Immortality and cultivation begin with full comprehension.

Chapter 319 Beauty Trap

With his status as a true disciple of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect," Li Yunjing was already considered to be the most prestigious person in this setting.

Even the third princess of the Ming Dynasty had to come and serve him.

Li Yunjing naturally took the lead and entered the main hall to sit with the emperor.

The others stood on either side of the main hall.

The emperor quietly asked Li Yunjing for his opinion, and after receiving Li Yunjing's consent, he clapped his hands to signal the dishes to be served.

Immediately, the royal musicians in the palace began to play cheerful tunes to express the royal family's welcome to the new imperial advisor.

Then, a procession of palace maids, dressed in gorgeous clothes and carrying exquisite trays, gracefully walked in from outside the palace.

In no time, many exquisite dishes were laid out on Li Yunjing's table.

Li Yunjing was very picky about the ingredients. He looked at them and thought they were acceptable, with a reasonable combination of meat and vegetables, and all of them were second-tier monster meat and spiritual materials.

This level of quality is on par with the "Donghualou" restaurant.

Moreover, these dishes are exquisitely presented, featuring dragons and phoenixes, as well as various other designs, making them a feast for the eyes.

The tableware, including bowls, chopsticks, and plates, were all made from top-tier first-order magical artifacts.

The luxury reveals the immense power of the royal family.

This really impressed Li Yunjing.

"Your Excellency, this is Immortal's Drunken Spirit Wine, comparable to a top-tier second-grade wine. It is extremely mellow and refreshing. Please, Your Excellency, try it."

Zhu Wanyun sat beside Li Yunjing, like a well-behaved maid.

The most beautiful woman in the Ming Dynasty, carrying a wine pot, poured a cup of fine wine for Li Yunjing.

Meanwhile, on Li Yunjing's other side, the emperor, with a palace maid pouring wine, raised his cup, offered some toasts, and finally said to Li Yunjing, "I toast the Imperial Preceptor!"

"Very well! I will drink this fine wine with Your Majesty."

Since the emperor was so humble, Li Yunjing naturally gave him some face, picked up the wine cup with both hands, and drank it all.

"Hehe! Grand Preceptor, with your status as a true disciple of the Immortal Sect, it is truly an honor for the entire Ming Dynasty and a blessing for hundreds of millions of people to be able to come to my Great Ming Dynasty and serve as Grand Preceptor!"

The emperor continued to flatter, "This is 30,000 low-grade spirit stones raised by our royal family to congratulate the Imperial Preceptor on his appointment!"

As they were talking, the emperor took out a "treasure bag" from his sleeve and pushed it in front of Li Yunjing.

"Your Majesty, you flatter me! Thank you for your gift! I have been cultivating in peace for three years in Yingtian Prefecture before returning to my sect."

Seeing the emperor's nervous expression, Li Yunjing calmly flicked his sleeve and put away the "treasure pouch," then smiled knowingly.

Thirty thousand low-grade spirit stones!

That's an astronomical price!

Li Yunjing was quite satisfied with the royal family's actions.

This prompted him to back down gracefully, saying he didn't want to get involved in the affairs of the "Shenxiao Temple" and wouldn't cause any further trouble.

"Hahaha! Good! Grand Preceptor, rest assured, the royal family will send tribute every year!"

After paying such a high price, isn't it still enough for Li Yunjing to turn a blind eye?
Now that this true disciple of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect" has agreed, how could the emperor not be happy?

It should be understood that the royal family was developing its power right under the nose of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect," which naturally involved violating the laws of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect."

Within the territory of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect," all laws are based on the sect's rules, and other sects and forces, including the royal family, are subject to its constraints.

Does no one in the royal family crave speed and practice demonic arts?

Did the royal family not commit murder, robbery, or plunder of other cultivators?

Do members of the royal family not collude with outside forces?
As long as Li Yunjing is willing to investigate, he will always be able to find some clues that will bring disaster to the entire royal family.

Li Yunjing could imagine this kind of thing even with his eyes closed.

However, Li Yunjing came here to avoid trouble and planned to calm down, cultivate for three years, and lay a solid foundation. He had no time to deal with the royal family.
What would be gained by confiscating the property and exterminating the entire royal family?

That's troublesome enough!
Since the emperor was so sensible, Li Yunjing naturally took the initiative to suggest that he would not cause them any trouble.

"Hehe! No problem! No problem!"

