We said we would experience life, fairy, how did you become real?.

Chapter 207 Are you worried that His Majesty is having an affair with that Fairy Jiang?
"Seven days from now, Your Majesty and Ruxue will go through a formality to familiarize yourselves with the wedding ceremony procedures. What does Your Majesty think?"

Empress Dowager Yan looked at Xiao Mo with a smile.

Xiao Mo was slightly taken aback, then nodded and agreed, "Of course, this is a matter of national importance, and I do not want to be negligent in any way. Going through the procedures beforehand is indeed necessary."

Actually, Xiao Mo didn't really want to agree.

Although it was just a formality, merely a "rehearsal".

Even if it's just going through the motions, it will still take up some of your time.

But what could I do if I refused?
Empress Dowager Yan only asked me this question to save face for me; in reality, I had no choice at all.

If he said no, Empress Dowager Yan would think he was "rebellious" again.

Xiao Mo guessed that the reason Empress Dowager Yan asked to rehearse the procedure was probably because of the recent incident in the court.

After Elder Huang from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect arrived, many officials invited him to drink, subtly expressing their desire to send their daughters to the palace to replace Yan Ruxue.

Some clans even subtly suggested, "If my daughter becomes empress, my clan will certainly give Elder Huang even more benefits."

At first, Xiao Mo heard that Elder Huang refused.

Perhaps Elder Huang felt that he had already agreed to support the Yan family, and it wouldn't be good to switch to another clan for support now.

After all, Elder Huang didn't care who controlled the Zhou Dynasty; he only cared about whether he could benefit from it and his future reputation.

If I originally supported one clan, but then temporarily supported another clan for greater benefits, then if any dynasty wants to pledge allegiance to the Myriad Swords Sect in the future, they might ask other elders to act as intermediaries instead of me.

Unexpectedly, Elder Huang said these past few days, "I don't care who becomes the Empress of Zhou, as long as it's good for Zhou. My Wanjian Sect's promise to protect Zhou remains unchanged."

This undoubtedly tacitly condoned the competition between various clans and the Yan family.

However, the Yan family still holds a dominant position in the imperial court.

But it's impossible for the Yan family not to be worried.

Therefore, Xiao Mo guessed that this "going through the motions" was more about the Yan family establishing their authority.

The Yan family emphasized to the other aristocratic families, "The Yan family still holds the reins of the Zhou court, and the empress will not be replaced by a second person."

At this moment, Empress Dowager Yan was even more pleased after hearing Xiao Mo's agreement. She found Xiao Mo more and more pleasing to the eye and felt that she had really made the right decision to adopt him back then.

"Very well, very well." Empress Dowager Yan took Xiao Mo's hand. "In that case, Your Majesty will have to work hard in seven days."

"Your Majesty, what are you saying? This is what I should do. On the contrary, it is Your Majesty who has been worrying about my marriage. I feel a little guilty," Xiao Mo said apologetically.

"Haha, as long as Your Majesty can marry Ruxue peacefully, I'm not tired at all." Empress Dowager Yan pulled Xiao Mo to sit down. "Speaking of which, it's getting late. It's been a long time since we, mother and son, have eaten together. How about Your Majesty join me for lunch?"

"Of course, Your Majesty. It has been quite a while since I spent time with you."

Xiao Mo readily agreed, and the two seemed to genuinely share a bond of motherly love and filial piety.

During lunch, Empress Dowager Yan casually asked Xiao Mo how his cultivation was progressing.

Xiao Mo chatted amiably with Empress Dowager Yan, and his cheerful demeanor left Empress Dowager Yan quite bewildered.

Empress Dowager Yan casually inquired about state affairs from Xiao Mo.

Xiao Mo claimed ignorance when asked, only saying, "Everything will be discussed by the officials, with the Prime Minister making the final decision." After lunch, Xiao Mo exchanged a few more pleasantries with Empress Dowager Yan, then presented her with a readily available Taoist classic—the "Heart Sutra for Nourishing the Heart"—before leaving Lingxin Palace.

"Do you think this child is truly obsessed with cultivating Taoism?" Empress Dowager Yan asked Consort Huang beside her, looking towards the door.

"Your Majesty, that is indeed the case."

Huang Shangyi nodded.

"When Your Majesty asked His Majesty about cultivating Taoism, he seemed eager to talk to you for three days and three nights. He even gave you a Taoist classic before leaving. This didn't seem like an act."

"Hmm." Empress Dowager Yan nodded, turned her gaze back to the "Heart Sutra" in her hand, "This child is actually quite good, easy to take care of, and filial. As for what happened with Wang Can before, he was just misled."

"However, Your Majesty, I recently heard something." After thinking for a moment, Consort Huang decided it was best to speak out.

"What is it?" Empress Dowager Yan asked.

"I've heard that the Fairy Jiang who lives in the inner palace has been going to the Daoist altar from time to time to discuss Dao with His Majesty," said Consort Huang.

"So what?" Empress Dowager Yan didn't care. "That Fairy Jiang is bored in the palace. His Majesty just happens to be cultivating. Maybe His Majesty just asked her some questions about cultivation. Besides, His Majesty is an emperor and cannot establish his foundation, so we don't need to worry."

Huang Shangyi's mouth opened slightly, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.

Seeing the expression on the face of the person beside her, Empress Dowager Yan frowned slightly, immediately understanding what the other person really wanted to say: "You're worried that His Majesty is having an affair with that Fairy Jiang."

"Your Majesty, this servant was merely guessing," Consort Huang quickly replied.

"What's there to be nervous about? You've been with me for so many years, do you think I would punish you?" Empress Dowager Yan rolled her eyes at Consort Huang. "But why do you think that way? Do you have any evidence?"

"This..." Huang Shangyi's eyes darted around. "I saw Your Majesty eating steamed buns with Fairy Jiang before. The way Fairy Jiang looked at Your Majesty always seemed a bit off. As for evidence, I don't have any direct proof."

"You're overthinking this. That Fairy Jiang is an inner disciple of the Myriad Swords Sect, with a bright future ahead of her. She wouldn't look down on a mere mortal emperor," Empress Dowager Yan said firmly, shaking her head.

But soon, Empress Dowager Yan suddenly recalled the way Fairy Jiang glanced at Xiao Mo from time to time at that welcoming banquet, and her heart began to pound with unease.
"Impossible, it should be impossible."

After leaving Lingxin Palace, Xiao Mo took a deep breath and felt that even the air was refreshing.

After all, facing Empress Dowager Yan in Lingxin Palace was a rather tiring performance for me.

However, Xiao Mo believed that he had not revealed any flaws.

"Your Majesty, shall we return to the palace?" Wei Xun asked.

"No, I'll go directly to the Dao Asking Altar to clear my head," Xiao Mo said.

"Okay, Your Majesty."

Wei Xun quickly arranged for the imperial carriage to leave, while he himself accompanied His Majesty, walking step by step through the palace.

Xiao Mo stopped walking less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

In front of a watchtower.

The girl with the light veil on her face raised her head and gazed quietly upwards.

(End of this chapter)