Li Mu really didn't dare to have any objections to what the Empress had said.
If he rejected her now, after tonight, he would have to beg the Empress to move into Changle Palace the next morning.
She looked quite magnanimous, but in reality, she was more petty than anyone else.
If she was slightly dissatisfied, Li Mu would just have to wait to meet her in her dreams at night.
Besides, she also promised to help Xiao Bai and Wanwan evolve. This was also something Li Mu couldn't reject.
With Wanwan and Xiao Bai's current cultivation, there was already very little that Li Mu could help them with. However, following the Empress would undoubtedly bring them great benefits. He didn't dare to say that he could help them reach Realm Six, but it wouldn't be a problem to help them reach Realm Five or Realm Four.
Under Mr. Mei's lead, Wanwan and Xiao Bai went to the imperial kitchen to clean out. After all, she was his silly girl. She was so unruly. Li Mu felt a little embarrassed. He explained, "When she was young, Wanwan's hometown was in a famine. When her parents brought her to escape, they left her on the road to save food for her younger brother. She almost starved to death. Later, she was lucky enough to survive, but she ended up with the problem of not being able to eat enough …"
Wanwan's illness was psychological, not physical.
In the past, Li Mu was worried that her body would have problems eating, but now he didn't have to worry.
As long as she liked, she could eat as much as she wanted.
Zhou Yi said somewhat angrily, "Should she be abandoned just because she's a girl?"
Li Mu couldn't answer her. Many people in Great Zhou still had the goal of continuing the family line as their life goal. The idea of favoring boys over girls was the mainstream in the hearts of the people.
Li Mu could say, "Not everyone likes sons. I prefer daughters. One of the most romantic things for a man is to have a cute daughter, buy her the most beautiful clothes, make her the most fun toys, and spoil her like a little princess …"
Zhou Yi looked at him and asked, "You want your daughter to become a princess?"
Li Mu was stunned for a moment before he explained, "It's just a metaphor."
If his daughter was a princess, the Empress would have to give him the position of Emperor.
Zhou Yi thought about it and said, "Since you don't like sons so much, give your first son to me."
“？？？？？”
Li Mu looked at her in a daze, his face full of confusion.
Why should I pass the throne to an outsider? The Xiao family is not united with me, and I am no longer a member of the Zhou Yi. Your first son was sent to my side when he was born, and he took my surname. I taught him to cultivate from a young age, and you taught him how to govern the country. I believe that when he grows up, he will definitely be a qualified emperor. "
Li Mu had thought that the Empress had already exploited him enough. He had not thought that she could go even further.
Not only did she have designs on him, but she also had plans for his unborn son's life.
Li Mu flatly refused, "That won't do. Even if I agree, my wife won't."
Zhou Yi said, "That might not be the case."
Li Mu shook his head and said, "Even if they agree, I won't."
Zhou Yi asked, "I want to raise your son as the future Emperor. Why won't you agree?"
Li Mu had no reason to agree.
He was the future headmaster of the Fu-lu School. His son could be considered the second generation of an immortal. His status was not lower than that of the Great Zhou's Crown Prince. Moreover, in the history of the Great Zhou, none of the Emperors had lived long. He knew how tiring it was to review memorials. How could he let his own son suffer like this?
He did not answer directly. Instead, he looked at the Empress and said, "If Your Majesty wants a son, why go through so much trouble?"
The Empress's eyes narrowed slightly. She looked at him and asked, "What did you say?"
Li Mu looked back at Shangguan Li, who was standing at the door, and said, "Commander Shangguan is still young. She is also loyal to Your Majesty. She is not an outsider. If Your Majesty doesn't want to pass on the Xiao and Zhou families, you can let Commander Shangguan bear a son …"
Shangguan Li, who was eating melons, glared at Li Mu fiercely. She clasped her hands and said, "Your Majesty, I don't like men."
No wonder Li Mu always looked at her with anger. She didn't like men, so he couldn't force her. Li Mu said, "And Mr. Mei …"
Mr. Mei walked in from outside and asked, "What's wrong with me?"
