Reborn as Murong Fu: This Time I'm the Protagonist

Chapter 493 A Female Yao and Shun
The palace maid spoke slowly and deliberately: "The Empress Dowager said that His Majesty's sincere heart is touching. However, the waxing and waning of fortunes is determined by Heaven and cannot be decided by human power. So there is no need for you to trouble yourself, sir."

Murong Fu was slightly taken aback. This Empress Dowager, who had served three emperors, was only sixty years old. In later generations, she would just be an elderly person who had just received a few years of retirement pension. How could she be so open-minded about the fate of life and death? He couldn't help but feel a bit of respect for her.

Princess Chu burst into tears: "Grandmother, you are of noble birth, and your life is tied to the fate of the nation and the well-being of all people. How can you so easily utter such disheartening words?" Her father and mother had passed away early, and it could be said that this great-grandmother had raised her single-handedly. Now that her great-grandmother was critically ill and her life was hanging by a thread, how could she not feel her heart breaking at the thought of it?

The palace maid sighed and said, "Second Princess, the Empress Dowager has been ill for days and is also feeling tired. She has just started to rest. As her children and grandchildren, we should be filial and not go against the wishes of our elders. It would be best not to disturb the Empress Dowager's rest at this time!"

The Chu princess was at a loss: "Please ask Lady Lin to convey the message again, just say that your grandson has come to visit."

Lin Shanggong sighed, "Second Princess, please don't force yourself. The Empress Dowager just can't bear to see all the princes and only cause them more grief."

At this moment, Zhao Ji changed his robes and came running in. As soon as he arrived, he shouted loudly, "Grandmother, Ji'er has come to see you. Your brother has invited a living god to take care of you. Your health will surely improve."

Upon hearing this, Lin Shanggong frowned slightly: "Your Highness, in the palace, please be mindful of your appearance."

Murong Fu frowned slightly: This Empress Dowager seems to be going a bit too far. Even if she wants to learn from Liu Bang's disregard for life and death, she doesn't need to put on such an over-the-top performance.
Murong Fu's mind stirred, and he subtly channeled his inner energy: "I am Murong Fu, a recluse from the mountains of Suzhou. I deeply admire the Empress Dowager's virtuous words and deeds, her protection of the young emperor, her support for the nation, and the well-being of the people. She is truly a 'female Yao and Shun' of our Great Song Dynasty. Now, hearing that the Empress Dowager is unwell, I have traveled a thousand miles from Suzhou to examine her. If the Empress Dowager is willing to trust my medical skills, please allow me to try. Perhaps I can extend the Empress Dowager's life by twelve years. Why then must the Empress Dowager refuse to see me?"

Murong Fu's voice was like a pebble dropped into a still lake, its ripples lingering long afterward. One sound followed another, one after another, the echo resonating deep within, like the mighty Yangtze River flowing eastward, its waves surging and never ceasing. Though his voice wasn't loud, it resonated throughout the entire hall, making it seem as if the whole palace was trembling, with faint sounds of wind and thunder emanating from within. It was as if a deity stood on the clouds, issuing his commands to his followers on earth, inspiring an irresistible urge to kneel in worship.

The Chu princess turned pale—this man's internal strength was truly astonishingly high; could this be achieved by human power?
Lin Shanggong's expression changed drastically: "How dare you! How dare you be so arrogant and presumptuous within the palace! Guards, take this madman out!"

Zhao Ji quickly stepped forward, blocking Murong Fu's path: "How dare you! This is a guest invited by my imperial brother, how can you be so rude!"

Lin Shanggong said, "Your Highness, this is the Empress Dowager's palace; such rudeness is unacceptable!"

Zhao Ji angrily retorted, "You unwanted old hag are the one who's being rude! I am the late emperor's son, and the person inside is my great-grandmother. As her grandson, I'm here to see what my grandmother has to offer. Do you need to come and chatter on like this? You're making a big deal out of nothing!"

Lin Shanggong was so angry that her face turned pale and then red.

The group was arguing and making a scene when suddenly the tinkling of jade pendants rang out, and another beautiful woman in palace attire appeared before them: "Gentlemen, please don't be impolite. Lady Lin, the Empress Dowager requests that Young Master Murong of Gusu come in for a chat!" The beautiful woman in palace attire gave Murong Fu a deep look: "This must be Young Master Murong of Gusu. I have long admired your name. Please allow me to come!"

Murong Fu bowed deeply: "Thank you, please lead the way."

Zhao Ji glanced smugly at Lin Shanggong and was about to follow when the beautiful woman in palace attire said coldly, "Your Highness Prince Duan and Princess Chu, please stop here. The Empress Dowager only invited Young Master Murong. Please wait here, Your Highnesses."

Emperor Huizong wanted to go up and make a scene, but the Chu princess grabbed his ear and pulled him aside, saying, "Yes, I will obey the Empress Dowager's decree."

Murong Fu followed the beautiful woman in palace attire. The woman ahead walked with steady steps and a calm, long breath, revealing herself to be a rare master of internal martial arts. Murong Fu couldn't help but marvel at the profound foundation of the royal family, which had been passed down for centuries. This young woman, who looked to be no more than thirty years old, possessed internal martial arts skills that, in Murong Fu's eyes, were no less than those of many so-called Xuan-generation monks from Shaolin Temple. It should be noted that even the youngest Xuan-generation monks were over fifty years old, and were considered absolute first-rate masters in the martial arts world.

His internal energy breathing techniques clearly originated from the Taoist lineage, but it is unknown which school or sect it belongs to.
Is there any Taoist sect in this world other than the Free and Unfettered Sect that can cultivate such a genius? Such a genius would be enough to establish a sect in the martial arts world, or become a respected figure in a major sect, but instead he is working as a maid in the imperial palace, doing the work of serving others.

Out of curiosity, Murong Fu couldn't help but use telepathy to speak to the beautiful woman in palace attire in front of him: "Madam, I, Murong Fu, greet you. Judging from your long and steady breathing, your internal energy cultivation has reached a high level. May I ask which school you belong to?"

The beautiful woman in palace attire in front of him paused noticeably, then her lips moved slightly as she transmitted her voice in secret, saying calmly, "I have no particular sect. I only learned some methods of health preservation from my father when I was young. I have no master or teacher."

Murong Fu was slightly taken aback. Just as he was about to ask who the other party's father was, a beautiful woman in palace attire bowed in front of a vermilion pavilion: "Empress Dowager, Young Master Murong has arrived."

The door opened, revealing a large screen. Two young palace maids deftly placed brocade stools behind the screen, and the beautiful woman in palace attire moved behind it silently.

Murong Fu bowed deeply and said, "Murong Fu, a commoner from Gusu, greets the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager enjoy good health and longevity."

From behind the screen, an aged female voice came: "No need for formalities. It is not easy for you to come from afar, and I am deeply comforted by your sincere heart. Please take a seat!"

Murong Fu stood up, clasped his hands in a salute, slowly retreated, and sat down.

Behind the screen, an elderly figure struggled to his feet with the help of a beautiful woman in palace attire. Then, an aged voice came from behind: "I just heard that Young Master Murong has come all the way from Suzhou? The journey must have been long and arduous. May I ask who you are traveling to the capital with?"