The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror

However, the reason for the incident was that on the day Xu Qing entered the city, he was too arrogant and publicly performed a "disarmament" in front of Prince Yu. The old Emperor could not allow Prince Yu to be too heavily suppressed by Xu Qing, so he stepped in on behalf of his inept son.

In fact, that very night, Prince Yu returned and had Feng Cai remove her armor. Fortunately, it was summer, so the pregnant woman did not catch cold.

The old and the young engaged in mental sparring and then returned to the main topic.

The task of naming must be performed by the old Emperor, as this would be beneficial for stabilizing the harmonious relationship between ruler and subjects and favorable for the greater situation.

Whether the world admits it or not, Xu Qing has become an integral part of the Court's grand scheme.

Without him, the Court's grand scheme would fall into chaos.

But the old Emperor didn't think much of it, for as he aged, he needed someone who dared to come forth and vie for power between him and the Crown Prince.

In reality, the old Emperor felt he could live many more years, even believing he could outlive Prince Yu, but the Ministers held a different view.

This was where the contradiction lay.

The arrival of Xu Qing helped him resolve this contradiction well.

The old Emperor then pondered for a moment and said: "The literary piece you wrote before leaving the Capital, which mentioned the phoenix singing on Qishan and the Spirit Turtle offering good omens, greatly pleased me. This child's name shall be Xuanhu."

The name Xuanhu has significant origins.

The Yellow Emperor once received the phoenix singing as a tribute on Xuanhu Mountain, and the waters of Xuanhu flowed into Luoshui, where there was a saying about the Spirit Turtle offering a book.

By choosing this name, the old Emperor undeniably binds the Xu Family child with auspicious omens, dispelling the rumors of a "demon child," and contains unspeakable political implications.

Xu Qing and Feng Wu expressed their gratitude.

The old Emperor then said: "Xu Qing, what is your second request?"

"This child is born with abundant fortune, and I only worry if he can bear it, so I hope Your Majesty can have him cared for in the palace for a few years."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent.

After a while, the old Emperor said: "Xu Qing, your Xuanhu is not of the Imperial Family, how can he be raised in the palace? This does not conform to ancestral traditions."

After a pause, he continued, "This time, I agree with you. Let it not serve as a precedent. Choose an auspicious day nearby and send Xuanhu to the palace. If Prince Yu's current child is a royal grandson, he can become the royal grandson's study companion in the future. Return to the palace."

Xu Qing and Feng Wu saw off the old Emperor.

Feng Wu said: "Husband, do we really have to send our child into the palace?"

Xu Qing replied: "Ah Wu, you know this is the best course of action."

Once in the palace, it is both a hostage and the best means of protecting the child from being taken by the Black Mountain demon. Moreover, if the demon were to truly dare to break into the Imperial Palace, it would undoubtedly provide Xu Qing and his allies with an opportunity to eliminate the Black Mountain demon.

Furthermore, the old Emperor had no reason to refuse.

With the only son of the Xu Family in the palace, the old Emperor would only trust Xu Qing more.

Xu Qing had another thought: if he were to die unexpectedly, having the child raised by the old Emperor would be very safe.

After all, if Xu Qing were to die before the old Emperor's reign ended, he would undoubtedly be considered the greatest hero of the Longevity Dynasty and the most loyal minister of the Great Yu Dynasty, comparable to Zhuge throughout the ages.

No matter the motivation, the old Emperor would bestow Xu Qing with an extremely high posthumous reputation, which would naturally protect the child.

Feng Wu was wise. Even without knowing of her husband's short life span, she understood the benefits of this action for their child.

She still felt reluctant in her heart.

Xu Qing comforted his wife.

He knew well that his actions were somewhat cold-hearted.

"Now is not the time for sadness. We, as parents, must be strong. In these days, I will teach you about the Purple Mansion Primordial Spirit Path, and you should study well." Xu Qing's words redirected Feng Wu's attention.

Though the Purple Mansion Primordial Spirit Path he comprehended might not be usable by Feng Wu, Xuanhu will have the opportunity to follow this path in the future.

A parent's love for their child leads them to plan far ahead.

His thoughts were also those of families of high-status officials; they all wish for their family's nobility to last for generations.

Xu Qing himself could not avoid familial interests.

Overcoming human nature is almost nonexistent.

Xu Qing could only comply.

However, he truly admired those who considered the world as the greater good.

…

…

The old Emperor's favor of Xu Qing quickly spread throughout the Capital.

Especially the matter of the Xu Family child being taken into the palace for raising by the old Emperor breaking regulations, which secretly alarmed the civil and military officials and nobles.

This event could both be seen as Xu Qing sending a hostage to the old Emperor and as a reflection that Xu Qing, after this event, would only earn more trust from the Emperor.

Moreover, old Feng took advantage of his son-in-law's momentum and, as a Hanlin Attendant Scholar, inspected the Yunzhou border town, while also serving as the Assistant Minister of Military Affairs in the Military Affairs Office, directly seizing military and political power in the critical town of Yunzhou.

After gaining some credentials, his rank could quickly rise.

Moreover, old Feng, being from the Pure Stream of the bureaucratic Dao, had a clear promotion sequence for entering the Inspection Bureau as Imperial Censor or joining the Ministry of Rites as Assistant Minister in the future.

Without these Pure Stream credentials, trying to squeeze into the central power decision-making level was very difficult.

Because, in this dynasty, Pure Stream credentials can merge with and absorb Corruption, but only having Corruption credentials makes it extremely difficult to enter the central decision-making level.

Xu Qing, as a Hanlin Xiu Zhuan, also had the qualification to participate in affairs in the Inner Court, but he had no interest in indulging in these mundane affairs and instead found the old Daoist Gu.

This old Daoist was now thriving, having created many impressive mechanisms with the support of the Ministry of Industry.

"You want the old Daoist to re-establish a Fang Immortal Dao?"

"What I mean is to change the name, and you could serve as the nominal leader."

"Can you explain in detail?" The old Daoist was quite enthusiastic about founding a sect and understood Xu Qing's intentions — to create a modified Fang Immortal Dao within the Great Yu Dynasty, complying with local customs.

"Look at what we are researching now; it all pertains to exploring the beauty of the world and deciphering the principles of all things. Why not call it Physics? You, elder, will then be the founder of Physics, and alongside our study of the knowledge of things, they will complement each other beautifully, wouldn't you agree?" Xu Qing softly persuaded.