We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 438: What Do They Want?
Previously on We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?...
“I’m quite curious why Sect Master Jiang has graced my humble abode today. Has something occurred?”
Xiao Mo expressed genuine surprise as he observed the National Preceptor seated before him.
Previously, it was typically Xiao Mo who sought out the National Preceptor’s Residence to delve into the profound Way of the Sword with her.
Alternatively, when Xiao Mo was knee-deep in cultivation at the Asking-the-Dao Altar, she would proactively engage him in swordplay sparring sessions.
Yet, it was an uncommon occurrence for Jiang Qingyi to make an unannounced visit to the Hall of Nourishing the Heart on her own initiative.
“It’s nothing of great consequence,”
Jiang Qingyi’s silken skirt grazed the edge of the bench as she settled herself upright before Xiao Mo, casting a subtle glance his way.
“I merely came to ascertain Your Majesty’s well-being. After all, you are in the bloom of youth, and the two noble consorts who recently graced the palace are indeed stunning beauties. I harbored a concern that Your Majesty might indulge excessively and meet his end upon a woman’s belly.”
“Sect Master Jiang jests, surely,” Xiao Mo responded with a smile tinged with helplessness. “Far from indulging, I merely consumed too much wine last night and, collapsing into bed, managed to achieve a rare, restful sleep.”
“Intoxicated? Heh…” Jiang Qingyi’s eyes twinkled with amusement as she shot Xiao Mo a knowing look and let out a soft sneer. “Does Your Majesty truly believe that mere intoxication was the extent of your state last night?”
Xiao Mo met Jiang Qingyi’s gaze, his demeanor shifting to one of gravity. “I confess I don’t quite grasp Sect Master Jiang’s implication.”
“You don’t understand?” The corners of Jiang Qingyi’s lips curved upwards slightly. “Or perhaps Your Majesty genuinely harbors no suspicion towards those two consorts of yours? Do you truly perceive them as mere mortals?”
Xiao Mo lapsed into silence for a beat.
He couldn’t deny that doubts had indeed surfaced in his heart, yet concrete evidence remained elusive.
Furthermore, his recollections of past interactions with them painted a picture of perfect normalcy.
However, with Jiang Qingyi’s pointed observation, the seeds of doubt within Xiao Mo began to germinate and expand relentlessly.
“Does Sect Master Jiang possess knowledge of what transpired last night?” Xiao Mo inquired.
“Indeed, I do,” Jiang Qingyi affirmed without a hint of hesitation.
“Enough preamble. I shall dispense with the circling and speak plainly with Your Majesty,” Jiang Qingyi declared, lifting her gaze to meet Xiao Mo’s. “Whether it be Yan Ruxue of the Yan clan or Qin Mujiu of Qin, neither of them is ordinary. In mortal parlance, they are akin to immortals—and their cultivation realms are by no means insignificant.”
“How significant, precisely?” Xiao Mo pressed.
Jiang Qingyi took a delicate sip of tea. “Comparable to my own.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Mo’s brow furrowed as he sank into contemplation.
Though Xiao Mo was unaware of Jiang Qingyi’s precise cultivation realm—she had deflected his prior inquiries on the matter—
Through their shared time, Xiao Mo had gleaned that her cultivation was indeed profound.
Let alone the fact that this esteemed National Preceptor had been dispatched by her Sect to serve the dynasty.
This logically implied that Yan Ruxue and Qin Mujiu operated at a level at least on par with Jiang Qingyi.
“My mind is teeming with questions. I wonder if Sect Master Jiang would be amenable to providing answers,” Xiao Mo ventured.
“Inquire freely,” Jiang Qingyi responded with composed equanimity, setting her teacup down. “As for which questions I choose to address, that remains entirely at my discretion.”
“What are their true identities?”
Xiao Mo’s tone was laced with seriousness. The presence of two cultivators of such caliber within his inner palace was far from trivial.
He harbored anxieties regarding whether they were genuinely Yan Ruxue from the Yan clan and Qin’s eldest princess.
He worried about the possibility that the individuals intended for the palace had been substituted.
