The east room was brightly lit, with a lifelike golden beast on the tall tea table in the corner, wisps of sandalwood smoke curling from its mouth.

Xu Qi’an lifted the curtain and entered the inner chamber, sitting down at the table with a serious expression.

“Imperial Mentor, today’s battle was extremely draining. I’m worried about you, so I came specifically to check on you.”

As he spoke, he admired the woman sitting cross-legged on the bed. She had removed her outer robe, wearing only an elegant silk undergarment.

A finger-width jade belt cinched her waist, outlining its delicate slenderness, which complemented her tall, full bosom, instantly revealing the woman’s most beautiful curves and proportions.

Men could never resist women with full bosoms and slender waists.

Moreover, the cold beauty on the bed also possessed a round, perfectly springy posterior.

Luo Yuhen said coolly:

“Must you choose the dead of night?”

If not at night, should we indulge in broad daylight… Xu Qi’an grumbled internally, then said seriously:

“Speaking of which, since entering jianghu, we’ve dual cultivated twice.”

Each session lasts seven days.

Hearing this, Luo Yuhen’s face, as exquisite as jade carving, changed slightly. She said icily:

“Dual cultivation is a transaction between us. No need to mention it further. Usually, whatever distance we should maintain, we maintain. Don’t let what happened during the transaction disturb your state of mind.”

You’re acting like someone who doesn’t acknowledge people after pulling up their pants. If I were the one saying this, I’d be condemned as scum… Xu Qi’an had somewhat anticipated the Imperial Mentor’s attitude.

That day when he went to Lingbao Temple to find her, he wanted to ask her to come to Xunzhou to support him, but encountered that foolish woman Mu Nanchi showing off at Lingbao Temple…

Xu Qi’an knew the Imperial Mentor wouldn’t give him a pleasant face. The reason she came to Xunzhou today was for the greater good, which Xu Qi’an greatly appreciated. The Imperial Mentor and His Majesty were the most rational and big-picture-oriented fish.

“Of course, Imperial Mentor is the leader of the Human Sect, a heroine among women, naturally different from ordinary women. But what I want to say is…”

Pausing briefly, Xu Qi’an said: “When is our next dual cultivation? Ah, Imperial Mentor, don’t misunderstand. You know that although Black Lotus has been eliminated and Daoist Golden Lotus can recover his cultivation to return to second rank,

“Yunzhou still has Garuda and White Emperor, two first-rank experts. The gap between sides remains enormous, not counting Xu Pingfeng in Qingzhou and Yunzhou territory.”

Xu Qi’an, a warrior newly entered into second rank, could match Asura’s combat power relying on the power of the masses and various methods. At full strength, he could even break one of Garuda Bodhisattva’s dharma bodies.

Then, for Xu Pingfeng at the peak of second rank, achieving first-rank threshold combat power with the blessing of the masses’ power should be no problem.

Xu Qi’an turned over a cup and drank some cold water, saying:

“So, Imperial Mentor, when you can enter the first rank becomes extremely crucial.”

Luo Yuhen nodded, agreeing with his statement. Among Great Feng’s transcendent experts, besides her, no one could advance to the first rank in the short term.

“Then when is Imperial Mentor’s next karma fire burning…” Xu Qi’an probed.

“Half a month later!” Luo Yuhen replied with a cold expression.

Half a month, so it’s not monthly anymore. She’s gradually able to suppress the karma fire, delaying its outbreak! Xu Qi’an made his judgment internally, then asked:

“Imperial Mentor, there’s something else I don’t understand.”

Luo Yuhen made an expressionless “mm” sound, indicating him to speak directly.

“I remember the core purpose of dual cultivation is to quell the karma fire so that when facing tribulation in the future, Imperial Mentor can focus on opposing the heavenly tribulation without worrying about karma fire burning the body, leading to the death of both persons and dao.”

Luo Yuhen heard this and nodded slightly.

Xu Qi’an asked further:

“In other words, we don’t have to wait for the karma fire’s backlash to dual cultivate.”

Luo Yuhen looked at him coldly:

“What are you trying to say?”

Xu Qi’an excitedly rubbed his hands:

“I’m applying for overtime!”

