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

"His Majesty is really something, selecting us but never even seeing us once."

"Yes, it's been so long, and we haven't even touched His Majesty's robes..."

"I'm so bored every day!"

As an eighth-level martial artist, Luo Qingluan's senses were naturally different from those of ordinary people.

Now that he has embarked on the path of cultivation, he can easily hear the complaints of the concubines.

These words completely dispelled the last trace of doubt in Luo Qingluan's heart.

What Qin Xiao said is true!

He took in many concubines, all for the sake of cultivating immortality.

Not because of lust!

Luo Qingluan was secretly delighted, and her steps became lighter.

When they returned to the Luo residence, the city lights were already on.

To Luo Qingluan's surprise, the butler informed her that Chen Wang had been waiting in the flower hall the whole time and had not left.

"I see."

Luo Qingluan took a deep breath and strode forward.

"General Luo!"

Upon seeing Luo Qingluan return, Chen Wang immediately stood up, his tone expectant: "How did it go? Did you see His Majesty? What was His Majesty's attitude?"

Luo Qingluan did not rush to respond, seemingly lost in thought.

Since Qin Xiao has never made any public statements about what has happened today, there must be a deeper meaning behind it.

So she decided to keep Qin Xiao's secret and said calmly, "Don't worry, Lord Chen, I have already met with His Majesty. His Majesty is well and has listened to my advice."

Chen Wang's eyes lit up: "Oh? What did His Majesty say?"

"After careful consideration, His Majesty acknowledges that there were indeed inappropriate actions taken previously."

Luo Qingluan slowly said, "It has been decided that from now on, we will no longer select concubines or take concubines, in order to reassure the officials."

"Is that all?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Wang's face showed no joy, but rather some displeasure. "No more concubines? What about Xu Guofu? What about the court? Has His Majesty promised to punish Xu's faction?"

Luo Qingluan's tone softened slightly: "Lord Chen, His Majesty's willingness to heed advice and stop taking concubines is already a commendable step forward. As for other matters, they must be addressed gradually; they cannot be accomplished overnight."

"Enough? How could this be enough!"

Chen Wang was somewhat agitated. He stepped forward and lowered his voice, saying, "General Luo, you mustn't be fooled by His Majesty's perfunctory words!"

"His Majesty's actions may merely be a delaying tactic, a way to temporarily appease us!"

"Who knows if he'll escalate his behavior even further later?"

"In my opinion, the only way is to stick to the original plan, and at the celebration, unite all the ministers, and with the Flying Phoenix Army as our witness, publicly remonstrate with the emperor!"

"Only by having His Majesty write an edict of self-reproach, expel the treacherous officials, and return power to the court can the tide truly be turned!"

Sure enough!

Luo Qingluan sneered inwardly.

Qin Xiao is absolutely right!

These upright individuals only care about their reputation.

A name of loyalty that "makes the ruler reflect on his mistakes"!

They were even willing to push her and her soldiers into the perilous situation of forcing her to abdicate!

Thinking back to how I was almost moved by this "loyalty" and became a pawn in their quest for fame...

A surge of anger rose in Luo Qingluan's heart.

"Lord Chen! Since His Majesty has already agreed, we, as his subjects, should trust his judgment and observe the situation calmly."

"How can we commit such a treasonous act based on mere speculation?"

"The matter of the military coup should not be mentioned again!"

"I, Luo Qingluan, and the Flying Phoenix Army would never commit such a rebellious act!"

This was a direct statement, and the attitude was even more resolute!

Chen Wang was taken aback, then exclaimed urgently, "General Luo! How could you be so naive! His Majesty..."

"Lord Chen!"

Luo Qingluan interrupted, her tone leaving no room for argument: "I'm a little tired. Let's call it a day and leave!"

"General! Think it over! This matter concerns the fate of the nation..."

Chen Wang wanted to persuade him further.

"see a visitor out!"

Luo Qingluan gave Chen Wang no more chances, her voice icy cold!

The guards from the mansion entered in response.

Although his attitude was respectful.

But the meaning is already quite clear.

Chen Wang sighed, knowing that things were hopeless, his face turning pale and then red.

