Chapter 472: Chapter 472

"Thank you for Your Majesty's kind intentions, but as one who has withdrawn from the world, frequently involving oneself in mortal affairs is already inappropriate. If one further becomes entangled in fame, fortune, and official rank, it is even more detrimental to cultivation."

"Your Majesty, as I have said before, all things between heaven and earth fundamentally adhere to the principle of balance..."

So, is this the reason why those emperors, no matter how brilliant, wise, and powerful, or how rich they possessed the entire world, could never truly achieve what they sought?

It must be said, at this moment, as a person who still harbored thoughts of longevity, Sima Yu was undoubtedly extremely disappointed.

No wonder he had been unable to gain any insight no matter how hard he tried to "comprehend the Dao" lately.

Ah, it is not that I, the emperor, lack innate talent, but rather that Heaven intentionally does not bestow it!

Even so, for the current Emperor Xuanwu, truly making him abandon the imperial throne to single-mindedly pursue enlightenment of the Dao was also impossible.

What a joke! Throughout history, not to mention achieving longevity or even ascension, how many have even managed to enter the Dao? Even the True Person before me cannot guarantee immortality.

Compared to that sliver of elusive hope, the imperial throne before me is much more tangible.

Not even the position of Imperial Mentor, which stands above all but one person and above tens of thousands, could sway her in the slightest, and she showed not a shred of attachment to power and influence. This is truly a transcendent sage who has risen above the mundane world!

Seeing that the other party truly had no such intentions, after a brief moment of regret, the current emperor had no choice but to withdraw his offer.

Even so, regarding the Xuanzhen Temple already under construction in the suburbs, the emperor couldn't help but pay even more attention. Every day, a constant stream of various treasures flowed into the villa where An Ning resided.

Upon returning, he immediately wrote an imperial edict:

All subjects of Great Liang, regardless of status, must not show disrespect to the True Person Qinghui. He further personally wrote an order stating that seeing the True Person was equivalent to seeing the emperor himself.

Since worldly fame and fortune could not move the exalted personage, then only my, the emperor's, overflowing sincerity would suffice.

It must be said, this imperial decree truly took everyone by surprise.

The moment the edict was issued, many in both the Front Court and the Rear Palace were astonished. After all, the court's important ministers more or less knew something of His Majesty's earlier plans.

Earlier, a site for the Residence of the State Preceptor had even been selected. Combined with today's action:

"It seems that True Person is unwilling to become entangled with authority!"

Could it be that His Majesty has encountered a true exalted personage?

Some ministers who previously did not believe in such things couldn't help but feel suspicious, and their curiosity about this True Person grew stronger.

Regardless of how these ministers, whose brains were as complex as ant nests, buzzed with discussion, the villa remained as quiet as ever.

When the edict arrived, An Ning was leisurely nestled in a beautifully scenic pavilion, listening to the crisp, tinkling sound of a clear spring falling not far away.

It was the system, however, that truly didn't understand:

"Host, what are you thinking? Isn't being the Imperial Mentor good?"

"The legendary position above all but one and above tens of thousands, you know!"

"Listen to what you're saying. Isn't your host currently above tens of thousands of people already?"

"Moreover, because I don't hold a specific official position, I don't even have a proper superior."

Imperial Mentor sounds nice, but isn't it still being a subordinate?

Casually setting down the paintbrush in her hand, An Ning couldn't help but say softly:

"Besides, is the position of Imperial Mentor really just a title? Behind the position lie countless responsibilities."

The spiritual energy in this world is sparse. Even with the original body's excellent aptitude, it's not enough for her to smoothly reach Foundation Establishment, let alone higher levels where she could summon wind and rain.

In that case, crazily taking on responsibilities, and even giving those people, especially ordinary people, excessively high hopes, is just asking for trouble.

If not handled well, it could backfire on herself.

This is also why An Ning previously wouldn't take this path unless absolutely necessary. For no other reason than it's too easy to crash and burn!

Of course, there's another point. Looking at the painting scroll in her hand, An Ning sighed lightly:

"A person outside the world must not interfere with court politics. Starting from this point, isn't it just right?"

Thinking of the constant stream of various rare and exotic items sent to the villa lately, and the emperor's increasingly eager and cautious attitude...

Alright, the system had to admit that when it came to the art of handling people, over all these years, its host had never lost.

Regardless of the rights and wrongs outside, after the group settled down, aside from An Ning, the one who adapted the fastest was undoubtedly Siya.

Unlike Lady Yang, who was revisiting an old haunt and was most prone to being moved by the scenery, as a newcomer with a restless nature who loved going out, within a couple of days, she had become familiar with a group of young ladies from official families nearby.

