Most importantly, Xu Tangran could feel Yan Xiu glaring at him from behind, as though he was about to attack him at any moment. He believed that if he did anything out of the ordinary, Yan Xiu would definitely make a move. He had no choice but to watch his words and actions carefully in front of Miao Yi. It was a very uncomfortable feeling.
Of course, Xu Tangran could understand. As the Lieutenant's personal bodyguard, he still had to be vigilant.
The three of them went up to the balcony and looked around. In the plaza of the main hall, a group of women were happily making snowmen. Fei Hong, Lin Pingping, and Xue Linglong were all there, as well as a few handmaidens. They seemed to be having a great time.
Yun Zhiqiu wasn't here. She had gone to Traversing Moon Palace to deliver the gifts as usual. Miao Yi wondered if he would be able to meet Traversing Moon Palace Lord Li Hua this time.
Seeing that Xue Linglong was also here, Miao Yi smiled. "You didn't go home?"
Xu Tangran knew what he meant. He smiled and said, "There's no rush. Work is more important. Let's greet Milord first. I've already greeted Linglong when I passed by just now. "
Miao Yi leaned on the railing and stretched out his hand, allowing the snowflakes to fall into his palm and turn into crystalline water droplets.
Ten thousand years had left its mark on him. His appearance had matured, and both his gaze and aura were clearly different from ten thousand years ago.
Now that his cultivation had reached Colored Lotus Fifth Grade, his daily rate of refining and absorbing Basic Immortal Pills had reached 4,100. However, if he wanted to break through to Colored Lotus Sixth Grade, he would need a total of 9,400 years. Currently, he had spent 1,300 years. In other words, he would need another 8,000 years before he could break through to Colored Lotus Sixth Grade.
The Fiery Star Technique wasn't a perfect cultivation technique. Other people's cultivation techniques allowed them to absorb faster the higher their cultivation. However, Miao Yi's cultivation progress wasn't fast at all. The difference was getting bigger and bigger. Even Qian'Er and Xue'Er's current rate of absorption was faster than his, let alone Yun Zhiqiu.
However, the Fiery Star Technique had its own advantages. It wasn't a cultivation technique that followed the normal path. It was extremely particular about the harmony of Yin and Yang. The greater the degree of harmony, the faster the absorption rate. Thus, it required external factors to catalyze it.
Miao Yi also knew that continuing to cultivate like this wasn't the way to go. He needed an abundant supply of Yin and Yang flames to replenish himself and once again quickly increase the speed of his cultivation. Ordinary Yin and Yang flames were no longer of much help to him, because the Yin and Yang fire elements contained within were not abundant enough for him to absorb.
Xu Tangran observed Miao Yi's expression from the side. He didn't know what Miao Yi was thinking, so he didn't disturb Miao Yi as he played with the snowflakes.
Miao Yi gently flicked away the melted water droplets on his palm, then retracted his hand behind his back. He calmly asked, "How is that Duke Yuan?"
Xu Tangran looked around and chuckled. "Needless to say, with his help, Juxian Hall's development has been very smooth. Master Yuan's performance has been outstanding as always. Of course, we all know about his foundation. His so-called outstanding performance is just the coordination of the resources he already has. His goal is nothing more than to quickly improve and make the next step. As a matter of fact, this subordinate is here to ask for a reward for him. "
Miao Yi smiled. "This is a good thing. He can earn money for us. So what if it's his contribution? At worst, we can just raise his rank."
In these years, Duke Yuan could be said to be the one who rose the fastest in the Netherworld Presidential Manor. He had already reached the Golden Lotus Third Grade and was promoted to a Grand Commander. However, he didn't have any military power in his hands. He had always been following Xu Tangran outside to make trouble. Miao Yi also didn't dare to let him command the troops in the Netherworld Presidential Manor.
However, Xu Tangran couldn't help but worry. "But the manpower gathered in Juxian Hall is basically controlled by him in secret. If he harbors ill intentions, will it cause Juxian Hall to collapse?" He had to clarify this matter. If something happened to Juxian Hall if it collapsed, he didn't want to bear the responsibility.
Miao Yi said, "You just need to slowly strengthen your control. He can do whatever he wants, and you can do whatever you want. As long as he can provide us with a strong financial support and be used by us, it doesn't matter that we are in each other's hands. I'm just afraid we won't be able to intervene. As long as we can intervene, he will be in the open, and we will be in the dark. He doesn't know our plans, but we know his. In the end, it's hard to say who will collapse! You don't have to worry too much, and don't be impatient to show any flaws. Take control bit by bit, from point to point. Even if it collapses in the end, I don't believe you can't control a single person in your hands. I can rest assured with you in charge! "
When Xu Tangran, who was observing Miao Yi's expression and listening attentively, heard the last sentence, he felt as if he had eaten honey in his heart. It was worth running around all these years in vain. He immediately beamed with joy and cupped his fists. "It's Lord's wise decision. With Lord's words as a foundation, your subordinate will have confidence in his heart and know what to do."
Miao Yi tilted his head to look at him. "Borrow the Xiahou family's power, accumulate financial resources, recruit more people, and set up more hidden traps to wait for the future! I have also instructed the Madam. You can discuss the specific details with her. "
When he heard the words' wait for the future ', Xu Tangran's spirits immediately rose. This meant that the Lord Lieutenant was not satisfied with his current position. Sooner or later, he would have to move up. This meant that with his current advantageous position, he would have to move up sooner or later. He deeply agreed with this. If the Lord Lieutenant continued to move up, he would be a member of the Imperial Court. With the Lord Lieutenant's current strength, he was still far from having that qualification. It was impossible to make an exception and promote him again. Now, he could only accumulate his strength and wait for the future. As long as he was fully prepared, there would be fewer obstacles in the future.
