The imperial palace, inside Qianqing Palace.
Xiao Bing told the many Ye Family elders everything that had happened that day.
The Old Ancestor had manifested, rebuilt the Incense Deity Statue, and forged a new body!
It was a miracle!
On top of that, the Ye Family's fortune had risen, as had the dynasty's. It was an auspicious sign!
"It's just a pity that, for some reason, the Spirit Testing Platform in the Ye Family Holy Land was destroyed. It's a tremendous loss..."
Ye Xuan finished speaking, his face alight with excitement, then looked toward the woman seated at the head of the room. But he couldn't fathom what Ye Qinglian was thinking, so he hurriedly lowered his head again.
Whatever the case, it was a joyous occasion!
What was some damn Spirit Testing Platform compared to the Old Ancestor's protection?
With fortune's blessing, even their cultivation could improve!
It wouldn't be impossible for several more Sages to appear within a hundred years!
At that moment, Ye Qinglian sensed the change in fortune surrounding her.
Indeed, she was now enveloped by a far more powerful fortune.
After the Ye Family Old Ancestor ascended, as long as he remained alive, his fortune could bless his descendants.
Though he couldn't return to the Lower Realm, their bloodline connection meant the Ye Family could still receive his blessing and protection.
Now that the Old Ancestor had manifested, he must have broken through to an even higher realm. Combined with the blessing of this fortune...
What a joyous occasion!
The news would soon spread, and countless people would come to offer their congratulations.
Ye Qinglian pondered briefly.
"Since the Old Ancestor's blessing has descended, it shows that Heaven favors my Great Gan Dynasty and my Ye Family."
"As for the Spirit Testing Platform, I won't hold anyone responsible for now. Just find a better one. None of you will be punished."
Everyone clasped their hands and bowed. "We obey Your Majesty's will!"
"Go."
The elders departed, brimming with excitement!
This was a momentous occasion!
Although the Old Ancestor couldn't help them directly, his fortune could improve their cultivation. That was the best news of all!
Only then did Xiao Bing tell Ye Qinglian about what had happened that day.
"You're saying all those strange events happened only after you took Chu Ning into the Holy Land?"
Hearing this, Ye Qinglian smiled and shook her head.
"No matter how outstanding Chu Ning is, he's still just a mortal. There's nothing more to say about him, and he couldn't possibly affect the fortune of the entire Ye Family."
"It was probably because the Old Ancestor rebuilt the statue. What level of aptitude does he have?"
"I'm not sure, but before the Spirit Testing Platform exploded, I saw a flash of red and orange. His aptitude must be very high..."
Ye Qinglian pondered briefly.
"But the Spirit Testing Platform still shattered in the end, so we can't make a proper judgment. Let's give him an introductory cultivation method first and have him focus on practicing. We can assess his progress that way."
Xiao Bing had no objection, but she was curious about Ye Qinglian's words.
Outstanding?
His Majesty had actually praised Mister Chu like that?
Xiao Bing wasn't sure, but she sensed an opportunity.
She'd have to mooch a meal later, then tell Mister Chu that Her Majesty was in a good mood today. He could use that to get closer to her!
"Xiao Bing understands. I'll go right away."
"Wait."
Ye Qinglian suddenly called out to Xiao Bing, her beautiful face cool and composed.
Xiao Bing looked puzzled.
"What is it, Your Majesty?"
"Go to the Ministry of Rites and tell the Minister of Rites to arrange an announcement across the realm. I will choose an Emperor Consort."
"The Ye Family's fortune has just surged. This is the perfect opportunity."
Xiao Bing froze for a moment, then was overjoyed!
"Understood, Your Majesty! I'll go right away!"
Ye Qinglian watched Xiao Bing leave, her cheeks faintly flushed.
She still had to get married...
She had no choice. She couldn't abandon the children. They were her own flesh and blood, and there were two of them.
Though she didn't know Chu Ning well, his personality was decent enough, and he treated her well.
Whether or not it was true, he was now the children's father. The sooner she appointed him Emperor Consort, the better. Otherwise, as time passed, she wouldn't be able to hide the changes to her body.
By then, she wouldn't have so many concerns...
Ye Qinglian had originally planned to wait a while, but preparations for the ceremony would take a long time—at least a month. The court's rites were extremely complicated. If she put it off, her belly would only grow bigger.
As it happened, the Ye Family Old Ancestor had manifested and protected the Ye Family.
Perhaps Chu Ning had been sent by the Ye Family Old Ancestor. Otherwise, how could she explain his inexplicable appearance in her secluded cultivation chamber—and her pregnancy?
