You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

Chapter 65 The Tragic Chen Shubao, the Mysterious Consort Wan (Please Subscribe)

Another day passed, and it was early morning.

[Missed the morning court session; internal strength +5.]

[Enchanted by beautiful women, internal strength +1.]

[Excessive indulgence in lust, bonus reward: Cultivation +1833.]

[Humiliating a subject grants an extra reward: Poison Path +30.]

[Digging your own grave, bonus reward: Charm skill +10.]

[Coercing a mother: Bonus reward, Martial Arts +30.]

"As expected, the more people there are, the higher their cultivation level becomes—"

"It's a pity that apart from Zhang Lihua and Lu Qingyuan, the others' cultivation levels are too low."

Although Li Chengan and Shi Wenqing's problems were resolved, the Southern Chen Dynasty still faced internal and external troubles.

Not only are the six great families eager to make a move and vie for power with him, but the threat to the Sui Dynasty is also increasing day by day!

Lu Zuo's time was too short, and it was still unknown whether the armed forces outside the imperial court in his plan would be able to gain any real strength by the time the Sui army besieged the city.

I don't want to be the ruler of a fallen kingdom, subjected to humiliation and bullying.

At the very least, one must ensure that their own cultivation reaches the pinnacle of the era!

On the night of the palace coup, Li Chengan's combat prowess greatly shocked Lu Zuo!

It was merely the culmination of the Three Elements into one, yet it could disregard thousands of troops and charge straight at him, almost killing him with a single claw!

If he could break through to the state of oneness with heaven and man, then even if the Southern Chen Dynasty was swallowed up by the Sui Dynasty, he would still be able to roam freely in the martial world.

Lu Zuo has a lot to do.

To stabilize the court and comfortably be a foolish ruler.

They cultivated armed forces among the civilian population, laying the foundation for their own future.

We also need to attack several small countries, and so on—

But the most important thing is still to improve one's cultivation level and increase one's strength!

Thinking about it this way, Lu Zuo realized that he didn't seem to have much energy to focus on important matters right now.

They must continue their debauchery and immorality.

But there's something I need to get done quickly.

Delay could lead to complications; the problems in Nantong must be resolved as soon as possible.

Thinking of this, Lu Zuo looked at Zhang Lihua, who was combing her hair in front of the dressing table: "My beloved concubine, from today onwards you will review memorials and handle government affairs on my behalf."

He has thought things through very clearly these past two days.

This allows the demoness of the Yin Gui sect to engage in power struggles with those aristocratic families in the imperial court, saving her a lot of energy to indulge in debauchery and develop her military.

The Yin Gui faction needed to rely on him in order to gain a foothold in Southern Chen.

Although this disciple of the Demonic Sect might become the next Li Cheng'an, the fact that they have to deal with the six major families will give them a headache for a while.

In the short term, the Yin Gui School is safe for itself.

Moreover————

Lu Zuo truly has no one left to rely on.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lihua was overjoyed, realizing how important it was for the Yin Gui Sect that the emperor had delegated power to her!

This also fulfilled his promise and helped the Yin Gui faction grow and expand in Nan Chen.

"Your Majesty, I thank you."

Within the Imperial Garden, pavilions with green tiles and red roofs stand amidst craggy rock formations, while a stream of fresh water from Taiye Pond murmurs gently.

Beside the pond, in a patch of grass soaked with dew.

Bang! Bang! Bang—

"Beat them! Beat them hard!"

A middle-aged father-in-law was shouting in a high-pitched voice.

Several eunuchs pinned a young eunuch to the ground in the bushes, while others beat him repeatedly with wooden sticks.

"Now that you've entered the palace and become a slave, you should abide by the rules and fulfill your duties."

The middle-aged eunuch, with his hands behind his back and a smug look on his face, scolded, "I told you to deliver some refreshments to the Empress, and what did you do? You just stared at her without saying a word?"

"Can you really look directly at Her Majesty's face?"

"beat!"

"Give him another sixty strokes of the cane, to teach this brat a lesson!"

Bang, bang, bang! The wooden sticks fell like raindrops, beating the young eunuch until his skin was torn and his clothes were ripped, leaving him a bloody mess.

His fists clenched, his eyes bloodshot, and he screamed inwardly, "I am the emperor!"