Li Mu said, "I'm praising you for being loyal to Your Majesty. I'm a little hungry. I'll go to the kitchen to find something to eat. You guys talk …"
After saying this, he quickly walked out of the Changle Palace.
Li Mu deeply experienced the Empress's laziness again.
Her laziness in the past was just to let Li Mu help her approve the memorials.
Now she was so lazy that she didn't even want to have a child herself.
Unfortunately, Li Mu couldn't do this for her.
Besides, he and Liu Hanyan didn't plan to have a child so early. The Empress's wishful thinking couldn't be realized so easily.
In order to prevent the Empress from having any ideas about him, he couldn't let her have a child or help her have a child. In the following days, Li Mu didn't mention this matter again.
Living in the Imperial Palace was far more boring than Li Mu imagined.
In order not to be seen by the officials of the Shangya, he had to get up early every day and travel between the Changle Palace and the Secretariat. Occasionally, he would go to the kitchen to cook a bowl of noodles and a cup of soup for the Empress.
After a long time, Li Mu wasn't the only one who couldn't stand it. Even Wanwan and Xiao Bai weren't as lively as they were at the beginning.
Although the Imperial Palace was good, and to Wanwan, it was heaven. However, if she stayed here every day, heaven would become a prison.
In the Changle Palace, Li Mu finished approving the memorials and saw the two girls leaning on the table listlessly with one hand supporting their cheeks. He thought for a moment and said, "Why don't we go outside the palace to play tomorrow?"
"Okay, okay!"
Wanwan and Xiao Bai's eyes lit up, and they immediately got up from the table. These days, they had been bored to death.
It just so happened that there was no morning court tomorrow, and it was also a rest day. Li Mu turned to look at the Empress, who was lying lazily on the chair reading a book, and asked, "Your Majesty, do you want to go together?"
Zhou Yi's attention had been on Li Mu since just now. Hearing this, she said unhurriedly, "You arrange it."
It was just an ordinary trip, and there was nothing to arrange.
As long as they could leave this cage-like Imperial Palace, even if it was just to find a place to enjoy the scenery, they would be in a much better mood.
They left the Imperial Palace together the next day.
Outside the Divine Capital, Li Mu chose a mountain with a nice view. He used magic to clear an empty space and spread out a clean blanket. Then, he placed some pastries and preserved fruits that he had prepared from the imperial kitchen on top of it.
Mr. Mei and Shangguan Li set up a stove not far away, and they would barbecue meat later.
After Wanwan and Xiao Bai left the Imperial Palace, they went wild, chasing rabbits and catching pheasants. Li Mu lay on the stall with his hands behind his head. Everywhere he looked, there was only the blue sky. At this moment, the gloominess and depression in his heart were swept away.
As expected, a place like the Imperial Palace couldn't be stayed for too long. Looking at the square sky all the time was not good for one's health.
Zhou Yi sat on the blanket and looked at the barren hills around her. With a flick of her finger, a crystal light was flicked into the soil.
As a result, green buds began to appear on the barren land around them. Soon, grass began to grow, and colorful wildflowers bloomed. The air soon emitted a refreshing fragrance.
Zhou Yi lay beside Li Mu and looked up at the sky with him. After a while, she said softly, "It's almost the New Year."
If she didn't remind him, Li Mu wouldn't have realized that it was really the New Year.
Li Mu was forced to stay in Changle Palace by the Empress and did the work she was supposed to do day and night. Apart from Changle Palace and the Secretariat, she didn't go out and didn't take a step out. She had already lost track of time.
He didn't expect that he couldn't spend the first New Year with Liu Hanyan and Li Qing.
Cultivators didn't pay much attention to the New Year. The old men of Mount Baiyun spent most of their time in seclusion. They could be said to have truly transcended the secular world. However, Li Mu couldn't.
He hoped that on New Year's Eve, his family could gather together and have a New Year's Eve dinner.
The Empress reminded him. Li Mu took out the sound transmission magic treasure that Xuan Jizi gave him. After activating it, he said, "Senior Brother, help me find Qingqing."
