So what if I have a few billion concubines while I'm cultivating immortality?

"It's time for me to make an appearance. By imperial decree, tomorrow at 9:00 AM, I will meet with my ministers in the Golden Palace."

"Your Majesty understands, I will make the arrangements immediately."

……

The next day, in the Golden Palace.

The long-closed palace doors slowly opened, and civil and military officials filed in according to their ranks.

Many veteran officials wore expressions that ranged from excitement and worry to resolute determination.

Many of them had prepared lengthy pieces of advice.

We must get an explanation from Qin Xiao today.

As they entered the main hall, their gaze fell upon the imperial steps.

Upon discovering that Qin Xiao was not wearing an imperial crown on the throne, it was discovered that he was sitting on the throne.

She wore only a black casual outfit, and her long hair was simply tied up with a black jade hairpin.

He sat there casually, one hand supporting his chin, his gaze calmly sweeping across the room below.

It was just that seemingly casual glance.

But everyone who met that gaze felt a sudden sinking feeling in their hearts!

Some martial generals with slightly higher cultivation levels even felt their internal energy circulation become sluggish, as if they were being suppressed by an invisible mountain.

Inside the main hall, you could hear a pin drop.

"My beloved ministers, it has been a long time."

Qin Xiao spoke, his tone calm and devoid of any anger, "I've heard that recently there has been much discussion in the court, saying that I'm neglecting my duties, that there are unusual celestial phenomena, and that the people are filled with anxiety?"

As he spoke, his gaze fell on several white-haired elderly officials standing at the front of the civil officials.

Several veteran officials trembled. The one in the lead was Zhou Wenyuan, a veteran of three reigns and the Imperial Censor.

Zhou Wenyuan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the inexplicable tremor in his heart. Holding his jade tablet, he stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, please understand! It is not that we, your humble servants, are speaking ill of Your Majesty, but rather that the celestial phenomena have recently shown many unusual signs, causing much discussion among the people of the capital. Furthermore, Your Majesty has neglected court affairs for a long time, entrusting all matters of state to the cabinet. If this continues, I fear it will not be a blessing for the nation! We earnestly request Your Majesty, for the sake of the country and the people, to calm your mind, diligently cultivate virtuous governance, and establish an altar to offer sacrifices to Heaven to appease the people!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several more officials stepped forward to echo his sentiments: "We second your proposal! We urge Your Majesty to reconsider!"

Qin Xiao listened quietly, and only after they finished speaking did he slowly say, "An unusual celestial phenomenon? Is what Minister Zhou is referring to, the dark clouds and thunder above the Zichen Palace a month ago?"

"Indeed!" Zhou Wenyuan looked up, his tone earnest. "Thunder gathering in the palace is an ominous sign! Your Majesty, the interaction between Heaven and Man must not be ignored!"

"An ominous sign?"

Qin Xiao suddenly chuckled and shook his head. "Minister Zhou, you are well-versed in the classics and history, but do you know what 'Heaven' is?"

Zhou Wenyuan was taken aback, and subconsciously replied, "Heaven is supreme, the ruler of all things, rewarding the good and punishing the evil..."

"Dominate all things?"

Qin Xiao interrupted, slowly rising from his throne.

As he stood up, a vast aura of spiritual pressure suddenly spread out from him.

All the officials in the hall, both civil and military, felt a tightness in their chests.

"Watch closely."

As Qin Xiao spoke, he raised his right hand, pointing towards the clear sky outside the hall, his five fingers loosely clenched.

The next moment, a scene that everyone will never forget unfolded.

The bright sunshine outside the palace suddenly turned dark!

Endless dark clouds surged in from nowhere and instantly covered the entire palace.

The clouds were thick and dark, their color a deep and terrifying black!

Lightning flashed through the clouds.

A deep rumble continued.

"This...this..."

Zhou Wenyuan trembled violently, pointed at the sky outside the hall, his old face ashen, unable to utter a single word.

Other officials were stunned, and many of the more timid ones collapsed to the ground, their legs giving way.

Qin Xiao gently pressed his palm down.

"BOOM!!!"

A bolt of lightning, as thick as a water vat and blindingly bright, tore through the dark clouds and crashed down onto the white jade square in front of the palace!

