Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Chen Mo did not break his promise. When she initially agreed with Han Jingyun, she merely promised to send troops to suppress the Ning clan, but never said she wouldn’t interfere in the affairs of the Wan Kingdom.

Moreover, after gaining control over the Wan Kingdom’s military, he wouldn’t oppress the royal family like the Ning clan did. As long as the royal family dutifully paid the annual tribute, Chen Mo would not meddle with its internal affairs.

Of course, to be strict, what Chen Mo did was somewhat unscrupulous. The princess had already given herself to him entirely and even sacrificed a great deal of gold and silver.

But from a national interest standpoint, Chen Mo’s actions were entirely reasonable.

The Wan Kingdom was like a docile sheep. When Great Song began to decline, the Wan Kingdom started to act duplicitously toward Great Song, ceasing to pay the annual tribute. Although they never invaded Great Song, they were quite restless.

It should be noted that at that time, the Ning clan did not hold omnipotent power.

If Chen Mo did not act in this way, he feared that once the situation in the Wan Kingdom improved, they would forget their initial promises.

...

This matter was something for the people of Great Song to boast about. Since the founding of the country by the Grand Ancestor, the Wan Kingdom had been a vassal state of Great Song. As Great Song’s influence gradually weakened, they began looking down on their elder brother.

Yet, even so, this ”weak” Great Song could help its younger brother resolve domestic issues. When they meet in the future, the people of Great Song would naturally carry a sense of superiority.

Big Brother is Big Brother; even when sick, he can easily suppress the younger brother.

...

The Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion had flying eaves and tiered pavilions, majestic with carved walls. Some parts were still under construction. Since Chen Mo was appointed as Prince Zhen Nan, the scale of the Chen Mansion was somewhat unworthy of his status, hence the expansion began.

In front of the vermilion lacquer doors, two stone lions stood guard, with paved and orderly bricks outside.

A carriage symbolizing noble lineage stopped outside the Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion. A graceful and breathtakingly beautiful woman gracefully disembarked, catching the eyes of the patrolling guards outside the mansion.

Upon learning her identity and finding out she was Princess Huixian from the Wan Kingdom, they quickly went inside to report.

Those who knew some details speculated that this Princess Huixian might also be one of Prince Zhen Nan’s women.

Prince Zhen Nan, being the most renowned person standing at the pinnacle of power today, naturally attracted attention to both himself and those around him. This naturally spurred others to inquire deliberately and learn more.

Thus, there were rumors in the marketplace that the most noble and enticing women around the world were associated with Prince Zhen Nan.

The number one beauty of Nanyang, Luo Zhen, was his woman.

Princess De Ning was, too.

The best-known beauty of Great Song, Princess Zhao Fujin from Fuma, was his senior sister, and they shared a close relationship.

The courtesan kept hidden away in a golden house, the Empress Dowager of the Western Palace, the Queen of Loulan...

The Grand Princess had dealings with him.

Even the current Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace, former Empress Xiao Yunxi, maintained an ambiguous relationship with Prince Zhen Nan. His visits to Weiyang Palace were as familiar as entering his own home.

...

Han Jingyun came this time to thank Chen Mo, but upon entering the mansion, she learned Chen Mo was in seclusion and had no time to see her.

While Han Jingyun was somewhat disappointed, she inexplicably also felt a sense of concern. Having given herself entirely to Chen Mo, and with the Ning clan now suppressed, she no longer had to worry about her father’s safety, shifting her thoughts to her own future.

Since Chen Mo returned to the capital, he hadn’t come to see her once.

This inevitably made Han Jingyun overthink, believing that his possession of her was merely because of her identity as a Wan Kingdom princess; he wanted to taste something fresh. Now that the novelty had worn off, he had lost interest in her.

Otherwise, he had clearly asked her to stay at the Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion, but after he went to Jiangnan, he had her stay at Hongfu Tavern instead.

Just when Han Jingyun felt disappointed and was about to leave, Wu Xin’Er stopped her.

As Chen Mo’s consort, Wu Xin’Er felt the responsibility and duty to inform those women about the intimacy they shared with the master.

According to Chun Lan, Princess Huixian once came looking for the master, the two spent several hours alone, and afterward, Princess Huixian emerged with tears. What happened during that time was self-explanatory.

”Princess Consort,” Han Jingyun paid her respects to Wu Xin’Er.

”There’s no need to be so formal, Princess,” Wu Xin’Er replied with a courteous bow, instructing the attendants to serve tea while gently pulling Han Jingyun aside like a sister, saying, ”You’re here to see the Prince, right? Unfortunately, the Prince went into seclusion two weeks ago, and it’s unsure when he’ll come out, even I don’t get to see him.”

Wu Xin’Er was emphasizing that Chen Mo wasn’t avoiding Han Jingyun deliberately.

”I came to thank the Prince. The great victory in the Wan Kingdom has brought peace thanks to his efforts,” Han Jingyun acknowledged.

Wu Xin’Er smiled, ”There’s no need to mention effort; it’s what the Prince ought to do. We are all one family, and it’s too polite of you, Sister.”

She actively closed the distance between them.

Han Jingyun blushed, realizing Wu Xin’Er was aware of her relationship with Chen Mo.

Wu Xin’Er had a formal marriage, with titles, whereas Han Jingyun did not, acting like a mistress meeting the rightful partner, leaving Han Jingyun a bit nervous and speechless.

Wu Xin’Er, holding Han Jingyun’s right hand, gently stroking her fingers, then said, ”Sister, stay here at the mansion from now on. Before going into seclusion, the Prince was still thinking of you.”

Han Jingyun found this hard to believe; he was thinking of her but did not come to see her.

But the letter Wu Xin’Er gave her subsequently convinced Han Jingyun.

This letter was from Ning Fenglai to Chen Mo.

He was also willing to regard Great Song as the master, as long as Chen Mo would not intervene in Wan Kingdom’s affairs, he would surpass whatever Han Jingyun offered.

From Han Jingyun’s perspective, there was no reason for Chen Mo to reject such a clear advantage.

But Chen Mo refused.

Isn’t this love?

Han Jingyun was not Chen Mo, aside from this, she could think of no reason for his refusal.

Han Jingyun’s heart trembled greatly.

Seeing the moment was right, Wu Xin’Er took out a delicate wooden box and handed it to Han Jingyun, ”Sister, this is from the Prince before he went into seclusion, he asked me to give it to you.”

Han Jingyun took it and opened it to find a jade bracelet inside. With just one glance, she knew it wasn’t ordinary. Even with her status, it was the first time she had seen such an exquisite and valuable jade bracelet.

And for something this precious, it must have been hard-won. He went to great lengths to obtain it and specially gave it to her...

Han Jingyun’s heart filled with overwhelming emotions, like countless spring waters cascading from above, as she cradled the jade bracelet in her arms, remaining silent for a long time.

If Chen Mo were to appear and meet her at this moment, speaking tender words, Han Jingyun would become utterly devoted to him, becoming inseparable hereafter.

Thus, Han Jingyun stayed at the Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion, and in her heart, she had already accepted herself as Chen Mo’s woman without any resistance.