Chapter 1623 Extra: The New Era (Part 1)
“This food poisoning incident is extremely serious and of a very bad nature! I feel like my reputation is going to be completely ruined…” Sometimes, Shen Tang would seriously suspect that Gong Xi Chou might be an undercover agent planted by the enemy to wait for an opportunity to strike.
She didn't even dare to imagine what would happen if this were recorded in history.
A slightly fair historian would write something like, "On a certain day, the emperor was pleased and held a banquet in the palace, summoning his ministers to drink together. When the wine was flowing freely, all the ministers exhibited unusual behavior," and record exactly what happened.
If it were a critic, they would probably use their boundless imagination to vividly describe a scene: "On a certain day, the emperor was pleased and held a banquet in the palace, summoning his ministers to drink. When the wine was flowing freely, all the ministers were drunk, some lying on the ground vomiting, others leaning against pillars panting, looking as if they were about to die, their breaths barely audible. The emperor, seeing this, showed no anger, and ordered his attendants to bring more wine. They parted in high spirits. The next day, the court session ended."
What does this tell us?
This shows that Shen Youli couldn't wait to kill the meritorious officials.
The method was simple and brutal: they set up a trap and poisoned everyone's food. Unfortunately, the officials were lucky enough not to be poisoned to death.
Even if the parties involved waved their hands in explanation, it would be seen as them submitting to Shen Tang's tyranny, daring not to speak a word of truth in life, and obediently taking the truth to their graves in death. After all, that's how emperors are; there's no reason why Shen Youli should be different and not harm those she knows.
The thought of that scene only intensified her urge to hit someone.
"We must resolutely criticize the culprit, Gong Xichou, seriously, and without mercy! If you want to gang up on him, I can turn a blind eye." Shen Tang, considerate of Qin Li's undeserved misfortune, solemnly promised that she would make Gong Xichou pay the price he deserved. She rambled on and on, then turned her head to find Qin Li staring at her without saying a word.
Shen Tang raised her hand and waved it in front of him: "Gong Su?"
From the moment Qin Li opened his eyes, his emotions were very strange.
The medical professionals clearly said it had no effect on the brain.
However, even doctors can misdiagnose. With this thought in mind, Shen Tang was about to perform a divination with her fingers. She had only moved twice when Qin Li grasped her fingers with his hand. Feeling the warmth of his palm, Shen Tang looked at him in confusion. Qin Li finally spoke weakly, "I'm fine, I just had a rather unpleasant dream, and I'm still quite frightened."
Shen Tang: "An unpleasant dream?"
Qin Li did not let go of her hand.
As a subject, his actions were indeed offensive. He, who had always followed the rules, seemed to have abandoned his principles and dared to "defy his superior" for once. Shen Tang did not reprimand him. He pondered for a few moments: "I am saddened that I do not see my lord in my dreams."
Shen Tang didn't try to comfort Qin Li by saying things like "dreams are all fake." Firstly, Qin Li's background was somewhat unusual, and secondly, he was a scholar who had perfected the ways of the literati; the dreams of such people often carried special meaning. If it were just an ordinary nightmare, why would he still be affected by the lingering effects of the dream long after waking up, unable to distinguish between reality and illusion?
Shen Tang gently patted the back of his hand.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here."
Gong Xichou kept sticking his head into the house.
Beside him, Ji Moqiu pressed his palm against his troublemaking brother's forehead and gently pushed him away: "Aren't you afraid of getting punished?"
"How can you be fined twice for the same offense?"
He not only apologized, but also got a good beating.
Seeing Qin Li unharmed, Gong Xichou maintained his composure on the surface, but inwardly he breathed a sigh of relief. If anything had happened to Qin Li, Mama would probably have gone to great lengths to rescue him. Speaking of which—
"If it really comes down to snatching someone, can Mama outmaneuver the King of Hell?"
Gong Xichou had only ever fought in battles.
