Lingyin Palace.

"Ah... it hurts so much!"

"Mother... I, I am in such pain!"

"You useless servants, quickly, quickly let him out...!"

"Ah...!"

Inside Lingyin Palace.

Consort Yinn was in labor, shrieks echoing incessantly.

Outside the hall, only Zheng Yi and the Empress were waiting, with no other concubines in sight.

As the princess from Nanzhao, entering the palace as a consort, Princess Lingyin's status was considered noble.

However, her temperament was somewhat unruly, and she did not get along well with the other consorts; only Zheng Yi and the Empress could firmly suppress her.

"Your Majesty."

Lu Lin'er softly said, "Consort Yinn, she truly has a bit of a true nature..."

Zheng Yi coldly said, "What true nature? Just a willful and unruly woman."

"If not for her backing by Nanzhao and being of some use, why would I indulge her like this?"

The fire attribute spirit root within Consort Yinn was of middle grade; Zheng Yi had long used dual cultivation with her to elevate his fire attribute spirit root to a mid-grade realm.

In other words, at this moment, Consort Yinn was no longer of much use to him.

Once she gave birth, she would be even more useless.

Zheng Yi was already considering whether to have the child born by Consort Yinn raised by another concubine.

"Wah, wah wah wah..."

Soon, the cries of a newborn were heard from the suite, loud and clear.

The Empress exclaimed in delight, "Your Majesty, delivered, Consort Yinn has delivered!"

Zheng Yi also smiled and nodded, the ninth prince, only one left until the opening of the second Three Thousand Worlds.

Soon after, a wet nurse swiftly walked out holding a baby.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Your Majesty, Consort Yinn has given birth to a prince!"

A prince!

Another prince!

Nine princes in a row, this is simply... heaven's blessing to Great Yu!

First, an unending series of ten princesses spurred endless debate in the Imperial Court, even inciting many rebel kings to rise in revolt.

And now, the Consorts had suddenly and continuously given birth to nine princes.

There's still Consort Qing awaiting delivery, should she also bear a prince, it would be an auspicious sign!

Zheng Yi nodded, "Reward all the attendants in Lingyin Palace."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zheng Yi stepped forward, merely glancing at the child in the wet nurse's arms, without taking the child.

"Take him away, I'm going to see Consort Yinn."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zheng Yi entered the suite; by this time, all impurities within had already been thoroughly cleaned, only leaving the weakened Consort Yinn and the attending personal maid.

"Your Majesty~"

Consort Yinn struggled to sit up; Zheng Yi did not move, and the nearby personal maid hastily placed cushions behind Consort Yinn's back.

"Consort Yinn, you've worked hard, you should rest well and refrain from thinking too much on usual days."

Consort Yinn said, "I understand, Your Majesty, I have a request..."

"...What is it?"

"My brother from Nanzhao has come to seek refuge with me; I hope Your Majesty will show mercy for our child's sake and offer protection to my brother..."

"Brother?"

Zheng Yi frowned, "Why do I not know of this matter?"

"Cheng'en?"

Liu Cheng'en cautiously said, "Your Majesty, half a year ago Nanzhao's King Quan Longsheng passed away, his third son Quan Linglong ascended the throne. The Cabinet has long been aware of this and has issued the seal of Nanzhao to the new Sovereign of Nanzhao."

"In pursuit of the Nanzhao throne, the man murdered eleven of his brothers to seize the kingship."

"The cousin Consort Yinn spoke of should be Quan Longsheng's seventh son, Quan Lingjian; he is a full brother to Consort Yinn, and to elude Quan Linglong's pursuit, he, protected by loyal subordinates, has fled to Great Yu, enduring many trials to finally reach the Capital City."

"He has repeatedly petitioned, seeking Great Yu's military support to challenge Quan Linglong and assist him in claiming the throne."

Zheng Yi inquired, "How did the Cabinet resolve it?"

"Your Majesty,"

Liu Cheng'en said, "After becoming king, Quan Linglong showed great tact, not only fully abiding by all treaties previously signed between Great Yu and Nanzhao but also actively dispatching troops to assist Guanshan in dealing with Shi Tianlong of Yuezhou."

"Once king, he sent many exotic treasures as well."

"Due to the southern wars, all these treasures remained in Yunzhou, safeguarded by General Guanshan."

"His intentions clear, voluntarily siding with Great Yu, with all other pretenders executed, there's no option but to let him reign."

Zheng Yi nodded, "I see."

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty."

Consort Yinn hurriedly said, "I, I don't hope for help in overthrowing the false king, I just wish Your Majesty to protect my brother from my third brother's pursuit..."

Zheng Yi nodded, "This matter... I have my own judgment."

"Assign Quan Lingjian a position within the Imperial Guard, allow him to familiarize himself with Great Yu's military formations, and then dispose of those pursuing him from Nanzhao."

Liu Cheng'en immediately said, "As you command."

Princess Lingyin's eyes brightened, swiftly saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Do not rush to thank."

Zheng Yi said, "I've already named our child. You hail from Nanzhao, frequently miss your homeland, so I've purposefully named him 'Nan'."

"Zheng Chengnan, what do you think?"

"Zheng Chengnan?"

Consort Yinn's lips trembled, wanting to speak yet only bowing, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for bestowing the name."

"No need for formalities."

Zheng Yi said unemotionally, "Educate our child well, once he comes of age, let his uncle take him back to Nanzhao to inherit the throne there."

"Wh-what...?!"

Consort Yinn looked up abruptly, disbelief in her eyes as she gazed at Zheng Yi: "Your, Your Majesty, the throne of Nanzhao has always belonged to the Quan family..."

