea behind the screen.

"I’ve come to see you, Mother-Consort!"

"Zhu Li pays her respects to Princess Consort Jing!"

Behind the screen.

From behind the screen, Gu Xiangzhu’s voice came, as reserved and cool as it always was when she received guests. "Ci, why have you brought Miss Li here so early?"

Zhao Ci smiled and cupped his hands. "Mother-Consort, I’ve been facing great difficulties in establishing my household. But Miss Li provided help when I needed it most. She brought her superb alchemy skills, accepted my recruitment offer, and solved an urgent crisis for the Pill Workshop. That’s why I’ve taken the liberty of inviting her to Wangshu Palace today, so we can also discuss the upcoming Gongdan Conference."

Zhu Li, who had been cautiously trying to peek at Princess Consort Jing behind the screen, couldn’t help but puff out her chest with pride upon hearing phrases like "superb alchemy skills" and "urgent crisis."

’This makes me look so naive,’ she thought, desperately trying to keep from smiling.

But even with the corners of her mouth turned down, she couldn’t hide the joyful expression on her face.

She even had the urge to put her hands on her hips.

"Oh?"

Gu Xiangzhu sounded a little surprised. "You managed to recruit Miss Li so quickly? That’s wonderful news. Don’t just stand there. Come, sit behind the screen."

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

The two of them bowed slightly and walked behind the screen.

The moment Zhu Li stepped past the screen, her eyes darted eagerly toward Gu Xiangzhu. She’d heard that Princess Consort Jing’s beauty was unparalleled in all of Lingge, but few had ever seen her in person, and her curiosity had been piqued for a long time.

The instant she saw Gu Xiangzhu, she involuntarily let out a soft "oh."

Her gaze went distant for a moment.

’She’s impossibly beautiful!’

’Her bearing isn’t that of a young girl, but her skin is so perfect it’s unreal. Is she Zhao Ci’s sister or his mother?’

She glanced at Zhao Ci.

’Nah, Zhao Ci doesn’t deserve her!’

’My boss is decent-looking, I guess, but he’s not even in the same league as Princess Consort Jing!’

’There must have been a mutation in the bloodline.’

"What are you spacing out for? Sit down!"

Zhao Ci pointed to a seat.

"Oh!"

Zhu Li finally came back to her senses and sat down reservedly in front of Gu Xiangzhu.

Zhao Ci, however, walked behind Gu Xiangzhu and naturally began to massage her snow-white neck. "Miss Li’s willingness to help me is all thanks to those poetic fragments you gave me, Mother-Consort. You’ve worked hard lately because of the Pill Workshop’s affairs!"

Gu Xiangzhu: "???"

’You’re just going to massage me? This casually?’

’I don’t know why, but this time, the massage doesn’t feel as violating as the first.’

’But the feeling of his skin on mine still stirs up a strange feeling inside me.’

The scene was just so natural, however, that she had no idea how to stop him.

Fortunately, Zhu Li spoke.

"So those poetic fragments came from you, Your Ladyship! This junior thanks you!"

Zhao Ci pursed his lips. ’This girl is usually so brazen. Why is she shyer than a shut-in geek in front of a beautiful woman?’

Gu Xiangzhu smiled faintly. She hadn’t expected Zhao Ci to be so mindful of the favor she had done for him. For a moment, she found herself less resistant to his massaging hands.

"You’re one of us now," she said softly. "In the future, Ci will still need your full support. As his elder, this is the most I can do to help you."

"Don’t say that, Your Ladyship!"

Zhu Li puffed out her chest and promised, "Don’t you worry, Your Ladyship! With my alchemy, I guarantee that at this Gongdan Conference..."

The two of them started chatting just like that.

After a good while.

Gu Xiangzhu felt the skin of her neck growing warm before she finally changed the subject. "Ci, what do you have in that cloth bag?"

"Oh!"

Zhao Ci knew it would be rude to continue, so he reluctantly released her neck and opened the cloth bag on the floor. "Last time I was here, I noticed your appetite wasn’t good, Mother-Consort, so I thought I’d find some delicious dishes for you to try.

"I searched all over Lingge, but I couldn’t find anything new. It seems the palace chefs can make everything, and I figured you must be tired of it all.

"Except for this one..."

"Ah?"

Seeing the fresh mushrooms in the bag, Gu Xiangzhu’s eyes lit up for an imperceptible moment before she regained her composure. Feigning curiosity, she said, "These mushrooms have a peculiar appearance. I’ve never seen anything like them."

[Gu Xiangzhu’s Current Wish: My good boy, hurry! Hurry up and cook it for me! Wish Fulfillment Reward: +100 Insight, Stealable Skill: Hundred Poison Secret Manual.]

’She’s putting on an act!’

’Keep it up!’

’The reward is still the Hundred Poison Secret Manual. This must just be a variation of the last wish.’

’Still, it’s a pretty generous reward.’

’She’s a pretty convincing actress, this one.’

