Chapter 13 Is there anything special about this Zhou Kingdom?
Xiao Mo's consciousness detached from the Book of Hundred Lifetimes.
For nearly two months, Xiao Mo had been indulging in "Cultivation" every day, basically ignoring matters of the imperial court.
When Xiao Mo was hungry, he would have the Imperial Kitchen send over food.
As an emperor, even a Puppet emperor, he had people to attend to his every need.
Xiao Mo felt that even that Longevity Emperor was not as homebound as he was.
"Wei Xun," Xiao Mo called out.
Wei Xun, who was serving outside the palace, heard the voice and quickly walked in: "Your Majesty."
At first, Wei Xun thought that His Majesty's cultivation of the Dao was merely to lull Yan Shan'ao into a false sense of security, so that he could secretly prepare something.
For example, after a prince of Chen Kingdom was hollowed out by a powerful minister, he secretly raised dead soldiers and did all sorts of things to lull the powerful minister.
Finally, one day, this prince of Chen Kingdom summoned the powerful minister to the imperial palace, and the dead soldiers ambushed him, eventually killing him and reclaiming power.
However, His Majesty had truly been cultivating the Dao during this period.
And he would meditate for an entire day at a time.
"Could it be that His Majesty has truly given up on reclaiming power?"
Thinking of this, Wei Xun couldn't help but sigh in his heart, feeling a bit disappointed.
But then he thought, it's also good that His Majesty gave up.
How easy would it be to kill Yan Shan'ao? He himself was a Cultivator of the Dragon Gate Realm.
If there was any oversight, His Majesty might not only fail to reclaim power, but might even die within the palace.
"Wei Xun, you look so heavy-hearted, is something the matter?" Xiao Mo asked.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, thanks to Your Majesty's concern, how could this servant have any problems? If Your Majesty is well, this servant is well," Wei Xunsaid with a fawning smile.
"Alright, alright, stop flattering me all the time. Have someone send some food over, I'm a bit hungry," Xiao Mo said.
"The Imperial Kitchen has already prepared it and is on its way to Your Majesty."
Ever since His Majesty began cultivating the Dao, Wei Xun had vaguely figured out His Majesty's meal times.
"Hmm." Xiao Mo nodded, "During this period, what is the imperial court's evaluation of me?"
"That…" Wei Xun hesitated.
"Just speak freely." Xiao Mo looked at Wei Xun, "The truth!"
"…" Wei Xun organized his words in his mind, then said word by word, "Quite a few ministers have complaints about Your Majesty's cultivation, feeling that Your Majesty should… should…"
"Should focus on court affairs?" Xiao Mo smiled, "Are they also secretly cursing me as a muddle-headed ruler?"
As Xiao Mo's words fell, Wei Xun immediately knelt before Xiao Mo: "Absolutely no one dares to speak of Your Majesty in such a way!"
"Alright, alright, why are you so nervous? I didn't say you said it," Xiao Mo said lightly, "Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Wei Xun stood up trembling, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
Most of those ministers cursing him were just trying to show off their "loyal minister" image.
Everyone in the imperial court knew that Empress Dowager Yan and Prime Minister Yan were one on the outside and one on the inside.
He had no power, so how could he personally manage court affairs?
Moreover, what if Yan Shan'ao felt threatened by him?
That fellow might really replace the emperor.
An emperor forced to resign has only one outcome, and that is death.
So, before he had enough strength, he had to lie low.
It wouldn't be long before his first life experience in the Book of Hundred Lifetimes would end, and then he would see what rewards he would get.
"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister requests an audience," a palace maid called from outside the bedchamber.
"Quickly invite the Prime Minister in," Xiao Mo said.
"Yes." The palace maid bowed outside the bedchamber, then opened the door, "Prime Minister, please come in."
"This subject greets Your Majesty." Yan Shan'ao, with a sword at his waist, walked into the bedchamber and bowed to Xiao Mo.
"Why is Imperial Father so formal?" Xiao Mo quickly got off the bed, without even putting on his shoes, and walked forward to greet him, "Imperial Father, why have you come?"
Yan Shan'ao looked at Xiao Mo's Daoist attire: "Your Majesty has been cultivating the Dao for almost two months. This subject came to visit Your Majesty and would like to ask how Your Majesty's cultivation is progressing?"
"Hahahahaha… It's passable, passable." Xiao Mo said with a smile, "I feel that court affairs are too complicated and too taxing. Since I started cultivating the Dao, my mind has been excellent every day. It's just that all the big and small matters of the court have troubled Imperial Father."
"Your Majesty, what are you saying? It is this subject's duty to share Your Majesty's worries," Yan Shan'ao bowed again, "However, Your Majesty, in about a month, Elder Huang of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect will come to our Zhou Kingdom. The Ten Thousand Swords Sect is the foremost sword sect in the world. At that time, Your Majesty will need to personally receive Elder Huang."
"That's naturally no problem."
The original body didn't know much about the Immortal Realm; he had only vaguely heard of the reputation of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect and nothing else, not even the name of the Sect Leader of Ten Thousand Swords Sect.
"Furthermore, Your Majesty is no longer young. This subject has selected some young women to enter the palace for Your Majesty. They are all from prestigious families, especially a talented woman from my Yanclan, named Yan Ruxue, who can be said to be both talented and beautiful. I believe Your Majesty will surely like her."
"…" Xiao Mo could not fail to understand the other party's meaning. Yan Shan'ao was almost explicitly saying, "You must choose Yan Ruxue as your concubine," and it wouldn't be long before Yan Ruxuewould become the Empress.
"I have long heard of the talented woman of the Yanfamily. I will certainly pay close attention!" Xiao Monodded, acting as if he was completely obedient.
Seeing Xiao Mo so obedient, Yan Shan'ao's lips curved into a smile.
In the past, Xiao Mo would still contend with him a little, even attempting to reclaim power, but now it seemed he had completely given up.
This was for the best; otherwise, replacing the emperor would only add complications.
"Since Your Majesty is well, this subject will take his leave."
"Imperial Father, take care on your way. You should also pay more attention to your health. Wei Xun, see Imperial Father out."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After Wei Xun saw Yan Shan'ao off, Xiao Mo's brows furrowed: "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Old bastard, you just wait for me!"
Ten Thousand Laws World, Qinghe City.
This place was only thirty li from the border of the Zhou Kingdom.
On the streets of Qinghe City, Elder Huang was followed by two "Disciples" dressed in Ten Thousand Swords Sect attire.
During these past few days of travel, being with them made Elder Huang feel as if she was sitting on pins and needles.
Although they were wearing the clothes of Inner Sect Disciples of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, if one were to truly treat them as Inner Sect Disciples, Elder Huang felt she would surely be tired of living.
These two people.
One of them was her own Sect Master, the foremost Sword Immortal in the world.
The other was the sword attendant serving the Sect Master—Qiu Ye.
To be honest, Elder Huang truly didn't know why her Sect Master wanted to go to the Zhou Kingdom with her.
Her mission to the Zhou Kingdom was merely a routine matter; she would just go through the procedures to accept the Zhou Kingdom as a vassal state of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect.
But she didn't expect the Sect Master to follow her, and moreover, to conceal her identity and pretend to be an Inner Sect Disciple.
Was there anything special about this Zhou Kingdom?