Chapter 280: Chapter 253: The Scholar Is Still a Scholar, the Woman Still Wears a White Dress.

On the high platform, Empress Dowager Yan stood to one side, tightly clutching her sleeve and staring coldly at Huang Wei.

’She had no idea what this Huang Wei was playing at!’

For some time now, her brother had been telling her that Huang Wei of the Wanjian Sect was wavering. He had even been hinting to the other Noble Clans that they should vie for the position of Empress.

But Empress Dowager Yan simply could not understand.

The Yan Clan had given Huang Wei plenty of gifts and treated him with the utmost respect. They had certainly never done anything to slight him.

Besides, their relationship had always been quite good.

’So what on earth made him change his mind?’

Empress Dowager Yan turned to look at Yan Shanao, who stood a short distance away.

Yan Shanao, his expression equally grave, shook his head. He also had no idea what was happening.

In truth, Huang Wei was also feeling quite unsettled.

As the old saying goes, it is better to tear down a temple than to ruin a marriage.

’I really don’t want to be the bad guy here.’

’Not to mention, I already promised the Yan Clan I would back them up... yet lately, all I’ve been doing is causing trouble.’

’My reputation is probably going to be in tatters after today.’

’But it’s an order from the Sect Leader. What can I do?’

There was just one thing Huang Wei didn’t understand.

’If the Sect Leader doesn’t want the prodigy of the Yan Clan to become the Empress of the Zhou Kingdom, couldn’t he settle it with a single word?’

’Who could possibly defy the Sect Leader’s will?’

’But it’s as if the Sect Leader is worried about something.’

’Ah, forget it.’

Huang Wei mentally shook his head.

’I should just focus on my task. After today, I’ll find an excuse to return to the Wanjian Sect and be done with this.’

’I have a bad feeling something is about to happen in the Zhou Imperial City. In any case, I can’t stay here any longer.’

COUGH, COUGH, COUGH...

Huang Wei cleared his throat and began to explain his opposition.

"Although the nine stars formed a perfect circle yesterday, seven other stars formed a line, hanging beside it like a sword. This suggests that hidden within this Perfection, there may lie a fatal omen."

"After my divinations, I believe it is best to follow your kingdom’s established rites today. We must not alter them rashly, lest we invite unnecessary complications."

"Elder Huang speaks reason! The bowing ceremony is no trivial matter. Such a grand rite can only be performed during the official ceremony. We implore Your Majesty to reconsider!"

"We implore Your Majesty to reconsider!"

"Your Majesty! It is unheard of to perform the bowing ceremony at this time! Our ancestors would think we were making a mockery of them."

Once Huang Wei had spoken, the other court officials quickly followed suit.

Listening to the voices of the officials, the expressions on the faces of Empress Dowager Yan and Yan Shanao grew frightfully dark.

They both knew full well that these ministers had realized they had likely lost the Wanjian Sect’s support.

Without the Wanjian Sect’s unwavering support, even with the Yan Clan’s considerable power in the Imperial Court, the other ministers and clans could band together, preventing Yan Shanao from acting recklessly.

"Your Majesty, Elder Huang speaks reason. Let us wait for the official ceremony to perform the bowing rites," Empress Dowager Yan said, stepping forward.

The Empress Dowager was resentful, but what choice did she have?

She might as well retreat and preserve her dignity.

"Since the Empress Dowager herself has said so, we shall let the matter rest for today." Xiao Mo nodded.

Xiao Mo appeared calm, but inwardly he was overjoyed.

’From the look of things today, the Wanjian Sect no longer fully supports the Yan Clan.’

’Something must have happened between the Wanjian Sect and the Yan Clan. After all, even the aloof Fairy Jiang looked displeased at the mere mention of them.’

’The only reason they haven’t had a complete falling-out is likely for the sake of appearances.’

An hour later, all the wedding ceremony procedures had been completed without a single hitch. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

After the officials withdrew, Yan Ruxue was also led away by the Empress Dowager.

Xiao Mo returned to his palace, changed into a loose Daoist Robe, and then headed for the Imperial Study.

Although Xiao Mo was devoted to his cultivation and paid little mind to politics, certain major state policies still required his stamp from the Jade Seal.

Every so often, Xiao Mo would go to the Imperial Study to attend to these matters.

However, his spirit was drained from having accelerated the flow of time in the Hundred Generations Book. Compounded by the significant shock from his recent failure in Crossing the Tribulation, his mental state was already quite poor.

After dealing with a few memorials, Xiao Mo laid his head on his desk to rest, hoping to recover some of his mental energy.

Meanwhile, in Lingxin Hall, Yan Ruxue had already removed her wedding gown and changed back into a long dress.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the Empress Dowager, Yan Ruxue left the Imperial Palace, escorted by Chief Eunuch Huang.

But as Yan Ruxue passed by the outer wall of the Imperial Study, she found herself stopping.

Seeing this, Chief Eunuch Huang smiled and said, "My Lady, I have heard that His Majesty is in the Imperial Study attending to state matters. Would you care to go in and see him?"

"Is that allowed?" Yan Ruxue asked. "According to the rites of the Zhou Kingdom, His Majesty and I are not supposed to meet before our wedding, are we?"

"That is true according to the kingdom’s rites, but people are flexible, while rules are rigid," Chief Eunuch Huang said with a smile. "Besides, after so many officials disrespected the Empress Dowager today, she’s furious. What’s the harm in breaking a few rules?"

Yan Ruxue lowered her head in thought for a moment, then smiled. "If that’s the case, then I shall do as you suggest, Chief Eunuch Huang."

Seeing Yan Ruxue agree, Chief Eunuch Huang quickly signaled to a few Palace Maids, instructing them to first lure away Wei Xun and the other maids on duty at the entrance.

Once the area outside the Imperial Study was clear, Yan Ruxue crossed the square before it.

As she reached the door of the Imperial Study, Yan Ruxue could faintly hear the steady breathing of a man from within.

A slight smile touched Yan Ruxue’s lips. Instead of knocking, she quietly pushed the door open and slowly stepped inside.

Inside the Imperial Study, Xiao Mo was fast asleep, slumped over his desk.

"Mmm..."

Suddenly, Xiao Mo’s brow furrowed. He seemed to be having a painful dream.

Yan Ruxue reached out and gently touched a finger to Xiao Mo’s forehead.

A warm stream of Spiritual Power flowed into Xiao Mo’s body.

Soon, the tension in Xiao Mo’s brow eased, and he sank into an even deeper sleep.

The young woman gently smoothed her dress and crouched down. She folded her hands on the desk, rested her delicate white chin on her arms, and watched the sleeping man, her beautiful, almond-shaped eyes blinking slowly.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating fine motes of dust in the midday air that quietly settled upon the two of them.

As she watched, the young woman reached out a delicate finger and gave his cheek a gentle poke.

In his sleep, Xiao Mo felt a tickle and nuzzled his cheek against his arm, still fast asleep.

The young woman smiled and continued to watch him in silence.

「Seven thousand years ago.」

In a small village, there lived a scholar who loved to read in his courtyard.

The scholar had a habit.

Whenever he grew too tired, he would lay his head on the stone table to rest.

And whenever he did, a young girl in a white dress would appear like a little kitten, propping her hands on the stone table to bring her eyes level with his, and from time to time, she would poke his cheek.

Just like this.

「Seven thousand years later.」

Even though the scholar had become an Emperor.

Even though the young woman now ruled the Four Seas.

But it seemed...

The scholar was still the same scholar.

And the young woman still wore a white dress.