Zhou Yi glanced at Li Mu and closed her eyes. Her chest heaved slightly.
As Li Mu's voice fell, Liu Hanyan's voice came from the magic treasure. "Qingqing, Qingqing, do you only have Qingqing in your heart? She's in seclusion and doesn't have time to talk to you …"
Li Mu said awkwardly, "Didn't you follow Senior Sister to visit other sects? Why are you still at Mount Baiyun?"
Liu Hanyan said, "We haven't left yet. Why are you looking for Qingqing?"
Li Mu said without hesitation, "I miss you guys."
Liu Hanyan said sourly, "You only have Qingqing in your heart …"
Li Mu took a while to coax her. Then, he asked, "It's New Year's Eve soon. Are you guys going back to Shen Du for New Year's?"
Liu Hanyan said, "She's in seclusion. I'm going to Xuanzong with Master soon. I can't go back."
Li Mu was a little disappointed. He said, "Alright then …"
After putting away the sound transmission magic treasure, Li Mu looked at the Empress. Seeing her arms crossed, he asked in surprise, "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
Zhou Yi said lightly, "Nothing, I just feel a little cold …"
Although the weather wasn't too warm, she wouldn't feel cold even if it was 100 degrees colder. Li Mu knew that she was probably choked by their public display of affection. He didn't dare to point it out. He said, "They're not coming back this year. Why don't we make do at Changle Palace for New Year's Eve …"
Zhou Yi glanced at him and said, "Why do you have to make do? If they can't come back, you can go to Mount Baiyun to find them."
What she said made sense. Li Mu nodded and said, "Then I'll take a leave first. After the 15th, I'll return to Shen Du."
Zhou Yi took a deep breath and asked, "You're not going to attend the court assembly on the first day of the New Year, right?"
"Can I not attend?"
"What do you think?"
…
Li Mu thought about it and decided not to. The court assembly only happened once a year. It wasn't good to miss it.
Moreover, Li Qing would be in seclusion and Liu Hanyan wouldn't be in Beijun. If he went to Mount Baiyun, would he have to eat with those old men?
He might as well stay in Changle Palace and make do with the Empress.
Thinking of this, he shook his head and said, "Then I won't invite you."
Zhou Yi said, "You can invite me. I approve your leave …"
Li Mu said firmly, "I won't invite you."
Zhou Yi looked at him and said, "I gave you a chance, but you didn't want it. Don't say that I'm harsh on you in the future."
Li Mu went against his conscience and said with difficulty, "Your Majesty, you're not harsh on me at all …"
Li Mu sighed a few times in his heart. Then, he lay down obediently and enjoyed this rare leisure time while enjoying the mountain breeze.
Halfway up the mountain, near the peak.
Three figures walked slowly on the mountain path.
Zhang Chun sighed and said, "Madam, listen to me. I went to the brothel last time to catch someone, not to do anything else. We've been married for so many years. Don't we trust each other at all?"
Madam Zhang said, "I believe you. But where did you go the night I kicked you out?"
Zhang Chun said, "I found an inn to sleep in."
Madam Zhang asked, "Didn't you go to the Li Residence? His wife isn't in Fairy's Capital. There's no one at home. Why didn't you stay at his place?"
Zhang Chun said, "He's not at home."
Madam Zhang said in surprise, "His wife just left and he's not going home at night … That can't be. Li Mu isn't that kind of person."
Zhang Chun waved his hand and said, "Don't worry about that."
Madam Zhang said unhappily, "What do you mean don't worry about that? If he's really that kind of person, you should stay away from him. Don't be led astray by him …"
Zhang Chun shook his head and said, "Don't interrupt if you don't understand. Enjoy the scenery. It's not easy to get a day off. The scenery here is not bad …"
At this time, the family of three had reached the peak. Zhang Yiyi looked up at the empty space in the distance and said, "There's someone there."
Zhang Chun looked over and happened to meet the eyes of a woman.
Madam Zhang was shocked and said, "Isn't that Li Mu? Who's the woman beside him? They're alone in broad daylight. What are they doing in the wilderness? I didn't expect him to really be that kind of …"
Before Madam Zhang could finish her words, Zhang Chun covered her mouth.
