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

Chapter 601: Sister Simply Loves Seeing Him Happy

As time passed, day by day, Xiao Moʼs cultivation level advanced remarkably quickly, nearly visible to the naked eye and under Xiao Moʼs instructions, Wei Xun continued quietly reaching out to certain officials according to that list, gauging their loyalties.

For those officials he determined could be won over, Wei Xun would subtly hint at his intentions but as for exactly what was being planned, Wei Xun never said.

After all, such matters demanded the utmost caution.

As for those officials of unshakable loyalty, Wei Xun would also select one or two to inform of what might come to pass, so that they could prepare themselves in advance.

The numbers involved remained small.

After all, the more people involved, the greater the risk of the plan leaking out.

Xiao Mo, too, would often meet with Zeng Qiang in the imperial study to discuss their plans in secret.

Zeng Qiang, learning of His Majestyʼs plan, was even more astonished to discover that His Majesty had entered the Cave Mansion realm, and moreover, had done so with five spiritual roots!

Before this, Zeng Qiang had never even heard of an emperor capable of reaching the Foundation Building realm but Zeng Qiang did not ask further, nor did he dare to, only feeling that His Majesty must surely be blessed by the mandate of Heaven!

Otherwise, why would emperors of other dynasties and nations be unable to cultivate immortality, while his own emperor alone could?

Beyond this, Zeng Qiang would sometimes discuss with Xiao Mo the state of the Zhou Kingdomʼs borders and its current internal governance.

Though Zeng Qiang was a military man, he enjoyed reading in his spare time, and held his own views on governance and Xiao Moʼs own insights into governance left Zeng Qiang feeling all the more astonished.

The more he interacted with Xiao Mo, the more Zeng Qiang found himself won over by Xiao Moʼs bearing and clarity of judgment.

Xiao Mo, too, felt that Zeng Qiang was indeed a fine man.

Though Zeng Qiang had only reached the Cave Mansion realm in his thirties, his foundation was, in truth, quite solid, his bone structure and constitution remarkably strong.

Combined with years spent under Yan Shanʼaoʼs thumb, harboring a suppressed anger within his chest, his cultivation had simply been delayed as a result.

Once Yan Shanʼao was dead, and the resentment in his heart resolved, with proper cultivation afterward, reaching the Nascent Soul realm would not be impossible at all.

”General Zeng, there is something I wish to give you.”

On this day, Xiao Mo summoned Zeng Qiang to the imperial study, speaking to him.

”Please, open your mind and spirit.”

”Yes, Your Majesty.”

Though Zeng Qiang felt considerable puzzlement in his heart, unsure what His Majesty intended to give him, he obeyed nonetheless, opening his mind and spirit.

Xiao Mo condensed a cluster of human race fortune in his palm, then swept his hand forward.

The human race fortune settled upon Zeng Qiangʼs body.

Since this human race fortune could only be used on cultivators below the Golden Core realm, and Zeng Qiang possessed fine bone structure, both courage and strategy, and was, moreover, absolutely loyal to him, it seemed only fitting to give it to him.

Furthermore, this human race fortune could help Zeng Qiang advance his cultivation level, which would only aid Xiao Mo further when the time came to deal with Yan Shanʼao.

Before long, Zeng Qiang felt his skin grow searingly hot, as though wrapped in a ball of sunlight, and yet, strangely, comfortable at the same time.

Right after, Zeng Qiang felt this searing heat entering his very body.

Zeng Qiangʼs breathing grew heavier and faster.

He felt as though every spiritual meridian and aperture within his body had been thoroughly opened, an indescribable sense of ease washing over him.

”Ha!”

Half an incense stickʼs time later, the instant Zeng Qiang opened his eyes, he threw a punch!

The force of the blow shook the imperial study, though it was quickly quelled by the studyʼs formation array.

”This humble general! Thanks Your Majesty for this bestowal!”

