The Young Lady Said She Was Waiting for Someone to Crown Her

In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Xiao Mo let out a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes.

Xiao Mo had already memorized all the incantations for the Grass Character Sword Art.

During this period, besides experiencing life in the Book of a Hundred Lives, Xiao Mo would also frequently detach himself from it to recite the sword incantations.

Although the wisp of Grass Character Sword Intent within Xiao Mo's body contained the sword incantation, which he could access anytime with a thought, he could only practice the Grass Character Sword Art after completely memorizing it, engraving it into his soul word for word.

"Your Majesty."

Outside the door, Wei Xun's voice could be heard.

"Enter," Xiao Mo commanded.

Wei Xun entered the sleeping quarters and bowed to Xiao Mo. "Your Majesty, the matter you entrusted to this old servant is complete. North of the Hall of Leisure, there's a secluded open space surrounded by walls, with a large gate concealing it. Very few people pass by, making it quite peaceful. This old servant has already had an altar set up with talismans, cinnabar, the Bagua diagram, the Yin-Yang diagram, and a peach wood sword, along with other items a Daoist might need. All have been prepared. Does Your Majesty wish to inspect it?"

"Let's go," Xiao Mo nodded.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Wei Xun quickly retreated to prepare the imperial carriage for His Majesty.

About half an hour later, Xiao Mo arrived at a square north of the Hall of Leisure.

Just as Wei Xun had described.

The square was surrounded by walls, and one had to open a large gate to enter.

The square was about the size of a football field.

This place was indeed excellent, located in a corner of the Imperial Capital.

It was next to the Hall of Leisure.

The Hall of Leisure was essentially the cold palace.

After the previous Emperor's passing, all the consorts in the Hall of Leisure were forced to be buried with him in the imperial mausoleum. Xiao Mo had not yet taken any consorts, so there wasn't even anyone to be relegated to the cold palace.

Therefore, the Hall of Leisure was currently deserted.

Furthermore, the Hall of Leisure had always been a place where consorts frequently hanged themselves, with various terrifying rumors surrounding it. Eunuchs and palace maids alike avoided it.

This extended to the open space around the Hall of Leisure, which no one frequented.

"Does Your Majesty find this place satisfactory?" Wei Xun asked obsequiously from the side.

"Mmm," Xiao Mo nodded. "I am very satisfied."

"From today onwards, I will cultivate the Dao here. Without my permission, no one is allowed to enter this place, understand?" Xiao Mo said coldly.

"This old servant understands."

Xiao Mo waved his hand. "Go wait outside the gate."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Wei Xun bowed and walked out of the square, ordering someone to close the gate.

Clang.

The gate shut tightly.

Xiao Mo picked up a peach wood sword from the rack and began practicing the first stance of the Grass Character Sword Art.

For cultivators at the beginning of their journey, the most crucial step was to guide spiritual energy into the body, thereby opening the spiritual meridians and entering Qi Refining Layer One.

Exceptional cultivators could reach Qi Refining Layer One within an hour.

Ordinary cultivators typically entered Qi Refining in one to three days.

Those with poorer aptitude usually only needed a month.

The reason Jiang Qingyi had spent several months without reaching Qi Refining Layer One was due to her missing Sword Bone.

Being born with a missing bone, she had a congenital deficiency that prevented her from absorbing spiritual energy normally.

However, after Xiao Mo fashioned a false bone for her.

Even though it wasn't a Sword Bone, it compensated for her congenital deficiency.

From then on, her cultivation speed became extremely rapid, as if she were traveling a thousand miles a day.

Xiao Mo felt that although his own Root bone wasn't top-tier, it was at least considered average.

"I'll aim to start cultivating within two days."

Meanwhile, at the Minister of Rites' mansion.

Huang Shangyi, the old palace maid from the imperial palace, opened her mouth and called out to the woman before her, "Walk."

The woman moved forward with light and steady steps, her strides small and slow, embodying the phrase "lotus steps lightly shifting." She walked with an upright posture, her gaze straight ahead.

"Halt."

At Huang Shangyi's next command, the woman stopped. Her posture was erect, her chin slightly tucked, and her hands clasped in front of her, right hand over left. She exuded a dignified and serene aura, like an exquisite sculpture, utterly still.

"Sit," Huang Shangyi called out again.

The woman sat down on the chair beside her, her hips only touching the front half of the seat. Her back was straight, her legs were together and placed diagonally, her feet were either together or tucked slightly beneath her skirt, and her hands were naturally clasped on her lap.

Looking at the woman before her, Huang Shangyi nodded, very satisfied.

Huang Shangyi had been instructed by the Empress Dowager to come and train this top talent of the Zhou Kingdom in court etiquette.

Initially, Huang Shangyi had some worries.

Because there weren't many days left before this talented woman would enter the palace, the time to learn etiquette was truly not long.

But Huang Shangyi found her worries to be unnecessary.

It could only be said that she was worthy of the Yan clan. They usually taught their daughters court etiquette in preparation for entering the palace.

Now, she only needed to make a few minor corrections.

Most importantly, in her every move and action, a certain dignity emanated subtly.

She heard that some officials in court had advised against Yan Ruxue of the Yan clan becoming the Empress of the Great Zhou.

But if such a woman couldn't be Empress, who could?

"Within the palace, what are the rules for facial expressions?" Huang Shangyi asked.

"One must maintain a gentle and peaceful demeanor, showing no emotion. One must always remain dignified and reserved, not laughing loudly, making noise, crying uncontrollably, or showing anger," Yan Ruxue replied.

"And the gaze?"

"The gaze must be lowered or fixed straight ahead. One must not look around, glance sideways, or stare directly at the Emperor or Empress Dowager. When speaking, one must maintain a respectful, downcast gaze," Yan Ruxue answered again.

"Mm," Huang Shangyi nodded. "Regarding court etiquette, Miss has no major issues, but you must practice more. You need to unconsciously integrate court etiquette into your daily life."

"Thank you for your hard work, Huang Shangyi. Please have some tea before you go," Yan Ruxue nodded and instructed her personal maid, "Serve Huang Shangyi some tea."

"Thank you, Miss," Huang Shangyi was indeed a bit thirsty.

The old palace maid sat on a stone stool, drinking the cool tea. As she looked up, she saw the talented woman from the Yan clan sitting beside her, gently wiping a golden ring with a piece of silk.

Ever since she arrived at the Yan residence, she saw this woman take out and polish that golden ring every day.

The brocade box containing the ring was already quite worn.

After drinking her tea, Huang Shangyi was escorted out of the Yan residence by Yan Ruxue's personal maid.

"Miss Xiao Chun, does that ring of Miss's have any special significance?" Huang Shangyi asked curiously.

"I don't know," Xiao Chun shook her head. "Miss gently polishes that ring every day, and she hasn't replaced that brocade box in so many years. I once asked Miss what was special about this ring."

"And what did Miss say?"

"Miss said that she was waiting for someone to put it on her."