Just Another Day At The Palace

"Greetings empress" the occupants of Xiang Shi Bo's palace collectively bowed before Qiang Mei Hua who had taken seat on the main seat. The many servants kowtowed while Yi Guang and Nan Fan only bowed deeply. It was a show of respect for the two as they were some of the highest grade members of the empire.

Xiang Shi Bo did not look happy at Qian Mei Hua's presence at all. Unfortunately for her the empress' appearance stopped any of her plans. In fact Hu Lan Yue appeared gladded at her stepmothers appearance.

"Can someone tell me what exactly is going on here?" Qiang Mei Hua began. Her commanding presence made the servants sweaty in nervousness. Although she gave off aura, her cultivation go Human Immortal created an invisible pressure that permitted the room.

It was as if a massive billboard was floating above her head introducing her almighty power compared to the fools beneath her. Of course the other two immortals in the room were completely unaffected.

Nan Cui He was the first to begin talking. It wasn't an unusual affair for her to do so. The most quiet and reserved of the harem respected authority above her. She hardly went out of her way to compete in politics nor did she make any ambitious plan. As such she speaks with an unbiased view.

"Sister Xiang learned of the battle earlier in the night. After his majesty's addressing with the leading powers she demanded an explanation of why princess Lan Yue was put in danger. She summoned my brother and general Yi along with prince Jin Shen and my son". Softly replied Nan Cui He in an overly formal manner. She did not raise her voice nor seemed overly emotional.

Consort Nan did not seemed too trouble by recent events. In fact she seemed to be at peace with everything. Wether that was trust in Hu Wenxi or external factors had always been a debate in Xiang Shi Bo's mind. Nan Cui He simply lived quietly with her daughter and son or at least did so until Hu Tong Shan joined the military.

"I see" Qiang Mei Hua contemplated the events before her. In all honesty she was furious at Xiang Shi Bo. It was her daughter that snuck out to make trouble so why should her son be punished. A more rational side reasoned that Hu Jin Shen could've turned around or sent someone to deliver the princess back.

"Very well, I shall decide Jin Shen's punishment" decided Qiang Mei Hua. She got up and signalled the crown prince to follow her. Her son obeyed getting up to leave.

"Now hold" as Xiang Shi Bo began to interrupt Qiang Mei Hua shot her a look. Her beautiful azure like eyes shone with such unnatural icy coldness that Xiang Shi Bo couldn't find the words to speak. Qiang Mei Hua's eyes then changed.

They changed from sharp blades to one of boredom or was it the same look you would give an annoying junior constantly harassing you. It was as if Qiang Mei Hua was saying, "This again?".

Nan Cui He also got up tidying her dress. "I should go too, Hu Yin's morning practice is ending soon and I'll need to prepare breakfast". As she got to leave Hu Tong Shan and Nan Fan turned to follow her. They completely ignored Xiang Shi Bo who still stood frozen from Qiang Mei Hua.

"If there's nothing else lady Xiang, then I will take my leave as well" respectfully said Yi Guang as he bowed and left leaving the woman alone with Hu Lan Yue.

After the lot exited the palace, the various servants began nervously sweating bracing for the inevitable eruption. It had always been like this, many of there servants and eunuchs were old servants who worked for the Xiang family.

Many of them had long since completed Core Formation and several were even Nascent soul experts. Course in an upper realm this meant nothing but it was still a very impressive accomplishment for residents previously in a lower realm. Nevertheless their lifespans did allow them to remember the engagement some 350 years ago.

Hu Lan Yue looked nervously at her mother's frozen position. Her face had contorted into an enraged unyielding look after Qiang Mei Hua had left.

FWOOM!

Xiang Shi Bo's cultivation base was unleashed spiralling in a wave. It sent many of the servants tumbling back. Hu Lan Yue held on to a pillar for dear life before her mother settled down. It was not a pretty sight but no outside were inside sweet plum palace hence no one will babble.

The overall fighting prowess of the Xiang Shi Bo's household was weak. Her strongest guards had only recently condensed essence from Qi. She herself had pushed into the 2nd meridian Crossing Tribulation through help by the empire's recourses.

