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

Chapter 288: The Nine-Tailed Kingdom Shall Not Step One Foot Into the Ten Thousand Laws Realm

”Your Majesty... itʼs time for morning court... Your Majesty...”

In Clear Spring Palace, Wei Xun walked to Xiao Moʼs bedside and called out softly.

Xiao Mo yawned and slowly opened his eyes, ”Morning court, what morning court?”

Since his rebirth, he had never attended a single morning court session.

After all, his power had been usurped, so what was the point of attending court?

”Your Majesty, have you forgotten?”

”Yesterday, the Prime Minister asked this old servant to memorialize to Your Majesty, hoping you would attend court once. It seems there is some important matter.”

”Oh... We remember now.” Xiao Mo waved his hand. ”Dress Us.”

”Yes, Your Majesty.”

Wei Xun bowed and nodded, then quickly called for palace maids to come in and help Xiao Mo change.
The Zhou Kingdom had two types of dragon robes: formal court attire and casual everyday wear.

Wei Xun stood to the side, watching His Majesty don the dragon robe court attire, and couldnʼt help but feel emotional.

He couldnʼt remember how long it had been since heʼd seen His Majesty wear dragon robe court attire. He felt that His Majesty should be wearing this.

Standing there fully dressed, His Majesty looked like a wise ruler.

If in his lifetime he could see His Majesty regain full power, that would be wonderful. Then he would have no regrets before the late emperor...

”You old thing, why do you look like youʼre about to cry for no reason?”

After changing into the dragon robe court attire, Xiao Mo turned around and looked at Wei Xun.

”This old servant was just thinking that Your Majesty is about to marry soon, and then there will be the Empress and Imperial Consorts to serve Your Majesty.” Wei Xun wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and made an excuse.

”Hehehe, who knows whether theyʼll be of one heart with Us.” Xiao Mo chuckled, patted his sleeves, and said, ”Letʼs go, to court.”

”Yes, Your Majesty...”

Wei Xun hurriedly followed behind Xiao Mo.

Xiao Mo sat on the imperial palanquin, and on the way to the court hall, he couldnʼt help but think of what Qin Mujiu had said to him last night.

Last night in Firefly Garden, Qin Mujiu had told him she could help him regain power, without even asking for any conditions.

Everything was supposedly just because of the friendship between the ancestors of the Qin and Zhou Kingdoms.

Regarding what Qin Mujiu said, Xiao Mo neither accepted nor refused.

After all, there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

Everyone was an adult, and it was all about interests. He didnʼt believe the Qin Kingdom would be so kind-hearted.

In Xiao Moʼs view, he should just take things one step at a time and proceed according to his original plan.

As for this court session, Xiao Mo guessed it should be about his marriage.

The emperor had no family matters and since the news spread that the Qin Kingdomʼs sovereign wanted to marry his sister to the Zhou Kingdom, the ministers in the Zhou Kingdomʼs court all had their own thoughts.

This court session would likely produce a result.

”His Majesty arrives!”

An incense stickʼs worth of time later, Xiao Mo arrived at the court hall.

As Wei Xunʼs shrill voice rang out, the civil and military officials below the hall all fell silent, then shouted in unison, ”We subjects respectfully welcome Your Majesty!”

Amid the officialsʼ shouts, Xiao Mo walked to the high platform and bowed respectfully to Empress Dowager Yan beside him, ”Mother Empress.”

Empress Dowager Yan nodded and spoke, ”Your Majesty has not attended court for a long time. I have come to help Your Majesty this time. I hope Your Majesty will not mind.”

”Mother Empress, what are you saying? Court matters still require Mother Empressʼs considerable assistance.”

Xiao Mo smiled slightly, sat on the dragon throne, and swept his gaze over the assembled officials. His voice was not loud, but it spread majestically throughout the great hall, ”Let the court session begin.”

”Court is in session. Those with matters, present them! Those without, court is dismissed!”

