NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 15
Chapter 15: Telling Stories to Amuse a Child:
At this moment, Shen Yuan was unaware of the turmoil within Empress Yaoshi’s heart. Led by Eunuch Li, he soon arrived at the Sunset Palace.
Indeed, the Shen family possessed no techniques capable of harming a soul. But who said harming a soul must rely on techniques?
Yesterday, Shen Yuan had personally crafted a small stuffed bear, and within it, he had embedded a wisp of a soul fragment.
Never forget the inheritance of the Shen bloodline—the Thousand Illusion Spirit Pupil. Its greatest power was its ability to control spirits and command soul fragments.
The stronger his pupil power, the stronger the spirits he could control. Typically, an ordinary spirit fragment posed little threat to regular people.
But Princess Qianrou was just a five- or six-year-old child!
She had yet to embark on the path of cultivation, leaving her soul vulnerable and completely unrefined, without any form of spiritual tempering.
For ordinary cultivators, their souls would naturally become stronger through training, making them resistant to attacks unless faced with an overwhelmingly powerful soul remnant.
But Qianrou… was still just a child with an unprotected, fragile soul!
Thus, Shen Yuan enslaved a weak and insignificant soul fragment and timed it perfectly to damage Princess Qianrou’s soul.
The remnant he controlled was so ordinary that it wouldn’t even harm an average person.
It was so weak that without the Thousand Illusion Spirit Pupil, no one could have sensed its presence.
As a result, the powerful guards and experts stationed around Princess Qianrou failed to detect anything unusual.
By the time they realized something was wrong and attempted to trace the source, it was too late.
The soul remnant had already dissipated completely—vanishing without a trace.
Because the remnant was so weak, the moment it inflicted damage on Qianrou’s soul, it too perished in the process.
But all of this was part of Shen Yuan’s meticulous plan!
Even if Empress Yaoshi later grew suspicious, she would have no evidence linking him to the incident.
With the imperial family’s resources, they could easily obtain rare elixirs and techniques to heal the soul, but the real issue was time.
Princess Qianrou was too young—there was no time to waste!
Thus, Empress Yaoshi had no choice but to rely on Shen Yuan and his Thousand Illusion Spirit Pupil.
Shen Yuan approached the princess’s bedside. Her face was pale and drawn, and her lips had lost all color.
“Princess Qianrou.”
“I-Is that you, Prime Minister? I… I…”
Qianrou’s breathing was rapid, and she could barely speak.
“Rest easy, Princess. Leave everything to me.”
“Prime Minister… am I going to die?”
Anyone who had suffered soul damage knew the torment it brought. For a child as young as Qianrou, it was nothing short of unbearable.
“You won’t, Princess Qianrou. Don’t worry.”
Shen Yuan gently held her small hand, his expression warm and kind.
“The imperial physicians said my soul has been injured… Will it break apart?”
“Don’t worry, Princess. My Thousand Illusion Spirit Pupil possesses soul-healing abilities. I will ensure your recovery.”
As he spoke, his crystal-blue eyes flickered with an ethereal glow as the Thousand Illusion Spirit Pupil activated.
“Prime Minister… your eyes… they’re so beautiful…”
Feeling the comforting warmth enveloping her soul, Princess Qianrou slowly drifted off to sleep.
“What are you all standing around for? Leave at once! Your adult souls might interfere with Princess Qianrou’s recovery.”
“Yes…”
After clearing out the palace maids and eunuchs, Shen Yuan continued channeling his pupil power while speaking calmly.
“Eunuch Li, which imperial physician was assigned to treat the princess today?”
“It was Imperial Physician Zhou Weiping, Your Excellency.”
“Summon him here. I have some questions regarding Princess Qianrou’s condition.”
“As you command!”
Soon, Eunuch Li returned with Imperial Physician Zhou.
“Greetings, Prime Minister.”
“No need for formalities, Lord Zhou. I have a few matters to discuss regarding the princess’s condition.”
With that, Shen Yuan took out four talismans.
“Eunuch Li, kindly place these talismans at the eastern, western, southern, and northern corners of the palace. Remember to infuse them with spiritual energy to deter any malevolent spirits from approaching the princess.”
“As you command.”
“Be sure to place them properly.”
Eunuch Li, trembling with respect, took the talismans and left.
Once Eunuch Li was gone, Imperial Physician Zhou flattered Shen Yuan.
“I didn’t realize the Prime Minister was skilled in talismanic arts. I am truly impressed!”
Shen Yuan chuckled lightly.
“You give me too much credit, Lord Zhou. Those were just ordinary yellow papers. I simply scribbled on them.”
Imperial Physician Zhou was taken aback.
“Don’t look so surprised. I only did it to find an excuse to send that old eunuch away because I have something to discuss with you in private…”
As he spoke, Shen Yuan’s expression grew increasingly cold.
…
No one knew what Shen Yuan and Zhou Weiping discussed. However, when the imperial physician left, his face was pale with fear, as if he had just been through an ordeal.
Not long after, Eunuch Li returned after placing the talismans.
“Eunuch Li, you’re back. I have already treated the princess. Please relay to Her Majesty that the princess’s soul condition is quite unique, and full recovery will take some time.”
“It will take at least a month…”
“But reassure Her Majesty that I will visit daily to continue the treatment until the princess is fully healed.”
“During the treatment, fewer people should be present to avoid external disturbances. I request that no outsiders be allowed in the princess’s chamber while I work. After each session, I will require Lord Zhou to monitor the princess’s condition and report to me the next day.”
“As you wish, Prime Minister.”
“Very well, today’s treatment is done. I shall take my leave.”
“Prime Minister, are you leaving already? You haven’t told me a story today…”
Princess Qianrou looked at him longingly. Little did she know, the kind Prime Minister standing before her was the very cause of her current suffering.
Hearing her request, Shen Yuan, who was about to leave, turned back and knelt beside her bed once more.
“Since the princess wishes to hear a story, I shall tell you a few before I leave.”
“Yay! Prime Minister, you’re the best!”
Princess Qianrou beamed with excitement.
“Today, I shall tell you the story of ‘The Three Attacks on the White Bone Demon’…”