"Hmm?"

Zheng Yi said, "The Quan family? Chengnan also has Quan family blood, why can't he become the King of Nanzhao Country?"

"Besides, he is also your child and mine, don't you want your child to have a better life?"

"Think about everything your third brother did..."

"If Chengnan doesn't go to Nanzhao Country, I can't guarantee what consequences he might face."

"Chengnan...!"

Consort Yinn finally reacted.

Third brother Quan Linglong killed eleven brothers to seize the throne of Nanzhao Country, and they were all half-brothers!

Her elder brother and seventh brother had to flee to Great Yu to escape Quan Linglong's pursuit, seeking her help.

Think about it, what to do when Chengnan comes of age?

Not to mention the Crown Prince's identity, which of the seven Princes lacks support from ministers, families, and factions?

When Chengnan is grown, who will support him?

Though she is a Princess of Nanzhao Country, with her father's death and an unfamiliar third brother becoming king, still chasing her brothers, how much help can she provide?

And herself?

Since Your Majesty first favored her, she has had exclusive favor for over a month.

But after that, once pregnant, Your Majesty seemed to tire of her and hasn't visited for over half a year.

A concubine who is not favored, how much help can she provide for her child?

Seeing Consort Yinn deep in thought, Zheng Yi said, "Consort Yinn, you are my concubine and you have given birth to my child."

"Whether for you or for Chengnan, naturally I must consider your welfare."

"If Chengnan has good aptitude, I will keep him by my side."

"If he is ordinary, after coming of age, let him go to Nanzhao Country."

"As long as he stays in Nanzhao his whole life without straying thoughts, he will be safe."

Consort Yinn said trembling, "Tha-Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration, I understand."

"I will educate Chengnan well."

"Alright, you should rest first, I have other matters to attend to."

"I bid farewell to Your Majesty."

Leaving the Lingyin Palace, Zheng Yi let out a long breath.

Regarding Princess Lingyin, he didn't have strong feelings.

After all, she was just a pawn in a transaction between two countries.

Initially, he viewed her as a furnace to gain a Fire Attribute Spirit Root.

Yet after over a year, especially after Lingyin bore a son, feelings inevitably emerged.

"Enough, she has borne a child for me, contributing to the opening of my Three Thousand Worlds, let her be an ordinary concubine."

"Besides, of my Three Thousand Worlds, there is only one Prince left."

"Consort Qing's due date is roughly a month away, just waiting one more month..."

"Buzz, buzz, buzz..."

Suddenly, a familiar insect hum caught Zheng Yi's attention.

"Hmm? Blood Moon Gu?"

With a thought, a blood-colored thread shot swiftly from afar.

On closer inspection, it wasn't a blood-colored thread but a blood-colored, sinister insect the size of a finger.

It was the Blood Moon Gu!

"This is... one of the six Blood Moon Gu I entrusted to Ma Jinwu, has something changed in the southern battle?" 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp..."

The Blood Evil Gu flew to Zheng Yi's side, excitedly darting around, seeming to say something.

Unfortunately, the Blood Moon Gu couldn't speak, but it seemed evident that this Blood Moon Gu had killed a cultivator.

"A cultivator has fallen, looks like my previous hints were clear enough."

"Xu Mujun has finally launched his offensive, though which cultivator has fallen?"

"No hurry, the battle report should arrive soon."

Sure enough, three days later.

The Great Yu Court received the Xuzhou battle report.

In the 11th Year of Zhengyong, third day of June.

Xu Mujun launched a full-scale attack, Xu Mujun, Tang Zhengkou, Miaoo Xiu, Cui Xiawu, Meng Guang, General Guanshan, and other commanders answered the call, attacking the rebels from the north, west, and southwest.

The first to engage the rebels in battle were Meng Guang's navy and the rebel Tuoba Clan's navy!

In the 11th Year of Zhengyong, sixth day of June.

Meng Guang led a hundred thousand navy forces in the northern Yunmeng Marsh, battling the Tuoba Clan's over one hundred and fifty thousand naval troops.

In this battle, both sides suffered over a hundred thousand casualties, countless warships and vessels were destroyed, and the waters of Yunmeng Marsh turned crimson.

Fish and shrimp filled the lake, scrambling to feast.

In the end, the victor was still the Imperial Navy!

Tuoba Clan's main commander Tuoba Jiang, fell in battle.

Tuoba Clan's deputy commander, the Chaotic River Dragon, fell in battle.

Tuoba Clan's clan members, Qi Cultivation Sixth-layer Cultivator Tuoba Qingtong, perished.

Tuoba Clan's clan members, Qi Cultivation Fifth-layer Cultivator Zhao Qingshang, fled with serious injuries.

Tuoba Clan's navy was completely slaughtered, over eighty thousand died, more than fifty thousand went missing, scattered within Yunmeng Marsh.

Meanwhile, the Great Yu Navy suffered over forty thousand casualties, the remaining fifty thousand halted after capturing Wuxi Island, fortifying their position!

With this, the Tuoba Clan lost the ability to advance northwards, unable to send troops to support King Chen in Xuzhou.

"Meng Guang... truly a talent."

Looking at the intelligence, Zheng Yi nodded slowly.

While the Blood Moon Gu's credit lay in killing Tuoba Clan cultivators, without Meng Guang's command, the outcome of this naval battle was uncertain.

"The Tuoba Clan's members are killed, the remaining cultivators would surely go mad."

"Meng Guang..."

Zheng Yi murmured, "The main battlefield is still essential, as long as Xu Mujun's offensive remains tight, the Tuoba Clan won't be able to divide their attention."

"Xu Mujun, how will you proceed?"