After that, he held Madam Zhang in one hand and his daughter in the other and flew down the mountain on a cloud. In the blink of an eye, they disappeared without a trace.
Li Mu looked in the direction the Empress was looking and asked, "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
The Empress retracted her gaze and said, "Nothing. A few deer ran past just now."
Speaking of deer, Li Mu remembered that he brought half a deer leg from the imperial kitchen today. He put it in the space of the Flask Heaven and marinated it with honey.
He stood up and said, "Your Majesty, rest for a while. I'll go prepare the barbecue."
He walked to a place not far away and took out the deer leg and some barbecue that he had prepared. He put them on the grill and put charcoal under it. Barbecue with charcoal was much better than barbecue with magic power.
At the same time, on the main peak of Mount Baiyun.
Li Qing looked at Liu Hanyan beside her and said helplessly, "Why don't you tell him?"
Liu Hanyan snorted and said, "Who knows what he's been doing after we left the Divine Capital. This time, we'll sneak back and catch him by surprise. If he's obedient, it'll be a surprise. If he's not obedient, humph …"
She looked at Li Qing and said, "I know you care about him, but you can't tell him in advance. We have to stand on the same side. Otherwise, if there really is a fifth or sixth person in the future, it'll be too late for you to cry …"
Li Qing nodded and said, "I'll listen to you …"
Outside the Divine Capital, on the top of a barren mountain with beautiful scenery.
Zhou Yi took a small piece of deer meat that Li Mu cut with a knife and said, "Left Assistant Minister Zhang Chun of the Ministry of Personnel. He's already a fourth-rank official. Go back and check if there are any empty fifth rank residences in the imperial court. Give them to him."
Li Mu had planned to find an opportunity to help Old Zhang next year. Since the Empress mentioned it, he could arrange it for him now.
He nodded and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."
North Court.
When Li Mu handed the title deed and title deed of a certain fifth rank residence to Zhang Chun, he was not as happy as Li Mu imagined, but he still patted him on the shoulder and said, "Thank you, brother."
Li Mu shook his head and said, "No need to thank me. This time, the Empress rewarded you on her own initiative."
Zhang Chun said, "It's all the same, all the same …"
Li Mu looked behind Zhang Chun and saw Madam Zhang giving him a strange look. Then she turned and walked into the room.
Li Mu looked away and asked in confusion, "What's wrong with Madam Zhang? Did I offend her in any way?"
Zhang Chun waved his hand and said, "Ignore her. It's just a woman's opinion …"
He took the title deed, patted his chest, and said, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I'll say what I should say, and I won't say anything that I shouldn't say."
Li Mu looked at him in confusion and asked, "What are you talking about?"
Zhang Chun looked at Li Mu and was stunned for a moment. Then he also looked confused and said, "Yes, what am I talking about? I don't know anything. I didn't see anything. Haha …"
Li Mu felt that Old Zhang was strange today, but he couldn't tell what.
He walked through the streets, and there were still countless people greeting him warmly.
"Lord Li, long time no see. Did you leave the Divine Capital a while ago?"
"Yes, I haven't seen Lord Li for at least half a month."
"Did Lord Li go out on business?"
…
Li Mu smiled at the people and nodded, "Yes, I went out for more than half a month …"
Since the last picnic, Li Mu would take Wanwan and Xiao Bai out of the palace every few days. Under his invitation, the Empress reluctantly agreed. After changing her appearance, she went shopping with them, ate at the roadside stalls, and bought some cheap jewelry that cost a few coins.
When she agreed, she was more reluctant than anyone else, but when it came to shopping, she was more excited than anyone else.
The things she bought alone were more than Wan Wan and Xiao Bai combined. Although most of them were useless, she still enjoyed it and never got tired of it.
A few days before the New Year, the Divine Capital was bustling and joyous.
On New Year's Eve, Li Mu opened the door and a cold breeze hit him in the face.
He looked up at the sky. The sky was gray, and snowflakes were floating in the air.