Li Yun nodded. Three years and 90,000 low-grade spirit stones were enough to buy him the ability to pretend to be deaf and dumb, which wasn't too difficult.

He wouldn't care what illegal things the royal family did behind the scenes, as long as they didn't want to break free from the control of the "Divine Firmament Dao Sect".

"Then I shall arrange for the most outstanding courtesan in the palace to perform a piece for the Imperial Preceptor?"

The emperor was very pleased with Li Yunjing's sensible manner and decided to let him relax a bit.

"Then I will trouble Your Majesty to make the arrangements!"

Li Yunjing nodded. Since he was already out, he might as well have a meal, drink some wine, and listen to some music to relax before going into seclusion.

Soon, as arranged by the emperor, a beautiful woman arrived at the main hall and bowed to Li Yunjing and the emperor.

This woman is petite and delicate, with a round, tender face and a smiling expression. Her eyes are like crescent moons, and her beauty is tinged with a touch of cuteness, making her lovable.

"There are indeed many beautiful women in the palace."

Even Li Yunjing couldn't help but sigh inwardly upon seeing her, praising the woman as truly extraordinary.

As Li Yunjing was praising her, the musicians in the main hall played cheerful music again. The petite and lovely woman had a clear and melodious voice, as pleasant as a lark.

As the music reached his ears, Li Yunjing closed his eyes slightly, his fingers tapping on the table, unable to resist gently striking the keys in rhythm with the music…

After the song ended, Li Yunjing's face showed a look of lingering enjoyment.

Music cultivates character and brings joy. This woman has a beautiful voice, excellent technique, and deep emotion. She sang the song so well that it caught Li Yunjing's eye.

"What a beautiful piece! What a wonderful voice! Your Majesty, this woman deserves a great reward!"

Li Yunjing slowly opened his eyes, chuckled, turned to look at the emperor, and said softly.

He spoke casually, but the emperor could not ignore it. The emperor understood and immediately instructed the eunuch beside him to prepare for the bestowal of honors.

"Unfortunately, this woman has no spiritual roots and cannot enter the path of immortality."

Zhu Wanyun, who was standing to the side, felt a pang of jealousy when she saw that Li Yunjing seemed to admire the palace singer.

Zhu Wanyun had no personal grudges against the songstress; it's just that when outstanding women meet, there's always a sense of comparison.

Zhu Wanyun asked herself, "I am proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. How could I be outdone by a mere singing girl?"
That's why this expression naturally came out.

"Hehe! So Princess Wanyun also has a talent to show off?"

Turning his head to look at Zhu Wanyun, Li Yunjing smiled meaningfully.

Since you've already used your charm, why not show me some real talent?

"Very well! In that case, how about I play a tune on the zither for the Imperial Preceptor?"

Seeing that Li Yunjing seemed quite interested, Zhu Wanyun's eyes flickered slightly, and she had an idea. She spoke softly.

It should be noted that Li Yunjing is already a top figure in the cultivation world of the Ming Dynasty.

Apart from those Golden Core Realm elders, as a true disciple of the "Divine Firmament Dao Sect," Li Yunjing was always a distinguished guest, the most honored among all the sects and families he visited.

Zhu Wanyun felt deeply resentful and insulted that the royal family had used her as a pawn to get close to Li Yunjing.

However, after getting to know Li Yunjing, Zhu Wanyun couldn't help but be attracted by Li Yunjing's charm and Li Yunjing's supreme status, which even her own father had to carefully curry favor with. This changed Zhu Wanyun's mind!
Since she'll be a pawn sooner or later, she might as well just pledge allegiance to Li Yunjing. Ideally, she could gain a title from Li Yunjing. That way, with a true disciple of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect" protecting her, not only would no one in the royal family dare to bully her, but even in the cultivation world, once she revealed her identity, other sects and families would have to give her some face!
With such great benefits, Zhu Wanyun was eager to show off her skills and win Li Yunjing's favor, hoping to elevate her own status.

"Very well! I'm really looking forward to Princess Wanyun's performance!"

Li Yunjing chuckled softly, then turned to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, you have no objections, do you?"

"Hahaha! Of course, I have no objection! It is my daughter's honor to play a tune for the Imperial Preceptor!"

The emperor had been secretly observing Li Yunjing and his daughter from the beginning. If he could really help the two get married, then he, the emperor, could rest easy.

