The Imperial Palace.
Zhou Lin was so angry that he threw the reply in his hand aside.
"Han Qing is like this, and so is Su Hu. What do they mean by this?"
Han Qing commands a million-strong army. If Han Qing does not submit, Zhou Chen's position under his control will be precarious.
Su Hu, too, wrote in a letter that he seemed preoccupied with his own problems, even though the Liuli Society was doing just fine.
Zhou Chen remained calm, even offering a self-deprecating remark, "This throne was something you begged for from your sister, not something you fought for. What's there to be angry about? It's already a good thing that Han Qing didn't declare himself king."
Zhou Lin...
Zhou Lin knew he owed Zhou Chen, so he was determined to help Zhou Chen consolidate his power, but Zhou Chen always acted as if it was none of his business, which made him quite angry.
"We have far too few trusted confidants in the court. Many are still secretly contacting Zhou Ji, and the other princes are also eyeing us covetously. If it weren't for my military suppression, how could we stay here peacefully? Only if Han Qing returns to the capital and is granted a title can your position be secured!"
Zhou Chen tilted his head slightly back and looked at the roof, his eyes somewhat unfocused. He said calmly, "But Han Qing doesn't want to come back. What can you do? Now we're the ones begging him, but he's very unyielding."
"Otherwise, we should establish an empress and select concubines for you as soon as possible." Since the Han Qing route was not feasible, Zhou Lin could only focus on marriage alliances, which was the best and fastest way to consolidate his power and win over the ministers.
Zhou Chen's expression suddenly changed. "I remember you said that you wanted me to be the emperor, so even you would obey my orders."
Zhou Lin didn't understand what Zhou Chen meant by that, and looked at him strangely.
"Then please go back, Third Prince. I know how to consolidate the regime and calm the court. You just need to do what we tell you."
Zhou Chen, dressed in a magnificent dragon robe, sat on a high seat, his gaze dark and unfathomable, as cold and indifferent as the night.
After the truth came out, Zhou Lin tried everything to make amends to Zhou Chen, and it did have some effect at first; Zhou Chen became much gentler towards him.
But ever since Su Jinxia died, he has become a different person, cold and unpredictable.
"You've just ascended the throne, and there are many things you need to discuss with me. National affairs are not to be taken lightly," Zhou Lin earnestly advised.
A cold glint flashed in Zhou Chen's eyes. "Does the Third Prince not believe me?"
He stopped using the word "I" and referred to himself as "I alone," effectively creating a chasm between the two of them.
Zhou Lin felt as if a huge stone was weighing on his heart, making him extremely uncomfortable.
"I..." Zhou Lin was speechless for a moment. He really didn't believe it. Zhou Chen was still young and inexperienced. No one believed that he would become emperor, so the situation in the court was extremely complicated.
But how could Zhou Lin tell the truth and hurt Zhou Chen's feelings? Their brotherhood was already quite weak.
Zhou Lin sighed, "Alright, I believe you. If Your Majesty needs me, I will take my leave."
Zhou Chen didn't give Zhou Lin a second glance, seemingly eager for him to leave.
After Zhou Lin left, Zhou Chen immediately lost all his momentum. He slowly slid down, tilted his head back on the armrest of the chair, and looked at the beams on the ceiling.
"Sister, he's so annoying. I wish you were here."
With a slight sob in her voice, Zhou Chen covered her face and wept, "Sister, I miss you so much."
northwest.
Zhou Ji shivered in his room, wrapped in a blanket. It was almost summer, so why was the weather in the Northwest still so cold and the wind still so strong?
"Set the fire on!" Zhou Ji roared.
The maids in the room hurriedly got to work, but they only got to work; they didn't know what to do.
The Prince of Ji lived in the best room in the city, with three charcoal braziers burning the finest charcoal. The braziers were burning very brightly, and the maids were all flushed from the heat.
Since drinking the blood of a dead man, Zhou Ji had fallen seriously ill. After traveling to the Northwest for days, his body had become even weaker. He could not bear the slightest wind or cold, but this godforsaken Northwest was extremely cold.
The servant opened the door and brought in some dark-colored medicine. Zhou Ji quickly snatched the medicine and drank it all in one gulp, as if drinking it would make him feel better.
"Did the elixir I sent arrive?" Zhou Ji asked.
The servant shook his head. Zhou Ji had already consumed countless treasures, but he was like a bottomless pit, never satisfied.
Zhou Ji provided him with daily elixirs, yet the tens of thousands of soldiers in his army were eating only coarse food and wild vegetables.
The army's morale was wavering, and everyone regretted hiding in the Northwest. Some even wanted to secretly escape. However, Zhou Ji was ruthless. Once he heard any dissenting opinions in the army, he would kill them without mercy. As a result, everyone in the army was in danger, and their behavior was as furtive as rats crossing the street. There was no trace of the army's imposing presence.
Thinking back to when Shen Qianxue led the troops into battle, everyone was well-fed and clothed, winning one victory after another, their morale was high, and they were extremely happy!
well……
Suddenly, Zhou Ji's trusted confidants came to see him outside the door.
Zhou Ji immediately dismissed everyone and invited his subordinates in to report.
The subordinate replied directly, "Your Majesty, we have ascertained Shen Qianxue's whereabouts."
Zhou Ji's eyes lit up instantly upon hearing about Shen Qianxue.
How is he?
“It’s strange. He’s been looking for something. Our people have been asking around and we found out that he’s looking for the rare and sacred medicine, the Tian Shan Snow Lotus. And it’s said that he has already found it and will be setting off to retrieve it soon.”
Zhou Ji pondered, "Why is Shen Qianxue looking for the Tianshan Snow Lotus?"
After a moment's thought, Zhou Ji asked doubtfully, "Are you sure Su Jinxia is dead?"
The subordinate blinked and reported truthfully, "I specifically looked at the corpse's face when I took the blood that day, and it was Su Jinxia."
Zhou Ji gritted his teeth, his eyes gleaming with a sinister light.
A face doesn't tell you anything; Lu Ming's disguise skills are amazing.
Moreover, there has been no news of anyone trusting the Lord of Liuli Mountain, which is very strange.
Zhou Ji took a deep breath. "No matter what, we must seize the Tianshan Snow Lotus for me at all costs!"
The subordinate obeyed: "Yes!"
In the snow-capped mountains on the southwestern edge, Shen Qianxue led everyone to climb up the mountain.
There are rumors that the snow lotus on the summit of this snow-capped mountain is about to ripen.
The Tianshan snow lotus, nurtured by the essence of heaven and earth, contains a rich vitality and is very useful to Su Jinxia.
Shen Qianxue rushed here day and night, hoping to obtain the first-hand spiritual medicine.
The snow-capped mountains are extremely cold, and most people would not dare to enter them, but Shen Qianxue led a group of experts with strong internal strength, and their movements were relatively swift.
They spent two days reaching the mountaintop, where they indeed saw the Tian Shan snow lotus in full bloom.
The snow lotus is crystal clear, plump and moist, and looks extremely extraordinary.
Shen Qianxue smiled, put the snow lotus in a special box, and carefully placed it in her arms.
"Let's go down the mountain."
Without delay, everyone quickly descended the mountain.
By the time they descended the mountain, it was already pitch black. Everyone was exhausted after several days in the mountains, so Shen Qianxue decided to stay overnight in the town at the foot of the mountain.
Night fell, and all was quiet.
The sleeping potion was silently blown into the room, and then a dark figure climbed in and quietly came to Shen Qianxue's side.
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