Fang Heng's breakthrough interrupted things, and the tea gathering could not continue.
Consort Min was deeply troubled and soon took her leave.
After offering their congratulations, Consort Shu and Consort Lan also tactfully departed.
They all understood that Consort Ning would surely want to question Fang Heng thoroughly about his condensing a Post-natal Immortal Root.
The tea gathering dispersed.
Mother and son went to the main hall and exchanged warm inquiries.
"Heng'er, how are the Ten Absolute Poisons within your body?"
"Mother, rest assured."
"Though the Ten Absolute Poisons remain, they no longer affect my cultivation."
"Once I achieve success in cultivation, the Ten Absolute Poisons will naturally heal without treatment."
"That is good. Now Mother can rest easy."
A smile blossomed like flowers across Consort Ning's exquisitely beautiful face.
The smile on her face had not faded since earlier.
Heng'er had perfected the Life-Nourishing Art, condensed a Post-natal Immortal Root, and broken through into the Dao.
To her, this was the best news she had received in over a decade.
"Mother, your son has a request."
"Now that I can cultivate and my body has improved greatly, it is time for me to observe government affairs."
Fang Heng broached the true purpose of his visit to the palace today.
Consort Ning was slightly stunned, then quickly understood and nodded faintly.
"Heng'er, you have grown up. At last, you know to plan for your own future."
"We mother and son dare not dream of the position of the Nine-Five Sovereign."
"But we may still have a chance to contend for the title of Prince of the First Rank."
"Which office do you wish to enter, Heng'er?"
"The Ministry of Agriculture, Seed Selection Department."
The Ministry of Agriculture, Seed Selection Department?
Hearing Fang Heng's choice, Consort Ning could not help knitting her delicate brows.
The Great Qian Dynasty practiced a system of Three Prime Ministers and Seven Ministries.
The Three Prime Ministers referred to the Left Prime Minister, Right Prime Minister, and 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 Emperor had left behind ancestral instructions: civil and military affairs were to be governed separately.
The Martial Prime Minister commanded Great Qian's military nobles and generals. He was the head of the Divine General's Estate, overseeing the Four Heavenly Marquises and Thirty-Six Divine Generals.
As for the Left Prime Minister and Right Prime Minister, they jointly controlled the court's Seven Ministries.
The Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of War, and Ministry of Agriculture fell under the Left Prime Minister's jurisdiction.
The Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Rites, and Ministry of Works, these three ministries, fell under the Right Prime Minister's control.
In Consort Ning's eyes, the Ministry of Agriculture was unquestionably at the bottom among the court's Seven Ministries.
In terms of power, it could not compare to the Ministry of Personnel.
In terms of prestige, it could not compare to the Ministry of Rites.
In terms of profits, it could not compare to the Ministry of Works.
It was the very definition of much work, little pay, and no easy way to earn merit.
As for the Seed Selection Department, it was no good posting within the Ministry of Agriculture either.
Its officials spent all year rushing about outside, crossing mountains and fields in search of crops.
But how could it be so easy to find better crops?
There might only be one or two such occasions in a century.
"Heng'er, why not choose somewhere else?"
"How about the Divine General's Estate?"
"Though our Lu Family has not produced a divine general for two generations, our connections in the army remain."
"It would not be difficult for you to secure a good post in the Divine General's Estate."
"If not, the Ministry of War would do as well."
"Your maternal grandfather has old connections in the Ministry of War. At least someone would look after you there."
Consort Ning disliked the Ministry of Agriculture and offered Fang Heng advice.
Consort Ning came from the military-noble Lu Family. Though the Lu Family had declined somewhat in recent years,
a camel starved to death was still larger than a horse; they still had quite a few connections in the army.
"Mother, my mind is made up. Do not try to persuade me."
Fang Heng spoke resolutely, looking as though nothing but the Ministry of Agriculture would do.
He was destined to become the father of Hybrid Rice, the reincarnation of Shennong. How could he let the Ministry of War and the Divine General's Estate delay him?
