Xiao Mo took out the Celestial Dao Marrow Cleansing Liquid and, without a second thought, drank it.

Unlike the tyrannical energy of the Dragon Thunder Liquid, the Celestial Dao Marrow Cleansing Liquid was comparatively much gentler.

Xiao Mo felt a warm current slowly course through his body, an incredibly comfortable sensation.

By the time Xiao Mo came to his senses, an hour had passed. His entire body had expelled filth and impurities.

Fortunately, Xiao Mo had already moved into the Spiritual Spring Palace. He quickly went to the Spiritual Spring Pool and soaked comfortably in the bath.

After washing away the filth, Xiao Mo had no idea how his current talent compared to the other Cultivators in the world.

’But it shouldn’t be too bad, logically speaking.’

While soaking in the bath, Xiao Mo also examined the other rewards from the Hundred Generations Book.

Most of the rewards were of no use to Xiao Mo at the moment.

The Blood Demon Saber Technique, for example.

Xiao Mo’s practice of the Grass Character Sword Intent was going quite smoothly, and he also had the National Master from the Wanjian Sect to guide him. For now, there was no need to practice the Blood Demon Saber Technique.

’I don’t have enough energy for it, and it would be easy to expose myself.’

’And as for the Blood Tyrant Qi, I have to keep that hidden for now, too. I can’t let anyone notice anything unusual, or it’ll be hard to explain.’

In any case, Xiao Mo’s current goal was quite clear: cultivate diligently. Then, once his Realm was high enough, he would find the right moment to chop off Yan Shanao’s dog head.

’After I take control of the Imperial Court, I’ll see if I can send Jiang Rou away. Otherwise, I’ll always be worried about exposing the Hundred Generations Book’s rewards in front of her.’

"Your Majesty."

Before long, Wei Xun’s voice came from outside the door.

"Get me dressed."

The moment he heard Wei Xun’s voice, Xiao Mo knew something was up. After all, the old man never came looking for him unless it was important.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Several Maids came forward and carefully helped Xiao Mo dress.

After putting on his Daoist Robe, Xiao Mo walked out of the Spiritual Spring Palace.

"What is it?" Xiao Mo asked Wei Xun, standing at the entrance of the Spiritual Spring Palace.

"Reporting to Your Majesty," Wei Xun said with the utmost respect. "The envoy from the Qin Kingdom is about to enter the Imperial City."

"So soon?"

Xiao Mo was taken aback for a moment.

His wedding ceremony was still five days away.

Xiao Mo had thought the Qin envoy would take at least a few more days to arrive. He hadn’t expected them to be so quick.

"It is indeed a bit fast..." Wei Xun nodded, his expression somewhat complicated.

He looked as if he wanted to say something but didn’t know how to bring it up with his majesty.

Seeing Wei Xun’s hesitation, Xiao Mo frowned. "If you have something to say, just say it. What, are you going to be secretive with me now, too?"

"This old servant wouldn’t dare!"

Wei Xun quickly knelt and kowtowed several times.

"Then just say it," Xiao Mo said with a wave of his hand.

"Re... Reporting to Your Majesty. The Sovereign of Qin was originally supposed to visit our Great Zhou. However, we received a letter from the Qin envoy. It stated that due to some matters in the Qin court, the Sovereign of Qin is unable to get away."

"Therefore, he has sent his younger sister—Princess Qingyang—to act as envoy in his stead," Wei Xun explained.

"Is that all? And here I was, thinking it was something serious. So Princess Qingyang is coming. Why are you so nervous?" Xiao Mo asked.

"Well..." Wei Xun’s eyes darted back and forth. "Princess Qingyang has brought some things with her this time."

"What things?"

Wei Xun swallowed hard. "A dowry and a marriage certificate."

Xiao Mo’s mind went blank.

He froze.

"What did you say?"

"Your Majesty, this is the letter from the Sovereign of Qin. It includes Princess Qingyang’s ’eight characters’ of birth."

Wei Xun wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"The Sovereign of Qin hopes that Your Majesty will marry Princess Qingyang to form a century-long alliance between our two kingdoms."

...

「Meanwhile, on Xuanwu Avenue in the Zhou Imperial City, commoners lined both sides of the street.」

A procession of white steeds snorted, walking leisurely down the street.

These white horses were called Snow-Trampling Horses. They possessed the bloodline of the Ancient One-Horned Snow Horse, could travel ten thousand li in a single day, and were pure white all over. Their exceptionally noble appearance made them a favorite among most dynasties.

