Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"Your Majesty, Consort Ning requests an audience."
Consort Ning!
The moment Emperor Yuanchu heard the words "Consort Ning," he instantly understood her purpose.
He set down the memorial in his hand and said calmly.
"Grant it!"
"Consort Ning is granted an audience."
As the eunuch's shrill voice rang out, a beautiful woman in purple palace robes approached with graceful, delicate steps.
The tailored purple palace robes clung to Consort Ning's lovely figure, accentuating her tall, exquisite curves until they became especially alluring.
She was like ripe fruit, plump and juicy, waiting for its owner to pluck it.
Today, for her son's position in observing government affairs, Consort Ning had brought out the battle robes she had not worn in many years.
Graceful and captivating, with a hidden fragrance drifting through the air, she was brimming with temptation.
The eunuchs in the Hall of Mental Cultivation all lowered their heads, not daring to look at her again.
"Your Majesty, I personally simmered this lotus seed soup."
"While it is hot, let me feed you."
Seeing Consort Ning fawn over him like this, Emperor Yuanchu could not help but sigh inwardly.
Ever since Heng'er had been afflicted by the Ten Absolute Poisons, Consort Ning had become detached from worldly affairs. It had been a long time since she had competed for his favor like this.
"Wan'er, you came because of Heng'er."
"Your Majesty sees through everything like fire; nothing can be hidden from you."
"Heng'er has already embarked upon the path of cultivation, and his health has greatly improved."
"This concubine wishes to place a little more burden on Heng'er and let him gain some experience, so that he may help Your Majesty share your burdens in the future."
Consort Ning's voice was melodious and gentle.
Her words were frank and straightforward, without the slightest concealment.
Having entered the palace twenty years ago, she understood Emperor Yuanchu, the man who shared her pillow, all too well.
The entire Yujing City lay within his control.
He saw through everything like fire and observed every detail; there was nothing he did not know.
What Emperor Yuanchu hated most was deception.
Thus, from beginning to end, Consort Ning had never intended to hide anything. She simply stated her purpose openly and generously.
"Where does Heng'er want to go?"
"The Seed Selection Department!"
Emperor Yuanchu furrowed his brows, seemingly puzzled.
"As his mother, you will not try to persuade him?"
"A grown son no longer listens to his mother."
"Heng'er insists on going to the Seed Selection Department. As his mother, there is nothing I can do."
"I ask Your Majesty to grant his wish."
"Once Heng'er suffers some setbacks, endures some hardship, and is tempered a little, he will naturally change his mind."
Consort Ning gave Emperor Yuanchu a graceful bow.
"My beloved consort has already said this much. If I refuse, would that not make it my fault?"
"This concubine would not dare."
"Pass down the decree!"
Eunuch Su stepped forward and listened respectfully.
"Appoint the Ninth Prince as Assistant Director of the Seed Selection Department, to observe his performance thereafter."
"Ninth Prince, accept the decree."
"Your son accepts the decree."
Fang Heng held the imperial decree and bowed toward the imperial palace.
"Eunuch Su, I have troubled you to make this trip. Please come inside and have some tea first."
"This servant serves His Majesty. How could I deserve the word 'troubled'?"
Fang Heng gave Yun Menglan a look. She immediately understood and, with practiced courtesy, slipped Eunuch Su a banknote.
This Eunuch Su was his imperial father's trusted confidant, so Fang Heng naturally did not wish to offend him.
Eunuch Su smoothly accepted the banknote, but did not enter for tea.
"Your Highness, His Majesty rises before dawn and rests late, laboring over state affairs. This servant must attend him at his side, so I shall not impose upon Your Highness any longer."
"Oh, and His Majesty understands that Your Highness has only recently recovered. The Seed Selection Department's affairs are busy, so if you find yourself unable to manage them, you may discuss matters more often with Consort Ning."
"Thank you for your guidance, Eunuch Su."
A hint of surprise flashed through Fang Heng's eyes.
This influential Eunuch Su was actually extending goodwill toward an inconspicuous prince like him.
