Beauties in Simulation Cross over into Reality

Inside the Imperial Study, Xiao Mo was looking over the memorials submitted by his ministers and a reply from the Sovereign of Qin.

After finishing, Xiao Mo set them down, took a sip of tea, and said to Wei Xun, “Inform the Ministry of Rites to proceed with the date they’ve set. It’s around the beginning of the seventh month, correct? Have the daughter of the Yan Clan and Princess Qingyang enter the palace then.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Wei Xun nodded and quickly jotted it down, preparing to relay His Majesty’s decree.

“Wait.” Xiao Mo stopped him.

“What are your orders, Your Majesty?” Wei Xun asked, bowing.

“If I recall correctly, today is the Poetry Lantern Festival?” Xiao Mo asked.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Wei Xun replied. “Tonight in the Imperial City, every household will hang red lanterns, and many teahouses will hold poetry gatherings. It will be very lively.”

“Hmm.” Xiao Mo stroked his chin, looking thoughtful.

“I have nothing to do, so go make preparations. I want to leave the palace for a stroll tonight,” Xiao Mo said, looking up at Wei Xun.

“Eh?” Wei Xun started. “Your Majesty wants to go out at night?”

If he were going out during the day, Wei Xun wouldn’t have had such a reaction.

’But going out at night… wouldn’t that be a bit too dangerous?’

“Of course. The Poetry Lantern Festival is only lively at night. If I don’t go out at night, am I supposed to go during the day?” Xiao Mo waved his hand dismissively. “It’s decided. I haven’t been out at night to relax in a long time. Just have a few guards follow me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty…”

Wei Xun wanted to try and dissuade him, but seeing that His Majesty’s mind was made up, he didn’t dare say anything more.

’Then again,’ he thought, ’the Imperial City of the Zhou Kingdom is very safe. Even at night, with guards following, nothing should happen to His Majesty.’

“But, Your Majesty…” Wei Xun’s eyes darted about. “Should we invite Princess Qingyang to go with you?”

“Heh.” Xiao Mo chuckled. “You old fool, are you trying to give me a fatal headache? If I invite Princess Qingyang, do I then have to invite the daughter of the Yan Family as well?”

Wei Xun froze for a moment, then immediately slapped his own mouth twice. “Please forgive me, Your Majesty. This old servant was being foolish…”

It was just as His Majesty had said. If he invited Princess Qingyang, he would have to invite the daughter of the Yan Clan as well, or else he’d be showing favoritism.

And if two future Imperial Consorts were to accompany His Majesty on an outing, the air would surely be thick with tension…

“Go and prepare. Remember, don’t make a big scene. Just like the last time I went out incognito,” Xiao Mo said with a wave of his hand.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Wei Xun hurried out of the Imperial Study.

However, Wei Xun’s words had given Xiao Mo an idea.

’It’s true that I can’t invite the daughter of the Yan Clan and Princess Qingyang… but what about inviting Jiang Rou?’

After some thought, Xiao Mo decided he should indeed go and invite her.

’In my opinion, Fairy Jiang is completely absorbed in her Sword Technique and probably won’t be interested in this Poetry Lantern Festival.’

’But regardless, we’ve been practicing swordplay together these past few days. I consider Fairy Jiang something of a friend now.’

’The Poetry Lantern Festival isn’t a major holiday, but it’s certainly lively. Asking if she wants to go is just common courtesy.’

Having made his decision, Xiao Mo ordered his retinue to the National Preceptor’s Mansion.

Arriving at the entrance of the National Preceptor’s Mansion, Xiao Mo knocked on the main gate.

Soon, a woman’s voice came from within the courtyard: “Enter.”

Xiao Mo pushed the gate open and walked in. Seeing the woman meditating with her eyes closed on a stone bench, he smiled. “Fairy Jiang, it seems you are cultivating every waking moment.”

Jiang Rou opened her eyes, looked at Xiao Mo, and spoke slowly. “The duty of cultivators like us is to cultivate. What else is there to do?

Your Majesty has great talent, but you must also practice diligently.

If, one day, Your Majesty no longer wishes to be the Sovereign of the Zhou Kingdom, I can recommend you to the Wanjian Sect to truly step onto the great path of cultivation.”

“Well… let’s talk about that later.”

Xiao Mo politely declined.

’If I didn’t have the Hundred Generations Book, I might have actually considered going to the Wanjian Sect.’

’But now, I can obtain resources from the Hundred Generations Book, and with my Chaos Emperor Bone, I can cultivate using the Mountain and River Fortune.’

’My status as an Emperor is no longer a restraint but an advantage. Going to a Sect would be a net loss.’

Seeing Xiao Mo’s refusal, Jiang Rou said nothing more, simply looking at him coolly. “Did Your Majesty come to see me for a particular reason today?”

“Nothing in particular,” Xiao Mo said, shaking his head. “Today is the Poetry Lantern Festival, similar to a lantern festival or temple fair. It gets very lively at night. I was wondering if Fairy Jiang would like to go and see it, to experience the local customs of my Great Zhou.”

“I have no interest,” Jiang Rou said faintly.

“Alright, then. My apologies for disturbing you, Fairy.” Xiao Mo didn’t press the issue; Jiang Rou’s rejection was what he had expected.

“Is Your Majesty going tonight?”

Jiang Rou asked, looking into Xiao Mo’s eyes.

“Yes. Being cooped up in the palace for so long, one naturally gets a bit restless and wants to go out for a stroll,” Xiao Mo replied.

Hearing his words, Jiang Rou lowered her head, seemingly lost in thought.

After a moment, Jiang Rou looked up and asked, “Your Majesty is going out at night? Are you not worried about your safety?”

“I will naturally have guards with me.”

Jiang Rou said with disdain, “The guards of your Zhou Kingdom are as weak as chickens.”

“When Your Majesty is about to leave the palace tonight, just come and get me.”

“Fairy Jiang, you mean…?” Xiao Mo was taken aback for a second.

“Don’t get the wrong idea.”

Jiang Rou turned her head away.

“I have no desire to attend your Zhou Kingdom’s Poetry Lantern Festival. It’s just that if something were to happen to Your Majesty, it would be rather troublesome. Do you understand, Your Majesty?”

“…”

’To me,’ Xiao Mo thought, ’it’s obvious she wants to go but is too embarrassed to say so directly.’

’I never thought a disciple of the Wanjian Sect could have such a tsundere side.’

But looking at her, Xiao Mo felt a faint urge to tease her. “There’s really no need to trouble you, Fairy. The guards may not be your match, but they can still protect me. You should get some rest.”

With that, Xiao Mo made a show of turning to leave the National Preceptor’s Mansion.

But before he could take two steps, a longsword landed with a CLANG in front of him, blocking his path.

Jiang Qingyi stood before him, her fair hand resting on the sword’s hilt. “There’s still some time until evening. I happen to be free today, so let me spar with Your Majesty and practice your Sword Technique again.”

“…”

Xiao Mo shuddered, recalling their last sparring session. Every strike of her Sword Qi had chilled him to the bone, leaving him unable to get out of bed for a whole day.

“On second thought,” Xiao Mo said after a moment, “I believe I would feel much safer if you were to accompany me, Fairy.”

Hearing Xiao Mo relent, the corners of the woman’s mouth curved up slightly beneath her veil.

“Since Your Majesty insists that I go, I suppose I can reluctantly agree.”

She pulled her sword from the ground and walked into her room, her voice echoing through the National Preceptor’s Mansion.

“Come for me early, Your Majesty. Don’t make me wait too long.”