Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

Chapter 859: Chapter 865, Chapter 866: Xia Zhining Gives Birth to Twin Daughters

Shoukang Palace.

With a playful smack on her backside, Liang Ji felt a slight embarrassment in her heart; her cheeks blushed lightly as she shot Chen Mo a glance and said, "Stop using these words to brush me off. Tell me, is there anything you haven’t arranged? I want you to tell me personally how you plan to treat me fairly."

Chen Mo embraced Liang Ji beside the soft couch, holding her in his arms, reached into his embrace, and started building a snowman, speaking warmly, "Yesterday, Duke Menghe ceded the imperial throne to me, and now in the Capital, from the nobility down to the commoners, almost everyone is discussing Duke Menghe’s abdication and my coronation and changing the nation name to Great Wei.

At this juncture, if I were to establish the former dynasty’s Empress Dowager as Consort, although I could fully withstand public opposition, the controversy would be overwhelming. Moreover, my coronation hasn’t spread throughout the nation yet, the court isn’t quite stable, so these waves of public opinion, if avoidable, should indeed be avoided."

Liang Ji’s graceful face took on a bright, beautiful hue, nearly as vibrant as clouds at sunset in the candlelight, her upper garment almost entirely open to the sides, revealing a view unsuitable for others. She grabbed Chen Mo’s hand, wanting him to stop moving, and asked in a trembling voice, "How long do you want me to wait...?"

"As short as half a month, no longer than two months. Once the rumors have subsided, I’ll immediately confer you as Consort, and our child will not be mistreated." Chen Mo whispered tenderly in Liang Ji’s ear, inhaling the scent of rouge mixed with that distinctive fragrance only postpartum skin possesses, feeling a fluttering stir, while his hands busily worked.

Liang Ji couldn’t resist Chen Mo’s "intimacy"; her delicate body softened like mud, leaning against Chen Mo’s chest, she spoke tremblingly, "Are you really going to confer me as Consort, not as a lower-ranked wife?"

"I keep my word."

Upon hearing this, Liang Ji finally relaxed, resting her flushed cheek against Chen Mo’s chest, exhaling like a blue orchid, she said, "So what title are you planning to confer upon me?"

"Princess Consort Lan," Chen Mo replied.

Liang Ji’s heart was delighted, as a part of her question carried a hint of probing because if he truly intended to confer her as Consort, he must have pondered over it, and hearing her ask this, he’d be able to answer without hesitation.

Otherwise, he might hesitate slightly and speak only after thinking.

Now, Chen Mo said it seamlessly, proving he had already settled his mind on it.

A wave of joy silently flowed through her heart, and Liang Ji softly asked, "Why Princess Consort Lan?"

"Lan signifies nobility and elegance, being outstanding and ethereal, graceful in demeanor, pure and beautiful, which perfectly suits you." Chen Mo affectionately kissed Liang Ji’s neck.

Liang Ji was very satisfied with this explanation, yet she said, "Am I really as good as you say?"

"Of course you are."

With that, Chen Mo gently pushed Liang Ji, causing her to fall onto the soft couch.

...

Outside the inner chamber, Chen Qin’s wet nurse heard the murmurs of passion from within, her face slightly reddening. Accompanied by Palace Maids, she left Shoukang Palace.

Meanwhile, outside Shoukang Palace, seeing that Chen Mo hadn’t come out yet, Wang Xiu noted this entry in the diary of daily life.

"The night of August 8th, the first year of Zhenghe, the Emperor stayed at Shoukang Palace."

...

In the latter half of the night.

Liang Ji was drenched in fragrant sweat, as if she had just finished a sauna, her skin tender and transparent. Underneath her long, swan-like neck, a large span of snow-white skin was covered in a rosy sheen, glistening with beads of sweat.

She clung to Chen Mo lazily like a sloth, her brows and eyes radiating the charm of a mature woman, her voice somewhat hoarse as she said, "Honestly, did you save Yu Shu and arrange her in the harem because you want her for yourself?"

"Of course not. I’ve told you before, she’s the Empress of the former dynasty. Her attempt to drown herself could have had a huge impact, and letting those rumors spread would be detrimental to Great Wei’s reputation. Arranging her in the harem is convenient for watching over her to prevent her from attempting suicide again. Once her parents arrive at the Capital, I will let her leave with them."

Chen Mo gently pulled the curtain up a bit, it was too hot in the midsummer.

"Are you really willing to let her go?" Liang Ji expressed her disbelief, "Xu Ying and I both fell into your hands, and adding her into the mix, wouldn’t this complete the trio, capturing the Empresses of both the previous and last dynasties?"

Chen Mo hadn’t considered this scenario.

However, hearing Liang Ji say this, his mind couldn’t help but stir a little.

Should the three former Empresses, including Mi’Er, be considered, that would make four Empresses.

Four Empresses competing together, just the thought...

Seeing Chen Mo keep silent, Liang Ji drew circles on Chen Mo’s chest with her fingers, speaking in a playful tone, "If you admit it, I can help you."

"Cough..." Chen Mo couldn’t help but cough, "Stop this nonsense."

"Saying so with your words, yet you’re getting worked up?" Liang Ji’s lower abdomen felt bloated.

"..."

Chen Mo patted her lightly on the grindstone, "She is at least your junior, how could you plot against her like this?"

"Admit it?" Liang Ji subtly pouted her lips, then said, "I’m only thinking for her own good.

You think letting her leave is good for her, but actually it’s not. First, she was demoted, then discarded, then abandoned by Duke Menghe, leading her to attempt suicide, and then rescued by your people and brought back to the palace, only to be taken out of the palace by her parents eventually. Even though these details were kept secret, there’s no wall under heaven that doesn’t leak, and soon they will spread out. By the time she returns to her hometown, how will the locals think hearing about all this?"

Chen Mo’s expression changed slightly.

"Even though this has nothing to do with you, they might think that Duke Menghe abandoned her because of you, and seeing you let her leave the palace, they might perceive this as even you rejecting her. Whether you act or not, her reputation was lost the moment Duke Menghe didn’t want her. Rumors can destroy lives." Liang Ji spoke calmly yet conveyed the terrible outcome.