Chapter 58 Chapter 58 “If I truly love someone, I will give my all…

The God Emperor has no concubines to accompany him, so he will rest for an hour after lunch and then start to deal with government affairs.

Putting himself in the old emperor's shoes, Jiu Zhao had no interest in what the old emperor was going to do next.

"I came to the imperial palace on earth, not to watch the emperor eat, drink, defecate and urinate..."

She fell far behind the group of people surrounding the bright yellow figure and couldn't help but mutter to herself.

As if sensing Jiu Zhao's displeasure, the old emperor, after sitting in the imperial sedan chair, did not go to the bedroom to rest. Instead, he ordered the sedan bearers to change course and go to the imperial study. He then reported a few more names to the chief eunuch nearby and ordered him to bring these people in.

Jiu Zhao's bored eyes suddenly lit up.

This is what interests her.

During the three days of recuperation, she thought clearly about the most important point.

Regardless of whether she can finally sit on the position of God Emperor, it is a fact that she has squandered more than 30,000 years of her life relying on her status as Goddess. Now that she has grown up, she must have some vision and pattern that matches her status so as not to bring shame to her Father God.

As for how to broaden your horizons——

Jiu Zhao’s simplest idea at the moment is that if he wants to be a good person in power, he must first observe how others act as people in power.

Two days ago, she had asked the Lihuo Immortal Official who came upstairs to visit her during her illness, and learned that the current emperor of the Qian Dynasty was a wise ruler. Under his rule, the entire Yunsheng world was peaceful and prosperous - anyway, there was nothing to worry about in the human world, and Jiuzhao planned to learn from this emperor.

She didn't tell anyone about her thoughts.

Even when he found Zhu Yan, he used such an unreasonable excuse.

…

After walking for a while under the scorching sun, Jiu Zhao and the other two finally followed the old emperor to the imperial study.

She had a hot body and was afraid of the hot summer weather. The scorching sun shone in the sky for a long time, and her clothes were soaked with sweat.

Fortunately, within the imperial study, two icebergs half a man's height lay, newly arrived and yet to melt. A talisman imbued with the power of a cultivator was affixed beneath a nearby gilded wind wheel. These wheels rotated at a steady speed, aiming at the icebergs and delivering a perfectly balanced breeze to beat the summer heat.

Jiu Zhao was the most proficient in enjoying life. As soon as he stepped into the imperial study, he immediately leaned against the iceberg and occupied a good corner.

Soon, several ministers in court robes came hurriedly to see the emperor.

After a brief greeting and raising his hands, the old emperor and his group of confidants began to discuss state affairs.

Things like the upcoming autumn examinations, tax inspections in various places, and the drought in the southern region. In addition, the Wanxiang Palace was ordered to send monks to form a team to go to the northwestern towns and villages to annihilate the low-level demons that had sneaked out from the cracks in the Burning Sea and were causing trouble.

Jiu Zhao listened carefully, reflecting on the many similarities between the political affairs of Yunsheng's world and those of the Three Pure Ones. She selected a few matters that seemed to have a clearer grasp, and then considered how she would have decided if she were in the emperor's shoes.

Her Highness, the Divine Princess, who had been chattering constantly since entering the palace, paused, her chin slightly lowered, her long, drooping eyelashes veiling her dark, bright eyes as she immersed herself in her own thoughts. This rare quiet gesture, in Zhu Yan's eyes, was a truly unique sight.

He sees through it but doesn't say it out loud.

Pretending not to know Jiu Zhao's real intention.

Occasionally, when Jiu Zhao was in distress and frowned because he couldn't figure something out, he would pretend to talk to himself and give him some advice.

Warm words echoed in his ears, along with the refreshing breeze that dispelled the summer heat. Jiu Zhao was initially annoyed by Zhu Yan's frequent interruptions. But when he truly listened, he realized that compared to his own immature thoughts, his perspective was more informed by the wisdom of a mature politician.

Thus, she had a new understanding of Zhu Yan - she couldn't help but sigh in her heart that Zhu Yan's biological mother was clearly the lowest-ranking concubine in the Northern God Palace, but even her maid had such ability to teach Zhu Yan to be so knowledgeable and intelligent.

Time passes silently.

The government affairs audit lasted for more than an hour. Under Zhu Yan's guidance, it was not as boring as I had imagined, and the last meeting came quickly.

"Your Majesty, there is also the matter of Concubine Zhengui's mother's family, the Duke of Jingguo's Mansion—"

Compared to the previous political topics where everyone expressed their own opinions and responded appropriately, when the ministers mentioned these two names that Jiu Zhao had just heard of not long ago, their faces showed a bit of hesitation as if they wanted to say something but stopped.

In Chongxi Hall, the palace concubine dressed in gorgeous clothes serving meals, that exceptionally young face appeared in Jiuzhao's mind.

She was just wondering how the political discussion suddenly involved the ladies in the harem, when she suddenly saw the old emperor, who was reviewing a memorial, raise his head. His eyes, slightly cloudy due to his age, silently reflected a chilling coldness.

"I ordered you to secretly collect evidence of the Jingguo Mansion's crimes. How is the progress?

"Ever since last year's victory against the Southern Xinjiang tribes, Duke Jingguo, his eldest and second sons, and their followers, both inside and outside the court, have become complacent and arrogant. Their arrogance has only grown. I can only tell you that I can no longer tolerate this—"

"When all the evidence is available and they have lost all support, I will arrest them all at once, confiscate their property and convict them."

The holy order came suddenly, accompanied by wind and thunder.

