Chapter 387: Chapter 387 - 379: Scattered Fragments, No Return to the Past

Shen Tang decided to make the first move to turn hostility into peace, leaning forward to kiss his lips, and said with a smile, "Good morning kiss!"

After playing cute, she got out of bed intending to run away, but was pulled back by Jia Lan, who flipped her around and pinned her back onto the bed, passionately kissing her.

Now that they were awake, it was easier!

What happened last night could be made up for this morning!

They quickly rolled back onto the bed, once again igniting a fiery passion.

There was a knock on the door, "Tangtang, are you awake? Someone outside wants to see you."

Being interrupted at such a moment, a trace of displeasure and frustration flickered across Jia Lan’s handsome face.

Shen Tang got up from him, adjusted his messy collar, leaned over to kiss the corner of his lips, "Next time, I’ll definitely make it up to you properly."

Jia Lan grumbled, "Who knows when the next time will be."

Now that she has become a monarch of a nation, she’s busy with political affairs and doesn’t have much time for love affairs.

Outside, there are still leopards and snakes lurking, who knows when the eagle will return.

With this cycle, you never know whose turn it will be next.

Shen Tang whispered in his ear, "Next time, you can be on top, and I’ll go along with whatever you want to do."

Jia Lan felt a rush of heat to his head, then quickly retreated!

His Adam’s apple moved, and he stared at her with a greedy look, his voice hoarse, "Promise me, don’t lie."

"I won’t lie to you."

As soon as Shen Tang walked out the door, she bumped into Xiao Jin leaning against the wall.

Her expression changed, just as she was about to run, he pulled her into his arms. A big hand reached from behind to press her waist, and his thin lips bit her neck, his voice dangerously teasing, "Bitten by a mouse, does it hurt?"

Thinking of the foolish words she said last night, Shen Tang was filled with regret, wishing she could slap her own face, promising herself never to drink that much again!

Xiao Jin still held her hand, leading her to explore the forbidden area, "It’s pretty tame, it definitely won’t bite."

Shen Tang’s cheeks turned red, this rogue leopard, still as incorrigible as ever!

Xue Yinzhou walked over, his voice cold, "Let go of Tangtang, or don’t blame me for hitting you."

Xiao Jin paused, squinting at him unfriendly, then smiled wickedly, "Look at you all nervous. What could I possibly do to Tangtang, my dear? I just wanted her to inspect my place. I stayed up all night cleaning, there are absolutely no mice in there now."

He smirked, "Oh right, maybe let Tangtang check your place? After all, there are two big~ fat~ mice~ in there!"

Shen Tang’s face burned like a monkey’s behind, he just had to bring up sensitive topics, couldn’t let go of the mouse joke, could he!

Xue Yinzhou’s face darkened even more, ready to whip Xiao Jin with his tail.

Shen Tang quickly interrupted, "Um, wasn’t someone looking for me? Where are they?"

"Ha, family matters shouldn’t be aired in public." Xue Yinzhou retracted his tail, looking at her with a gentle expression, and answered, "Waiting for you in the courtyard, someone from the Ministry of Revenue, a lot of refugees arrived in the city last night and need to be settled quickly."

The empire won a great battle, thoroughly wiped out the independent warlords, reclaimed most of the lost territories, but some areas were still controlled by rebel forces, and there were also scattered chaotic regions to be recovered, Shen Tang had already sent officials to deal with them.

During this period, the empire’s national power had declined significantly, although the rebel forces had not been completely eradicated, their losses were also substantial, they likely wouldn’t retaliate anytime soon.

Shen Tang decided to temporarily cease hostilities, adopt a policy of rest and recuperation, appease the refugees, resume production, and stabilize public morale and security.

Many ministers and officials had been asking whether to hold a selection, intending to recommend children from within their clans to serve the monarch in the palace.

Traditionally, after a new king ascends the throne, there is a national selection to fill the harem with heirs.

Unfortunately, the new ruler ascended amid war, delaying this matter.

Now that the Night Glow Empire has weathered its most critical moment, it’s time to worry about the emperor’s personal affairs.

After all, the emperor’s personal affairs are state affairs that concern the entire nation!

Every time Shen Tang attended meetings, the ministers would purposefully or inadvertently pester her with this matter, their muttering giving her a headache.

This group of people was so eager, but only because they wanted to place their children by her side, to ride the coattails of royalty, seeking wealth and honor, and perhaps even produce a future monarch.

But Shen Tang was not interested in this.

After Shen Li left, she wasn’t in the mood.

Shen Tang truly had no such plan.

The few at home were already enough to keep her busy, she dared not imagine the chaos if she truly had three palaces and six courtyards!

Moreover, the ministers were pushing for alliances by sending people over only to ensure the birth of royal blood, continuing the lineage.

Shen Tang didn’t want to have children just yet, so there was no need for a selection.

In the end, Shen Tang used the excuses of "busy with national affairs," "palace construction unfinished," "fear of neglecting various clan sons," and so on to postpone these matters.

...

Yiyuan Empire, Imperial Palace.

Qiu Yang clutched a list as he walked briskly towards the emperor’s sleeping quarters.

The moment he pushed open the door, seeing the man reclining on the couch, his breath involuntarily hitched.

Even though they had been around each other for many years, he couldn’t help but be dazzled by His Majesty’s appearance.

The man wore only a loose white robe, exposing a small portion of his cold, white chest. His waterfall-like red hair casually draped down, enhancing his strikingly handsome face to a captivating degree.

He propped his face on one hand, holding a delicate flower with fingers as slender as jade, bringing it to his lips.

The charming bloom paled in comparison to his lips, losing its enchanting springtime glow.

"What is it?" The emperor raised his eyes lazily, with a hint of nonchalant fatigue in his voice.

Qiu Yang snapped back to reality, hurriedly presented the list with both hands, "Your Majesty, I have thoroughly investigated the instigators behind those assassins, as per your instructions." He lowered his voice, "Prince Zhen’an, the Liu family, the Fierce Tiger Clan leader... all these people have been secretly executed."

Speaking, Qiu Yang looked at the flower in Ji Jiuli’s hand, only to find it already wilted, with a torn petal falling to the ground.

He hesitated, then said softly, "There’s one last person, I’m afraid Your Majesty will need to handle personally."

The hall immediately fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone understood that the name referred to was Regent King Yuan Ke.

His Majesty had endured for years, ultimately, he would have to confront the regent king, who held overwhelming power in the court, head-on.

Ji Jiuli nodded, indicating he knew, but did not rush to dismiss them.

The wind blew through the window, scattering the petals from his hand. In no time, the flowers turned into dead wood scattered on the ground, never to return to before.

He watched the withered branch in his hand in a daze, his long, jade-like fingers slightly tightening, knuckles turning white, after a long silence, he finally spoke softly, "How are things on the Night Glow Empire side?"

Qiu Yang respectfully reported, "Things are going better than expected. No wonder that new monarch would refuse our assistance; they already managed to convince Yunding Empire to send troops."

One of the hidden guards couldn’t help but interject, "That monarch truly is capable, able to get reinforcements from such a far place."

"Night Glow Empire not only reclaimed lost territories, but also pushed the rebels to the borders." Qiu Yang continued, "Although not fully eradicated, the situation is under control. Those lurking forces probably won’t be able to cause much trouble."

"Alright, understood." Ji Jiuli crushed the withered branch in his hand.

It’s time to clean up things on the Yiyuan Empire side as well.

A tough battle is inevitable.