CHAPTER 138: CHAPTER 87: THE CAREERIST’S RIGHTEOUS BETRAYAL OF KIN!

The Taotie is eating the hind leg of a calf, so tender and delicious it could swallow its own tongue.

Taotie hears from a servant that there is another exotic beast in the Crown Prince’s Mansion named Bai Cang, which eats the loin of a spiritual calf, the most tender part, with only two pounds available from one calf, and a pound of it is worth an ounce of gold.

Taotie thinks the calf’s hind leg is already the most exquisite delicacy in the world; it can hardly imagine how delicious the loin must be!

At the same time, it’s a bit speechless inside.

It was beaten so badly just to have calf hind leg to eat, how miserable must Bai Cang be to be able to eat the most exquisite calf loin!

Taotie plans to challenge a higher difficulty when it grows a bit stronger and more resilient.

It also wants to eat the calf loin!

While Taotie is eating, Zhao Yi leads Linglong toward the main hall.

Linglong is representing the Yao Family to present a visiting card; meeting her at the Martial Arts Arena is too informal and could spread rumors that the new emperor does not value the Yao Family.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, going directly to the main hall is best.

Taotie looks up at the departing crowd, a hint of confusion momentarily flickering in its scarlet vertical pupils, and it murmurs in a low voice:

"Method..."

The next second.

Taotie shakes its head, and the clarity of foolishness returns to its scarlet eyes.

"Method? What method?"

Taotie wears a bewildered expression, clearly unaware of what just transpired.

It tilts its head in thought, unable to comprehend, thinking it may have touched something dirty and quickly shakes its head again in fright.

Then, it sees the pile of calf meat in front of it and instantly becomes happy again, burying its head into the meat, joyfully devouring the tender calf meat in large mouthfuls.

Even the well-informed Miaoyin, who remembers widely and knows broadly, didn’t expect that Su Qianqian’s soul would be so strong. Clearly consumed and transformed by the Taotie, yet a wisp of her residual soul remains.

If the male protagonist knew about this, he would certainly flee the continent overnight, finding an uninhabited place to hide and never appear again.

The human form of Su Qianqian already scared the male protagonist nearly to death; now Su Qianqian has become the Taotie, and with a deeper obsession, the remaining wisp of residual soul still longs for him.

The dual consciousness in the reborn Taotie has never before appeared in the Cultivation Realm, and no one knows what the future Taotie will become.

To most cultivators, the mutated Taotie might just be a novelty to add some talking points for idle chat after meals.

But as for the male protagonist, if the wisp of Su Qianqian’s residual soul grows stronger, this ancient fierce beast is very likely to subconsciously see him as its lover.

The deeply loving Taotie might bring some trouble for Zhao Yi, but it will definitely become an enduringly horrifying nightmare for the male protagonist!

After all, Taotie is not the same as Su Qianqian.

The Taotie is too hard to kill!

Linglong, following beside Zhao Yi, is also discussing the Taotie topic.

She lags half a body length behind Zhao Yi, fitting the position of subordinate and advisor perfectly.

Linglong inquires, "Your Highness, today in the city, I saw the exotic beasts from the mansion, and the people of the Capital City seem very fond of them. Taotie is an ancient divine beast, a true auspicious sign. Why not showcase it to highlight the glory of the Great Xia Dynasty?"

Zhao Yi shakes his head, "The notion of auspicious signs, moderation is key. The exotic beasts within the Capital City, playful as they are, are quite enough; more is counterproductive. Besides, the divine fame of Taotie is an imposition by Heaven-Facing Sect, yet in ancient times it was an extremely malevolent fierce beast, sighting it brings misfortune. A kingdom can change, but nature is hard to alter! Therefore, to prevent this fierce beast’s true nature from erupting and harming people, I keep it at the mansion as a diversion, not to be talked about with outsiders."

Linglong bows after hearing this, "Your Highness is absolutely correct; my shallow views nearly ruined Your Highness’s grand plan, please punish me."

Hearing this, Zhao Yi waves his hand.

He looks Linglong over, nodding in appreciation, "I knew you were extraordinarily wise when we were in the Monument Forest, but never expected you to be the female phoenix of the Yao Family."

Saying this, Zhao Yi pauses, then shakes his head, "The title ’female phoenix’ is not good, it implies dependency on a man. In my view, you should be called a female Qilin! Qilin denotes the auspicious sign of prosperity, the pillar of a nation! Although the Great Xia Dynasty doesn’t limit women from becoming officials, most are just assistants helping the empress in governance. There has never been a female prime minister; I see you, Linglong, as having the potential for this role!"

Upon hearing this, Linglong suddenly stops in her tracks and bows deeply to Zhao Yi.

