Starting with being handed over to the Imperial Concubine, building a family with a thousand-year hi

Unfold the letter and quickly skim through it.

The letter was written by "Su Qingshan". If the contents are true, this person is the biological father of the original owner of the body, "Little Su". And Su Qingshan's grandfather was the former ruler of Xichuan.

Xichuan is located on the western border of the Great Qian Dynasty, adjacent to the Cangmang Mountains. Its royal family was once a subject of the Great Qian. More than forty years ago, the Xichuan royal family was exposed for "plotting rebellion" and was wiped out by the Great Qian army. The Xichuan royal family was powerful, but it lacked a Grandmaster to lead it. The one who led the army to conquer Xichuan was none other than Situ Jing, the Grandmaster of the Situ family.

At that time, "Little Su Zi" was still in his mother's womb, and his mother fled back to her parents' home to avoid disaster. His father, Su Qingshan, was traveling and luckily escaped the calamity. Upon learning of the destruction of Xichuan, his mother dared not stay long and took her son to hide and wander from place to place. Su Qingshan then joined "The Judgment of God".

Eight years later, Su Qingshan unexpectedly encountered his first wife and their eight-year-old son. However, he had already remarried and had another son and daughter. Su Qingshan preferred his second wife and his feelings for his long-lost first wife had faded. "Divine Judgment" also did not allow him to settle his first wife, so he placed the mother and son in a remote mountain village.

Two years later, the mountain village was robbed by bandits. His wife was killed, and his eldest son was kidnapped and eventually sold into the palace as a eunuch.

In the letter, Su Qingshan vividly described the hardships he had endured in searching for his eldest son—it wasn't until many years later, when he captured the bandit leader, that he learned of his son's whereabouts. However, by then, "Little Su" had already been in the palace for many years, and the die was cast. Su Qingshan felt indebted and dared not rashly acknowledge his son, only hoping that his eldest son could live a peaceful life in the palace.

"My son, I am writing this letter today because the fate of the Great Qian Dynasty is declining and chaos is imminent. It is difficult for you to remain in the palace for long. You should plan your way out as soon as possible."

"The judgment of God will continue to send people into the palace. You can secretly assist them, which will greatly benefit you in the future."

Upon reaching the end, Su Mu scoffed.

This letter is most likely fake.

"Divine Judgment" must have spies in the palace. They must know about the strange behavior of "Little Su" after he was punished and confined to the library, and about the deaths of Liu Zheng and Lu Xiang. They would also believe that a "mysterious master" is protecting Su Mu. This letter is nothing more than a trick to curry favor and win him over by using "father-son affection."

Even if what is said in the letter is true, so what?

The real "Little Su" had long since died under those hundred iron rods. The one living in this body now is Su Mu.

Furthermore, even if the original owner were still alive, would she acknowledge this father? If Su Qingshan had put in even a little effort for his wife and eldest son back then, how could such a tragedy have occurred? After years of ignoring him, why send a letter now? Is he truly thinking of his "son"?

Although the situation in Daqian is precarious, it is not yet on the verge of collapse.

"Damn it," Su Mu cursed under his breath, placing the letter over the candle flame. The flame flickered, and it instantly turned to ashes.

If this letter is genuine, wouldn't he have a connection to the "Divine Judgment"? He entered the palace in his teens, and his childhood memories are already blurred. The original owner's mother never seemed to mention her background, nor did she reveal the name of her biological father. Su Mu had no way of judging its authenticity.

"I don't care who you are, just leave me alone."

Su Mu calmed himself down, stopped worrying, sat cross-legged again, and continued to absorb the imperial aura.

His most urgent task is to break through to the Grandmaster realm as soon as possible. For others, this might be an insurmountable obstacle, but for him, it is possible. Currently, he can only escape from the clutches of Grandmasters; once he advances to Grandmaster, his true qi will transform into true essence, and even if he cannot defeat a Grandmaster, he will still have the power to fight. True qi imbued with the aura of an emperor is inherently extraordinary. To break through, both cultivation and spiritual progress are necessary, and condensing the primordial spirit is a crucial step.

