Beauties in Simulation Cross over into Reality

Listening to the line of poetry she recited and looking into her eyes, Xiao Mo was slightly taken aback.

Her limpid eyes made Xiao Mo’s heart tremble. A strange sense of guilt and remorse quietly welled up within him, along with an indescribable emotion that left him at a loss for words.

“Is something the matter, sir? Have you perhaps never heard this poem before?” Yan Ruxue asked with a light smile, covering her lips with her sleeve.

“I have heard it, yes, but I never expected it to be that particular line.”

Xiao Mo snapped out of his daze, smiling as he shook his head.

’This poem didn’t just exist in the Celestial Dynasty of my past life; it’s here as well.’

’It’s just that here, this poem, *Xiang Si*, was written by the King of Yun’s Prime Minister, from one of the Human Race Dynasties, and is widely known.’

“That’s why I said this poem is especially difficult to guess,” Yan Ruxue said.

Xiao Mo just smiled, saying nothing. He knew she was just trying to help him save face.

“Let’s try a couple more times, or we’ll become a laughingstock,” Xiao Mo suggested.

“Alright,” Yan Ruxue agreed. “How about I do the guessing this time?”

“Of course.”

Afterward, Xiao Mo and Yan Ruxue took turns guessing a few more poems. They both answered correctly and received two boxes of pastries as a prize.

Before long, the famous virtuoso of Zhencha House—Miss Sisi—arrived.

Xiao Mo and Yan Ruxue sat at a table near the window, drinking tea and eating pastries as they listened to Miss Sisi play the zither.

As he listened to the music and watched the people coming and going on the street below, Xiao Mo’s mind began to wander.

The gloom that had plagued him from being cooped up deep within the palace seemed to suddenly dissipate.

“Say, if that certain someone in the Imperial Palace chooses a companion for the Poem Lantern Festival tonight, who do you think it will be? Princess Qingyang, or our Zhou Kingdom’s own talented lady?”

“I bet it’ll be Princess Qingyang. You have to give the Sovereign of Qin some face, after all.”

“My money’s on the daughter of the Yan Clan. No matter what, Empress Dowager Yan and Yan Shanao are the ones who really run the court.”

“You’re all so shortsighted,”

another man said with a laugh.

“Why can’t it be both of them? People in the Imperial City have been betting on whose bedchambers His Majesty will visit first. I say His Majesty has a perfect solution: summon the daughter of the Yan Clan and Princess Qingyang at the same time. Wouldn’t that be the fairest?”

“COUGH! COUGH! COUGH…”

Xiao Mo had just lifted his teacup for a sip when he overheard the discussion at the next table and choked.

“Are you alright, sir?” Yan Ruxue asked with concern, quickly offering him a handkerchief.

“I’m fine.” Xiao Mo took it instinctively and wiped his mouth, only then realizing it was her handkerchief. “I’ll buy you a new one later, miss.”

“A handkerchief is hardly a treasure. You’re too kind, sir,” Yan Ruxue said with a smile.

“How dare they discuss the affairs of the imperial family! Sir, allow this old servant to go teach them a lesson!” Wei Xun said to Xiao Mo.

“Forget it. It’s a trivial matter. I imagine the Emperor in the palace wouldn’t care anyway, so let’s not spoil the mood.” Xiao Mo waved his hand dismissively.

“Yes…” Wei Xun could only drop the matter.

Xiao Chun, who was standing to the side, was also taken aback by Xiao Mo’s reaction.

’I didn’t expect His Majesty to be so magnanimous. I thought for sure he’d be angry.’

’Still, I’d love to ask His Majesty who he’ll choose to warm his bed first.’

But just as Xiao Chun was about to speak, her mistress gave her a subtle pat on the thigh, and she had no choice but to keep her mouth shut.

An hour later, the zither music came to an end. Miss Sisi stood up and gave a graceful bow.

The crowd applauded, and Xiao Mo had Wei Xun give her some silver as a reward.

By the time Xiao Mo and Yan Ruxue left Zhencha House, it was already after ten o’clock at night.

But the lively atmosphere on the streets had not diminished, seeming as if it would last until dawn.

“Miss… we should be heading back.”

Xiao Chun said softly to her mistress, glancing up at the moon.

Although Xiao Chun didn’t want to interrupt her mistress’s time with His Majesty, the Yan Mansion had a curfew. If she didn’t return, her mother would be furious.

“Yes, I know.” Yan Ruxue nodded and turned to the man before her. “Sir, it’s getting late. I’m afraid I must take my leave. Please forgive me.”

“Not at all, miss. It is indeed late, and you should get some rest. We must be heading back as well.” Xiao Mo bowed respectfully. “Having your company today has made this Poem Lantern Festival all the more vibrant.”

“I was also very happy to have your company tonight, sir.” Yan Ruxue smiled and dipped her head. “I will take my leave, then.”

Xiao Mo nodded. “Take care, miss.”

After Yan Ruxue and Xiao Chun gave a final bow, they turned and departed.

Xiao Mo glanced toward the western part of the city. ’I wonder why Fairy Jiang hasn’t returned yet.’

“Your Majesty,” Wei Xun asked from beside Xiao Mo, “should we… go look for the National Master?”

“No need. When the National Master has finished her business, she will return on her own.” Xiao Mo snapped his fan shut. “Come, we’re going back as well.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Wei Xun said no more and followed behind Xiao Mo, heading in the direction of the Imperial Palace.

“Oh, right, Wei Xun. Go and find out who makes the best candied hawthorns in the Imperial City,” Xiao Mo instructed.

“Your Majesty, is this for…?” Wei Xun had a faint inkling of Xiao Mo’s intentions.

“From now on, have a Palace Maid deliver a skewer of candied hawthorns to the National Preceptor’s Mansion every day,” Xiao Mo said.

“Yes,” Wei Xun quickly answered.

“Jewelry for sale! Last few pieces of jewelry…”

As Xiao Mo passed a small stall, an old woman was hawking her wares with gusto.

Xiao Mo stopped and turned to look.

“Care to buy one, young master? It would make a fine gift for your wife or your mother,” the old woman asked Xiao Mo.

Xiao Mo didn’t answer, his gaze fixed on a particular necklace lying on the table.

“Sir, is something the matter?” Wei Xun stepped forward and asked quietly.

“It’s nothing.” Xiao Mo shook his head, reached out, and picked up the necklace.

A single die was attached to the necklace, and nestled inside the die was a red bean.

Xiao Mo pulled the young woman’s handkerchief from his sleeve. The embroidery on it was the very same design.

“The exquisite dice hold red beans of longing; this lovesickness, to the bone, I wonder if you know.”

The stall owner smiled as she looked at the handkerchief.

“That handkerchief must be from your sweetheart, right, young master? How very thoughtful of her.”

…

Beneath the red lanterns, Yan Ruxue and Xiao Chun walked toward the Yan Mansion.

But every few steps, Yan Ruxue would glance back over her shoulder.

“Miss, you’re doing it again, just like last time. We haven’t even walked a hundred paces, and you’ve already looked back four or five times,” Xiao Chun pouted. “It’s no use looking back! His Majesty is long gone; you can’t see him anymore.”

“Who says I can’t see him?” Yan Ruxue’s eyes crinkled into a smile as she gently poked Xiao Chun’s forehead. “I can see him perfectly clearly.”

“Then tell me, Miss, what is His Majesty doing?” Xiao Chun asked, her face a mask of disbelief. ’He’s already vanished into the crowd.’

“He is…”

Yan Ruxue clasped her hands in front of her and looked back once more.

“He’s over there, where the lantern lights are few and far between, staring off foolishly into space.”