Chapter 2: Indulging in Pleasures vs. Diligent Cultivation
Half a month flashed by in the blink of an eye.
Yu Xian closed his ears to the outside world and devoted himself entirely to cultivation.
Twenty thousand words of the cultivation process are omitted here...
Building No. 2 of the Heavenly Quarter—though called a building, it was actually a courtyard complete with gardens, a pavilion, a small pond, and other facilities.
On this day, the Lord Chief Steward of the Prince's Estate arrived in a hurry.
He saw several maidservants of the estate gathered at the courtyard entrance, whispering among themselves, occasionally glancing into the courtyard with flushed faces, covering their mouths and giggling like silver bells.
The Lord Chief Steward recognized them as the maids assigned to serve Building No. 2.
"Ahem!"
He gave two light coughs to remind them.
The maids quickly fell silent and bowed to the Lord Chief Steward.
"This maid pays respects to Lord Chief Steward."
The Lord Chief Steward, whose surname was Li, was a plump, smooth-faced, round-cheeked old eunuch in his fifties who looked the picture of benevolence.
"I am here by order of the Prince to invite Consort Yu. Is he currently available?"
The maids looked at each other in hesitation for a long moment before one of them plucked up the courage to say, "Lord Chief Steward, Consort Yu has been staying in his room with Yulan all these days, so we don't know if he has time. Um... perhaps you should go in and ask him yourself, Lord Chief Steward?"
"You don't know anything? Is this how you serve distinguished guests?"
Lord Chief Steward Li flicked his horsetail whisk and started forward. After taking only a few steps, he retreated with a displeased expression: "You lazy wretches, be careful from now on. Gossiping behind the backs of distinguished guests—if a guest gets displeased and has you beaten to death, you'll have only yourselves to blame."
"Get back to work this instant."
"Yes."
Knowing the Lord Chief Steward meant well, the maids giggled and scattered in all directions, leaving behind a lingering fragrance.
Lord Chief Steward Li shook his head helplessly, turned, walked into the courtyard, and called out softly toward the pavilion:
"Consort Yu? Consort Yu..."
"Who is it?"
The window of the pavilion opened, and a young man poked his head out. He had a coat thrown loosely over his shoulders, messy hair, a pale complexion, and dark circles under his eyes, looking the very picture of someone who had indulged in excessive debauchery.
It was none other than Yu Xian, exhausted from his diligent cultivation.
Upon seeing his appearance, Lord Chief Steward Li was startled.
"Consort Yu, what has happened to you?"
Yu Xian pressed a hand against his lower back and put on a brave front. "My recent cultivation has been rather arduous and took a toll on my mind. I'll have Doctor Huang from the estate prescribe me some medicine later; a bit of nourishment and I should be fine."
"What brings Grandpa Li to see me?"
In half a month, he had gained an average of five cultivation points per day. Not only had he successfully broken through to Qi Condensation Layer 5, but he had also taken a firm little step further within the realm.
Yet the hardship of it all was something he dared not speak aloud.
He had originally thought Yulan would be the first to break down from exhaustion, but instead, while he grew increasingly emaciated, Yulan glowed with health and grew more spirited by the day.
Yu Xian felt that if he kept cultivating like this, he would develop psychological trauma sooner or later.
Therefore, even if Grandpa Li hadn't come, he had already planned to interrupt his cultivation.
Watching his cultivation progress was certainly gratifying, but one's lower back was the foundation of the Great Dao and could not be excessively battered.
In the matter of cultivation, one must not be overly hasty.
Lord Chief Steward Li snapped back to his senses, remembering his errand.
"The Prince heard that a Heaven-rank Consort has joined the estate and is overjoyed. He wishes to invite Consort Yu for an audience. Does Consort Yu have the time?"
"Since the Prince has summoned me, how could Yu dare refuse? Please wait a moment, Grandpa Li. Yulan, help me change."
Yu Xian closed the window and instructed the person behind him.
...
About half an hour later.
The inner chambers of the Prince's Estate.
Prince Fu lay on a grand master's chair, covered with a fine wool blanket. His face was ashen and bloodless, his eyes filled with exhaustion, but he forced himself to summon some energy and smiled at Yu Xian: "Since my injury, I often fall asleep. Today, my spirits are finally a bit better, so I thought of inviting Consort Yu here to meet and have a chat."
Yu Xian cupped his fists in a polite bow: "With the Prince showing such favor, Yu is terrified."
Prince Fu asked, "Does Consort Yu know how I sustained my injury?"
Yu Xian knew the real business was coming: "I have heard a little about it."
Sure enough, Prince Fu said with an earnest tone: "The assassin who wounded me has been found. The authorities have already deployed men to surround and capture him, but they still lack a Martial Grandmaster to hold the line and prevent him from growing desperate and doing something reckless. I hope Consort Yu can lend a hand."
Yu Xian, however, wore a troubled look: "Your Highness, Yu has heard that the criminal possesses formidable strength, and the three great consorts of the Prince's Estate were unable to block him, resulting in the death of two. Relying on myself alone, would I not be a bit too weak?"
He had only lived in the Prince's Estate for half a month and slept with one woman—why should he risk his life?
