A look of confusion flashed between Madam Luo's eyebrows:
"Xiao Xuanzi, if you want to be in Queen Xia's favour, shouldn't you ask her what she likes and what she doesn't like? Why do you suddenly ask her this?"
Li Xuan knew that his question might be a bit direct, so he couldn't help but said:
"The main thing is that the Queen asked me to do something, which may be related to the Emperor's Taoism, so I want to ask about the situation, so that I can better complete this matter for the Queen. "
Empress Luo suddenly said: "I know that there is no free lunch in the world. Queen Xia promoted you for no reason, so she must be asking for something."
There was a pause.
She continued: "You want to ask Queen Xia if there is anything unusual after the emperor started practicing Taoism. I really didn't pay attention to it. After all, I hadn't entered the palace at that time. However, I did hear my father mention something. .”
"It seems that since the emperor began to practice Taoism, Queen Xia took the prince from the East Palace to Kunning Palace and raised him until he was thirteen years old. When he reached the age when he opened a palace outside, he let the prince leave the palace."
Li Xuan's eyes flashed slightly when he heard this.
Generally speaking, before the age of thirteen, the prince lived in the East Palace of the Imperial Palace, which is located on the east side of the Imperial Garden.
The prince's biological mother can, at most, take the prince to her side and take care of him before he goes to school.
If you are over five years old, you cannot let the prince live with you.
What Queen Xia did was obviously not in line with etiquette.
'As the head of nine aristocratic families and the eldest daughter of the previous head of the Xia family, Queen Xia naturally understands these rules, but she still risks being impeached by the ministers and insists on doing so. There must be something hidden in it. ' Li Xuan thought in his heart.
He looked at Luo Niangniang and said, "Where is the Emperor? Don't you care about this matter?"
Luo Niangniang shook her head: "My father was still the chief minister of the cabinet at the time, and reported this matter to the emperor. The emperor only said that Queen Xia loved her son very much, and did not blame too much, and suppressed the matter."
There was a pause.
She continued: "Actually, there is another news. I don't know if it has anything to do with the emperor's Taoism. It is that since the emperor started practicing Taoism, Queen Xia has never gone home to visit her."
"Really?" Li Xuan frowned.
Generally speaking.
Unless they are concubines who are far away, such as Empress Duanmu, after marrying into the palace, they will basically not go back to visit relatives.
It is normal for people like Queen Xia, whose natal family is in Daqian, to go home once a year to visit relatives.
However, Queen Xia has not been back for twenty years, which is obviously not normal.
"Is there any conflict between the Queen and the family?" Li Xuan couldn't help but ask.
Madam Luo shook her head: "I don't know about this. Maybe Queen Xia was forced by her family to marry the emperor, and she felt resentful, so she never went back."
"It's possible." Li Xuan nodded.
If Queen Xia was really forced to marry the emperor, it would make sense that she would not have a good impression of the family and would not go back.
Li Xuan thought for a moment and then asked: "What is the relationship between the Queen and the Emperor?"
"I think it's not bad. After the emperor started practicing Taoism, the palaces in the harem basically only went to Kunning Palace. I didn't even meet the emperor a few times." Empress Luo said.
So, Luo Niangniang's Yuan Yin is still there... Li Xuan looked at Luo Niangniang.
Compared with Empress Duanmu and Empress Zhao, Empress Luo is obviously not young anymore and should be in her thirties.
However, her charm is still there, and coupled with her natural domineering demeanor, it makes it difficult for people to tell her true age.
Next.
Li Xuan asked again about the Queen's preferences and taboos, as well as her relationship with the ladies in the harem, and then asked no more questions.
"Queen Xia is a bit moody. When you help her, you have to be slow and think twice before doing anything. If it is too dangerous, I would rather not be the steward than do it." Empress Luo reminded her.
Hey, many things are beyond my control... Li Xuan sighed in his heart and said, "Thank you for reminding me, Madam."
He was definitely going to help the Empress go to Dongchang to get the action documents.
Otherwise, his position as general manager may be over.
Fortunately, his current strength is not what it used to be. Even Shangguan Rou, the deputy director of the East Factory, may not be his opponent.
As long as you're careful, you shouldn't have any problems.
After bidding farewell to Lady Luo.
Li Xuan went to the White Lady's palace again.
The gossip-loving queen was very excited to see Li Xuan come back, and immediately pulled Li Xuan to chat about her outing experience.
I want to find out some interesting stories and use them as conversation materials in the future.
Li Xuan originally wanted to get some more information about Queen Xia from the White Lady.
after all.
