Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Originally, Gao Qiu found out that Zhao Jiangning went to Chen Mansion again yesterday, and was immediately infuriated, reprimanding Zhao Jiangning severely, even instructing his eldest son Gao Ying to forcibly take Zhao Jiangning, planning a situation of overpowering force.

Seeing this, Zhao Jiangning directly pressed a hairpin against her neck, threatening with her life, and Gao Qiu and Gao Ying could only give up.

If they forced the empress of a nation to death over this matter, even if she was not favored, and even with Gao Qiu’s high status, the consequences would still be severe.

Gao Qiu further threatened Zhao Jiangning, saying if she dared to spread this matter, he would reveal her indiscretion and secret liaisons with a ”eunuch.”

He even added, ”Your Highness, you probably knew early on that Chen Hong was not a real eunuch, right? So you were deceived by his sweet words and secretly entangled with him...”

Due to the unconventional manner of healing, which was indeed not very proper for Zhao Jiangning, she did not refute throughout the entire process, and was reprimanded to the point of tears streaming down her face.

Perhaps provoked by Gao Qiu, Zhao Jiangning decided to hit rock bottom, thinking if they’re accusing her of being indiscreet and lacking womanly virtues, she might as well fulfill their expectations.

Or perhaps because they’ve gone this far in treatment, giving up now would be truly a waste of all previous efforts, and with things progressing to this point, once or twice more made no difference.

Lastly, she wanted to see if what Gao Qiu said was true.

Whether Chen Hong was truly a fake eunuch...

So today, Zhao Jiangning came again.

Before coming, she even changed into a new set of clothes, applied light makeup, and wore perfume.

However, just like yesterday, Chen Mo, apart from the treatment, did not make any excessive moves towards her.

...

Gao Fen had already been buried, and Zhao Jiangning had no need to return to Gao Mansion. She didn’t want to see Gao Qiu and his family again, so she returned directly to the Prince Consort’s Mansion.

Unexpectedly, just as she arrived, she encountered Gao Qiu, who had been waiting for a long time.

Gao Qiu was well aware of Zhao Jiangning’s whereabouts; despite her efforts to conceal her tracks when visiting Chen Mansion and making several detours, none escaped Gao Qiu’s watchful eyes.

Upon seeing Gao Qiu, Zhao Jiangning frowned: ”Grand Commandant, why are you here?”

”Why I am here is clear to Your Highness,” Gao Qiu retorted.

”I don’t know what you’re talking about, Grand Commandant?”

”Let me help Your Highness recall, half a quarter hour ago, you just left Chen Mansion.”

”You’re following me.” Zhao Jiangning glared at Gao Qiu.

Gao Qiu laughed lightly, saying, ”I wouldn’t dare; it’s only for Your Highness’s safety.”

”No need for your concern, Grand Commandant.”

Gao Qiu snorted coldly, no longer exchanging pleasantries with Zhao Jiangning: ”My son hasn’t been buried for a day, and Your Highness hastily enters Chen Mansion for a tryst with Chen Hong. Truly, you are a good daughter-in-law of the Gao family...”

This wasn’t the first time Gao Qiu spoke such words, and after several times, Zhao Jiangning finally couldn’t resist refuting: ”Things are not as you think, Grand Commandant.”

”My people saw with their own eyes you and Chen Hong leaving together, and Chen Hong personally held an umbrella for you. Is there any doubt?”

Hearing Zhao Jiangning continue fabricating lies, Gao Qiu scolded coldly.

”Grand Commandant, if you continue to slander me, I will report to the Emperor and have him seek justice for me.” Zhao Jiangning closed her eyes, unwilling to say more.

”Alright, then I don’t mind revealing Your Highness’s true nature in front of His Majesty,” Gao Qiu said.

”Then let’s see.” Zhao Jiangning, exhausted, decided to fight fire with fire.

But at this moment, Gao Qiu’s tone suddenly changed, saying: ”As long as Your Highness helps me with one thing, the matters between you and the Gao family will be wiped clean, and I will agree to the separation. From then on, you and the Gao family will have nothing to do with each other.”

”If it’s about Gao Ying’s matter, it’s impossible.” Zhao Jiangning said coldly.

”It isn’t.” Gao Qiu shook his head, then said: ”Since you say your relationship with Chen Hong isn’t what I think, fine, as long as you find a way to give him this, I’ll believe you, and the matter between you and my family will be settled.”

Gao Qiu took out a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve and handed it to Zhao Jiangning.

Zhao Jiangning’s face changed as she didn’t immediately take it, asking, ”Grand Commandant, what is this?”

”This is Cold Red Arsenic Powder. Once dissolved in water, it’s colorless and tasteless. Just a little in tea or wine, and even an Innate Martial Artist would die within seconds, undetectable by the Imperial Physician,” Gao Qiu said slowly.

”You want to poison Chen Hong?” Zhao Jiangning’s face changed, not expecting Gao Qiu to be so bold. Though Chen Mo’s official rank wasn’t the highest, due to his relationship with the Xiao family, few in all of Bianliang dare to offend him.

”A vengeance for my son’s death cannot coexist,” Gao Qiu did not hide, then added: ”Your Highness, although you are of noble birth, having married Fen’er makes you his wife, with the saying that a couple for a night means a hundred days of grace. Now that Fen’er died so unjustly, as his wife, you naturally cannot stand by.”

Hearing the phrase ’a couple for a night means a hundred days of grace,’ Zhao Jiangning’s face turned somber.

Her relationship with Gao Fen wasn’t a hundred days of grace, but daylight resentment.

Even with his death, Zhao Jiangning found no relief.

Although Gao Qiu’s words could bring her relief, the request felt difficult for some reason within Zhao Jiangning.

Believing Zhao Jiangning was considering, Gao Qiu thought the matter feasible and placed the bottle beside her: ”I await Your Highness’s good news.”

Saying so, he left the Prince Consort’s Mansion.

Looking at the porcelain bottle, Zhao Jiangning’s expression grew extremely complex.

Chen Mo had left a deeply profound impression in her heart, and despite not wanting to admit it, the days of intimate detoxification had made her unable to forget Chen Mo.

After looking deeply several times, Zhao Jiangning still tucked the bottle into her bosom.

Inside the kitchen of Prince Consort’s Mansion.

The cooks were somewhat surprised to see Zhao Jiangning walking out.

The empress, being of noble birth, had never set foot in such places.

Before they could speak, Zhao Jiangning said: ”Carry on with your work, I’m just looking around, no need to bother about me.”

Saying so, she discreetly tossed the porcelain bottle into the furnace while they weren’t paying attention.

Crackling.

...

...

Indeed, chaos was breaking out rapidly. Chen Mo received word that outside Bianliang City, a group of mountain bandits had appeared seemingly out of nowhere. They frequently descended the mountains to plunder, even robbing supplies escorted by soldiers.

Thus, Chen Mo’s task was to eliminate this band of mountain bandits.

In the simulation, this band of bandits never appeared before.

According to survivors’ descriptions, this band of mountain bandits numbered only two to three hundred, so Chen Mo didn’t care much, casually ordering a nearby guard: ”Go and notify Xu Dabang to come to the mansion.”

”Yes, sir.”