Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Ever since returning home yesterday, Zhao Jiangning had been constantly reflecting on what Chun Lan had told her.

Chen Hong likes her...

So much so that after she returned, she lost her appetite for food and drink, tormented at night by that phrase, unable to sleep. Whenever she closed her eyes, Chen Mo’s face would appear in her mind.

It wasn’t until the latter half of the night that sleep finally overcame her, and she fell asleep.

When she woke up in the morning, she recalled yesterday’s events again.

She knew that what she was doing was wrong; whether from a moral or social standpoint, she and Chen Hong shouldn’t be together. Yet there was a voice in her mind constantly urging her.

Their first meeting, the first time he treated her; scene after scene flashed through her mind, unforgettable, making her heart race.

But reason compelled her to sever the connection. Her illness was almost completely healed, and the rest she could endure on her own. So she forced herself not to see Chen Mo anymore, believing that with time, the feelings would fade.

However, in the morning, Gao Qiu came to urge her, and this urging made Zhao Jiangning resolve something in her heart.

Torn by indecision, Zhao Jiangning still came.

But in her heart, she was deceiving herself, thinking that once today’s treatment was complete, she would cut off all ties with him...

Upon arriving at the Chen Mansion again, Chun Lan was the first to greet her and bring her to the hall, saying that the master was in the mansion and she would go report her arrival.

Hearing this, Zhao Jiangning’s legs inexplicably went weak, and she felt a tremor in them.

Looking at the familiar decorations in the hall, Zhao Jiangning felt restless, and even the tempting aroma of the snacks beside her seemed tasteless.

Within less than a cup of tea’s time, Zhao Jiangning was already flushed and timidly wanted to leave.

It was at this moment that footsteps sounded outside the hall.

”Everyone, step back first.” Standing outside the hall, Chen Mo tidied himself briefly and dismissed the maids and guards before entering alone.

Upon hearing the voice, Zhao Jiangning looked up towards the entrance of the hall.

A figure came into view.

Chen Mo, tall and upright, stood with hands clasped in the hall after he entered. Wearing a white robe, his cultivation lent him an air of refined elegance tinged with vigor. His practical manner also added a touch of roguishness to him, making it hard to discern whether he was a scholar or a warrior.

He stepped forward slowly, his gaze slightly lingering on Zhao Jiangning’s alluring face, which bore a subtle charm. He cupped his hands, ”This subject Chen Hong, greets Your Highness.”

Chen Mo’s sudden formality and deep respect, coupled with Chun Lan’s words from the day before, made Zhao Jiangning’s face flush red like pomegranate seeds, her heart pounding like a drum. She raised her hand slightly, ”Chen... Chen Hong, General, there’s no need for formality.”

Remembering Chun Lan’s words, Chen Mo cheekily added, ”Your Highness, you look truly beautiful today.”

Zhao Jiangning was adorned in a gauze-wrapped Nichang garment, her exposed skin faintly blurred in white, with a charming blush on her beautiful face.

Hearing Chen Mo’s words made Zhao Jiangning’s cheeks even redder, confirming Chun Lan’s words in her heart. She inwardly scorned the rogue, yet felt no displeasure, more an indescribable yearning.

With a light laugh, Zhao Jiangning said, ”If General Chen Hong has nothing else, then… let’s proceed with the treatment for today.”

Chen Mo nodded, then said, ”Your Highness, please proceed inside.”

Zhao Jiangning took a deep breath and headed toward the inner room.

Chen Mo entered behind her and promptly closed the door.

The moment the door shut, Zhao Jiangning’s heart trembled fiercely, though her expression remained resolutely calm. ”General Chen Hong, can my illness be completely cured today?”

Chen Mo nodded, ”I am entirely confident, Your Highness.”

”Then I trouble you, General Chen Hong.” Zhao Jiangning walked over, took off her embroidered shoes, and lay down on the bed.

But the way her hands tightly clenched her dress indicated her inner turmoil, her beautiful eyes flickering between half-shame and half-nervousness. As she felt Chen Mo approaching, she instinctively closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling.

Chen Mo held Zhao Jiangning’s delicate foot, a faint feminine fragrance wafting up, as her slender body quivered slightly. Chen Mo sat at the bedside, his large hand moving upwards.

As soon as he finished absorbing the Yin Yang Qi from her left thigh, her ailment would be resolved as well.

Unlike before, knowing Zhao Jiangning had feelings for him changed Chen Mo’s mindset, as he more delicately felt Zhao Jiangning’s skin.

As Chen Mo’s fingers touched the inside of her thigh, Zhao Jiangning’s body softened, wanting to flee at the electric sensation, yet reluctant to let it go.

And this made Chen Mo believe even more that what Chun Lan said was true.

However, he still wanted to make sure and therefore asked, ”What Your Highness said yesterday, could it be... true?”

Zhao Jiangning, assuming Chen Mo was referring to Gao Qiu wanting to kill him, responded with an evident lack of trust, exclaiming, ”Of course it’s true. Why would I lie to you?”

Hearing the irritation in Zhao Jiangning’s tone, Chen Mo was momentarily irked, realizing it wasn’t easy for her to say such things given her current circumstances, and he was still pressing.

Chen Mo immediately apologized to Zhao Jiangning, asking for her forgiveness.

Seeing him apologize so earnestly, Zhao Jiangning was taken aback, realizing that he truly liked her.

The reason for not saying it earlier was simply because Gao Fen was still around. Now that Gao Fen had died, his true emotions had emerged.

Zhao Jiangning’s heart pounded wildly, her eyes drifting between dreamy and alert as she retorted, ”You rogue, I’ve long noticed you being a lecher. From the first time we met at Fengyang Pavilion, you couldn’t take your eyes off me.”

Chen Mo: ”...”

He couldn’t recall having acted that way initially.

But he didn’t mind it, assuming she was embarrassed, so he smiled without responding.

After a quarter of an hour, the remaining Yin Yang Qi in her body was entirely absorbed by Chen Mo.

Zhao Jiangning felt refreshingly revitalized.

After putting on her embroidered shoes and stepping off the bed, Zhao Jiangning looked at Chen Mo, who wore a smile, and mustered the courage to give him a hug.

She intended this hug as a memory of never seeing each other again.

She was about to say that it was impossible for them to be together and that he should forget her from now on.

But Chen Mo could no longer control himself and pulled her into his embrace, kissing Zhao Jiangning’s cheek.

”No, you... you can’t do this...” Zhao Jiangning struggled.

But Chen Mo took it as her playing hard to get, given that she hugged him first.

Without hesitation, Chen Mo kissed Zhao Jiangning’s lips, invading her territory.

Ignoring her resistance, he began to test how bold she was with his hands.

As Chen Mo became more excessive, Zhao Jiangning felt he was disrespecting her and suddenly pushed him away. She wanted to slap him, but in the end, she didn’t, instead clutching her chest and dashing out of the room.

Leaving a bewildered Chen Mo behind.