My Wife is A Sword God

Chapter 686: Anya's Thoughts, Guidance from the Empress

In the Imperial City, in the private quarters of the Empress Consort, Princess Anya, dressed in a white robe, was gently blowing on a cup of hot tea.

The Empress Consort spoke softly, “In the past six months, your cultivation has improved by leaps and bounds, and His Majesty is very satisfied.”

“However, this Empress is curious – you used to be indifferent to cultivation, so why are you so passionate about it now?”

An unnatural look flashed in Anya’s eyes, but then she smiled and replied, “Mother is overthinking things. My approach to cultivation is no different than before.” 

“It’s just that the world has changed a lot after the descent of Transcendence. By following my teacher’s guidance, my progress has naturally been faster than before.”

The Crown Prince beside her took a bite of a tea cake and sighed, “That’s right, it’s no different than before. These days, you don’t even bother with the Gathering Treasure Pavilion, leaving everything to me.”

“The last time I went to the palace to look for you, the servants told me that you were in the Heavenly Tower absorbing Primordial Immortal Qi, and you stayed there for three whole days and nights. Is that normal?”

“Especially when it comes to news about Qin Feng in the Southern Domain, your cultivation suddenly becomes so fervent…”

Before he could finish, Anya interrupted, “Brother, your tea has gone cold.”

“What is the tea cold? This tea was just…” The Crown Prince turned his head and saw Anya frowning slightly, her beautiful eyes widening. He immediately changed his words and said: “It’s indeed a bit cold.” 

Seeing the Empress Consort’s gaze, Anya calmly replied, “Mother, do not listen to my brother’s nonsense. It is only because of the changes in Heaven and Earth that I have been diligently cultivating, hoping to improve my cultivation to better serve Father Emperor and the people.”

“As for the news about Qin Feng, I did not go looking for it, I just overheard it. After all, he and I are close friends.”

“No other intentions?” The Empress Consort’s eyes were fixed intently on Anya.

Anya looked away uneasily, “Of course not.”

“It seems this Empress has been overthinking things… In fact, His Majesty mentioned to me earlier that you have reached the age of marriage. He asked if I had any suitable candidates for you to consider.”

At these words, Anya’s face immediately paled, “What did Mother say?”

“This Empress must, of course, consider your wishes. I looked at the people you were close to, and His Majesty mentioned a few candidates, but this Empress was not entirely satisfied, so I rejected them on your behalf.”

Anya let out a breath, then linked her arm with the Empress Consort’s and smiled sweetly, “Mother is so good to me. I do not want to marry yet, I just want to stay by your side.”

The Empress Consort nodded slightly and continued, “I then mentioned Qin Feng to His Majesty. This man has made great contributions to the Great Qian, and his relationship with you is also close. His Majesty was very satisfied after hearing this.”

“However, since you don’t have such intentions, we’ll leave this aside. This Empress will inform His Majesty later.”

Hearing this, Anya felt her heart pounding, as if it would jump out of her throat. Grasping the Empress Consort’s gentle hand, she lowered her head and said quietly, “If this is Father Emperor’s will, then even though my heart is unwilling, I… I can only accept it.”

“Do not force yourself. As long as this Empress is here, you can rest assured,” the Empress Consort reassured.

Anya was worried. She bit her lip, thinking hard about her words, then looked up to see the Empress Consort’s slightly amused expression. Anya’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Mother!”

The Crown Prince sighed inwardly when he saw this. His sister’s heart had indeed been stolen by that wastrel. 

But now, with tales of this man spreading throughout Great Qian, and considering his appearance, even the Crown Prince himself might have harbored feelings if he were a woman.

Shaking his head, the Crown Prince decided to go back and correct his own orientation and values.

The Empress Consort’s vermilion lips parted, “I’m just teasing you. Last night, I heard His Majesty say that Qin Feng will be returning to the Imperial City soon, and his two wives are currently pregnant. This might be an opportunity for you.”

She looked at Anya meaningfully. “Do you understand what I mean?”

Anya was taken aback for a moment, then shook her head.

The Empress Consort started to explain, but then noticed that the Crown Prince was still present. She turned her head and said, “Have you finished handling today’s affairs?” 

The eavesdropping Crown Prince heard the underlying meaning and reluctantly took his leave. He had wanted to listen to the Empress Consort’s words, for she was the master of the harem, an expert in intrigue. If he could learn a few tricks from her, he might be able to handle the palace ladies in his own harem better.

Unfortunately, he had to miss this opportunity.

After the Crown Prince left, the Empress said, “Qin Feng is indeed a man of deep feelings and righteousness, but like most men, he is inevitably lustful.”

“As far as this Empress knows, in addition to his two wives, he has had some unclear relationships with some extraordinary women, such as the sword maiden Lan Ningshuang, the sword goddess Bai Wushuang, and the clan leader of the Tushan Fox Clan, Su Tianyue.”

“Not to mention the daughter of the Asura King, who has openly declared her desire to bear his children and continue the bloodline.”

Every time Anya heard a name, the worry in her eyes would become more intense. Her right hand, which held the Empress Consort’s palm, tightened subtly, though she was unaware of it.

The Empress Consort smiled, “But you need not worry. His two wives are not ordinary people. Even if he has such a thieving heart, he doesn’t have the audacity to take another wife. That’s why he hasn’t married anyone else yet.”

Anya’s eyes lit up with joy, but she quickly realized, “Then according to Mother Consort’s words, I have no chance either?”

“Haven’t you understood the crux of the matter? In order to win over Qin Feng, you must first win over his two wives. Listen carefully as I explain…”

Anya listened intently, sometimes confused, sometimes enlightened, and sometimes filled with admiration. Today, she finally understood why the Empress Consort had risen above the many other palace ladies to become the mistress of the harem.

…

“Achoo! Could it be that someone is talking about me behind my back?”

Qin Feng stood in front of the main gate of the Qin Mansion and rubbed his nose. Thinking about his two pregnant wives back home, he excitedly knocked on the door.

The gatekeeper opened the door and was overjoyed to see him. “Young Master has returned!”

The entire mansion suddenly came alive with activity.

Liu Jianli and Cang Feilan, their bellies heavy with ten-month pregnancies, waddled out to greet him.

Qin Feng’s eyes welled up at the sight. He was both excited and worried. “Why are you two out here? You should be resting more at this time. Hurry, hurry, listen to me and go back inside.”

The two women looked at Qin Feng tenderly. Seeing that he was unharmed, the weight on their hearts finally lifted. They allowed Qin Feng to support them as they returned to the main hall.

Qin Feng looked at his second mother. After half a year, there were more white hairs on her head and her eyes were red-rimmed, yet she smiled at him.

His father’s death must have been a heavy blow to his Second Mother… Qin Feng sighed inwardly. There were a thousand words he wanted to say, but all that came out was, “Second Mother, I’m back.”

“It’s good to have you back,” she replied.