"When I first saw the Crown Prince fifty years ago, I thought he was a Celestial Human. I wished for nothing more than to be by his side, even if only as a Palace Maid."
A moment later, a soft, hushed voice came from the old Palace Maid, leaving Xia Wuyang utterly stunned. He never expected this old woman to have once admired him.
"And yet, after all these decades, I am still as stunning as ever, while the Crown Prince has become such an old wreck. It’s truly heartbreaking."
As she spoke, a pair of hands landed on Xia Wuyang’s face, his chest, his stomach, his crotch, his thigh... Then, just as quickly, she turned and walked away.
"Never mind. He’s already this old. I shouldn’t debase myself."
"If he were a little younger, I might have taken this chance to have my fill, to fulfill that fifty-year-old dream. But now... never mind."
...
Xia Wuyang’s face darkened. It took him a long moment to realize what had just happened—he had been utterly humiliated. If he hadn’t been weaker than her, he would have struck out then and there to show that old Palace Maid his true power.
’I don’t even know who she is. Once I’m strong enough, I must capture her and subject her to the same humiliation.’
Xia Wuyang told no one what had happened that night. The next day, however, he flew into a rage, claiming his Dragon and Tiger Elixir had been stolen. This led outsiders to believe someone had pilfered his elixirs again, and their disdain for the elder Crown Prince only grew.
People thought that if someone dared to steal the Dragon and Tiger Elixir right from his bedside, taking the elder Crown Prince’s life would be just as easy.
They couldn’t believe the Eastern Palace had fallen into such a state, and that the elder Crown Prince had been brought so low. It was the height of disgrace.
Xia Wuyang used this incident as an opportunity to requisition another batch of Dragon and Tiger Elixir from the Inner Treasury. He continued to cultivate in secret, and unbeknownst to anyone, his power grew by leaps and bounds.
A few days later, under the cover of deep night, another figure landed silently outside Wenhua Hall.
Clad in a simple Cloak that blended with the night, the figure passed silently through the dark palace corridors, not making the slightest sound before entering Wenhua Hall.
The cool night wind stirred the hood of her Cloak, revealing half of an exquisitely beautiful face.
Her features were as perfect as a painting, beautiful enough to topple kingdoms, but her eyes held a complex expression.
She carried a very large case, but even it was not large enough to hold over a thousand bottles of Middle-High Level Dragon and Tiger Elixir.
’Even a single day as husband and wife creates a deep bond. Consider this compensation for the past. He did so much to help the Astrology Zhao Family avoid annihilation and rise again.’
With a sigh, Lady Xingyan entered Wenhua Hall and woke the "soundly sleeping" Xia Wuyang. She led him to a hidden Practice Room and bolted the Profound Iron Gate from the inside.
Xia Wuyang feigned a greedy gaze, his eyes fixed on the case in her hands. "You prepared over a thousand bottles of Dragon and Tiger Elixir and the Celestial Water Essence so quickly?"
"There was too much, so I only brought a portion. I’ve hidden the rest near Wenhua Hall. You should retrieve it when you have time." Lady Xingyan glanced at Xia Wuyang and added in a low voice, "Everyone knows the situation in the Eastern Palace. Many people have their eyes on this Dragon and Tiger Elixir and Celestial Water Essence. I could only come here in secret to make sure you received as much as possible. I trust you understand what’s at stake."
Xia Wuyang waved his hand impatiently. "Don’t worry, I’ll hide them well. I won’t let those eunuchs and Palace Maids steal them. You’ve been very considerate. Here is your Divorce Certificate."
With that, he casually tossed the prepared Divorce Certificate to Lady Xingyan.
Lady Xingyan caught it and examined it carefully for a moment before putting it away. She turned to leave. "Take care of yourself, Your Highness. Forgive me, but I cannot see you off on your final journey."
Before Xia Wuyang could say a word, she was gone, flitting away like a swallow and vanishing from Wenhua Hall.
Only after her figure had vanished did Xia Wuyang let the greedy look fall from his face, sighing with a complex mix of emotions.
’Although I’m deeply dissatisfied with Lady Xingyan’s betrayal, we had an excellent relationship when we were young. I certainly helped her, but she also helped me immensely after our marriage.’
’Her secretly delivering this Dragon and Tiger Elixir and Celestial Water Essence now is her way of honoring the last shred of affection between us.’
’It’s just a shame she ultimately made the wrong choice. Even if it was for the sake of the Astrology Zhao Family, it was still a betrayal.’
’If only she could have waited a little longer, allowed me time to grow stronger, everything would have been completely different.’
’What a shame. But then, who can predict the twists and turns of fate? Unless you possess power that transcends all else, you can’t hope to change the world and make it bend to your will.’
Right now, Xia Wuyang clearly lacked such power, so he could only watch passively as events unfolded.
’Still, this is a perfect opportunity to see just how many ghouls and demons are lurking in this Eastern Palace. Once I’m back in power, it will be time for a thorough house-cleaning.’
’Lady Xingyan was ruthless, but she did leave a little room for sentiment. If I do regain power in the future... should I take revenge on her?’
Xia Wuyang considered this for a moment before pushing the thought aside. He moved the Dragon and Tiger Elixir and Celestial Water Essence to a secure location, planning to spend a few more days consolidating his strength before consuming the next bottle of Celestial Water Essence.
His Cultivation Foundation wasn’t fully consolidated yet; its polish wasn’t quite perfect. He could take the Celestial Water Essence now, but he would need to spend a great deal of time reinforcing his Foundation afterward. Otherwise, it would negatively impact his future Cultivation, and the loss would outweigh the gain.
’I’ll just delay for a few more days. Once my Foundation is completely solid, I’ll take the next bottle of Celestial Water Essence and push for a higher realm.’
’In any case, Lady Xingyan delivered these treasures in secret, so their existence should remain hidden for a while. That will be enough time for me to consume all of the Celestial Water Essence.’
’As for the Dragon and Tiger Elixir, fewer people are interested in those. I can just find an excuse to let Wei Xianren and Liu Jun "steal" them, and then take them back when I need them.’
With his plan settled, Xia Wuyang resumed his Cultivation and consolidation, eager to prepare himself to take the Celestial Water Essence and achieve a major breakthrough in his Cultivation Realm.
The outside world was still unaware that Lady Xingyan had already delivered the rest of the Dragon and Tiger Elixir and Celestial Water Essence. She had even intentionally spread a rumor that she was still in the process of gathering the items, all to buy Xia Wuyang more time.
What he didn’t expect, however, was that after only a few days, a new rumor began to spread: Lady Xingyan had already given all one-thousand-plus bottles of Dragon and Tiger Elixir and both portions of Celestial Water Essence to Xia Wuyang.
The story claimed that Xia Wuyang, fearing they would be stolen, had asked Lady Xingyan to keep the delivery a secret from everyone.
The moment this news broke, it sent shockwaves not only through the Eastern Palace but throughout the entire Imperial Palace.
Two whole portions of Celestial Water Essence—an amount that could significantly boost the Cultivation Realm of a Martial Artist in the Middle Three Grades and even be of considerable help to an Upper Third Grade Martial Artist—were now in the hands of that cowardly, incompetent elder Crown Prince. Who wouldn’t want a piece of that pie?