I Want to Cultivate, I Don't Want to Rebel  

Fan Li fiddled with the jade tablet in his hand and reflected the Farewell to Arms again. Only then did he remember that the little palace maid next to him was actually the Emperor.

"Cough!"

Fan Li was a little embarrassed and reached out to pat Xiang Ning's head. "Don't worry, I won't rebel."

Xiang Ning at the age of nineteen, although her cultivation was at the ninth rank of the Golden Core stage, a single finger could crush Fan Li. But in his eyes, she was still a little brat.

Xiang Ning was still angry, but did not know her identity had been exposed. She was completely like an angry woman, glaring at Fan Li fiercely with a gaze that was not fierce but very cute.

"Whether the Prime Minister rebels or not, what does it have to do with Ning'er? Ning'er is just a little palace maid, and would never dare reveal the Prime Minister's secrets!"

Fan Li: "..."

After venting for a while, Xiang Ning's anger dissipated a lot, but her mood became more hesitant.

She finally couldn't help but ask, "Prime Minister, you already hold power over the imperial court in Great Chu, and have Emperor Jiajing's support. Why don't you rebel?"

Even Xiang Ning felt that this was the best opportunity for Fan Li to rebel and proclaim himself Emperor.

Why refuse?

"Rebel?" Fan Li smiled. "I have no relationship with Emperor Jiajing, so why would he be so kind as to help me become Emperor? He just hopes that Great Chu falls into internal turmoil, so he can take advantage of it."

This was a very simple truth - weakening the enemy is the same as strengthening oneself. Xiang Ning soon understood this point.

Fan Li went on, "Among the three kingdoms, Great Ming is the strongest. I reckon that Emperor Jiajing intends to unify the realm under heaven. So whichever of Chu and Han falls into internal turmoil first will be the first to suffer Ming's invasion."

This directly made Xiang Ning feel half delighted and half worried. She was delighted that Fan Li would surely not rebel like this. She was worried that the three kingdoms had stopped fighting for over a thousand years, and had always competed in secret through the [Three Emperors Alliance].

But now, Emperor Jiajing actually harbored thoughts of unifying the realm under heaven.

"Then what should my Great Chu do?" Xiang Ning asked anxiously.

After all, she was only nineteen years old and had been Emperor for just two months. She truly lacked experience in governing a country.

But Fan Li had lived two lifetimes as a human. In his previous life, he was a loyal viewer of the famous TV series Lectures in Hundred Schools of Thought, and in this life, he had also integrated the talents of Fan Li's original self.

At least regarding trivial matters like empty talks on paper, he was much stronger than Xiang Ning.

"It's actually simple to say." Fan Li explained:

"In the short term, under the guise of the [Three Emperors Alliance], openly form an alliance with Great Han. Let Emperor Jiajing not dare to easily look down on Chu and Han.

And in the long run, self-strengthening is essential. Improving my Chu State's strength is the best policy for long-term self-preservation, and even unifying the realm under heaven."

Xiang Ning listened and kept nodding!

He indeed had the talents of a Prime Minister. As long as he didn't rebel, he would be Great Chu's number one capable minister!

Fan Li deliberately added, "I'll just wait until the morning court and petition, asking Your Majesty to take the opportunity of the [Three Emperors Alliance] to actively establish ties with Han Emperor Liu Xie."

Xiang Ning thought to herself, "I already know about it. I'll take the initiative to speak of it at the morning court and shock you!"

But this was still plagiarizing Fan Li's plans, and Xiang Ning felt extremely embarrassed with a flushed face again.

"The late emperor did not look down on me for my low status, and drafted me three times from my thatched hut. He consulted me about current affairs, so I was moved and promised to assist the late emperor..."

Xiang Ning thought back to the Farewell to Arms from earlier, repeatedly reciting it silently. She actually felt the lingering fragrance on her lips and teeth, and was even more moved by the loyal and righteous spirit in the writing!

Especially since she didn't expect that her father actually had such a past connection with Fan Li.

