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

Chapter 402: I Want to Enter the Palace to Take a Look

In reality, the Zhou Kingdom imperial palace.

Xiao Mo lay on the bed, seemingly asleep, but was actually experiencing life in the Book of a Hundred Lives.

”Your Majesty, Your Majesty.”

Before long, Wei Xunʼs voice came from outside the door.

”Come in.”

Xiao Moʼs consciousness withdrew from the Book of a Hundred Lives. He slowly opened his eyes and sat up on the bed.

Wei Xun hurriedly walked up to Xiao Mo and knelt on the ground in panic, ”This old slave deserves death for disturbing Your Majestyʼs rest. Please punish this slave!”

”Alright, alright, you old fellow, stop putting on a show for me.” Xiao Mo rubbed the corners of his eyes, sat down in a chair, and poured himself a cup of tea. ”Speak. Whatʼs the matter so early in the morning?”

Xiao Moʼs tone was indeed somewhat impatient.

Although the fifth life experience was isolated from reality, and Xiao Mo would forget everything in the Book of a Hundred Lives after coming out, Xiao Mo still had a feeling that this life experience would end soon, and in the Book of a Hundred Lives, he still had very important matters to attend to.
”Reporting to Your Majesty.”

Wei Xun organized his words and began to speak.

”After the morning court session, the Minister of Rites wished to see you to discuss the upcoming wedding ceremony and the titles for the two imperial consorts.

The morning court has now ended, and Minister Yan from the Ministry of Rites is already waiting for you in the imperial study.

In addition, the palaces for the two ladies have been prepared and may require Your Majesty to inspect them to see if any adjustments are needed, lest any problems arise.

Lastly, itʼs almost time for the selection of palace maids that occurs once every four years. The Empress Dowager has invited you over, wishing to speak with you about this matter.”

”I understand.” Xiao Mo nodded. ”Help me change.”

”Yes, Your Majesty.”

Wei Xun quickly stood up and summoned the maids waiting outside the door to come in and help His Majesty change clothes.

After changing clothes and washing up, Xiao Mo walked out the door and stretched lazily.

A gust of winter wind blew past, the bone-chilling cold drilling into his collar, instantly waking Xiao Mo up completely.

”Letʼs go. We mustnʼt keep my father-in-law waiting too long.”

Xiao Mo patted his robe and strode forward.

Wei Xun lowered his head, staying two paces behind Xiao Mo, following closely.

Wei Xun didnʼt know if it was just his imagination.

He always felt that His Majesty had recently acquired the bearing of a military general. Even just a glance from His Majesty made his heart tremble.

His Majesty seemed like a battle-hardened general who had crawled out from piles of corpses. However, come to think of it, ever since His Majesty began cultivating the Dao, the aura he gave off was initially like that of a swordsman.

Later, like an elegant scholar.

Then later, like a blade demon who killed without batting an eye.

Now, like a martial cultivation general.

In any case, just not like a Daoist.

It was rather strange. However, Wei Xun dared not ask anything or say anything.

About a quarter of an hour later, when Xiao Mo arrived at the entrance to the imperial study, he saw a man standing upright inside the study.

”Iʼve kept Minister Yan waiting. Minister Yan, please donʼt take offense.”

Xiao Mo smiled as he walked into the study, his tone carrying a hint of jest and familiarity.

”Yan Zhen of the Ministry of Rites pays respects to Your Majesty.” Hearing Xiao Moʼs voice, Yan Zhen quickly turned around and bowed. ”Your Majesty must not say such things. It is this humble minister who has disturbed Your Majestyʼs rest. Please forgive this transgression!”

”Ha ha ha, weʼre all family, no need for such formality. Your daughter will be entering the palace soon, and weʼll all be one family then.” Xiao Mo sat down on the soft couch, then scolded Wei Xun, ”You old fool, donʼt you have any sense at all? Why havenʼt you brought a chair for Minister Yan?”

”Yes, yes, yes.” Wei Xun quickly nodded and slapped himself twice. ”This old slave truly has no sense at all. This old slave will immediately fetch a chair for the Minister.”