Speaking of which, when he died, he didn't see the legendary Black and White Impermanence. He only felt a chilling atmosphere and was soon pulled back to the mortal realm. He didn't even see the King of Hell, let alone the King of Hell's minions. Gong Xi Chou knew that Mama had a powerful background, but the King of Hell was also a god. He wondered if he would suffer a loss if the two of them fought.
"They are not from the same system."
"Not part of the same system? And then what?"
Why rob?
Gong Xichou: "???"
"Just follow the procedures and take it away."
Gong Xichou: "???"
Ji Moqiu added, "I received news that His Highness the Demon Emperor secured his place in this cycle of reincarnation several years ago. Once these people's lifespans run out, they will be intercepted through a fast track and taken to the demon race. To be honest, I'm rather pessimistic about this..."
Gong Xichou scratched his head, feeling like his brain wasn't working properly.
Why are you not optimistic about it?
Ji Moqiu: "The Heavenly Dao's fortune is currently on the human race. The demon race has been in decline for many years, and only in recent years has it received some favor from the Heavenly Dao. After all, it has been in a state of decline for many years, and it is unknown how many years it will take to rise again, or whether it can seize the opportunity."
Of those on His Highness the Demon Emperor's list of those to be removed, who can't continue reincarnating among the human race? Reincarnation, based on the merits accumulated in this life, won't be too bad, but going to the demon race—the future is truly uncertain. However, one thing is certain: the lifespan of demons is far longer than that of humans, so it's possible to seek immortality.
This is probably one of the main reasons why His Highness relented.
Gong Xichou: "Am I on the list too?"
He and Mama have such a good relationship, there must be something going on, right?
Ji Moqiu: "..."
Gong Xichou nudged him with his elbow: "Big brother?"
Ji Moqiu said, "You'll find out when the time comes."
Gong Xichou muttered a complaint under his breath.
The two brothers didn't keep their conversation a secret, and Qin Li could hear everything clearly from the short distance between the outside and inside. He was also hearing about this for the first time: "Will this matter harm our lord?"
He may not understand the ways of Heaven, but he knows fairness.
Favoritism and bias are a loss of fairness; would Heaven allow that?
Shen Tang: "What harm could it possibly do to me? The person demanding them is someone else entirely. If there's a price to pay, it'll be hers. Don't think too highly of her; there's no such thing as a free lunch. She's after the merit and fortune of Wu Hui and the others, aiming to educate the demon race and shed their bestial nature. She wouldn't do it without a benefit. In this life, she's human; in the next, she'll be seen as beasts by humans. I'm afraid Wu Hui and the others won't accept that. That's why I haven't said anything about it..."
The demon race is on the Heavenly Dao's blacklist. If they are truly reincarnated as demons in their next life, they will naturally bear the karma inherent to demons, which may cause them to suffer on the path of cultivation. In fact, it is also possible to cultivate the Great Dao by entering the human race, but if they choose this path, the Heavenly Dao will not allow Shen Tang to interfere, nor will it allow them to retain the memories of this life. If they die and their souls are scattered, it will have nothing to do with Shen Tang.
Things are different once you join the demon race.
Although there are limitations, Shen Tang can still intervene to some extent.
What Shen Tang said was far beyond Qin Li's level, and his attention was not on the afterlife—he hadn't even finished this life, so how could he talk about the afterlife? What he cared about was that Shen Tang used "they" several times in his words, not "you".
Before the nightmare, Qin Li would probably avoid the topic, not pressing the question about why he wasn't there. After all, if he asked that question, things could get out of control. What if the answer was that Shen Tang and Qin Li's feelings hadn't deepened enough for them to continue their relationship in the next life?
But the nightmare changed his mindset.
"Why 'them' and not Qin Li?"
Shen Tang doubted that she had heard correctly.
Qin Li didn't give her a chance to speak, and said in a calm tone, "What if Qin Gongsu wants to follow the lord in this life, the next life, and all the future lives? Would the lord abandon Qin Gongsu?"