It would be even better if he could apply for 996 blessings.

As his words fell, Luo Yuhen slashed at him with her sword. Though she didn’t quite understand the meaning of “overtime,” seeing Xu Qi’an’s suggestive expression and tone, she immediately understood what he wanted to do.

The divine sword “ding” ed against Xu Qi’an’s shoulder, creating sparks. The room’s curtains suddenly billowed, and the plants swayed.

“Is the Imperial Mentor feeling shy?”

Xu Qi’an’s figure flashed, already at the bedside, smilingly catching Luo Yuhen’s waist.

“Let go!”

Luo Yuhen’s willow eyebrows stood up vertically as she raged:

“Have I been too lenient with you, making you increasingly presumptuous?”

The divine sword “ding ding ding” ed against Xu Qi’an’s back, like a maid punching at a villain trying to violate her young mistress.

If you didn’t want to dual cultivate, why stay in Xunzhou? You could have returned to the capital during the day. If you didn’t want to dual cultivate, why light candles at midnight to hint at me? Moreover, the sandalwood in the incense burner is mixed with slight aphrodisiac powder – if not for dual cultivation, are you inhaling it for fun…

“Imperial Mentor…” Xu Qi’an spoke softly, all sweet words meant to coax women.

He couldn’t openly expose Luo Yuhen’s intentions. He had to say nice things, making it seem like he was blinded by lust rather than the Imperial Mentor intentionally wanting to dual cultivate.

Otherwise, the Imperial Mentor would explode on the spot and seriously drive him out.

For a woman of Luo Yuhen’s noble status, proud and reserved, this kind of token resistance was exactly what worked best.

While coaxing her, Xu Qi’an undid Luo Yuhen’s belt, lowering his head to kiss her neck.

“Let go!”

Luo Yuhen pushed against his chest with one hand while holding his hand at her waist with the other, glaring:

“When my karma fire backlashes, I will find you myself. Get up, my patience has limits.”

The divine sword released soaring sword intent.

Xu Qi’an held her tightly, smiling:

“Let it skewer us together then. To die in passion with the Imperial Mentor would be a death without regrets.”

Speaking thus, he pushed Luo Yuhen down onto the bed.

“Get up!”

“No!”

“Xu Qi’an, are you seeking death?”

“Mm.”

“…”

After a moment’s deadlock, her high bosom heaving, Luo Yuhen’s face showed slight anger as she turned her head aside and said coldly:

“Just this once!”

The divine sword “clang” ed to the ground, and the raised bed curtains automatically fell, concealing the scene within.

The east room fell quiet, with only faint “rustle rustle” sounds of clothes being removed.

Shortly after, the hanging bed curtains moved slightly, and robes, silk skirts, and undershirts tumbled out.

After another moment, the lowered bed curtains began to sway, the wooden structure of the large bed performing a solo in the quiet night.

…

Capital City, Morning Hour.

This was the third court session since the Princess Regent’s ascension to the throne.

The capital officials had originally thought that when the new ruler ascended, she would show a diligent attitude toward governance, with daily morning courts appearing for a long time to come.

Both Emperor Yuanjing and the recently abdicated Yongxing had done so.

But Huaiqing didn’t. She showed strong confidence and assurance, not needing such methods to demonstrate her diligent governance.

At today’s court session, hundreds of officials passed through the Meridian Gate amid the sounds of bells and drums, and crossed the Golden Water Bridge, either standing on the steps and courtyard or entering the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Among the ministers were some unfamiliar faces.

Besides officials who had risen during the court purge, there was also the first batch of regional leaders who had come to report.

After the capital’s situation stabilized, Huaiqing ordered provincial administrators, military commanders, and other high-ranking officials from various provinces to come to the capital to report (for ideological work).

Now the first batch of officials had arrived in the capital.

They had waited anxiously at the relay station for three days without receiving an audience with the Empress – quite awkward, as they couldn’t contact capital officials privately before meeting the Emperor.

Finally yesterday, they received notice to attend court.

These officials returning to report suppressed their resentment and anxiety as they followed the ministers into the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

“Your Majesty, with spring sacrifices approaching, this minister sent people to investigate the farmers’ situation in various provinces and found serious land consolidation issues. Even with spring’s return, even if refugees want to return home to farm, there are no fields for them to cultivate.”

