11 Three Months, Expert Of The Inner Court

"Imperial decree?"

Zhao Mu understood that it might be the Emperor of Zhou planning to send him off to Tong Province to watch over the imperial tomb.

The title of a cursed child had stuck to him.

Keeping him in the imperial city was just to keep an eye on him to not cause further problems.

After that many years, Zhao Mu had behaved himself and stayed within the cold palace.

He did not cultivate martial arts, nor did he show any strange behavior.

They might say that a person could keep in hiding for three, five, or even ten years.

However, 15 years had passed.

Even if he kept up the appearance, being like that in the long term might just turn him into a true cripple.

Instead of having him as an eyesore, it was better off to send him to the imperial tomb.

It was no different from the cold palace, with many miles of forest around it.

He was only allowed to enter and not exit, just like a cage.

"It's just a bigger cold palace."

Zhao Mu chuckled as he shook his head in self-deprecation.

"The imperial city is huge, but it seems there's no place for me."

With that mindset, he put on a calm expression.

With his head held high, he walked out of the study.

The old eunuch that delivered the message watched the Tenth Prince's acceptance and could not help but sigh internally.

If a person's fate was terrible, even being born into a good family was of no use.

Just like the Tenth Prince, being a descendant of the emperor, yet his life was not even comparable to the commoners beyond the imperial city.

The cold palace was quiet and cold.

Staying there was no different than being imprisoned in the palace prison cells.

One should know that only servants without any background or backers that committed crimes would be sent to the cold palace to serve.

Even if they had the slightest ability, they would not take such a punishment.

'Accept your fate.'

The old eunuch ended his internal lamentations and followed behind the Tenth Prince.

…

Zhao Mu did not know what the servants in the palace thought.

Even if he noticed them, he would not care.

The pity, sympathy, or ridicule of outsiders would not move his ambitions.

There was a quote in Huo Rulie's martial experience that he agreed with greatly.

Control one's fate! Subdue the world with one's fists!

As long as he was strong enough, he would be able to turn his fate and rewrite his destiny!

The world was claiming that nine out of ten would be met with tragedy, and he was the flood dragon swallowing the python.

If that was the case, he might as well show them how this flood dragon trapped in shallow waters would break free of its shackles and soar to the skies!

Zhao Mu's eyes had a determined look to them as he walked out of there.

Perhaps his sudden resolve was coincidentally resonating with the phrase of "Sun and Moon arise together when the emperor approaches" found within the Divine Sun and Moon Scriptures. All of a sudden, the Primordial Yang Qi that was hidden within his acupoints started moving around his body like a small snake. 

After cycling through his body for several cycles, it went back into a dormant state.

However, the true Qi within him increased in purity.

It was as though the true Qi went through a refining process to remove its impurities.

"Your Highness, please listen to the Emperor's decree."

Zhao Mu arrived at the Longevity Hall and saw a eunuch dressed in purple robes standing in the middle.

Within the imperial city, even eunuchs had rankings.

As to how they were categorized, it was all in the color of their robes.

Grey was the lowest rank for those that were new to the palace, mostly doing random chores.

Blue was for those in charge of running the various services such as tea, dining, and meat storage.

Meanwhile, purple was for the chief eunuch of the 12 Directorates of the inner court with great power. Even the left and right chief ministers would have to treat them politely.

Lastly, the scarlet robe was the eunuch that served as the emperor's confidant.

"Greetings, Eunuch Gao."

Zhao Mu lifted his hands and greeted him with a slight bow as he waited for the imperial decree to be announced.

That eunuch from the Credentials Directorate had a chubby face with a gentle smile and looked rather amicable.

Eunuch Gao nodded and raised his hand to return the greeting.

He did not look down on Zhao Mu just because he was imprisoned in the cold palace and banished from meeting the emperor.

No matter how pitiful the situation was, Zhao Mu was still a prince of the Zhou Kingdom. It was not his place as a eunuch to disrespect him.

"....Your Highness, do you understand?"

After announcing the imperial decree, Eunuch Gao passed over the decree made of brocade and jade.

Zhao Mu followed suit and received it with both his hands. The Zhou Kingdom did not go by the rule of having to kowtow whenever meeting the emperor.

Their so-called etiquette rules were more focused on moral adherence and personal character.

"Understood. In three months, after Father's birthday, I'll go along with my Ninth Brother and head to the imperial tomb in Tong Province," Zhao Mu replied as he looked up, greeting once more with both his hands together.

It was the Emperor of Zhou's birthday in three months.

According to their customs, it should be celebrated with everyone and all ministers would be invited to the banquet.

By that time, the Ninth Prince, who had long been bestowed with the title of Duke and governing his territory outside would be returning to Tianjing City to celebrate with the emperor.

The Emperor of Zhou planned to send Zhao Mu away after his birthday banquet.