Wei Xun straightened his chest and head as he shouted, then stood beside His Majesty.

Soon, ministers came forward one by one to present memorials.

Xiao Mo basically just sat there, with all matters decided entirely by Empress Dowager Yan and Yan Shanʼao. However, after Empress Dowager Yan made a decision, she would ask Xiao Moʼs opinion, but could Xiao Mo really say he disagreed?

Xiao Mo didnʼt particularly care about this.

An hour later, as the court session neared its end, Xiao Mo knew they were about to bring up todayʼs most important matter.

Vice Minister of Rites Shen Wen stepped forward.

The others also looked at Shen Wen, as if they all knew what he was going to say.

Moreover, before he could even speak, some officials were eager to step forward and argue.

Shen Wen bowed respectfully to Xiao Mo, ”Reporting to Your Majesty, over the past two days, all the common people in the imperial capital have learned of the Qin Kingdomʼs marriage proposal to our Great Zhou, and the news has spread wider and wider.

Although our Great Zhouʼs ancestor was on good terms with the Qin Kingdomʼs ancestor and they did establish a marriage agreement. However, regardless, Your Majestyʼs betrothal to the daughter of the Yan family was established first. If we change it now, wonʼt we be laughed at by everyone under heaven?

This subject boldly memorializes Your Majesty that the original wedding ceremony should proceed unchanged, and the daughter of the Yan family should still become Empress!”

”Hahaha, ridiculous!”

At this moment, Censor-in-Chief Lord Wang stepped forward, bowed to Xiao Mo, and spoke.

”Your Majesty, the Qin Kingdom is now powerful and prosperous. If we can form a marriage alliance with the Qin Kingdom, it will absolutely benefit our Great Zhou in countless ways. Moreover, speaking of first come first served, the Qin Kingdomʼs ancestor established the marriage agreement. Who really came first and who came later?”

”What does Lord Wang mean? The Qin Kingdom is powerful and prosperous, so is our Great Zhou very weak? Why should our Great Zhou need to rely on another country?” Minister of Justice Lord Leng stepped forward and spoke.

”Hehehe, Lord Leng speaks well, but Lord Leng should not deceive himself.” Vice Minister of War Lord Fang stepped forward, ”If our Great Zhou refuses this rightful marriage, how is this different from breaking off an engagement? When the two countries go to war, will Lord Leng take the battlefield?”

”If we merely submit to another countryʼs power, yet donʼt even dare to establish our own empress, wonʼt this make our ancestors laugh even more?”

”I think youʼre even more ridiculous! Does Princess Qinyang not have status? The marriage agreement established by the late emperor, set by our ancestors, what more do you want to say?”

For a time, in the court hall, with everyone talking at once, order had been lost.

Empress Dowager Yan furrowed her brows, her expression appearing extremely displeased.

Yan Shanʼao kept his eyes closed, pretending to look profound.

As for Xiao Mo, Xiao Mo was even more composed, even somewhat like watching a show, wanting to see what result they could argue out.

”Silence!”

At this moment, Empress Dowager Yan took a deep breath and spoke.

Her voice was not loud, but everyone could hear it.

The crowd gradually quieted down, bowing their heads and returning to their positions.

”In the court hall, before His Majestyʼs eyes, you all behave so improperly, what kind of conduct is this?!” Empress Dowager Yan scolded, her chest heaving violently with anger for a moment.

She turned her head and looked at her brother, who had remained silent before all the officials, and asked, ”Prime Minister has not said a word. Facing this matter, do you have any wise insights?”

As the Empress Dowagerʼs words fell, the civil and military officials all looked toward Yan Shanʼao.

Yan Shanʼao opened his eyes, stepped forward and bowed, then spoke slowly, ”Reporting to Your Majesty, reporting to the Empress Dowager, this old minister believes that what the civil and military officials said all have some merit.