The next morning.

After a night's rest and taking some medicine, Feng Bao was able to get out of bed and walk around, but he still needed to rest quietly.

The Imperial Kitchen delivered breakfast, still only enough for Xiao Anran. After breakfast, Xiao Anran's complexion improved considerably, but her internal injuries had not healed—how could the true energy of a grandmaster's fist be easily neutralized?

When the sun was high in the sky, an unexpected visitor arrived at the library.

The current emperor, Xiao Jingxuan, surprisingly entered the courtyard in a very simple and unassuming manner.

Su Mu and Xiao Anran were both taken aback and quickly bowed.

"Rise." Xiao Jingxuan was about forty years old, with a handsome face and an imperial air about him, yet without any intimidating hostility. His gaze lingered on Su Mu for a moment, then turned to Xiao Anran, "Anran, how are your injuries?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am much better now," Xiao Anran replied, bowing his head.

"I have heard about what happened last night." Xiao Jingxuan walked slowly into the library, seemingly browsing the books on the shelves at random. "The palace guards were negligent, allowing assassins to sneak in and harm members of the royal family. I will investigate this thoroughly."

"Brother, that assassin seems to be targeting Eunuch Su," Xiao Anran suddenly said.

Xiao Jingxuan turned to Su Mu: "Su Mu, do you know the assassin's background?"

"This servant was unaware," Su Mu replied respectfully. "This humble servant is of lowly status and has no merit or ability to trouble a Grandmaster to personally intervene."

"A humble physique?" Xiao Jingxuan smiled slightly. "To gain the favor of the Ancestor, enabling Cheng Ping'an and Yu Tian to break through one after another, and attracting the attention of many forces, your 'humble physique' is not simple."

Su Mu felt a chill run down his spine—the Emperor indeed knew quite a lot.

"I have come today for two reasons, firstly to check on An Ran's injuries, and secondly..." Xiao Jingxuan changed the subject, "Su Mu, you have rendered meritorious service in guarding the library and protecting the princess from harm. Effective immediately, you are promoted to the position of Chief Steward of the Library, with the official rank of fifth grade and your monthly salary doubled."

He was promoted three ranks in a row!

He rose from an unranked eunuch guarding the palace to a fifth-rank chief steward. Such a promotion was extremely rare in the palace.

"This servant kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your great favor!" Su Mu immediately knelt down. But in his heart, he knew perfectly well that this was no simple reward. The emperor was bestowing favors, but also testing him, and perhaps... it was also a way of winning him over.

"Do your duty well." Xiao Jingxuan raised his hand to help you up, his gaze deep and unfathomable. "The library is quiet and peaceful, a place for cultivating one's mind and character. I hope that you... wherever your heart is, your body will follow."

Having said that, he did not linger any longer and set off to return to the palace.

Su Mu stood there, pondering the emperor's last words.

Where the heart is, the body will be—is this a reminder to keep to one's place and not harbor any disloyal thoughts? Or is it an implication that he can use the "quiet" of the library to do whatever he wants?

Xiao Anran leaned closer and whispered, "It seems that my royal brother... values ​​you highly."

Su Mu shook his head: "His Majesty values ​​the 'Library Pavilion'." — Or rather, he values ​​"that master" who might be hidden in the pavilion.

Xiao Anran seemed to understand, but didn't ask any more questions.

That afternoon, another message came from the palace: Empress Situ Wan was "unwell" and needed to rest and recuperate, and Consort De would temporarily take charge of all matters in the inner palace.

Ostensibly for recuperation, it was in reality a form of house arrest.

The Situ family suffered successive losses of skilled fighters like Lu Xiang, severely weakening the Empress's faction. The Emperor's actions were undoubtedly a further blow to the Situ family.

A storm is brewing quietly in the palace.

Inside the library, Su Mu glanced at the system interface—due to Feng Bao's improved injuries and increased loyalty, another batch of rewards had arrived.

He let out a soft breath.

The tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease. Since there's no escaping it, then... let's ride the wind.