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

More than an hour later, inside the Golden Palace.

Those ministers who had previously chosen to remain silent and neutral were completely unaware of what had happened in the inner palace.

Still feeling anxious and uneasy, like an ant on a hot pan.

"It's been so long, what's the situation with the harem?"

Suddenly, an elderly minister asked in a trembling voice.

The sound was exceptionally clear in the spacious hall.

This question voiced the doubts in everyone's mind.

However, no one could answer.

But it ignited everyone's emotions.

The tension in someone's heart snapped instantly, and they couldn't help but sob softly, which quickly turned into a mournful wail: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! If anything happens to you, this old minister... this old minister will not live on!!"

"It's over, the Great Yong Dynasty is doomed..."

Another minister, his face ashen, muttered to himself, "Xu Guofu is a jackal and a tiger; the country is doomed!"

Others were relatively calmer, sighing softly, "Alas, although His Majesty's actions over the past year have indeed been inappropriate, favoring treacherous officials and indulging in..."

"But at least, the country is relatively stable, and the taxes on the people have not been excessively increased, so they can barely live and work in peace."

"But now, who knows what will happen next?"

"If Xu Guofu were not restrained by His Majesty and allowed to control the government, given his greed, I fear he would..."

These words resonated with some people, who shook their heads and sighed.

The chief eunuch, Shen Quan, was also deathly pale. He slumped against a pillar in the palace, constantly wiping away tears and cold sweat with his sleeve, muttering repeatedly, "What should we do? What should we do..."

Just as cries of sorrow filled the air and people were filled with anxiety.

A young eunuch from the inner palace, head bowed, carrying a scroll of imperial edict in both hands, hurriedly entered through a side door.

His appearance instantly attracted everyone's attention!

An imperial edict?!

Has the dust settled?

Is the victor about to announce new policies?

Shen Quan jolted awake, scrambled to his feet, and staggered forward, opening his mouth but unable to speak due to his sobs.

The young eunuch bowed his head and respectfully handed the imperial edict to Shen Quan: "Chief Eunuch Shen, please read the edict."

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

Shen Quan murmured to himself, his heart filled with coldness.

With trembling hands, he reached out and accepted the imperial edict, which seemed to weigh an immense weight.

After a long pause, he took a deep breath and slowly unfolded the imperial edict, as if he were about to go to the execution ground.

When he saw the contents of the imperial edict, he froze.

His eyes widened instantly, and his mouth involuntarily opened wide!

At the same time, the sorrow and despair on his face vanished.

Instead, there was utter shock!

The imperial edict was actually issued by Qin Xiao?

The rebellion has been quelled?

"Eunuch Shen? What does the imperial edict say?"

Seeing that Shen Quan was taking so long to read, some ministers couldn't help but urge him on impatiently.

Shen Quan snapped back to his senses, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and proclaimed in a shrill voice:

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

"The anniversary of my ascension to the throne is an auspicious day."

"However, there are traitors such as Prince Yan Qin Lie, Xu Guofu, and Qin Tao, who harbor wolfish ambitions and have rebelled against their superiors!"

"Taking advantage of the grand ceremony, they brazenly led troops to force the emperor to abdicate, attempting to commit treason. Their intentions are despicable, and their actions deserve to be punished!"

"Thanks to the protection of Heaven and the blessings of our ancestors, and with the courage and loyalty of our men, we have achieved our goals!"

"General Luo Qingluan was appointed to a critical mission, leading the Flying Phoenix Army in a bloody battle, turning the tide and defeating the main force of the rebel army!"

"The rebel leaders Qin Lie, Xu Guofu, Qin Tao, and their cronies, who stubbornly resisted, have all been executed!"

"The rest of those who betrayed us, whether they surrendered or fled, will be severely punished by the court according to the law, without any leniency!"

"The rebellion has now been quelled, and the nation is safe and sound once more!"

Upon hearing this, the entire audience was shocked!

