“Since the new emperor ascended the throne, the eldest princess has been living in seclusion in the palace, recuperating from illness and detached from worldly affairs. This is known to all the children in the streets and alleys. Could you be a spy from the Wei Kingdom?” The magistrate stroked his mustache, his face full of doubt.
"Is he recuperating or is there something else going on?" Tu Longjian stared intently at the county magistrate, pressing him relentlessly.
The magistrate was intimidated by his imposing manner and blurted out the words without thinking.
"Royal secrets are nothing more than defeats and imprisonment in the deep palace. Wait, how could I have said that?"
The magistrate broke out in a cold sweat. Before he could reprimand the suspect, the two women suddenly vanished from his sight. He collapsed to the ground, exclaiming, "Monsters!"
Meanwhile, Tu Longjian, having received a tip from the county magistrate, led Yun Guqing directly to the palace, to the princess's residence.
It was ostensibly for recuperation, but in reality, it was imprisonment. Tu Longjian suddenly appeared before the princess's bed, startling the pale-faced middle-aged woman, who almost cried out.
Yun Guqing reacted swiftly and covered the princess's mouth, disregarding any distinction between superiors and inferiors. Having already died once, she now only respected Tu Longjian in her heart.
The princess looked at the woman who had suddenly appeared in her bedchamber. After her initial surprise, she felt that the woman looked familiar and that she had seen her before.
After scouring her long memories, she finally remembered that it seemed to be a strange woman she had met when she was young.
The woman was incredibly audacious; trapped in a brothel, she impersonated her to escape danger. She had previously used the woman as a scapegoat, but to her surprise, the woman was both brave and resourceful, and instead cooperated with her.
She had once admired his talent and wanted to recruit him, but unfortunately, she never saw him again, as if he had vanished into thin air.
“Your Highness, I once said that you would take the initiative to seek cooperation with me next time.” Tu Longjian realized that the other party had recognized him, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly.
"Yes. I didn't expect that after so many years, you would still be so young." The princess touched the silver strands of hair at her temples, her smile somewhat bitter. "And I, I lost too badly."
Tu Longjian shook his head, diverted a wisp of spiritual power to turn the princess's silver hair black, and said, "An old steed in its stall may still aspire to gallop a thousand miles. I just wonder if Your Highness still harbors such ambitions."
The princess's breathing became rapid, and her face flushed with excitement: "Of course I want to! I've been thinking about it day and night while I was imprisoned!"
"I want the world to be at peace, for everyone to live in safety, and for there to be no hunger, cold, or crime."
"I want a strong nation, prosperous people, and people who don't pick up lost items on the road."
"I want women to no longer be confined to their homes, but to stand tall and proud in the world."
"Very good. I wish Your Highness a speedy ascension to the throne."
Not long after, on the night of the winter solstice, a coup d'état took place in the palace, and power changed hands rapidly, falling into the hands of the eldest princess.
People didn't know how the coup was launched, and those in the know kept quiet about it. All they knew was that a royal advisor, who looked like a goddess from the heavens, had appeared in the palace.
On New Year's Eve, the eldest princess, dressed in magnificent robes and a crown, steadily ascended the steps and sat on the golden dragon throne.
Looking down upon the masses below, the princess on the dragon throne, though her hair had turned white, did not diminish her lofty ambitions. She exchanged a smile with her ethereal imperial advisor, drank a cup of wine, and the strong liquor warmed her heart and lungs as it went down her throat.
From then on, the country's name was changed to Zhaohua, ushering in a golden age of peace and prosperity.
Your Majesty has appointed virtuous and capable officials, reformed redundant policies, and the nation has become increasingly prosperous and powerful. The people live in peace and contentment, and everyone praises you.
In addition, a women's academy was established, and a promotion mechanism for female officials was set up. Gradually, female officials stepped out of the inner palace. The ever-changing political landscape of the court eventually stabilized, and various policies that benefited women were introduced, liberating them from the home.
The human trafficking case was severely cracked down on, brothels in the country were overthrown and rebuilt into girls' schools, and the crime of adultery was written into the law. The person in charge of this matter was the famous and up-and-coming Minister Yun of the Ministry of Justice. For this, she did not hesitate to offend many forces, but she was lucky enough to avoid countless open and hidden attacks and firmly rooted herself in the court like a rock.
Rumor has it that she was a disciple of the Imperial Advisor, which is why she had such good fortune.
This person seemed to respect teachers and the Way very much, and statues of the National Preceptor were erected in all the girls' schools in the country for people to worship.
...
...
...
"Gu Qing, are you really not coming to the cultivation world with me?" Tu Longjian asked.
Yun Guqing nodded firmly and looked out the window, seemingly listening to the woman's clear and melodious reading voice.
“Cultivation is good, but I have found my life’s purpose. The women of the mortal world need me more. Song is only one of the six kingdoms. Although His Majesty is old, His Highness the Princess has the ambition to unify the world. I will assist him and wipe away all evil in the world. This is what you taught me.”
Seeing the faint traces of Dao intent emanating from Yun Guqing, Tu Longjian's lips curled up slightly. Entering the Dao with a mortal heart is truly a unique way of cultivation.
Looking back at the Song Kingdom, which was brimming with new vitality, Tu Longjian embarked on his journey home.
However, as soon as she left the area, she found that many unknown forces gathered around her. Although they were unfamiliar, they were warm.
[It's the power of merit! Wow, it must be the gratitude of the women for the statues Yun Guqing built for you; their combined faith has created merit.]
The power of merit appeared all around her, seemingly coalescing into a single body.
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