Zhao Ci pretended not to notice her act and simply explained with a smile, "I got these from a friend in the Yang Family. I’m told that to the Dian Nan People, these mushrooms are the greatest delicacy in all of Great Yu. I tried them once and they were truly delicious, so I shamelessly asked for some. I also learned a few ways to prepare them, and I’ll cook them for you now, Mother-Consort."

"Excellent. You’re very thoughtful, Ci."

Gu Xiangzhu felt her eyes welling up. It wasn’t that she lacked worldly desires; she had simply spent over a decade living in the depths of the palace under a false identity, forced to rely on the Xiang Family’s resources. She had to be exceedingly careful with every move she made.

She had been craving a taste of home for a very long time.

But due to the political situation in Dian Nan, obtaining fresh mushrooms required using special channels, and making contact rashly could easily expose her.

Seeing these familiar mushrooms so unexpectedly truly brought tears to her eyes.

The familiar See-Hand Green, and the familiar little red caps on white stalks...

For a moment.

Her gaze toward Zhao Ci softened with a newfound gentleness. In the past, she had always viewed this weak, useless son of convenience as a burden she wanted to cast off as quickly as possible. But recently, Zhao Ci’s personality had changed significantly. Though he had become somewhat extreme, she found herself admiring him, even considering recruiting him into her fold.

But these were all rational considerations.

This time, however, she found Zhao Ci genuinely likable, a feeling that came from the bottom of her heart.

"Just wait here, Mother-Consort. I’ll go cook them right away!"

"Mm, go ahead!"

"Go on, Your Highness! I’ll keep Her Ladyship company."

Zhu Li was also a little eager.

Zhao Ci: "..."

...

「An incense stick’s time later.」

Zhao Ci returned with a tray bearing a large plate of mushrooms, three or four small side dishes, and three bowls of white rice.

Zhu Li couldn’t help but lean in for a closer look. "The presentation isn’t all that impressive," she said, a little disappointed.

"You can’t judge a dish by its looks!"

Gu Xiangzhu smiled faintly. She was the first to pick up her bowl. She took a bite of mushrooms with her chopsticks, then paused. "Ci, did you cook these all the way through?"

Zhao Ci nodded with a smile. "Don’t worry, Mother-Consort, they’re definitely cooked! I heard they can be a bit toxic if they aren’t cooked all the way, so I made sure to fry them for a little longer."

"Oh!"

Gu Xiangzhu nodded in satisfaction and put a piece in her mouth.

An indescribable, savory flavor exploded on her taste buds, pulling long-lost memories to the surface. Her eyes began to mist over.

"Is it that good? I’ll try some too!"

Skeptical, Zhu Li also took a bite. Her eyes lit up. Forgetting to praise Zhao Ci, she just lowered her head and began to wolf down the food.

’She’s so unrefined.’

[Wish Fulfilled! Reward: +10 Insight, Taotie Talisman x1.]

[Wish Fulfilled! Reward: +100 Insight, Stealable Skill: Hundred Poison Secret Manual.]

CRUNCH, CRUNCH!

Zhu Li was in heaven, alternating between bites of mushroom and cold side dishes.

But she suddenly stopped mid-chew and glared at Zhao Ci. "Your Highness! Your chopsticks are as long and thick as a spear shaft! You take one bite and half the dish is gone! What are Her Ladyship and I supposed to eat?"

Zhao Ci was completely bewildered. He glanced at his perfectly normal chopsticks and couldn’t help but ask, "I thought I cooked them all the way through... How are you already hallucinating?"

The chopsticks nodded. "Exactly! I’m only a couple of inches long. Isn’t calling me a spear shaft a bit of an exaggeration?"

Zhao Ci: "..."

’Oh no!’

’The mushrooms were cooked through... but I didn’t wash the knife before I sliced the cold dishes.’

He stared at the chopsticks, which suddenly grinned menacingly. They began to grow, turning into a damned Golden Cudgel that shot up and smashed a hole right through the roof of Wangshu Palace’s main hall.

In an instant, the mountains crumbled and the earth split asunder, a terrifying chasm yawning open at his feet.

He lost his balance and tumbled into the chasm, the terrifying sensation of weightlessness making him shriek like a banshee.

"This is bad!"

Gu Xiangzhu’s expression changed, and she quickly sealed several of Zhao Ci’s major acupoints.

Zhao Ci’s screams stopped instantly. His eyes fluttered shut, his head lolled to the side, and he collapsed into Gu Xiangzhu’s arms.

Her expression grim, Gu Xiangzhu quickly cradled him on her lap. She took out a set of silver needles steeped in medicine and began to treat him. While these mushrooms were unlikely to cause any real harm to a Cultivator, she couldn’t take any chances...

After a long time.

She finally let out a sigh of relief.

In the vast palace hall, she held him in her arms while Zhu Li screamed and scurried about chaotically.

The Palace Maids and eunuchs, hearing the commotion, rushed in frantically. Only after seeing the scene inside did their pounding hearts finally begin to settle.

Princess Consort Jing was safe and sound.

The Tenth Prince was out of danger.

And Miss Zhu Li was also still alive.