Jiang Qingyi carefully considered her response before stating, “The Yan Ruxue within the palace is indeed the daughter of the Yan clan. Similarly, Qin Mujiu is indeed the eldest princess of Qin. This much is accurate. However, their identities extend beyond these designations.”
“Nevertheless, due to an agreement I forged with them, I am precluded from divulging further details to Your Majesty.”
“Rest assured, Your Majesty. Despite their omissions, those two women would never seek to bring harm to you.”
Xiao Mo probed further, “Does the agreement you struck with them also extend to their consent for you to reveal this much to me?”
Jiang Qingyi offered neither confirmation nor denial.
Yet, based on Xiao Mo’s established understanding of Jiang Qingyi, her silence on the matter served as a tacit acquiescence.
Xiao Mo’s brow furrowed further as his fingers began to rub against each other. “What is their objective? Is there something within this imperial palace that they seek?”
As Xiao Mo posed this question, Jiang Qingyi’s gaze locked directly with his, her eyes alight with subtle amusement.
“Sect Master Jiang?” Xiao Mo inquired, a touch of bewilderment in his voice.
“I am also unable to provide an answer to that particular question for Your Majesty.”
With that pronouncement, Jiang Qingyi rose to her feet.
“Let Your Majesty’s inquiries conclude for the present. In essence, continue to treat them as you always have. There is no need for undue anxiety. Many matters far exceed Your Majesty’s current capacity for comprehension. What Your Majesty ought to focus on at this juncture is achieving Foundation Establishment within the coming month.”
“Furthermore, it’s not that Your Majesty is entirely prohibited from spending nights with them in the future. It is merely… heh…”
…”
Jiang Qingyi emitted two chilling chuckles. Planting her hands firmly on the table, she leaned forward, fixing her gaze directly upon Xiao Mo.
“It’s merely that matters between a man and a woman are likely off the table for now. But this is for the better. Prior to establishing your foundation, if your primal yang remains untapped, your cultivation can achieve double the results with half the effort.”
“Or perhaps…” Jiang Qingyi drew even nearer, her eyes locked onto Xiao Mo’s. “Since they cannot engage in such activities with Your Majesty, and with two stunning beauties by your side, isn’t Your Majesty’s heart practically burning with impatience?”
“Sect Master Jiang must be jesting,” Xiao Mo replied, his tone laced with forced lightness. “If you say my heart itches, there’s a modicum of truth to that. But to claim it’s unbearable—that would be an exaggeration.”
“Hmph. Men.”
Jiang Qingyi straightened her elegant waist, retrieved the sword she held, and departed Xiao Mo’s chambers through the window.
“She truly arrives and departs as she pleases…”
Gazing in the direction Jiang Qingyi had vanished, Xiao Mo shook his head in resignation.
He mentally revisited every word Jiang Qingyi had spoken moments before.
Subsequently, he recalled his past interactions with Yan Ruxue, and the bright, effervescent laughter of Qin Mujiu whenever she was near him.
“They approached me for a reason within the Zhou imperial palace?”
“But what could possibly reside within the Zhou imperial palace that would capture their attention?”
“Forget it. Let it go. I shall dwell on it no further.”
Ultimately, Xiao Mo shook his head, purposefully pushing the perplexing thoughts aside.
“The most pressing concern remains elevating my realm and augmenting my strength. Without a sufficiently high realm, I will perpetually be subject to the whims of others. Once my realm ascends, most enigmas will naturally unravel.”
Having composed himself, Xiao Mo summoned the palace maids to attend to his wardrobe change.
Today marked the second day following the wedding ceremony. Xiao Mo was expected to escort the two newly admitted noble consorts to Empress Dowager Yan, where they would formally serve tea.
And precisely as Xiao Mo completed his attire and emerged from the Hall of Nourishing the Heart…
Consort Xue and Consort Mu were already positioned on either side of the palace gates, awaiting Xiao Mo’s exit.
“This servant offers her respects to Your Majesty. Is Your Majesty in good health?”
Bai Ruxue and Qin Siyao bowed in unison, their voices soft and gentle.