Chapter 414: Chapter 414 - 405: Selection Photo

"Old fox, come here." Shen Tang sat on the flower bed, beckoning with her finger, "I’ve got an easy task for you."

Qiu Yang saw her teasing attitude akin to playing with a dog, and his face twitched violently, a sense of unease rising in his heart.

What’s this vicious female up to this time, calling him for no reason? Could it be she has thought of a new way to torment him?

Qiu Yang snorted coldly, fiercely threw the shovel to the ground, walked up to her with a livid face, and squeezed out two words from between his teeth, "Master! ... What do you need?"

The look of gritting teeth seemed as if without the control of the slave chip, he would pounce on her and tear her to pieces the next second.

"Rest assured, as long as you do your part well, I won’t mess with you for no reason. I called you over this time, indeed to give you a good task." Shen Tang was not annoyed, smiling, "I see Master Qiu Yang is quite nostalgic for home, how about I give you a chance to return?"

Qiu Yang was surprised, is she really so kind-hearted?

Soon, his expression changed drastically, and he spoke fiercely, "You want me to go back and be a spy? That’s absolutely impossible, I am a Death Warrior loyal to the late Emperor! Even if you kill me, I will never become a spy!"

"... You’re quite loyal to His Majesty the Emperor."

Shen Tang lamented, taking out the pair of Red Jade Earrings from her space, glistening under the sunlight with a warm luster.

Back when she escaped the volcanic death, she carefully stored these earrings.

At the time, she thought Shen Li perished in the flames, and these Red Jade Earrings were his keepsake, becoming her last memory of him.

Now revisiting this piercing red, there’s no fear in her heart, only instinctive rejection.

Touching the cool jade stone with her fingertip, Shen Tang subconsciously frowned.

She wouldn’t wear them again in this lifetime.

Rather than let them collect dust or throw them away, better return them to its original owner.

"These were given by your mount’s majesty back in the day." Shen Tang casually tossed the earrings to Qiu Yang, "Help me return them to him."

The moment Qiu Yang caught the earrings, his pupils shrank abruptly.

His Majesty actually gave... gave this to her?! He suppressed his shock, stealing a glance at Shen Tang’s calm demeanor, feeling relieved since she seemed unaware of the earrings’ true significance.

"Rest assured, Master." It was rare for Qiu Yang to respectfully salute, "I will personally return these to His Majesty."

That night, this old fox rushed back to the Yiyuan Empire without delay.

...

As the Empire’s situation gradually stabilized, Shen Tang had to face a tricky issue—the long-shelved selection process was brought back on the agenda by the ministers.

During the court meeting, the Ritual Officers took turns persuading her to expand the harem.

More exaggeratedly, these ministers also forwarded piles of "candidate men" albums and photos, nearly filling up the study.

Xiao Jin was furious upon seeing these photos, several times wanting to secretly burn them.

Xue Yinzhou, though silent, projected such a chilly aura that it nearly froze the study room’s temperature. If Shen Tang weren’t present, those officials who sent the photos might have already been decapitated.

Jia Lan took a look at the photos, harshly commenting, "A bunch of deformed fruits, even with beauty filters, they barely look decent. Just take a look at the leaning trees in the background, can you stomach it?"

"..." Shen Tang glanced at the photos, and honestly, the candidates sent were quite handsome. If they were ugly, the officials wouldn’t dare shove them to the Emperor!

Lu Xiao was more pragmatic, "The Female Master can weigh the options, no need to favor them, but marriage alliances should be useful to you."

After a pause, he added,

"But everything should still align with your own wishes."

Shen Tang rubbed her head in irritation.

The schemes of these ministers were crystal clear to her.

All the talk of the nation’s welfare and Royal Family heirs boiled down to them wanting to stuff their offspring into the harem, angling for a royal relative status.

As an individual, she inherently didn’t want to attract too many males—the existing possessive ones already gave her enough headache.

From a Monarch’s viewpoint, marriage alliances can promptly rally court officials, but they came with long-term problems.

Once rulers and ministers become kin, relationships cease being simple, and those ministers would inevitably intimidate others using their power. Disposing of them would then become a complex affair.

More terrifyingly, it’s tantamount to handing a knife to those with sinister motives. If someone harbors ill intent, they might place spies right beside her!

Reflecting on former ministers who formed factions, corrupting the previous dynasty’s governance, Shen Tang felt a chill. The Night Glow Empire’s later corruption, its downfall by the rebel army, and the subsequent fragmentation were all thanks to those people!

After painstakingly purging the court, is she to repeat past errors?

Shen Tang harbored many concerns and didn’t agree with the selection process.

But openly rejecting this matter wasn’t an option; a suitable excuse was needed.

Otherwise, these ministers would be relentless, scheming new ways to trouble her.

...

The Yiyuan Empire similarly faced waves of unrest lately.

In court, ministers took turns fervently advising the Emperor to establish an Empress.

The Wu Family was the Empire’s oldest aristocratic family, tracing back to the roots, sharing history with the Ji family Royal Family!

For millennia, the two families maintained friendly ties, with many monarchs marrying into the Wu Family, earning the title of the Nation’s Empress family.

In the Wu Family’s secluded residence, Wu Qing lounged lazily on the beauty couch.

Her snow-white hair cascaded down, accentuating her face’s allure, worthy of the "Empire’s most beautiful female" title.

"Any response from His Majesty?" She casually fiddled with her nails.

"Rest assured, Miss, the ministers we’ve arranged have exerted considerable pressure on His Majesty during court, and during today’s early court, His Majesty has finally relented, saying he’ll consider the matter of establishing an Empress."

The attendant paused, lowering his voice, "According to insider information, His Majesty has already drafted the edict, likely to be announced soon."

Wu Qing’s red lips curved slightly, her eyes flashing with pride, finally the awaited day had arrived.

Recalling the foreign female seen at the palace last time, her beautiful eyes turned cold, though unclear of the complications between them, His Majesty’s special attention to that person was truly unsettling!

Ideally, seize the opportunity to eliminate her.

Fortunately, His Majesty has relented, as long as she can ascend to the Empress position and settle everything, she would be wholly reassured.

...

Deep within the Imperial Palace, inside the Zhuqiong Palace.

Shen Li dismissed the attendants, drinking alone.

"Enter."

He suddenly spoke, his low voice carrying traces of intoxication.

The palace door creaked open, and a shadow slipped in—none other than Qiu Yang.

"Your Majesty..." Qiu Yang’s voice trembled, gazing complexly at the seated figure.

Shen Li narrowed his eyes, lightly rubbing the rim of his cup, "Didn’t I have you sent to the Night Glow Monarch for disposal?"

The man’s tone was icy-cold, chilling to the bone.

Qiu Yang fell to his knees with a heavy thud, bowing deeply, "This old minister deserves to die! I shamelessly betrayed Your Majesty on my own accord, breaking Your Majesty’s heart. I know Your Majesty doesn’t wish to see me now, but I did not come back by fleeing!"

Trembling, he took out a silk box from his robe,

"Commanded by the Night Glow Monarch, I was sent... to return this item to Your Majesty!"