"Aunt Yun, see Eunuch Su off for me."
As Eunuch Su left the Ninth Prince's Manor, he sighed secretly to himself.
Others might not know, but as Emperor Yuanchu's trusted confidant, he understood Emperor Yuanchu's thoughts far too well.
Because of that assassination attempt years ago, Emperor Yuanchu felt guilty toward Consort Ning and her son.
Although the Ninth Prince had no hope of inheriting the throne, he absolutely could not be offended.
If Consort Ning complained tearfully and stirred Emperor Yuanchu's guilt, then not even immortals could save whoever had offended her.
After seeing off Eunuch Su, Fang Heng glanced at the imperial decree, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.
His mother was truly efficient.
In less than half a day, she had secured him a position at the Seed Selection Department.
The Seed Selection Department was one of the Ministry of Agriculture's four major departments.
The Director was the chief official of the Seed Selection Department, a Principal Fifth Rank official.
Next came him, the Assistant Director.
The Assistant Director was the Seed Selection Department's deputy official, a Subordinate Fifth Rank official, with the authority to assist the Director.
Within the Seed Selection Department, he was beneath one person and above ten thousand.
Taking his status as a prince into account, it would not be difficult for him to hollow out the Seed Selection Department Director's authority.
"Congratulations, Your Highness, on entering the Ministry of Agriculture to observe government affairs."
Yun Menglan gave a graceful bow. Her elegant, dignified bearing was like a spring breeze brushing across one's heart, making people relax without realizing it.
"Aunt Yun, you are congratulating me too early."
"The position of Assistant Director of the Seed Selection Department is only the first step."
Just then.
Abruptly.
A line of small text appeared before Fang Heng's eyes.
Destiny Points +1000!
This...
Fang Heng's expression remained calm, without the slightest change.
Yet in his heart, it was as though a massive boulder had crashed into a tranquil lake, raising towering waves.
A thousand Destiny Points had appeared out of thin air.
He focused and pondered.
Fang Heng quickly figured out the source of the Destiny Points.
These thousand Destiny Points came from the position of Assistant Director of the Seed Selection Department.
Based on what Fang Heng currently understood, there were only two ways to obtain Destiny Points.
First, make the cake bigger.
Second, receive a larger share of the cake.
Whether it was his identity as the Ninth Prince or his appointment as Assistant Director of the Seed Selection Department, both meant dividing the cake.
He had received a share of the Great Qian Dynasty's overall National Destiny.
These sudden thousand National Destiny Points were a windfall from the heavens, giving Fang Heng a small surprise.
Suppressing the delight in his heart, Fang Heng put on an unconcerned expression and returned to his study.
Then, he silently recited in his heart.
Condense Fate.
The Fate Map trembled and began to vibrate.
A vast current of air swept in.
It gathered from all directions, surged into the center, and condensed into one.
Immediately afterward, within that storm of airflow.
A streak of profound purple suddenly leaped forth, clearly visible.
The purple light grew brighter and brighter, as though it would illuminate the entire night.
In the end, it condensed into a purple star.
It shone in mutual splendor with the golden sun and the red star.
At this moment, there were three stars within the Fate Map.
The golden sun symbolized the Innate Immortal Seed.
The red star symbolized the Awakening of Insects Master.
And the purple star symbolized the Wood-Thunder Body.
Wood-Thunder Body (Purple): A supreme physique for cultivating the Wood-Thunder Cultivation Method. Comprehension of the Wood-Thunder Cultivation Method is increased threefold, and its displayed power is likewise three times that of ordinary cultivators.
Another special cultivation physique.
Fang Heng's gaze sharpened as he read the Fate description.
The Wood-Thunder Body and the Innate Immortal Seed were both talent-type Fates.
The former focused on the Wood-Thunder Cultivation Method, its power far surpassing that of ordinary cultivators.
The latter was more all-encompassing; regardless of the Daoist arts, one insight led to a hundred understandings. It was an innate seed for cultivating the Dao.
These two cultivation talents each had their own strengths.
Before you continue