Chapter 32: Making Yan Ruxue the Empress, what does Your Majesty think?

"Your Majesty."

Outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation in the Imperial Palace of the Zhou State, Wei Xun called out.

Xiao Mo’s consciousness departed from the Book of a Hundred Lifetimes. He opened his eyes and let out a long, deep breath. "Come in."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Wei Xun responded and walked into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, bowing respectfully. "This servant pays respects to Your Majesty."

"What is the matter?" Xiao Mo looked at Eunuch Wei and spoke slowly.

"Reporting to Your Majesty," Wei Xun said with a smile. "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has invited you to dinner."

Xiao Mo frowned. "Did Mother say what it was regarding?"

"Her Majesty did not say, but..." Wei Xun’s eyes darted around, "this old servant guesses it must be regarding the selection of imperial concubines."

"I understand. Prepare the carriage."

Xiao Mo was quite reluctant to go out, but he had no choice. If the Empress Dowager invited him to dinner and he failed to attend, he would easily be branded as unfilial. Even if she was not his biological mother and he was merely an adopted son, the principle remained the same.

"This old servant shall go and prepare the dragon carriage for Your Majesty immediately."

"Wait." Xiao Mo called out to Wei Xun.

"Does Your Majesty have any instructions?"

"While you are in the palace, clear out an empty space—somewhere remote and quiet. Fill it with various Taoist ritual implements, including peach wood swords and such. I intend to set up an altar to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. No one is permitted to enter. Do you understand?" Xiao Mo commanded.

"This old servant will see to it as quickly as possible."

"Go."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Wei Xun harbored no suspicion regarding His Majesty's request; he simply felt that the Emperor had truly become obsessed with Taoist cultivation, even going so far as to set up ritual altars...

Since ancient times, what emperor had ever set up a ritual altar within the imperial palace?

In reality, Xiao Mo intended to practice the Grass Word Sword Technique; the altar was merely an excuse. Although the Hall of Mental Cultivation was large, practicing the Grass Word Sword Technique inside the room would certainly be problematic. The sword qi would smash this and break that, creating too much commotion, which would likely attract Yan Shan'ao's attention.

However, if he practiced his sword daily under the guise of setting up altars for Taoist cultivation, Yan Shan'ao would not suspect a thing. In fact, Yan Shan'ao would likely only think the Emperor was being absurd, which would make him feel even more at ease. Once his cultivation level was sufficient, Xiao Mo would summon him to the palace and find an opportunity to finish him off.

Not long after, Xiao Mo arrived at the Palace of Lingxin in the dragon carriage.

"Your son pays respects to Mother. Has Mother been well lately?"

Xiao Mo approached Empress Dowager Yan and bowed to her.

"Mother is doing very well."

Empress Dowager Yan nodded with a smile. She walked down, helped Xiao Mo sit beside her, and patted his arm. "Mo'er, I heard that you have been obsessed with Taoist cultivation lately, even dressing like a Taoist. This will not do; you must focus on the affairs of the state!"

"Mother worries too much. Chancellor Yan is a capable minister of a prosperous era, managing the court with order and precision. Everyone praises the Chancellor's wisdom. Even your son is not worried, so Mother need not worry either."

Xiao Mo praised Yan Shan'ao against his better judgment.

In truth, the court was a chaotic mess. Led by Yan Shan'ao, officials were forming factions, purging dissenters, and even selling official positions. The Zhou State currently felt as though it were on the brink of collapse.

Why was Yan Shan'ao so anxious to seek the Wanjian Sect as a backer? It was because the neighboring Yan State was eyeing the Zhou State like a predator. Yan Shan'ao was no fool; he knew the Yan State intended to annex them.

"You..." Empress Dowager Yan sighed, her tone sounding quite helpless.

But in reality, Xiao Mo felt that she was secretly enjoying herself.

"Fine, fine. Although my younger brother is somewhat incompetent, he does have some ability. Let Your Majesty practice Taoism if you wish," Empress Dowager Yan said earnestly. "However, while Your Majesty practices Taoism, the foundation of the nation cannot be neglected."

"What does Mother mean?"

"Chancellor Yan has already mentioned this to Your Majesty. You are no longer young and it is time to select concubines. The lists of eligible daughters from various officials have already been submitted. I have reviewed them; the daughters of those officials are indeed quite fine, but they do not quite feel right to me. The most suitable is Yan Ruxue of the Yan clan. I presume Your Majesty has heard of Ruxue's reputation."

"Naturally, I have heard of it." Xiao Mo nodded. "Yan Ruxue is the number one talented woman of our Great Zhou, well-read and knowledgeable of both antiquity and the present. Both the court officials and the common people praise her highly."

As he spoke, Xiao Mo realized that by naming his little white snake "Ruxue," he had accidentally stumbled upon the name of that talented woman from the Yan clan.

Hearing Xiao Mo's praise for Yan Ruxue, Empress Dowager Yan's mood brightened, and the corners of her mouth curled slightly.

"According to ritual, we would originally select ten ladies from noble families to enter the palace as concubines, and after one year, Your Majesty would choose one with both talent and virtue to be Empress. However, I have been thinking. Currently, Your Majesty is focused on Taoism and does not have much energy. To take in so many concubines at once might be bad for Your Majesty's health. Furthermore, a nation cannot go a single day without an Empress. Rituals are made by men. Therefore, I propose that we let Ruxue enter the palace first to serve Your Majesty. Given Ruxue's background and fame, if she becomes the Empress of our Great Zhou, she will surely win the people's respect. Afterward, Ruxue can help Your Majesty manage the inner palace and assist in recruiting other concubines to fill the harem. I wonder what Your Majesty's opinion is?"

"..."

How could Xiao Mo not understand Empress Dowager Yan's intention?

He estimated that her original plan was to select concubines for him, pick Yan Ruxue from among them, and then maneuver her into the position of Empress after a year. But now, she felt that was too slow and carried too much risk. What if another woman gained his favor? What if another concubine became pregnant first? Furthermore, the other concubines would have their own factions behind them. What if he conspired with other great families?

Thus, after much deliberation, Empress Dowager Yan decided to simply let Yan Ruxue enter the palace alone first, ensuring she secured the position of Empress to prevent any unforeseen complications. As for her mention of "recruiting other women to fill the harem," that would likely not happen until after Yan Ruxue had given birth to a prince.

It wasn't that Xiao Mo was in a hurry to have "three thousand beauties in the harem," but rather that the feeling of being controlled by them—of being reduced to a mere tool—was truly unpleasant. He felt like a marionette.

"Your son has no objections. If Ruxue enters the palace, I expect it will save me much worry, and she can also catch up with Mother," Xiao Mo said respectfully.

"Good, good..."

The more Empress Dowager Yan saw how sensible Xiao Mo was, the more she liked him.

"The elders of the Wanjian Sect have already arrived within our borders. The Wanjian Sect is the number one sword sect in the world; we must not be negligent and must host them well. When the elders of the Wanjian Sect arrive, Ruxue shall enter the palace and the coronation ceremony for the Empress shall be held. This will allow the elders of the Wanjian Sect to witness the grand event, demonstrating the hospitality of our Great Zhou."

Xiao Mo lowered his head and said, "Everything shall be as Mother commands."