Am I the old man who's always by my apprentices' side?

Chapter 38 Truly worthy of the title "Emperor Ruyan"

"Let me guess, you are all so afraid of this marriage alliance that you would rather give up a life of luxury. It seems that there is something fishy going on with the Zhou Kingdom?"

This question wasn't directed at Murong Ruyan, but at Xu Ying.

Xu Ying replied awkwardly, "Well... I'm not quite sure either..."

Although he had some schooling, how could he possibly know so much about politics?
Murong Ruyan, however, had somehow abandoned her previous demeanor and smiled gently: "The Emperor of Zhou is fifty-one years old this year, and his eldest son, the Crown Prince, is here."

As she spoke, she tapped her head with her finger and continued, "There's something wrong with her. His Majesty ordered my third sister to go on a marriage alliance, hoping to take a gamble and follow the example of Empress Guo Huifeng. Unfortunately, my third sister was unwilling and ran away halfway. The accompanying envoys and generals were all busy chasing after her, so naturally they couldn't care less about a mere concubine like me."

"The past of Empress Guo Huifeng?"

Zhang Chengdao once again turned his questioning gaze to Xu Ying.

This time, Xu Ying knew the answer, and he quickly replied, "Two dynasties ago, the crown prince appointed by Emperor Wu of the Yong Dynasty was an idiot. To protect her son's position as crown prince, his mother, Empress Yang, arranged a marriage between her and the Guo family, making Guo Huifeng the crown princess, thus concealing the fact that she was the crown prince from Emperor Wu. After Emperor Wu's death, Guo Huifeng, backed by the Guo family, seized power in the court with ruthless methods. Because she had no son of her own, she even took a son from the Guo family and pretended he was her own. At that time, all matters of state, both inside and outside the court, were discussed with Empress Guo..."

Zhang Chengdao nodded in sudden realization: "So that's how it is. The Emperor of Xiao Kingdom wanted to take Zhou Kingdom without bloodshed."

Murong Ruyan scoffed and said, "This is just His Majesty's wishful thinking. Empress Guo Huifeng's past was only possible because her maternal family was powerful. As for us princesses who are sent to marry foreign rulers, we have no foundation in the court and no power in the army. What use would we be?"

Murong Ruyan's words, on the contrary, made Zhang Chengdao's eyes show appreciation.

As expected of a woman named "Ruyan," she's got the script for a villainous female supporting character. As long as it doesn't involve romance, her IQ is definitely online, and her abilities are so amazing that she can even destroy half of the storyline. Unlike her only cheap apprentice, whose eyes always reveal a clear stupidity. Apart from having a good temperament and being willing to endure hardship, he's completely unreliable in terms of brains... and he can eat a lot!

No wonder Murong Ruyan's character card is of gold quality. Even disregarding her qualifications, her political acumen, analytical skills, and courage to escape are truly extraordinary!
"Then why did you come to me for help? What life are you trying to save?"

Zhang Chengdao asked deliberately.

Just when he thought Murong Ruyan was about to plead with him again, he saw Murong Ruyan raise her chin slightly and say loudly, "I am a princess of the Bohai Kingdom who has been living abroad. If the immortal is willing to help me return to my country and seize the throne, I am willing to serve the immortal as the national teacher of the Bohai Kingdom, bestow gold and a house upon me, build temples and steles, and enjoy the sacrifices of the Bohai Kingdom forever!"

"what?"

For once, Zhang Chengdao opened his mouth wide, looking completely stunned.

Since he had acquired the burdens of being the sect leader and the master, he had never shown such a foolish expression before, but this time he really couldn't help it.

He hesitated for a moment, his mind racing, before asking, "You...have two fathers?"

Murong Ruyan, of course, understood Zhang Chengdao's doubts. She curled her lips and explained, "My father was the former emperor of the Great Xiao Kingdom, but my mother was a princess from the Bohai Kingdom sent for a political marriage. Of course, you could also say she was exiled there for the marriage. My mother lost the struggle for the throne to my uncle and was sent to the Xiao Kingdom..."

