Their purpose is more for themselves, or rather, for the prosperity of their own families.

The selection of imperial concubines was merely a means to strengthen the bond between the royal family and its officials.

"Now that everything is happening at once, we can discuss the selection of a concubine later."

"Your Majesty, we implore you to set a schedule, otherwise we will not be at ease." The ministers persisted.

"Lord Liang, Lord Du, His Majesty has already made his decision on this matter. Why are you two in such a hurry?"

Everyone looked at Yan Honglang, feeling displeased but not daring to disrespect him, after all, he was not only the prime minister of the current dynasty, but also the empress's biological father and the Duke of Nanning.

"Prime Minister Yan, we are also worried about His Majesty."

"Alright, I will have the Empress make preparations for this matter. Court is adjourned."

After returning to the imperial study, Nangong Qing punched the desk. Gao Yi stopped in his tracks, not daring to provoke the new master.

"Gao Yi, tell me, is there any method in history that doesn't involve taking concubines?"

Gao Yi blinked and smiled innocently: "Your Majesty, this servant can't even read many characters, how would I know anything about history?"

Nangong Qing rubbed his temples helplessly. Sitting in this position, he could rule the world, but he could also be bound by it. Power and freedom are not equal.

For two months, Nangong Qing received daily replies from A Xu from the border, indicating that everything at the border had already been arranged.

However, Su Luo was still in Bei Liang, and they were all on standby, not daring to make any rash moves.

These days, the dryland rice in Nanning is thriving, and even with the severe drought, this year will not be too difficult for the people.

Originally, Ah Xu would send him messages by carrier pigeon, but today it was sent by express courier.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Prince Yu has been cured of the poison and has captured three cities in Northern Liang. He has come to request Your Majesty's decree."

The news came so suddenly that even the court officials were shocked.

"How dare Prince Yu attack Beiliang without an imperial edict? Is he planning a rebellion?"

Although they all knew that Nangong Chiyu did this because Su Luo was trapped in Beiliang, there can be no order without rules.

He has committed a grave offense, disregarding the imperial family. This is a serious crime and must be punished.

"This matter is of utmost importance, Your Majesty must not take it lightly."

A group of civil officials spoke one after another, but none of them could affect Nangong Qing in the slightest.

He wasn't angry when he heard the news; instead, he felt a secret delight.

Nangong Chiyu has woken up and even conquered three cities in Beiliang, which means that Su Luo has found the antidote. As long as Nangong Chiyu brings her back, her life will be safe.

"Now that you ministers have finished speaking, I would like to say a few words."

What Du Qing just said—that Prince Yu is audacious and reckless, disregarding etiquette and law—cannot be denied.

However, it is also a fact that Prince Yu conquered three cities for our dynasty. Your ministers denied all of Prince Yu's achievements in the court with a single sentence of disregarding etiquette.

I have only recently ascended the throne, and I am very clear about the principle of offsetting merits and demerits.

Nangong Qing paused, looking at the group of literati spouting benevolence and morality.

Do they really think he's just a greenhorn who's new to the world and can be manipulated by them?

"Minister Du, Minister Liang, you keep accusing Prince Yu. Very well, I will issue an imperial edict to summon Prince Yu back to the capital to report."

As for the three cities we just conquered, those are pieces of meat that are practically in our mouths. Do you think I should eat them or not?

By the way, aren't the sons of the two gentlemen currently on leave without official duties?

"Go to Northern Liang for me and secure these three cities. Do not harm the innocent civilians within; they are now my subjects."

The two officials from the Ministry of Rites who were leading the group were terrified and immediately knelt down and kowtowed.

"Your Majesty, this is absolutely impossible! How can my two unfilial sons shoulder such a heavy responsibility? They are merely scholars."

Nangong Qing's face showed some anger as she glanced at everyone.

"You ministers have been impeaching me at every turn, and I would like to take this opportunity to promote your families. Since they are not worthy of their positions, then tell me, who is capable of managing the newly acquired cities?"

The military generals are all stationed in their respective areas. This newly acquired city is not only in chaos, but it used to be inhabited by people from Beiliang.

One wrong move and you could lose your life, let alone any riots or mobs.

These literati were simply not able to control the situation.

Why are you all so quiet? Weren't you very talkative just now?

The people in the court have different thoughts. His Majesty is angry today. If they continue to speak, things will get bad. Besides, even Lord Du has stopped speaking, so who else dares to?

"I have only recently ascended the throne and am in dire need of talented individuals. If any of my ministers has a promising young man in their family, please recommend him."

Nangong Qing's meaning was clear: anyone who impeached Prince Yu again would have their sons and grandsons sent to their deaths.

The court finally fell silent, and the scholars all shut their mouths.

"Since everyone is silent, I will issue an edict to Prince Yu: the Northern Liang has burned the grain of my people and attacked the borders of my dynasty many times."

"For poisoning a high-ranking official of our dynasty, I hereby order Prince Yu to annihilate the Northern Liang and return safely to the capital with the Deputy Minister of Agriculture."

Despite the pressure, Nangong Qing delivered this unorthodox imperial edict to Nangong Chiyu.

In just half a month, Nangong Chiyu had completely overwhelmed Beiliang.

During this period, he also received a letter from A Xu, saying that the reason why Prince Yu was so eager to attack Bei Liang was because Su Luo might have met with misfortune there.

He was far away in the imperial court, but his heart was always on edge.

Until an eagle flew in through the window, with a letter tube tied to its leg.

He recognized the eagle; it belonged to Nangong Chiyu, a eagle he had raised in Beichuan City before bringing it to the capital.

"It's a letter from Prince Yu. Gao Yi, go and fetch the letter for me."

Nangong Qing asked the head eunuch serving him to fetch it. When he got the letter tube, he opened the envelope inside and felt a shiver run through him, followed by a dull pain.

The letter stated that Su Luo had been poisoned by the Shattered Corpse Silver Silkworm, causing her soul to leave her body, and that only Ye Beihan's blood could save her.

Ye Beihan had three conditions: return half of the conquered cities, release the Northern Liang Emperor, and finally, the Fifth Princess had to marry the Northern Liang Emperor and become the new Empress of Northern Liang.

"Ye Beihan, how dare he?"

Nangong Qing swallowed his anger, read the contents of the letter, crumpled it into a ball in his hand, and finally calmed down.

"Gao Yi, go and invite Prime Minister Yan to come and discuss state affairs as soon as possible."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"etc……"

Just as Gao Yi was about to make arrangements, Nangong Qing stopped him.

"Does Your Majesty have any further instructions?"

Since ascending the throne, Nangong Qing has become much more composed.

"Send someone to the inner palace and ask the Empress to take the Fifth Princess for a walk outside the Mingde Hall."

Gao Yi instantly understood Nangong Qing's meaning. In the envelope just now, he vaguely saw that Beiliang was asking the Fifth Princess to marry him.

His Majesty and the Fifth Princess share a deep sibling bond, and since he cannot speak to the Fifth Princess about this matter in person, he has sent the Empress with the Fifth Princess here to hear it.

Judging from the Fifth Princess's reaction, it's possible she's overly opposed to this marriage.