Soon, Wei Xun brought a chair from behind the screen and placed it behind Yan Zhen.

”Thank you for the seat, Your Majesty.”

Yan Zhen bowed in thanks and sat down on the chair after brushing his robe.

Looking at Xiao Mo, Yan Zhen felt that His Majestyʼs bearing seemed different from before.

”I wonder what matter has brought Minister Yan to seek me out?” Xiao Mo got straight to the point.

”Reporting to Your Majesty, in two months, Princess Qin Mujiu of Qin Kingdom and my daughter Yan Ruxue will be entering the palace. However, since the founding of our Great Zhou, there has truly been no precedent for bringing two women into the palace without first establishing an empress. For a time, we were uncertain how to determine the proper etiquette.

After lengthy discussions with my colleagues in the Ministry of Rites and referencing of various kingdoms past and present, we have formulated a wedding ceremony second only to that of establishing an empress, but higher in rank than that of an imperial noble consort.

This also includes matters regarding the titles for the two imperial consorts.

I humbly request Your Majestyʼs review.”

As he finished speaking, Yan Zhen drew a memorial from his sleeve.

Wei Xun quickly took the memorial and handed it to Xiao Mo.

Xiao Mo carefully read through the memorial.

Because Xiao Mo was taking consorts without first establishing an empress, and was simultaneously taking two consorts at that, it was indeed rare in the world.

Therefore, the Ministry of Rites had to formulate new rites and regulations.

This new system of rites needed ancient precedents to follow and recent examples to reference.

Yan Zhen truly expended considerable effort in the process.

The final set of new rites that was formulated was quite good.

As for the titles of the two women.

Currently, most dynasties in the world of Ten Thousand Laws had four consorts and nine concubines, with the noble consort ranking first among the four consorts, second only to the empress. However, it would be inappropriate for either Yan Ruxue or Qin Mujiu to be the noble consort.

Since that was the case, the Ministry of Rites simply proposed elevating both to noble consort rank, and to distinguish between them, following Zhou Kingdom rites, each would take one character from their names. Yan Ruxue would be the Xue Consort, and Qin Mujiu would be the Mu Consort.

”Letʼs proceed accordingly. After the empress is established in the future, we can hold a supplementary empress installation ceremony.” After reading it, Xiao Mo set the memorial aside. ”Minister Yan has worked hard during this time.”

”Your Majesty is too kind. This is precisely what the Ministry of Rites should do. Moreover, to receive Your Majestyʼs approval, no matter how exhausted my colleagues and I are, it is only right.”

Yan Zhen stood up and bowed.

”If Your Majesty has no other instructions, then this minister will proceed to prepare according to the submitted rites.”

”No problem.” Xiao Mo nodded. ”Oh, this year happens to be the year of the snake. I happen to have a Spirit Snake jade plaque here. Iʼll give it to your daughter.”

Xiao Mo removed a jade pendant from his waist and personally handed it to Yan Zhen.

Yan Zhen quickly stepped forward and received it with overwhelming gratitude, ”This minister accepts on behalf of Ruxue. Thank you, Your Majesty.”

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Yan Zhen withdrew from the imperial study.

After Yan Zhen had walked far away, Xiao Mo watched his retreating figure and asked Wei Xun, ”What do you think of this Minister Yan?”

”Ah?” Wei Xun was startled for a moment, then quickly stepped forward, lowering his head and saying, ”The Minister of Rites is meticulous in his work, extraordinarily talented, and proficient in regulations...”

”Hmm?” Just as Wei Xun was still singing Yan Zhenʼs praises, Xiao Mo turned his head and glanced at him.

Wei Xunʼs expression froze. He immediately closed the imperial study door and walked to Xiao Moʼs side, speaking in a low voice, ”Although Minister Yan is a member of the Yan clan, he truly did pass the imperial examinations properly and was even the top scholar. His talent is genuine.

