Chapter 67 067 I am useless.

Even after the court assembly ended, Zhao Jialing was still furious.

Loyalty is his virtue, but he's not on the same page as her. What good is loyalty if he's not on her side? He thinks he's doing it for the good of the country, wanting to send the princess away for a political marriage. Does he think he can truly bear the bitterness of leaving his homeland, so he can speak so righteously and passionately? "The Left Remonstrance Official is flattering the foreign vassals, trying to trap me in injustice." The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Zhao Jialing directly ordered the Imperial Secretary to draft an edict: "He's being sent to be the magistrate of Ju County, Mizhou!"

After the Grand Secretariat drafted the edict, it had to be handed over to the Secretariat-Chancellery for processing. Not long after, a palace attendant brought news that the Grand Secretariat Chancellor requested an audience. Zhao Jialing did not refuse, but the timing was inappropriate. She looked at Xie Lanzhao and said in a somewhat sharp tone, "Are you here to advise me not to punish the censors? Do I not even have the power to demote one person?"

Xie Lanzhao said, "I had no such intention."

Upon hearing her words, Zhao Jialing finally felt relieved. She muttered, "You're smart enough to know your place," and then angrily added, "Chang Le is only thirteen years old, and he's already set his sights on her! He deserves to die! Exile is already too lenient on him!"

Xie Lanzhao pursed her lips and said, "They are short-sighted and don't understand the hardships of others. They only think that those born into the royal family should enjoy the blessings first, but they should also take responsibility at critical moments."

"Ridiculous! I'm the first to enjoy the benefits, so am I supposed to make sacrifices too?!" Zhao Jialing gritted his teeth and continued, "It's as if only the royal family gets supported. Besides, is this the only way to be loyal to the country? I'd much rather see Chang Le grow up and go to the battlefield than be passed around between the two countries like an object! If they think marriage alliances are the least sacrificed, why don't they go themselves?!"

Xie Lanzhao bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I am terrified."

Zhao Jialing sighed deeply, "I'm not trying to get angry with you." She walked towards Xie Lanzhao, softening her tone, and continued, "It's just that these officials' faces are infuriating. I haven't seen them impeach those who colluded with foreign vassals, but instead they're making a fuss here. They keep bringing up old precedents, using the marriage alliance during Emperor Renzong's reign as an example. Don't these people feel ashamed? Emperor Renzong would be too ashamed to face his ancestors in the afterlife, yet these officials think that Renzong was astute and didn't feel ashamed. If they're so capable, why don't they go to the afterlife and receive the slaps from their ancestors for Emperor Renzong?"

Xie Lanzhao said gently, "If Your Majesty is not pleased, you can simply send the person away." After a pause, she added, "I believe that after this incident, even if the Turks and Tibet intend to form an alliance, it will be temporarily halted. Although we have powerful weapons, we still need time to train and organize our troops. For now, the border is mainly on the defensive. News from Tibet indicates that the struggle between the monarch and his ministers is particularly fierce. The Ge family has controlled the government for over fifty years and may not easily relinquish their power. The Zanpu (Tibetan king) probably wants to replicate the events of Emperor Renzong's time, but he may not send troops as he did then. After all, the Qinghai region was once managed by the Ge family's forces."

"As for the Turks, they are divided between east and west and are very discordant. Now the Xi and Khitan are both intimidated by me and probably dare not collude with them to plunder my Hebei region. Your Majesty, just watch. Not only will they not ask for a marriage alliance again, but they may even send a prince as a hostage." Xie Lanzhao's expression was calm, exuding a confident and self-satisfied air.

"As for the proposal of a marriage alliance, it's nothing but the talk of a clown." Xie Lanzhao's face was filled with blatant mockery.

Hearing Xie Lanzao speak, Zhao Jialing's depressed mood finally improved somewhat. She said, "Fortunately, you and I are of one mind."

Xie Lanzhao said, "It is the country's good fortune to meet Your Majesty, and also my good fortune."

The harmonious relationship between the emperor and his ministers was a scene worthy of being vividly depicted in history. Zhao Jialing stared at Xie Lanzhao, quickly breaking the atmosphere, and said, "You've been speaking more pleasantly lately, which is quite strange."

