"Master Xiang!" Xiang Ning suddenly sternly scolded, scaring Xiang Chong.
"You...what did you call me?" Xiang Chong was both angry and shocked.
But Xiang Ning pointed at the fifth-rank court robes he was wearing and sneered. "You are a master under this court, holding the fifth rank. Don't you know your own position? When was it your turn to interrupt while I were speaking with the Empress Dowager?"
Xiang Chong's face turned green and white, unable to speak for a long time!
He was originally Xiang Ning's elder brother, and had cultivated in the outer sect, so his status could be considered noble.
But insisting on entering the court as an official, from then on there was a lord-subject hierarchy between him and Xiang Ning. Seeing that she had really subdued Xiang Chong, Xiang Ning was extremely happy in her heart!
‘Does you think that just any random cat or dog can bully me? Under heaven, aside from Fan Li, I fear no one else! Oh no, how could I fear that scoundrel Fan Li? It's just that he's indispensable to the court, so I can only show some restraint...’
As she thought this, Fan Li's image floated in Xiang Ning's mind, and the corners of her lips couldn't help curving up slightly.
"Your Majesty, this widow has come to discuss proper business," the Empress Dowager Li also hadn't expected that her precious son, the one she truly cared for, would actually suffer at Xiang Ning's hands. She shielded Xiang Chong, and casually handed a book to Xiang Ning.
"What's this?" Xiang Ning casually took the book, but felt the two characters on its cover were especially eye-catching!
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "This book is no ordinary item. It was penned by the Brahma Sound Pure Land's Sage Ruler of Gold Virtue. Aside from being the eighth sage ruler of the Pure Land, she is also the foremost female Confucian and Daoist practitioner under heaven."
Xiang Ning frowned, sensing an unsettling premonition arise in her heart.
The Empress Dowager continued, "The writings and teachings of Sage Ruler Gold Virtue guide women under heaven towards virtuous conduct, possessing tremendous merit and wisdom. Today, upon hearing that Sage Ruler Gold Virtue intends to take a personal disciple, an extremely rare opportunity over thousands of years, I plan to recommend you..."
"Impossible!" Unable to listen further, Xiang Ning loudly refused. “Your Majesty is the Emperor of Great Chu, my destiny ordained by heaven. How could I abandon this throne to become some personal disciple? Absurd words, please Mother, say no more!"
Xiang Ning's attitude was resolute, but she deeply sensed fighting alone and without support.
Indeed, ever since big brother Xiang Chong returned, the Empress Dowager had always been infatuated with her imperial throne.
First was the Blood Phoenix Sage Ruler's attempt to destroy the Fan clan. And now, another Sage Ruler Gold Virtue wants to take her as a personal disciple?
Such soft and hard tactics, simply nothing they wouldn't dare to attempt!
"Hehehehe......there's no need for Your Majesty to hastily refuse. As your mother, I only have your wellbeing and happiness in my heart. Please take this book on Female Virtue for now. The great writings of Sage Ruler Gold Virtue benefit infinitely all women who cultivate accordingly."
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"Perhaps one day, after personally experiencing the advantages of cultivating Female Virtue, Your Majesty may willingly abandon the throne to pursue the Sage Ruler in the Pure Land?" The Empress Dowager left the book behind and drifted away with Xiang Chong.
Looking at the copy of Female Virtue remaining on the imperial desk, Xiang Ning felt an urge to tear it to shreds.
"If I really ripped this book, I'd likely offend that Sage Ruler Gold Virtue. The Empress Dowager would also blame me for not giving her face.
Whatever, it's just a book. What does it matter if I leave it? The Empress Dowager must be going senile. She actually thinks that with just a beneficial self-cultivation book, I'd abandon my imperial throne inherited from my late father?"
Without even flipping through a single page, Xiang Ning threw Female Virtue into the furthest corner of the desk.
"Among the Brahma Sound Pure Land's ten great Sage Rulers are zither, chess, books, painting, sword, arrow, life, law, blood, and supreme."