Moreover, it is said that Minister Yan harbored ambitions of ʼordering oneʼs family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the worldʼ from an early age. During his years as an official, although he frequently socializes and attends banquets, his expenses mostly come from his clan or from selling his calligraphy.

Oh, Minister Yanʼs fees for his calligraphy should not involve any embezzlement. He is originally a renowned calligraphy master in the world, and many people cannot obtain his works even with great sums of money.”

”Then tell me, would such a person have designs on the position of prime minister or the position of Yan clan leader?” Xiao Mo asked with a smile.

”This...” Cold sweat was already forming on Wei Xunʼs forehead.

How could he not know what His Majesty was thinking?

His Majesty was trying to...

”Why so nervous? Iʼm just speaking casually.” Xiao Mo smiled, as if he was truly just speaking offhandedly. ”Letʼs go. Letʼs go see the palaces of the two future imperial consorts.”

”Yes, Your Majesty.”

Wei Xun dared not say more and quickly followed His Majestyʼs steps.

Before long, Xiao Mo arrived at the palaces where Yan Ruxue and Qin Mujiu would reside in the future.

Upon arrival, Xiao Mo discovered that Yan Ruxue and Qin Mujiuʼs bedchambers were very close to his own, only half a quarter of an hourʼs walk away.

The furnishings inside and various daily necessities were all properly prepared, with basically nothing lacking.

As for the palace maids, they had all been assigned as well.

In the rear palace of Zhou Kingdomʼs imperial palace, there were no eunuchs.

Eunuchs could only move about in the front halls of the palace.

The so-called front halls included areas where ministers and envoys could enter, such as the hall for morning court, the imperial study, and the imperial guard camps.

Therefore, the rear palace was entirely served by maids.

As for personal eunuchs like Wei Xun, they also lived in the front halls. If he wanted to enter the rear palace, he had to stay by Xiao Moʼs side and could not move about on his own.

The reason Wei Xun had been able to be summoned to Lingxin Palace by the Empress Dowager before was because the rear palace truly had no consorts in residence, and the Empress Dowager wanted to know about Xiao Moʼs recent situation.

However, after Yan Ruxue and Qin Mujiu moved in, the Empress Dowager would have no way to even summon Wei Xun but Xiao Mo felt that the Empress Dowager wasnʼt worried about this.

Although she had no way to summon Wei Xun, Yan Ruxue had arrived and could serve as her eyes and ears, and was even more trustworthy.

”Your Majesty, is there anything about these two palaces that needs improvement?” Wei Xun asked.

”No need. Theyʼre quite good. But why are these two palaces positioned symmetrically on either side of my Yangxin Hall?” Xiao Mo frowned.

Xiao Moʼs Yangxin Hall was right in the middle between their palaces, as if separating them, and their distances to his Yangxin Hall were exactly the same.

Wei Xun smiled, ”Isnʼt this to avoid offending either side?”

”...”

Xiao Mo was momentarily speechless and sighed inwardly.

From this layout, it had quite the air of ”dividing the rear palace equally.”

He hoped his future would be somewhat peaceful.

After viewing the future residences of Yan Ruxue and Qin Mujiu, it was already approaching noon. Xiao Mo proceeded to Lingxin Palace to see his mother.

”Your son pays respects to Mother.”

Walking into Lingxin Palace, Xiao Mo bowed to the Empress Dowager.

”Your Majesty has arrived.” Upon seeing Xiao Mo, the Empress Dowager stepped forward joyfully and took Xiao Moʼs hand. ”Ever since Your Majesty began cultivating the Dao, your complexion has improved considerably, and youʼve become more handsome as well.”

”Thank you for Motherʼs praise. After all, your son cultivates the Dao and nurtures his mind daily, so I suppose Iʼve gained something from it.” Xiao Mo smiled. ”However, compared to your son, Mother appears to be growing younger and younger. If Mother were to go out with young ladies of sixteen, truly no one would be able to tell the difference.”

”He he he, when did Your Majesty become so eloquent? Iʼm already over forty years old, Iʼm old.” The Empress Dowager laughed while holding her handkerchief. Although she said she was old, her beaming expression showed that Xiao Moʼs words were quite well-received.

