Recommending Sisters

Yet two people believed Da Ji was bewitching the king's heart: Empress Jiang and Imperial Concubine Huang. One was the empress who served as mother to all under heaven, while the other was a noble concubine whose power towered over all.

Imperial Concubine Huang in particular—her elder brother was Huang Feihu. She and Empress Jiang had once monopolized the harem, leaving those lesser concubines with no chance at all to approach Zhou Wang.

Fortunately, Da Ji had arrived and told Zhou Wang to spread his favor evenly, and only then did he begin visiting the chambers of the lesser concubines.

This enraged Imperial Concubine Huang and Empress Jiang. To them, Da Ji was a thorn in their eye and flesh in their side; they wished nothing more than to get rid of her swiftly. Yet with Zhou Wang around, they could not easily act, so they secretly sent people to watch Da Ji.

Zhu Wushuang and Xiang Wuchen counted the days. Da Ji had been in the palace for quite some time now—it was about time.

That night, Zhu Wushuang and Xiang Wuchen rode cloud clusters down into the harem and found Da Ji.

"Little Sister Da Ji!"

Da Ji's face lit up with delight when she saw Zhu Wushuang and Xiang Wuchen. "Two elder sisters, I have missed you both so much!"

"Has Little Sister been well lately? How has Zhou Wang treated you?"

A blissful look appeared on Da Ji's face. "Great King is a wise sovereign unmatched through the ages. His governance is clear and accomplished, and he treats me gently as well. To meet a man like Great King is truly my good fortune."

Zhu Wushuang and Xiang Wuchen exchanged a glance. "That is excellent. By the way, Little Sister, we too would like to enter the palace to keep you company and lend the Human Emperor a helping hand."

"Good. When I find an opportunity today, I will mention this matter to the Human Emperor."

The women chattered away. Though Zhu Wushuang and Xiang Wuchen had already attained immortality, women were women, and all had their curiosity—especially when the affairs of the mortal world were so amusing, things one could never find on Golden Turtle Island. Golden Turtle Island might have been a paradise beyond the world, but one still had to cultivate in quiet hardship there.

Da Ji's quarters were filled with gold, silver, jewels, rare treasures, and all manner of ingenious toys bestowed by Zhou Wang. Gold, silver, and rare treasures held little appeal for Zhu Wushuang and Xiang Wuchen; they did not care for such things. But those amusing little objects were exactly what they wanted most.

"This is fun!"

Xiang Wuchen held a little box in her hand that made sounds.

The three women were playing around when Xiang Wuchen suddenly gave a snort. The person eavesdropping outside instantly went blank-eyed and stood there stupidly, unable to move.

"Little Sister, do you know who this is?"

When they reached the window, the three saw someone standing blankly in place, not even his eyes moving.

Da Ji examined him. "Hm? This person looks somewhat like an attendant by Imperial Concubine Huang's side."

"Eavesdropping on our conversation—what audacity!"

Zhu Wushuang was about to strike him dead. A mere mortal dared offend immortal majesty.

"Do not, Sister Zhu!" Da Ji hurriedly stopped her.

"Listen to me, Sister. Though this person eavesdropped on us, perhaps he did not do so intentionally. Besides, he belongs to Imperial Concubine Huang. It would not be good to kill him..."

Xiang Wuchen sighed. "Little Sister, you are far too kindhearted."

Though she did not know exactly what was going on, this man had absolutely not acted without intent.

"Sister~"

"Ah, fine. We will do as you say."

With a wave of her hand, the man had already appeared outside the Small Courtyard.

Only an hour later did he regain consciousness.

Three days later, Zhou Wang came to Da Ji's Small Courtyard again. The moment he entered, he saw Da Ji eating fruit. "My beauty!"

"Great King!"

"I have missed you!"

Da Ji slipped into Zhou Wang's embrace. "Great King, have state affairs gone smoothly these past few days?"

"Smoothly, smoothly. Ah, my beauty still worries over me."