She may be considered a minor expert but was still infinitely smaller then the likes of Qiang Mei Hua and Yi Guang. Simply throwing a tantrum in front of Hu Wenxi wouldn't work and the Hu clan allies can't do much against the empress.

"Lan Yue" growled consort Xiang, "I don't want you associating with them". Hu Lan Yue slowly nodded while gulping down a large dose of saliva. Xiang She Bo turned around to leave.

"Draw a bath for me" she commanded the maids at the corner who scrambled to get up. The lady should take some time to cool down and relax. They needed to be careful lest they be killed.

As Xiang Shi Bo passed Hu Lan Yue she sneered, "Why can't you be a son".

…

Two individuals sat at a table sipping tea. One was a skinny older man who looked to be pushing 40s with black hair and dressed in simple silk robes. The opposite was an above average looking female in her 30s who wore a simple green chiffon with a cheap purple hairlip.

The two were sitting opposite a simple wooden table with a tea set overlooking the a beautiful garden with a small waterfall and stream. Another girl was practicing sword techniques in the garden.

The two observing was naturally Nan Cui He and Nan Fan commonly referred to as consort Nan and doctor Nan. It was common knowledge that one of the emperor's wives was in fact one of his closest retainer's younger sister.

Nan Fan poured hot water from the kettle into the teapot. He picked up a pair of tweezers and squished the leaves within. "I cannot for the life of me believe she actually thought that could work" he monologued as he was preparing the patch of tea.

Nan Cui He hummed in agreement, "Sometimes I don't know what sister Xiang is thinking. Half the time she seems to be just finding the slightest excuse to one up sister Qiang". She picked up the tea vase from her end and offered it to her brother who poured the tea in through the filter.

"Did she really expected to get rid of me even though I'm your brother? I mean that was obviously not going to work, she will be alienating you" he removed the filter and placed it on the side before picking up the vase and poured it's contents into both their cups. "She does know our family relations right?"

"I stopped trying to understand her decades ago" replied Nan Cui He while sipping the hot tea in her cup. "I'd expect she might've been trying to get rid of general Yi". She slowly gulped down the warm tea down her throat.

"Well it's not like that'll accomplish anything. Yi Guang isn't even her majesty's man" sniggered Nan Fan. The doctor still found the connotation in the morning to be very amusing. The only reason he answered Xiang Shi Bo's summons was because he found her funny.

"Well let's not let that ruin our day, you still have a lot of work ahead of you" emphasised Nan Cui He. Nan Fan grunted, "Don't remind me, the herb gardens are still in disarray after the last bungle" relented Nan Fan. He had to also temporarily take up the old ghost doctor Chu's job as manager of the herb gardens as well as his other job as caretaker of the various alchemical labs and facilities.

"Well I'm sure you can handle it, master alchemist" Nan Cui He teased with extra emphasise. Nan Fan grunted in annoyance, "I swear the title is absurd". He raised his cup and drunk it down savouring it's taste.

"Not bad" he complimented.

"Right? I got a great deal for it at the market. Quality spirit tea is rare to come by in this current market" Nan Cui He gushed with such enthusiasm that it brought a smile to Nan Fan's face.

There weren't much servants in the woodland palace where Nan Cui He lived. Hu Wenxi had given minor palaces to each of his consorts within the greater royal palace compound. Nan Cui He owned the woodland palace but she hardly had need of the enormous space.

In fact only the eastern and central areas were used. The rest was offered to her brother as storage space for his personal pills, scrolls, and miscellanies items.

"Hah, Hah, Hah" the girl who appeared in her early twenties practicing the sword was actually into her thirties. She was Hu Yin the oldest child of Nan Hui Ce, second born to Hu Wenxi and older sister to Hu Tong Shan.

"She's getting better" compliments Nan Fan. Hu Yin's movements were fluid yet strong, they showcased an increased understanding into the sword.

