Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Wu Chang’an, the legitimate eldest son of Wu Lu, the Director of the Ministry of Industry, and the heir to the Patriarch of one of the four great noble families, carries the great expectations of the family on his shoulders.

As for the Wu family, they have considerable influence throughout Jiangnan.

With Zhao Ji intending to matchmake Wu Chang’an and Zhao Fujin, Wu Chang’an smoothly entered the Imperial Palace.

Hearing Zhao Fujin’s words, Wu Chang’an smiled slightly and said with an admiring tone: ”I’ve long heard that the Empress Fujin possesses a captivating beauty, and now that I see you, it truly lives up to the reputation. I am fortunate to be able to form a beautiful bond with Your Highness, indeed a blessing of three lifetimes...”

The saying goes, an elegant lady is a gentleman’s pursuit.

When he heard from his father that His Majesty intended to grant him a marriage with the Empress Fujin, Wu Chang’an was not particularly interested.

He knew well that His Majesty was granting him this marriage solely to leverage the Wu family’s influence in Jiangnan to quickly stabilize the rebellion there.

Such clear intentions made Wu Chang’an somewhat resentful.

Although marrying the Empress seems like an enviable good fortune, as from a straightforward viewpoint, marrying the Empress would make one a relative of the Emperor, allowing many poor scholars to struggle less for years.

However, for reputable ministers, none are willing to marry an Empress.

Whether it was in the previous dynasty or the current one, there have been ministers who refused the Emperor’s granted marriages.

Among the seven great noble families, some have sent legitimate daughters into the Imperial Palace to become concubines, but few have the legitimate sons marry a Princess or Empress.

First of all, marrying an Empress is almost like bidding farewell to one’s future.

Because the Emperor, to prevent external family authority, would never heavily employ a Prince Consort, leaving him only as a wealthy idle man. Though there are exceptions, they are few.

Secondly, no matter who an Empress marries, it’s considered a lower marriage. After marrying, the other party must treat her like a mascot, not allowed to take concubines. Of course, Empresses of lower status have it slightly better.

But Zhao Fujin happens to be the Emperor’s most beloved daughter.

In summary, marrying an Empress, for Wu Chang’an, imposes substantial constraints.

But with the Emperor’s intention, Wu Chang’an had to oblige, thinking he would meet the Empress, chat for a while, and then find a reason to get out of the marriage.

However, upon seeing her in person, Wu Chang’an was immediately captivated by Zhao Fujin’s beauty.

As the legitimate heir of the Wu family, Wu Chang’an had seen many beauties since childhood but had never seen someone as beautiful as Zhao Fujin, and he was instantly moved.

The previous thoughts were all thrown aside at this moment.

He wanted to marry her.

Once he set his eyes on her, Zhao Fujin appeared perfect in his eyes.

Frankly speaking, if Chen Mo hadn’t appeared, hadn’t charmed her with sweet words, and seduced her, for the inexperienced Zhao Fujin, she might indeed have fallen for someone like Wu Chang’an.

After all, Wu Chang’an has a good family background, looks handsome, and hasn’t reached thirty yet is already an Innate Martial Artist. Judging by his speech, he doesn’t seem like the scholar type, so with the Emperor’s marriage grant, Zhao Fujin might not have been opposed.

But Zhao Fujin already had her heart set on someone, leaving no room for others.

No matter how polite Wu Chang’an was, Zhao Fujin only felt irritated hearing his voice, like a buzzing fly.

”You might as well give up, I will never fall for you, nor will I marry you.” Seeing Wu Chang’an following her persistently like a sticky candy, Zhao Fujin coldly stated.

If her father hadn’t told her to chat and relax in the Imperial Garden rather than meet Wu Chang’an, Zhao Fujin would never have come.

Wu Chang’an didn’t cause a scene and said, ”I can wait, Your Highness. One day, you will understand my feelings for you.”

”You...” Zhao Fujin stomped her foot in anger, yet she was helpless against him, given that the matchmaking was arranged by her father.

If she claimed he intended to offend her, not only might her father not seek justice, he might use it to push the marriage through.

But she didn’t want to do that, as it would sully her reputation, and if word reached her junior apprentice brother’s ears...

Zhao Fujin didn’t want Chen Mo to misunderstand.

Zhao Fujin walked out of the Imperial Garden, and Wu Chang’an followed.

Upon reaching Donghua Avenue, seeing Wu Chang’an still following, Zhao Fujin turned back, frowning, ”Wu Chang’an, this is the harem. I’m going to see my mother, are you going to follow me there too?”

The saying goes, when someone falls in love, even the other’s faults seem endearing.

Wu Chang’an felt this way; even Zhao Fujin’s anger seemed charming. But upon hearing that it was the harem, he realized that it was inappropriate to keep following her.

”Then I shall await another opportunity to visit Your Highness.”

”You...” It was the first time Zhao Fujin encountered such an annoying person.

...

Weiyang Palace.

”Greetings to the Empress Fujin.” Xiao Qing’Er had just finished greeting Zhao Fujin and didn’t even have time to report to Xiao Yunxi before Zhao Fujin walked straight into Xiao Yunxi’s chamber.

”I’m so angry, truly infuriated. Mother, you must stand up for me...”

Zhao Fujin stormed in angrily.

Xiao Yunxi was still daydreaming about what mischievous things Chen Mo might be doing with her undergarments. Only when Zhao Fujin came in did she snap out of it and said, ”Fujin, why are you here, what happened?”

”Mother.” Zhao Fujin threw herself into Xiao Yunxi’s arms, sobbing, ”Mother, Father intends to matchmake me with Wu Chang’an, the son of Lord Wu Lu...”

Zhao Fujin hoped Xiao Yunxi could advocate for her and plead with Zhao Ji to change the marriage grant to Wu Chang’an.

After listening to Zhao Fujin’s story, Xiao Yunxi was momentarily stunned, then sighed softly, ”Fujin, your mother cannot help you.”

”Why? Father used to care greatly about Mother’s words.” Zhao Fujin asked, puzzled.

”You said it yourself, it was before.” Xiao Yunxi gently stroked Zhao Fujin’s hair and said, ”Times are different now, your mother herself also... sigh...”

”Mother...”

Zhao Fujin, observing Xiao Yunxi’s demeanor, suddenly remembered what she saw upon entering and asked, ”Mother, why has the number of guards outside Weiyang Palace suddenly increased?”

”They are all sent by your father to protect me...” Xiao Yunxi sneered at herself. Protection was false, but being placed under soft house arrest was likely true; once her father’s illness worsened, he began taking action. No wonder he could become the supreme Emperor; he was indeed cold and detached.

Although Zhao Fujin was still relatively naive, it didn’t mean she didn’t understand anything. Seeing the self-mocking smile on her mother’s face, coupled with the rumors spreading in the palace due to her grandfather’s grave illness, she seemed to understand something.

”No, no, Father wouldn’t do this...” At this point, Zhao Fujin paid no heed to her feelings for others.

Xiao Yunxi did not intend to tell Zhao Fujin this, nor did she know about Fujin and Chen Mo, so she said, ”Wu Chang’an? I’ve heard of him, he seems decent. If you were to marry him, he might be able to keep you safe for a lifetime.”