"Yes! Your subordinate will remember it. "Xu Tangran cupped his fists in response.
Miao Yi continued, "You are often out and about, so you have access to a lot of news from all sides. Have there been any rumors about me recently?"
Xu Tangran pondered for a moment. With Miao Yi's previous words, he naturally knew if he should say the following words. "All these years, Lord has been keeping too low a profile. I will say something that Lord may not like to hear, but Lord's reputation in the early years has already died down. Nowadays, the rumors outside are all about who has fallen from power, who has risen to power, who has fallen from the clouds, and who has risen to power. Almost no one talks about Lord. Some of the younger generation who have just risen might not even know who Lord is."
"Mm!" Miao Yi nodded. That was right. With his current situation, if he became the center of attention, then he would be in big trouble.
Just then, a few figures flew into the palace from the direction of the palace gates. It was Yun Zhiqiu and the others. They stopped at the plaza and exchanged a few words with Fei Hong and the others, then flew into the inner palace.
Standing on the observation deck, Miao Yi and the others could clearly see the entire scene unfolding before their eyes.
"Madam is back." Xu Tangran chuckled.
Not long after, Yang Zhaoqing, who had accompanied Yun Zhiqiu on her journey, quickly came over. He went up to the observation deck and bowed, "Lord!" He then greeted Xu Tangran. Yan Xiu was not one to greet him. Yang Zhaoqing had long since gotten used to it.
Miao Yi asked, "Did Madam see Li Hua?"
Yang Zhaoqing shook his head and smiled bitterly. "She accepted the gift, but Li Hua still refused to show himself to see Madam."
Miao Yi fell silent and decided not to talk about this anymore. He then asked, "How is the matter with that woman from the Loitering House going?"
Xu Tangran's ears perked up at the mention of 'Loitering House'. This was a place similar to the brothels run by the government. They were scattered all over the country, and many of the female family members of some criminals would enter these places. Over the years, there had been many who had fallen from power, and naturally, there were also many who had been punished. He didn't know why Miao Yi would suddenly mention this place, especially when he mentioned a woman. What was her relationship with him?
Yang Zhaoqing said, "I've already sent some money to her, and arranged for someone to smooth things over. However, I don't know if it will work out. After all, her husband has been charged with a serious crime, and we can't guarantee anything. However, that woman's mouth seems to be a little nasty. She called Madam ungrateful and said some things about her in the streets. Some of the things she said were a little nasty."
Miao Yi furrowed his brows. "What does Madam mean?"
Yang Zhaoqing replied, "Madam means that since they used to be friends, she won't hold it against her. She's trying to find out how to help her get out of this. After all, she's in the Ying Family's territory, so it might be a little troublesome to handle."
Miao Yi gazed into the distance in silence.
Xu Tangran asked Yang Zhaoqing in a low voice, "What's going on?"
Yang Zhaoqing also explained the situation in a low voice. The general gist of the situation was that Yun Zhiqiu had gotten to know a certain Mayor's Madam when she was doing business in Celestial Street. She had been in frequent contact with Yun Zhiqiu, and had taken good care of Yun Zhiqiu's business. Now that the woman's husband had been embroiled in the turmoil of the upper echelons, his faction had fallen from power, and he was implicated as well. The men in his entire family were beheaded, and the women were punished to become prostitutes in the Loitering House. Naturally, the woman couldn't escape her fate. Later on, when the woman was entertaining customers, she met an old acquaintance and begged him to ask for Yun Zhiqiu's help. She couldn't find anyone else to help her now, and no matter how much she thought about it, Yun Zhiqiu was the only one who could help her. When Yun Zhiqiu received the news, she also felt that this matter was a little troublesome. If she were to interfere without permission, she might end up getting herself into trouble. That wasn't in line with her current strategy of keeping a low profile. Naturally, she had to find out more about the situation before making a move. As such, she first sent some money to the woman to deal with the emergency, but didn't give her a definite answer. In the end, she thought that her last shred of hope had been dashed, and started making wild accusations. The rest of the story was roughly what she had told Miao Yi just now. In short, she made up a lot of nasty things about Yun Zhiqiu.
'So that's how it is.' Xu Tangran nodded his head in understanding. He sighed and said, "His Majesty is too ruthless. He wanted to create a fifth Heavenly King to divide the Four Heavenly Kings' profits. Naturally, the Four Heavenly Kings wouldn't agree to it. With this counterattack, they managed to suppress the matter, and the situation gradually calmed down. However, the Four Heavenly Kings are still very wary of such matters. It's obvious that they would rather kill the wrong person than let the wrong person go. I'm afraid that the signs of a gradual purge won't stop for the time being. Incidents like this woman's are quite common nowadays."
Miao Yi slowly said, "I'll leave this matter to you. Make her shut up for good!"
With his current power, it would be easier than stepping on an ant to kill a person like this. He could do it with just a single word.
Xu Tangran was taken aback. Naturally, he understood what Miao Yi meant by making her shut up for good. However, he asked hesitantly, "What about the Madam?"
Miao Yi calmly said, "If the Madam blames her, just tell her that it was my idea."
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