"Yes, but unfortunately she's run into a bottleneck as of late" expressed Nan Cui He in sadness. Her daughter is passed 35 now and wholly focused on cultivation. She was actually pretty impressive for her age to have reached peak Xiantian.

She was not a nation breaking beauty or even a great one, neither her mother nor father were the type majestically good looking type. This culminated in someone above average but not exceptional. There were some who called her the ugly princess after Hu Lan Yue was revealed to the public.

Of course Hu Yin spent too much time training to care. Her greatest passion was with cultivation on the Dao of the sword. As such Nan Cui He spent all she could realising her dream. Hu Wenxi also had Yi Guang personally instruct her on sword techniques.

The general was one the greatest fighters in the empire. He was more then qualified to teach her.

Hu Yin swung her sword several more times. Her blade glowed slightly and flashed in multiple directions. "She has yet to manifest sword intent" commented Nan Fan as he observed his niece's performance.

"She could spar with Tong Shan, he has more experience in battle" offered Nan Fan. Nan Cui He nodded slightly, sadly Hu Tong Shan had already left after breakfast to return to his barracks. 'Another time then' she thought.

"Madam, lord!" A youthful female voice cried out. It was a younger girl in her early twenties who entered room.

"What is it Xiao Si?" Inquired Nan Cui He. The servant girl stuttered, "Uh, uh, hi-hi-his ma-ma-ma-majesty". She frantically pointed behind her. Nan Cui He nodded in understanding, "Just wait on the side". The servant girl frantically gathered her self and stood at the ready of any request.

Hu Wenxi entered the gardens porch right at that moment. He was not wearing his crown and had changed into a simple plain white robe with a blue overcoat. "Nice morning we have here" he greeted the two.

Nan Fan and consort Nan returned the emperor's greetings with a bow while the servant girl kowtowed. "You don't have to do that" Hu Wenxi smiled warmly signalling for them to get up.

"To what do I owe the pleasure for this visit husband" voiced Nan Cui He formally with a smile. She was the textbook definition of etiquette befitting of her royal position. The way she spoke was very polite and formal, a complete contrast to the more peasant habits she had such as cooking, cleaning, doing chores, and grocery shopping.

"I was hopping to see how Yin'er is doing. I haven't heard much on her progress lately" Hu Wenxi revealed. Nan Cui He smiled brightly and offered the emperor tea. She placed her palms on he lap overlooking her daughter who did not seem to realise her father's presence.

"She's too embarrassed about her progress. She's ran into some bottle necks these past few years and has been in a bit of a slump" Nan Cui he sadly revealed. Hu Wenxi nodded, "Well I missed her birthday this year so I'll make it up now".

The emperor got up and approached his daughter. The girl was examining her sword when her father arrived before her. She hadn't noticed him being too busy observing the sharp edges and the slight flow of Qi in her weapon.

"Hu Yin… Hu Yin… Hu Yin…Ahem"

"Wah?" Hu Yin looked up and stumbled back at her visibly annoyed father. "Sorry, sorry, I didn't notice dad" she clasped her hands in apology. Hu Wenxi sighed, "No harm done" he reassured her.

"So I hear you've encountered a bottleneck" he began. Hu Yin nodded slowly evidently disappointed his herself, "I could not figure out a way to break through. All my ideas haven't been working" she expressed.

Hu Wenxi rubbed his chin thinking for a moment, "I'm not much of a swordsman but let me see if I can help". The emperor flipped his palm and a wooden sword appeared in it. Hu Yin's eyes widened in shock recognising a sword.

"I know I missed out on your 35th birthday but here consider it a late birthday gift" he handed the sword to her. Hu Yin was still startled, "You didn't have to mention the number" she glared childishly at Hu Wenxi.

"Oh come off it, you have a lifespan of 700 years, you're barely a kid" laughed off Hu Wenxi. "How about giving that sword of yours a test run?" Offered the emperor. Hu Yin grinned excitedly and got into a stance with the wooden sword. Hu Wenxi likewise manifested a sand sword construct in his hand.

Nan Cui He smiled as she watched the two began some light sparing.