One day, just as An Ning had finished her seclusion, she saw Siya, who had been playing outside with her little friends, suddenly run over happily with a beaming face:

"Seco... no, True Person, guess what I just heard outside?"

"Oh, what matter is worth you being this happy?"

Glancing at the other's broadened smiling face, An Ning quickly understood in her heart. She then set down the long scroll in her hand and settled herself comfortably, saying:

Sure enough, the next moment, Siya raised her little eyebrows and immediately chuckled:

"True Person, you don't know! Not long ago, the Wu Yang Marquis, that shameless bastard father who insisted on sending betrothal gifts to our family, personally submitted a memorial saying the young master was incompetent and that he would change the heir to the title in the future!"

"Just this morning, His Majesty has already agreed."

Of course, he couldn't avoid a severe reprimand, and even the Wu Yang Marquis's only official positions were all stripped away.

The reason, naturally, was failing to properly educate his son.

Thinking of this, Siya couldn't help but feel happy from the bottom of her heart.

For some reason, she had always felt particularly uncomfortable about this family from the very beginning.

"It's just a pity they didn't strip the noble title away as well!"

Having been in the capital for only a few days, Siya, already familiar with these rules, couldn't help but put her hands on her hips and express regret.

As for enemies, naturally, the more miserable they are, the better. She wouldn't sympathize.

Upon hearing this, An Ning couldn't help but click her tongue, thinking to herself that he truly was an emperor who had competed his way to the throne from among a group of brothers.

Removing the official positions but leaving only the noble title, which the entire household yearned for, as the sole remaining hope.

This approach neither appeared excessively heartless, chilling the hearts of the nobility and officials, nor could it maximize the unhappiness it caused.

You should know, the Wu Yang Marquis has several sons alone!

With just one glance, An Ning could guess that the Marquis's Household would certainly be extremely lively in the future.

Especially that pair of culprits who caused the household's current situation...

However, this was only the beginning.

Through the system, looking at the mother and son currently huddled in a corner of the Marquis's Household, whose food, clothing, and daily necessities were even inferior to those of the household servants, and who had to endure the sarcastic remarks of the concubines and illegitimate sons every day...

One could only say, as expected of a Marquis with a military background, he was indeed ruthless. Clearly, he intended to slowly wear the two of them down to death.

Her gaze paused for a moment on the increasingly pale face of Young Master "Ouyang" and the nearly deranged expression of the Marchioness beside him. Thinking of the original body's experience of not seeing daylight for several whole years in her previous life and finally being brutally murdered, An Ning took a few more glances than usual, but soon withdrew her gaze again.

What's there to pay attention to with a basically confirmed future?

Now, let's see how much courage a person pushed to the brink possesses.

By early July, the Xuanzhen Temple situated on the Western Hills was already completed.

With the emperor's attention, this temple was not only beautifully scenic and covered a considerable area, gathering a group of the most top-notch skilled craftsmen, but its interior was also comfortable and exquisite everywhere. The highest Star-Viewing Tower was over several dozen feet tall. Standing atop it, one could, without exaggeration, take in the entire capital at a glance.

On the day the Xuanzhen Temple was completed, the current emperor personally brought civil and military officials to offer congratulations.

Since the patron was so understanding, An Ning wasn't stingy either. With a wave of her hand, a medium-sized jar of tea leaves appeared before him.

"This is obtained from a tea tree I have been tending recently..."

In front of everyone, An Ning now spoke somewhat awkwardly polite words.

However, before she could finish speaking, she saw the emperor's eyes immediately light up.

Perhaps because the Dao originates from nature, the emperor was aware that the True Person enjoyed tending to flowers, plants, and even tea trees, and used them as subjects for painting.

This tea, no, it should be called spirit tea. To be honest, ever since he drank it once during a visit several days ago, the emperor had been unable to forget it.

That kind of comfort and relaxation from within...

Disregarding the group of ministers behind him whose eyes were practically green with envy.

The emperor spoke politely, but his hands moved with exceptional agility, so fast that An Ning almost couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth.

But words still needed to be said. An Ning's tone remained unchanged:

"I have already placed a restriction on this jar of tea. Others can only pour from it; they absolutely cannot put anything else inside."

Indeed, one must always be cautious with things that enter the mouth! However, looking at the increasingly ethereal and clear woman before him, it seemed the True Person had indeed gained something from her recent seclusion!

Emperor Xuanwu couldn't help but think to himself. That previous matter also slowly transformed from hesitation into firm resolve.

Unaware that she was about to welcome a big trouble, An Ning was at that moment sitting beautifully on the highest Star-Viewing Platform.

Hmm... not bad. Although it's still sparse, the spiritual energy in the mountains is indeed much better than outside.