Zhao Mu was not sent away in secret but allowed to stay back and give the emperor his blessings.

That was probably the last remaining bit of kinship he had as a father.

"His Majesty said that during the banquet itself, Your Highness the Tenth Prince will be allowed to temporarily leave the cold palace. However, you're not allowed to enter the main palace complex and would have to wait in the side hall."

Eunuch Gao added after reorganizing his thoughts.

As a prince, he was not allowed to enter the main palace complex and had to wait in the side hall. That was no different from how the servants were treated.

If outsiders heard it, they would probably feel more sympathy for Zhao Mu.

"As the emperor commands."

The young and handsome prince's lips curled up slightly into what appeared to be a smile.

Perhaps, to the Emperor of Zhou, that was already the greatest generosity he could be given.

"Your Highness, do you have anything you'd like me to convey to His Majesty?"

Eunuch Gao's face had a kind and gentle smile, just like the Smiling Buddha.

Just like the old eunuch from before, upon seeing the pitiful treatment the Tenth Prince received, he could not help but feel sorry for him.

His Majesty really disliked this son.

It could not be helped.

The Tenth's Prince had a terrible fate and was a full-fledged cursed child.

Along with the prince that died in Yongxue Pass, the Tenth Prince had already brought death to three princes in total.

If the emperor got too close, he might even…

The moment the thought of 'bringing tragedy to father and brothers', Eunuch Gao's heart skipped a beat and quickly dispelled such insolent thoughts from his mind.

"It's fi...Can Eunuch Gao please help me pass a message? Before I leave, can my Eleventh Brother come by the Eternal Happiness Palace for a few more visits?"

Zhao Mu had nothing to say at first, but suddenly he thought of his brother Zhao Yuan, whom he would only meet once every six months. He then added, "After I head to the imperial tomb in Tong Province, I'm afraid I'll never be able to meet my Eleventh Brother again. Please have my father grant his permission."

Eunuch Gao nodded, then returned a greeting with his hands as he said, "I'll make sure to deliver the message."

The brothers born from the same mother were very close and found it difficult to part. It was only normal.

"Thank you, Eunuch Gao."

Zhao Mu's expression was calm. His gaze was still like the water of a well, showing not even the slightest ripple.

That calmness managed to make Eunuch Gao feel a sense of respect.

He had served in the imperial city inner court for many years, serving the emperor and announcing imperial decrees, meeting many ministers and nobles throughout his life.

All the consorts chased out of the inner court and exiled nobles would break into tears the moment they learn of their pitiful fate.

The emperor's words decided their fates.

Who would not feel fear and terror?

'Your Highness, you have great character.'

Eunuch Gao praised him internally.

At the same time, his sympathy for Zhao Mu grew.

If not for the fortune-telling of the imperial astronomer, the Tenth Prince's status might not be any less compared to the other princes.

"I'll be taking my leave if there's nothing else."

Eunuch Gao remained smiling. Before he left, he surreptitiously glanced at the handsome and outstanding Tenth Prince.

His appearance seemed to be lacking in Qi. It would seem that the rumors were true. This prince had been staying in the cold palace all the while and suffered from the exposure to cold Qi, leaving behind the root for future health problems.

Coupled with his lack of practice in martial arts, his body would be weaker than that of a regular person.

"What a pity," Eunuch Gao lamented while shaking his head after leaving the Eternal Happiness Palace.

Without the protection of martial arts or some authority, how long could the Tenth Prince endure in Tong Province?

"At least an expert establishing his Dao foundation at the fifth Mortal Stage."

After a moment, Zhao Mu returned to his bedchamber and a weird look flashed in his eyes.

As expected, those around the Emperor of Zhou were all extraordinary.

A random eunuch from the 12 directorates was already an expert.

He wondered what martial arts cultivation stage would the famous Chen Chaoen from the Ceremonial Directorate be?

There were plenty of consorts within the harem. Naturally, men were not allowed to enter as they pleased.

All emperors of different dynasties would have to select eunuchs to nurture into experts.

"However, a eunuch lacks the masculine Yang Qi. I'm afraid they will never reach the Innate Stage to become a grandmaster."

A thought flashed by Zhao Mu's heart. A eunuch practicing martial arts had its pros and cons.

Those eunuchs sent into the palace since young would remain a virgin.

After being castrated, it would lock in the Qi within their body.

Furthermore, without distracting thoughts, it would be easier for them to breakthrough cultivation stages.

However, because their innate Qi was damaged, their foundation would be insufficient.

It would be very difficult for them to reach the stage of ultimate experts in the world.

"From now on, I'll have to be more careful when I sneak into the inner court to imprint Dao marks."

Zhao Mu was caught off guard.

Even if Huo Rulie's Presence Concealment Mantra was exceptional, it would not guarantee him from being found out by an expert.

Experts of the inner court were no joking matter.