I just reached the maximum level, and you want me to be a puppet emperor?

Chapter 531 This is the simple and unpretentious life of an emperor! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
The two talked in hushed tones for a while, and seeing that the sun was shining brightly, they agreed to go to the Imperial Garden for a stroll.

Mother Dai changed into a light purple gauze dress with a silver sash tied around her waist, which made her skin look as white as snow; Mother Tang wore an apricot-colored embroidered ruqun, with a gold hairpin in her hair swaying gently with her steps.

The two beautiful women walked side by side, their voluptuous figures outlining alluring curves in the sunlight, attracting the attention of passing palace maids.

In the pavilion of the Imperial Garden, the palace maids had already prepared tea and snacks.

Just as Madam Dai picked up her teacup, she suddenly caught a glimpse of a graceful figure approaching from afar.

"It's Consort Chu!" Madam Dai's expression changed slightly, and she quickly put down her teacup and stood up.

Upon seeing this, Tang's mother quickly stood up, her heart pounding faster.

This was the first concubine His Majesty took in, and she was also handpicked by the Empress Dowager, giving her a superior status in the harem.

Today, Chu Ruoyan wore a moon-white palace dress, with only a white jade hairpin in her hair, which made her look even more noble and elegant.

She walked with composure, her dignified and imposing presence exuding an unassailable authority.

"Greetings, Consort Chu." Madam Dai and Madam Tang bowed in unison, their voices trembling slightly.

They secretly speculated that the Empress was probably here to give the newcomers a warning.

To everyone's surprise, Chu Ruoyan simply smiled and looked gently at the flower garden: "My two sisters, there's no need for such formalities. I've just come to see the newly planted peonies."

As she spoke, she personally helped the two of them up, saying, "The weather has turned cooler these days, sisters, remember to wear more clothes."

Her tone was as gentle as if she were caring for her own sister.

Dai's mother and Tang's mother looked at each other, unsure of what to say next.

Chu Ruoyan didn't linger. After giving a few words of advice, she gracefully departed, leaving behind only a faint fragrance.

"This..." Tang's mother was somewhat incredulous, "Consort Chu is actually so kind?"

Madam Dai was also puzzled: "Logically speaking, when a new favorite enters the palace, the empress will suppress the concubine who is gaining power in order to establish her authority."

Before he finished speaking, several more concubines arrived at the Imperial Garden.

There's Li Meng practicing swordsmanship by the pavilion, looking heroic in her smart outfit; there's Li Meng taking a nap under the flower trellis, languid and charming like a cat; and there's Elisa picking flowers with palace maids, her exotic charm particularly eye-catching.

Surprisingly, none of the concubines showed any hostility towards them; they either nodded or smiled in greeting.

Even Mu Qingrou, who was rumored to have a fiery temper, only glanced at it briefly before leaving.

Madam Dai murmured, "Strange, His Majesty's harem is completely different from what I imagined."

Looking at the harmonious scene in the garden, Madam Tang seemed lost in thought: "Perhaps, this is His Majesty's unique talent."

She recalled Li Chen's eyes, which seemed to see right through people, and suddenly understood something. This young emperor, who could make so many beautiful women with different personalities live together peacefully, was far more unfathomable than the rumors suggested.

Actually, they were overthinking it. Li Chen had these concubines busy with their own things, so naturally they had no time to compete for the emperor's favor.

Jiang Rong was busy with the Chamber of Commerce, her younger sister Jiang Mo was busy with cultivation, Mu Qingrou was busy with the development of her sect, and Li Meng was busy researching new Gu worms.
As long as they have their own things to do, they won't be idle and compete for favor.

Many concubines in the imperial harem schemed against each other, but weren't they just idle and bored?

The more powerful concubines didn't compete for the emperor's favor, so those with less power certainly wouldn't dare either.

They were just like Tang's mother and Dai's mother, grateful that they weren't bullied, and only thinking about how to serve Li Chen well.

Li Chen rarely interfered, but someone would help him.

For example, the Empress Dowager and Aunt Li Xueying would definitely take the initiative to help Li Chen manage the harem in order to make Li Chen feel that they were useful.

Once a concubine enters the palace, she must go to each of the two women, who will explain many rules and regulations.

Most importantly, their status and position were indeed enough to keep these concubines in check.

Li Chen only focused on enjoying himself in this aspect; his main energy was still devoted to governing the country.

Inside the Imperial Study, candlelight flickered as Li Chen reviewed memorials submitted by the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works.

