Chapter 480 A Three-in-One Shot, You've Known All Along

Liang Muhui leaned against the door with her arms crossed.

"Your Majesty the Emperor and Empress, what kind of romantic games are you playing in front of my palace gates?"

The two were invited inside for tea.

Ji Qingwu, caught spying, scratched his ear sheepishly and sat quietly beside the emperor.

In contrast, Emperor Wusu remained remarkably calm, sitting at the head of the table and saying, "The palace can no longer keep you."

Liang Muhui said, "Oh? Is it that Her Majesty the Empress doesn't want me to stay in the palace?"

Ji Qingwu shook his head.

Zhao Mingyan said, "Not just you, everyone in the harem doesn't need to stay any longer."

Ji Qingwu turned his head and looked at the emperor in surprise.

Liang Muhui immediately realized that this was a decision made by Emperor Wusu himself, and the Empress was unaware of it.

She decisively replied, "Fine, I'll pack up and leave tonight."

Zhao Mingyan said, "Bring that injured person along too. Since you were the one who injured him, you are responsible for his recovery."

Before Liang Muhui could utter her sarcastic words, the emperor lowered his brows and said in a deep voice, "This is an imperial decree."

Seeing Zhao Mingyan's cold expression, Liang Muhui didn't dare to offend him. She snorted and left.

Once everyone else was out of the room, Ji Qingwu tugged at his sleeve and asked, "What's going on between those two?"

Zhao Mingyan said, "Liang Muhui lost both her parents at a young age and was destined to be an unlucky star. Empress Dowager Liang sent her to Hanshan Temple to cultivate, where she and Shen Wei were from the same school."

Ji Qingwu said, "Then why did they become enemies? Liang Muhui's sword showed no mercy whatsoever."

Zhao Mingyan said, "The people in their sect are all people with special destinies. Shen Wei will not die, which is why she used such a heavy hand."

So when the emperor said he wouldn't die, he meant it literally.

Zhao Mingyan continued, "The reason is that Shen Wei took it upon himself to switch Liang Muhui's cursed fate with his own. He just thought that after she got rid of the cursed fate, she could have a normal life."

Ji Qingwu said, "For example, she could marry someone she is engaged to and become a good wife and mother."

Zhao Mingyan coughed and said, "But what Shen Wei didn't know was that Liang Muhui had long been in love with him. By a twist of fate, Shen Wei became a lone star with an immortal destiny."

Ji Qingwu was silent for a moment, then asked, "So, Master, you are destined to be widowed and childless? Your Majesty, aren't you afraid that something might happen if you keep them together?"

Zhao Mingyan said, "I only gave them a push. How things turn out is up to the two of them."

Ji Qingwu took his arm and said, "Even if we can only be together for a few days, it's better than never seeing each other again."

Zhao Mingyan smiled and kissed her lips, saying, "Awu and I are truly in sync."

*

The emperor's words about dismissing the women of the harem were not just empty talk; he quickly ordered people to carry them out.

They may choose to spend their time with Buddhist scriptures and lamps, or return home to remarry with a different identity.

Anhua Palace was the first palace to be emptied.

However, there were also quite a few concubines and ladies who were unwilling to leave the palace and cried all the way to Chenning Palace.

Most of these women were not favored at home. If they could not make a name for themselves in the palace, they would be destined to be tormented and manipulated or die if they went back home.

Wei Liru was still under house arrest in Guanju Palace, so she sent her maid Bitao over.

Ji Qingwu also felt sorry for these women. When the emperor came to her place for lunch after court, she saw that he had almost finished eating.

Ji Qingwu spoke up, "Your Majesty, the women in the harem don't necessarily have to be..."

Zhao Mingyan put down his chopsticks and said, "Awu has softened her heart."

Ji Qingwu nodded and said, "That's true to some extent."

Zhao Mingyan frowned and said, "A hundred years from now, these women will still be buried next to the imperial mausoleum. Is Awu willing to do that?"

Ji Qingwu said honestly, "Of course I don't want to."

Let alone what happens after death, even now, Ji Qingwu feels uneasy. No one wants to share their husband, even if it's just in name only; it's still unsettling.

Zhao Mingyan said, "Awu, those who achieve great things cannot be bound by trivial matters or petty principles."

"Human hearts are fickle. If we keep them around, we can't guarantee that they won't become jealous at any time. By then, it will be too late to cause incalculable damage."

Ji Qingwu nodded and said, "I understand this principle."

Zhao Mingyan picked up a damp cloth and dabbed it on her lips, saying, "Good that you understand."

Ji Qingwu placed her hand on his leg and said, "However, the women His Majesty has selected to enter the palace are all talented and virtuous. I think it would be even better if they could continue to serve His Majesty elsewhere."

Zhao Mingyan then helped her wipe her fingers and asked, "Does Awu have any good ideas?"

Ji Qingwu said, "Because the previous dynasty removed officials who colluded with the Western Jin, there are not many capable people left. Has Your Majesty considered trying to implement a system of female officials?"

There was nothing the two of them couldn't talk about now, and Ji Qingwu stared at him with bright eyes.

Zhao Mingyan looked into her eyes and suddenly chuckled.

"Li Chengxun also submitted a memorial from Longzhou, hoping to abolish the system of recommending officials from aristocratic families and give more opportunities to students from poor families to enter the court as officials."

The morning court session was a complete mess. Official families naturally didn't want rural students to stand on the same starting line as their own children. The influence of their ancestors couldn't be so easily erased.

Upon hearing this, Ji Qingwu excitedly said, "These women were all selected by aristocratic families. If the officials disagree with abolishing the recommendation of aristocratic families, and the emperor insists on implementing the new policies, they will most likely give in on the matter of female officials."

Zhao Mingyan took her hand and kissed her on the lips.

"Only Ah Wu could come up with something that kills two birds with one stone like this."

Ji Qingwu said, "It kills three birds with one stone: the Emperor has someone he can use in his court, and the women in the harem have a wider world to explore."

Zhao Mingyan asked, "What is the third one?"

Ji Qingwu chuckled and said, "I can also easily do that in Chenning Palace—"

Zhao Mingyan replied, "Wait for me to come back."

Ji Qingwu leaned close to his ear and whispered two words.

The soup and liquid on the table were spilled and scattered all over the floor. In shock, Zhao Mingyan knocked the table over and quickly picked her up and hid to the side.

During his free time, Ji Qingwu asked the system about something else and discovered that his rating had been changed to A the night before.

The unlock condition for Rank A is pregnancy.

The system needs two days to confirm the changes in her body.

When Zhao Mingyan heard that it would take at least a month for the woman to be diagnosed with pregnancy, he immediately broke out in a cold sweat. He wondered if he had harmed her on their wedding night...

"When did this happen? How is Ah Wu feeling now?"

Ji Qingwu said, "Well, it's only been three days."

There were too many unreasonable things that had happened to her, and Zhao Mingyan nodded in good acceptance.

Ji Qingwu observed his expression and asked, "Why isn't Your Majesty surprised? How can a pregnancy be diagnosed after only three days?"

Zhao Mingyan said, "Naturally, it's because A-Wu's medical skills are superb."

Ji Qingwu smiled and said, "Naturally, it's because His Majesty is incredibly capable and knows everything."

“You’ve always known why I was in the Northern Army camp.”