"Tsk tsk tsk... Extermination of ten clans, this Tang Xiaozu is indeed very filial, enough to be remembered in the annals of history."
Inside the room, Zheng Yi clicked his tongue in wonder.
"Indeed."
Beside him, Wang Zhongyi also chuckled and said, "This Tang Xiaozu used to be an aide to Your Majesty, but due to some matters, he defected to King Tang."
"Unexpectedly, the one who laughed last was Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty deeply resents Tang Xiaozu, originally hoping Tang Xiaozu would change his mind, but unexpectedly this person continued to curse Your Majesty even in prison."
"In a fit of rage, Your Majesty had to..."
Saying this, Wang Zhongyi made a downward slashing motion with his hand.
"Extermination of ten clans!"
"The eunuch is wise."
Zheng Yi leaned in and whispered, "Eunuch, do you know the reason why Your Majesty fell out with Tang Xiaozu..."
Wang Zhongyi glanced at him and said, "Zheng Yi, I see you are smart and eager to learn, and given your status, I'm telling you some things."
"Tang Xiaozu is already dead; you'll never see him again, so why bother knowing so much?"
Zheng Yi's heart skipped a beat, quickly saying, "The eunuch's teaching is correct, I don't know today..."
"Today's task is to take you on a tour of the Imperial Palace, telling you some places Your Majesty often goes to, so you don't make a mistake later."
"Yes... Eunuch!"
Under Wang Zhongyi's guidance, Zheng Yi spent three days touring most of the Imperial Palace.
"That is Taihe Hall, the place where Your Majesty holds court meetings with his ministers."
"That is Yongshou Palace, where the Empress Dowager resides, and later I'll take you inside to familiarize yourself with the Empress Dowager and those around her."
"That is Qianxi Palace, don't go there for no reason, it's the Cold Palace and it's full of crazy women!"
"That is Kunning Palace, the Empress's residence. The Empress is the niece of the Empress Dowager and has known Your Majesty since childhood, be careful not to be recognized by her!"
"That is Jiaofang Hall, Noble Consort Cui's residence. Noble Consort Cui was born into the Qinghe Cui Family and is Your Majesty's most cherished consort."
During the tour, Zheng Yi discovered something peculiar.
This Emperor Zhengyong is indeed very diligent; in a day of twelve hours, he spends almost eight or nine hours handling state affairs, and rarely visits the harem.
The number of consorts in the harem is also very few, apart from the Empress and Noble Consort Cui, there are only three other consorts.
As for the positions below that such as concubine, noble lady, and talent, he did not know.
As if seeing Zheng Yi's confusion, Wang Zhongyi said, "Your Majesty has recently ascended, is committed to state affairs, and is not very concerned about the harem's matters, hence the scarcity of harem women..."
Touching upon royal secrets, Zheng Yi dared not ask more.
Over these few days of interaction, Zheng Yi gradually learned some of Wang Zhongyi's temperament.
By chatting with other little eunuchs and little palace maids, he also roughly understood the relationship between Wang Zhongyi and Emperor Zhengyong.
When Emperor Zhengyong was still King Jinn, Wang Zhongyi was already his personal eunuch.
Upon ascension, Wang Zhongyi too rose to prominence, becoming the head eunuch of the Great Yu Imperial Palace, overseeing the entire palace.
Though not claiming unparalleled power, he was still beneath two or three others, yet above thousands.
He was very loyal to Emperor Zhengyong.
Weighing various factors, after contemplating for several days, Zheng Yi decided to tell Wang Zhongyi about his desire to learn martial arts.
After all, in the Imperial Palace, he is perpetually watched by eunuchs, and his actions cannot escape Wang Zhongyi's surveillance.
Given the circumstances, why not be straightforward.
"Learn martial arts?"
Wang Zhongyi looked up and down at Zheng Yi, his gaze uncertain, with a faint smile on his lips.
"You want to learn martial arts?"
Zheng Yi responded with anxiety, "Yes... yes, Eunuch Wang, I thought should an assassination occur, I could defend myself, and continue to serve Your Majesty in the future."
"I'm not concerned about your motives for learning martial arts, remember your identity!"
Wang Zhongyi said coldly, then suddenly grabbed Zheng Yi's shoulder, quickly probing his body.
Zheng Yi's expression changed dramatically, realizing that this seemingly frail Wang Zhongyi is also a martial arts expert!
"Heh..."
After a few breaths, Wang Zhongyi coldly laughed and said, "Your bone age is old, meridians closed, root bone below average. Even given the world's most sophisticated Inner Power Heart Method, you won't achieve much!"
"At most... just practice some inferior Horizontal Refining Methods."
People are divided into levels, so are Martial Arts Cultivation Techniques...
The highest are naturally sophisticated Inner Power Heart Methods.
For example, Taiyii Dao's 'Eternal Spring Skill', Golden Zen Temple's 'Sutra of the Turning Wheel', or Moon Worship Sect's 'Nine Revolutions Reincarnation Skill', all are renowned Inner Power Heart Methods in the martial world.
To practice these sophisticated techniques, root bone, perception, and opportunity are indispensable.
Currently, over ninety-nine percent of those famous Grandmasters and Innate Experts are those who cultivate Inner Power Heart Methods.
