Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Chapter 98: 98 Immortal Beauty

Before returning to the Eastern Capital, Chen Mo went to a tavern to buy some food and drink, and then the five of them carried these back to the military camp.

After all, Gao Zheng and his group had been invited to the Bureau of Entertainment, while the other hundred people in the Eastern Capital had not been.

If word got out, even considering Gao Zheng’s prestige in the Eastern Capital, there would inevitably be some gossip.

And these foods and drinks could quell such gossip.

Of course, some might say, you invited Gao Zheng to a brothel, while I only get food? It seems a bit unfair, doesn’t it?

Yes, what Chen Mo wanted to differentiate was not to treat everyone the same.

If everyone was treated equally, they would all lose their motivation to improve.

But by treating them differently, once they see the treatment Gao Zheng receives, they will naturally want to climb up, maybe even replace Gao Zheng.

And in this process, Chen Mo would naturally observe who had the potential and then promote them.

Indeed, even though Chen Mo had won over Gao Zheng and his group, he cannot fully trust them.

Even a small place like the Eastern Capital needs balance.

After all, Gao Zheng’s seniority in the Eastern Capital is significant, and if this continues, even if he is only a Captain, eventually people might only know of Gao Zheng and forget about Chen Mo.

The Bureau of Entertainment was also somewhat of a smokescreen released by Chen Mo.

...

”From now on, as long as I, Chen Hong, have a mouthful of meat, you will at least have a sip of soup...”

At noon, after a round of speeches, Chen Mo left the Infantry Department.

The Infantry Department was ultimately just a place for Xiao Yunxi to bolster Chen Mo’s credentials.

Since he had gradually gained control over the Eastern Capital, there was no need for Chen Mo to waste his entire day in the Infantry Department.

...

After leaving the Infantry Department, Chen Mo initially planned to head straight to Jingru Palace.

However, after some thought, he decided to take a stroll through Bianliang City.

As the capital city of the Great Song Dynasty, Bianliang was divided into 108 wards, with a population of over three million.

Even at high noon, the hottest time of summer, many people were still walking on the streets.

The shops along the street were dazzlingly diverse.

This was only Chen Mo’s second genuine tour of Bianliang City, and as he walked, he found himself in an area densely packed with brothels and taverns.

From time to time, he could hear such phrases:

”Young master, come in and play!”

”Young master, you’re so handsome; if you make me happy, I might consider not charging you.”

”I’m sorry, I don’t freeload.”

...

Leaving this colorful area, Chen Mo stopped in front of a shop called Treasure Pavilion.

Chen Mo, clad in fine clothing and looking every bit the dashing young master, entered, his face seemingly inscribed with the words ”young master dripping with wealth.” The shopkeeper’s eyes lit up with greed, practically ignoring her other customers as she hurriedly approached:

”Oh, young master, do come in, do come in. You seem unfamiliar; how should I address you?”

”No need to mention my humble surname, it’s Chen.”

”So it’s Young Master Chen! What are you looking to purchase? Is it for your wife, or...” The middle-aged female shopkeeper began to speculate whether Chen Mo was the son of a prominent official or wealthy merchant named Chen.

”For my wife,” Chen Mo thought for a moment and replied.

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper stopped thinking and immediately clapped her hands, ushering Chen Mo into a private room in the shop, and had tea and melon seeds brought in.

The shopkeeper then said, ”Young Master Chen, you’ve come to the right place. The rouge in our shop is comprehensive and complete in variety, suitable for everyone from noble courtiers to the common folk. Anyone who has bought from us has nothing but praise.”

The shopkeeper was very confident in her products.

”Besides rouge, do you also have jewelry and accessories?” Chen Mo said softly after taking a seat and sipping his tea.

Since she was being so respectful, he decided to maintain a dignified presence.

”We do, we do,” the shopkeeper was even more delighted.

With Chen Mo buying jewelry, it seemed this young master was indeed a lucrative catch.

She clapped her hands again, and in the span of half a tea’s time, a large pile of items was placed on the table beside Chen Mo.

Ye Wanqiu.

Xiao Yunxi.

Zhao Fujin.

Chen Mo intended to buy gifts for these three.

Thus, he glanced at the items, shook his head, and said, ”These jewelry pieces are too flashy, and the rouge colors too bold, more suitable for brothel women. Do you have anything that appears more elegant and noble?”

Wang Ying’s chest also contained some jewelry, which appeared to be of good material.

But being an eunuch from Weiyang Palace, these were likely pieces bestowed by Xiao Yunxi over the years or collected from other palace maids.

They would be too obvious if given as gifts.

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper subconsciously elevated Chen Mo’s status another notch in her mind.

A half tea later, a new batch was brought out.

This time, they appeared much more noble.

Chen Mo first chose three jade hairpins: one green, one white, and one white with a hint of blood red.

The one with a hint of blood red was more expensive.

These three jade hairpins cost nearly three hundred taels.

Chen Mo’s annual salary was only a few dozen taels.

So these three jade hairpins were indeed quite a splurge.

The rouge was relatively cheaper.

However, when Chen Mo picked up a box, the shopkeeper smiled and said, ”Young Master Chen has a keen eye. This lip rouge you’ve picked up is our store’s signature, called Immortal Beauty.”

”Oh, does this ’Immortal Beauty’ have any particular story?” Chen Mo asked with interest.

”Uh... not really, just a nice name.”

Chen Mo: ”...”

”However, our ’Immortal Beauty’ does have a unique feature—it’s edible?”

”Which lip rouge isn’t edible?”

”Young master, there you are slightly mistaken. Our ’Immortal Beauty’ uses...” The shopkeeper went on about a number of precious materials, and then said, ”Ordinary rouge cannot compare to our ’Immortal Beauty.’ Plus, our ’Immortal Beauty’ comes in multiple flavors...

”Young master, see, this one is watermelon-flavored.”

”This one is lychee-flavored.”

”This one is peach-flavored.”

...

”Just imagine, young master, you and your wife preparing for an intimate night, she applies the peach-flavored rouge, and then you kiss her, wouldn’t everything feel just delightful...”

Chen Mo: ”...”

This shopkeeper would’ve been quite a talent in the modern world.

”Ahem, bring three of each flavor you mentioned,” said Chen Mo.

”Three of each?” The shopkeeper was momentarily stunned, then she understood, ”Got it.”

Estimating Chen Mo’s age, the shopkeeper assumed he was buying for both his wife and a concubine.

”You really do care for your women, young master,”

Said the shopkeeper with a smile as she saw Chen Mo out the door.

Chen Mo did not respond, carrying a bundle as he left the Treasure Pavilion.

”Young master, do come again!”

...

As the bundle was quite large, it would inevitably need to be checked before entering the palace.

Fortunately, Chen Mo was an eunuch in the harem.

Bringing some rouge and powders was perfectly normal, reasonable, and justified.