Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

After giving some instructions to Wanqiu and Zhang Ru, Chen Mo returned to the Chen Mansion. Gao Zheng mentioned that Quan Qiyang was looking for him.

When he arrived at the Chen Mansion, Quan Qiyang approached with people from the Imperial City Department: ”Congratulations to Chen Hong’s brother for being promoted to a significant position...”

Chen Mo’s face turned slightly red from the flattery.

No one dislikes hearing good things about themselves or others praising them.

Chen Mo was no exception.

”The same to you, the same to you. Mine is just a deputy position.” Chen Mo also cupped his hands. The power of the Director of the Imperial City Department was immense. During times of centralized imperial power, all civil and military officials feared the Imperial City Department, much like the Jin Yi Wei at their height.

After exchanging pleasantries, Chen Mo smiled and said, ”I wonder what important matter brings Director Qi to me.”

”Just call me Quan Qiyang.”

”How could I? How could I? Director Qi is the elder brother of Lady Yu Fei. I wouldn’t dare address you by your name.”

”How about this, I’m a bit older than you. If Commander Chen doesn’t mind, you can call me Brother Quanyang,” Quan Qiyang said.

Chen Mo wasn’t overly polite with him and smiled, ”Brother Quanyang.”

”Yes.” A smile appeared on Quan Qiyang’s face, instantly improving their relationship. He then said, ”Brother Hong, could we speak privately?”

Chen Mo glanced around and then pointed to a corner.

The two walked over, and the armored warriors protecting them turned their backs and walked a dozen steps before stopping.

Then Quan Qiyang chuckled, ”His Majesty has ordered me to confiscate the residences of those rebellious ministers and traitors.”

”Congratulations, Brother Quanyang,” Chen Mo congratulated him.

Confiscating assets could bring immense profits, not to mention with so many corrupt ministers falling at once, there was surely ample opportunity for gain.

Quan Qiyang raised his hand, ”But we’re short on manpower in the Imperial City Department, so I’m here to borrow some men from Brother Hong.”

With such a lucrative task, even if short on manpower, Quan Qiyang normally wouldn’t trouble others.

But as he wanted to befriend Chen Hong, he had to show some intention, otherwise, he’d be empty-handed with no sincerity.

Having been an official for so long, Chen Mo naturally understood the implication in Quan Qiyang’s words. He pulled Quan Qiyang by the neck and laughed, ”You’re being polite with me again? We’re brothers, who stands on ceremony between us...”

As he spoke, Chen Mo called out, ”Gao Zheng.”

”At your service.” Gao Zheng came running over.

”Take a battalion and heed the orders of Director Qi without fail,” Chen Mo instructed.

”Yes.”

Then Gao Zheng cupped his hands towards Quan Qiyang.

Quan Qiyang nodded in acknowledgement and then said to Chen Hong, ”Brother Hong, in that case, I won’t disturb you further and will take my leave.”

Chen Mo smiled and nodded, seeing Gao Zheng’s look, he also waved.

”You, you... and you, take your men and come with me.” Gao Zheng casually pointed at several captains, leading the people with him.

...

In the backyard.

As soon as Chen Mo stepped into the backyard, Yi Yao, along with Chun Lan and others, came to greet him. Yi Yao immediately dashed into Chen Mo’s arms, and Chun Lan was also tearfully sobbing.

Now, Chen Mo was their support. If anything happened to him, the fate of Chun Lan and the others would be dire. Even if not death, they would become playthings under the people, suffering inhumane treatment, especially as they were no longer virgins.

Moreover, Chen Mo treated them well, spoiling them in every aspect besides their intimate relations, without the superior attitude of a master.

After comforting the women for a while, Chen Mo instructed Chun Lan to prepare hot water, as he wanted to take a bath and rest for a bit.

Last night’s turmoil had kept him tense, and in the morning, he even played a round of mahjong with Wanqiu; at the time, he didn’t feel tired.

But upon returning home and relaxing, Chen Mo felt drowsy.

Sure enough, after bathing, Chen Mo buried his head in Yi Yao’s embrace and fell asleep.

...

Xiao Yunqi did not have it as easy as Chen Mo.

The events of last night were almost widely known among the residents of Bianliang.

Xiao Yunqi initiated a coup to seize power, supporting Crown Prince Zhao Chong to ascend to the throne, regardless of whether he had the justification of overthrowing evil courtiers and purging the emperor’s side. In the end, it was rebellion and treason.

So after handling affairs in the Imperial Palace, once Xiao Yunqi left the Imperial City, a large group of literati blocked the road.

”There’s Xiao Yunqi, the traitor is coming out.”

”Rebellious minister and traitor, you won’t die a good death.”

”Dog thief, bah!”

...

Seeing Xiao Yunqi and the others emerge, these scholars began to loudly condemn and scold.

Xiao Yunqi’s action was no different from a usurpation. They would not allow it and immediately lambasted it.

From the start of the uprising, Xiao Yunqi had anticipated this day. Regardless of success or failure, he would not have a good reputation.

Xiao Teng held the reins, wrapped in True Qi, and fiercely struck the ground: ”Clear the way for your commander!”

However, the scholars did not back down but instead shouted even louder.

”Xiao Yunqi, you traitorous minister, hand over His Majesty quickly.”

”Xiao Yunqi has coerced His Majesty and established a new emperor, being a great treacher of the nation. Now is the time for us to expel this wickedness, everyone must not let this villain escape.”

”...”

”Courting death!” Xiao Teng’s eyes gleamed with ruthlessness. He dared to kill even Gao Qiu and the others; why would he fear this group of frail scholars...

Just as he was about to give an order to act.

”Teng’er.” Xiao Yunqi stopped Xiao Teng. There are many literati in Bianliang, and it’s impossible to silence those voices. If they were all killed, the whole nation would fear the ”Xin Dynasty,” leaving no one to serve it.

Since the new emperor has just ascended to the throne, manpower would be needed.

Therefore, Xiao Yunqi ordered Xiao Teng to capture and kill only a few instigators.

...

Although Bianliang City was still under martial law.

Jiang Ruoqing, holding the token given by Chen Mo, managed to enter the city, increasing her curiosity about Chen Mo’s identity.

Of course, if she had been willing to get along with Luo Zhen, she would already know.

Suppressing her curiosity, Jiang Ruoqing initially planned to send Luo Zhen and the others to the Chen Mansion, but there were too many people there.

To avoid any mishaps, Jiang Ruoqing took them to the secondary residence.

As soon as they entered the backyard, a fat cat ran to her feet.

”Rice Ball, wait for me...” Ye Wanqiu chased the orange cat out.

As she looked up.

”Who are you?”

”Who are you?”

Simultaneously, they spoke, and the women looked at each other with wide eyes.

”Madam, lunch is ready.” Zhang Ru’s voice called out as she came looking for Ye Wanqiu.

Upon seeing Jiang Ruoqing, she quickly said, ”Eld...madam.”

In her view, Jiang Ruoqing was the first to arrive and reside in the mansion.

While Ye Wanqiu came later.

”Elder madam?” Ye Wanqiu, Luo Zhen, and Xu Miaozhen’s eyes widened again.

The atmosphere instantly became silent.

After a while, Ye Wanqiu was the first to speak: ”I am Wanqiu, it’s a pleasure to meet Sister.”

She also assumed Jiang Ruoqing was the first to become Chen Mo’s woman.