Although the old emperor's voice was not loud, every word he spoke was filled with an unquestionable authority.

With the example of the once-powerful Duke Jingguo Mansion, who was in charge of a seriously ill patient, these important officials in the imperial study, any one of whom could be influential, became even more nervous, wishing they could cut open their chests and offer their hearts to show their loyalty to the old emperor.

Just as they were glancing at each other, listing off Duke Jingguo's crimes, fearing the Emperor might not be satisfied, a young official standing at the end showed pity and said with a folded hand, "Your Majesty, Concubine Zhengui has been in the palace for many years and has earned your favor. The Empress has been ill, and she has devoted herself to assisting the six palaces over the years. She has always been known for her virtuousness and ability."

"If word of the punishment meted out to the Duke of Jingguo's mansion reaches the Imperial Concubine's ears someday, I'm afraid she won't be able to cope with it."

After these words were spoken, the other ministers fell silent.

If it were other concubines, they would definitely refute the other party, saying that the world and one person are more important, and they should not be too soft-hearted.

But the emperor's great favor for Concubine Zhengui was witnessed by the whole world.

Before knowing the emperor's true thoughts, they did not dare to rashly attack Concubine Zhengui.

However, the silence in the study did not last long.

With the crisp sound of the imperial pen hitting the ground, the emperor's usually calm tone suddenly became sharp: "What has the affairs of the Duke Jingguo Mansion to do with Concubine Zhengui? Once you enter the palace, you are a member of the royal family. I will not blame Concubine Zhengui for the Duke Jingguo's mistakes. Of course, I will not let those who disrupt the government go free just because I favor Concubine Zhengui. My dear ministers, you should share my virtues and beliefs!"

…

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"I am willing to obey your majesty's holy decree!"

For a moment, there was a constant flow of responses.

The old emperor nodded with satisfaction, and reminded his ministers that "this matter must not be spread outside". Only then did the ministers take their leave and file out.

Jiu Zhao felt a little complicated.

She didn't need to see the old emperor's expression, and she spoke frankly without any reservation: "How can Concubine Zhengui live if her husband becomes her enemy?"

The emperor doted on her, but he did not hesitate at all when dealing with her family.

When one holds power, the love between men and women, the affection between husband and wife, becomes as insignificant as grass. I wonder if, in a different situation, the imperial concubine, in a high position, ordered the complete extermination of her husband's family, would the old emperor consider her decision wise.

She expressed her confusion and contempt to Zhu Yan, but Zhu Yan replied as if it were commonplace, "This isn't just Yun Shengshi. Such incidents are not uncommon throughout the reigns of successive God Emperors in the Three Pure Heavens. In ancient times, the third God Emperor, Empress Tianxuan, once issued an order to annihilate the Difu tribe, even though they knew nothing about the rebellion.

After a pause, he gently stated a fact that Jiu Zhao could not refute:

"As long as power exists, these horrific things will never stop."

Jiu Zhao was fed up with listening to this. Although she felt sympathy for the precious concubine who was kept in the dark, she could do nothing due to the shackles of heaven.

She asked coldly, "So in your opinion, the old emperor's behavior was good?"

"No."

Zhu Yan's answer was decisive. "If I truly love someone, I will do my utmost to prevent them from getting hurt. There were early signs of Duke Jingguo's domineering nature. The emperor, in order to protect his reputation, allowed him to do so step by step, hoping to uproot him without damaging his own wings."

"If I were the emperor, even if it meant paying a price, I would do my best to find a compromise before things became irreversible. I would allow Duke Jingguo to relinquish power and return home to enjoy his old age. I would also explain the situation to Concubine Zhengui so she wouldn't be heartbroken."

When things actually happen, no one can guarantee that the decisions made will be exactly the same as what they imagined.

But having witnessed too many cold-blooded and high-sounding words, Jiu Zhao agreed more with Zhu Yan's idea of ​​retaining a touch of humanity.

Her gaze towards Zhu Yan softened a little.

But he said sarcastically, seemingly disappointed in his friend: "So, you also view your relationship with Meng Chu in this way? Zhu Yan, if you are too soft-hearted, you can indeed prevent others from getting hurt, because the only one who will be hurt is yourself."

"Miss, you are wise."

Zhu Yan couldn't help but smile bitterly, "Perhaps it's just like what the young lady said, I'm just too ignorant to see through this."

"But if the world were filled with cruel and callous people, without the virtues of kindness and forbearance, it would have been destroyed long ago."

Jiu Zhao dropped this seemingly casual remark, stretched out his arms, stretched himself, and yawned indifferently. "I've been in the palace for so long, I'm tired and hungry. Let's go back and come back tomorrow."

After saying that, she turned around and prepared to leave.

But because he was too close to Zhu Yan, he accidentally bumped into his shoulder.

The young man has a tall figure and a body as straight and strong as that of an adult man.

Jiu Zhao was knocked back half a step by him, and the breath-suppressing talisman on his palm suddenly fell off.

"Hey, my talisman—"

Jiu Zhao leaned over to pick it up, but just as Zhu Yan had said, the talisman turned to ashes the moment it left his palm.

She was regretting her carelessness and was also worried that the lack of talisman paper might attract the attention of the dragon energy in the palace.

At this moment, a slender hand like jade slipped into her palm.

"Please forgive me, young lady. Your breath-suppressing talisman has been destroyed. For safety's sake, I can only resort to this last resort."

As he spoke, Zhu Yan slowly held her hand with the talisman paper on it.