"That's my concubine! Can't I even look at her?"

This person was none other than Chen Shubao.

Before the palace coup, Li Cheng'an had thrown him into the steward's office, intending to torture him slowly after the coup.

Unexpectedly, Li Cheng'an's revenge failed, and he himself died at Lu Zuo's hands.

From then on, not only was he, the imposter emperor, freed from his shackles, but the real emperor was also no longer subject to the Soul-Capturing Technique.

but----

The Blood Gu technique specifically targeting the Chen family bloodline still exists, and Chen Shubao remains a cripple without martial arts skills.

Even if he knew martial arts, it was useless. He was castrated by Li Chengan, who changed his appearance, voice, and even altered the meridians in his arms. Even his handwriting was changed.

It can be said that all traces of his past have been completely erased!

Although a major purge took place in the palace, and nearly half of the eunuchs died, Chen Shubao was not Li Cheng'an's godson or grandson, so he was spared and survived.

This morning, he was assigned to deliver pastries to Consort Wan, who was enjoying the scenery in the Imperial Garden, by Li Qingmei.

Upon seeing this, Chen Shubao stood there dumbfounded, momentarily lost in thought.

In the past, his favorite person was Consort Wan!

However, due to health reasons, I have never been able to touch her, and now I can't even touch her if I want to.

They were even punished and beaten for looking at it too much.

And all of this—

In the distance, from the pavilion, came bursts of silvery laughter.

Consort Wan was chasing and playing with several palace maids, not even glancing in their direction.

"brute!"

"Li Cheng'an, you beast!"

"And that lowly commoner!"

"I am the emperor!"

"You vile beast, how dare you usurp my throne and sleep with my women!"

Chen Shubao's eyes were bloodshot, his hands dug deep into the soil like poisonous hooks, his heart filled with boundless hatred, his anger almost tearing his skin and bones apart.

Suddenly, the middle-aged eunuch trembled and knelt on the ground with a thud: "Greetings, Your Majesty."

The eunuchs carrying out the execution stopped what they were doing, knelt down, and said in unison, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Chen Shubao withdrew his resentful gaze, tried his best to appear normal, buried his head in the grass, and pretended that his injuries were too severe and he really did not want to utter the words "Greetings, Your Majesty".

"What happened?"

Lu Zuo stopped and looked at Chen Shubao.

"Your Majesty, this man is called Xiao Chenzi. He has been in the palace for less than a month and is still ignorant of the rules. Today he offended Consort Wan."

"The servant is reprimanding him."

Lu Zuo said no more, only instructing them not to kill anyone, and continued walking forward.

His original intention was to go to the library to find some classics from various schools of thought. He was just passing through the Imperial Garden on the way, but after taking a few steps, he stopped again and turned around to stare intently at Chen Shubao's wound.

"Something's not right about the smell of blood—"

Amidst the intense stench of blood, there was a hint of bitterness from herbs, along with a faint, refreshing fragrance.

His gaze darkened, and he stepped forward, asking in a deep voice, "What's your name?"

"Chen Jian."

This person's blood is strange; we need to ask them about it carefully.

"Take him to the Imperial Study. I'll be there shortly," Lu Zuo instructed before continuing on his way.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The middle-aged man responded and ordered, "Pick him up and give him a good wash."

At this moment, Lu Zuo stopped and looked at the several women chasing and playing in the pavilion, his eyes lighting up slightly.

"What an exceptionally beautiful woman, unparalleled in her beauty!"

Li Qingmei wore a light gauze dress, the flowing fabric accentuating her graceful figure.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, her eyes like deep pools of water, with a slight upturn at the corners, her smile full of affection, her delicate nose small and straight, and her lips as round and plump as cherries, naturally red without any makeup.

The phrase "both pure and alluring" perfectly describes her, giving Lu Zuo two completely different feelings.

A pure and beautiful fairy who doesn't eat the food of the world.

A bewitching and alluring enchantress.

"what?"

"His Majesty?"

Amidst the playful banter, a sharp-eyed palace maid spotted Lu Zuo and immediately exclaimed in surprise.

Li Qingmei glanced over, hurriedly left the pavilion, and gracefully knelt on the palace path paved with moon-white stone.

"Your Majesty, I, Li Qingmei, pay my respects."