”Enough of that. Today, Iʼve asked Your Majesty to come for the matter of the palace maids. After Ruxue and the others enter the palace, it will just so happen to be time to select suitable young women to enter the palace. In our Zhou Kingdom, palace maid matters are always handled by the empress. Now that the empress position is vacant, Iʼll make the decision on Your Majestyʼs behalf. What does Your Majesty think?”

”Naturally, no problem. Everything is at Motherʼs discretion. I must trouble Mother to take great care with this.”

What objections could Xiao Mo have? Even if he had objections, he couldnʼt have any.

Moreover, according to regulations, when women entered the palace, it was indeed the empress who led the palace maids in conducting inspections and selections.

Now that he hadnʼt established an empress, it was normal for the Empress Dowager to lead her palace maids in selecting women to enter the palace.

However, Xiao Mo also knew that in order to increase Yan Ruxueʼs competitiveness, the Empress Dowager definitely wouldnʼt select overly beautiful women to enter the palace, to avoid situations where ”the consort is not yet pregnant, but a palace maid becomes pregnant first.”

But Xiao Mo didnʼt care.

He already had headaches dealing with two consorts, let alone seeking out palace maids.

Seeing Xiao Mo agree so readily, the Empress Dowager blinked.

She had thought that with the Princess of Qin Kingdom entering the palace, Xiao Mo would have other thoughts and would resist her somewhat but now seeing Xiao Mo was still as obedient as usual, the Empress Dowager became increasingly delighted, even beginning to feel that she might have been a bit too harsh on this child.

After all, he had lost his birth parents at a young age, then was adopted into the palace and subjected to all manner of restrictions. It was quite pitiful. However, the Empress Dowager quickly suppressed the sympathy in her heart.

The current priority was to get Ruxue seated as empress first. Now was not the time for sympathy.

The Empress Dowager chatted with Xiao Mo a while longer and had lunch together.

In the afternoon, the Empress Dowager issued an imperial decree throughout Zhou Kingdom, selecting women of unblemished backgrounds to enter the palace.

The day after the decree was issued.

At a notice board in the Zhou Kingdom imperial capital, a woman wearing a light veil read it over and over.

Finally, the woman turned and returned to her courtyard.

”Wangxin.” The woman pushed open the courtyard gate, removed her veil, and said happily.

”What is it, Sister Sili?”

Wangxin turned around as Hundun, lying on the table, ate the pastry from its mistressʼs hand in one bite.

”Didnʼt we determine through the formation array that Xiao Moʼs reincarnation is very likely in the imperial palace?”

”Thatʼs right, but the problem is, Sister Sili doesnʼt know how to get in, does she?” Wangxin asked in confusion.

The formation array pointed to the Zhou Kingdom imperial palace, and the ruler of Zhou Kingdom was also called Xiao Mo. Both Wangxin and Sili felt that perhaps there really was such a coincidence in the world, that the ruler of Zhou Kingdom might be Xiao Moʼs reincarnation.

However, the Zhou Kingdom imperial palace had formation arrays. If they snuck in secretly, they would be discovered.

Moreover, the temple had a rule that monks must not enter the imperial palaces of mortal dynasties, because the imperial palace was where dragon fortune and karma converged, and Buddhist disciples were most easily affected.

As a monk of Kongnian Temple, Wangxin naturally had to follow the rules.

Therefore, she couldnʼt have an audience with the ruler of Zhou Kingdom either. She could only wait for him to leave the palace someday.

Not to mention that confirming a personʼs soul reincarnation required a certain amount of time. Wangxin couldnʼt possibly stay in the rear palace for an extended period without leaving.

Therefore, the two had been somewhat at a loss recently.

”I know now.” Sili smiled. ”Just now I saw that the Zhou Kingdom Empress Dowager is selecting palace maids.”

”So Sister Sili is thinking...”

”Thatʼs right. I want to enter the palace as a palace maid to take a look!”