The eunuch in the cold palace: You get the Nine Yang Divine Skill right from the start!

"Your Majesty, I am willing to share your burdens!"

After much internal deliberation, Shen Mo made this decision.

Refusing might anger the emperor.

Furthermore, it's time to cultivate our own power.

Upon hearing this, Chu Chengjing's expression softened, and he said with satisfaction, "This is truly my wise minister! I will immediately write an edict, which you will personally deliver to Cao Lingkun, instructing him to assist in the personnel relocation."

Having said that, he immediately wrote an imperial edict and affixed the imperial seal.

Shen Mo left with this weighty imperial edict.

As soon as he stepped out of the Imperial Study, he saw Xiao Xizi waiting outside.

Shen Mo instantly became alert and tentatively asked, "Little Xizi, does His Majesty summon you for something?"

"No, I came here specifically to wait for Eunuch Shen."

After Xiao Xizi finished speaking, the aura that had been hidden was finally revealed.

Nine levels of Body Refinement!

From the third level of Body Refinement when Shen Mo left, to the ninth level now, only a few months have passed.

"Good lad!"

Shen Mo couldn't help but pat him on the shoulder in praise, while secretly testing him and discovering that his stable qi and blood were not achieved by some quick-fix drugs, which made him feel even more relieved.

Xiao Xizi smiled sheepishly, "Compared to Steward Shen, I'm nothing! But I just broke through and came to share this good news with you as soon as possible."

Remembering his promise, Shen Mo nodded slightly and said, "Follow me!"

Back to the residence.

He rummaged through his old spoils and gave away the pill he had taken from Wu De.

"Steward Shen, what is this?"

"This is a Breakthrough Pill, which can help a martial artist at the ninth level of Body Refinement break through to the Blood Transformation stage. However, the side effect is that their cultivation will never improve again in this lifetime. You should think carefully about whether to use it or not."

Shen Mo explained the pros and cons clearly, leaving the choice to Xiao Xizi.

Xiao Xizi stared at the pill for a long time, then shook his head and pushed it back: "I appreciate Eunuch Shen's kindness, and reaching the Blood Core Realm is certainly my goal, but... I also want to see the scenery of the Blood Core Realm!"

Reaching the Blood Transformation Realm is already quite strong in the secular world, but it's still a bit lacking for true masters.

Only by condensing blood into a pill and reaching the Blood Pill Realm can one be considered a first-rate master!

Shen Mo was not surprised by his decision and waved his hand, saying, "I never take back what I give away. You can sell this Breakthrough Pill to some people who need it and exchange it for cultivation resources."

"Well... alright! Xiao Xizi thanks Eunuch Shen! Without you, Xiao Xizi wouldn't be where she is today."

Xiao Xizi was about to kneel down when Shen Mo stopped him first.

Shen Mo shook his head and said, "There's no need for these formalities. I'm actually very happy that you made this choice! Keep this childlike heart, and I believe that one day you will achieve your wish."

Xiao Xizi nodded emphatically.

He doesn't need words of thanks for a great kindness; he will repay the kindness with practical actions.

"Let me give you a heads-up: His Majesty just established the Western Depot and appointed me as its supervisor. If you're willing after you move to the Blood Realm, I can work around the clock to get you out of the palace and into the Western Depot."

"Congratulations on your promotion, Manager! I will definitely work hard!"

Xiao Xizi was extremely excited; he was so eager to improve!

The head eunuch is basically the ceiling for ordinary eunuchs; the only way to get higher is to become the chief eunuch, like Shen Mo.

But there are only a few positions for the chief eunuch, so it's almost impossible for him to get one.

With all avenues for advancement blocked, leaving the palace became the only hope.

The high walls and thick courtyards of the palace not only locked up the concubines in the harem, but also locked up the eunuchs and palace maids. Even the lowest-ranking eunuchs might not have the chance to leave the palace for ten years.

"Go."

Shen Mo left the small courtyard and eventually arrived at Fengyi Palace.

Xiao Yishu and Le Yao are playing chess.

Le Yao hesitated, her mind completely elsewhere on the chessboard. She made a mistake in a daze, and quickly said after regaining her composure:

"Oh dear, no, no, sister-in-law, this move doesn't count."

Xiao Yishu said meaningfully, "Life is like a game of chess; once you've made your move, you can't go back on it."

"Well said!"

Shen Mo couldn't help but clap. Le Yao turned her head and saw him, asking curiously, "Shen Mo, when did you get here? I didn't even notice!"

"The princess's attention was entirely focused on the chessboard, so she naturally didn't notice my presence."

He didn't make any attempt to hide his presence when he arrived, entirely because Yue Yao was too focused; clearly, she wasn't focused on the game of chess.

Le Yao shook her head and said, "I guess I didn't sleep well last night."

"Princess, please wait a moment. I've recently invented a new dish." Shen Mo was about to grab paper and pen to write it down when Le Yao waved her hand and said, "Let's do it another day. I haven't been interested in food lately."

After saying that, he took his leave.

"What's wrong with her?"

Shen Mo couldn't help but wonder why Chu Leyao, this princess who loved to eat so much, hadn't even shown any interest in new delicacies.

Xiao Yishu smiled faintly and said, "What else could it be for? His Majesty bestowed a marriage upon her a few days ago."

"A marriage decree?"

"Yes, His Majesty has already notified the Nanzhao Kingdom and the Beiliang Kingdom, asking them to send their princes to Daqian so that Leyao can choose one of them to marry on a chosen date."

Upon hearing this, Shen Mo frowned and said, "Isn't this ridiculous?"

He could understand the emperor's intentions, but understanding did not mean he agreed with them.

At present, the Great Qian Dynasty is beset by internal and external troubles. The war with the Prince of Yan has not yet ended. The entire Great Qian Dynasty is destined to enter a long period of recuperation. During this period, it is natural to appease all parties.

Nanzhao and Beiliang are of paramount importance!

These two countries are much smaller than the Great Qian in area, but their people are fierce, brave, and warlike. Since the founding of the Great Qian hundreds of years ago, they have launched countless attacks.

"How is this nonsense? Men should marry when they come of age and women should marry when they come of age, and you are well aware of the current situation."

Xiao Yishu picked up her teacup, took a sip, and continued, "I think this is a good move."

"Peace cannot be obtained by seeking peace."

Shen Mo couldn't help but shake his head repeatedly.

Chinese history has proven that any attempt to seek peace only leads to further aggression from the other side, which the enemy will only see as a sign of weakness.

Xiao Yishu scoffed and asked, "You wouldn't happen to have designs on our eldest princess, would you?"

"I'm just stating the facts. What kind of thoughts could I possibly have about her?"

To be honest, Shen Mo had no intention of becoming a prince consort; he simply disapproved of the emperor's plan to use his own sister for a political marriage.

Clearly, Chu Leyao didn't like it either.

But she also knew very well that the Great Qian Dynasty had reached a point where it needed her to make sacrifices, otherwise she wouldn't be in such pain and conflict.

Xiao Yishu leaned on Shen Mo's back and said helplessly, "I was the same way back then. Because my family needed me, I married His Majesty. This kind of thing has always been the case."

Shen Mo said meaningfully, "Just because it's always been this way, does that make it right?"

"What can you and I change?"

Xiao Yishu still didn't believe that Shen Mo could change the course of events.

"His Majesty dotes on his younger sister, the Eldest Princess, doesn't he?"

"Indeed, His Majesty only has one younger sister, Yueyao, so naturally he dotes on her. Otherwise, he wouldn't have let her choose for herself, but instead bestowed her upon a prince of another country."

"Then there's a chance things can change!"