The Minister of Revenue wrote in his memorial: "Your Majesty, before the first batch of mobile phones has even been officially released, 372 heads of aristocratic families, 86 presidents of merchant guilds, and 53 city lords have already submitted requests, hoping to purchase them with priority."

The Ministry of Works' memorial was even more detailed: "According to incomplete statistics, some merchants on the black market have already inflated the price of mobile phones to twenty times their original value. The Ministry of Justice has arrested seven speculators, but those secretly seeking to buy them continue to flock to the market."

Li Chen put down the vermilion brush, a slight smile playing on his lips. The result was even better than he had expected.

I originally thought it would take some time to open up the market, but I didn't expect these powerful and wealthy families to generate so much buzz on their own.

Li Chen called out, "Eunuch Cui, go and summon the Minister of Works and the Minister of Revenue. This memorial contains yesterday's data, and I want to know today's figures."

Before long, the two ministers arrived in haste.

The Minister of Works still had beads of sweat on his forehead, clearly having come directly from the workshop.

The Minister of Works excitedly reported: "Your Majesty, the first batch of 5,000 mobile phones has been completed, and the second batch is being produced at an accelerated pace."

The Minister of Revenue added, "As Your Majesty instructed, the first batch of mobile phones will only be sold to aristocratic families and officials. But I am worried that this number may be far from enough."

Li Chen chuckled lightly: "My dear minister, you are overthinking it. Scarcity makes things valuable, and we want them to fight tooth and nail for them. By imperial decree, the first batch of mobile phones will be allocated according to official rank and title. Officials of the fifth rank and above, and nobles of the earl rank and above, will be limited to purchasing one phone each."

The two ministers exchanged a glance, both seeing admiration in each other's eyes.

His Majesty's move not only satisfied the vanity of the powerful and wealthy, but also laid the groundwork for future products.

After finishing the work, a familiar sound of footsteps came from outside the hall.

Li Xueying gracefully entered, carrying a jade plate with several exquisite pastries, all of which were Li Chen's favorites.

"Your Majesty, you've worked hard," Li Xueying said softly, gently placing the snacks on the table.

Today she wore a light gold palace dress with a silver sash around her waist, which made her figure appear even more voluptuous and alluring.

Time has not left its mark on her face; instead, it has added a touch of mature charm.

Li Chen put down his vermilion brush and smiled, "Auntie, you've come at just the right time. I was just getting hungry."

Upon hearing this, Li Xueying smiled and personally poured tea and served water to Li Chen.

Her movements were elegant and composed, yet intimate in every way, clearly showing that she knew how to serve this emperor.

After Li Chen had eaten some refreshments, Li Xueying said softly, "Your Majesty, the King of the Northern Region presented a considerable amount of aged wine from the thousand-year-old ice cellar today. Also…"

She paused, a sly glint in her eyes: "The hundred concubines of the Northern Region have learned a new dance. I wonder if Your Majesty would be interested in watching it?"

Li Chen raised an eyebrow: "Oh? I'd like to see."

Upon arriving at Li Xueying's palace, they found it already meticulously prepared. Light gauze curtains hung around the room, and flickering candlelight illuminated the entire space.

Those concubines from the Northern Region were brought back to the palace after the Snow Eagle Royal Court was destroyed. Their status was lower than that of the official concubines, so they naturally had to work harder to please Li Chen.

As the music of silk and bamboo instruments began, a hundred concubines dressed in snow-white gauze skirts gracefully entered.

They all had skin as smooth as jade and faces as charming as jade. Although they were dressed in full-length dance dresses, their graceful figures swayed with their dance steps, adding to their allure.

The concubines sometimes fell like snowflakes, and sometimes swirled like swallows.

The seemingly heavy dance skirt billowed as it twirled, revealing glimpses of slender, jade-like legs; the wide sleeves slipped down with the movements, exposing arms as delicate as lotus roots.

Although they were completely covered up, they were even more alluring than if they were naked.

Li Chen was so engrossed in watching that he had unknowingly drunk three cups of Northern Tribute Wine.

The wine is refreshing on the palate, but has a strong aftertaste. Paired with the beautiful scenery before one's eyes, it is truly intoxicating.

"What does Your Majesty think?" Li Xueying asked with a smile.

Li Chen could favor anyone he fancied at any time.

Li Xueying was asking if anyone had performed well.

These concubines all looked at Li Chen expectantly, begging for his favor.

Li Chen's method was simple: close the door, and let them come one by one; he wouldn't let anyone in the hall go today.

This is the simple and unpretentious life of emperors!

(End of this chapter)