We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

Chapter 621: A Monastic Like Me, Should I Really Steal a Man?

”Migu...”

”Migu, Migu!”

Within Hongxiu Palace, Wangxin sat on a stool, lost in thought, while Hundun tugged ceaselessly at her mistressʼs sleeve.

”Little Migu, I need to think this over. This kind of thing shouldnʼt be rushed.” Wangxin shook her head, her lovely willow-shaped brows furrowing slightly. ”And besides, I... this is the first time Iʼve ever encountered something like this...”

Not long ago, Hundun had told Wangxin about her encounter with Qin Siyao, and had also conveyed Qin Siyaoʼs wish to collaborate with Wangxin.

Hearing this, Wangxinʼs heart had filled with no small astonishment.

First, she was astonished that Xiao Moʼs consort could be so extraordinary, her cultivation level quite possibly at the Ascension realm.

Second, she had never expected that this woman would even know of her existence, let alone invite her to team up in ”stealing a man” together.

As for whether this Qin Siyao might pose any threat to Xiao Mo, Wangxin was not particularly worried about that.

Because, when she had seen her earlier, Wangxin could clearly sense that Qin Siyaoʼs heart was filled entirely with love for Xiao Mo, with no trace of any other feeling at all.

That love was extraordinarily pure, and yet also rich and mellow, like fine wine aged a thousand years but Wangxin still felt considerable hesitation because, deep in her heart, Wangxin had never truly considered wanting to possess Xiao Mo for herself.

She had always felt that so long as Xiao Mo lived well, that was enough.

So long as she herself could see Xiao Mo every day, could stay by his side every day, that would be enough. She had never thought she absolutely needed to be with him.

”Little Migu, why donʼt we... just let it go?” Wangxin raised her head, looking at Migu, wavering.

”Migu! Migu!”

Little Hundun looked quite upset, spreading her small wings, patting Wangxinʼs head repeatedly.

”Migu! Migu! (If you donʼt fight for your master, heʼs going to be eaten up by someone else!)”

”Migu! Migu! (Are you willing to just watch your master do strange things with other women, standing by and doing nothing at all?)”

”Migu! Migu! Migu! (Youʼve searched for him for so long, why give him up to someone else now!)”

”Migu! (Forget it, this Hundun is furious!)”

At last, Little Hundun grew so agitated that her entire small, fleshy form turned visibly red, even letting off a few wisps of white smoke.

Watching Little Hundun in this angry state, Wangxin could not help but reach out, gently poking her little belly.

”Migu!”

Little Hundun wiggled her bottom, flopping over to the other side, taking on the posture of ”I donʼt want to deal with you anymore.”

Wangxin lowered her head, her expression carrying a note of conflicted guilt.

After a long while, Wangxin raised her head, appearing somewhat resigned, “Little Migu... I... I understand. Iʼll go meet with that consort. If itʼs possible, I... Iʼll try... try collaborating with her...”

”Migu!”

Hearing her own mistress agree, Migu flew happily to Wangxinʼs shoulder, patting her small head.

”Migu! Migu! (Thatʼs more like it! Donʼt worry, mistress! Iʼll definitely help you get that big pig-hoof back!)”

Miguʼs nostrils puffed out two streams of hot air, appearing thoroughly determined.

”Oh...” Wangxin answered softly.

In truth, Wangxin still felt this was not quite right.

A monastic like herself, was she really going to steal a man away?

Wasnʼt this genuinely not a good thing to do...

…

After the palace examination concluded.

Another three days passed.

The golden list was formally posted.

Jin Yuan of Liuye Prefecture, having achieved first place in three consecutive examinations, was personally named top scholar by the Zhou Kingdomʼs ruler and unlike previous top scholars.

In the past, the Zhou Kingdomʼs top scholars were typically granted a position as a compiler within the Hanlin Academy, an idle post, meaning essentially to ”bide oneʼs time in obscurity” but now, Jin Yuan was transferred directly to the Central Secretariat, to study and handle governmental affairs under Chancellor Yan.

