CH49; Minister Hu
Lan's fingers glanced over the several dresses that hung tidy within the queen's closet while her thoughts drifted. Which one should I choose this time, even? She considered, a little irritated at work.
After some time…
She finally decided to pick a green robe, she sighed as she took it from the hook and walked back to Zhang Lian.
Zhang Lian, meanwhile, was lost in her own chat with the cat that hovered next to her.
The cat pointed with a little paw at the glowing system screen that was floating in midair. "Nya, look," Cat exclaimed in a mischievous voice.
Zhang Lian studied the options on the screen in front of her with her cold blue eyes. She said in English, her lips slightly curled into a grumble, "Damn, They are so expensive, but they only work on mortals."
With a lazy motion, the cat waves its tail idly in midair. "Well, host, the reason they're expensive is that making them takes time."
Without the recipe, no mortal could possibly develop a cure, even if they tried. Cat continued to explain, pointing to the first and second items mentioned on the screen. It is not something that is easily created.
After making up her mind, Lan approached the queen with care, holding the simple green robe in her hands.
She was getting closer to Zhang Lian, who seemed to be talking to herself once more. Lan noticed her grumbling to herself once more and became a little irritated.
She put her thoughts aside and got ready to cover the queen's shoulders with the robe.
Or, Cat added, "you can purchase the Gua Worm, which can assist you in having permanent control over him, nya."
Zhang Lian's eyebrow raised a little in curiosity. With a curious tone, she questioned, "What's this Gua Worm?"
The cat, eager to explain, hovered closer, its wings fluttered. The Gua Worm is a type of parasite. It guarantees that the host cannot speak or behave against your commands once it is inside the body.
The worm will instantly kill them if they attempt it since it will ruin their neurological system. Its orange eyes sparkled with mischief.
"You know how smart these worms are. Even in silent situations, they are still able to figure out their intentions. And no mortal can take them off, I promise you.
Zhang Lian regarded the facts, her eyes narrowing attentively. "Huh... interesting," she muttered, her tone composed but thoughtful. "What is my current point total?"
The delicate cloth gently touched Zhang Lian's smooth skin as Lan put the green robe over her shoulders. Even while the robe wasn't as heavy or elaborate as her prior outfit, it exudes elegance.
With efficiency, Lan's hands knotted the belt of the robe around the queen's waist.
Zhang Lian, as usual, paid little attention to Lan's attempts, simply nodding in response to Lan's minor posture adjustment gesture.
Lan thought bitterly, really, this is just too much trouble over nothing. If nothing else, she may admit that I'm helping her.
Without delay, another system screen appeared beside the one displaying the items.
---
**/[System: Baby-Making System
Name: Zhang Lian
Race: Human
Cultivation: None [0/10]
Cultivation Technique: None
Spiritual Roots:
Water: [0/10]
Air: [0/10]
Wood: [0/10]
Earth: [0/10]
Fire: [0/10]
Rare Ice Spiritual Root: [0/20]
[Points]
Normal Points (NP): 2
Special Points (SP): 9
[Passive Skills]: Holy Mother Body (Ability to get pregnant with one shot, but limited by host's bearing capacity - currently 0.9, rounded to 1)]**
---
Softly, Cat said, "You have 2 Normal Points and 9 Special Points, nya," flying slightly over Zhang Lian's shoulder.
With a tiny sigh, Zhang Lian cast a slightly frustrated glance at the system screen. "What should I buy?" She asked the cat.
"Nya, I would hold on till I had five normal points if I were you. Cat said, wagging its tail in delight, "With that, you could control more than one person at a time."
After fixing the queen's robe, Lan took a small step back and cast a sideways glance in the direction of the chair where she usually took a seat to rest after finishing her tasks.
With a sense of relief, she finally thought as she moved to sit in the chair. It's time for me to take a seat for a bit before she needs anything else.
But Zhang Lian was still lost in thought. There's no need to buy a recipe since, as queen, I can instruct people to develop it for me and send them to heaven to keep it secret.
She finally said. "I need something now—especially if someone tries to interrogate that fat minister." Her voice was calm. "Minister Li may reveal secrets so controlling him is better.
I'll purchase the Gua Worm.
The cat nodded and clicked on the purchase. After a slight flash on the system screen and a gentle buzz, the purchase was confirmed.
---
/[System: Baby-Making System
Purchase Successful!