The Minister of Revenue stepped forward.

When common people couldn’t survive, selling land was a standard operation, giving nobles and large landowners opportunities to buy land at low prices. They didn’t even need to coerce the people – commoners who couldn’t survive would actively sell their land.

The phenomenon the Minister of Revenue pointed out was the most severe problem facing the court after the harsh winter passed.

This could be considered an aftereffect of the cold disaster.

The woman wearing the imperial yellow dragon robe swept her dignified gaze over the assembled ministers:

“Do any of my beloved officials have good strategies?”

The ministers offered various plans, but they were all conventional methods that treated the symptoms rather than the root cause.

Since ancient times, the court most hated land consolidation yet could do nothing about it.

Because those consolidating land were the “power holders” of various provinces and regions, those gentry and noble families, a large portion being retired officials. No one would be foolish enough to strike at themselves, and the ministers were of this class too.

Secondly, setting aside their class, this problem was indeed difficult to handle, as too much pressure would face backlash from landowners.

Especially in the current unstable situation, which made the ministers even more restrained.

That useless Yongxing… Huaiqing listened silently before saying:

“I have several methods, ministers may listen.”

If Yongxing had adopted Second Lang Xu’s strategy back then, the land consolidation phenomenon could have been greatly alleviated.

An incompetent ruler brings disaster to both the country and the people.

Huaiqing said:

“Establish additional markets in Sword Province and Yu Province, build town centers, increase trade with the northern demon barbarians, Southern Border’s Ten Thousand Demon Nation, and the Gu Tribe, collecting merchant taxes from Central Plains trade groups and foreign tribes to fill the national treasury.”

The ministers’ eyes lit up.

This was indeed a good method. The Southern Border was rich in resources – timber, medicinal herbs, game, furs – all in seemingly endless supply, truly an inexhaustible treasure trove.

The northern demon barbarians likewise produced abundant furs, and these happened to be the most sought-after resources in the Central Plains now. Central Plains merchants would rush there eagerly, scrambling to do business at these markets.

Silver would flow into the national treasury in huge amounts.

Previously, His Majesty’s method definitely wouldn’t have worked, but recently Commissioner Xu had allied with the Ten Thousand Demon Nation and Gu Tribe, establishing a foundation for harmonious trade.

This way, not only could they fill the treasury, but resources from the Southern Border and North would flood into the Central Plains, greatly alleviating the resource shortage crisis.

And with trade would naturally come labor, giving common people work to do and harvests to reap.

While the ministers were analyzing the pros and cons of this plan, Huaiqing continued:

“Those who buy or sell land during wartime – off with their heads! Let the Ministry of Revenue thoroughly investigate land transactions since winter began. Anyone buying or selling land will be executed without mercy!”

These words instantly brought the ministers back to reality, and those provincial leaders currently reporting changed expressions.

“Your Majesty, please reconsider.”

First Minister Qian Qingshu stepped forward and said gravely:

“If we do this, it will surely provoke a backlash from the local gentry, adding chaos to chaos. The consequences would be unthinkable.”

Huaiqing nodded slightly:

“Minister Qian speaks reason. I have just ascended to the throne and should not carelessly create bloodshed. Let those who purchased land sell it back to the court at their purchase price.”

Hearing this, the ministers were stunned for a moment.

Suddenly they understood why Empress Huaiqing was establishing additional markets – this was laying the groundwork for reclaiming land. When common people sold their land, they sold cheap, so the court’s buyback wouldn’t require too great a price.

But while this method was good, the local gentry and landowners might not agree.

A Provincial Administrator who had returned to report stepped forward and called out:

“Your Majesty’s plan is clever, but the timing is wrong.”

He went on at length, using the turbulent situation as justification.

He certainly couldn’t directly oppose Huaiqing, and using the war as an excuse was the best shield – and it was indeed reasonable.

The court currently couldn’t do this.

Huaiqing sat high on the throne, listening expressionlessly until he finished, then looked down at the assembled ministers and said:

“Last night I received a message via Commissioner Xu’s ritual tool: a great victory at Xunzhou, over ten thousand enemy casualties. Commissioner Xu defeated Yunzhou’s transcendent experts and killed the Earth Sect leader in Qingzhou.”