Shen Quan took a deep breath and read the final words: "Luo Qingluan is unparalleled in loyalty and bravery, has rendered meritorious service in protecting the Emperor, and is also of virtuous character, deeply pleasing to the Emperor. Therefore, she is hereby conferred the title of 'Luan Noble Consort,' and the grand investiture ceremony will be held on an auspicious day. This is my decree!"

The imperial edict has been read aloud.

Inside the Golden Palace, all was silent.

Several breaths passed.

"Long live Your Majesty!!"

"The rebellion has been quelled!"

"Heaven has eyes! Our ancestors have blessed us!"

"Waaaaah... That's great, that's great!"

The ministers, who had thought the country was doomed and they themselves could not even save themselves, were now so moved that tears streamed down their faces. They supported each other and kowtowed repeatedly towards the direction of the inner palace!

……

a few days later.

A grand ceremony for the selection of a concubine was held in the palace.

This time, it wasn't a matter of quietly sending someone into the harem and calling it a day.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites were busy with various tasks.

From offering sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, and to ancestral temples.

The process of receiving the congratulations from officials and their wives was elaborate and solemn.

On the throne room.

Civil and military officials discussed it with curiosity.

"But this time, there's actually a ceremony for taking a concubine. Before, when the beauties entered the palace, there wasn't even a ripple..."

"Times have changed. Consort Luan has rendered meritorious service in protecting the Emperor! It is only natural that His Majesty bestows upon her with such favor!"

"Speaking of which, His Majesty won't be absent from today's ceremony again, like before, will he?"

Someone cautiously raised this awkward question.

After all, Qin Xiao's image of disliking attending court was already deeply ingrained in people's minds.

Just as everyone was whispering among themselves...

"His Majesty has arrived!"

A long, drawn-out greeting interrupted all the whispers.

The officials were startled and immediately knelt down, shouting, "Your Majesty, we respectfully welcome you! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The sound of footsteps rang out steadily.

Qin Xiao, dressed in solemn imperial robes and wearing a twelve-tassel crown, walked slowly out from behind the hall with a majestic gait and ascended the long-vacant dragon throne. "Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The officials rose, bowed their heads and stood respectfully, but their hearts were filled with turbulent emotions.

His Majesty has actually come?

Moreover, dressed in the ceremonial gown, she looked completely different from her usual lazy and listless self!

Qin Xiao spoke again, his tone authoritative: "A few days ago, some villains caused trouble. I dealt with the rebels in the inner palace and rectified the palace, which is why I haven't been able to hold court!"

"However, I am not indifferent to matters of state."

"You, my ministers, have either diligently performed your duties, upheld integrity, or remained steadfast in your loyalty during this crisis!"

"I am aware of all matters and details!"

This was said in a very plain way.

But to the officials below, it was like a thunderclap from a clear sky!

Does His Majesty know all this?

Even though she was in the inner palace, she was still very aware of everything that was happening in the outside world.

A chill mixed with relief rose from the tailbone of many people.

I'm glad I didn't make any mistakes back then.

otherwise……

Just thinking about it makes many people break out in a cold sweat.

"You are all loyal, virtuous, and wise ministers of my Great Yong!"

Qin Xiao continued, raising his voice slightly, "I hope that all my beloved ministers will continue to serve me with the same dedication and concerted efforts, so as to ensure the eternal stability of the Great Yong Dynasty and protect the well-being of the people!"

"Your Majesty, we humbly obey your decree! We will dedicate ourselves to the utmost, even unto death!"

The officials responded in unison, their voices loud and clear.

At this moment, they realized that Qin Xiao was not a foolish ruler who was only indulging in the harem.

Some even speculated that all of this was a scheme by Qin Xiao to eliminate treacherous officials!

He deliberately created a loophole, and then made arrangements in advance, all in order to wipe out those treacherous officials and villains in one fell swoop!

Gradually, Qin Xiao's status in the hearts of the ministers rose.

His image as a tyrannical ruler quickly collapsed.

In its place came a deep, unfathomable, and extremely cunning emperor!