Amidst the deafening explosion, a charred crater several meters in diameter was blasted into the hard, iron-like white jade slab.

Electric snakes writhed within the pit, and blue smoke billowed everywhere.

The official near the palace gate had his hair standing on end and felt a tingling, numb pain on his skin.

Qin Xiao withdrew his hand, and the dark clouds outside the hall, just as abruptly as they had appeared, quickly dissipated, and sunlight shone down again.

Inside the hall, there was a deathly silence.

All the officials, including the old ministers who were originally indignant and ready to die for their cause, were now like ducks with their necks being choked, their faces pale, their eyes glazed, and their bodies soaked in cold sweat.

Qin Xiao sat back on his throne, his voice still calm: "Now, tell me, what is 'Heaven'?"

Zhou Wenyuan's lips trembled, and he knelt down with a thud, banging his head on the ground, tears streaming down his face: "Your Majesty...Your Majesty...This old minister...This old minister was foolish! This old minister spoke recklessly, I deserve to die!"

Control the heavens and wield the thunder!

How could this be considered a monarch on earth?

They are clearly celestial beings descended to earth!

The other officials also seemed to wake up from their daze, and they all knelt down in a rush, kowtowing repeatedly. No one dared to mention "offering sacrifices to Heaven" or "advising" anymore.

Should we propose a sacrifice to a being who can summon heavenly lightning at will?

That's an absolute joke!

Qin Xiao looked at the trembling officials prostrate below, his eyes showing no pride, only a deep indifference.

"My heart is not set on worldly power and authority, but on something higher."

"The establishment of the cabinet was my intention."

"The Cabinet may make decisions on all matters concerning people's livelihood, military affairs, finances, and criminal law in accordance with the law, and report them to me."

"Do not disturb my peaceful life unless it involves matters that threaten the foundation of the nation."

"From this day forward, anyone who again uses 'celestial phenomena' or 'negligence in governance' as pretexts to engage in disruptive behavior..."

His gaze swept over them again, and though he hadn't finished speaking, the meaning contained in his calm eyes sent chills down everyone's spines!

"Your Majesty, we...respectfully obey Your Majesty's decree!"

The officials shouted in unison, their voices trembling.

"I've been watching everything you've done!"

"I know perfectly well who are loyal, virtuous, and capable ministers, and who are treacherous and wicked!"

"Honestly hand over the embezzled silver, and I will forgive and forget what happened in the past."

"From now on, I don't need to say anything more about what to do, do I?"

"Court adjourned!"

After Qin Xiao finished speaking, his figure swayed slightly and then he transformed into a beam of light and left.

The officials left behind were unable to rise for a long time, their original worldviews completely shattered.

……

The garden behind the Zichen Hall.

When Qin Xiao appeared, the six women were meditating and cultivating in the courtyard.

Yu Qingyi has returned.

Upon seeing him return, they all stood up.

"My lord, is the court assembly over?"

Luo Qingluan poured Qin Xiao a cup of spiritual tea.

"Hmm." Qin Xiao took it, took a sip, and said, "A few trivial matters have been taken care of."

Yu Fengling, most curious, leaned closer and asked, "Husband, husband, did you scare those old men again? How did you scare them?"

Qin Xiao gave a brief explanation.

The women were shocked by what they heard, but they also felt it was perfectly reasonable.

In their minds, Qin Xiao was naturally entitled to possess such extraordinary abilities.

"After this incident, the court should be able to remain peaceful for quite some time."

Yu Qingyi said.

Qin Xiao looked at Yu Qingyi, "Qingyi, what is the situation in the Yu Kingdom?"

Yu Qingyi replied, "The situation has basically stabilized. Li Tianxiong and his cronies have all been brought to justice, and the implicated officials have been purged. The newly appointed officials are mostly capable individuals. I have also entrusted most of the government affairs to the 'Deliberative Council' composed of Grand Tutor Lin and several senior officials, retaining only the final decision-making power."

"Very good."

Qin Xiao nodded and said, "Next, let's talk about the Heavenly Crafting Valley!"

The ancient maps and the Tiangong Linghe map remained in his heart.

The clues left behind by the ancestor of the Yu Kingdom may be connected to a deeper secret of this world.