The Hall of Supreme Harmony suddenly fell silent.

After several seconds of silence, Left Censor-in-Chief Liu Hong burst out in wild joy, crying:

“Heaven blesses Great Feng! Heaven blesses Your Majesty!”

Joy spread through the hall, the ministers’ spirits soaring, faces excited.

Since the Director’s “fall,” the court had been depressed, desperately needing such victory news to lift people’s spirits.

Those officials who had come to report exchanged shocked glances.

At this moment, they suddenly understood why the Empress had deliberately cold-shouldered them, and their dissatisfaction and wariness dissipated like smoke.

Regarding the forced land buyback matter, they no longer dared oppose it. They believed that with the Empress’s methods and resolve, she was capable of carrying out large-scale slaughter of the gentry and local powers.

And facts proved the court had such capability.

…

After the court dispersed.

Minister Sun caught up with First Minister Qian Qingshu, sighing:

“I feel like I’m back in Wei Yuan’s time.”

He was referring to the situation during Emperor Yuanjing’s reign. Unlike Emperor Yongxing, Yuanjing’s methods and schemes could suppress both the Wei and Wang factions.

Qian Qingshu fell silent for a moment, then shook his head:

“No, Her Majesty’s ability far surpasses Emperor Yuanjing.”

Huaiqing’s ability to handle state affairs was incomparable to Emperor Yuanjing. The latter was formidable in royal scheming, the former in genuine ability.

The series of strategies Her Majesty had just proposed made Qian Qingshu feel ashamed of being an unworthy official.

Minister Sun smiled:

“This is a good thing.”

Qian Qingshu was silent for several seconds, then sighed:

“Yes, an extremely good thing. Great Feng’s destiny is not yet exhausted.”

…

After daybreak, news of the Xunzhou victory was posted on notice boards at various government offices and city gate walls.

As Liu Hong said, this was spirit-lifting news that instantly erased the aftereffects of Huaiqing’s ascension.

Even the most stubborn and rigid people could no longer say “A woman emperor brings disaster to the country and people.”

“Her Majesty truly is heaven-mandated. No wonder auspicious signs appeared on her coronation day. Look, she’s barely ascended and already won a victory in Yongzhou. We don’t need to worry about rebels reaching the capital anymore.”

Yongzhou bordered the capital – if the Yongzhou battle situation was unfavorable, capital residents would panic.

“Her Majesty is heaven-mandated because Commissioner Xu chose her.”

“I told you, Commissioner Xu is the hero who drove away two hundred thousand Witch God Cult troops at Yuyang Pass with just one person and one sword. Mere Yunzhou rebels are nothing.”

“What level is a second-rank expert? Seems very powerful?”

“Of course powerful, but no matter how powerful, not as powerful as Commissioner Xu. Commissioner Xu is first rank.”

“Nonsense, that’s just one rank higher than second rank. Commissioner Xu is emperor-level, beyond ranks entirely.”

The news spread rapidly, and common people in the markets cheered like boiling water.

…

Xunzhou, mansion.

Xu Qi’an was suddenly awakened from a deep sleep by a familiar heart palpitation.

He lazily reached out his hand, and the ground book fragment flew up from the pile of messy clothes, shooting toward the lowered bed curtains.

Then it was intercepted by a white jade-like hand.

Luo Yuhen opened her eyes, withdrew her arm, and looked at the mirror surface of the ground book fragment like checking a phone.

…Xu Qi’an could only lean close to her, looking together at the text appearing on the mirror surface.

Luo Yuhen frowned slightly and said coolly:

“You’re pressing on my hair.”

Should cut it short… Xu Qi’an grumbled internally while carefully gathering up her black tresses scattered on the soft pillow.

Only then was Luo Yuhen satisfied.

[Nine: This Daoist has preliminarily refined Black Lotus’s primordial spirit. Mm, I can tell you some secrets now.]

Not bad, the Daoist Golden Lotus keeps his promises… Xu Qi’an’s eyes brightened as he explained to his aunt:

“It’s about the secret of the ground book fragments.”