Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

”But didn’t you say you were interested in me before?”

Li Qi glanced at Chen Jie, not understanding why.

Before Chen Jie could answer, Gao Zheng frowned and said, ”Still don’t understand?”

”Could it be...”

Li Qi recalled Wang Liu taking the punishment for Chen Jie earlier.

Matchmaking relies on first impressions; if a conversation flows well, then it might work out.

Initially, you can’t know everything about a person, including their character.

The reason Chen Jie first chose Li Qi was simply because he was more appealing at first glance.

Later choosing Wang Liu was due to his protective nature, allowing Chen Jie to see his character, safe and dependable.

In these chaotic times, no matter how appealing one may seem, it’s better to have a man who can protect you.

Gao Zheng nodded in agreement.

Li Qi looked defeated.

...

Around eleven at night, the matchmaking event came to an end.

Except for the ones who were truly off-putting, whose faces would make you feel sick even in the dark, those with okay looks and strong builds in the Celestial River Tower all caught the eye of some generals.

Wang Miaoke ended up with a general from the Eastern Capital who had just turned twenty.

The age gap between them was smaller compared to the other generals.

This general’s name was Liu Qi, who, although in his early twenties, looked youthful, almost like a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy.

Moreover, he was a sweet guy with a pleasant voice.

It didn’t take long for Wang Miaoke to become certain about him.

Subsequently, Chen Mo had Gao Zheng gather these successful generals together.

Chen Mo took the opportunity to win their loyalty.

Basically, it was about how the Mo Luo Commerce Association would arrange accommodations for them in Nanyang, giving them a home, and that they should work hard for him.

This was an idea suggested by Luo Zhen.

After handling things in Nanyang, they would surely return to the Capital, but the women they fancied in Nanyang couldn’t follow the army back.

Therefore, as long as Chen Mo settled their families in Nanyang, wouldn’t they be loyal to him?

Even if they didn’t remember Chen Mo’s kindness,

they would have to consider their families, as once they returned to the Capital, they couldn’t reach Nanyang. If they dared to betray Chen Mo, they’d have to think of their loved ones.

Thus, this matchmaking event was of great significance to Chen Mo.

...

In the night, Chen Mo put his arm around Gao Zheng’s shoulder as they walked towards the Luo Mansion, saying, ”You’re really embarrassing me. I specifically had Fu Bi arrange a few for you, even letting you choose first.

In the end, your subordinates all found someone, but you’re still single.”

Gao Zheng, feeling quite embarrassed, scratched his head and then said in a scholarly tone, ”Well, marriage can’t be forced, one must...”

Before he could finish, Chen Mo smacked the back of his head, saying, ”Speak plainly.”

”Sir, it’s just that I didn’t find anyone appealing,” Gao Zheng rubbed his hands and then suggested, ”Shall we hold another one in Yao County?”

Yao County, next to Celestial River City, also had women who suffered the loss of their homes.

”That could work,” Chen Mo thought for a bit and nodded.

After all, women were rare during these chaotic times.

In his current battalion, there were still about three hundred single men.

”Then I shall organize it,” Gao Zheng felt a bit excited.

As the matchmaking event ended,

Gao Zheng watched as Xu Dabang left with his new woman, and what might happen tonight was self-explanatory.

”Can you handle this?” Chen Mo expressed doubt, then said, ”You should have Fu Bi help you with it!”

”Understood.”

...

Meanwhile.

Nanyang City.

Xiao Teng received a secret letter from the Capital.

”Come in,” Xiao Teng called out to the tent entrance.

”Commander Xiao,” a personal soldier standing guard outside the tent entered and respectfully saluted Xiao Teng.

”Deploy two battalions and prepare some gold and silver. Tomorrow morning, accompany me to Celestial River City.”

”Understood.”

...

The moon hung high.

A large room was lit by a blue lantern as Luo Zhen was stripped of her outer shell by Chen Mo...

”Zhen... Zhen’Er, weren’t you planning to rebuild a textile workshop? The women at Celestial River Tower tonight would be perfect,” Chen Mo engaged in small talk with Luo Zhen while multitasking.

Luo Zhen bit her lip, her expression one of agony, finally speaking after a while, ”Sir... it’s enough to just say it, this... this is annoying...”

She lightly slapped Chen Mo, then said, ”It would also help them settle down faster.”

Chen Mo smiled and embraced Luo Zhen, and they kissed.

Shortly after.

”Sir, I can’t go on... I’ll go call Miaozhen,” Luo Zhen mustered all her might to push Chen Mo away, then tried to get out of bed.

But she was so weak that she nearly fell.

Chen Mo pulled her back, kissed her forehead, and laughed, ”No need, it’s getting late. Just talk with me and let’s sleep.”

”But I said yesterday I’d ask Miaozhen to join us tonight,” Luo Zhen lay in Chen Mo’s arms, her hand on his chest, unsure what to do.

”When I’m cherishing you, I don’t want another woman around,” Chen Mo stroked Luo Zhen’s smooth back.

”Sir,” feeling Chen Mo’s affection, Luo Zhen’s heart warmed. After hesitating for a moment, she tentatively asked, ”Sir, in the future when it’s just us, can I... can I call you husband?”

”Of course you can.” Chen Mo agreed, nodding.

”Hus... Husband,” Luo Zhen blushed as she called out softly.

”Yes,” Chen Mo nodded.

”Husband...” Luo Zhen looked up at Chen Mo.

”What’s wrong?”

”I want to learn... a musical instrument,” Luo Zhen said shyly, her face flushed.

”You little vixen.”

...

...

Yellow Armor City.

A county where Nanyang County and Wuling County meet.

Due to the insurrection in Nanyang County, which was further suppressed, the Song Army was divided into multiple units to sweep the rebel remnants, making the defense relatively weak.

The Yellow Turban Army naturally noticed this.

Deep into the night, the gates of Yellow Armor City suddenly opened.

Then, not far from Yellow Armor City, large groups of torches suddenly lit up, and a dark mass of people surged towards the city.

”Charge!”

”Kill!”

Cries of battle rose one after another.

A hundred zhang.

...

Seventy zhang.

Ten zhang.

”Fire!”

When the rebel army was about ten zhang from Yellow Armor City, a large blaze erupted atop the city walls, and countless arrows rained down like a storm.

Swoosh!

Swoosh!

Swoosh!

Thud!

”Boom!” At this moment, the city gates were also closed.

”Not good, we’ve been ambushed, retreat quickly!”

After a round of arrows, the rebel army suffered heavy casualties and began retreating as fast as they could.

On the city walls, the cheers of the Song Army burst forth.

”General, you’re truly wise; there really was a night raid by the rebels at Yellow Armor City,” said the defending leader in astonishment, watching the rebels flee in panic.

”Send my order, head to Nanyang City and report everything here, fully detailed, to the general.”

”Understood.”