Zeng Qiang knelt on one knee before Xiao Mo.

Zeng Qiang did not know exactly what His Majesty had bestowed upon him, nor how His Majesty had come to possess such a thing, but it was, without question, extraordinarily precious.

Because he had, just now, broken through into the middle stage of the Cave Mansion realm and Zeng Qiang had a certain sense, that what His Majesty had just bestowed upon him was not merely a one-time boost, but would greatly benefit his future cultivation as well.

”No need for such formality. Return home and cultivate diligently. When the day of action comes, I will need your strength as well.” Xiao Mo said, quite satisfied with Zeng Qiangʼs breakthrough into the middle stage of the Cave Mansion realm.

”Yes!” Zeng Qiangʼs voice rang out like a bell. ”This humble general is willing to die for Your Majesty!”

Before anyone quite realized it, another seven months had passed.

The imperial court appeared, on the surface, just as calm as ever, yet undercurrents stirred beneath.

On this day, Xiao Mo, as he always did, practiced the Grass Character Sword Formula upon the Dao Inquiry Platform but before long, sensing something, Xiao Mo stopped the sword he had been wielding, entering a state of comprehending the Dao.

As ripple after ripple washed over him, half an hour later, Xiao Mo slowly opened his eyes.

Feeling the spiritual energy within him gradually solidifying.

Xiao Mo knew that he had, at that moment, broken through into the middle stage of the Cave Mansion realm.

”Close enough!”

Xiao Moʼs eyes narrowed.

”Itʼs time to act!”

”Trim the flowers and plants here.”

”And this one too. This tree is far too unsightly, cut it back at once.”

”Whatʼs the matter with these fallen leaves? Havenʼt they been swept up yet?”

”How are you all handling things around here? Have I been too lenient with you all!”

...

At the Minister of Ritesʼ residence, the servants and maids had all grown busy.

No wonder.

Today, Consort Xue was returning home to visit her family.

”Consort Xue has arrived.”

As Xiao Chunʼs announcement carried into the courtyard.

Yanʼs mother hurried out, joyfully welcoming her daughter.

”Your daughter greets Mother. May I ask if Mother is well?”

Yan Ruxue stepped down from the carriage, bowing gracefully before her mother.

”Good, good, very good indeed.” Yanʼs mother hurried to help her daughter up, looking her over carefully from head to toe, her eyes full of maternal affection. ”Good, good, you havenʼt grown thin. As long as you havenʼt grown thin, thatʼs what matters.”

”Your daughter eats plenty every day, how could I possibly grow thin?” Yan Ruxue said with a smile. ”By the way, Mother, where is Father?”

”Your father and your Uncle Yue have gone fishing at the south of the city, though they should be back soon.” Yanʼs mother took hold of her daughterʼs arm. ”Never mind your father for now. Your mother has made your favorite osmanthus cake, come and try some.”

”Mm.” Yan Ruxue smiled gently, following her mother into the residence.

In the main hall, Yanʼs mother fed her daughter pastries and poured tea, chatting about happenings within the harem, asking how His Majesty treated her.

Yan Ruxue naturally assured her that His Majesty treated her very well, often sending gifts to her, and that she was quite fond of him.

Watching the genuine joy on her daughterʼs face, Yanʼs mother knew she was telling the truth.

It seemed His Majesty truly did treat her daughter well.

Still, Yanʼs mother could not help but harbor a certain worry because her daughter had already been in the palace for two years now, with no sign of pregnancy, Yanʼs mother worried whether her daughter might be suffering some neglect.

After all, regardless of the circumstances, within the harem, a woman needed a child, even a princess would do.

Only then would His Majesty devote more of his time and affection to her daughter but this was not something Yanʼs mother could easily ask outright, and she knew she could not rush the matter either.

After all, both His Majesty and her daughter were still young, with plenty of time ahead of them.

Had she herself not conceived only three years after her own marriage, eventually giving birth to Ruxue?