Shen Tang said, "Of course I won't abandon you."
Qin Li persisted: "Then why not 'you'?"
He can't be fooled by a few words.
Shen Tang: "...This is a long story."
Qin Li said, "I am all ears."
Shen Tang: "..."
She had just opened her mouth when hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard.
"My lord, Qi Xiang and the others have also begun to wake up!"
But everyone's emotions were off, it was terrifying, so I had no choice but to come and call for reinforcements. Shen Tang turned to look at Qin Li, whose face was even paler than when he had just woken up: "My lord, go."
Shen Tang: "..."
She always felt that the conversation sounded strange.
Since Qin Li had already said that, she left with a curt "I'll explain when I get back," and hurriedly got up to leave. Qin Li looked at the hand on the quilt, a thousand thoughts churning within him, as if searching for an outlet. He closed his eyes, suppressing them all.
Let me explain.
Qin Li opened his eyes and saw Ji Moqiu.
He said, "No need, I don't want to hear it."
The answer wasn't important to him; what mattered was who said it.
"Listen to this, it might not be what you imagine?"
Qin Li: "..."
Because of food poisoning among the court officials, the royal court had to go on strike for seven days. During these seven days, Shen Tang was also extremely busy, and whenever he had a spare moment, he couldn't help but curse Gong Xi Chou. That old rascal really knows how to get himself into trouble.
Despite the long shutdown, the system in North Korea remains stable.
"Fortunately, I have you. My son has grown up and can stand on his own now." In seven days, all kinds of memorials were sent to the Crown Princess's residence, and Shen De was put in charge of them all. The Crown Princess's residence was a miniature version of the royal court, and Shen De was very adept at handling these matters.
Shen De said, "Your subject cannot bear to hear such words."
The next example is Jimo Feng, which was praised so highly.
Shen De didn't want his mother to say "abdicate" in the next sentence.
Shen Tang chuckled: "What, you won't?"
Shen De: "We should give them some more time."
She knew from the moment she became conscious that she would be the next monarch of the world, and for many years she had been working towards this goal. However, in such a vast court and in such a vast world, not everyone was truly convinced of her mother's authority, let alone her. Even if she abdicated, Shen De would need to be fully prepared to take on the responsibility of ruling the world again; it was still too early for that.
Shen Tang stroked her hair: "Then work hard."
She paused for a moment, then said, "Mom will let go when you're truly grown up."
One is the monarch, the other the crown prince; the tender moments between mother and daughter are always fleeting. Shen Tang was called away again for other matters, leaving Shen De standing there, savoring the lingering warmth of her hair.
"I am luckier than Jimo Feng."
"Ji Mofeng? Who is that?"
The speaker was one of the Right Junior Attendants of the Right Spring Palace of the Crown Princess's Mansion.
Initially, she held a nominal but sinecure position in the Crown Princess's residence. She was subsequently promoted and now manages the Crown Princess's treasury. She also assists the Crown Princess in political affairs, offering advice and remonstrance. She is one of Shen De's most trusted confidantes. The Right Vice-Minister possesses a pair of extremely peculiar and eerie white eyes, which instill fear in those around her. They secretly believe that the Right Vice-Minister rose to power through her sophistry.
After all, who would flatter a good person the moment they meet them?
She immediately declared: "The female ruler possesses the aura of an emperor."
Everyone else rolled their eyes upon hearing this.
The lord has only one daughter; who else could be the future emperor but her? In this world, the only ones with the aura of an emperor are the lord and His Highness.
The person who said this is clearly a sycophant.
Who knew that just that one sentence would catch Shen De's eye?
She is now the Right Vice Minister.
If Your Highness is to ascend the throne in the future, you may enter the Secretariat.
Shen De couldn't help but chuckle: "Half-sisters."
Hmm, how can you not consider them sisters?
