Chapter 38: Chapter 38: No One Can Take Her Empire (38)

The next day, at court.

“Your Majesty, I believe the harem should not be empty. Now that Yaan Country is flourishing, Your Majesty has worked hard for many years, yet only has King Ning Shan as your sole consort. It is clear now that King Ning Shan’s virtue does not match his position; it is time to select a man whose virtue, talent, and appearance are more fitting as the Imperial Husband.”

“Not only should you select an Imperial Husband, but there should also be a few concubines to accompany you at your side.”

Qiann Yan sat on the high dragon chair, watching the ministers engage in a war of words over her lifelong matters, and found it utterly boring. She had experienced this scenario numerous times, but no one ever succeeded in persuading her to invite someone into the palace.

Especially after she discovered that living until the age of ninety-nine, she would pass away naturally and then return to the third day after her birth, repeating this cycle countless times.

Faced with the same people and the same events, she felt even more bored, completely uninterested in taking on concubines or marrying an Imperial Husband.

Quite a few people, both men and women, came with a rubbish system attempting to win her over, thinking they could become her white jade.

With such subpar acting skills, who did they think they could fool?

Were they not out of their minds?

The thought patterns of these people were peculiarly strange, especially those who wanted to shield her from harm. Outwardly, they blocked a knife for her, but inwardly, they communicated with the rubbish system to block the sense of pain while putting on a façade of willingly sacrificing themselves for her.

Ah, these people were truly so boring.

They didn’t know how to change things up.

Qiann Yan propped her chin with her hand; there was not much happening in Yaan Country, solely due to the capable State Preceptor she had. Numerous members of the Xun Family, along with Xun Zihuai, came to assist her by recruiting talented individuals from all over Yaan Country.

When it came to utilizing people, she was vastly experienced, ensuring they were placed appropriately and efficiently.

The ministers arguing in the court were mostly civil servants.

Those military officers who had followed her through thick and thin stood there with leisurely expressions, showing no intention of intervening in her affairs, which pleased her. Among the civil servants, she noticed the people from the Xun Family also remained silent.

She turned her head slightly and glanced at Xun Zihuai sitting below on the left. He was dressed in white, only the crown on his head appeared more luxurious, with more complex carvings.

Jade, still white jade. Clean, transparent.

The whole person sat there with a calm expression, like an immortal, just looking too young. Yet, among all the officials, no one dared to underestimate him.

Xun Zihuai noticed Qiann Yan’s gaze and couldn’t help but look back. Seeing a hint of impatience in her expression, he couldn’t help but curl his lips, knowing that indeed, Her Majesty had no such intention.

He felt a surge of joy, with a hint of a smile in his eyes, which he quickly concealed, nearly failing to maintain his usual aloof demeanor.

“State Preceptor, why are you smiling?”

Qiann Yan’s voice was neither loud nor soft, but it penetrated the entire court, instantly silencing everyone. The ministers who had been arguing looked towards where Xun Zihuai was sitting.

Did the State Preceptor smile?

Being called out, Xun Zihuai did not lose his composure. He stood up and pointed at the ministers who had been arguing non-stop, “Your Majesty, I’m laughing at them.”

The ministers who were being pointed at showed a slight change in their expressions; they did not think this was a good thing.

“Oh, why are you laughing at them?”

Xun Zihuai maintained his aloof appearance, yet a light laugh escaped him, full of sardonic meaning: “I laugh at them because they cannot manage their own backyards, yet dare to meddle in Your Majesty’s private affairs.”

“As ministers of Yaan Country, not doing your proper duties, is every part of Yaan Country wealthy? Are all the people of Yaan Country able to have enough food and clothing? Or is every place in Yaan Country peaceful, free from disasters and hardships? Truly idle you are, for the court is a place for discussing state affairs, yet you think only of how to fill the imperial harem. This conduct is indeed somewhat negligent.”

“If my esteemed colleagues find being an official too boring, there are many talented people under the heaven; why not resign and retire, letting those with talent and vigor take your place?”

After he finished speaking, the arguing ministers’ faces changed dramatically, understanding that Xun Zihuai was not joking and meant what he said.

“We are guilty, Your Majesty, please grant us mercy.”

As the ministers knelt together, catching a glimpse of Qiann Yan just restraining her impatient expression, they felt a chill in their hearts.

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