Prince Fu explained: "Consort Yu, you may rest assured. On that day, the assassin Chen Xiao relied on his fierce Five Poisons Palm to forcibly break into the Prince's Estate. Facing the three Grandmasters and numerous guards of the estate, he already sustained heavy injuries. If not for that, he would have come looking for trouble with me again long ago. When Consort Yu goes, you will merely be standing in for the estate to hold the line; it is quite possible the authorities will resolve the matter without you even needing to strike."
So it was just going to reap a bleeding-heart boss at low health.
Yu Xian instantly relaxed, but after pondering for a moment, he nodded and said:
"Since I am a consort of the Prince's Estate, it is only right that I contribute to the estate. I accept this task."
Prince Fu clapped his hands and laughed: "Consort Yu is a straightforward man. Naturally, I will not treat a consort poorly."
"Someone come."
As his voice fell, a maid of exceptional appearance walked in from outside, holding a tray laden with a stack of silver banknotes and some jewelry.
"Here are one thousand taels of silver, along with some jewelry and adornments for Consort Yu to play with."
"Of course, if the consort takes a fancy to Baihe, you may take her with you as well."
Only then did Yu Xian examine the maid before him. Her appearance was not a whit inferior to Yulan's, but her demeanor had more of a mature, commanding aura, complete with a pair of long legs.
Pity that he was currently in the state of a sage; regardless of whether you were a fairy or a demoness, you could not stir up the slightest bit of interest in him.
"Thank Your Highness for the favor; I will accept the silver and jewelry. As for Lady Baihe... Yu recently realized a truth: while beauties are fine, one must not be greedy. I can only thank the Prince for his kind intentions."
Sleeping with her didn't add to his cultivation, and besides, he was currently strapped for cash—how could he afford any extra distractions?
With his gaze fixed straight ahead, Yu Xian accepted the tray from the suddenly pale-faced Baihe and took his leave: "Your Highness need only send someone to notify me when it is time to depart. I shall take my leave now."
Prince Fu chuckled. "I shall await the consort's good news here."
Before long.
The Princess Consort walked in from outside and looked greatly surprised upon seeing Baihe retreating from her side.
"He actually didn't take her?"
Prince Fu shook his head. "He said that while beauties are fine, one must not be greedy, and refused her. He did, however, accept the silver banknotes and jewelry."
The Princess Consort suddenly thought of something, lowered her head, and let out a scoff.
"This concubine probably knows the reason."
"Oh?" Prince Fu asked in surprise, "Is Xin'er so quick-witted today?"
"Am I usually a fool, then?"
The Princess Consort gave Prince Fu a sidelong glance. "I just saw Yulan a moment ago, and she said Consort Yu is utterly obsessed with her body, whipping her day after day. In half a month, he demanded her... eighty or ninety times. At this rate, even the Buddhas in the temples probably couldn't compare to him."
As she spoke, a trace of envy suddenly welled up within her.
Ever since she gave birth to the Heir Apparent for Prince Fu when she was eighteen, eight full years had passed. Prince Fu had shared a bed with her fewer times than that man had in half a month, whereas he frequently favored various mistresses kept outside the estate.
Prince Fu seemed to read the look in the Princess Consort's eyes and felt rather awkward, forced to clumsily change the subject.
"Has the imperial court still not sent anyone?"
Speaking of serious matters, the Princess Consort put aside her petty emotions and shook her head. "Logically speaking, so much time has passed—even if they weren't going to send anyone, they should have given an answer by now. Something must have gone wrong midway."
Prince Fu wore a bitter smile. "Ever since His Imperial Majesty became obsessed with the immortal path of cultivation, state affairs have fallen into daily neglect, and the common people down below have grown chaotic as well. Those so-called martial arts heroes are becoming increasingly unruly and disobedient. Ten years ago, who would have dared to attack the Prince's Estate and commit murder? That Chen Xiao turns out to be a descendant of the old Chen family, and heaven knows where he learned such a vicious Five Poisons Palm. I only regret not rooting them out completely back then... Cough, cough... Medicine..."
Prince Fu began to cough violently, reaching out to grab the medicine box beside him.
The Princess Consort hurried forward to help him get the medicine, only to watch the Prince spit out a mouthful of dark blood.
"Your Highness, what is wrong?!"
Prince Fu took the pill and swallowed it. The coughing subsided, but his complexion visibly worsened.
"I do not practice martial arts, and I have indulged heavily in wine, women, wealth, and anger for years; my body was hollowed out long ago. This time, being struck from a distance by the Five Poisons Palm has allowed the poison to enter my core. If not for the detoxifying pills concocted by Doctor Huang, I would have perished long ago."
"Your Highness, you will be fine."
After all, the Princess Consort and Prince Fu had been husband and wife for many years; unable to help herself, she shed tears.
"Do not weep."
Prince Fu wiped the tears from the corner of the Princess Consort's eyes, though his tone inevitably carried a hint of sorrow.
"Doctor Huang says that as long as I persist in taking the detoxifying pills, although my body will be weaker from now on, it will form a balance with the poison in my system. For three to five years, there will be no trouble."
"It's just that Heng'er is still young. You will have to shoulder more of the burden for the estate in the future."
Hearing this, the Princess Consort tightly grasped Prince Fu's hand. Remembering the person who had broken into the Prince's Estate that night, a layer of sorrow inevitably veiled her eyes.
When would the cycle of karmic retribution ever end?