noffsinger Chapter 152 A Narrow Escape!
Chapter 152 A Narrow Escape!
The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion's art of strategy excels at manipulating people's hearts, leading them into traps without their knowledge.
The Great Zhou Emperor's desire was to live a long and prosperous life, so the speed of cultivation became the thing he cared about most.
Bai Xiaoxiao's seemingly casual remark, "It's alright if we go a little slower," actually stirred up the Great Zhou Emperor's heartstrings.
He had already made a decision regarding the Heavenly Jade: he would ensure it would never be complete.
But Bai Xiaoxiao's words made her waver!
How can this not be terrifying?
Bai Xiaoxiao showed no sign of nervousness or embarrassment at being exposed; she calmly denied it.
"Your Majesty, I had absolutely no such intention!"
"The strategies of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion are minor arts. To use them on someone as resolute as His Majesty would only invite humiliation."
"Besides, Your Majesty discovered the clues in just a few breaths, so what point would it be for me to use this technique?"
"What I have said is all for Your Majesty's sake in cultivating."
As Bai Xiaoxiao spoke, she knelt on the ground, her posture devout and humble.
"Moreover, the missing piece of the Heavenly Jade is extremely difficult to find. It was born from the creation of heaven and earth and contains countless heavenly secrets."
"Even the divination techniques of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion were obtained by the elders of the sect through visualizing the Heavenly Mystery Jade, and cannot be used to find the Heavenly Mystery Jade."
"Such a rare find should not be forced."
"Your Majesty, I was also at fault. I shouldn't have brought this up and put you in a difficult position. Perhaps the missing Heavenly Jade is the will of Heaven."
Bai Xiaoxiao's self-defense was calm and sincere.
There was no indication in his words that he desired the missing piece of the Heavenly Jade.
He stated that the incompleteness of the Heavenly Jade was in accordance with the will of Heaven, and that anything that defied Heaven would be subject to limitations, which was the balance of the Great Dao.
Even if there are regrets, we can only accept them.
The Great Zhou Emperor had been observing Bai Xiaoxiao closely, his scrutinizing gaze seemingly able to see through people's hearts.
After a long while, he finally let out a sigh.
"What the Imperial Noble Consort says is absolutely right. All things that defy the heavens will be subject to restrictions, and so will those who defy the heavens."
"I am pursuing a realm beyond the terrestrial immortals, but I also feel that there are many obstacles in the way."
"However, as the Imperial Noble Consort said, the Heavenly Jade is incomplete and hard to find, which may be the will of Heaven."
"Fortunately, the incomplete Heavenly Jade can still help me cultivate, so I must not be too greedy."
Bai Xiaoxiao stood up, a joyful smile on her face, seemingly pleased that the Great Zhou Emperor had come to his senses.
The submission in her eyes pleased the Great Zhou Emperor greatly.
"Get up."
Standing and answering questions within the Hexi Palace was the greatest honor bestowed upon the Great Zhou Emperor.
Bai Xiaoxiao replied, "Your Majesty is a sage, and I should naturally submit to you. How can I stand beside Your Majesty in this Hexi Palace?"
The Emperor of Great Zhou smiled even more broadly and reached out to personally help Bai Xiaoxiao to her feet.
"You are my Imperial Noble Consort, holding the power of overseeing the country. Even the Empress's nobility cannot compare to yours."
"You are qualified to stand beside me."
Bai Xiaoxiao, with her jade-like hands resting on the arm of the Great Zhou Emperor, slowly rose, her figure graceful and charming.
"Your Majesty's favor is too great for me to bear. I only wish that Your Majesty may obtain the entire destiny of the Great Zhou Dynasty and ascend to immortality!"
Light smoke curled around the Hexi Palace, and the faint fragrance of incense was invigorating and clear-headed.
In this exhilaration, the joy in the heart of the Great Zhou Emperor was further amplified.
He was immersed in the future that Bai Xiaoxiao had painted for him.
He seemed to have already ascended to heaven on a crane!
Bai Xiaoxiao found a new shortcut in the matter of deposing the crown prince, which also solved the problem that had been troubling him for a long time.