Xie Lanzhao: "..." If she doesn't praise her, she'll complain in her heart. If she says anything, even a few words of flattery, she'll start being suspicious again. Xie Lanzhao wanted to mentally wound her. Sure enough, a little temper tantrum lasts a lifetime. Xie Lanzhao chuckled: "Your Majesty's teachings are readily accepted."

"Huh?" Zhao Jialing was momentarily stunned, unsure of what to say.

Xie Lanzhao simply glanced at her, offering no explanation whatsoever.

Zhao Jialing sighed, but wouldn't make things difficult for herself. She put aside her confusion and inquired about the progress of the legal revision. Her task was stuck; the achievement would probably only be awarded upon completion, or perhaps after the outline was finished? The former seemed like a long way off, but the latter was something to look forward to.

Xie Lanzhao smiled and looked at Zhao Jialing, telling him the truth. Unlike the past revisions of the legal code, this time it can be considered a complete re-editing. The table of contents largely follows the old code, but many entries need to be revised and reinterpreted.

Zhao Jialing sighed; it seemed she wouldn't need to think about this task for the time being. As for the "All Nations Paying Tribute" task, she'd already received an unpleasant achievement, but she believed there would be rewards upon completion. But how exactly did she achieve this task? Didn't the arrival of tribute from various countries count? Or did she have to wait for all the envoys who had begged and pleaded to stay to return home?

Thinking to himself, Zhao Jialing asked aloud, "They've already had two farewell banquets, aren't those envoys planning to return home yet?"

“Some have already resigned.” Xie Lanzhao’s eyes were cold and she said in a chilling voice, “However, any communication between envoys, or between envoys and our court officials, must first prove their innocence.” Now it’s not a matter of whether the tribute envoys want to return to their country, but whether the Dayong side will allow them to.

"Is that so?" Zhao Jialing frowned. "Let's follow the rules."

After discussing official business, it was time for a private conversation. "Actually, you didn't need to make this special trip. Did you come here specifically to see me?"

Xie Lanzhao raised her eyebrows and remained silent, which wasn't bad. She had seen His Majesty was furious at the court meeting and thought of coming over to see if she could offer a few words of comfort. But His Majesty was clearly able to control his temper and vent his frustration, so it didn't really matter whether she came or not. "It is my duty," Xie Lanzhao replied with great composure.

Zhao Jialing was pleased to hear this, as if he had been encouraged, and his reply gradually became arrogant: "It seems that you really can't be without me for a moment. What about at midnight? I was right to have the foresight to send the portrait to your home in advance."

Xie Lanzhao's eyebrows twitched slightly; it was an expected answer, perfectly in line with His Majesty's nature. Knowing full well what was going on, yet still provoking the issue, it couldn't be blamed on His Majesty. "Why does Your Majesty always feel that I have trouble sleeping at night?" Xie Lanzhao asked with a smile, taking another step forward, her tone cool, "Your Majesty seems to have experienced this firsthand, so you're starting to project your own feelings onto others?"

A moment of panic followed by a moment of shame and anger, and Zhao Jialing's mouth became as hard as stone: "I slept very well!"

Even the Wise Ruler System was getting anxious: [Host, this won't do.]

Zhao Jialing: [Is it okay to change my tune now?]

She gazed into Xie Lanzhao's smiling eyes, her thoughts drifting aimlessly. Her lips moved, but she couldn't utter a word; even her hopes had vanished.

"Ah, I misspoke," Xie Lanzhao said gently.

Zhao Jialing was stunned for a moment, the heat rising from her face not dissipating quickly. Coming to her senses, she was immediately overwhelmed with embarrassment and anger, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. She glared at Xie Lanzhao, puffing out her cheeks, and said angrily, "Yes, I can't sleep. Then can I have you stay in the palace and coax me to sleep?"

Xie Lanzhao looked at Zhao Jialing in surprise, and she refused gently but firmly: "No, that won't do."

Zhao Jialing: "Why not? Is there not a palace in the palace where you can stay? I decide everything, and I don't think the Empress Dowager will disagree."

Xie Lanzhao replied calmly, "Does a subject like myself stay overnight in the Forbidden City? I don't want to be drowned in the spittle of the censors the next day."