As for sacrificing a daughter?
How can this be considered a sacrifice?
This is clearly the best husband that he, the old father, painstakingly chose for his daughter!
Zhu Wanyun gave Li Yunjing a flirtatious look, smiled sweetly, and said, "In that case, I'll go and make the preparations!"

"Great! I look forward to your perfect performance."

Li Yunjing smiled as well. The Ming Dynasty royal family was really interesting. It seemed that this honey trap was unavoidable.
"Wanyun, go and get ready! Perform well!"

The emperor looked at his daughter, offering a concerned reminder. His gaze towards Zhu Wanyun was filled with a father's loving affection for his daughter.

Seeing this, Li Yunjing secretly sneered. It's true that in this world, everything depends on acting skills!
Where is there any kinship in the royal family?
"Yes!" Zhu Wanyun responded, slowly rising to her feet. Her slender figure swayed gently as she walked towards the back hall, like a willow branch that was fragile in the wind.

Despite her delicate appearance, Zhu Wanyun is quite accomplished. In Li Yunjing's opinion, her foundation is solid and she is no weaker than the outer disciples of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect".

Such skill level would be enough to establish oneself among independent cultivators in the world of cultivation.

"Your Excellency, do you think there's any hope for members of our royal family to join a celestial sect and have a normal path to advancement?"

While Zhu Wanyun was making preparations in the back hall, the emperor suddenly brought up this topic.

"Oh? As far as I know, members of the royal family have also joined the 'Divine Firmament Dao Sect' and cultivated to the Foundation Establishment Realm. It seems that the sect treats members of the royal family no differently."

Upon hearing that the emperor had set a trap for him, Li Yunjing raised an eyebrow, looking at the old fox with a half-smile.

"Hehe! It was a slip of the tongue on my part!"

The emperor cursed inwardly, "Li Yunjing is a little fox after all!"

The emperor was also somewhat puzzled. Although he had not investigated Li Yunjing's identity, the national advisor looked very young and had the sharpness of a young man in his temperament.

How could someone so young cultivate to this level in such a short time?
It's one thing to have high cultivation level, after all, the "Shenxiao Dao Sect" gathers talents from all over the world, and there are always some who are extraordinary. But it's really rare to see someone so mature for his age!
The emperor deliberately probed with a question, which Li Yunjing immediately deflected with a retort, making the emperor even more cautious about Li Yunjing.

"I am quite saddened that my royal family has never been able to produce outstanding disciples to serve the Immortal Sect. It is truly a regrettable thing!"

The emperor was heartbroken as he spoke, "If the Grand Preceptor could help my royal family in the future, my royal family would be eternally grateful!"

"Hehe! We'll talk about it another time!"

Li Yunjing chuckled lightly, but inwardly he was quite unconvinced.

Someone who wants to promote the royal family?

This is a serious taboo within the "Shenxiao Dao Sect"!
Li Yunjing is a loyal disciple of the Shenxiao Dao Sect. Suppressing the royal family would greatly benefit the Shenxiao Dao Sect. How could Li Yunjing possibly harm the interests of the Shenxiao Dao Sect by helping these "outsiders"?
"Ugh……"

The emperor sighed inwardly, knowing that the plan was doomed.

At this moment, in the center of the main hall, tables and chairs had been set up, and a guzheng (a traditional Chinese zither) was placed on the table.

Everything was ready, just waiting for Zhu Wanyun to come out and play.

"Your Excellency, Wanyun will play a piece for you, 'High Mountains and Flowing Water'."

After a while, Zhu Wanyun came out from the back hall and came to the main hall. She didn't stand on ceremony, sat down directly, and began to tune her zither, preparing to play.

"Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding..."

Zhu Wanyun sat before the zither, her hands caressing the instrument. Her slender fingers gently plucked the strings, producing a clear and melodious sound.

"That's quite a high level!"

As soon as the zither music started, Li Yunjing raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but show a hint of surprise.

This woman is quite skilled.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a maidservant by my side, playing the zither and singing for me when I have free time?
At this moment, not only Li Yunjing, but also the royal family members and civil and military officials on both sides of the main hall showed their appreciation.

Zhu Wanyun's skill level is simply too high.

The strings of the zither, plucked by her jade-like fingers, produced a peaceful and serene melody, truly evoking the imagery of towering mountains and flowing water, and the beauty of lakes and mountains.