"Listen to yourself. You are the lord of all people—would I dare manage you? Besides, Da Ji is but a hen; how could I dare earn the name of a crowing hen?"

"Yes, yes, everything you say is right."

Zhou Wang affectionately stroked Da Ji's head.

"Oh, right, Great King. I had two sisters with whom I formed a Sworn Brotherhood back home. Both are women of great wisdom, and I would like them to serve Great King alongside me..."

Zhou Wang froze. "Are they as beautiful as you?"

"Hmph! Could it be that Great King values only my beauty?"

Zhou Wang shook his head. "No. No matter how beautiful a woman may be, she cannot make someone love her forever. But you, Da Ji, understand great matters and know Heaven's grace. Do you take me for a shallow man?"

Da Ji's eyes brightened, sweetness filling her heart. "It is good that you are not. To tell you the truth, though my two sisters may seem careless and rough around the edges, they are meticulous as strands of hair. They have studied since childhood and understand reason and worldly affairs. If Great King can bring them into the harem, it will be Great King's good fortune. But... I fear Great King may not necessarily be able to marry them."

"Oh? There are women like that?"

Zhou Wang's interest was piqued as well. From Da Ji's account, these two were rather extraordinary talents.

"Of course. Great King, my two sisters live in the Eastern Suburbs outside Chaoge. I have not yet spoken to them about this. How about... Great King first goes to meet them and discuss the matter? It would be well enough if they agree, but I fear they may refuse!"

"Good. After court tomorrow, I shall go take a look."

"Great King does not care about their appearance?"

"No beauty is more than a rosy skeleton... I do not care about looks."

The next day, after Zhou Wang left court, he remembered the matter and took Da Ji out of the palace.

Outside the Eastern Suburbs.

"Great King, that large estate ahead is the one."

The Eastern Suburbs had originally been devoid of human habitation. A grand estate stood alone here, looking somewhat abrupt, yet the scenery was pleasant, especially with every brick and tile carrying an air of transcendence.

"A fine place!" Even Zhou Wang could not help but praise it. A place like this was simply hard to find in the human world.

"I'll knock."

Da Ji secretly laughed and lightly knocked the door knocker.

"Who knocks?"

"Elder Sister, Da Ji has come."

The door opened.

Zhou Wang lowered his head. Hm?

Where was she?

He had assumed the woman would surely be shorter than him, yet when he looked down, he saw only her skirts. Slowly, he raised his head.

Eye level...

Still no one in sight.

At last, he craned his head upward. A shadow swallowed his entire body.

"..."

"Greetings, warrior!"

Da Ji: ...

"Great King, this is Elder Sister Xiang Wuchen."

Zhou Wang nodded. Deep down, he felt a little regretful. He wanted to say that, actually, he still cared somewhat about appearances.

"Younger Sister Da Ji, why have you come here instead of remaining in the palace? And this is?"

"Elder Sister, this is the Human Emperor."

Xiang Wuchen feigned surprise. "So this is the Human Emperor. This humble woman failed to welcome you properly; I hope the Human Emperor will forgive my offense."

She gave a slight curtsy, but did not kneel.

Zhou Wang was startled. Who did not kneel upon seeing him? Xiang Wuchen's conduct instead aroused his curiosity. Suppressing the fear in his heart, he said, "No matter."

After entering and seeing Zhu Wushuang, Zhou Wang finally understood. Women could actually be so... distinctive.

Yet after Zhou Wang exchanged a few words with Zhu Wushuang and Xiang Wuchen, he was secretly astonished. These two women possessed broad knowledge and clear, perceptive minds. Though their looks were somewhat lacking, they truly were, as Da Ji had said, no ordinary people.

"It is getting late. We shall not disturb you two elder sisters any longer."

"Younger Sister Da Ji, come visit often in the future."

After returning to the palace, Zhou Wang remained silent. "Great King, what do you think of my two elder sisters?"

"Exceptionally intelligent, exceptionally bold."

"Then would Great King be willing to take them into the harem?"

Zhou Wang's mouth twitched. "This... Though they are fine women, they are simply too... too..."