Dad, don't be greedy! My brother climbed into the emperor's bed, and I became famous overn

Xiao Ye put down the secret report from the Censorate that he was holding.

His narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes narrowed slightly as he looked up at her.

"A lonely city, nestled between the Northern Di and the Dayong, a lawless territory, yet able to survive independently? What hidden strength does it possess that even you cannot uncover?"

The Dragon Scale Guards bowed respectfully with extremely solemn expressions.

"Your Majesty, we were ordered to infiltrate the northern border in search of the potatoes and sweet potatoes that Lord Gu mentioned. In a secluded valley along the bandit route, we encountered a group of people."

"The leader bears a brand on his left arm that clearly identifies him as a former convicted official of the Great Qi dynasty!"

"We dared not alert them, and instead secretly observed their training of the disciples in the city."

"That man's method of troop deployment was measured in advance and retreat, and his killing was ruthless, far surpassing that of ordinary martial arts forces."

"The training team doesn't look like martial arts practitioners; they're more like a fierce and powerful army ready to pounce!"

A gust of wind blew through the room, causing the bright yellow candlelight in the imperial study to flicker violently, disturbing the mind.

Xiao Ye's expression was calm and deep, his brows slightly furrowed, and his slender index finger unconsciously twirled his thumb, as if deep in thought.

When the previous dynasty, Daqi, was completely destroyed, he was still young, and many things were shrouded in mystery.

I only remember that the late emperor suddenly issued a secret order one day.

He ordered his men to go mad and arrest all the civil and military officials of the Great Qi Dynasty, along with their families.

The tens of thousands of people captured were all imprisoned like livestock in a heavily guarded camp in Jiangzhou.

At that time, not only was the imperial court arresting officials of the Great Qi with bloodshot eyes, but even the powerful clans and aristocratic families of the Great Yong secretly sent assassins to arrest people in the Great Qi palace, and even went so far as to use torture to interrogate them.

But later, for some unknown reason, the late emperor suddenly issued a secret edict.

Kill all those people.

Finally, even the General Who Guarded the Camp of Convicted Officials was executed along with his entire family.

At that time, blood almost stained half of the Suhuai River in Jiangzhou red.

After that, no one dared to mention the old days of the Great Qi Dynasty again.

These incomplete pieces of information were pieced together little by little by Xiao Ye after he ascended the throne, from investigating the old accounts of powerful clans and aristocratic families.

He could only vaguely feel a line.

It seems that Daqi has something extraordinary.

Legend has it that whoever obtains that item will gain control of the world.

Now, the once desolate northern border has been invaded by a traitorous official of the Great Qi, who is even secretly training troops.

This matter should not be underestimated.

But at this critical juncture, Gu Debai volunteered to go to the north for disaster relief in the court. Is there any connection between these two events?

Is the mysterious relic left by the previous dynasty, which supposedly grants the right to rule the world, related to the isolated city in the north?

Xiao Ye turned his head to look at the thick, impenetrable night outside the palace.

A deep undercurrent surged in his eyes, and he remained silent for a long time.

……

The next morning, as the sky was just beginning to lighten, Gu Mingli got up unusually early.

His heart was filled with the memory of his mother's death, his father's sorrow, and the ticking time bomb that could revolt at any moment.

How could he possibly sleep soundly?

After a quick wash and putting on his official robes, he hurriedly jumped into the carriage without even having a bite of breakfast and rushed to the palace.

Even if he has to pester Huang Jiaojiao relentlessly today, he still has to get the permission to go to the north with his father for disaster relief!

Only if he and his sister, like the left and right guardians, kept a close eye on their father could they forcibly avoid that damned line of rebellion!

In the Imperial Study, breakfast had just been served.

The hall was brightly lit, and the incense sticks were rising gently.

Xiao Ye was sitting upright behind the large dragon desk, holding a vermilion brush, and focused on reviewing the memorials.

Hearing slightly hurried footsteps outside the door, he paused briefly with his pen and raised his eyelids slightly.

Then a person hurriedly entered the hall.

"You've arrived early today."

Good morning, Your Majesty. The early bird catches the worm.

Xiao Ye scoffed lightly and lowered his head to continue annotating the folded paper.

Gu Mingli strode to the desk and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Your Majesty, I have something to ask you!"

"Um."

Xiao Ye raised an eyebrow, quite surprised, and put down the vermilion brush in his hand, casually picking up the gold-painted teacup beside him and taking a sip.

His gaze fell on Gu Mingli's face, which clearly showed he was hiding something.

"Speak, what's the matter that you're in such a hurry?"

Gu Mingli quickly stood up straight, respectfully.

"Your Majesty, my father mentioned in court yesterday his intention to go to the north to provide disaster relief. I would like to ask Your Majesty if my younger sister and I may accompany him?"

Fearing that Xiao Ye might think this was some kind of nepotism, Gu Mingli quickly patted his chest and assured him.

"Your Majesty, I have also seen some methods for controlling locusts in ancient books, and I am confident that they will be effective in this campaign!"

Xiao Ye paused slightly in his teacup, but did not answer immediately.

He put down his teacup, picked up a folded booklet, and continued reading.

The rising sun slanted in through the openwork window, illuminating his impassive profile.

It was impossible to fathom the deep thoughts of this young emperor.

Gu Mingli looked up at Xiao Ye, his heart pounding wildly like a drum.

Xiao Ye rarely ignores him like this.

Logically speaking, if his proposed solution could resolve the disaster, Huang Jiaojiao had no reason to refuse him.

Is it because you're tired of reviewing memorials today and are in a bad mood?

The silence in the hall lasted for almost the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Just as Gu Mingli was about to lose his composure and was about to reorganize his words, Xiao Ye suddenly snapped the book shut and looked up at him directly.

"Mingli, I know your heart is full of filial piety."

"But I... have a better idea."

He tapped the folded paper twice with his fingertips.

"Let the Right Chancellor remain in the capital to assist the King of Qi and handle all court affairs."

"As for disaster relief in the north..."

Xiao Ye's tone was relaxed, yet resolute.

"I have decided to personally lead the elite Dragon Scale Cavalry on an inspection tour. You and your sister will accompany me."

"What?!"

Gu Mingli gasped, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.

He stared at Xiao Ye, then raised his hand and picked at his ear.

I seriously suspect that I am experiencing auditory hallucinations because I woke up too early and had low blood sugar.

"You...you went to provide disaster relief in person?!"

They're even bringing their elite cavalry?!

Is this disaster relief or war?

Isn't this just pure chaos?!

My lord, do you know that the north is a powder keg, and there's a possibility of rebellion at any moment?!

You, an emperor, abandoned your vast court and personally went to eat dust and dirt to carry out disaster relief?

And then the most ridiculous thing is...

You actually left the current Right Chancellor (my own father), who is suspected of having rebellious tendencies, in the capital to oversee the court?!

What kind of suicidal reverse operation is this?!

Aren't you afraid that the moment you leave the capital, my father will bring the dragon throne home and chop it up for firewood?!

Seeing the complicated and worried look on Gu Mingli's face, Xiao Ye's lips curled slightly.

"What? Gu Qing's expression...does it mean you think I've gone mad?"

"Hehe, this humble subject wouldn't dare!"

Gu Mingli gave an awkward laugh.

Even though he was internally screaming, "You're a lunatic!"

Kid! Are you still going through your rebellious phase?