Item: Gua Worm
Price: 2 NP
Thank you for your purchase! Come back soon! ^-^]
---
Cat floated beside Zhang Lian, a playful smile on his small face. "Congrats, nya! The Gua Worm is now safely put away in your system storage."
Now fully dressed, Zhang Lian turned to head toward her bed but stopped and raised an eyebrow. "The system has storage too?" she asked with slight surprise.
Cat nodded excitedly, his wings fluttering. "Yes, nya! The system can store anything you buy from it. It keeps your items alive, fresh, and ready anytime you want them!"
Zhang Lian's expression darkened, her eyes narrowing into a glare at Cat. "Then why didn't you tell me that before?"
Cat, sensing danger, quickly said, "Don't be angry, Nya! You've never bought anything from the system before, so there wasn't really a point in mentioning it! But now, on the bright side—you have free storage for system items, nya!"
Zhang Lian let out a sigh. "Alright," she said irritably before sitting down on the edge of her bed.
"Lan, pour me some water," Zhang Lian ordered.
Lan sighed quietly to herself as she got up from the chair. She walked over to the small table near the bed, her inner thoughts fuming. *She can't even fetch her own water, and it's right beside her?* she complained in her mind.
Lan grabbed a glass from the table and poured water from the jug beside it. The gentle sound of water pouring, "glug, glug," filled the quiet room as she filled the glass.
A few seconds later, she handed the glass to Zhang Lian and waited as the queen drank in silence, ready for her next command.
Zhang Lian gave the glass back to Lan, who quickly took it. "Now go and bring me some food," she ordered calmly.
Lan nodded quickly and then left the room. *Great, now I have to fetch food too. Typical,* she thought as she made her way down the hallway.
Zhang Lian lay back on the bed, feeling the soft fabric beneath her as she relaxed, thinking about tomorrow.
---
Meanwhile, at the residence of Minister Hu...
Minister Hu had returned home, his thoughts troubled by the queen's latest orders. His carriage approached the large gates, surrounded by guards. How am I supposed to bring that child by tomorrow? he thought, knowing he needed to act quickly. I'll have to ask Minister Li for a favor, he thought, sighed.
As the carriage stopped at the gates, Hu stepped out slowly, making his way toward the door. The guards opened the door immediately upon seeing him approaching.
The house was grand, with beautifully carved wooden doors, red tiles on the roof, and tall, imposing windows, giving it an air of wealth and status.
As soon as Minister Hu entered, he was welcomed by several of his concubines. Dressed in flowing silk robes that barely covered their bodies, they flocked to him, trying to catch his attention.
One wore a tight red robe that accentuated her large breasts, while another wore a blue silk dress that parted high on her thigh, leaving little to the imagination. Their eyes were filled with anticipation, each of them hoping to win his favor.
"Husband, you're back," they said in unison, their voices sweet as they gathered around him, clinging to his arms and body.
Minister Hu's eyes scanned them; his mood instantly changed. *They only do this to gain favor from me,* he thought, but that didn't matter to him. *They come when they want something, and I get my fun.* He smiled to himself.
Still, Hu was no fool. He knew they were after resources—for themselves, their children, or their families. But he knew exactly how to handle it. *I give them just enough to barely get by, so they'll keep crawling back for more,* he laughed inwardly.
*Let them fight for scraps.* The jealousy, the quiet competition among them—it didn't bother him at all. If anything, he found it amusing as they tried harder to please him.
Hu turned to one of the concubines, the one with the most big breasts. His hand rested on her large ass as she leaned toward him. She may not be the most beautiful, but she's the best in bed, he thought with a smile.
She wore a tight red silk dress, the fabric clinging to her body. Her dark blue hair was pulled back, emphasizing her long neck. She smiled knowingly, fully aware that her body had once again captured his attention.
Pushing the other concubines aside, Hu wrapped his arm around Dim Sua's ass and led her away, leaving the others to watch with jealousy in their eyes. While Dim Sua's face lit up, pleased with herself.
The rest of the concubines, sighing quietly, drifted away as Hu retreated with Dim Sua into his private quarters.
As they walked, Hu's thoughts drifted to his past. From being a finance manager in another kingdom to becoming a minister of finance here and now even managing the city walls... He shook his head slightly. I made the right choice when I left my old life behind.
But Hu's thoughts darkened as he considered the queen. She has me wrapped around her little finger, he thought uneasily. What will she ask of me next?
Even though he was surrounded by beauty, a sense of unease was in his heart. His new responsibilities weighted heavily on him, and he knew that serving the Queen was far more dangerous than it seemed.