Thank You, Consort, for Your Help

Yaoguang Palace.

Consort Ning's sleeping quarters.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

The palace maids and guards of Yaoguang Palace bowed repeatedly upon seeing Fang Heng arrive.

The bolder maids even subtly flirted, their eyes like silk.

"Where's Mother Consort?"

Fang Heng ignored their subtle flirtations and asked.

"Her Ladyship has invited Consort Shu, Consort Lan, and Consort Min for a tea party in the rear garden," a maid replied.

"Take me to the rear garden."

Led by the maid, Fang Heng quickly made his way to the rear garden of Yaoguang Palace.

In the rear garden, A clear spring gurgled, winding around rockeries and exotic stones.

At a waterside pavilion, four graceful, beautiful women sat elegantly in a circle.

Over a dozen maids attended nearby, their laughter occasionally ringing out like silver bells.

Fang Heng walked into the pavilion, cupped his hands, and bowed.

"Your son greets Mother Consort."

"Greetings to the three Ladies."

"Heng'er, why are you here today?"

Consort Ning's eyes softened as she quickly pulled Fang Heng's hand, seating him beside her.

Consort Shu, Consort Lan, and Consort Min scrutinized Fang Heng, the palace's renowned "medicine pot."

Their gazes varied—pity, curiosity, or a faint smirk.

"Your son missed Mother Consort, so I came into the palace to see her. It just so happened to be when Mother Consort was hosting a tea party."

"There's no 'just so happened' about it."

"For this tea party, the three Ladies brought many exquisite pastries. You're in luck, my son."

Consort Ning chuckled softly, teasing him, her charm evident.

Although she wished to share intimate greetings with Fang Heng in private, as the host of the tea party, it wasn't appropriate for her to dismiss it prematurely.

Fang Heng openly observed Consort Shu, Consort Lan, and Consort Min.

Like spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, each possessed her own unique charm, all beauties not inferior to his Mother Consort.

"Ninth Prince, you've come at just the right time. The Eastern Pearl Cake my family sent some time ago—you should definitely try it."

"This Eastern Pearl Cake is made with premium jade glutinous rice as its base, infused with top-grade Eastern Pearl powder, and undergoes eighty-one processes…"

Consort Min had a maid bring out the Eastern Pearl Cake, introducing it enthusiastically.

Fang Heng listened with interest.

This Eastern Pearl was not that Eastern Pearl.

It didn't refer to pearls produced by shellfish, but rather a treasure formed from condensed Water Essence.

It was abundant in the Eastern Sea but considered a rarity in Yujing City.

"Ninth Prince, please try the Eastern Pearl Cake."

"Thank you, Consort Min."

Fang Heng took a bite of the Eastern Pearl Cake. It was soft and flaky, with a crisp, clear taste reminiscent of seawater—truly delicious.

Beyond its flavor, the Eastern Pearl Cake contained a rich Water Essence.

The Water Essence transformed into a cool current, surging through his limbs and bones.

It was so comfortable that Fang Heng nearly moaned aloud.

This Eastern Pearl Cake was not only incredibly tasty but also a top-tier spiritual item, capable of aiding cultivation.

One piece of Eastern Pearl Cake was equivalent to three days of his cultivation.

Fang Heng didn't hold back, eating several pieces in a row.

He secretly circulated the Everlasting Evergreen Scripture, digesting the Water Essence within the Eastern Pearl Cake.

Water nourishes wood.

The Water Essence from the Eastern Pearl Cake integrated into his body, like hot oil meeting a raging fire, igniting instantly.

The Everlasting Evergreen Scripture within him circulated wildly.

It felt as if he was on the verge of a breakthrough at any moment.

Consort Min watched Fang Heng devour the cake with a faint smirk.

"Consort Ning, tell the Ninth Prince to slow down and not be so greedy," Consort Min said.

"This Eastern Pearl Cake contains an extremely concentrated Water Essence, which is hard to digest," she continued.

"For Daoist cultivators, it's a great tonic."

"But the Ninth Prince is so frail; I'm afraid he won't be able to handle such a strong supplement."

"If anything were to happen, I, your sister, wouldn't be able to bear the responsibility."