Princess Qinyang marrying His Majesty is an agreement between the late emperors of both countries. After so many years, the Qin Kingdom still remembers the friendship with the Zhou Kingdom and marries the princess to the Zhou Kingdom, which further demonstrates the Qin Kingdomʼs respect for our Zhou Kingdom. If our Zhou Kingdom refuses, it will inevitably cause their displeasure.

However, the daughter of the Yan family, Yan Ruxue, has already been designated as the Empress of our Great Zhou. This matter is known by everyone under heaven. If we change people now, it will likely arouse the peopleʼs anger but this matter is not a case of choosing one or the other.

Emperor Xiaozong faced a similar situation back then. At that time, there were two women who could both become empress, and the court debated endlessly.

In the end, Empress Dowager Lu brought both women into the rear palace together to evaluate their virtue.

A year later, His Majesty Emperor Xiaozong and Empress Dowager Lu selected one to be empress.

Therefore, this old minister proposes that we let the daughter of the Yan family, Yan Ruxue, and Princess Qinyang of the Qin Kingdom enter the palace together, and observe their words and conduct.

A year later, entirely according to Your Majestyʼs wishes, select one person as empress. This would be most appropriate!”

After Yan Shanʼao finished speaking, the court ministers looked at each other, thinking that Yan Shanʼao was truly an old fox.

There was indeed precedent for this matter, and it was indeed a compromise solution. However, in the rear palace, the true master of the harem was still Empress Dowager Yan.

If His Majesty wanted to choose someone as consort, wouldnʼt he have to consider Empress Dowager Yanʼs opinion?

So a year later, the possibility of Yan Ruxue becoming empress was greater.

Of course, most importantly, the Zhou Kingdom currently couldnʼt afford to offend the Qin Kingdom, and Elder Huang of Ten Thousand Swords Sect seemed to be lukewarm toward the Yan family.

Therefore, Yan Shanʼao wanted to postpone the problem and observe the situation first then during this year, he would definitely try to find a new backer.

Empress Dowager Yan, who had already discussed this with Yan Shanʼao, lowered her head, pretended to contemplate for a while, then looked toward Xiao Mo beside her, ”Your Majesty, I also believe the Prime Ministerʼs words have merit.

Although the matter of establishing an empress is a state affair, it is also Your Majestyʼs private matter.

Since it is now difficult to choose, and Your Majesty has not had contact with Ruxue or Princess Qinyang, why not let them enter the palace first? Your Majesty can spend time with them.

A year later, Your Majesty can choose one person as empress according to your heartʼs desire, and this would be an explanation to Your Majesty yourself and to all under heaven.

What does Your Majesty think?”

”Since Mother Empress has said so, then everything shall follow Mother Empressʼs arrangements.”

Xiao Mo nodded.

Could he really refuse?

However, speaking of which, Xiao Mo felt this was actually beneficial to him.

With a yearʼs time, he could understand the talented lady of the Yan familyʼs personality and see clearly whether Princess Qinyang truly wanted to help him then he could choose a path, seeing whether to borrow the Qin Kingdomʼs power or follow his old plan to eliminate Yan Shanʼao.

”Do all beloved ministers have any objections?” Empress Dowager Yan asked the assembled officials.

”We subjects have no objections.”

”Good, then it is settled.”

Empress Dowager Yan smiled.

”I will write a letter to the Qin Kingdomʼs sovereign today, speaking kindly. If the Qin Kingdomʼs sovereign agrees, we will choose an auspicious day and invite Ruxue and Princess Qinyang to enter the palace.

But whether Ruxue or Princess Qinyang, they will both be Your Majestyʼs wives. Your Majesty must get along well with both of them, with husband and wife treating each other with respect, and provide heirs for our Zhou Kingdom.”

Speaking to the end, Empress Dowager Yanʼs tone carried some sincerity, sounding like a true mother instructing her son.

”Mother Empress speaks wisely. We have taken note.” Xiao Mo responded.