Anyone with discerning eyes could see how highly His Majesty valued this new top scholar.

No small number of people were already scheming ways to befriend this promising young man but before long, Jin Yuan left the capital.

Because before taking up their positions, newly successful candidates were granted a six-month leave, allowing each of them to return home to honor their ancestors, parading through their hometowns dressed in fine robes, riding red horses, letting the local common people see them in their glory.

And for the top scholar, this went without saying.

Word had it that the governor of Liuye Prefecture had already made every preparation, simply awaiting Jin Yuanʼs return, to give him a grand welcoming ceremony!

The governor of Liuye Prefecture, upon learning that Jin Yuan and his wife Ji Yue had eloped without ever holding a proper wedding ceremony, even prepared to arrange a belated wedding celebration for them, determined to give this top scholar every measure of dignity!

At the same time, Xiao Mo, within the palace, learned that the father-in-law who had once looked down upon his son-in-law was now desperately trying to mend their relationship, having discovered that Jin Yuan had achieved the position of top scholar.

Whether Jin Yuan would accept this reconciliation, Xiao Mo did not know, nor did he wish to concern himself with it but regardless, Ji Yue, once criticized by her own clan for eloping with Jin Yuan, had now become the most honored member of the entire family.

The Ji family members now all spoke of how discerning Ji Yueʼs judgment had been, praising her for bringing her husband good fortune.

This stood in stark contrast to the mockery and criticism they had once heaped upon her.

Such is the fickleness of human hearts.

”Our top scholar has achieved success in the examination, and now holds a proper wedding celebration as well. Truly a double blessing.”

One day, Yan Zhen came to the imperial study, chatting casually with Xiao Mo, and could not help but say this with a smile.

”Indeed. Our top scholar should be quite the talk of the town lately.”

Xiao Mo, too, smiled.

Only... for some reason, Xiao Mo felt a certain inexplicable wistfulness stirring in his heart.

As though, within the Book of a Hundred Lives, he too had once achieved success in an examination like this, with a wife waiting for him back home in his own hometown.

Only, by the time he had returned home, his wife had no longer been there.

Having left the Book of a Hundred Lives, Xiao Mo had tried to recall that womanʼs appearance, but found he could not.

”May all the lovers of this world find their way to one another in the end.”

Xiao Mo sighed once more and just as Xiao Mo set down the memorial in his hand.

Sili walked into the imperial study, bowing, “Your Majesty, Minister of Rites Yu seeks an audience outside.”

”Minister Yu has arrived. Have him come in.” Xiao Mo said.

”Yes.” Sili nodded, withdrawing from the imperial study.

Before long, Minister of Rites Yu Houwu entered the imperial study, bowing to Xiao Mo, “This subject pays respects to Your Majesty.”

”What matter brings you here, Minister Yu?” Xiao Mo asked.

”Reporting to Your Majesty.” Yu Houwuʼs tone carried a note of nervousness. ”The envoy procession from the Dragon Palace of the Four Seas is now merely thirty li from the capital.”

…

Thirty li beyond the Great Zhou capital.

A great whale, blotting out the sky, flew toward the direction of the Zhou Kingdomʼs capital.

Upon the great whaleʼs back rested a pavilion resembling a palace itself.

Behind the great whale followed a carriage of deep azure blue, pulled by flying fish.

Around the carriage attended row upon row of mermaid and clam-spirit women, dressed in palace robes.

Beyond this, a total of three thousand sea-race soldiers guarded either side of the procession, their formation solemn and imposing.

”Sister Yan Shuang, isnʼt that the Zhou Kingdomʼs capital, right there?”

Sizhu stood atop the pavilion, gazing into the distance.

”Yes.”

Yan Shuang stood beside Sizhu, her eyes calm.

”Still exactly the same as it was over a decade ago, not the slightest change.”