The White Lady's gossip ability ranks first among the many concubines.
but.
Speaking of the Queen, the White Queen became more and more outrageous.
First, they talked about what colors of obscene clothes the Empress liked to wear, and then talked about which palace maid the Empress liked... and later even said that the Empress and Wei Jingzhong were having an affair.
Li Xuan broke into cold sweat after hearing this and quickly stopped!
If someone listens to this, he won't be able to lose it even if he has ten heads.
"Empress, I came here this time to ask you for some knowledge about talismans." After Li Xuan and Empress Bai finished sharing the gossip, they talked about the serious business this time.
Next, he needs to try to refine some third-grade or even second-grade elixirs. There may be strange phenomena and the fragrance of elixirs that spreads for miles.
Naturally, you need to set up a formation and make some more preparations.
This talisman can be used as a material for formation.
It also blocks out sounds, smells, and more.
"Have you studied drawing symbols yet? What do you want to ask?"
Although Bai Niangniang is a talisman master, her interest in drawing talismans is far less than Bagua.
Hearing that Li Xuan stopped discussing gossip, his interest immediately dropped.
Li Xuan quickly asked for several kinds of talismans that he wanted to draw.
Although Bai Niangniang was not very interested, she taught very seriously.
Within an hour, Li Xuan was taught several ways to draw fourth-grade and fifth-grade talismans.
Next.
Just by controlling his own mana and inner energy, he could draw the talisman in one stroke.
Li Xuan understood how to draw these talismans, so he didn't bother him anymore and slowly left the White Lady's palace.
Next.
He went around to the ladies of other palaces and brought all the gifts he bought to them.
On the contrary, the experience points of the empresses in each palace increased again.
Li Xuan glanced at the experience value bonus on his panel.
The martial arts experience value reached 194 points/hour.
Taoist experience points reached 66 points/hour.
The alchemy experience value reached 17 points/hour.
The weapon refining experience value reached 5 points/hour.
The experience value of the magic circle reached 6 points/hour.
The experience value of the talisman reached 10 points/hour.
It's a pity that the empress in the cold palace provides too little experience in miscellaneous arts.
They can only barely let themselves in.
It is basically impossible to reach perfection quickly like martial arts.
'I wonder if I can find a job in the harem after helping the empress do this. There are three thousand beauties in the harem, and they are all my experience bank. Li Xuan thought to himself.
He had verified it before when he participated in the Mid-Autumn Festival Lantern Festival.
In addition to the ladies in the cold palace, the ladies in the harem can also give him an experience bonus.
but.
The water in the harem is much deeper than that in the cold palace, and it may cause unnecessary trouble, so you have to think carefully.
Farewell to all the empresses in the cold palace.
Li Xuan returned to his yard and then sat up cross-legged to meditate.
His inner energy was circulating, and he soon sensed the strange meridians surrounding his Dantian.
These strange meridians are crisscrossed and gathered together, as if they have turned into a looming door.
This portal, connected with Dantian, is called the Qimen.
In the late stage of the Xiantian realm, one must leave singular points on this strange gate.
Generally speaking, after opening 46 extra-meridian odd points, seven odd points can be left on the odd door.
This also corresponds to the seven blood exchanges at the Grandmaster level!
If there are fewer singular points, the number of blood exchanges at the Grand Master level will also be reduced accordingly.
According to the description in "Huangting Thunder Hell Sutra", the method of opening 306 additional bone orifices can add three additional singularities.
That is to say.
Once Li Xuan breaks through to the late stage of the Xiantian realm, he can exchange blood ten times while in the Grandmaster realm!
He is naturally stronger than the average Grandmaster realm warrior.
This is also one of the reasons why Wei Jingzhong could almost crush other great masters when he was in the Grand Master realm.
It is because he also practiced the "Huangting Thunder Prison Sutra" and laid an excellent foundation in the master realm.
'The next step is to continue collecting demon elixirs from monsters such as Thunder Strike Wood, Kui Niu or Thunder Snake. By then, I will be able to cross the late stage of the Xiantian Realm in one fell swoop, wait for the Heavenly Thunder to temper my body, and use the power of thunder in the acupoints. After it is fully activated, you can be promoted to the Grandmaster realm! 'Li Xuan was planning silently in his heart.
After sensing the strange meridians, he entered the room, took out the pieces of talisman paper made of thousand-year-old peach wood, and then began to draw the talismans.
Until six o'clock in the evening.
Only then did Li Xuan stop writing the talisman and put the drawn talisman into the cave space.
Immediately.
He came to the courtyard of General Manager Zhang, invited General Zhang to come out, and went out of the palace together.
