Chapter 47 "Young Miss said she's waiting for someone to put it on her."
Inside Yangxin Hall, Xiao Mo exhaled deeply and slowly opened his eyes.
Xiao Mo had already memorized all the incantations of the Caocijian Jue.
During this period, besides experiencing life in the Book of Hundred Lifetimes, Xiao Mo would often detach himself from the Book of Hundred Lifetimes to recite the sword incantations.
Although the wisp of Caocijian Sword Intent within Xiao Mo's body contained the sword incantations, allowing him to read them at any time with a thought.
However, only by completely memorizing the sword incantations, engraving them word for word into his Divine Soul, could he truly cultivate the Caocijian Jue.
"Your Majesty."
Wei Xun's voice came from outside the door.
"Come in," Xiao Mo said.
Wei Xun entered the sleeping quarters and bowed to Xiao Mo: "Your Majesty, the matter you instructed this old servant to handle has been completed. To the north of Xinxin Palace, there is a relatively secluded open space, surrounded by walls and concealed by a large gate. Few people pass by, making it very quiet.
This old servant has already arranged for an altar to be set up, with all the Daoist items that might be needed, such as talismans, cinnabar, Bagua diagrams, Yin and Yang diagrams, and peach wood swords, all prepared. Does Your Majesty wish to take a look?"
"Let's go," Xiao Mo nodded.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Wei Xun quickly withdrew to prepare a carriage for His Majesty.
About half an hour later, Xiao Mo arrived at a plaza north of Xinxin Palace.
Just as Wei Xun had described.
This plaza was surrounded by walls, and one needed to open a large gate to enter it.
The plaza was roughly the size of a football field.
This place was indeed good, located in a corner of the imperial capital.
Next to it was Xinxin Palace.
Xinxin Palace was actually the cold palace.
Because after the late emperor's death, all the concubines in Xinxin Palace were taken to be buried with him in the imperial mausoleum, and Xiao Mo had not yet taken any concubines, so there were no concubines to be banished to the cold palace.
Therefore, Xinxin Palace was currently empty.
Furthermore, Xinxin Palace had historically been a place where concubines often committed suicide, leading to various terrifying rumors, and eunuchs and palace maids avoided this place.
Consequently, the open space around Xinxin Palace also saw no one passing by.
"Is Your Majesty satisfied with this place?" Wei Xunasked fawningly from the side.
"Hmm," Xiao Mo nodded, "I am very satisfied."
"From today onwards, I will cultivate 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: "Wait outside the gate."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Wei Xun bowed, walked out of the plaza, and ordered someone to close the large gate.
"Clang."
The gate closed tightly.
Xiao Mo picked up a peach wood sword from the rack and began practicing the first form of the Caocijian Jue.
When Cultivators first begin to cultivate, the most important thing is to draw Spiritual Qi into the body, thereby opening the Spiritual Veins and entering Qi Refining first layer.
Cultivators with extraordinary Aptitude can reach Qi Refining first layer in an hour.
Cultivators with ordinary Aptitude usually take one to three days to enter Qi.
Those with slightly poorer Aptitude mostly only need a month.
The reason Jiang Qingyi took several months to enter Qi Refining first layer at that time was due to the absence of her Sword Bone.
Missing an Innate bone made her Innately deficient, preventing her from normally absorbing Spiritual Qi into her body.
But after Xiao Mo created a false bone for her.
Even if this bone was not a Sword Bone, it compensated for her Innate deficiency.
Thereafter, her cultivation speed was extremely fast, one could say she advanced a thousand li a day.
Xiao Mo felt that although his root bone was not superior, it could barely be considered average.
"Strive to embark on the path of cultivation within two days."
At the same time, at the Ministry of Rites Minister's residence.
Huang Shangyi, the old palace maid from the imperial palace, opened her mouth and called out to the woman in front of her: "Walk."
The woman moved forward, her steps light and steady, small and slow, truly a "gentle lotus step." As she walked, her body was upright, and her eyes did not stray.
"Stand."
With another call from Huang Shangyi, the woman stopped, her posture tall and straight, her chin slightly tucked, her hands clasped in front of her, right hand over left, her demeanor dignified and serene, like a beautiful sculpture standing there, without the slightest tremor.
"Sit," Huang Shangyi called out again.
The woman sat on the nearby chair, her hips only on the front half of the chair, her back straight, her legs together and angled, her feet together or slightly tucked under her skirt, her hands naturally clasped on her lap.
Looking at the woman in front of her, Huang Shangyinodded, very satisfied.
Huang Shangyi had been instructed by the Empress Dowager to come and train this most talented woman of Zhou in palace etiquette.
Initially, Huang Shangyi was somewhat worried.
Because in not many days, this talented woman would enter the palace, and the time to learn etiquette was truly not long.
But Huang Shangyi found her worries to be superfluous.
One could only say that she was indeed from the Yangreat clan; they had always taught their daughters palace etiquette in preparation for entering the palace.
Now, she only needed to make minor corrections.
Most importantly, in her every movement, a subtle majesty emanated.
It was said that someone in the imperial court had advised that Yan Ruxue of the Yan clan could not serve as the Empress of Zhou.
But if a woman like her could not be Empress, then who could?
"What are the rules for facial expressions within the palace?" Huang Shangyi asked.
"One must maintain a gentle and peaceful demeanor, not showing joy or anger on one's face. One must always remain dignified and reserved, not laughing loudly, being boisterous, crying hysterically, or showing anger," Yan Ruxue replied.
"What about the gaze?"
"The gaze must be lowered or directed straight ahead, not looking around, glancing sideways, or directly staring at the Emperor or Empress Dowager. When speaking, one must maintain a respectful, lowered gaze," Yan Ruxue replied again.
"Hmm," Huang Shangyi nodded, "Young Miss, your palace etiquette has no major issues, but you must practice more, and unconsciously integrate palace etiquette into your daily life."
"Thank you for your hard work, Huang Shangyi. Please have a cup of tea before you leave." Yan Ruxuebowed her head and instructed her maid, "Serve tea to Huang Shangyi."
"Thank you, Young Miss." Huang Shangyi was indeed a bit thirsty.
The old palace maid sat on a stone stool drinking cool tea, and when she looked up, she saw the talented woman of the Yan clan sitting nearby, gently wiping a gold ring with a piece of silk.
Ever since she came to the Yan residence, she would see this woman take out that gold ring and wipe it every day.
The brocade box holding the ring was even somewhat worn with age.
After finishing her tea, Huang Shangyi left the Yanresidence, escorted by Yan Ruxue's personal maid.
"Miss Xiaochun, is there anything special about that ring of the Young Miss?" Huang Shangyi asked curiously.
"I don't know," Xiaochun shook her head. "The Young Miss gently wipes that ring every day, and that brocade box hasn't been replaced for so many years. I once asked the Young Miss what was special about this ring."
"Then what did the Young Miss say?"
"The Young Miss said that she's waiting for someone to put it on her."