Tushan Qiong, Court Movements

Three days later, Di Xin sat up on the bed, looking energetic. After tucking the sleeping Daji in, he reached for the Human Seed Bag, opened its mouth, and released the nine-tailed fox, Tushan Qiong.

The personal matters were settled; it was time for the important ones.

"Little fox, does this king's palace suit your fancy?"

Tushan Qiong's nose twitched. Smelling the decadent aura in the air, she instinctively covered her nose and mouth.

This Di Xin is so lustful. With my looks, it'll be easy to charm him. The way he's acting now, he must be playing hard to get. Fine, I'll play along.

Her mind made up, Tushan Qiong transformed into Daji's likeness. Wrapped in sheer silk, her form was half-hidden, half-revealed, tantalizingly perfect. She let out a soft moan, "In ancient times, Emperor Yu married my ancestor from Tushan. Now that Great King has captured this little demon, do you wish to emulate the ancient sages? Hmm? Great King~"

"We're both thousand-year-old foxes, and you're quoting Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio? Nine-tailed fox, do you want me to skin you?"

Di Xin pulled her into his arms, his right hand resting on her neck.

"The name of the auspicious beast from Qing Qiu's Tushan Clan may very well end with you."

Tushan Qiong's body stiffened abruptly. The moment he gripped my neck, he genuinely wanted to kill me! This...

"G-Great King is joking."

"Don't worry, I wouldn't kill you. With such a beautiful face, what man could bear to?"

Di Xin grinned. He tightened his grip by a fraction, his killing intent suddenly solidifying into a tangible force, only to vanish without a trace moments later.

"Good girl, tell me, what is your name?"

"Tushan... Tushan Qiong."

Daji's pupils suddenly widened. An inexplicable chill rose from her heart and spread throughout her body, making her shiver.

What exactly does this Di Xin want?

"Come, tell me, who sent you and how were you planning to help me?"

Di Xin's smile widened. All the intimidation was just a prelude to this moment.

If he had asked directly whether she was here to help him or destroy him, anything she said would be untrustworthy. It was better to scare her like this to get a truer picture.

"You, you know!"

Tushan Qiong exclaimed. Didn't they tell me my three sisters and I were coming here in secret? Did Niang Niang...?

"He said for Great King to turn his gaze westward, and that he would send them onto some sort of list."

Tushan Qiong stammered, revealing the first task Nuwa had assigned but hiding the second.

"Is that all?"

Di Xin released his grip and lowered his head, meeting Tushan Qiong's eyes.

"Think carefully before you answer."

"That's all! I swear! If you don't believe me, go ask Niang Niang! Wuwuwu! Niang Niang told me to keep it a secret from you, but I ended up telling you first. What's the point of me going through all the trouble to enter the palace then!"

Tushan Qiong burst into tears, looking utterly heartbroken. Anyone who didn't know the situation would think someone had wronged her terribly.

Di Xin was stunned. Why is this vixen crying like a woman?

"Alright, stop crying. I was just guessing. Wait, you're trying to trick me!"

Before Di Xin could react, Tushan Qiong had already stood up. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her breath like orchids, filling the room with a fragrant aroma.

"Oh, Great King, are you the only one allowed to tease me, and I'm not allowed to tease you back?"

"Heh, as expected of a fox from Qing Qiu, your mind is certainly quick."

Di Xin casually scooped Tushan Qiong up and placed her beside the bed, to the right of Daji.

"My fox consort, rest well."

"Great King, you're so wicked, I love it."

Four more days passed.

"Great King hasn't come to court for seven days. The memorials from the eight hundred feudal lords are piling up in the Hall of Documents!"

"Exactly! Great King built that so-called Star-Gathering Pavilion, and he actually made the Prime Minister Shang Rong personally oversee the construction. King Wucheng Huang Feihu led troops to suppress any unrest. This, this, sigh!"

"And Kong Xuan, who knows if he bribed Grand Tutor Wen? He just went to the Northern Sea and came back! Now he's dragging the Grand Tutor off to find some legendary hermit, leaving the entire court without anyone in charge!"

Ever since Daji entered the palace, Di Xin had not held court for seven days. Those with ulterior motives had long been stirring, fanning the flames amidst the dissatisfaction of the civil and military officials.

"Royal Uncle Bi Gan, Great King hasn't come to court for seven consecutive days, and we ministers cannot go into the inner palace. Perhaps, Royal Uncle...?"

As Bi Gan stood with his eyes closed, meditating, a minister approached him and spoke.

Bi Gan opened his eyes and calmly glanced at the minister, recognizing him as Lower Grand Master Rong Qi.

"Great King has his own reasons for his actions. It is not your place to speculate. Just do your job well, and it's best not to spread baseless rumors."

Bi Gan possessed the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart, making him exceptionally sharp-minded. While he was initially curious about Di Xin's rapid change, he now understood the meaning behind Di Xin's actions upon realizing someone dared to use him as a pawn.

"Cast a long line to catch a big fish, let all the restless ones show themselves!"

After Rong Qi was reprimanded by Bi Gan, he left dejectedly. At this moment, Fei Zhong approached with a jade tablet. Before Bi Gan could speak, he preempted him:

"Royal Uncle Bi Gan, I have noted down these people one by one.

That one just now, Lower Grand Master Rong Qi, has private dealings with the Marquis of Dong's estate.

That one, Lower Grand Master Yu Deng, frequently visits the Marquis of Xi's estate.

And that one, Grand Master Mei Jun, is a regular at the Marquis of Nan's estate.

The others who were jumping around the most are also basically involved with the other feudal lords. I have recorded them all!

Just waiting for the Great King's command, hehe!"

Didn't Fei Zhong used to be the loudest one? It's true, his behavior has been strange these past few days. But, did he also figure it out?

Bi Gan's eyes darted around as he decided to test Fei Zhong again:

"Oh? Isn't it because the Great King is infatuated with women that he isn't holding court?"

"Why would you test me, Royal Uncle? I could previously guess the Great King's intentions and please him, so naturally, I understand the Great King's mind.

Now that the Great King is diligently reforming the country with bold measures, why would he stop for women?

Also, the matter of Daji entering the palace was handled by me. Some details are inconvenient to mention, perhaps I could visit your manor another day, Royal Uncle? And discuss it with you in detail?"

Fei Zhong nudged his lips towards their surroundings. Everyone was stretching their ears to eavesdrop, and among them, there were undoubtedly spies planted by the feudal lords.

"Very well!"

If Bi Gan had felt a glimmer of admiration for Fei Zhong when they went to recruit Kong Xuan last time, then this time, he had come to a preliminary recognition of Fei Zhong's capabilities.

Now that Fei Zhong clearly wanted to get back into favor, he would not hesitate to lend him a hand.

"Everyone, that's all for today. Come to court again tomorrow!"

Bi Gan and Fei Zhong speculated, imagining Di Xin as a behind-the-scenes figure calmly watching the clouds drift by, completely unaware that Di Xin, who had been cooped up for three months, genuinely had no extra energy to deal with these matters