However, Shen De couldn't let her teacher, Lin Feng, hear this. If the teacher overheard, Shen De was afraid that her homework would multiply indefinitely.
In the first month of the fiftieth year of the Yanhuang era, the Emperor abdicated in favor of Crown Princess Shen De.
Shen Tang stepped down, grasped Shen De's hand, and addressed his friends in the court, who had fought alongside him for over half a century: "Ru Gui is kind and compassionate, capable of relieving my burdens and alleviating the people's suffering. She also possesses the ambition to promote what is beneficial and eliminate what is harmful, and harbors strategies for stabilizing the country. Her achievements can be publicized throughout the land. Judging from her words, actions, character, and qualities, she is qualified to inherit my mantle. She is truly the one destined by Heaven and the one whom the people desire. After careful consideration for many years, I wish to follow the example of Yao and Shun and entrust her with the imperial regalia... I hope that you gentlemen will treat her as you would treat me, and that you will live in harmony as ruler and subject..."
The ministers had no objections.
After all, this abdication had been prepared for ten years in advance.
All the necessary mental preparations had been made, and all the necessary notifications and hints had been given. Shen Tang even specifically instructed Shen De to spend more time among the common people to build up his reputation, going wherever disaster relief was needed, and not to act like the crown prince. Only by truly immersing himself in the lives of ordinary people could he truly hear their voices. Currently, Shen De's reputation among the people had reached a new high, and in Shen Tang's view, the time was ripe.
Since that's the case, we should make a clean break.
However, unlike Ji Mofeng's hasty ascension to the throne, Shen Tang could linger here for some time, watching Shen De truly establish himself and helping to curb the restless thoughts in the court and local areas. Even though Shen De's temperament and methods were mature and shrewd enough that those people could only be manipulated and controlled by her, he was still the child she had raised, and Shen Tang always viewed him with a certain degree of sympathy.
They were terrified that their child would be bullied by outsiders.
Shen Dehui grasped Shen Tang's hand, his lips moving slightly.
In the end, she dared not decline in such a solemn occasion, but conveyed her determination with the strength of her handshake: "Don't worry, Mom."
In the same year, the royal court changed the era name and announced it to the world.
This signifies the perfect end to the era that belonged to Shen Tang in this world.
Do you feel a sense of loss?
To celebrate the new emperor, the entire kingdom rejoiced, and the vast royal city, built fifty years prior, was brightly lit, teeming with tourists even at night. Shen Tang stood atop the highest tower of the royal court, admiring the night view, and let out a long sigh. Before she could even express her feelings, a strange female voice suddenly rang out beside her.
She looked in the direction of the sound.
The woman had snow-white skin and fiery red hair.
Their clothing and attire were not typical of the royal court.
The woman's gaze fell peacefully into the distance, and she chuckled softly, "It's like a burden has been lifted, but I can't help but feel worried and concerned."
"You've come here?"
Shen Tang sensed the presence of an outsider on the woman.
“Didn’t Father give me advance notice? He said he was entrusting someone to me… an elder? He asked me to come and pick them up for a surprise visit. On the way here, I heard about His Highness’s life and deeds, and I felt quite fortunate to have come to bother you.” After the woman finished speaking, Shen Tang slapped his forehead and remembered.
She said, "That's a stone."
Stone, who has been taught step by step for decades but still can't get it.
The red-haired woman said slyly, "One monkey, one way to tie it up."
There are ways to deal with stones, of course.
Shen Tang said, "Then I wish you good luck."
She wanted to see what kind of flower could bloom from a stone.
The red-haired woman gazed at the night view and suddenly asked, "For sale?"
Shen Tang: "What?"
The red-haired woman pointed to the ground beneath her feet.
"Is this planet for sale?"
Shen Tang: "..."
(`)
Okay, actually I didn't finish writing it _(:з」∠)_
I'll definitely finish this chapter in the next one; Demon Master is only one chapter long.
(End of this chapter)
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