“Yes, Your Majesty, Minister Wu speaks reasonably. This minister also believes this person cannot be kept. Your Majesty’s ascension to this position was truly not easy – we cannot leave any hidden dangers that might threaten the stability of the realm.”

With two people leading the discussion, several ministers began to speak freely, but their thoughts were unified.

They wanted Lian Xiaozhou’s life.

Qin Yining lowered her head, not immediately interjecting to interrupt. Although Pang Xiao had just established her position and authority before everyone, Qin Yining knew in her heart that this world ultimately couldn’t tolerate women interfering in court affairs. Pang Xiao’s love for her was her blessing, but she couldn’t overstep boundaries and put him in a difficult position.

Human patience had limits, and people could change at any time. Right now Pang Xiao cherished her, and whatever willful acts she committed seemed adorable and natural in his eyes. But what if one day their feelings grew cold? It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Pang Xiao, but rather that she had seen through human nature. What she needed to do now was try to delay such changes as long as possible.

Pang Xiao let the ministers speak freely, then looked toward Xu Weizhi and Xie Yue: “What do you two gentlemen think?”

Xu Weizhi glanced at Qin Yining, who sat with lowered eyes in silence, then contemplated for a moment: “This minister believes keeping this person is indeed a hidden danger. However, she has followed by the Empress’s side since very young, and this time only agreed to cooperate with Your Majesty because of the Empress’s persuasion. If we kill the donkey after it’s done grinding, I fear it would leave people with grounds for criticism, and psychologically it would be difficult to find peace.”

“Indeed.” Xie Yue also said, “In this minister’s view, Lian Xiaozhou has never considered herself a former dynasty princess and has settled into her current life. It was only because the Empress had a good relationship with her that she nodded to help out of friendship. If we kill her like this, I fear the Empress would find it hard to bear.”

Pang Xiao looked toward Qin Yining, his large hand squeezing hers and shaking it gently, his finger secretly scratching her palm.

Qin Yining’s originally anxious mood finally eased somewhat under Pang Xiao’s gesture.

The other ministers, seeing Pang Xiao behave this way, also realized that His Majesty might not want to kill this person.

“Your Majesty, if we don’t eliminate this person, to prevent future troubles, we must find a way to keep her under control for safety.” Minister Wu had a sudden inspiration: “Your Majesty has just ascended to the throne, and next year you’ll need to fill the harem. Why not take her into the harem and grant her a consort position? This way she would be under Your Majesty and the Empress’s control. Once a woman is married, her thoughts will focus on how to live well in the harem. Moreover, Your Majesty is extraordinarily imposing and noble in status – what woman could resist? Thus, we could avoid bearing the reputation of killing the dog after it catches the rabbit while successfully controlling her. Wouldn’t this kill two birds with one stone?”

As Minister Wu spoke, he stroked his long beard several times, clearly very pleased with this idea.

The advisors nearby also nodded in agreement: “We need to widely recruit for the harem anyway, so recruiting anyone is the same. A former dynasty princess’s status would also be worthy of Your Majesty, so this arrangement wouldn’t be bad.”

Pang Xiao looked at everyone with a half-smile, not taking a stance.

Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi looked at the Empress with her lowered head, then at the Emperor’s face, which already showed traces of anger, and sighed inwardly once again.

His Majesty’s love for the Empress had never changed. Even now that he had ascended the throne, he still wasn’t pleased when the topic of filling the harem came up. They couldn’t help but worry – if one person already caused such reaction, what would happen when the time for selecting concubines truly arrived next year?

Xie Yue sighed and, guided by his instinct for reading the sovereign’s intentions, immediately cut off the ministers’ discussion: “Does Your Majesty already have an idea?”

Everyone’s hearts skipped a beat, and they gradually fell silent.

The Son of Heaven said he came to discuss matters with them, but if he already had his own arrangements, their continued interference might leave a bad impression. Moreover, the current ruler was someone who acted decisively. Toward such an emperor who ruled through military might, their awe was constantly hidden in their hearts.

No matter how much they spoke, the final decision would still be His Majesty’s. For matters of no great consequence, why should they be so rigid?

With this change in thinking, everyone stopped speaking and relaxed their attitudes.

Having achieved his goal, Pang Xiao smiled: “I indeed have an idea. Through investigation, I learned that this woman has always had someone nearby with whom she shares mutual affection. This person is also a disciple of my good friend Young Master Mu. Young Master Mu has protected him several times, and he and I have a life-and-death friendship. If we were to marry the former dynasty’s prince to Young Master Mu’s disciple, we wouldn’t need to worry about other issues. What do you all think?”

Everyone fell silent for a moment.

It seemed the Son of Heaven had already thought of handling it this way long ago.

But Qin Yining was surprised and raised her head: “Are you speaking of Young Master Fang?”

Hearing the Empress directly address the Son of Heaven as “you,” the ministers couldn’t help but silently click their tongues, yet none dared say more, since His Majesty seemed to enjoy the Empress addressing him this way.

Pang Xiao nodded: “Exactly that Young Master Fang. You knew about this already?”

“Yes. Xiaozhou stayed by my side for a long time, so naturally I know some things. It’s just that after I went to bring Xiaozhou out, we parted from Young Master Fang, and I didn’t notice Young Master Fang’s feelings for Xiaozhou at the time.” Qin Yining said with some worry: “I’m concerned that if Xiaozhou marries him and the other party isn’t sincere, what should we do?”

Pang Xiao smiled: “You needn’t worry about this. A while ago they discovered someone secretly protecting Zhou Xiaolian. Mutou personally went out to capture the person, and only then did I learn that this person had been following near Zhou Xiaolian to protect her ever since you all came out. He just never showed himself.”

“Such a thing happened?” Qin Yining stared in amazement with wide eyes.

“Of course. This idea arose precisely because of discovering this matter. In the future, let the couple live in seclusion within the sect. With Mutou there, we can both let two lovers finally become married while not worrying about leaked secrets. Isn’t this good? Moreover,” Pang Xiao raised his head and smiled confidently, “could any rumors and gossip now really shake the current realm?”

Putting it this way, everyone had to admit that Pang Xiao wasn’t speaking falsely. With powerful troops in hand and the support of all under heaven, Pang Xiao’s realm truly wasn’t so easily shaken. Besides, just those few rumors – who would believe them and who wouldn’t was still questionable.

Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi now completely understood that the current emperor made decisions independently, yet they couldn’t find words to refute him because what Pang Xiao said was indeed feasible. Moreover, the righteousness that Pang Xiao insisted upon had always existed and hadn’t changed because he became emperor. This truly comforted these followers of his. Following a person with feelings and righteousness was always better than following someone ungrateful like Li Qitian.

Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi took the lead in nodding: “Your Majesty’s method is perfect.”

Minister Wu and the others also wisely followed with nods, no longer daring to speak nonsense to show off.

Pang Xiao smiled: “Since this is so, I’ll grant them marriage later.” Turning to Qin Yining: “You should also prepare a generous dowry for her.”

Qin Yining was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly: “Good, I’ll handle this matter. Oh, regarding Ji Yun and Bingtang’s good fortune, why don’t you also say something, Your Majesty, and grant them an imperial favor?”

Pang Xiao laughed heartily: “Wouldn’t that be triple happiness? Good, since you’re pleased, I’ll issue the edict.” As he spoke, his eyes were so gentle they seemed ready to drip water.