The fate of a nation, something so elusive and rare, seems to be right before our eyes, within easy reach.
"Imperial Noble Consort, since it has already been decided that Yue Li will be the Crown Princess, why set a seven-day deadline?"
"And what about the command of those 500,000 troops? Yue Li wants them back, wouldn't it be perfect to give them to her?"
Bai Xiaoxiao lowered her eyes as she answered the emperor's questions.
"Your Majesty, I am wondering, if the deposition and installation of the crown prince can cause turmoil in the country, is it related to the fate of the nation?"
The Great Zhou Emperor immediately understood Bai Xiaoxiao's meaning.
"Are you saying that the Crown Prince's fate can affect the stability of the nation? Just like Yue Li, the more tragic and magnificent the situation, the more I can gain?"
Bai Xiaoxiao nodded. How could the turmoil caused by an ordinary deposed crown prince be compared to the crown prince being forced to rebel?
Since the fate of the crown prince is linked to the fate of the nation, the more muddy the waters are, the better!
The Great Zhou Emperor, in his pursuit of cultivation, disregarded the well-being of the people.
Even if the crown prince is forced to rebel, causing turmoil in the court and countless deaths, he will not care.
On the contrary, hearing this possibility made them even more interested!
"Imperial Noble Consort, you seem to be quite adept at this cat-and-mouse game?"
"Your Majesty's skills are but trifles, how can they compare to Your Majesty's control over the world? Even I am but a thing in Your Majesty's palm."
"Whom does the Imperial Noble Consort intend to send to deal with the Crown Prince's rebellion?"
Bai Xiaoxiao frankly said Jiang Yueli's name.
"Naturally, it should be the Eldest Princess. The Eldest Princess has defeated the rebels and is capable of shouldering great responsibilities. What does Your Majesty think of making her the Crown Princess?"
After saying this, both of them smiled, and the Great Zhou Emperor placed his hand on Bai Xiaoxiao's waist.
"I think this play is excellent."
He happily led the Imperial Noble Consort towards the bedroom behind the Hexi Palace.
.........
After leaving Hexi Palace, Bai Xiaoxiao had already changed her clothes.
She walked slowly along the palace path, as snowflakes fell from the sky. She reached out and caught a snowflake, lost in thought.
The palace servants following behind him kept their heads bowed, extremely respectful.
Everyone knows that this Imperial Noble Consort is not what she used to be!
They had served in the palace for many years and had never seen His Majesty show such favor to any concubine.
The same applies to Hexi Palace. Since its construction, Bai Xiaoxiao has been the only concubine to be summoned to stay overnight at Hexi Palace.
The Imperial Noble Consort, who was the most favored concubine in the harem, showed no joy on her face. She simply tilted her head back and let the snowflakes fall on her face, letting out a soft sigh.
"The snow has gotten heavier again."
The snow got heavier again; I narrowly escaped death.
Bai Xiaoxiao reviewed everything that happened at Hexi Palace yesterday and realized that she had succeeded in taking a risky step.
The so-called Tianji Pavilion's game of strategy is nothing more than arousing the deepest desires in people's hearts!
With the Great Zhou Emperor's cultivation level, all strategic tactics were ineffective against him.
Even if Bai Xiaoxiao is very smart, there are times when she can't outsmart someone.
Since that's the case, let's present it in a more superficial way.
Bai Xiaoxiao was betting that no one in this world can resist the desires in their hearts.
A person without desires or wants is also a person without ability or power.
The Great Zhou Emperor is clearly not among them!
When the Great Zhou Emperor said that even the incomplete Heavenly Jade could help him cultivate, Bai Xiaoxiao knew that she had succeeded.
The Heavenly Jade may be able to complete the puzzle!
As for Princess Jiang Yueli...
Thinking of her, Bai Xiaoxiao's face showed a look of relief and determination.
"You think you can handle the rebellion of 500,000 troops?"
"Only you can solve the problems of thousands of people in the world with your own strength."
"After all, the tiger tally is nothing; what's important... is people."
After muttering to herself, Bai Xiaoxiao suppressed all her emotions and quickened her pace.
Amidst the swirling snow, her slender figure seemed to be carrying an immense boulder on her back.