”Ha ha ha... Ruxue, whereʼs my precious daughter, Ruxue...”

Just as Yan Ruxue and her mother were chatting happily, the voice of Minister of Rites Yan Zhen rang out from beyond the hall.

”Father, Uncle Yue.”

Yan Ruxue rose to her feet, bowing respectfully to her father and to Right Feathered Forest Army Commander Yue Qianzhi.

”My daughter, you havenʼt come home in so long. Your mother has been going on about you all day, and when I suggested she go visit you in the palace, she said it wouldnʼt be proper.” Yan Zhen looked at his wife. ”Well, now itʼs fine, isnʼt it? Your daughter has come home.”

”Youʼve got some nerve saying that, brother Yan. Who was it that got drunk last time, clutching a wine jar, saying he missed his daughter?” Yue Qianzhi chimed in beside him, undermining his friend.

”...Letʼs not speak of that, letʼs not speak of that...” Yan Zhen quickly waved a hand, urging his friend to be quiet.

”All right, all right, we wonʼt speak of it.” Yue Qianzhi laughed. ”But Ruxue really has grown up. Now that sheʼs entered the palace, her bearing has grown even more mature.”

”My thanks for the compliment, Uncle Yue. Though Uncle Yue, you seem to have grown even younger yourself.” Yan Ruxue said with a smile.

”Still the sweet-talker, this girl.” Yue Qianzhi stroked his beard.

”All right, all right, everyone sit. Itʼs nearly noon, I should go prepare lunch. Since Ruxue has finally come home, Iʼll make her a few of her favorite dishes.”

Yanʼs mother happily led everyone to their seats, then took the maids off toward the kitchen, wanting to cook the meal herself.

Yan Zhen and Yue Qianzhi exchanged pleasantries with Yan Ruxue for a while, then the two men fell into discussing court affairs, while Yan Ruxue poured tea for her father and Uncle Yue nearby.

As the conversation continued, the topic inevitably turned to Yan Shanʼao.

The moment Yan Shanʼaoʼs name came up, Yue Qianzhi could not help feeling his temper flare, cursing Yan Shanʼao roundly as a treacherous, rebellious minister.

Yan Zhen found himself in an awkward position.

After all, regardless of everything else, Yan Shanʼao remained the head of his own clan, and having his own clan leader criticized so relentlessly, Yan Zhen felt he ought to say something in response yet, truthfully, his friend was not entirely wrong either.

He, too, found himself unable to fully approve of his elder cousinʼs conduct and so Yan Zhen could only keep drinking his tea.

At last, Yanʼs mother and the maids brought in the food, calling everyone to the table.

Only then did Yue Qianzhi finally stop his tirade against Yan Shanʼao.

After lunch, Yue Qianzhi chatted a while longer, then took his leave, with Yan Ruxue seeing him off personally.

”Thatʼs far enough, Ruxue. Uncle Yue will be going now.”

At the residenceʼs entrance, Yue Qianzhi spoke.

”What your father and I discussed, you can simply let it go, no need to take it to heart. Whatever happens within the court, thatʼs a matter between us men, it has nothing to do with you women.”

”I understand.” Yan Ruxue bowed gracefully. ”But Uncle Yue, there is a letter I hope youʼll take a careful look at once youʼre home.”

With these words, Yan Ruxue drew an envelope from her sleeve.

Looking at the unmarked envelope, Yue Qianzhiʼs brow furrowed, “What is this letter?”

”Itʼs something His Majesty asked Ruxue to bring to you, Uncle Yue, once I left the palace.” Yan Ruxue said slowly.

Hearing that it was a letter from His Majesty, Yue Qianzhiʼs expression grew focused at once, and he quickly tucked it away, safely stowed within his sleeve.

”Burn it once youʼve read it.” Yan Ruxue said quietly.

”Understood.”