In the end, he could only stomp his foot heavily, filled with disappointment, and walk away.

……

After returning to his residence, Chen Wang immediately sent someone to notify Zhou Mingtang and several other key officials of the Qingliu faction, who gathered in his study.

"What? General Luo actually refused outright?"

After hearing Chen Wang's account, Zhou Mingtang exclaimed in surprise, "Wasn't she already interested? Why did her attitude change so drastically after meeting His Majesty?"

Another censor said indignantly, "Could it be that His Majesty promised her some benefits? Or has His Majesty already discovered our plan and is threatening her?"

Chen Wang shook his head with a gloomy expression and said coldly, "Benefits? Threats? I doubt it! I'm afraid it's just a few empty words to appease this woman! It's simply womanly sentimentality, misleading the country and its people!"

He grew angrier as he spoke, his gray beard trembling: "She even accused us of treason for attempting a military coup! Doesn't she realize that if His Majesty weren't so incompetent, we loyal ministers wouldn't have needed to resort to such a desperate measure!"

Zhou Mingtang was relatively calmer and pondered, "Lord Chen, please calm down. General Luo's sudden change in attitude is indeed strange. But now that she has clearly refused, the Flying Phoenix Army route is no longer viable. We have no troops at our disposal, so our original plan is probably impossible to implement."

"Are we just going to let it go like this?"

Some people said indignantly, "Should we just stand by and watch the country deteriorate and treacherous officials rise to power?"

"Of course not!"

Chen Wang declared resolutely, "Even without the Flying Phoenix Army, we still have the hearts of scholars throughout the land! With His Majesty's first anniversary of ascension to the throne approaching, envoys from various countries, vassal kings, and members of the royal family will all come to pay homage. This is the perfect opportunity for us to speak frankly and expose His Majesty's absurdity and the wickedness of the Xu faction to the world! Even without military support, we will jointly submit a memorial, kneeling before the Golden Palace with our own flesh and blood to remonstrate! We will force His Majesty to face the realities of the court and expel the treacherous officials! Even if we die, we will leave behind a name of loyalty and valor, awakening the world!"

"Yes! What Master Chen said is absolutely right!"

"At worst, I'll die to uphold my loyalty as a subject!"

"We will immediately go and contact more like-minded ministers!"

Inside the study, the crowd's anger flared up once again.

Zhou Mingtang looked at everyone, but a sense of unease crept into his heart.

He knew his colleagues all too well.

They impeached officials and discussed politics in their daily lives, quoting classical texts and displaying an awe-inspiring righteousness.

But when it really comes down to their own safety and the interests of their family...

How many people can truly face death without fear?

The so-called "die-in protest" is more of a gesture.

A means of gaining fame and political capital.

Everyone tacitly agreed that they were betting the emperor wouldn't dare.

Or perhaps they didn't want to bear the eternal infamy of killing loyal ministers.

Ultimately, they were forced to compromise.

But now, they have to face Qin Xiao!

An emperor who has been on the throne for nearly a year, has only attended court a handful of times, and acts in an absurd and unruly manner!

They even dared to give important positions to a corrupt official like Xu Guofu.

A foolish ruler who ignored the advice of upright officials!

Would such an emperor really care about the infamy of killing loyal ministers?

In case His Majesty is enraged and doesn't care about reputation, he might simply order them dragged out and beheaded...

Then wouldn't their display of loyalty and valor have turned into a real suicide mission?

The consequences of going too far are death and the suffering of one's entire family.

Their hopes for a place in history may only earn them a sarcastic remark from future generations that they are "pedantic and out of touch with reality."

Zhou Mingtang moved his lips, as if to remind everyone to calm down and weigh the pros and cons.

But looking at Chen Wang's resolute eyes and listening to the enthusiastic echoes of his colleagues around him.

I know that any words of retreat at this moment will be seen as cowardice and a betrayal of loyalty.

Left with no other choice, Zhou Mingtang could only suppress his unease and, together with the others, discuss the wording of the joint memorial in a way that would better touch the Emperor's heart.

How can we make this grand spectacle of "a loyal minister dying for his country" even more spectacular during the celebration...?