If I do not enter the Ministry of Agriculture, it will be a tremendous loss for Great Qian!
Seeing how stubborn Fang Heng was, Consort Ning had no choice.
Her son had finally become able to cultivate. She could hardly dampen his enterprising spirit.
After wasting a few months in the Seed Selection Department, once he grew tired and frustrated, he would naturally want to change positions.
Consort Ning thought this to herself.
She had already made preparations. If Fang Heng could not bear the loneliness of the Seed Selection Department,
she would return to her family home to visit relatives and have a proper discussion with her father and brothers about Heng'er's future.
Previously, Heng'er had been afflicted by deadly poison, with his life hanging by a thread.
She had never considered Heng'er's future, only hoping that he would remain safe and well.
But now that Heng'er had condensed a Post-natal Immortal Root and could cultivate,
she naturally had to make proper plans.
The title of Prince of the First Rank was a matter of great importance.
It concerned not only 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 support Heng'er in becoming a Prince of the First Rank, they would surely revive the family fortunes, perhaps even rise to another level.
Once Consort Ning had settled her thoughts, she followed Fang Heng's wishes and said softly,
"Heng'er, wait a few days. Mother will first go to your Imperial Father and sound him out."
Fang Heng nodded faintly. He had great confidence in Consort Ning's pillow talk.
The Seed Selection Department is secured!
Evergreen Temple.
"Yichen, did you say Heng'er perfected the Life-Nourishing Art and condensed a Post-natal Immortal Root?"
"Master, Consort Ning has already sent over lavish gifts. Could it be false?"
Upon hearing his eldest disciple Lin Yichen's report, Daoist Xuanqing wore an expression of astonishment and shock.
Then, all the astonishment and shock on his face turned into wild delight and excitement.
"The Patriarch has blessed us."
"Ten thousand years!"
"A full ten thousand years!"
"At last, another disciple has perfected the Life-Nourishing Art."
Daoist Xuanqing spoke with feeling, his excitement and joy overflowing, nearly bursting forth.
Just days ago, he had lamented that Fang Heng did not have long to live and might as well marry a wife early and carry on the family line.
Who would have thought that after only a few days apart, Fang Heng would bring such a great gift to him, his master?
The next instant, Daoist Xuanqing's figure flashed, vanishing from the bed.
Seeing Daoist Xuanqing's nimble legs, Lin Yichen clicked his tongue.
Master was no longer pretending to be ill?
What if Mistress saw him?
"Senior Brother Abbot, wonderful news!"
"My little disciple has mastered the Life-Nourishing Art."
"Only the Patriarch himself managed this back then."
Daoist Xuanqing came calling and informed the abbot of Evergreen Temple—Evergreen Master—of Fang Heng's mastery of the Life-Nourishing Art.
Evergreen Master half-closed his eyes and replied without the slightest ripple,
"I know."
"Senior Brother, you are not surprised?"
"If the Patriarch could do it back then, naturally those who came after could do it too."
"It was only that the disciples of the past lacked the right aptitude and were unsuited to cultivating the Life-Nourishing Art."
"Now, we have finally found the genius suited to cultivating the Life-Nourishing Art."
Seeing Evergreen Master's calm and composed expression, Daoist Xuanqing sighed inwardly.
"As expected of Senior Brother Abbot."
"When it comes to cultivating composure, I am far inferior."
His gaze sharpened as Daoist Xuanqing collected his thoughts and said,
"Senior Brother, I will head down the mountain first."
"Since my little disciple can cultivate, then as his master, I must naturally guide him properly. I cannot let such uncut jade go to waste."
"Within twenty years, our Evergreen Temple will surely produce another mighty expert."
With that, Daoist Xuanqing hurried down the mountain.
His figure turned into a streak of escape light and sped toward Yujing City.
Watching his junior brother Daoist Xuanqing depart, Evergreen Master set down the whisk in his hand, his brows tightly furrowed.
"Patriarch, oh Patriarch!"
"You casually uttered a sky-covering lie back then. How am I supposed to patch it up now?"
"Disaster!"
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