Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

Chapter 862: Chapter 867, 868: Harem Daily Life_2

"Consort Qing really has a big appetite," Chu Ran teased unexpectedly.

Xu Ying shot Chu Ran a playful glare, "Then next time, I’ll leave some for you."

"I’m not going to follow your example," Chu Ran blushed, turning to Chen Mo and saying, "Your Majesty just came from Lady De’fei’s place?"

"Yes."

"Did you also visit Ms. Shufei? She was with me this morning."

"I’ll head over soon," Chen Mo replied.

"Ah, must you go already, Your Majesty?" Xu Ying showed some reluctance.

Understanding Xu Ying’s intent, Chen Mo said, "I’ll come back tonight, won’t I? You just stay here with Princess Consort Jing and take good care of her."

Upon hearing this, Xu Ying’s face lit up, "Then, Your Majesty, you must come early."

...

The bedchamber where Yi Shiyin resides.

Unlike Xia Zhiqing, Han Anniang, and Chu Ran, who lay in bed during pregnancy, Yi Shiyin knew how to occupy her time well.

At the moment, she was seated on a cushioned round stool, with a square table in front of her holding a chessboard, playing a game with Xingyao, Lin Xuelan, and Yu Zhu.

But rather than simply playing,

it was more accurate to say Yi Shiyin was teaching them how to play.

"Sister Xiangfei, this horse is stuck in a ’pin,’ and can only jump out when you roll a pin roll; otherwise, your horse won’t get out," Yi Shiyin guided Yu Zhu to hold still.

"Is it my turn to roll the dice now?" Lin Xuelan, eager and full of interest, asked.

"It’s not yet your turn, Sister Shufei; next is Sister Liangfei," Yi Shiyin said, looking at Xingyao and continuing to explain the rules, "Past these five ’pins,’ there’s a ’trench,’ the most difficult part yet the closest to victory. Once out of the trench, the Shangcheng Bureau will be right ahead."

Yi Shiyin handed the dice to Xingyao, "Sister Liangfei, your turn to roll."

This Imperial Palace is a walled city.

Those outside want to get in, and those inside, some want to get out.

Xingyao was one of the latter.

Life in the harem was dull and monotonous; it had been days since she saw Chen Mo.

Learning this unfamiliar ’horse game’ as a way to pass time was quite nice for Xingyao, so she listened attentively.

"Your Majesty has arrived." At this moment, the voice of Yi Shiyin’s personal maid, now a palace maid, Xiaoling, sounded, filled with a trace of delight.

Xingyao’s mind stirred; she looked attentively as Yi Shiyin, who had just been teaching her, sprang forward, throwing herself into the embrace of the man in the black emperor’s robe: "Husband...no, Your Majesty, I’ve missed you so much."

Her head nudged deeper into Chen Mo’s embrace.

"Xiaolu, take it slow; you’re likely to hurt the child this way," Chen Mo cautioned, momentarily breathless as Yi Shiyin flung herself into his arms.

"Don’t worry, Your Majesty, Ms. Mi said this is the stable period of pregnancy; even if I..." Yi Shiyin whispered into Chen Mo’s ear, her cheeks turning rosy.

"..."

Xiaolu was hungry for attention.

Chen Mo stroked her hair gently, "How have you been these past few days?"

"Very well. I can eat, sleep, and run," Yi Shiyin replied, her slightly protruding belly barely hindering her.

"Still, be cautious, like Ms. Anniang, Ms. Mi, and Zhiqing Yunxi. They’re very careful and avoid moving whenever possible," Chen Mo advised.

"Don’t worry, Your Majesty, I know my limits."

Chen Mo nodded, glancing over at Xingyao and the others, "What are you playing?"

"Your Majesty, Ms. Shufei is teaching us the horse game. Come over, we’re not very skilled at it, and could use some guidance," Lin Xuelan said.

"I’m not particularly good at it myself. Your Sister Wenfei is the expert here."

With Yi Shiyin in tow, Chen Mo approached, sitting where Yi Shiyin had been seated, and she sat on his lap.