They held their heads high with pride, their steps steady. They even seemed to look upon the common folk of the Imperial City with a hint of disdain.

The soldiers riding the Snow-Trampling Horses were all powerfully built. They wore snow-white armor and ferocious, silver demonic masks. They carried long spears, wore long sabers at their waists, and had great bows slung over their backs.

The armor covered them completely.

The only thing visible were the eyes beneath their iron masks, which glinted with a chilling, murderous intent.

The children watching from the sidelines were so frightened they trembled, not daring to make a sound.

This was the strongest elite force of the Qin Kingdom, the one that had swept through ten surrounding states—the Snow-Trampling Heavy Cavalry.

In the midst of the three hundred Snow-Trampling Heavy Cavalry was a red carriage.

The carriage’s vibrant red, set against the cavalry, was like a plum blossom blooming in the snow.

Inside the carriage sat two women. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

One was dressed as a Maid, while the other wore the ceremonial robes of a Princess, symbolizing the highest rites of the Qin Kingdom.

The Maid, Ming Yue, looked at Her Majesty, her thin lips pressed tightly together, clearly wanting to speak but holding back.

Ming Yue’s mind was in turmoil.

’It was true that the ancestors of the Zhou Kingdom and the Qin Kingdom had shared some camaraderie.’

’But after so much time, not much of that camaraderie remained.’

’For the Sovereign of Zhou’s wedding ceremony, the Qin Kingdom sending an envoy with congratulatory gifts was already a sign of great respect.’

’But who would have thought that Her Majesty would come to offer congratulations in person?’

’Coming in person would have been one thing, but just a short while ago, Her Majesty made an even bolder decision.’

’Her Majesty proposed a marriage to the Sovereign of Zhou, wanting "Princess Qingyang" to marry him.’

’Others might not know who "Princess Qingyang" was, but how could I not?’

’"Princess Qingyang" was another identity Her Majesty used.’

’In other words, Her Majesty was going to marry herself to this Sovereign of Zhou!’

’When I first learned of this, I thought I must be dreaming.’

’After all, a sovereign marrying another sovereign? When had such a thing ever happened?’

’And to do it right when the Sovereign of Zhou was about to get married...’

’Is Her Majesty planning to steal the groom?’

’Besides, even if Her Majesty married the Sovereign of Zhou, where would she live afterward?’

’Would she abandon the Qin Kingdom from now on?’

’Or did she plan to bring the Sovereign of Zhou back to the Qin Kingdom?’

’Most importantly, I truly look down on that Sovereign of Zhou.’

’That Sovereign of Zhou has already lost power. He can’t even control his own Imperial Court.’

’Although it wasn’t entirely his fault that he’d been reduced to a figurehead...’

’...I had heard that he had given up the struggle and was now obsessed with Daoist Skills, paying no mind to court affairs.’

’For an Emperor to be so self-defeating...’

’How could a man like that possibly be worthy of Her Majesty?’

"Princess, we have arrived at the Qin Envoy’s Mansion."

Just as Ming Yue was about to try and dissuade Her Majesty, the voice of a General of the Snow-Stepping Cavalry came from outside the carriage.

"Understood." Qin Siyao slowly opened her eyes.

Ming Yue quickly gathered her thoughts, lifted the carriage curtain, and helped Her Majesty alight from the carriage.

"Ming Yue, go and do something for me."

Before entering the Envoy’s Mansion, Qin Siyao gave an order to her personal maid.

"What is it that the Princess commands of this servant?" Ming Yue asked.

"Send an invitation to Yan Ruxue, the daughter of Minister Yan."

Qin Siyao turned her head, looking in the direction of the Minister of Rites’ Mansion, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"I’ve heard that Yan Ruxue, the foremost talent of the Zhou Kingdom, is brilliant and well-versed in both ancient and modern knowledge.

"This Princess would like to meet this foremost talent of the Zhou Kingdom in person."

...

...

[I’m having surgery for an umbilical hernia tomorrow. I spent all day today getting check-ups and I’m exhausted, so I’ll just post a filler Chapter for now.

Surgery is tomorrow, and I get discharged the morning after.

As for tomorrow, we’ll see. I’ll try to write more before I go into the operating room. After I’m out, once the anesthesia wears off, I’ll keep writing if I can. If not, I might have to take a day off tomorrow.

I hope you esteemed readers can forgive me.

P.S. When I get out of surgery tomorrow, if I can catch the BLG match, I hope they don’t play so badly that my anger makes my stitches burst.]