Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Looking at the tall and graceful young girl in front of him, Wu Lu’s smile temporarily faded, then he smiled and said, ”What is it that Xin’Er is referring to?”

Seeing Wu Lu pretending to be ignorant, Wu Xin’Er slightly furrowed her brows: ”I’m talking about the marriage, Uncle, didn’t you say in your letter that you had arranged a marriage for me and Chen Mo? But when I met Chen Mo, he said it was not the case...”

”This...”

Wu Lu also felt somewhat guilty. If back then he hadn’t internally told himself he’d arranged the marriage between her and Chen Mo, and instead had her try to solidify the relationship with Chen Mo, would she have come?

He had no choice but to lie to temporarily deceive Wu Xin’Er into coming first.

As for the matter of marriage, he still believed it could be resolved.

”Well... Xin’Er, please sit down first, Uncle will explain this to you thoroughly.” Wu Lu first invited Wu Xin’Er and He Lao to sit, then ordered someone to prepare tea.

He Lao smiled: ”Family leader, Miss, the old servant will retreat first.”

Both Wu Lu and Wu Xin’Er nodded.

Wu Xin’Er knelt behind the long desk, took a sip of tea, then looked up at Wu Lu above with elegance.

Wu Lu cleared his throat and then said, ”Xin’Er, what do you think of Chen Mo?”

”He’s not so bad.” Upon hearing this, Wu Xin’Er blurted out, but immediately after, realizing something, she quickly stopped speaking, her eyes fixed on Wu Lu, softly asking, ”What does Uncle mean by that?”

Wu Lu chuckled a couple of times: ”If you think he is satisfactory, you can be a bit bolder. Uncle fully supports it, and after all, shouldn’t these matters be initiated by the man?”

Wu Xin’Er seemed to understand something; her cheeks couldn’t help but blush, but she quickly adjusted, narrowing her eyes slightly: ”Does Uncle’s meaning suggest that Xin’Er should seduce him? Xin’Er can’t do that.”

Even though she indeed had some affection for Chen Mo now, it hadn’t reached the point of having to marry him.

She certainly couldn’t do such a forward thing.

”Ahem.” Wu Lu nearly spit out a mouthful of tea; although he did have such thoughts, could he say it so directly?

He explained tactfully: ”Uncle means you could arrange to go out for a walk with him or something, to develop your relationship.”

Wu Xin’Er furrowed her brows and then said, ”Uncle, you still haven’t answered my question about the marriage.”

”I have answered it.” Wu Lu replied, ”Xin’Er, you should know, being a member of our big family, especially as a legitimate daughter or son, seldom has a freely willing marriage agreement. The family values benefits; if you can meet someone you don’t dislike and whom the family also approves of, it is a very fortunate thing.”

The hint in these words was already clear.

If Wu Xin’Er and Chen Mo’s matter didn’t work out...

The family might betroth Wu Xin’Er to a member of another powerful family, to enhance and stabilize the family’s influence.

”To say something that might sadden you. Before Chen Mo appeared, the family already chose several future husbands for you internally. Among those who satisfied the family elders the most were Huangfu Hao from the Huangfu Family, the current Your Majesty, and another was Chu Qiao from the Chu Family.”

Upon hearing this, Wu Xin’Er’s jade hand tightly gripped the teacup suddenly.

”Sigh, think about it carefully.” Wu Lu sighed upon seeing Wu Xin’Er’s reaction, patted her on the shoulder, and then walked out of the hall.

Wu Xin’Er bit her red lips with her pearly teeth, and looked down at the brownish-yellow tea in the cup, a faint sorrow that broke people’s hearts lingering on her stunningly beautiful face.

She knew Wu Lu was telling the truth. Although being part of such a grand family brought an unreachable status and position from countless people, it also came with significant losses.

The most crucial point is, she did not yet have the strength to break the shackles the family placed on her.

It should be known, He Lao, who protects her, was also sent by the family elders.

Not directly obeying her orders.

...

On the other side.

Just as Chen Mo exited the Inner City, he was stopped by Xiao Qing’Er, who said the Empress Dowager requested his presence.

Chen Mo was taken aback. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to see Xiao Yunxi, but he had just returned to the capital and hadn’t even gone home yet; he entered the palace first thing. After finally finishing the court meeting, he had planned to go home first and then personally pay his respects to Xiao Yunxi.

Unexpectedly, she was even more impatient than him.

The age like a ravening wolf and a prowling tiger is truly frightening.

”Thank you, Miss Qing’Er, for leading the way.” Chen Mo followed behind Xiao Qing’Er, heading towards Weiyang Palace.

...

Inside Weiyang Palace.

Xiao Yunxi was standing in front of the Copper Mirror changing clothes; she wanted to meet Chen Mo in her most beautiful form.

Even though she had gotten up early to carefully dress before going out to welcome him.

Her jade hands rested on her waist, skillfully untying the belt, the luxurious palace dress gently fell away, followed by the elegant inner garment beneath.

With a gentle tug of her jade hand, the silky inner garment glided off her snowy shoulders, revealing a dark red embroidered lotus bustier, wrapping her full and plump chest, her skin as dazzlingly white as white jade.

She admired herself in the Copper Mirror for a moment, then, thinking of something, her face suddenly turned red and heated. She quickly picked up the delicate gauzy dress prepared beside her and put it on.

Then she sat at the dressing table and started applying makeup again.

Painting her eyebrows, applying rouge.

Then carefully applying the peach-flavored lipstick that Chen Mo likes to eat.

Not long after, Xiao Qing’Er’s voice sounded outside the hall: ”Empress Dowager, General Chen Mo has arrived.”

Xiao Yunxi quickly tidied herself up again, took a deep breath, and said, ”Let him in.”

”Yes. General Chen Mo, please.”

...

Xiao Yunxi was adorned in bright makeup, with a hairpin given by Chen Mo stuck in her hair, the pale green gauzy dress made her skin appear exceptionally radiant. Sitting upright at the dressing table, upon hearing the sound of the bead curtain being lifted, she sat up straighter, revealing a hint of nervousness.

When Chen Mo entered, he first caught a whiff of the alluring fragrance, then scanned his eyes over the sleeping quarters with little change, finally focusing his gaze on Xiao Yunxi. Seeing her clearly freshly dressed appearance, a slight smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, as he walked towards her.

”You... you’re back? Fighting for so many days, did you get hurt?” Although Xiao Yunxi had calmed her emotions, she still sounded a bit nervous when she spoke.

Chen Mo shook his head, his first words making her heart flutter: ”Yunxi, I’ve missed you so much.”

After saying that, not waiting for her to respond, he half-knelt down and slipped his arms under Xiao Yunxi’s legs, lifting her up.

Xiao Yunxi did not resist much, raising her fair jade finger and pointing at Chen Mo’s chest, lightly biting her lips as she scolded: ”Still... it’s broad daylight, can’t you... slow down a bit.”

Who’s the one so impatient to call me here?

Chen Mo laughed silently, choosing not to expose her, his gaze tender and affectionate as he said, ”A day apart feels like three years. It’s been so many days, how can I not be anxious.”