The Grand Lie of the Patriarch

The tea party couldn't continue after Fang Heng's breakthrough created such a stir.

Consort Min, feeling dejected, soon excused herself and left.

Consort Shu and Consort Lan, after offering their congratulations, also tactfully departed.

They all understood that Consort Ning would likely want to thoroughly question Fang Heng about his cultivation of the Post-natal Immortal Root.

The tea party dispersed.

Mother and son went to the main hall, exchanging warm greetings and concern.

"Heng'er, how are the Ten Absolute Poisons in your body doing?"

"Don't worry, Mother."

"Though the Ten Absolute Poisons are still present, they no longer hinder my cultivation."

"Once I achieve success in my cultivation, the Ten Absolute Poisons will naturally heal on their own."

"That's good then. I'm relieved."

A radiant smile blossomed on Consort Ning's beautiful face.

The smile on her face hadn't faded since earlier.

Heng'er had perfected the Life-Nourishing Art, cultivated the Post-natal Immortal Root, and broken through to the Dao.

For her, this was the best news she'd received in over a decade.

"Mother, I have a request."

"Now that I can cultivate and my body has greatly improved, it's time for me to participate in government affairs."

Fang Heng steered the conversation to the reason for his visit to the palace today.

Consort Ning was slightly taken aback, then quickly understood and nodded gently.

"Heng'er, you've grown up. You're finally thinking about your future."

"We, mother and son, dare not aspire to the throne."

"But there's still a chance to contend for the position of Prince of the First Rank."

"Which ministry do you wish to join, Heng'er?"

"The Ministry of Agriculture, Seed Selection Department."

The Ministry of Agriculture, Seed Selection Department?

Hearing Fang Heng's choice, Consort Ning couldn't help but furrow her delicate brows.

The Great Qian Dynasty operated under a system of Three Prime Ministers and Seven Ministries.

The Three Prime Ministers referred to the Left Prime Minister, the Right Prime Minister, and the Martial Prime Minister.

The Seven Ministries were the Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of War, Ministry of Works, and Ministry of Agriculture.

The founding ancestor had left behind ancestral instructions, establishing a clear division between civil and military administration.

The Martial Prime Minister commanded the military merits and generals of Great Qian, serving as the head of the Divine General's Estate, with the Four Heavenly Marquises and Thirty-Six Divine Generals under his jurisdiction.

As for the Left Prime Minister and Right Prime Minister, they jointly controlled the Seven Ministries of the court.

The Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of War, and Ministry of Agriculture were under the purview of the Left Prime Minister.

The Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Rites, and Ministry of Works were under the purview of the Right Prime Minister.

In Consort Ning's eyes, among the seven ministries, the Ministry of Agriculture was undeniably at the bottom.

In terms of power, it couldn't compare to the Ministry of Personnel.

In terms of prestige, it couldn't compare to the Ministry of Rites.

In terms of profit, it couldn't compare to the Ministry of Works.

It was a classic case of having a lot of work, little money, and difficulty achieving merit.

As for the Seed Selection Department, it wasn't a good place to be within the Ministry of Agriculture either.

It involved constant travel, traversing mountains and wilderness to search for crops.

But finding better crops—how could that be easy?

It only happened once or twice in a hundred years.

"Heng'er, why don't you consider another place?"

"What about the Divine General's Estate?"

"Although our Lu Family hasn't produced a Divine General for two generations, our military connections are still there."

"It wouldn't be difficult for you to secure a good position in the Divine General's Estate."

"At the very least, the Ministry of War would also work."

"Your maternal grandfather has old ties in the Ministry of War; at least someone would look out for you there."

Consort Ning disliked the Ministry of Agriculture and offered Fang Heng advice.

Consort Ning came from the martial Lu Family. While the Lu Family had fallen somewhat into decline over the years, a starved camel was still bigger than a horse, and they still held considerable influence within the military.

"Mother, my mind is made up. Please don't try to dissuade me."

Fang Heng's tone was firm, his stance indicating he absolutely had to join the Ministry of Agriculture.

He was destined to be the father of hybrid rice, a reincarnation of Shennong himself. How could he allow the Ministry of War and Divine General's Estate to hold him back?

