The Immortal Emperor remained silent, expressionless.
"By the way, do you know which joke I've heard the most recently?" The Empress seemed to be interested and sat up slightly. "It's about the Immortal Emperor's favorite concubine is Consort Min, and his favorite offspring is Princess Xue. Tell me, isn't that funny?"
“Nangong Ziluan!”
The Immortal Emperor growled in a deep voice, interrupting the Emperor and Empress' words.
An invisible pressure spread out, and suddenly countless palace walls collapsed around, but the farmer's courtyard remained intact.
"Emperor Dugu, what are you so excited about? Am I wrong?" Nangong Ziluan said lightly, "Don't think that the Great Qin Dynasty is all in your hands... I just don't want to take care of it. I let you take care of it for a few years. Do you really not take me seriously?"
"But this is my business, I will arrange it myself," Dugudi's face was so gloomy that ink could drip out of it, "Wen Min and Xue'er's affairs... I will take care of them."
"Of course, your taking concubines and having children have nothing to do with me, but all these extra things have implicated me." Nangong Ziluan smiled brightly, "So it's reasonable for me to come out and move around for a while, right?"
Almost all the emperor's sons and princesses are born to the emperor's concubines. Currently, there is no Immortal Emperor or Empress who has not given birth to children.
Everyone in the world thought that it was because the realms of the two were too high and it was difficult for them to have offspring, but in fact... it was because the Immortal Emperor and the Empress were husband and wife in name only, but never in reality.
The Emperor Clan is the royal family that rules the Great Qin Immortal Realm, and the Immortal Emperor Dugu can be said to be the first generation ancestor of the Emperor Clan.
When he was conquering all the way from a small tribe to the entire Great Qin Dynasty, the greatest help Emperor Dugu received came from the Nangong clan, which had a long history.
The patriarch of the Nangong clan, Nangong Ziluan, personally went into battle and solved many problems for Emperor Dugu, before finally establishing the Great Qin Dynasty.
The Nangong clan, who have always been rare, rarely participates in the affairs of the Immortal Dynasty, but because their contribution in the process of establishing the dynasty is so great, it is difficult to ignore it.
However, Emperor Dugu did not dare to appoint Nangong Ziluan as a titled general and let the Nangong clan control the military power, for fear that the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty would be split one day.
They didn't even dare to let her join the political situation. After all, the Nangong family, as an ancient hidden family, had great prestige.
Therefore, after several rounds of planning, Nangong Ziluan finally accepted the title of empress, moved into the Moon Palace, and became the empress and queen who was second only to the emperor and above everyone else in the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty.
In essence, the relationship between the two parties is a cooperative one.
Otherwise... given the equal status of both parties, how could the Emperor and Empress allow the Immortal Emperor to take a concubine so openly
This is not for yourself... Nangong Ziluan is not a "generous" person.
After his anger subsided a little, Emperor Dugu also realized that the things he had done were indeed not very nice.
Especially Wen Min, he shouldn't have been treated in such a miserable state now.
But... he firmly believed that his doting on his daughter, Princess Snow, was real, and he would never take advantage of her as Nangong Ziluan mocked.
"Did Wen Min say something he shouldn't have said?"
After Emperor Dugu calmed down, he asked in a deep voice.
"Maybe he wanted to say it but didn't say it," Nangong Ziluan said casually, "But he did mention that troublesome little human kid in the southern wilderness. It seems that they have a good relationship."
Her eyes were still on the bare branches, patiently waiting for the birth of the first flower bud after the heavy snow.
Perhaps it will take several months to see this process.
But the empress was very patient.
She has always been very patient.
"You mean, that little guy in the Nascent Soul stage," Dugudi frowned slightly, "I have heard of it, but the barbarians of the monster tribe have been fighting each other for a long time, how could they be pacified by a young Nascent Soul? This matter is already strange.
"Although Wen Min is from the south, he should be a little far away from the wild areas..."
"Why don't you go to the south and find a concubine?" Nangong Ziluan raised her eyebrows. "Besides, that one also seems to have white hair..."
"... I think we're talking about business."