Yue Qianzhi nodded earnestly, bowing to Yan Ruxue, then climbed into his carriage at once, heading toward his own residence.

Yan Ruxue turned and returned to the main hall, finding her own father still pressing his brow, sighing.

”Father.” Yan Ruxue called out softly.

”Ruxue.”

Yan Zhen raised his head, smiling faintly.

”Donʼt take to heart what your Uncle Yue said earlier. You know how blunt and quick-tongued he is. As for your Uncle Yan, well, in short, itʼs none of your concern. Within the palace, just look after His Majesty well.”

”Your daughter understands.” Yan Ruxue stepped forward, sitting in the chair beside her father. ”But Father, isnʼt what Uncle Yan is doing rather excessive? And does Father truly support what Uncle Yan is doing?”

”Hm?” Yan Zhen straightened, looking at his daughter. ”Daughter, what exactly do you mean by that?”

Yan Ruxue shook her head, “Ruxue means nothing in particular. Ruxue simply feels that Father once held ambitions to serve his country, and possessed the ability to do so as well. It seems a shame for that to go to waste.”

”And the way Uncle Yan is conducting himself now will surely bring disaster upon the entire Yan clan.”

”Daughter, this is not something to speak of so carelessly.” Yan Zhen sat up straight in alarm, glancing left and right, fearing someone might overhear.

”Father.” Yan Ruxue let out a sigh. ”This time, Ruxue has come home not only to visit you and Mother, but also to convey His Majestyʼs wishes to you, Father.”

Yan Ruxueʼs tone grew increasingly earnest.

”If Father is content to spend the rest of his life idling within the Ministry of Rites, with no further ambitions, His Majesty will say nothing of it.”

”But if Father has not forgotten the ambitious young man he once was, eager to achieve great things, then I hope Father will, when events unfold in the days to come, lead the Yan clan to make the right choice.”

”Could it be that His Majesty intends to...”

Suddenly, as though understanding something, Yan Zhenʼs brow furrowed.

”Your daughter knows nothing more. Itʼs getting late, I should return to the palace. Iʼll come visit you again soon, Father.”

With these words, Yan Ruxue rose, bowed, and walked out of the hall.

”Lead the Yan clan... to make a choice...”

Watching his daughterʼs retreating figure, Yan Zhenʼs mind still echoed with his daughterʼs words, falling into a long, long silence.

Having bid farewell to her parents, Yan Ruxue rode in her carriage back toward the palace.

Within the carriage, she embroidered a handkerchief, while Xiao Chun, growing increasingly drowsy, eventually fell into a deep sleep.

It was just as Xiao Chun drifted off that a streak of green light slipped into the carriage.

”Sister...” Little Green sat beside her sister, calling out softly.

”How did the task I gave you go?” Yan Ruxue asked.

”All done.” Little Green answered. ”The Zhou Kingdom has always been such a small nation, and those generals are nothing much either. A little something here and there was more than enough to win them over.”

”Good.” Yan Ruxue nodded. ”Sister... thereʼs something I donʼt quite understand...”

Looking at her sister, embroidering beside her, Little Green asked with puzzlement.

”What donʼt you understand?” Yan Ruxue still held her silver needle, stitch by stitch embroidering a handkerchief for Xiao Mo.

”With just a single thought from you, Sister, never mind Yan Shanʼao, even the surrounding dynasties could be handed to Brother Xiao without a second thought. Why go through all this trouble, all these roundabout schemes, letting Brother Xiao handle it himself?” Little Green asked.

”Whatʼs there not to understand about that...”

Yan Ruxue raised her head, smiling gently at her sister.

”If thereʼs something you truly want, would you be happier receiving it handed to you for nothing, or would you be happier earning it through your own careful planning and effort?”

Little Green thought about it, then answered, “The latter, of course.”

”Exactly.”

Yan Ruxue gently tapped her sisterʼs forehead.

”Sister simply loves seeing him happy.”