"Logically, I should have another name, Da Qiqi Renli, which was given to me by my mother who died early."

"Wait, your mother is vying for the throne..." Zhang Chengdao's brain was racing again.

Was the Bohai Kingdom a matriarchal society?

That doesn't make sense either. If it were a matriarchal society, Murong Ruyan's mother wouldn't have failed to seize the throne and been forced to marry a foreign ruler!
Hmm... What on earth is going on?
Fortunately, Xu Ying, who had read enough books, once again provided Zhang Chengdao with the knowledge in this area. He lowered his voice and whispered to Zhang Chengdao, "Sect Leader, the Bohai Kingdom does indeed have many female emperors, and the royal surname of the Bohai Kingdom was bestowed by the former Great Zhou Kingdom. It is the surname 'Da'. Apart from the royal family, the other people of the Bohai Kingdom do not have surnames. Therefore, the royal bloodline all take the surname 'Da'."

Zhang Chengdao suddenly realized again—that is to say, all members of the royal family of the Bohai Kingdom, regardless of gender, have the right to inherit, so their children, as long as they have the surname "Da", also have the right to inherit!
However, having inheritance rights alone is useless!
Zhang Chengdao pondered for a moment and asked, "Since you believe that you cannot control the government even if you go to Zhou, why do you think that you can successfully usurp... cough, seize the throne by returning to Bohai alone?"

Murong Ruyan said confidently, "Although my mother failed to seize the throne back then, she left behind some inheritance. I have my own tokens. It's just a pity that she was imprisoned in Xiao Kingdom and had no chance to escape back to her country, so she couldn't contact those old subordinates. Now that my mother has passed away, I will naturally carry on her will and make sure that her memorial tablet can be placed in the ancestral temple of Bohai Kingdom!"

Zhang Chengdao couldn't help but sigh inwardly once again, "As expected of the 'Emperor Ruyan' who is active in many online novels, his ideological awareness is truly ahead of his time!"

"What if those old followers have already dispersed? Or what if they are indulging in pleasure and comfort, and have no intention of starting a rebellion with you?"

Murong Ruyan replied, "By appealing to their emotions, enticing them with benefits, and intimidating them with power, we can convince them that everyone has weaknesses, and weaknesses can be exploited. Furthermore, with your assistance, Immortal, replacing my old, frail, and bloated uncle will be a piece of cake!"

"well said!"

Zhang Chengdao sincerely praised him, then shook his head slightly and said, "I will not help you, nor will I become the national advisor of Bohai Kingdom."

Upon hearing this, Murong Ruyan's expression remained unchanged; she simply stared intently at Zhang Chengdao.

As expected, Zhang Chengdao paused before continuing, "However, I can take you as my disciple, guide you into the immortal realm, and ask you about immortality. Once you have mastered your skills, you can then compete for the throne of the Bohai Kingdom."

Murong Ruyan finally breathed a sigh of relief. She immediately flicked her skirt and kowtowed, saying, "Please accept my bow!"

"No need. Our sect does not require kneeling and kneeling is forbidden. You can consult your senior brother Chang Ping'an about some matters."

Zhang Chengdao offered a slight gesture of support, and Murong Ruyan, without any pretense, immediately stood up and replied crisply, "Yes!"

"Ping An, now that you have reached the second level of Qi Refining, I will entrust the task of teaching your junior sister how to guide Qi into her body to you. You should also explain some of the sect's customs to her."

Chang Ping'an quickly clasped his hands in a fist and replied, "Disciple understands."

"Murong Ru... uh, Da, Da Qiqi Ha... what was it again?"

Zhang Chengdao almost mispronounced the name of the newly initiated disciple, and quickly asked why.

Murong Ruyan clasped her hands in a gesture of respect, mimicking Chang Ping'an, and said, "I am Da Qiqi Renli, but Master just calls me Ruyan!"

One chapter left, time to throw away the tiles!!!
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(End of this chapter)