Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Xu Miaozhen is not a dull person, and she naturally understands the meaning behind these words.

She gently wiped her tears and shook her head, saying, ”I am fated to a bitter life, and I dare not indulge in such fantasies.”

Gao Zheng, hearing Xu Miaozhen’s gentle refusal, couldn’t help but get a bit irritated, saying, ”You are still young. As far as I know, when you married Lu Tie, the two of you weren’t truly in love, but it was because Lu Tie offered a rich betrothal gift.

Now that he is dead, do you still intend to remain loyal to him?”

Xu Miaozhen sobbed quietly, not speaking a word.

Gao Zheng let out a long sigh and immediately said, ”It was you who asked me for guidance on the right path, and now having told you, you’re still hesitating. Think about it yourself if you want it or not, and moreover, the master is a reliable person, not someone who would just play around and leave. He definitely will give you a proper status.”

After saying this, Gao Zheng left.

Any further talk, and Gao Zheng would become the villain.

...

Chen Mo talked to Luo Zhen about the matter concerning the maid and the cook.

Luo Zhen did not react much but instead said it was good, and in front of Chen Mo, she called Xu Miaozhen and Xiaocui in to meet them.

When she saw Xu Miaozhen, even Luo Zhen, who was famed for her beauty, had a faint hint of envy in her eyes.

The reason Luo Zhen could become the first beauty of Nanyang was not only due to her perfect features and the admiration of scholars and poets but also a kind of subtle cold aura.

But what men preferred was undoubtedly someone like Xu Miaozhen.

Firstly, she needed to dress conservatively, but when men saw her, they had an irresistible urge.

Moreover, her chest...

To men, it was pure temptation.

She is a plaything for the bedroom.

And men don’t like overly smart women, Xu Miaozhen was this type.

She seemed easy to control, easy to train.

And her timid appearance could also stir up a man’s protective urge.

Luo Zhen only glanced a few times and knew Chen Mo would certainly not let her go.

She would surely win his favor.

”You must be Miaozhen.” Luo Zhen walked over, then grabbed her small hand and even started chatting familiarly.

”Mis... Mistress.”

Xu Miaozhen was flustered, never imagining Luo Zhen would be so kind to her.

Moreover, she was truly beautiful!

The first beauty of Nanyang County was known by everyone.

Besides, Lujiatun was a countryside place with limited information, and she couldn’t reveal herself, so naturally, she didn’t know.

”You don’t need to be so reserved; from now on, consider Luo Mansion as your own home and serve the master well alongside me.”

Luo Zhen patted the back of Xu Miaozhen’s hand, looking at her somewhat rough skin, and said, ”Miaozhen, I’ll give you a few boxes of rouge later.”

Luo Zhen came from a business family, having attendants since childhood, never doing laundry or cooking herself, and her skin was well maintained.

But Xu Miaozhen was different.

Her family wasn’t poor, but merely ordinary, unable to afford servants, so she had to do chores and farm work herself.

Subjected to the elements, it’s quite good that her skin wasn’t rough and dark.

But this was not a difficult problem to solve.

With care, it would be fine.

”No... no need, Mistress you... you are too kind.” Xu Miaozhen became even more flustered.

She hadn’t done any work yet, and the mistress was already giving her rouge.

Chen Mo said nothing, waiting for the two women to finish chatting before he stretched and said: ”I need to freshen up, I have to head out later.”

Luo Zhen didn’t move, giving Xu Miaozhen a nudge with her eye.

Xu Miaozhen snapped back and remembered her current identity, hurrying to fetch water in a wooden basin for Chen Mo’s grooming.

Chen Mo hadn’t been outside all morning, so he was wearing loose clothing, but later he would take troops to another city to eradicate remnants of the rebel army and needed to wear armor.

After adjusting to her role, Xu Miaozhen helped Chen Mo tie up his hair.

In the process, Chen Mo’s head would occasionally brush against Xu Miaozhen’s softness in front.

That feeling, how should one describe it?

Comparable to that of Noble Consort Hu.

Chen Mo squinted his eyes, observing Xu Miaozhen through the copper mirror again.

A soft and charming face, a gentle expression, a pointed chin, a delicate personality...

If she also cultivated the grace of a noble lady.

She would be the combination of Consort Jing and Noble Consort Hu.

Xu Miaozhen flushed under Chen Mo’s gaze.

She looked to Luo Zhen for help.

But Luo Zhen pretended not to notice and even praised Xu Miaozhen’s skill.

”In the future, you shall be in charge of the master’s hair.”

Xu Miaozhen felt uneasy.

At this moment, Chen Mo spoke: ”Miaozhen, do you have a small name?”

A woman’s small name usually refers to her nickname.

Xu Miaozhen did have one, but she hesitated, unable to speak it out loud.

”What’s wrong? Is it inconvenient to say?” Chen Mo asked.

”Yes.” Xu Miaozhen nodded.

”Then, I am more curious. Tell me, or I might spank you.”

Xu Miaozhen blushed deeply, ”Why would, my lord spank... me?”

”That’s your punishment,” Chen Mo said seriously.

”Miaozhen, just tell him, lest you upset the master,” Luo Zhen chimed in from the side.

”Mao Ni...” Xu Miaozhen said, utterly embarrassed.

Chen Mo and Luo Zhen were momentarily stunned.

”Uh... I’d better still call you Miaozhen.” Chen Mo had planned to call her by her small name, thinking it would be intimate.

But unexpectedly...

The atmosphere turned awkward. After swiftly finishing tying the hair and putting on armor, Chen Mo left Luo Mansion.

...

Arriving at the military camp, Chen Mo summoned Gao Zheng and the others.

Seeing Chen Mo finally come out, his old subordinates exchanged knowing smiles and asked, ”Master, how are you feeling today?”

Chen Mo glared at them, saying, ”Stop fooling around, get ready, we’ve got work to do, call everyone together.”

”Yes.” Gao Zheng and others withdrew in turn.

Chen Mo stopped Liu Dan, saying: ”Later, you take people with nimble legs and move the seven boxes of treasure buried opposite Duanbei Mountain to Celestial River City for me.”

”Yes.” Liu Dan happily accepted the order.

...

Youzhou.

Prince Yan’s Mansion.

King Yan, Zhao Jiang, is the fifth son of the Late Emperor and the current Emperor Zhao Ji’s younger brother.

Back when the Late Emperor was alive, Zhao Jiang was a powerful contender for the throne and more talented than Zhao Ji, with better cultivation talents as well.

But since he wasn’t born to the Empress, who is now the Empress Dowager, after Zhao Ji married into the Xiao family, he lost his right to compete for the throne.

To preserve his life, he voluntarily requested to settle in Youzhou.

Youzhou is not one of the Nine Provinces of Central Plains but is located at the border of the Great Song Dynasty, a remote and perpetually icy and harsh place.

In the previous dynasty, it was considered a place of exile.

Without an imperial edict, Zhao Jiang could not leave his domain.

After Zhao Ji ascended, Zhao Jiang even sent his remaining offspring from his Princess Consort to Bianliang.

Thus, Zhao Ji’s suspicions of Zhao Jiang were dispelled.