"The first is Supreme Sage Ruler. Although the ten refer to each other as sisters, the First is still regarded as most senior."
"The remaining Sage Rulers correspond to the fields and secret arts they specialize. These become their respective designations."
"The Blood Phoenix you previously defeated represents 'blood'."
"Her close friend in the inner palace, Sage Ruler Gold Virtue, is hailed as the foremost female Confucian and Daoist practitioner under heaven. She formed the precious Daoist treasure Female Virtue, hence her designation."
"The other six, Zither, Chess, Books, Painting, Sword and Arrow are similar cases to Gold Virtue."
Qing Qiu explained, and then pointed at herself. "I represent 'law' because..."
"That's because master has the greatest number of secret, exclusive laws in the entire Pure Land!" Princess Chang Le interrupted.
Fan Li listened closely, repeatedly nodding as he engraved every detail in his memory. He hadn't expected to casually ask about details on the sage rulers, yet Qing Qiu would directly tell him.
With the Blood Phoenix Sage Ruler's precedent, Fan Li absolutely didn't believe the Pure Land was some sacred land for righteous self-cultivators. However, Qing Qiu's personality clearly presented no issues at all, straightforward and frank.
"There is also a 'life' Sage Ruler," Fan Li asked.
But Qing Qiu shook her head and stopped speaking.
"Did I ask something I shouldn't have? Sorry, no need to force yourself to answer," Fan Li said.
"That's not it," Qing Qiu replied. "I also don't know the circumstances of the Life Sage Ruler. She maintains an extremely low profile in the Pure Land, never even making a move before. Yet in the rankings, she is second only to the Supreme, as vice leader."
Fan Li was already extremely satisfied with Qing Qiu's present disclosures. What he sought was to understand the Pure Land to the greatest degree possible, not hoping to grasp all its secrets. Just this discussion already presented an abundant harvest.
‘So that Sage Ruler Gold Virtue is unexpectedly the Blood Phoenix's friend? I must be vigilant if we ever meet in the future,’ Fan Li thought to himself.
Just then, he noticed the convoy suddenly come to a stop.
"We've arrived," Qing Qiu stated.
Their destination, Emperor Qin Shihuang's Suspected Tomb. A mountain over a hundred meters tall towered before them, its aura astonishing!
Yet the mountain showed distinct signs of human handiwork. Fan Li immediately recognized it with a single glance.
The scenic artificial lake and hills in his own Rivers and Mountains Tower manor were similarly constructed. He was extremely familiar.
Only, the mountain before his eyes now vastly exceeded his own garden scenery in grandeur, practically dozens of times greater in scale!
"The emperor relies on all under heaven for sustenance? I'm afraid only Qin truly embodied this philosophy. The present Chu, Han and Ming dynasties fall far short," Fan Li sighed inwardly.
Moving mountains was myth, but 'constructing' them was reality, right in front of his eyes!
"Lord Jin." The three Han envoys, Cao Cao, Liu Bei and Sun Quan walked over.
Fan Li asked, "Gentlemen, what now? How do we determine if this is the genuine tomb?"
Cao Cao smiled and replied, "Please be patient for one more day, Lord Jin. I've brought a hundred tomb raiders experts at searching for hidden riches. Today, let them scout a path up the mountain and locate the entrance to the imperial tomb. Venturing inside tomorrow won't be late."
Seeing they already arranged plans, Fan Li naturally had no objections. He immediately ordered setting up camp and having the guards stand night watch.
Soon after, several comfortable large tents were erected. But as Fan Li carefully tallied, something seemed off. Why were there only six tents?
"Little brother, what's going on? Too few large tents. Why not set up two more?"
In this expedition, there were eight individuals qualified to stay in separate large tents, but now it was clear that two tents were missing.
Fan Chun, scratching the back of his head, replied, "Brother, what do you mean? Princess Chang Le and this Miss Qing Qiu, aren't they both sharing accommodations and meals with you?"