The old emperor only desires immortality; you must not rebel.

The Prime Minister of Daqing, the man who was once the most powerful in the Qing Kingdom, is dead!

The news spread like wildfire throughout the capital.

Following this came the news that the Prime Minister's residence had been raided.

The capital was shaken!

As the prime minister of a country, Xiao Linfeng has his own unique methods.

He traversed the imperial court and forged connections with powerful families!

He was the representative of all officials, the head of powerful families, and the one who seized all the benefits.

The greatest loss from Xiao Linfeng's death was to those aristocratic families and powerful clans that had been passed down for thousands of years.

These powerful clans were behemoths that had survived three dynasties in the Qing Kingdom.

They once had the power to decide the rise and fall of a dynasty with a single word.

In the eyes of powerful families, deposing an emperor was a perfectly normal tactic.

Xiao Linfeng's death may be enough to shake the entire capital, but it cannot shake the foundation of the aristocratic families.

However, Xiao Linfeng's death ultimately angered those deeply rooted aristocratic families.

For example, the Xie family!

As the saying goes, "The swallows that once graced the halls of the Wang and Xie families once nested there," and Xiao Linfeng's rise from a top scholar to his current position is undoubtedly aided by the Xie family's support.

To ensure Xiao Linfeng's rise to power, the Xie family secretly bestowed countless merits upon him and paved numerous paths for him.

Of course, Xiao Linfeng's reward was also extremely considerable.

Seventy percent of the land within a thousand-mile radius of the capital belongs to the Xie family.

However, the Xie family's next move surprised everyone.

No one expected that the Xie family would send their eldest daughter, who was said to be a noblewoman of the Xie family and had been engaged to the Pei family, into the palace.

In the past, the entire Qing Kingdom considered it an honor to marry a daughter of one of the five most prestigious families.

Even if she is just a concubine's daughter from a collateral branch, she can rise in status and bring glory to her family if she can get married.

Even the former royal family could only hope to have a child from a collateral branch.

It is truly baffling that the Xie family would now send their eldest daughter to the palace.

"I won't marry him!"

"Why should I marry him, he's an old man who's practically half-buried!"

Inside the Xie family mansion courtyard, beneath the long pavilion.

Xie Yuanzhi, dressed in a long, bright red dress, had a look of anger and grievance on her face.

Opposite her stood Xie Qianguan, dressed in a blue robe, now the head of the Xie family.

"This is not up to you!"

Xie Qianguan's tone left no room for argument.

Xie Yuanzhi looked up at the cold-faced man and felt a chill run down her spine.

She knew that her father was a man of his word.

Within the family, no one is allowed to disobey.

"But I'm already engaged to the Pei family..."

Xie Yuanzhi wanted to try again.

"It's ruined!"

"This is also the Pei family's intention!"

Xie Qianguan's words remained cold as he said in a chilling voice, "I'm letting you into the palace only so you can find out what exactly happened to that emperor."

"Your family has nurtured you for eighteen years; now it's time for you to repay them."

When it comes to family legacy, nothing is too precious to give up.

For a clan with a history spanning thousands of years, rebellion is the lowest form of tactic.

The best strategy is to replace a dynasty without bloodshed.

However, it is because the world still needs the puppet ruler of Qing Kingdom that they are willing to use a slightly milder approach.

Rebellion will leave an everlasting stain on history books, which is the greatest loss for aristocratic families who cherish their reputation.

Xie Yuanzhi slumped into the chair and nodded as if resigned to her fate.

……

Inside the Taiji Hall,

As a foolish and pleasure-seeking emperor, he must have had at least thirty concubines, if not three thousand.

Lu Cheng spread his arms wide, quietly enjoying the services of the woman behind him.

The woman had clear and gentle features, and her skin was as white as jade. Her plain palace dress accentuated her slender and graceful figure. Her hair was neatly combed and adorned with only a small, plain silver hairpin.

His eyebrows and eyes were gentle yet not timid, his nose was straight and his lips were light in color. His almond eyes were clear and calm. One could tell from his appearance that he was a steady and reliable person. Standing beside the emperor, he was neither ostentatious nor dazzling, but had his own dignified demeanor.

"Zhiyi, do you think the eldest daughter of the Xie family is beautiful?"

Looking at his aged reflection in the mirror, Lu Cheng felt a pang of sadness.

The woman behind him was someone he had snatched from bandits while hunting.

It was a sunny afternoon when the emperor, on a whim, decided to test his power and found a bandit stronghold outside the city.

The woman happened to be kidnapped inside the bandit camp, and she was captivated by the emperor's divine power, admiring him and offering herself to him.

He Zhiyi asked softly, "Does Your Majesty wish her to look good, or not?"

Looking at his reflection in the mirror, Lu Cheng chuckled softly, "I hope she won't be ungrateful!"

The real trouble for the Qing Kingdom has never been its officials.

The emperor was a puppet of the officials, and the officials were puppets of the powerful families.

The Xie family's decision to send their eldest daughter to the palace was certainly not an attempt to submit to imperial power.

When Xie's daughter entered the palace, Lu Cheng naturally did not refuse her, and generously bestowed upon her the title of Consort Li.

As for rewards, there were none.

Another reason why emperors lose power is that they lose their purse strings.

……

Inside the Taiji Hall.

"kneel!"

The attending eunuch shouted loudly.

Inside the imperial court, all the officials knelt on the ground.

"Long live the Emperor!"

"Rise!"

"Speak if you have something to report, otherwise the court is dismissed!"

As all the officials rose, the newly appointed Prime Minister Lu Wenzhou stepped forward and announced loudly before them, "Your Majesty, the entire clan of the disgraced minister Xiao Linfeng, comprising 524 members, has been executed!"

"Twelve million three hundred and sixty thousand taels of silver were seized, along with five thousand four hundred and twenty-two mu of farmland!"

"There are 122 officials who colluded with Xiao Linfeng!"

Of course, this is actually somewhat exaggerated.

After all, the emperor's edicts were only valid within the capital. Outside the capital, the edicts were, if not worthless, completely useless.

As the prime minister personally appointed by the Holy Emperor, and having witnessed the Holy Emperor's extraordinary power, Lu Wenzhou has now become the emperor's number one lackey.

Lu Wenzhou bowed deeply, his face full of respect, but in his heart he wished he could rush up and lick the soles of the Holy Emperor's shoes right now.

The assembled officials stared at Lu Wenzhou, secretly cursing him in their hearts!

Such treacherous and wicked people are actually able to serve as the prime minister of a country!

Although Xiao Linfeng, the prime minister of the dynasty, is dead, the forces that depend on him are not yet gone.

"A tyrannical ruler!"

"Prepare to die!"

Just then, a palace maid in the main hall suddenly revealed murderous intent, pulled out a dagger from her sleeve, and leaped forward to attack.

The courtiers watched this scene without the slightest surprise, clearly having anticipated it.

After all, without them, how could the assassins have infiltrated the palace?

Such a foolish ruler deserves to die at the hands of the loyal and righteous!

Lu Cheng remained calm as he watched the approaching assassins.

Just as the dagger was about to reach his brow, Lu Cheng suddenly grinned.

Raise your hand,

Take the picture!

The assassin was slapped so hard he spun around on the spot, blood splattering everywhere.

Lu Cheng did not look at the corpse, but instead focused his gaze on the ministers in the hall, and said slowly, "I do not understand!"

The courtiers looked up at the aging emperor.

"What good would it do you if I died?"

Lu Cheng's smile widened as he slowly rose from the dragon throne and said in a low voice, "I need ten heads!"

"I wonder which of you is willing to offer your head?"