Such a position as General Manager Zhang.
Although he cannot be like Li Xuan, he can frequently leave the palace with the help of Dongchang's token.
You can leave the palace five or six times a year.
The two rented two fast horses and went straight to Cuiyun Tower, the largest restaurant in the capital.
After a stick of incense.
Li Xuan and Manager Zhang stopped their horses in front of a restaurant that was more than ten stories high.
This restaurant is quite grandly built, with lanterns and colorful lights outside, and all the guests are coming in and out.
Since the scientific examination is about to take place recently, there are quite a few students wearing Confucian shirts.
"Tsk, tsk, the last time our family came to this Cuiyun Building was three years ago. This time has passed by in a blink of an eye." Manager Zhang sighed with emotion.
Li Xuan said: "This is my first time coming to Cuiyun Tower. I will help you order food later. You can order whatever you want."
"Xiao Xuanzi, your alchemy skills have improved so much now, and our family will not be polite to you." Manager Zhang Da said with a smile.
The two handed their horses to the boy waiting outside, and then walked into Cuiyun Tower.
It was extremely spacious inside, with at least forty or fifty dining tables set up in one hall, and each one was full of people.
Li Xuan asked for a private room on the third floor. The private room alone was worth a hundred taels.
Ordinary people may not be able to afford it for the rest of their lives.
Li Xuan is now a wealthy man, so he doesn't care about this little money.
The key is that Zhao Hao must be fed today before he can get out some of the information he wants.
"It's really lively. The scientific examination will be held in a month. People from all over the country are pouring into the capital. There are probably six to seven thousand people taking part in the scientific examination this time."
Manager Zhang sighed after ordering several of Cuiyunlou's signature dishes and a few bottles of good wine.
Li Xuan said: "I wonder who can be named on the gold list this year. The top pick in high school. Once in high school, it will really skyrocket!"
The scientific examinations in this world are even more difficult than the college entrance examinations in previous lives.
It is divided into county examination, prefecture examination, hospital examination, township examination, general examination and palace examination.
The provincial examination is held every three years. If you are admitted, you can become a candidate.
Only then will you be eligible to participate in the next examination and palace examination!
The current scientific examination is the general examination.
After passing the examination, you can enter the palace within half a month and take the imperial examination in the imperial hall.
The top three are No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 overall.
Once you win the first prize, you can enter the Hanlin Academy and serve as an official, at least the sixth rank.
If you use some more connections, it is not impossible to enter the cabinet.
Manager Zhang Da said: "The number one scholar will cross the single-plank bridge with thousands of troops. Each family will send its elite disciples, and some great scholars may also participate in this scientific examination. However, our family believes that the one who has the best chance of winning the exam will The one who won the top prize was Ye Qingzhou, a close disciple of Master Tianxia Academy."
"This man was able to compose poetry at the age of three. He was elected to the imperial examination at the age of seven. He had all the classics and history at his fingertips. At the age of nine, he was valued by the world academy and was selected into the inner courtyard to become the true biography."
"Now that he is thirteen years old, his knowledge may be even more advanced. Not only that, he is also a martial arts wizard, ranking third on the innate list."
"Hey, this kind of peerless genius, even if our family started practicing in the womb, they can't compare to it."
Li Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly as he listened to Manager Zhang's narration, showing a hint of surprise.
At less than fifteen years old, he is already ranked third on the innate list? !
Moreover, with such a high level of knowledge, his soul must not be weak.
This Ye Qingzhou is most likely a practitioner of both magic and martial arts.
Such a talent is probably even better than that of Empress Xiao.
'As expected of someone who came from the Three Holy Lands, he is really awesome, much better than the life-killing monk I met before. Li Xuan thought to himself.
Tianxia Academy is one of the three holy places as famous as Baidi Tower and Daluo Temple.
It has academies in various countries, but they are only outer academies.
The real inner courtyard is built in a place outside the world, and no one can enter it.
Ye Qingzhou was able to enter the inner courtyard to practice and became a close disciple of the old master, the dean of the Tianxia Academy. Needless to say, there is no need to say more about his natural beauty.
There really is no shortage of geniuses in this world!
"What peerless genius, Lao Zhang and Eunuch Li, what are you talking about?"
at this time.
Zhao Hao, guided by a boy, pushed the door open and entered the box.
"Eunuch Zhao, I'm waiting for you." Li Xuan smiled, "General Manager Zhang and I were talking about this scientific examination, and we talked about Ye Qingzhou from Tianxia Academy."
