Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Ever since Chen Mo instructed Chun Lan to find out Zhao Jiangning’s preferences, Chun Lan started having someone follow Zhao Jiangning.

Therefore, after breakfast, Chun Lan left the mansion to look for a property. The guards then told her that after the Hong Family’s house was confiscated, it happened to be vacated and is now up for sale.

They even mentioned that the confiscation of the Hong Family was done by the master.

The property for sale is being offered by the Imperial Court.

Chun Lan hurriedly found Chen Mo and explained the situation to him.

At this point, Chen Mo also realized something.

After the Hong Family’s house was confiscated, naturally, it became public property.

With the National Treasury empty, this is the time when funds are needed, and these confiscated properties would naturally be put up for sale by the Imperial Court.

If sold at this time, the price surely wouldn’t be too high.

Chen Mo quickly instructed Chun Lan to take money and acquire it.

After Chun Lan bought the residence, she registered it under Princess De Ning’s name as per Chen Mo’s instructions. Then, Chun Lan headed directly to find Princess De Ning.

Thus, this incident happened.

The guards Chun Lan brought along were the guards from Chen Mansion, elite members that Chen Mo specially instructed Gao Zheng to select from the Fire Qilin Army, each having the strength of the Eighth Grade.

As Chen Mo is exceptionally good to his subordinates and offers high pay, these guards are deeply loyal to Chen Mo. Hearing Chun Lan’s call, they rushed forward at once.

However, the people sent by Gao Qiu were his personal guards, whose strength was superior to Chen Mo’s men. But since they came to kidnap the Empress, they couldn’t act too ostentatiously. If they clashed with Chen Mo’s people, the noise would be too big, possibly exposing their identities. If it reached higher authorities, they’d be the ones in trouble.

Seeing more onlookers gathering around, a leader waved: ”Let’s go, quickly.”

They couldn’t stay longer, and after seeing the faces of Chun Lan and her people clearly, they hastily dropped the ones they were holding and fled in panic.

”Your Highness De Ning, are you okay?” Chun Lan quickly jogged over to check on Zhao Jiangning.

Zhao Jiangning shook her head and looked at the two fainted maids.

”Your Highness De Ning, they’ve just been knocked unconscious with mist. They’ll likely wake up in about an hour.” said one of the guards after checking the two women.

Zhao Jiangning let out a sigh of relief and said, ”Chun Lan, why are you here?”

Of course, Chun Lan couldn’t say they had someone following her and came over, so she said, ”I was just passing by here, so I ordered the guards to intervene. Right, Your Highness De Ning, who are they?”

Zhao Jiangning shook her head: ”I genuinely don’t know. I’ve never held grudges with anyone.”

”Could it be Grand Commandant Gao?” Chun Lan speculated.

Zhao Jiangning pursed her lips with a sorrowful expression.

In fact, she also suspected it was Gao Qiu, but just didn’t admit it.

Additionally, she found it hard to believe Gao Qiu had the audacity to kidnap her in broad daylight.

”Perhaps... it’s possible.” After the incident, Zhao Jiangning felt quite uneasy.

Chun Lan said no more and instead brought up the main topic: ”Your Highness, I actually have something to discuss with you, which is why I came.”

”Something... to discuss with me?” Zhao Jiangning was taken aback.

”Your Highness, let’s discuss somewhere else; your two maids also need a place to rest.” Chun Lan pointed to Zhao Jiangning’s two maids.

Zhao Jiangning nodded in agreement.

...

In a room on the second floor of Hongfu Restaurant in the south of the city.

”The master has a gift for Your Highness.” Chun Lan stood before Zhao Jiangning, then clapped her hands. A guard presented the items purchased at the store in front of Zhao Jiangning and then withdrew.

Since these items were purchased by Chun Lan based on Zhao Jiangning’s preferences, the gifts were exactly to Zhao Jiangning’s liking.

Zhao Jiangning took a glance and immediately liked them, yet stubbornly said, ”He’s... why is he giving me these?”

”Your Highness, don’t you understand Master’s intentions? Moreover, as far as I know, Your Highness is now alone, and need not...” Chun Lan’s latter words were quite bold and suggestive.

Zhao Jiangning blushed and quickly said, ”I told your master yesterday; I... I can’t be with him.”

”Why does Your Highness have to make it hard on yourself? I’m also a woman, and I can feel Your Highness’s feelings for the master. In these turbulent times, one should seize the joy and not waste this wonderful time...”

”How dare you.” Zhao Jiangning chastised, not expecting Chun Lan to instruct her on what to do.

”Your Highness, please forgive me. These words are from my heart; please, Your Highness, stop deceiving yourself.

”You’re still speaking...” Zhao Jiangning blushed even more, pointing at Chun Lan, her body trembling slightly, then taking a deep breath: ”You... you should leave.”

Chun Lan did not leave but said, ”Your Highness, the master understands your current situation, so he bought a property for you.

You know the Hong Mansion of Hong Qianyan, right? After the Imperial Court put it up for sale, the master purchased it, and now it’s a gift for Your Highness.”

Upon hearing this.

Zhao Jiangning was suddenly shaken.

If this were in the past, she wouldn’t have been happy or moved just because someone gave her a house.

But today is different from the past, not to mention she now needs a place to live right away.

Seeing Zhao Jiangning silent.

Chun Lan continued to speak.

Zhao Jiangning interrupted and said, ”I don’t need his... his things. Please leave.”

But Chun Lan responded, ”Does Your Highness want today’s incident to happen again? If Your Highness moves into the current Hong Mansion, the master will arrange protection for you.”

Zhao Jiangning fell silent.

A long time passed.

She said, ”I... I’ll think about it.”

”Then let me help Your Highness pack.” Chun Lan said.

Zhao Jiangning: ”...”

...

Weiyang Palace.

”Reporting to the Empress, Chen Hong sent some tofu pudding, tofu... for Your Majesty.” Xiao Qing’Er said after entering the hall to Xiao Yunxi.

”Quickly bring it up.” Xiao Yunxi, who was reviewing the Inner Treasury accounts, immediately put down the account book with a look of delight.

”Understood.” Xiao Qing’Er placed the food box in her hand on the long table in front of Xiao Yunxi, then opened it and took out the items inside.

Seeing the items, Xiao Yunxi was slightly startled: ”What is this?”

”I don’t know. The person who delivered it only mentioned it contains tofu pudding, tofu, and fried dough, said to be personally made by Chen Hong.” Xiao Qing’Er thought for a moment and replied.

Upon hearing they were personally prepared by Chen Hong, Xiao Yunxi’s eyes lit up: ”Then I must try it.”

”I shall taste it first for poison.” Xiao Qing’Er took out some tools, ready to test for poison.

But Xiao Yunxi stopped her, saying: ”No need. I trust him.”

”Understood.” Xiao Qing’Er’s eyes flickered slightly.

Since the Empress returned from leaving the palace that day, Xiao Qing’Er noticed some changes in her.

Not only had her skin improved, but she also appeared more vibrant and cheerful.

It was as if an old tree had sprouted new buds.

Previously, Xiao Yunxi had some semblance of being a resentful woman in the palace.