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

Upon hearing this, Luo Qingluan's pretty face flushed red, and she forced herself to say, "Your Majesty! I have not come here to engage in a war of words with Your Majesty!"

"If I can't argue with that, then so be it. Oh well, fine."

Qin Xiao raised an eyebrow, leisurely shifting into a more comfortable position. "So, tell me, what are you here for? You didn't come just to check on my health, did you?"

Luo Qingluan took a deep breath and spoke in a deep voice the words of advice that she had been preparing for a long time, words on which Chen Wang and the others had placed high hopes:

"Your Majesty, I humbly beseech you to repent and return from your misguided path! Be diligent in governing and care for the people, distance yourself from petty officials, and befriend virtuous ministers!"

"Xu Guofu controls the government, forms cliques for personal gain, and the people already harbor resentment!"

"If Your Majesty continues to be obsessed with this path, taking in numerous concubines and neglecting state affairs, I fear you will alienate the loyal ministers and generals of the land and shake the very foundation of the nation!"

"Even the spirit of the late Emperor in heaven cannot rest in peace!"

"We urge Your Majesty to prioritize the well-being of the nation and the common people!"

Qin Xiao listened quietly, his eyes becoming deep and unfathomable.

After Luo Qingluan finished speaking, she slowly added, "These words are so flowery and literary, unlike your style, General Luo. Who taught you that?"

Luo Qingluan's heart tightened, but her face remained calm: "No one has taught me! These are my heartfelt words!"

"Come on."

Qin Xiao scoffed, mercilessly exposing his lie, "Do you think I don't know you? You're good at analyzing battle situations and arranging troops."

"You can't pull off this set of quotations and patriotic rhetoric from a court official? Let me guess..."

He tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest. "Is it Chen Wang? Or Zhou Mingtang?"

"Or was it a collective idea from those self-proclaimed intellectuals?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Qingluan's pupils contracted slightly.

Although it was not admitted.

But how could that subtle reaction escape Qin Xiao's divine sense?

"It seems so."

Qin Xiao nodded knowingly, his tone mocking, "I also know that they don't just want to talk, they want to do something real."

"And their greatest reliance is you, and the Flying Phoenix Army under your command."

He paused, looking at Luo Qingluan's suddenly pale face, and continued his slow and methodical analysis:

"The Flying Phoenix Army is small in number, but they are all elite troops, and they are currently stationed at the Imperial Palace."

"In this way, it would indeed be convenient to use it for military remonstrance."

"Therefore, if they want to get things done, they must convince you."

"However, it's definitely not Xu Guofu's gang. If that old scoundrel Xu wanted to rebel, he would have used more direct and ruthless methods. He wouldn't have gone through all this trouble to find you."

As Luo Qingluan listened to Qin Xiao clearly and even precisely recount Chen Wang and the others' plans, the shock in her heart was like a tidal wave.

One wave after another!

Why?

Why does he know everything?

He appeared muddle-headed, lethargic, and indifferent to everything in the imperial court!

In private, he was surprisingly well-informed about the movements of court officials and even potential conspiracies.

Where is there even the slightest trace of incompetence or ineptitude?

This is clearly crystal clear!

Qin Xiao observed Luo Qingluan's expression and chuckled, "What, did I hit the nail on the head? You haven't said a word?"

Luo Qingluan struggled out of her immense shock and took a deep breath: "Censor Chen and his group may have used radical methods, but their initial intention was for the country and its people, to awaken His Majesty, and for the sake of this Great Yong Dynasty..."

"For the sake of the Great Yong?"

Qin Xiao interrupted, his tone sarcastic, "Come on, Qingluan, you're too naive! Don't think of them as so noble. They're doing this for the reputation of loyal ministers, for a place in history! They're dragging you into it only because you have troops, making their 'die-for-remonies' safer and more intimidating! 'Remonstrance'? That's just forcing the emperor to abdicate, a military coup! Ha, what's the difference between that and rebellion? The only difference is that they've draped themselves in a cloak of loyalty and righteousness, making it seem less shameful!"

"His Majesty!"

Luo Qingluan couldn't help but raise her voice, "How can you presume such a loyal and virtuous person's heart?!"

"Loyal and virtuous?"

Qin Xiao waved his hand. "If they were truly loyal, they would understand that I am the emperor! Their role is to assist and offer advice, not to scheme to unite with military generals and force the emperor to submit! Today they can force me to write an edict of self-reproach, but tomorrow could they force me to abdicate? If this trend is set, the consequences will be endless! You are well-versed in military strategy, don't you understand the importance of the principles of morality and ethics?"

These words left Luo Qingluan speechless.

Yes.

Regardless of their initial intentions, military remonstrances are essentially acts of subjects using force to coerce the monarch's authority.

This indeed violated the principles of being a subject and shook the foundations of the regime.

Seeing Luo Qingluan lost in thought, Qin Xiao softened his tone: "Qingluan, you are pure of heart and shouldn't get involved in the factional struggles and scheming of these civil officials. They are taking advantage of your loyalty and your... concern for me."

The last sentence was spoken very softly, yet it was like a feather gently brushing against Luo Qingluan's heart.

Luo Qingluan frowned slightly.

She looked at Qin Xiao, who still appeared lazy.

But at a certain moment, the figure in her memory quietly overlapped with the one in her mind.

Why...

Why is this happening?

He clearly understands everything and sees everything clearly.

Why should he still play the role of a muddle-headed and licentious official in the imperial court?

Why did he take in so many concubines, which drew criticism from the public?

Why hand over the reins of government to a treacherous minister like Xu Guofu?

Countless questions swirled in her mind.

After a long silence, Luo Qingluan parted her lips slightly and asked, seemingly out of nowhere, "Then, can you stop taking concubines?"

Without any hesitation, Qin Xiao answered decisively, "No."

I'm only 200 points away from forming my core, how can I possibly stop at this crucial juncture?

Don't even mention twenty, we'd have to pay even two hundred or two thousand!

"Why?!"

Luo Qingluan blurted out, her voice tinged with grievance, "Now, the number of beauties in the harem far exceeds that of all previous emperors. Does Your Majesty still not have enough?"

Qin Xiao stood up, stepped down from the jade chair, and walked towards Luo Qingluan step by step, his tone matter-of-fact: "Why so many whys? I'm the emperor. Taking a few concubines to enrich the harem is only natural. Throughout history, which emperor didn't have three palaces and six courtyards?"

"You...you're just making excuses!"

Luo Qingluan was so enraged by Qin Xiao's reckless attitude that her chest heaved. Her long-suppressed resentment finally erupted, "You're a tyrant!"

"A tyrannical ruler?"

Qin Xiao scoffed, "Where did I faint? Yes, I dislike attending court, but has the Great Yong court come to a standstill? Which official matter has been neglected? Have disaster relief funds been allocated? Have the border troops received their salaries? Have the water conservancy projects that were supposed to be completed been halted?"

With each question, they took a step closer.

Luo Qingluan was intimidated by Qin Xiao's imposing aura and subconsciously took a step back.

Until his back was pressed against a pillar, with nowhere left to retreat...