Zhao Hao sat down carelessly and said, "Oh, I have heard of this name before. He is ranked third on the innate list. He is a young prodigy. This person is the most popular candidate for the number one pick this time!"
There was a pause.
He continued: "Speaking of the Xiantian Ranking, the Xiantian Ranking was updated yesterday. Did you read it?"
Manager Zhang Da said lightly: "What's there to see? These are the top ten people coming and going. The first is Monk Mingxin from Daluo Temple, the second is Bai Fengxian from Baidi Pavilion, and the third is Ye Qingzhou." ”
Zhao Hao shook his head: "It's different this time. The fifth person on the Xiantian Ranking has been replaced. It seems to be replaced by a person named Li Feiyu. It is said that this person killed the abandoned disciple of Daluo Temple, the monk Shashou, and also killed the monk Gu of the Tianlong Sect. Changfeng was killed, it was extremely terrifying, I don’t know who he is.”
"So powerful? Still can't find out the details? He can't be the disciple of some hidden old monster, right?" Manager Zhang looked surprised.
Zhao Hao said: "I don't know. The world has been really turbulent recently. Geniuses are like bamboo shoots after the rain, popping up one after another."
Li Xuan's heart moved when he heard Zhao Hao's words.
Damn it? !
My vest is actually on the Xiantian Ranking. Is it still ranked so high?
It seems that someone deliberately leaked this news? !
Could it be that the ghostly Immortal Long Yang from the Tianlong Sect did it?
Deliberately promoting yourself so that more people can pay attention and find yourself? !
Li Xuan thought in his mind and felt that it was necessary to be more low-key in the future.
With his current strength, he cannot withstand the anger of a ghost fairy.
Mr. Zhang Da said: "Let's not talk about the Xiantian Ranking for now. Old Zhao, was Wei Gong promoted to Martial Saint yesterday?"
Zhao Hao shrugged: "Other than Mr. Wei, who can cause such anomalies?"
Li Xuan's eyes flickered slightly and he couldn't help but ask: "It seems that Dongchang has been very busy recently. Duke Wei's promotion to Martial Saint may cause quite a shock."
"That's right." Zhao Hao sighed, "That means I can have time to have your drink tonight. After that, we stall owners from the East Factory will be sent out to inspect various places in the capital, and we will also have to supervise some areas. Mansion.”
Manager Zhang smiled: "That's not a good thing. The more things you do, the more you make."
"With all your hard work, how can you be as comfortable as you are?" Zhao Hao sighed.
Mr. Zhang Da said: "Among the three of us, Mr. Li is estimated to have the highest ability to make money. Refining a fourth-grade elixir would cost one hundred taels. I'm afraid Mr. Li won't be able to make money at this speed. , you can break through the innate."
"Oh?" Zhao Hao's eyes lit up, "Can Eunuch Li refine the fourth-grade elixir?"
"Recently, my alchemy skills have improved, and I'm lucky enough to be able to refine the Feiling Pill that increases the speed of opening acupoints." Li Xuan said.
Zhao Hao smiled: "Then I will come to Eunuch Li to buy elixirs, but you have to give me a cheaper price."
"That's natural." Li Xuan agreed.
While the three of them chatted, the food and drinks were served one after another.
The dishes and meat here are basically monster meat, and one plate is worth forty or fifty taels.
Wine is also a spiritual wine, and drinking it has the effect of increasing internal energy.
Li Xuan picked up the wine glass and said, "Here, I'd like to toast Mr. Zhang and Eunuch Zhao."
"Haha, Manager Li spent a lot of money today." Manager Zhang said with a smile.
Zhao Hao said: "Manager Li is now considered a master of alchemy. Do you still care about this little money?"
Li Xuan smiled: "You two just have fun eating."
There was a pause.
He continued: "Speaking of which, after Wei Gong refined the life map, he should have been in seclusion for a while. I don't know if he has arranged any tasks. Although I work in the cold palace, I am also a member of the East Factory. I can see if there are any Anything that can help.”
Zhao Hao drank a glass of wine and said, "It's just to supervise scientific research and investigate some external forces. Oh, by the way, there is one more thing."
"Before going into seclusion, Mr. Wei told us to investigate the movements of the witchcraft sect. It seems that he wants to re-investigate the case of Luo Wenzhong, the chief minister of the cabinet, five years ago."
When Li Xuan heard this, his eyes moved slightly.
Cabinet chief minister Luo Wenzhong? !
Isn't this Luo Niangniang's father?
Li Xuan remembered that Luo Niangniang's father was involved in the witchcraft disaster and was executed by the whole family.
Could it be that Luo Niangniang’s father was also wronged? !
(End of chapter)