Under Zhu Wanyun's zither, everyone seems to be transported to a different world, immersed in nature, far from the hustle and bustle of the world, finding solace in the mountains and rivers.

The sky is high and the clouds are light, the mountains are high and the waters are far, creating a sense of harmony between man and nature.

This greatly impressed Li Yunjing.

Zhu Wanyun incorporated her cultivation into the music of her zither, and some of her cultivation methods could be reflected in the music.

"This woman does have some talent, and her aptitude for cultivation is quite extraordinary. Keeping her in the royal family is a real waste of her talent!"

Li Yunjing sighed leisurely; he was also proficient in the four arts: music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

After all, a cultivator must have a few hobbies during their long life.

Otherwise, if one spends the entire long journey of life constantly cultivating oneself, wouldn't one become a robot?

Li Yunjing possessed exceptional comprehension, and his cultivation progressed smoothly, naturally giving him time to pursue more hobbies.

In terms of musical skills, Li Yunjing's attainments, while not exceptional, were certainly not ordinary.

After all, Li Yunjing was talented and could learn anything relatively easily. In his spare time, he would often play a tune to relieve his boredom.

Of course, Li Yunjing had no problem with his musical skills, but in terms of emotional investment, he invested far less compared to Zhu Wanyun.

Perhaps Li Yunjing can show off his skills, but when he performs in front of an audience, he lacks that sense of artistic conception.

That would be a poor choice.

Especially compared to Zhu Wanyun!
As a result, Li Yunjing's goodwill towards Zhu Wanyun increased greatly!

A beautiful woman with talent will always be admired.

The emperor, seeing Li Yunjing's high spirits, was secretly pleased.

It seems that my and the royal elders' scheme has a high chance of success!

If one's daughter were to become the woman of a true disciple of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect," then the people of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect" would have some reservations if they wanted to cause trouble for the royal family.
Just as Li Yunjing was engrossed in listening, and the emperor was harboring ulterior motives, the "High Mountains and Flowing Water" piece came to an end.

"Zheng..."

The final note rang out, and the serene melody of the zither still lingered in my ears, echoing endlessly.

The hall was utterly silent for a moment, everyone savoring the moment, still immersed in the beautiful music.

At this moment, Zhu Wanyun gently opened her eyes, her gaze serene, as if she herself were immersed in the poetic imagery of mountains and flowing water.

"Excellent! Princess Wanyun's performance was of a profound and lofty quality. Even I must say, I admire it!"

After a long while, Li Yunjing finally spoke up in praise.

"Your Excellency, you flatter me. My skills in playing the zither are still quite limited, and I hope that Your Excellency will be able to give me more guidance in the future!"

Zhu Wanyun smiled gently, her expression showing no sign of smugness.

"Heh! In terms of musical skill alone, how am I qualified to give you pointers?"

Li Yunjing gently shook his head, saying, "To know is to know, and to not know is to not know."

He didn't have the audacity to presumptuously offer guidance to a master with his insignificant abilities!
Li Yunjing isn't Jin Taiyang, who knows everything and can boss everyone around!
People!

Have some shame!

"However, if Princess Wanyun has time in the future, she can come to Shenxiao Temple so that we can learn from each other and exchange music theories!"

Li Yunjing added another sentence.

Upon hearing this, Princess Wanyun's pretty face blossomed into the most radiant smile.

The Ming emperor was overjoyed!

The royal family members and civil and military officials in the hall all had different expressions.

However, everyone now knows that Li Yunjing has taken a liking to Zhu Wanyun!

The appreciation of a true disciple of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect" is enough to greatly enhance Zhu Wanyun's status.

If Zhu Wanyun, the most beautiful woman in the Ming Dynasty, were to be taken as a concubine by Li Yunjing, the Ming imperial family would have a powerful backer!

This left the courtiers with mixed feelings.

It's important to understand that in the Ming Dynasty, the imperial family's word was not absolute.

He had connections with many ministers, various factions, and major families.

None of them are pushovers!

It's just that the royal family is protected by the "Shenxiao Dao Sect," so no one dares to rebel.

In reality, these forces infiltrated the imperial court and seized power and benefits through various opportunities.

Now, Li Yunjing is the retired emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

If this important figure were to side with the royal family because of Zhu Wanyun's outstanding performance, the lives of these civil and military officials would probably not be so easy!

　The next chapter will be posted in ten minutes. I'm still writing and haven't finished yet.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)