"There is never any serious business, Emperor Dugu." Nangong Ziluan retracted her gaze and returned to the branches, "My serious business is to appreciate the flowers."
Emperor Dugu had a cold face. He had always avoided meeting Nangong Ziluan because Nangong Ziluan was like a thorn, piercing him and the Great Qin Dynasty, constantly reminding him.
This vast Immortal Dynasty does not only belong to the Imperial Clan, but also to sixteen hidden ancient clans including the Nangong Clan. Nangong Ziluan is their representative.
Emperor Dugu turned around and left, but when he was about to step out of the courtyard, Nangong Ziluan's voice slowly rang out,
"Wen Min will soon pass away. Do you need me to bury His Majesty?"
Dugudi paused, his face expressionless.
"No need to trouble you, madam."
... ... .
After passing through the teleportation array and leaving the cold palace, Luo Xue returned to the familiar palace.
As she regained consciousness after her trance, the old lady of etiquette came over and supported Luo Xue, saying in a gentle voice,
"Your Highness, are you all right?"
She also signaled to the palace maids around her, asking them to bring the nourishing soup that they had prepared earlier.
Luo Xue was originally fine, but in order to avoid arousing suspicion, she cooperated and was supported by the old lady of etiquette, so that she sat on a chair and drank the nourishing soup.
It seems that because Princess Snow has a mortal body, the direct effect of the nourishing soup is not very strong, but it is quite long-lasting.
After taking it, Luo Xue could clearly feel her soul being constantly nourished, and even her vision became much clearer.
When the etiquette officer saw Luo Xue recover, she immediately dismissed her attendants and asked nervously,
"Your Highness, did Concubine Min... talk to you about anything?"
"It seems... nothing," Luo Xue said vaguely, "just some of her old friends or something..."
She didn't dare to say that Concubine Min asked her to escape from the imperial palace, because once she said that, she really couldn't leave.
Luo Xue knew very well in her heart that she couldn't stay in the Imperial Palace forever.
What Luo Xue had seen and heard in the past few days had made her realize that the Imperial Palace was no different from a cage to her.
"Southern?"
The old lady of etiquette frowned, a hint of doubt flashed across her wrinkled face, but soon she relaxed again.
"It's okay, Your Highness. Just take a rest. You can skip today's class."
Chapter 160: Journey out of the palace, Nangong Mian’s hometown
"... ..."
At this moment, the fleeting expression of surprise on the face of the old etiquette officer was seen by Luo Xue, and her expression became slightly serious.
From her expression and words, it can be seen that the old lady of etiquette should know about this matter.
I know "Luo Xue" and I also know that Emperor Min's concubine is acquainted with "Luo Xue".
But he did not choose to tell her about the daughter of Emperor Min's concubine...
There must be something hidden behind this.
However, Luo Xue did not choose to ask further questions.
Since the old lady of etiquette had no intention of telling her, even if Luo Xue asked herself, it would probably be of no use.
"Since there are no classes today, Mammy, can I go out of the palace for a walk alone?"
Luo Xue blinked her eyes, a look of joy emerged on her face, and she looked at the old etiquette officer hopefully.
"... You can leave the palace, but I'm afraid you can't do it alone, Your Highness. This is for your safety."
At this time, the old lady of etiquette relaxed a little.
"Your Highness, you must be annoyed by my constant nagging. I won't follow you, but someone still needs to protect you."
"It's not that I dislike Madam, I just want to go out and relax..." Luo Xue lowered her head slightly, looking at the ground and said, "Yes, it's okay to have someone accompany me... But I don't want someone from the palace."
The people in the palace are too shrewd, and Luo Xue's every move will be watched too closely. She doesn't want to continue to make herself uncomfortable after leaving the palace.
At this moment, the old etiquette officer was stunned. She suddenly realized that His Highness had just left the cold palace not long ago, and he might not have recovered from his experience in the cold palace and with his mother.
The depressed haze must be dispelled sometime. The people in the imperial palace will remind her of bad things, so she definitely can't do it... It seems that I can only ask her for help.
"I understand, I understand. Your Highness just wants to go out for a parade with Nangong Mian. I will contact her for you." The old etiquette officer said quietly.
