“Sister Sili... you’ve gone too far!”

Standing at the entrance of the small courtyard, Ning Wei called softly, a trace of complaint in her voice.

Sili did not answer immediately. She glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then quickly pulled Ning Wei deeper into the courtyard. They stopped behind a tree before Sili finally spoke.

“Ning Wei, why are you here?”

“You still have the nerve to ask...”

Ning Wei puffed out her cheeks.

“Yu Yunwei asked you to come find Brother Xiao. But after you entered the imperial palace, you kept saying you hadn’t found him.”

“Yet the Wind-Listening Pavilion reported that you’ve been staying inside the palace the entire time and never came out.”

“If you hadn’t found Brother Xiao, then why would you remain in the Zhou imperial palace?”

“Doesn’t that prove his reincarnation is here in the palace?”

“And today, when I arrived... I really did see Brother Xiao.”

Ning Wei looked straight at Sili with sincere seriousness.

“Sister Sili, are you really doing what Yu Yunwei suspected? Trying to sneak a taste of Brother Xiao for yourself, so you hid the truth from the rest of us?”

“How could that be? Do you really think I’m that kind of person?”

Sili raised a small fist and lightly knocked Ning Wei on the forehead.

Ning Wei rubbed her head. Her expression carried a faint grievance, as if silently saying: If you’re not that kind of person, then who is?

“Cough... cough...”

Seeing Ning Wei’s expression, Sili felt a little guilty. She cleared her throat a few times before hurriedly explaining.

“Ning Wei, the reason I didn’t tell the sect master or you... I had my own difficulties. You have to understand—things haven’t been easy for me either...”

She sighed, looking genuinely helpless.

“After entering the palace, I very quickly confirmed that the ruler of Zhou is our master’s reincarnation.”

“But when I tried to bring him back to the Western Region...”

“I discovered that the sect master of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect is actually serving in the palace as the National Preceptor.”

“The fact that I haven’t exposed myself already is practically a miracle. Under those circumstances, how could I possibly take our master away?”

Ning Wei jumped in shock.

“You mean... that woman known as the greatest sword immortal under Heaven... the sect master of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, Jiang Qingyi... is in the palace?”

“A sword cultivator in the Ascension Realm... serving as the National Preceptor of such a small mortal dynasty?”

“Mm.”

Sili nodded.

“It sounds unbelievable, but it’s the truth. Who knows what that Jiang immortal lady is thinking?”

“And if it were only her, that might still be manageable.”

“But the two consorts our master married in this life are no ordinary people either. Their cultivation realms are extremely high.”

“I don’t know their identities, but in my judgment...”

“Both of them are at least in the Ascension Realm.”

“Ning Wei, tell me—under circumstances like that, how could I possibly bring our master to the Western Region?”

“Forget taking him out of the palace. Even contacting you would require careful thought. If I’m careless, I might attract their attention.”

“As for secretly taking advantage of our master... do you think I wouldn’t want to—cough—”

Sili hurriedly corrected herself.

“You think I’m that kind of person? Even if those two consorts didn’t eliminate me first, how could I, Sili, do something so disgraceful while our master hasn’t even recovered his past-life memories?”

Ning Wei clutched the hem of her skirt, her expression stunned.

“Three Ascension Realm cultivators... how... how could that even happen...”

Seeing her reaction, Sili knew Ning Wei had believed her story.

She quietly let out a breath of relief.

Jiang Qingyi and those two consorts really were troublesome.

If they weren’t here, she would have already taken advantage of her master long ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) ago.

He would probably still be lying on her stomach, refusing to get up.

But that intention absolutely could not be confirmed out loud.

Just then, Ning Wei suddenly remembered something and looked up sharply.

“Oh no! Sister Sili!”

“What is it?” Sili asked.

Ning Wei’s face turned slightly pale.

“Earlier, Spring Swallow took me to meet Consort Xue...”

“And unlike you, I don’t have the magic artifact Wangxin gave you.”

“So... my cultivation realm might already have been noticed by Consort Xue.”

“....”

Sili’s expression also became serious.

But she quickly steadied herself. She grasped Ning Wei’s shoulders and looked directly into her eyes.

“Ning Wei, don’t panic.”

“It’s possible Consort Xue noticed your cultivation realm. But since she didn’t immediately detain you, it means she has other plans in mind.”

“And from what I’ve observed these past few days, Consort Xue isn’t a bloodthirsty person.”

“From now on, act as if you know nothing. Do whatever you normally would.”

“But remember this—do not communicate with me again.”

“And if Consort Xue ever summons you alone and asks about your identity, then tell her this...”

Sili leaned close and whispered instructions into Ning Wei’s ear.

As Ning Wei listened, her eyes grew brighter and brighter. She nodded repeatedly.

*****

The next morning.

After Bai Ruxue attended His Majesty’s bed through the entire night, Xiao Mo stepped out of the chamber.

He looked refreshed, his complexion even carrying a faint healthy flush.

By contrast, Bai Ruxue seemed slightly weary between the brows.

Whenever the palace maids saw the energetic emperor and the somewhat fatigued consort, they could not help but marvel.

His Majesty was truly formidable.

After all, if a couple battled through the entire night, the one who should look refreshed ought to be their mistress, while His Majesty should be the one stumbling out leaning against the wall.

But the situation was exactly the opposite.

“Consort Xue, you worked hard last night.”

Before leaving the Hall of Congealed Snow, Xiao Mo thanked her.

Throughout the night, Bai Ruxue had once again spent hours guiding and refining the spiritual power within his body.

Xiao Mo knew the process did not harm her cultivation, but it still required effort.

“Your Majesty flatters me. Being able to serve Your Majesty is this consort’s honor.”

Bai Ruxue smiled and bowed slightly.

In truth, guiding Xiao Mo’s spiritual power was not tiring in itself.

After all, Xiao Mo was only in the Foundation Establishment Realm.

What exhausted Bai Ruxue was the need to suppress her own spiritual power.

For someone in the Ascension Realm, Xiao Mo’s meridians and spiritual apertures were as fragile as paper.

If she lost control for even a moment, she might destroy them entirely.

“Rest well, Consort Xue. There is no need to see me off.”

After exchanging a few final words, Xiao Mo returned to his sleeping palace.

Inside the chamber, Xiao Mo closed his eyes and began meditating, preparing to carefully regulate the spiritual power circulating through his body.

But just then, within his mind, the voice of the Book of a Hundred Lives sounded:

“The sixth life of the Book of a Hundred Lives has been prepared.”

“Host, are you ready to enter?”