Although the Divine Capital wasn't in the south, it rarely snowed in the winter. The snowflakes fell on the ground and quickly melted.
"It's snowing!"
Wanwan and Xiao Bai ran out of the room barefooted. They stood in the courtyard and opened their arms to embrace the snowflakes.
Li Mu slapped their butts and said, "Go back and put on your clothes and shoes before coming out …"
Wanwan and Xiao Bai loved snow. They wanted to build a few snowmen to play with. Unfortunately, the snow in the Divine Capital wasn't heavy. It melted as soon as it touched the ground. Li Mu tried to use his magic. Although the snowflakes in front of the palace were heavier, it was still far from enough.
The Empress walked out of the Changle Palace. She looked at Wanwan and Xiao Bai who were waving at the sky in anticipation. Her hands formed a few seals, and a white light flew out from her hand and went straight to the clouds.
The snowflakes suddenly became heavier and fell down. Soon, a layer of snow accumulated on the ground.
Outside the palace, the people of the Divine Capital also walked out of their houses. They looked at the snowflakes in the sky with satisfaction.
"It's been a long time since the Divine Capital snowed so heavily."
"Next year will be a good year."
"Ever since Her Majesty ascended the throne, the lives of the people have been getting better and better …"
…
In front of the Changle Palace, Xiao Bai and Wanwan had already built a few snowmen.
Although they were called snowmen, they were more like snow sculptures.
The snowmen they built didn't have round heads and big bodies. Instead, they were as tall as a person and looked very lifelike. Xiao Bai was carrying a little fox in her arms. Wanwan was carrying two buns on her head. The taller figure beside her was Li Mu. Beside Li Mu was the Empress, who was wearing an imperial robe and an imperial crown.
The four snowmen stood in front of the palace like pieces of art. Not only did they have the same figure and appearance as the others, but even their auras were similar.
Wanwan looked at her masterpiece with satisfaction. Then, she scratched her head and said, "I think I forgot something …"
Soon, she remembered. She slapped her head and said, "I forgot about Miss and Sister Qing …"
Soon, Liu Hanyan and Li Qing's snow sculptures also appeared in the square.
Wanwan nodded in satisfaction and said, "This is what a family should be …"
Li Mu thought to himself, If Liu Hanyan didn't come back soon, her sweet little jacket would be taken away by the Empress.
He walked to Wanwan and Xiao Bai and asked, "Tonight, are we going home or staying here?"
Wanwan said without hesitation, "Miss and Sister Qing aren't at home. Let's celebrate the New Year here with Sister Zhou. There must be a lot of dishes for the New Year's Eve dinner in the palace …"
Zhou Yi said, "There are more than a hundred delicious dishes for the New Year's Eve dinner in the palace."
Wanwan tugged at Li Mu's sleeve and whispered, "Young Master …"
Li Mu rubbed her head and said, "Then let's stay here …"
On New Year's Eve, the Empress dismissed all the guards on duty. Even Mr. Mei and Shangguan Li were driven home by her.
There were only four people left in Changle Palace.
In addition to the New Year's Eve dinner prepared by the imperial kitchen, the four of them also made dumplings together. From the skin to the filling of the dumplings, they prepared everything bit by bit. In Changle Palace, the dishes were all served. The four of them stood in front of the table and raised their wine glasses at the same time.
At the same time.
North Court.
Li Mansion.
On New Year's Eve, Liu Hanyan and Li Qing, who had rushed back to Shen Du, stood in the courtyard with confusion on their faces.
Liu Hanyan scanned the entire Li Mansion with her mind. She didn't find Li Mu, Wanwan, or Xiao Bai. She frowned slightly and asked in confusion, "Where are they?"
On New Year's Eve, they wanted to give Li Mu a surprise.
But they were the ones who were surprised.
On New Year's Eve, when families reunited, where did Li Mu, Wanwan, and Xiao Bai go?
Liu Hanyan took out a sound-transmitting magic treasure. After activating it, she said in a bad mood, "Where are you?"
In Changle Palace, Li Mu heard the voice from the sound-transmitting magic treasure in his hand and said in surprise, "You, you're at home?"
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