"Sister Mian? Okay, okay!"
Hearing this, Luo Xue showed a happy expression, this time it seemed to be true.
After all, this is a pleasant surprise, and Nangong Mian is a simple girl who is easy to fool.
And Luo Xue also wanted to know more about the Nangong family.
But after seeing the expression of the old lady, Luo Xue seemed to realize something. She coughed awkwardly a few times and lowered her head slightly.
"Ahem"
Did I appear a little too happy... Mammy still has some weird misunderstandings that she hasn't resolved yesterday.
Looking at Princess Snow who seemed to be getting shy, the old etiquette officer could only sigh.
Your Highness really hasn't given up yet... I don't know whether my worries yesterday were true or not.
Well, in a few days anyway, Nangong Mian will have to leave the holy land of the imperial clan.
They didn't know how many years would pass before they met again.
By then, Your Highness will have grown up and know how to let go of some inappropriate emotions.
"Your Highness, please wait in the bedroom for a while. I will go and prepare..."
The old lady, the etiquette officer, stood up, paused, and then said,
"But I still have to remind you that even in the Holy Land of the Imperial Family, where your majesty shines with glory, there are still many good and bad people. Your Highness needs to keep a low profile and don't make it public."
"Yeah, I see."
Luo Xue nodded obediently and sat on the bed.
Upon seeing this, the old etiquette officer said no more. After bowing, she turned around and hurriedly left Luo Xue's room.
... ...
At noon, at the holy land of the imperial clan.
The imperial clan's palace complex hangs on the top of the fairy mountain, and surrounding the entire fairy mountain is the famous imperial clan's holy land, the Great Qin Imperial Capital.
As the most central place of the entire Great Qin Immortal Dynasty, it gathers the fortune of the entire Great Qin Immortal Dynasty. It is also a place blessed by the Immortal Emperor, comparable to the most superior blessed land.
Moreover, rather than being an imperial capital or a city, the Qin Empire is more like a vast country.
The area covered by the imperial capital is comparable to one of the nine states.
Except for those who were born in the capital, cultivators who are able to enter the capital of the Qin Empire must at least start from the foundation-building stage.
In other words, a foundation-building cultivator who can call the shots in a city in the four regions of the Nine Provinces can only be barely regarded as a "human" in the imperial capital of the Great Qin.
The prosperous imperial capital is divided into several areas, like a ring within a ring.
The deeper you go, the higher the quality of the spiritual energy will be, and therefore, the level of residence and entry allowed will also increase accordingly.
Only members of the imperial family are allowed to live in the core first and second ring areas. Although the imperial family is not as extensive as some ancient families, it does not have only a few royal members.
Luo Xue has six older brothers and four older sisters. Most of them have already started their own families and have descendants. The oldest one has been passed down for more than a hundred generations.
If we really call her by generation, we should call her Grandma Luo Xue...
Of course, Luo Xue has a title, and she is generally respectfully addressed as "Her Royal Highness Princess Snow."
The most noble members of the imperial family, like Luo Xue, of course live in the imperial palace.
The second place is within the first and second ring areas of the Qin imperial capital.
It is worth mentioning that Nangong Mian's residence is arranged within the first ring area, because she is the emperor and empress's person - the emperor and empress, after all, are considered to be the emperor's family...
However, Luo Xue was not interested in the first and second rings. She found the Imperial Palace boring, let alone these places that were deliberately designed to imitate the Imperial Palace.
The same is true for the inner rings. She came out intending to understand the situation in this world personally, so that she would have a clear destination when she escapes in the future and not be like a headless fly.
Everything has to be planned in advance, and Luo Xue increasingly feels that this is necessary.
But the old lady who was the etiquette officer in the outer rings would not agree. It was true that the Imperial Capital could be called the safest place in the world, but Princess Snow's identity was so precious that there could not be any mistake, so they chose the fifteenth ring area as a compromise.
At this time, a petite girl in a light gauze hat was walking in front with great interest, while another slightly taller girl was following behind, yawning and sleepy.
"Xue... slow down..."
Nangong Mian rubbed his eyes, forced them open, and sighed.