Empress Dowager Yan nodded, ”Do beloved ministers have any other matters to memorialize? If not, court is dismissed.”

”We subjects have no other matters!” The ministers shouted in unison.

”Then court is dismissed...” Xiao Mo said indifferently.

”Court dismissed!!!”

As Wei Xunʼs shrill voice spread throughout the court hall, all the ministers called out, ”Respectfully sending off Your Majesty.”

Xiao Mo stood up and helped Empress Dowager Yan slowly walk out of the great hall.

…

”Miss... Miss... this is terrible...”

An hour later, Xiao Chun ran into the courtyard, shouting breathlessly.

”You...” Yan Ruxue looked at Xiao Chun and sighed gently. ”Your habit of making a fuss over nothing, after entering the palace, you must change it, otherwise His Majesty will scold you.”

”Please forgive me, Miss.” Xiao Chun hurriedly bowed respectfully.

”Speak, what is it today?” Yan Ruxue asked.

”Miss, the master just returned to the residence and discussed court matters with Madam. In the end, the Empress Dowager decided to have you and that Princess Qinyang enter the palace together. A year later, His Majesty will choose one person from you and Princess Qinyang to be empress.”

”Oh, I understand.” Yan Ruxue continued turning the pages of the book in her hand.

”But Miss, clearly you came first! That Princess Qinyang is the latecomer!”

Xiao Chun felt indignant for her young miss, her tone carrying some resentment.

”Really, is heaven deliberately working against Miss? Why is Missʼs marriage so full of twists and turns?”

”Alright, alright. Since things have happened, weʼll take it step by step. Whatʼs the use of thinking so much?” Yan Ruxue smiled. ”Go fetch me some pastries. Iʼm a bit hungry.”

”Fine...”

Even though Miss accepted it so calmly, Xiao Chun still felt very uncomfortable, but she didnʼt know what else to say. She could only mutter as she walked out of the courtyard to fetch osmanthus cakes for Miss.

After Xiao Chun left, a light breeze passed by, and a graceful figure in green appeared beside Yan Ruxue, ”Sister... do you want me to enter the palace with you?”

”Thereʼs no need.” Yan Ruxue shook her head. ”Theyʼre just two little girls. What waves can they stir up? Rather, Sister needs you to go somewhere.”

”Sister, please tell me.”

”Recently the Nine-Tailed Kingdom has shown some movement. Take this letter, represent the Four Seas as an envoy to the Nine-Tailed Kingdom, and personally deliver it to the Nine-Tailed Kingdomʼs sovereign.”

Yan Ruxueʼs golden vertical pupils looked toward the horizon.

”If that Nine-Tailed Kingdom sovereign doesnʼt agree, go find He Yeye. Use any method necessary, but do not allow the Nine-Tailed Kingdom to step one foot into the Ten Thousand Laws Realm.”

…

The Demon Realm, Yan Huo Kingdom.

This nation stood at the border between the Ten Thousand Laws Realm and the Demon Realm, occupying a strategic position. It was an important barrier for the Demon Realm to resist the Ten Thousand Laws Realm.

It was also a vital thoroughfare for the Demon Realm to send troops to the Ten Thousand Laws Realm, and an important granary during wartime. It could be said to be a position from which to advance or retreat.

And today, hundreds of thousands of Nine-Tailed Kingdom soldiers had already breached the Yan Huo Kingdomʼs capital and killed their way into the imperial palace.

A woman dressed in a light blue gown stood atop the city wall, merely gazing into the distance.

”Your Majesty, the Yan Huo Kingdomʼs sovereign has been executed.”

A fox clan maid, holding the black dog head of the Yan Huo Kingdomʼs sovereign, knelt on one knee behind the woman.

”Mm.”

The woman nodded, still looking into the distance.

Where the womanʼs gaze fell was the Great Wall stretching for miles.

Atop the Great Wall, a delicate girl holding a giant scythe sat on a giantʼs shoulder, spitting and cursing about something.