Consort Min's words seemed well-intentioned, but her sarcastic tone made Consort Ning's expression change drastically.

Suppressing her displeasure, Consort Ning quickly looked at Fang Heng, asking with concern and a hint of anxiety in her voice, "My son, how do you feel?"

"This Eastern Pearl Cake tastes quite good, Mother," Fang Heng replied, pretending not to have caught Consort Min's sarcasm or her hidden jab at his poor health.

Instead, he subtly observed the expressions of everyone present.

His mother, Consort Ning, was concerned.

Consort Min was gloating, hoping to see him make a fool of himself.

Consort Lan was like a high-mountain flower, appearing aloof and uninvolved.

As for Consort Shu, her eyes showed concern, indicating a good relationship with his mother.

The four women present were divided into three factions.

His mother and Consort Shu were allied.

Consort Min subtly targeted his mother.

Consort Lan was neutral, not taking sides.

The imperial harem truly lived up to its reputation as an Asura Field of female competition.

Even a simple tea party was filled with various overt and covert struggles.

While observing, Fang Heng continued to eat Consort Min's Eastern Pearl Cake until most of it was gone.

After finishing, he suddenly stopped, closing his eyes slightly, his face appearing somewhat pained.

Consort Min inwardly gloated, putting on a show of concern.

"Consort Ning, really, you shouldn't have."

"The Ninth Prince is greedy, and you, as his mother, didn't even try to stop him."

"Someone, quickly, go invite the imperial physician to examine the Ninth Prince thoroughly."

Consort Min's feigned concern made Consort Ning lose her composure a little.

Her red lips parted, just about to ask Fang Heng if he was uncomfortable.

Suddenly, a powerful aura erupted from within Fang Heng.

The four consorts' gazes all shot towards Fang Heng.

They saw clear energy rising from above Fang Heng's head, wreathed in mist.

He had actually… broken through!

Judging by the aura, it was the mid-stage of Feasting on Rosy Clouds.

The expressions of the four consorts varied: some were delighted, some shocked, some astonished, and some vexed.

It was a kaleidoscope of human emotions.

On their four exquisitely beautiful faces, it seemed as if all the expressions in the world were being displayed.

Ten breaths later, Fang Heng finished his cultivation. A smile on his face, he cupped his hands towards Consort Min.

"Many thanks, Consort Min, for lending me a hand."

Consort Min felt stifled.

Today, she had tried to steal a chicken but lost the rice instead.

She had intended to thoroughly humiliate Consort Ning and Fang Heng, but instead, she had helped Fang Heng improve his cultivation.

At this moment, she was overwhelmed with emotions, wishing she could smash the tea set on the spot.

But in front of everyone, she still had to maintain an air of great generosity.

"I wasn't mistaken, Ninth Prince, about the Daoist cultivation method you practice."

"Ninth Prince, since when have you been able to cultivate?"

"Thank you for your concern, Consort Min."

"Your son has diligently practiced the Life-Nourishing Art for ten years. A while ago, by sheer luck, I completed it and managed to condense a Post-natal Immortal Root, which gave me the opportunity to enter the Dao and break through," Fang Heng said with a smile, taking the initiative to reveal his breakthrough.

As for how he got the Immortal Root?

Don't ask!

If you ask, it's the Life-Nourishing Art.

My son has condensed a Post-natal Immortal Root and can cultivate now.

Good!

Good!

Good!

This is truly wonderful!

Consort Ning, disregarding her composure, was so emotional she nearly shouted.

Overwhelmed, her eyes welled up, and a thick mist formed in her bright, autumn-like pupils.

Consort Shu, smiling, offered comfort and congratulations by her side, showing genuine warmth.

"Congratulations, elder sister. The frustrations you've held for over a decade have finally dissipated today."

"This is truly a great blessing!"

"Consort Shu is right, this is a great blessing!"

"Rewards!"

"Everyone gets a reward."

"Everyone in Yaoguang Palace will be rewarded fifty taels."

The servants of Yaoguang Palace immediately knelt, bowing and shouting in unison.

"Thank you, Empress, thank you, Your Highness!"