'If he didn't have a heart of loyalty and patriotism, it would have been impossible to write an article full of such spirit! But the Fan clan is the most prominent clan in Great Chu, so how could Fan Li have lived in a thatched hut?' her thought continued, 'Could it be that Mother and I wronged Fan Li, and he is actually a very loyal minister?'

Xiang Ning couldn't help but ask, "Prime Minister, what is the story behind that Farewell to Arms?"

Fan Li casually waved his hand, "Oh, that was a work written by ancient sages and worthies. I copied their example."

The hopeful look on Xiang Ning's face instantly crashed. So it was just her own wishful thinking? The tiny bit of good impression that had just emerged in her heart instantly vanished without a trace.

Xiang Ning muttered, "A man's mouth is as deceptive as a ghost's."

Fan Li inexplicably glanced at Xiang Ning. Was this brat so fierce that she would scold even him?

"I should also start cultivating now." Fan Li couldn't help sighing emotionally.

Emperor Jiajing's restless movements somehow gave him some pressure. Striding out of Chengming Hall with big steps, Fan Li prepared to return home and ask his clansmen about matters related to cultivation.

Xiang Ning squinted to watch him leave, his previous words still echoing in her mind.

The treacherous minister wants to cultivate? Is he serious?

***

Returning to the Fan manor, Fan Li immediately found his siblings.

"I want to start cultivating. Can you advise me?" Fan Li got straight to the point.

Fan Ming, Fan Chun, and Fan Yuehua had strange expressions.

Fan Ming said, "Second brother, when you were born there were omens of [Winds and Clouds, Dragons and Tigers], indicating you were destined for greatness. But I don't know why, the omens suddenly disappeared, and you were also diagnosed with inborn deficiencies in your foundation, unable to cultivate."

Fan Chun said, "We have always suspected that the late Emperor was jealous of second brother's innate potential, and secretly damaged your foundation. But now that the late Emperor has passed away, this matter has no way to be verified."

Fan Yuehua was even more emotional, her eyes red as she said, "Second brother, one should not contend against the heavens. It is a fact you are unable to cultivate. But with just your command, our Fan clan will immediately rise up and overthrow the Xiang clan, letting you sit on the dragon throne!"

Fan Li didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He just wanted to cultivate. How did the topic lead back to rebellion again?

Wait, Fan clan's rebellious mentality against the imperial household actually stemmed from him?

He whispered, "Then...what if my foundation was restored? Starting cultivation at this age, would it still be in time?"

"Second brother, don't crack such boring jokes. The foundation is essential for cultivation. Once damaged, it is irreversibly repaired. This has been common knowledge since the beginning of heaven and earth." As Fan Ming spoke, he casually took Fan Li's pulse.

But his expression gradually became strange, first showing an embarrassed look of being proven wrong, then sinking into madness.

"Second brother, your pulse is full and strong, displaying the state of dragons and tigers!" Fan Ming said excitedly, "Second brother, diligently cultivate from today on. In the future, you need bow to no one!"

But Fan Chun and Fan Yuehua didn't believe it.

"What wine did you drink today, big brother? Was there no peanut rice?" Fan Chun said as he also took Fan Li's pulse.

In just a few seconds, he jumped up with both feet off the ground.

"It really is [Winds and Clouds, Dragons and Tigers]! Second brother, your foundation is truly repaired? Even if it's the little Chu Emperor, I'm afraid his foundation is below second brother!"

Seeing this, Fan Yuehua, pouting, exclaimed, "Alright! Big Brother, Third Brother, you guys are drinking without inviting me? Next time when the noble ladies of the capital go sightseeing in the garden, I won't notify you in advance!"

Saying this, she also examined Fan Li's pulse.

In just one second, Fan Yuehua's expression changed. "Second Brother, let's rebel! It's a waste for someone like you not to be an emperor! By the way, I have a set of dragon robes hidden in my boudoir, custom-made according to your measurements. Why don't you go and put it on now?"

Fan Li was utterly speechless.

"In fact, I just want a copy of the 'Fundamentals of Body Refinement.' If you guys don't have it, I can buy it myself from the bookstore in the street."

Fan Li was already contemplating escape. What kind of family was this? It seemed like a nest of rebels!