"Your subject thanks Your Highness for the great favor!"

Zhao Yi smiles, raising his hand, "Rise. There’s no one else here, let’s remain friends as we were in the Monument Forest."

Linglong is immediately moved to tears.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

At this moment, she suddenly understands why Yao Qing’s attitude changed so drastically from before and after.

If Yao Qing adorned herself for the one she loved, then Linglong was one who would die for a confidant.

Throughout history, the first female Prime Minister.

This was something Linglong never dared to dream of before.

Now, it seemed within reach.

Who could resist such a temptation!

Linglong trembled with excitement.

At this moment, Linglong cast aside the Patriarch and the family.

Family interest? What’s that?

No matter how enticing the Patriarch’s position is, could it compare to being the Prime Minister of the Great Xia Dynasty?

Right now, Linglong’s thoughts were entirely occupied by her Majesty!

Isn’t Her Majesty intending to pardon the Heaven-Facing Sect?

Which scoundrel dares to obstruct?

Anyone who hinders her Majesty’s ascension would be her mortal enemy.

Relentless to death!

Only there was some regret.

If she becomes the Prime Minister, then she can’t be a woman for her Majesty.

Though the Great Xia royal family does not restrict the interference of the harem in politics, the power difference between harem governance and prime minister commanding the central administration is too vast!

Linglong is a career-oriented woman, and she quickly adjusted her mindset.

She can’t give up the entire forest of Great Xia for just this one tree, her Majesty!

"Your Highness."

Linglong’s role transitioned swiftly; once she moved, she immediately started advising.

"I humbly believe that regarding the pardoning of the Heaven-Facing Sect, Her Majesty should not easily express an opinion."

"Firstly, it’s easy to cause dissatisfaction in the Imperial Court, and secondly, it may give the Cultivation Realm time to prepare and preemptively eradicate the remnants of the Heaven-Facing Sect."

"Even if the remnants of the Heaven-Facing Sect cannot be completely exterminated, as long as those cultivation sects prevent them from appearing at the Cultivation Conference, Your Highness’s decree of pardon could become a laughing stock."

Zhao Yi nodded slightly: "In your view, how should this be handled?"

Linglong confidently replied: "In my humble opinion, a secret message can be sent ordering the Yao Family Patriarch to openly declare this matter in the Imperial Court, and Your Highness only needs to go along with it. Firstly, the focus of both the Imperial Court and the Cultivation Realm will shift to the Yao Family Patriarch; secondly, even if the remnants of the Heaven-Facing Sect cannot appear at the Cultivation Conference, Your Highness’s reputation will remain unaffected."

Zhao Yi raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.

He hadn’t expected Linglong to be so ruthless, to sell out even her own family Patriarch!

He shook his head: "The Yao Family is loyal to my Zhao clan, and my Zhao clan keeps this in mind. Since the Yao Family has not wronged my Zhao clan, my Zhao clan has no reason to abandon the Yao Family. The Zhao clan is not ungrateful; we shall not reap the benefits while letting the Yao Family bear the risks, which is not the way of a gentleman."

Linglong was taken aback, then respectfully bowed: "Your Highness’s noble character, Linglong is ashamed in comparison."

Zhao Yi waved his hand, indicating for her to rise.

Zhao Yi smiled and said: "I have a matter here; there wasn’t a suitable candidate for it before. Now that Linglong is here, I’ll hand this matter over to you."

Linglong bowed and said: "Please, your Highness, issue your decree."

Zhao Yi said: "The former Crown Prince Consort Su Qianqian colluded with the Heaven-Facing Sect, causing chaos in the Imperial Court. The Imperial Clan Court has imprisoned the entire Su family and their nine clans, and soon they shall be executed! However, this matter was reported by Su Changyuan himself, and there are many suspicious aspects. Go and investigate, inquire if Su Changyuan was involved in Su Qianqian’s various past actions. If Su Changyuan is the mastermind, then sentence his entire clan to death! If Su Changyuan’s acts are unrelated to Su Qianqian’s conspiracies, then issue a decree for his pardon."

Linglong was once again stunned, clearly not expecting Zhao Yi to entrust her with such a royal family matter.

Her heart was filled with both gratitude and anxiety.

Gratitude for her great Majesty’s immense trust, entrusting her with family matters!

Anxiety because the Su family’s nine clans comprised at least hundreds of people, and their lives hung on her whim!

For the first time, Linglong bore the weight of so many human lives, her mood heavy.

"I shall obey, your Highness!"

ps: Still a bit anxious. But don’t worry, bosses; although the updates are a bit slow, I’m continuously writing! More is to come.