Zhao Jialing said "Oh," she understood, it was because "public opinion is a fearsome thing." She was very flexible: "It is indeed a bit against the rules, but it's the same if I go to your house. There are old rules to follow, who will scold me, who will scold you? There's no better time than today, I'll go to the Prime Minister's house tonight."

Seeing that Xie Lanzhao didn't answer, Zhao Jialing chuckled again: "See? You're not really willing to accompany me. So why are you asking these questions? You can't solve my problems." After thinking about it, she got angry at herself again, circled Xie Lanzhao twice, and said disappointedly, "You're not sincere at all."

Xie Lanzhao: "If it's just insomnia, I can return the pillow to Your Majesty. Didn't Your Majesty say that pillow has miraculous effects?"

"Did I say that?" Zhao Jialing frowned, her face turning even redder as she thought about it. She took two steps back, looking at Xie Lanzhao with a reproachful expression. "Do you know what you're saying? You're using my pillow as your pillow."

Xie Lanzhao pursed her lips. She had gone too far in teasing His Majesty and her words had become somewhat inappropriate. But her expression remained unchanged, still as pure and aloof as the lonely moon, her eyes deep and unfathomable, like a deep pool in the forest: "Your Majesty, I never said that."

"Too late." Zhao Jialing seized on the slip-up in Xie Lanzhao's words, turned around with his hands behind his back, and peeked out from the side, falling into Xie Lanzhao's eyes. "You are inviting me to share a bed with you. Where is the court attendant? I want her to write this down." When he said the last word, Zhao Jialing could not hide the smugness in his smile.

Xie Lanzhao: "..." His Majesty's smile was a bit jarring. Clearly, the more she tried to persuade him, the more enthusiastic he became. Rumors had already filled Chang'an. Even if the court officials didn't record it in His Majesty's official records, they would probably mention it in their private writings. There was no way he could clear his name anyway, so what was the point of persuading him? However, recently she had somewhat figured out how to deal with His Majesty. Her eyes were deep and unsettling as she said, "What's a pillow? I've even rested my head on His Majesty's legs."

Zhao Jialing suffered a crushing defeat.

Her ears were ringing, and her heart was pounding.

Xie Lanzhao revealed a knowing look. His Majesty's skin was sometimes thick, sometimes thin; his courage was sometimes great, sometimes small; his emotions were as unpredictable as the May weather. But as long as the right opportunity was seized, a single strike could succeed. See? When shame reaches a certain point, even fantasies disappear. She calmly took her leave, waving goodbye without leaving a trace.

A moment later, Zhao Jialing craned his neck and looked around with a lost expression, saying to the system: "Xie Lanzhao is too aggressive, did she take the wrong medicine?"

The Wise Ruler System was speechless. Its host was truly awful. Seemingly arrogant, but utterly useless. The opportunity was presented to it, yet it didn't care what Xie Lanzhao meant. Couldn't it just step up? Take a brave step, then retreat three? When would it ever reach its goal? Forget it, it's a Wise Ruler System, not a Romance System; it can't concern itself with these things. [You're so disappointing, host.]

Zhao Jialing didn't refute; her expression was blank. After a long while, she finally said, "Definitely next time."

This time, however, things weren't so simple. Besides the Tibetans and Turks who were detained, the remaining tribute envoys were all investigated and sent back. Even Xie Lanzhao, the prime minister, didn't have much free time. There was some good news, though. The tribute envoys were terrified and trembling; none of them dared to ask for more gifts. They also didn't dare directly ask the Great Yong for sugar or glass, instead obediently paying for them. They had given up on trying to get something for nothing, but it wasn't a complete loss either. With a little thought, they could still return with a full load.

As for the officials of Dayong who had been secretly dealing with the envoys, they were all devastated. It wouldn't be accurate to call them traitors; hadn't their predecessors been doing this year after year? Who wouldn't try to make a little extra money? But then the Turks and Tibetans conspired to invade Dayong, and now they were finished. They no longer sought wealth and glory, only hoping to save their families and their lives.

When the quotas were presented to Zhao Jialing, a quick glance revealed quite a few scoundrels. Zhao Jialing had no penchant for beheading people; he simply instructed his ministers to handle each case according to the old system, based on the severity of the offense. However, while approving the answers, Zhao Jialing added a few more names with vermilion ink. These "additional names" were also sent away so that new people could take their place.