chsdbacks Chapter 23 Intimate Moments, Consolidating One's Realm
Chapter 23 Intimate Moments, Consolidating One's Realm
"What?!"
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, spare my life!"
"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong! I beg for your mercy!"
"Your Majesty, my father and brothers..."
The concubines' cries, pleas for mercy, and screams filled the air!
Since entering the palace, even though they have never received the emperor's favor, they have enjoyed fine clothes, sumptuous food, honor, and dignity.
Who would have thought that one day I would be relegated to the sidelines?
She had never been favored much to begin with, and if she were sent to the Cold Palace, she would have even less of a chance!
Some people tried to invoke the influence of their maternal family, hoping that the emperor would show leniency.
"Um?"
Qin Xiao's eyes turned cold, and an invisible pressure spread out.
Although it was only a tiny bit that was leaked.
Yet it was enough to plunge these pampered women into an icy abyss, silencing them instantly.
All that remained were suppressed sobs and desperate trembling.
"My mind is made up; no further words are needed!"
Qin Xiao's voice was icy cold. "Guards!"
As soon as he finished speaking, an old eunuch strode in: "This old servant is here!"
"Immediately assign personnel to oversee the execution!"
Qin Xiao said in a deep voice, "Before sunrise tomorrow, I do not wish to see any of them outside the Cold Palace!"
"Yes! This old servant obeys!"
The old eunuch was so frightened that he almost jumped out of his skin and hurriedly called the guards and other eunuchs in.
They half-invited and half-forced these wailing concubines out of Changchun Palace.
The noise and crying gradually faded away, eventually disappearing into the night.
Tranquility was finally restored inside Changchun Palace.
Luo Qingluan breathed a sigh of relief, looked at Qin Xiao, and asked softly, "Why did you chase them all away?"
Although I dislike these people's noise and scheming.
But such a decisive action still surprised her somewhat.
Qin Xiao reached out and naturally wrapped his arm around Luo Qingluan's slender waist, pulling her into his embrace. "With you here, what's the point of keeping them around?"
Cultivating with Luo Qingluan is twice as effective with half the effort.
It is far superior to drawing upon the meager spiritual energy through array formations.
Thinking of this, his divine sense quietly spread out, instantly covering an area of several miles.
Qin Xiao took in every move and word of those weeping women!
Some people buried their heads in their hands and wept, lamenting the injustice of fate.
Some people gritted their teeth and cursed Luo Qingluan as a "vixen".
Even worse, after confirming they were out of the guards' sight, they would gather in groups of three or five.
"Report to Prince Jin immediately: all the concubines have been demoted, and His Majesty favors only Lady Luo..."
"Inform the King of Wu that a major upheaval has occurred in the palace; make preparations as soon as possible..."
"Please convey to the patriarch that His Majesty is hiding his true strength and may possess the power of thunder..."
Among them, the most and most urgent thing to say was about Prince Qin Yuan of Jin!
Qin Xiao slowly withdrew his divine sense, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Qin Yuan, your fiefdom contains hidden spirit mines. Even if you don't scheme against me, I'll still make a trip there!"
"Are you planning to go to Jin in person?"
Upon hearing this, Luo Qingluan suddenly raised her head and asked in surprise.
Qin Xiao nodded slightly: "Don't worry, no matter how many schemes and tricks Qin Yuan has, he's nothing but a chicken and a dog in the face of absolute power."
Luo Qingluan blinked her beautiful eyes and asked, "What I mean is, what about the capital?"
Qin Xiao smiled slightly: "After I leave the capital, I will entrust the management of the capital and the court to you."
"I?"
Luo Qingluan was slightly taken aback, then quickly shook her head, "I'm fine with leading troops into battle, but governing a country is too complicated, I'm afraid..."
"It's alright."
Qin Xiao waved his hand and said casually, "After the previous purge, those remaining in the court are either pragmatic or dare not act rashly for the time being."
"You may entrust the administration of state affairs to the newly appointed ministers. I have examined them all; they are capable and currently loyal."
"You only need to grasp the overall situation and take charge of the central command. With your strength and the deterrent power of the Flying Phoenix Army, you will be able to stabilize the situation."
"Even if there are those who are blind to the truth and think they can cause trouble just because I am away from the capital, dealing with them is just a matter of turning my hand over."
"I don't even need to do anything myself."
"Don't forget, you are now a cultivator at the third level of Qi Refining, far beyond what an ordinary martial artist can achieve!"
Upon hearing this, Luo Qingluan's unease gradually subsided, and she nodded vigorously: "Alright! I will certainly do my utmost to protect this capital for Your Majesty!"
"This is the Qingluan I know."
As Qin Xiao spoke, he picked up Luo Qingluan and walked towards the inner hall.
In the following days, Qin Xiao did not rush to set off, but stayed in Changchun Palace, spending time with Luo Qingluan and consolidating his cultivation.
……
Several days later, in the Golden Palace.
To the officials' surprise once again, Qin Xiao was attending court!
Moreover, the interval since his last appearance was so short.
Qin Xiao sat upright on the dragon throne and calmly began to speak: "Since my ascension to the throne, I have lived a secluded life and have little knowledge of the hardships of the people and the governance of officials in various regions. Therefore, I have decided to tour various places to understand the people's conditions and observe local customs."
Upon hearing this, a low murmur of discussion immediately arose within the hall.
An emperor's tour is no small matter!
Immediately, an official from the Ministry of Rites stepped forward, bowed, and reported: "Your Majesty is wise! To be considerate of the people's plight is the mark of a sage ruler. We will immediately draft the tour route and order the prefectures and counties along the way to prepare temporary palaces, the imperial carriage, and ceremonial guards..."
"There's no need for such a fuss."
Qin Xiao waved his hand, interrupting, "My purpose in this trip is to investigate the true conditions of the people, not to sightsee. Keep everything simple and travel light. There is no need for any ceremonial procession, and there is no need to build a new palace. Staying in local government offices or post stations is sufficient."
"this……"
The Ministry of Rites official looked troubled. "Your Majesty is of immense value; such frugality might be unbecoming of the imperial family, and it also endangers your safety..."
"I will consider matters of safety and security myself."
Qin Xiao said calmly, "I have made my decision. The first stop of the tour will be Jinyang Prefecture!"
"I didn't even see him last time I came. This is a good opportunity for the brothers to reunite and catch up!"