Since the ancestors had blessed them, why not use this opportunity to celebrate with the whole realm?
Holding the ceremony would be perfect.
Once she got past this hurdle, everything would be settled when the children were born.
Inside Chu Ning's palace.
Chu Ning was sleeping soundly on a lounge chair in the courtyard.
There was nothing to do. Qinglian was busy, and it wasn't time for a meal delivery, so he could only sleep. What else was there?
The young woman came running from afar, excitedly shaking Chu Ning awake!
"Sir, Her Majesty said the Ministry of Rites will start making arrangements right away and announce it across the realm. They're looking for suitable candidates for Emperor Consort!"
Chu Ning was still groggy, but the moment he heard that, he jolted upright!
"Damn it!"
"Isn't there only one Emperor Consort? Does she think I'm unsuitable and want to choose someone else?"
"That won't do! I need to talk to Qinglian myself. I'm the only one who can be Emperor Consort!"
He was the children's father. How could he let someone else become his son's father?
No, absolutely not!
His wife was his, and so were his children!
Xiao Bing froze, then hurriedly stopped Chu Ning to explain.
"Sir, you've misunderstood. Her Majesty just wants to go through the formalities. Putting you forward directly would draw too much attention..."
"No matter how many candidates are submitted, they'll all be rejected in the end. You'll be the only one left. The Ministry of Rites and Her Majesty will handle everything, so you can just wait for the Grand Wedding!"
Chu Ning paused, then more or less understood.
They were just going through the motions so no one would catch on, right?
Then he could relax!
He knew it!
Qinglian still preferred him!
Chu Ning was still a little confused. "But why did Her Majesty suddenly decide to appoint an Emperor Consort? Why so soon?"
Hadn't she said they'd wait for the right moment? Why had she changed her mind so quickly?
Xiao Bing smiled as she answered, "Probably because of what happened at the Ye Family Holy Land. The Old Ancestor protected the Ye Family, so Her Majesty plans to use this opportunity to appoint an Emperor Consort and celebrate with the whole realm!"
"Maybe the Old Ancestor broke through in the Upper Realm thanks to you, Sir! After you entered the palace, not only did Her Majesty break through, but Xiao Bing did too! And now we have fortune's blessing!"
It was clear Xiao Bing was trying to reassure Chu Ning and put his mind at ease.
They already had children together. Surely Her Majesty wouldn't choose someone else?
Besides, Mister Chu was handsome and good-looking. Though Her Majesty seemed calm, the fact that she'd let him get so close meant she was gradually opening her heart to him!
Things like this couldn't be rushed, but there was no way the Emperor Consort would be anyone else.
Chu Ning wholeheartedly agreed.
Why hadn't she said so earlier?
He could've blessed the Ye Family's fortune ages ago!
Why had he needed to wait so patiently?
Once they were married, they'd sleep together, and their feelings would keep growing!
Chu Ning grinned.
He couldn't even imagine how wonderful it would be to sleep beside Ye Qinglian...
They had a baby on the way, so they couldn't do anything, but sleeping together would still make their feelings grow by leaps and bounds, wouldn't it?
Once the baby was born, everything would naturally fall into place!
Then they'd have ten more!
Just as Chu Ning was lost in his daydreams, Xiao Bing handed him a manual.
"This is an introductory text for the Royal Cultivation Method. Her Majesty said you should study it first."
Chu Ning froze.
"I didn't even get my aptitude tested. Why do I still have to study?"
You want an Immortal Emperor like me to learn an introductory cultivation method?
Would I even be able to learn it?
That's like asking an academician to study one plus one!
Xiao Bing giggled.
"Although your aptitude wasn't determined, I told Her Majesty you might have top-tier or even heavenly-grade aptitude. That's why she agreed."
"She even gave you a lot of Spirit Stones!"
"Once you cultivate, you can live forever! Am I clever or what, Sir?"
Chu Ning nearly spat blood!
So this was all because of you!
How am I supposed to sleep now?
"Xiao Bing, actually, I'm an otherworldly expert. A really powerful one..."
"Sir, Xiao Bing knows. But you still have to work hard at cultivating. If you improve quickly, won't Her Majesty favor you even more?"
Chu Ning thought it over.
She did have a point.
The Immortal Emperor was too far beyond them. They wouldn't believe it, and he couldn't exactly demonstrate it without arousing suspicion.
So there was no harm in cultivating slowly, right?
Besides, he could ask Ye Qinglian for guidance at night...
"Xiao Bing! You're a genius!"
"I'll go ask her for guidance tonight!"
Xiao Bing stared at him, completely baffled.
"Huh?"
Before you continue