"This is a capable person I met while traveling. Although he is a man, he has an extraordinary demeanor, and I intend to recruit him."
Wei Xinpian's words sounded very high-sounding, but whether her sister believed them or not, she certainly didn't.
The moment she saw Mo Yu, she clung to him. She had finally managed to coax him into the palace, and she didn't want him to scare her away by her elder sister.
"Oh, really?"
Dou Shiliu's seemingly casual question caused the Empress to cough awkwardly.
"Ahem, did you come all this way just to see my newly appointed Imperial Advisor, my elder sister?"
Dou Shiliu toyed with the teapot, his eyes glazed over.
"One should act appropriately in all matters."
This is a harem, and the female lead's intentions are way too obvious by placing a man in the harem.
"Then let's go to the Imperial Study, Your Majesty. Imperial Preceptor Mo, please wait here for now; someone will arrange accommodations."
She would have someone arrange a place close to her residence.
"No need to see me off, Your Majesty."
Mo Yuan bowed to Dou Shiliu again, and indeed did not come out to see him off.
The Empress and Dou Shiliu went to the Imperial Study because they had something to discuss.
"By placing the princes of various countries in your backyard, are you trying to take them all in?"
The Empress immediately retorted upon hearing this.
"Sister, this isn't something I wanted to accept; it's the subordinates who are in charge."
She already has Mo Yu; how could she possibly favor someone else now?
Dou Shiliu nodded thoughtfully, then looked up at the proud Empress.
"How do you want to handle it?" Just leave it as a pet? Or let it languish?
Hearing this, the Empress was taken aback. Although she lacked nothing, the money in her country didn't come from nowhere.
"Then send them all back."
What are all these young boys doing locked up here? She doesn't keep idle people around.
"Improper etiquette"
Dou Shiliu rejected the suggestion outright. Could something that's already been given be put back?
"The grand ceremony is in a few days, and all the monarchs will be there. We can just find a reason to send it back."
The Empress has always acted this way, disregarding the feelings of other countries, since they still submit to her.
Dou Shiliu chuckled softly and gently patted her forehead.
"Are you so inconsiderate of their dignity?"
If she were to rebel, she would be the one to suffer.
Even if you flatter them, they wouldn't dare say anything.
The Empress was confident in this regard; her elder sister had led troops to kill countless enemies and would surely crush the rebels.
"At the grand ceremony, various countries will contribute handsome men and jewels. Why don't you just have the princesses dance to the tune of 'husbands'?"
This is a good idea, and the Empress readily accepted it.
"Your black jade looks like it was sent by a slave from a conquered nation."
Dou Shiliu slowly uttered these words, which sent a shiver down the Empress's spine.
Silence fell for a moment, and the air grew quiet.
Wei Xinpian pursed her lips
"I understand."
Dou Shiliu nodded and casually patted her.
"Then I'll take my leave."
The empress was left with a jumbled mess of thoughts, suffering a headache all by herself.
Regardless of the process, the Empress will ultimately favor Mo Yu.
…
Dou Shiliu left the palace, and the sweltering heat in the air made her quite irritable.
"I really want to go to the battlefield."
Those days of fighting and killing were absolutely exhilarating.
"Host, don't panic, the cannon fodder might be right around you."
Bai Tuan offered some comforting words, which calmed Dou Shiliu down a bit.
"Hmm, but what's the cheat code in my world?"
"Hmm... Invincible, they will always be the stronger side in war..."
As they talked, Bai Tuan's momentum weakened; this skill was even worse than the one from the previous world.
Dou Shiliu remained silent for a moment, then pursed his lips.
"This skill is pretty useless, isn't it?"
She has never lost a fight.
The white ball awkwardly patted the main system, wondering if it could at least show some respect to its host.
While they were chatting, the car had already returned to the Prince's mansion.
"Your Highness, we have arrived at the residence."
The servants outside pulled back the gauze curtain, and Dou Shiliu peeked out. The servants lowered their heads and dared not look directly at her face.
As before, after dinner, he would handle some official business, and then start indulging in pleasure again.
It was just that ordinary nobles and aristocrats would hold various banquets to curry favor with her, and Dou Shi would do so whenever she had free time.
Today is the Prime Minister's son's birthday, and he's throwing a huge banquet. He's sent people to invite her three times, afraid she won't go.
Today, Dou Shiliu wore a python robe, the kind only a prince could wear, and a headband embroidered with dragons and phoenixes depicting the heavens in gold thread.
His imposing presence emanated from within, an aura even stronger than usual, sending chills down the spines of his servants, who bowed their heads even lower.
After Dou Shiliu finished packing, he took a carriage to the Prime Minister's residence.
As the prince's carriage approached the prime minister's residence, the prime minister, unlike her usual official robes, was dressed in splendid attire. Her ruddy complexion was powdered, making her look exceptionally radiant. She stood at the gate to personally greet Dou Shiliu's arrival.
Following them were the officials, all of whom were among the top officials in the court.
"Your Highness, we respectfully welcome you. Today, our Prime Minister's residence is honored with your presence."
As soon as Dou Shiliu lifted the linchpin, she saw a group of civil and military officials kneeling before her carriage, which she gladly accepted.
"All officials, please rise."
The servants helped her out of the car, and everyone's eyes followed her every move.
This woman is like a goddess.
She was like an invincible myth, a goddess in the hearts of matriarchal societies.
Everyone followed Dou Shiliu into the mansion. She wasn't late; the birthday banquet had just begun.
The Prime Minister's mansion's vast garden was filled with banquets, and Dou Shiliu followed the Prime Minister to the highest position.
"Your Highness, I'd like to offer you a toast."
The fiery liquor slid down his throat, and Dou Shiliu took a slow, deliberate sip as a sign of respect.
After that, the Prime Minister stopped paying attention to Dou Shiliu; today, as the hostess, she had to entertain many guests.
Singing and dancing, wine and pastries
The young officials, surrounded by beautiful women, danced gracefully on the dance floor.
Dou Shiliu rested his chin on his hand, watching the lively yet mundane banquet unfold. The sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, and the guests clinked glasses, chatted merrily, and enjoyed themselves immensely.
However, while the palace was indeed filled with singing and dancing, it was a common sight there, and people were tired of it.
Having attended many palace banquets, all of which were the same, Dou Shiliu was a little bored, but still enjoyed it immensely.
After all, they always manage to come up with new and innovative dance routines, and they can always play ordinary musical instruments with a lingering and beautiful melody.
She took a sip of wine indifferently, casually picked a grape with her slender hand, and tossed it into her mouth. The sweet taste spread across her taste buds, causing her to squint slightly.
Such an ordinary action is absolutely tempting to onlookers.
"Father, I want to marry His Highness the Prince."
Mu Yu uttered the words in a daze, his eyes never leaving the Prince on the high throne.
Upon hearing this, the official Mu followed his son's gaze and looked over, just as Dou Shiliu glanced at him and met his eyes.
His expression was languid, but deep in his eyes was an absolute cruel contempt that regarded all living beings as ants, which made her heart skip a beat.
Fortunately, Dou Shiliu only glanced at him briefly before looking away.
The official took a sip of wine, feeling a chill run down his spine. The prince's imposing presence was indeed becoming increasingly frightening.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
