"Seven days from now, Your Majesty and Ruxue could do a run-through, familiarizing yourselves with the grand wedding ceremony's procedures. What does Your Majesty think?"

Empress Dowager Yan smiled as she looked at Xiao Mo.

Xiao Mo was slightly stunned, then nodded and agreed, "This is naturally acceptable. After all, this is a matter of national importance. I don't want any oversights. Going through the procedures beforehand is indeed necessary."

Actually, in Xiao Mo's heart, he didn't really want to agree.

Although it was just going through the motions, just a "rehearsal" once but even if it was "going through the motions," it would still consume a certain amount of his time.

However, there was no help for it. What could he do if he didn't agree?

Empress Dowager Yan was just giving him face by asking. In reality, he had no choice at all.

If he said he didn't agree, it would instead make Empress Dowager Yan feel that he was starting to "rebel" again.

Xiao Mo speculated that the reason Empress Dowager Yan required rehearsing the procedures once was very likely because of what had happened in court recently.

After that Elder Huang from Ten Thousand Swords Sect arrived, quite a few officials invited Elder Huang to drink, tactfully expressing their desire to send their daughters into the imperial palace to replace Yan Ruxue.

Some clans even tactfully indicated, "If my daughter becomes empress, my clan will certainly give Elder Huang even more benefits."

At first, Xiao Mo heard that Elder Huang had refused.

Perhaps this Elder Huang felt that since he had already promised to support the Yan family, if he switched to supporting another clan now, it wouldn't be appropriate.

After all, for Elder Huang, he didn't care who controlled the Zhou dynasty. He only cared whether he could profit from it and about his future reputation.

If he originally supported one clan but then temporarily supported another clan for greater benefits, then in the future if other dynasties wanted to ally with Ten Thousand Swords Sect, they might seek out other elders to build bridges and connections instead of seeking him out.

Unexpectedly, Elder Huang had said these past few days, "I don't care who becomes Zhou Kingdom's empress, as long as it's good for Zhou Kingdom, and my Ten Thousand Swords Sect's promise to protect Zhou Kingdom remains unchanged."

This was undoubtedly tacit permission for the various clans to compete with the Yan family.

However, the Yan family still held the overwhelming advantage in court but to say the Yan family wasn't panicking would be impossible.

So Xiao Mo speculated that this "going through the motions" was more about the Yan family wanting to establish their authority.

The Yan family was emphasizing to the other noble families, "The Zhou Kingdom court is still controlled by our Yan family. The empress position won't be given to anyone else."

At this moment, after hearing Xiao Mo agree, Empress Dowager Yan's mood became even more joyful. Looking at Xiao Mo, she found him increasingly pleasing to the eye, feeling that her decision to adopt him back then was truly correct.

"Good, good, good." Empress Dowager Yan took Xiao Mo's hand, "Since that's the case, seven days from now, I must trouble Your Majesty."

"Where does the Empress Dowager speak of? This is what I should do. Rather, it's the Empress Dowager who has been constantly worrying about this son's marriage. This son feels somewhat guilty." Xiao Mo said with guilt.

"Hahaha, as long as Your Majesty can marry Ruxue peacefully, I'm not tired at all." Empress Dowager Yan pulled Xiao Mo to sit down, "Speaking of which, it's getting late. You and I, mother and son, haven't eaten together in a long time. Will Your Majesty accompany me for lunch?"

"Naturally. This son indeed hasn't accompanied the Empress Dowager in a long time."

Xiao Mo repeatedly agreed. The two sides truly seemed to have a kind of maternal kindness and filial piety.

During lunch, Empress Dowager Yan casually asked Xiao Mo how his Dao cultivation was progressing recently.

Xiao Mo spoke at length with Empress Dowager Yan, his excited appearance leaving Empress Dowager Yan stunned.

Empress Dowager Yan then inadvertently asked Xiao Mo about state affairs.

Xiao Mo knew nothing when asked, only saying "Everything is discussed by the hundred officials, decided by the Prime Minister."

After lunch, Xiao Mo exchanged a few more pleasantries with Empress Dowager Yan, then presented a commonly seen Daoist classic, the "Mind Nurturing Formula," before leaving Lingxin Palace.

"Do you think this child has truly become obsessed with cultivating the Dao?" Looking toward the direction of the door, Empress Dowager Yan asked the Shang Yihuang beside her.

"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, it should be so."

Shang Yihuang nodded.

"When the Empress Dowager asked His Majesty about Dao cultivation matters, His Majesty looked as if he couldn't wait to talk with the Empress Dowager for three days and three nights. He even presented you with a Daoist classic before leaving. This doesn't seem like an act."

"Mm." Empress Dowager Yan nodded, withdrawing her gaze to look at the "Mind Nurturing Formula" in her hands, "This child is actually quite good, makes people worry-free, and is filial. That matter with Wang Can before was merely because he was misled."

"However, Empress Dowager, recently, this servant has heard of something." Shang Yihuang thought about it and still felt it was better to speak up.

"What matter?" Empress Dowager Yan asked.

"This servant heard that recently, that Fairy Jiang staying in the rear palace occasionally goes to the Dao Inquiry Platform to discuss the Dao with His Majesty." Shang Yihuang spoke.

"What of it?" Empress Dowager Yan didn't care, "That Fairy Jiang finds the palace boring. His Majesty happens to be cultivating, so perhaps His Majesty is just asking her some cultivation matters. Moreover, His Majesty is an emperor and cannot establish a foundation, so we need not worry."

"..." Shang Yihuang's mouth opened slightly, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Seeing her attendant's expression, Empress Dowager Yan's brows furrowed slightly. She immediately understood what the other person truly wanted to say, "Are you worried that His Majesty and that Fairy Jiang are having an affair..."

"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, this servant is merely speculating." Shang Yihuang quickly spoke.

"What are you nervous about? You've been with me for so many years. Would I really punish you?" Empress Dowager Yan gave Shang Yihuang a look, "But why do you think so? Do you have evidence?"

"This..." Shang Yihuang's eyes shifted, "Previously, this servant once saw His Majesty and Fairy Jiang eating buns together. The way Fairy Jiang looked at His Majesty always felt somewhat off... As for evidence, this servant doesn't have direct evidence."

"You're overthinking this matter. That Fairy Jiang is an inner disciple of Ten Thousand Swords Sect with limitless prospects. She wouldn't be interested in a mortal kingdom's emperor." Empress Dowager Yan shook her head, her tone firm but soon, Empress Dowager Yan suddenly remembered that welcoming banquet, when Fairy Jiang occasionally looked at Xiao Mo. Her heart couldn't help but waver:

"Impossible... it should be impossible..."

After leaving Lingxin Palace, Xiao Mo took a deep breath, feeling even the air was refreshing.

After all, facing Empress Dowager Yan in Lingxin Palace, his acting was indeed somewhat tiring but Xiao Mo believed he hadn't revealed any flaws.

"Your Majesty, shall we return to the palace?" Wei Xun asked.

"No need. I'll walk directly to the Dao Inquiry Platform and clear my mind." Xiao Mo said.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Wei Xun hurriedly arranged for the dragon carriage to leave, while he himself accompanied behind His Majesty, walking step by step through the palace and just as Xiao Mo had walked for less than one incense stick's time, he stopped in his tracks.

Before a watchtower, that young woman wearing a light veil was raising her head, quietly gazing upward from below.