Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Chapter 35: 35 Practice with me

In the end, Xiao Yunxi explained the bigger picture to Xiao Yunqi and gave him ten thousand taels to donate together.

Thus, including Xiao Yunxi’s ten thousand taels, Xiao Yunqi then donated another twenty thousand taels, totaling sixty thousand taels.

Then Xiao Yunxi left disappointed, only to return disappointed once more.

This time, Zhao Jilian didn’t even meet her.

Dragging her weary body, Xiao Yunxi returned to Weiyang Palace.

She happened to bump into Chen Mo, who had prepared dinner and brought it to her bedchamber.

”Xiao Hongzi, why are you here?” Xiao Yunxi was taken aback.

Chen Mo slightly raised his head; Xiao Yunxi was the kind of beauty full of mature charm, with an allure that children did not understand. Her current tear-streaked appearance was particularly pitiful.

Chen Mo felt a sharp pain in his heart as if he had been struck by an arrow.

He silently recited the Clear Heart Technique taught by Lin Su Ya last night, lowered his head, and respectfully said:

”Reporting to the Empress, this servant saw that the Empress has only been drinking light porridge these days, so I specially used the freshly delivered reishi and ginseng to make a medicinal meal to nourish the Empress’s body.”

Saying that he handed the food box to Cai’Er beside him.

Although it had already been tested for poison, according to the rules, Cai’Er, being the Empress’s personal palace maid, still needed to taste it first. After waiting for a quarter of an hour without any problems, only then could Xiao Yunxi eat.

However, just as Cai’Er was about to open the food box and test for poison, Xiao Yunxi waved her hand and said, ”No need to test, I trust Xiao Hongzi.”

”Yes.” Cai’Er also complied.

Immediately, Xiao Yunxi’s gaze turned to Chen Mo, and with a sorrowful face, she forced a smile and said, ”You are considerate.”

”This is what this servant should do.” Chen Mo said.

Then Xiao Yunxi walked towards her bedchamber.

Chen Mo also bowed and excused himself, preparing to go to Shenxiao Temple.

But suddenly, Xiao Yunxi halted her steps, turned back, and said, ”Xiao Hongzi, wait a moment.”

Chen Mo was startled, turned back, and respectfully asked, ”Does the Empress have any other orders?”

”Come in and eat with me,” Xiao Yunxi said.

Cai’Er: ...

Wang Ying: ...

The other palace maids and eunuchs: ...

Chen Mo widened his eyes, then pretended to be flattered and said, ”This servant’s status is lowly, how could I eat with the Empress?”

He hadn’t developed any other Golden Talent yet.

Planning to visit Lin Su Ya at Shenxiao Temple in the evening to see if he could enhance any good talents.

Thus, he didn’t want to spend too much time with Xiao Yunxi.

”No worries, now you are a disciple of the Shenxiao Sect, a protégé of Your Majesty. Eating with me is not inappropriate.”

After saying this, Xiao Yunxi walked into the bedchamber.

The surrounding palace maids and eunuchs looked at Chen Mo with immense envy.

Dining with the Empress—what an honor that was!

Wouldn’t this mean the ancestors are blessed?

Wang Ying was envious to the point of having red eyes.

He had served the Empress for over ten years and never had such a privilege.

What did this boy do to deserve it?

Wang Ying bitterly regretted his earlier decision.

Chen Mo could only give a helpless smile.

Even though he was now said to be a disciple of the Shenxiao Sect, he had no authority to refuse Xiao Yunxi.

He could only walk into the bedchamber reluctantly.

...

Inner Hall.

Xiao Yunxi dismissed Wang Ying and the other palace maids and eunuchs, leaving only Chen Mo and Cai’Er.

”Sit,” Xiao Yunxi pointed to the long table once used by Noble Consort Hu for dining.

Chen Mo bowed, then knelt at the long table.

”Cai’Er, serve a portion of my dinner to Xiao Hongzi,” Xiao Yunxi instructed, pointing to the food box in front of her.

”Yes.”

The food box had three layers.

Though Chen Mo said he made a medicinal meal for Xiao Yunxi, it didn’t mean only one dish was prepared.

There were six dishes and one soup, none missing.

Cai’Er portioned some onto a plate and placed it in front of Chen Mo on the long table.

”Thank you, Empress,” Chen Mo quickly expressed his gratitude.

”Didn’t I say before that you shouldn’t be so courteous?” Xiao Yunxi said.

Chen Mo remained silent. If he believed that and acted accordingly, he’d be a fool.

While having dinner, Xiao Yunxi unexpectedly started a conversation with Chen Mo.

”Xiao Hongzi, did you have someone you liked before you entered the palace?”

Chen Mo was taken aback, unsure why Xiao Yunxi was asking this, then quickly shook his head and said, ”No.”

”Then, after entering the palace, through these many days and nights, have you ever felt lonely?” Xiao Yunxi asked again, looking intently into Chen Mo’s eyes as she spoke.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo nearly dropped his chopsticks, feeling his heartbeat slow for a moment. He quickly denied it.

”Be honest with me, I won’t hold you accountable,” Xiao Yunxi said. Having been in the harem for so long, there’s nothing she hasn’t seen. How could she trust Chen Hong’s words?

”Reporting to the Empress... this servant truly hasn’t, always thinking about how to better serve the Empress,” Chen Mo said anxiously.

Seeing Chen Mo’s somewhat fearful appearance, Xiao Yunxi sighed and said, ”Even you don’t want to speak the truth with me anymore.”

Chen Mo was terrified: ”What I said is the truth.”

Could he admit his loneliness?

Being in the harem, facing so many beauties every day, and with all the women there being fairly attractive, how could a normal man like Chen Mo not feel tempted?

Feeling tempted, naturally, he would feel lonely every night when things settled down.

”Forget it, I was initially thinking about rewarding you with Hong’Er,” Xiao Yunxi said.

Hong’Er was another palace maid attending to Xiao Yunxi.

At these words, Cai’Er beside her shivered in fear.

The worst fate for a palace maid wasn’t being unable to leave the palace.

Nor was it enduring a lifetime of loneliness.

But being given to a eunuch by her mistress.

That was truly torturous.

For a man who lost that part of himself and became a eunuch, his mentality would inevitably be somewhat twisted.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo almost spat out his food.

If he guessed correctly, this must be what’s called ”shared meals.”

Those palace maids who didn’t receive the emperor’s favor ended up forming relationships with eunuchs.

In the deep palace, unallowed to contact men, they could only find companionship among themselves.

He heard from Xiao Jingzi that even the Chief Eunuch Wei Xian was rewarded by Your Majesty with a palace maid.

They engaged in ”shared meals.”

Chen Mo didn’t dare to respond.

After the meal, Xiao Yunxi dismissed Cai’Er again and said to Chen Mo: ”Xiao Hongzi, come, practice martial arts with me.”

Saying so, not waiting for Chen Mo’s consent, she asked him to wait outside the hall.

She needed to change her clothes.

...

After marrying Zhao Ji, Xiao Yunxi had relaxed her cultivation or perhaps had no time for it.

Otherwise, with her talent, she’d be beyond a Fifth Grade Martial Artist by now.

The next time Chen Mo saw Xiao Yunxi.

She wore a black fitted long dress. Though it was a long dress, the hem did not touch the ground, merely covering her long legs.

The front of the dress outlined a curve, showcasing her perfect body shape.

Her long hair was tied into a mound-like bun at the back of her head.

She looked even more enchanting.

ps: The Empress in action...