"Your Majesty, was the enfeoffment ceremony successful?" Xingyao’s expression was still somewhat aloof, not fully adjusted to her new life.

"Everything went smoothly."

Xingyao was seated to Chen Mo’s left; he wrapped one arm around Yi Shiyin, extending his right hand to hold Xingyao’s, gently squeezing as he remarked, "You seem a bit listless."

Xingyao allowed Chen Mo to hold her hand; after a brief hesitation, she confessed, "Monotonous, stifling. Even back in Prince Wei’s Mansion, it never felt quite so oppressive. But lately, living in this Imperial Palace, there’s a sense of heaviness."

"I...feel the same," Yu Zhu chimed in.

Chen Mo paused at their words, recalling that except for the last dynasty’s Capital being in Luonan, for many dynasties before that, the Capital was in Celestial River. The current palace had been expanded upon the foundations of past palaces, inhabited by many generations.

This harem has seen countless concubines, palace maids, eunuchs perish, along with the weight of history, a restless soul can indeed feel oppressed.

Looking intently at Xingyao, Chen Mo said, "Here’s an idea: you and Yu Zhu can seek out Princess Consort Zhao. Go hunting at the Royal Hunting Ground; the weather is perfect for it now.

If you grow tired of hunting, speak with the Empress, and perhaps you can venture outside the palace. On this matter, I am not so rigid."

Xingyao’s eyes brightened at his words. During her time in Yelang, she had often joined the Emperor in hunting, harboring a keen interest in it.

Yu Zhu was eager as well.

"Your Majesty, may I join them?" Lin Xuelan eagerly asked.

"Certainly."

As Chen Mo responded, he noticed Yi Shiyin pouting, about to say something, he hurriedly interrupted, "Xiaolu, you cannot go."

Upon hearing that, Yi Shiyin’s lips drooped instantly but she understood Chen Mo was acting for her welfare.

She pouted, "Then, Your Majesty, stay with me tonight."

"I’m afraid I can’t tonight."

"Why not?"

"I promised Princess Consort Jing."

"Oh? She’s just a couple of months away from giving birth, still so greedy...ah..."

Chen Mo flicked Yi Shiyin’s forehead, his face darkening, "I’ll just keep her company for one night. Why do you always overthink?"

Yi Shiyin rubbed her forehead, sticking out her tongue.

"How about this: I’ll stay and have dinner with you."

"Wonderful, Sister Shufei, Sister Liangfei, Sister Xiangfei, please join us for dinner," Yi Shiyin invited.

The three beauties didn’t refuse.

With some time until dinner, naturally, they wouldn’t just sit still; a round of merriment was certain.

...

Time quickly reached late August.

Regarding Chen Mo’s ascension as Emperor and the change of the state name to Great Wei, within half a month’s circulation, the news had swept across the nation.

Chen Mo anticipated potential rebellions at this stage.

After all, history teaches us that with every dynastic change, some long for the past dynasty, gathering the populace to rebel or behave noncompliantly as remnants of the previous era.

Yet, contrary to expectations, not a single report of rebellion was sent from below, rather, the populace strongly supported Chen Mo’s ascension, wondering why he hadn’t become Emperor sooner.

It’s a testament to where the people’s allegiance lay. The public had long awaited Chen Mo’s enthronement.

At this moment, Chen Mo formally issued a decree, conferring the title of Princess Consort Lan upon the former dynasty’s Empress Dowager of the Liang Clan.

This act predictably ignited opposition from many Ministers.

While Geng Songfu and Zuo Lianglun neither opposed nor supported the decision.

After all, such actions weren’t beneficial to Chen Mo’s personal image.

Ultimately, Chen Mo dismissed the dissent and insisted on conferring Liang Ji the title of Princess Consort Lan, also renaming Shoukang Palace to Lanxiang Palace, designating it as Liang Ji’s lifelong residence.

Consequently, the opposition Ministers symbolically boycotted court for two days, letting the issue pass.

That very day, Zhao Yushu’s parents arrived in the Capital.