If I don't join the Ministry of Agriculture, it'll be a huge loss for the Great Qian Dynasty!

Seeing Fang Heng's stubbornness, Consort Ning had no choice.

My son can finally cultivate; I can't possibly dampen his ambition.

Once he struggles for a few months in the Seed Selection Department, growing tired and annoyed, he'll naturally want to change positions.

Consort Ning thought to herself.

She was already prepared. If Fang Heng couldn't endure the solitude of the Seed Selection Department, she would return to her family home to visit and discuss Heng'er's future with her father and brother.

Before, Heng'er had been poisoned and was on the brink of death. She had never considered his future, only hoping he would be safe and sound.

But now, Heng'er had condensed a Post-natal Immortal Root and could cultivate. Naturally, she had to plan carefully.

The position of Prince of the First Rank was extremely important. It not only concerned Heng'er's future but also the future of their Lu Family.

Their Lu Family had been in decline for quite some time. If they could help Heng'er become a Prince of the First Rank, they would surely revive their family fortunes, and perhaps even elevate their status further.

With a plan in mind, Consort Ning followed Fang Heng's wishes and gently said, "Heng'er, wait a few days. Your mother will first go to your imperial father and sound him out."

Fang Heng nodded slightly. He was quite confident in Consort Ning's persuasive abilities.

The Seed Selection Department, secured!

Evergreen Temple.

"Yichen, you said Heng'er has perfected the Life-Nourishing Art and condensed a Post-natal Immortal Root?"

"Master, Consort Ning has already sent a grand gift. How could it be false?"

Daoist Xuanqing was astonished and shocked upon hearing his eldest disciple Lin Yichen's report.

Immediately afterward, all the astonishment and shock on his face transformed into wild joy and excitement.

"The Patriarch is watching over us!"

"Ten thousand years!"

"A full ten thousand years!"

"Finally, a disciple has once again perfected the Life-Nourishing Art."

Daoist Xuanqing said with emotion, his excitement and joy overflowing, practically erupting from him.

Just a few days ago, he was still lamenting that Fang Heng didn't have much time left and should marry a wife and produce an heir sooner rather than later. He never expected that after only a few days apart, his disciple would deliver such a grand gift to him, his master.

The next second, Daoist Xuanqing's figure flickered and vanished from the bed.

Lin Yichen watched Daoist Xuanqing's swift movements and clicked his tongue.

Master's not pretending to be sick anymore?

What if Mistress sees him?

"Senior Brother Temple Master, this is great news!"

"My little disciple has mastered the Life-Nourishing Art."

"Only the Patriarch achieved this back in the day."

Daoist Xuanqing paid a visit, informing Evergreen Master, the Temple Master of Evergreen Temple, that Fang Heng had mastered the Life-Nourishing Art.

Evergreen Master's eyes were slightly closed, and he calmly stated, "Understood."

"Senior Brother, aren't you surprised?"

"If the Patriarch could do it back then, future generations naturally can too."

"It's just that my previous disciples weren't talented enough to cultivate the Life-Nourishing Art."

"But now, I've finally found the genius who's perfect for it."

Daoist Xuanqing felt a surge of emotion as he watched Evergreen Master's calm and composed expression.

As expected of Senior Brother, the Temple Master.

When it comes to cultivating one's spirit, I'm far inferior.

With a focused gaze, Daoist Xuanqing composed himself and said, "Senior Brother, I'll be heading down the mountain now."

"Since my little apprentice can cultivate, as his master, I naturally need to guide him well. I can't let such a precious talent go to waste."

"Within twenty years, our Evergreen Temple will surely produce another powerful master."

With that, Daoist Xuanqing hurried down the mountain.

His figure transformed into a streak of light, streaking towards Yujing City.

Watching his junior brother, Daoist Xuanqing, depart, Evergreen Master set down his whisk, his brows furrowed in a deep frown.

"Grand Patriarch, oh Grand Patriarch!"

"You carelessly told such a monumental lie back then, now how are your disciples supposed to smooth things over?"

"This is a disaster!"