Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Gao Mansion.

Early in the morning, the sound of wailing echoed through the mansion, tinged with a hint of solemnity, clearly professional.

White paper money was scattered everywhere inside and out.

Zhao Jiangning, draped in white mourning clothes, knelt in front of the spirit hall, receiving condolences from civil and military officials.

As a Celestial Princess, Zhao Jiangning wouldn’t have had to do this if the deceased Prince Consort were an ordinary person. However, the Prince Consort was the son of Grand Commandant Gao Qiu, so even as an Empress, she had to stay in the spirit hall.

Her gaze swept over the officials, but Chen Mo was nowhere to be seen.

”Still too afraid to come,” Zhao Jiangning thought with contempt.

Just then, there was a commotion outside the spirit hall, and a sharp voice, like a duck’s, announced: ”His Majesty has arrived.”

Immediately, the officials in the hall hurried over to pay their respects.

”Ministers, no need for formalities.”

”Grand Commandant, you must restrain your grief and accept fate.”

Zhao Ji personally helped Gao Qiu up, holding his arm as they walked into the spirit hall.

After rising, Zhao Jiangning bowed and said, ”Greetings to Father, from your daughter.”

Glancing at Zhao Jiangning, Zhao Ji felt a trace of guilt towards his eldest daughter.

But in the Imperial Family, there is no room for sentiments.

This trace of guilt was just that—a trace.

With a nod to Zhao Jiangning, Zhao Ji shifted his gaze elsewhere.

Seeing this, Zhao Jiangning felt an inexplicable pang of distress in her heart.

The funeral procedures of the Great Song Dynasty were very complicated.

To show the importance of the Gao family.

Zhao Ji even changed into mourning clothes to pay respects to the deceased.

Some junior officials had to kneel to the deceased amidst the music of mourning.

Whether genuinely saddened by Gao Fen’s death or pretending to be.

The mourning ceremony proceeded smoothly.

Because of previous conflicts between Gao Fen and Chen Hong, the Gao family was not welcoming. So the absence of Chen Hong did not surprise the officials, nor was it deemed disrespectful.

If he had come, it would have been disrespectful.

Gao Qiu had issues with him.

Wouldn’t that undoubtedly provoke Gao Qiu?

...

In contrast to the somber atmosphere at Gao Mansion, Qingxin Lake was filled with songs and laughter.

Qingxin Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Bianliang City, with clear waters and ancient mountains and sites. Boating on the lake offers a unique experience.

Praised by countless scholars and poets since ancient times, Qingxin Lake has left numerous masterpieces, making it a must-see for newcomers to Bianliang City, or else their visit would be in vain.

However, Qingxin Lake’s fame has resulted in many painted boats along the shore.

As night falls, lanterns light up one by one.

Words like ”Sir, come up and enjoy” are heard endlessly.

But compared to the night, there were far fewer people during the day.

The tower boats by the lake stood empty.

A boat, clearly belonging to the royal and noble family, was heading towards the lake’s center.

Xiao Yunxi, dignified as the Empress, had a mother who held strict adherence to ceremony and social class.

So, when they talked, Xiao Yunxi could never recapture the old feelings.

Always feeling the affection between mother and daughter had faded substantially.

Moreover, Xiao Yunxi kept thinking about how to meet Chen Mo later, so she didn’t stay long. Under the guise of enjoying the scenery, she headed to the upper deck alone.

When Xiao Yunxi reached the top deck, lifting her skirt, she suddenly saw a young man in white standing with arms crossed, the wind from the lake lifting his robe.

”Chen... Mo?”

”Empress, long time no see.” Hearing the call from behind, Chen Mo turned around, smiling.

Xiao Yunxi was meticulously groomed, her jet-black hair styled into an elegant bun, her complexion exceptionally fair, especially when she saw Chen Mo, a blush appeared, almost as if water could drip from it. Her eyes sparkled, and her delicate eyebrows were long.

Rouge adorned her red lips.

The slight parting of her red lips exuded an indescribable charm, adding to her noble and graceful aura, making her like a budding peony, beautiful yet not seductive, stunning yet not vulgar.

Xiao Yunxi was momentarily stunned, then felt Chen Mo’s burning gaze, her face quietly turning red. Like a shy maiden, she brushed the hair beside her cheek, softly asking:

”Chen Mo, how are you here?”

Chen Mo had revealed his true identity to her.

”Fate has its wonders.” Chen Mo smiled, then walked closer, saying, ”It was actually the Xiao Mansion that informed me to come. When you boarded the boat, I was already here.”

Xiao Yunxi was shocked, ”Could it be my father knows... about us?”

Chen Mo shook his head, ”No, I just told the Grand Commandant I wanted to see you to thank you, then he arranged it for me.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yunxi widened her eyes, surprised that Chen Mo dared to involve her father.

”You... you have a lot of nerve.” Xiao Yunxi couldn’t help but chide him.

Chen Mo was now in front of Xiao Yunxi, lifting her chin to look at her exquisitely beautiful face up close, saying, ”Don’t you like it, Yunxi?”

”I...”

Xiao Yunxi’s face flushed thoroughly, averting her gaze, remaining silent.

The personality developed over years destined her not to admit it.

Chen Mo also didn’t speak, embracing Xiao Yunxi’s waist, holding her tightly, then lowered his head...

Xiao Yunxi felt a shiver throughout her body, naturally non-resistant to Chen Mo, now only feeling all her strength draining away. Her eyelashes fluttered, her voice quivered, ”No... no, there are many people below.”

The whole tower boat wasn’t just her alone.

The palace maids and guards brought from the palace, along with the maids and guards around her mother, amounted to dozens, all waiting below.

”They wouldn’t dare come up...” Chen Mo kissed Xiao Yunxi’s neck again, then picked her up in his arms, heading to the room below, saying, ”Yunxi, do you know how long I’ve waited for this day?”

Xiao Yunxi’s face turned red; she didn’t mind such behavior, but they were on a boat with so many people, and if discovered, it would cause a scandal.

But she dared not resist too much, fearing alarming the guards below.

In Chen Mo’s eyes, it seemed like a reluctant yet willing demeanor.

His pace quickened, and after closing the door, he directly threw Xiao Yunxi onto the bed, pressing down on her, kissing her red lips while unbuttoning her collar.

”Chen Mo...” Feeling Chen Mo’s obsession, Xiao Yunxi couldn’t control herself either. Under Chen Mo’s gradual advances, she slowly closed her eyes and instinctively embraced Chen Mo.

Sounds of rustling...

ps: Thanks to everyone for the rewards and monthly tickets!