While physical body horizontal refining methods, like Golden Bell Shield, Iron Cloth, Iron Sand Palm, Five Tigers Breaking Gate Saber, etc., are ordinary and common.
After a few moments of silence, Wang Zhongyi said, "Your Majesty also practiced martial arts in his youth, after I report this to Your Majesty, let him decide."
Zheng Yi was overjoyed and said, "Thank you, Eunuch Wang."
Late at night, in Taihe Hall.
Emperor Zhengyong was surprised and said, "What did you say? The shadow wants to practice martial arts?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Wang Zhongyi hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, this servant sees that the boy has other intentions, how about..."
"No rush."
After contemplating for a few moments, Emperor Zhengyong said, "Let him train, but he can only practice horizontal refining methods, don't teach him any sophisticated Inner Power Heart Method."
"The 'Eternal Spring Skill' then, it's just Taiyii Dao's Health Cultivation Technique, it can nourish the qi and blood, extend lifespan; I've also practiced it."
"Finding a suitable shadow isn't easy, can't waste it casually."
"This... is."
"Your Majesty..."
Suddenly, a voice came from outside the door.
"Who is it?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, this is Zhao Dahai, Chief of the Imperial Household Department, here under the orders of the Empress Dowager to present tonight's concubine cards for Your Majesty to choose from."
Soon, a slightly plump eunuch came in, holding a tray with several cards representing the concubines.
Emperor Zhengyong's originally calm face quickly turned irritable, even a bit disgusted.
He waved his hand and said, "I have to discuss border matters with the ministers tonight, you may leave."
"But... Your Majesty, what about the Empress Dowager..."
"Leave!"
"Yes, yes, yes..."
After the eunuch from the Imperial Household Department left, Emperor Zhengyong asked, "Grand companion, how is your preparation going?"
Wang Zhongyi hurriedly replied, "Rest assured, Your Majesty, the selection has been made. It is a newly entered girl in the palace, from Qingzhou, offered by the County Magistrate of Taishan County, Li Ruyan."
"Now Qingzhou is suffering a severe drought, many civilians are selling their sons and daughters, this girl is..."
"Qingzhou, huh..."
Emperor Zhengyong shook his head and said, "First resolve the matters at court, the situation in Qingzhou can wait."
"Yes."
"Take him then, if it can indeed be done..."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
...
"Eunuch Wang, where are you taking me?"
In the dark of the night, Zheng Yi asked curiously.
He was just about to sleep, but unexpectedly, Wang Zhongyi suddenly found him, and even made him put on the dragon robe, not knowing where he was going.
"Shh... Your Majesty, we're almost there."
Your Majesty?
Zheng Yi's heart skipped a beat, was he the Emperor now?
He glanced around secretly, already planning escape routes in his mind.
Very soon, he was taken to a large palace, brightly lit, where small eunuchs and little palace maids roamed in groups.
Upon seeing Zheng Yi, almost everyone knelt and said, "Long live Your Majesty."
"Arise~"
Wang Zhongyi swung the duster, speaking softly.
The two continued forward, entering an exquisite room.
After signaling the palace maids and eunuchs inside to leave, Wang Zhongyi quietly said, "Your Majesty, please rest here tonight."
"Huh? No task?"
Wang Zhongyi gave an odd look, whispering, "Young one, tonight you'll be enjoying blessings!"
With that, he waved his hand, and two attending maids immediately entered.
"Assist His Majesty in undressing."
"Understood."
Two little palace maids, only sixteen or seventeen years old and very charming, immediately began to undress Zheng Yi.
Soon he was left wearing only undergarments.
"What's going on?"
Zheng Yi felt utterly bewildered, softly asking, "Eunuch Wang, what's happening tonight?"
Wang Zhongyi replied, "Just sleep peacefully, if anything arises, I'll be guarding at the door."
With that, he left, leaving the utterly puzzled Zheng Yi alone.
"Strange... Never mind, sleep!"
He pulled the nearby quilt over himself, lying down, but instead of sleeping, he kept his eyes open, vigilantly observing his surroundings.
Before long, just as he was getting drowsy, the door was 'creaked' open, and several people came in.
Zheng Yi quickly sat up, seeing Wang Zhongyi leading four little eunuchs carrying a quilt inside.
Wang Zhongyi quickly gestured for him to lay down.
Soon, the four bowed eunuchs placed the quilt they were carrying onto the bed, bowed, and left.
Wang Zhongyi said, "Your Majesty, rest early."
After speaking, he also left, closing the door behind him.
"This..."
Seeing the strange yet familiar scene, how could he not know what was happening?
They were bringing a woman for him!
Damn!
Emperor Zhengyong and Wang Zhongyi were actually delivering a woman to him!
Wasn't this just like the entrances of those concubines and noble ladies in the palace dramas from his previous life!
Sure enough, the quilt suddenly started wriggling.
A woman with black hair cascading like a waterfall and tender white skin crawled from the foot of the bed, slowly inching forward.
Feeling the warmth and tremor of the delicate body, Zheng Yi couldn't help but take a deep breath.
"Your Majesty~"
The tender voice awakened Zheng Yi immediately.
"You, you are..."
At that moment, the young girl, still somewhat cute and innocent, looked at Zheng Yi with a rosy face, full of affection.
"Your Majesty, I am Bi He, please be kind~..."
...