"Auntie, the hour is getting late, and I should be leaving. Farewell!"
Yang Hong channeled his true energy, using a subtle force to effortlessly extract his right hand from Zhou Rongfei's grasp, which had been caressing his chest.
He bowed slightly and turned to leave.
This Zhou Rongfei was far too audacious.
Even Yang Hong, a Grandmaster, wasn't as daring as she was.
"Little Sixth, if you don't agree, I'll cooperate with Second Prince Yang Guang."
Seeing Yang Hong rise to leave, Zhou Rongfei's voice turned cold.
"Then I wish Auntie and Second Brother success in your uprising."
Yang Hong bowed again and left directly, leaving a furious Zhou Rongfei cursing behind him.
He wasn't an idiot. Rebel in the Cold Palace?
Was she still dreaming?
Even though he had heard Zhou Rongfei boast in her younger days that the Zhou family had at least three Grandmasters and considerable influence in the military and court, Yang Hong had his own judgment.
If the Zhou family were truly that powerful, wouldn't Zhou Rongfei have left the Cold Palace long ago?
"However, today still yielded quite a bit."
Yang Hong smiled faintly but didn't return.
His mission wasn't over yet.
He still had to visit all 108 cold palaces, at least entering their gates to offer New Year's greetings.
This was a task assigned by Yang Jian, and also a gesture of his goodwill and a form of tempering.
From the 289 cold palaces that had occupants when he first entered, to the current 109, one could see the mortality rate of the Cold Palace.
...
"Ding~ You infused 30 days of true energy into the Jade Grape, receiving a 500-fold return, yielding 15,000 days of true energy cultivation."
"Ding~ Cultivated 'Golden Bell Shield' for 15,000 days, Golden Bell Shield advanced to Level 100."
"Ding~ 'Golden Bell Shield' has reached its highest level and cannot be further improved. Please raise your cultivation level before continuing."
While others might find their Lunar New Year lively, Yang Hong's remained as solitary as ever, but he was used to it.
Today, as usual, he was channeling cultivation to the Jade Grape when he received an unusual notification.
First, it was the highest critical hit return he had ever received since becoming a Grandmaster – 500-fold!
Secondly, the 100-level 'Golden Bell Shield' did not evolve directly like his previous breathing and body-tempering techniques; instead, it was stuck at level 100.
"Raise my cultivation level? My cultivation isn't enough?"
Filled with doubt, Yang Hong opened his personal status panel.
[Yang Hong: Sixth Prince of the Great Sui Dynasty.
Daily Infusion Count: 0/3
Lifespan: 20/150
Cultivation: 86 years of True Energy (Martial Grandmaster, strength of forty thousand jin)
Techniques: Basic Breathing Technique Level 12, Basic Body Tempering Technique Level 12
Golden Bell Shield Level 100, Pure Yang Skill Level 1, Iron Body Skill Level 1.
Martial Skills: Reckless Ox Fist Level 3
Special Abilities: Eidetic Memory, Agricultural Mastery.]
Upon looking, Yang Hong found something different. The Basic Breathing Technique and Basic Body Tempering Technique were rather unique; they didn't require dedicated practice. As long as his cultivation level increased, their levels would also rise.
This was unlike the four martial arts he learned later, which required him to designate them for cultivation during cultivation returns to improve.
Perhaps these two evolved techniques had something special about them.
However, he couldn't experiment today; he would have to wait until tomorrow.
"Right, today is the fifteenth of the first month, the day the nine concubines pay their respects..."
"Forget it, what does it have to do with me? As long as no one disturbs my peace."
Entering the newly tilled vegetable patch, Yang Hong checked the germination status of his crops.
Compared to the so-called Dream of the Red Chamber and the Jia family, he was more interested in tasting the spiritual vegetables.
"Your Highness, this old servant has something to report."
However, he wouldn't be undisturbed today.
Zhou Neng had arrived again, and this time he was hidden, not appearing before Yang Hong, but reporting intelligence using a secret technique of voice transmission.
"This old servant has discovered that His Majesty is very short of funds lately. With endless natural disasters last year, the inner treasury and the imperial coffers have almost entirely been used to fill the court's finances.
Therefore, His Majesty plans to reform the fiscal and tax systems but lacks an excuse.
This time, His Majesty intends to kill a few close 'chickens' to warn the 'monkeys.' The concubines and noble ladies who are to pay their respects tonight are the 'chickens,' and their families are the 'chickens.'"
Yang Hong nodded calmly, thinking inwardly, "As expected. Yang Jian has done it again."
"Your Highness, it's possible that the Cold Palace will become lively in about a month. You should keep a low profile then."
This sentence was Zhou Neng's true purpose for coming today.
He didn't care about the lives of others.
He only cared about Yang Hong.
Yang Hong felt a touch of emotion. This Zhou Neng was truly loyal. He should be rewarded.
"Uncle Neng, tell Yang Jian that the Jia family has a hidden Grandmaster foundation, stronger than yours."
The hidden Zhou Neng's expression tensed.
At the same time, Yang Hong saw a bamboo in the corner of the courtyard tremble.
Without a moment's hesitation, Yang Hong stomped on the ground, his body leaping up, covering a distance of six zhang, and he unleashed a palm strike.
"Splat!"
A sound like a watermelon bursting echoed, crimson and white splashing outwards, staining the white wall.
Immediately after, Zhou Neng's familiar figure appeared beside Yang Hong.
"Your Highness, is this the eunuch who was sent earlier? He was eavesdropping?"
"Heh heh~ As expected. However, he overheard things he shouldn't have. Uncle Neng, later, drag him around in front of the other six."
Yang Hong actually found the 'killing chickens to warn monkeys' method quite effective.
"Yes, Your Highness. Rest assured, this old servant knows how to handle it."
"Mm. Let's talk about the Jia family again.
Tell Yang Jian that the expert in the Jia family was discovered by you unintentionally, and you suspect the Jia family has other experts."
Yang Hong took out a white handkerchief and wiped his spotless hands before casually discarding it.
Although he didn't fear death and could disregard it, he had a slight洁癖 (cleanliness compulsion) and disliked bloodshed.
"Your Highness, I am currently in charge of organizing the Imperial Eunuch Office. I have also investigated the Jia family.
The Jia family in the last two generations has had no capable individuals, only useless gluttons. There are no experts.
Is it possible Your Highness is mistaken?"
"I am not mistaken, and even if I were, it wouldn't matter.
However, the Jia family is not simple. They won't fall easily, and they shouldn't fall for now, as it would be detrimental to our Great Sui."
"Yes, this servant understands.
Whether the Jia family has experts or not is irrelevant, as long as they remain for now."
Zhou Neng quickly understood Yang Hong's intentions, although his understanding was slightly off.
"You could say that.
And please advise Yang Jian that although the Grand Canal is a benevolent and good policy, if it is rushed, it will become a wicked and tyrannical policy."
Thinking of the Grand Canal from his previous life, and then considering the infamy left by Yang Jian and Yang Guang, Yang Hong decided to advise Yang Jian.
Even though he was sure Yang Jian wouldn't listen to his advice, he still wanted to try.
After all, a peaceful and stable Great Sui was very important to Yang Hong, who wished to farm in peace.
"Your Highness, this... this old servant fears he cannot advise on such matters."
Zhou Neng's face contorted. Eunuchs in the Great Sui Dynasty were not supposed to interfere in politics.
They could be the blade, but they couldn't have their own thoughts.
"It's fine. If you have a chance, remind Yang Jian. If not, then forget it.
Too much is as bad as too little.
It's like his Grand Canal."
"Yes, this servant has noted it."