Li Qingmei, Consort Wan —

Since becoming this fake emperor, he has only been involved with two of the concubines in the harem: Zhang Lihua and Su Yanzhi. He has spent most of his remaining energy on Zhang Lihua.

He remembered that this Consort Wan was recruited by Chen Shubao from among the common people. She came from a scholarly family and seemed to be a well-known talented woman.

Although this woman does not know martial arts, her appearance is truly stunning, like something out of a painting.

Lu Zuo hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and placed his hand on Li Qingmei's jade-like arm: "My beloved concubine, there's no need for such formality. Please rise."

"Yes."

Li Qingmei responded sweetly, her gaze lowered to her toes.

But after a moment, she secretly raised her eyes and glanced quickly at Lu Zuo, then lowered her head as if burned.

That shy and charming demeanor was truly endearing.

"Go to the Imperial Study and wait for me."

After saying this, Lu Zuo continued on his way with his entourage.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty—"

Only after Lu Zuo's figure disappeared at the end of the flower bushes did a palace maid run up to Li Qingmei's figure. Just as she was about to say something, she was stopped by a look from Li Qingmei.

"Go back to the palace and help me with my makeup and dressing up."

"Yes."

Half an hour later, in the Imperial Study.

"explain."

"Who exactly are you?"

Lu Zuo sat on the dragon throne, flipping through the book in his hand while asking questions in a deep voice.

"A slave is just a slave—"

Chen Shubao knelt on the ground and stammered a reply, his heart pounding with anxiety and beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead.

If he finds out my true identity, can I still survive?

Chen Shubao didn't want to die!

Even if he was kicked off the throne and became a cripple, living a miserable life every day, he still did not want to die!

— "Heh—"

Lu Zuo chuckled lightly: "Then what's the deal with your blood?"

Chen Shubao's eyes widened, his mind racing, before he feigned a blank expression: "Blood?"

"oh----"

"Your Majesty, I have had a congenital illness since childhood. Every midnight, my blood boils and the pain is excruciating."

"possible----"

"Is that why your blood is different from others?"

Lu Zuo then asked, "So what is your relationship with Li Cheng'an?"

"Back to Your Majesty----"

Chen Shubao's eyes were bloodshot: "It was he who deposed me and brought me into the palace! I wish I could eat his flesh, sleep on his skin, and tear him to pieces!"

Why did he bring you to the palace?

"This...this servant does not know."

Judging from his expression, his hatred for Li Cheng'an seemed genuine, but his background was still somewhat strange.

Have someone keep a close eye on him in the shadows and see what he's up to...

"Your Majesty, Consort Wan has arrived."

"Let her in."

"You can go out now."

Chen Shubao responded and had just stood up when he saw the door to the Imperial Study being pushed open, and Li Qingmei walking in with light steps.

His heart skipped a beat!

This is my favorite woman!

And she—

After being given a beating, Chen Shubao learned his lesson. He respectfully greeted the Empress and then left the Imperial Study.

Before closing the door, he caught a glimpse of Lu Zuo pulling his favorite woman to his side and embracing her on his lap.

"Your Majesty, it's still daytime!"

I am a foolish ruler!

Do you care if it's day or night?

Lu Zuo raised his hand and lifted Li Qingmei up, pressing her onto the imperial desk.

"I've heard that my beloved consort is well-educated and reasonable. Could you explain the scriptures to me?"

He threw a copy of the "Four Classics of the Yellow Emperor" in front of Li Qingmei and said in a low voice.

Li Qingmei replied with a "Yes, sir," then leaned over the imperial desk, picked up the book, and softly read aloud: "Heaven is sunny, earth is shady, oh... spring sunshine and autumn shady."

"Huff... Summer sun, winter shade; daytime sun, nighttime shade..."

'

I was delayed by Lu Qingyuan yesterday, but I have to go see Zhu Yuyan, Ren Zhong, Wang Zheng, Chu Yunlong and others today no matter what.

An hour later, Lu Zuo left the imperial study, changed into casual clothes, and left the palace with his entourage.

Li Qingmei's cheeks were flushed, her eyes sparkling like autumn water. As she adjusted her makeup, she chuckled to herself, "This Imperial Path Ultimate Scripture truly has an excellent effect—"

After tidying herself up a bit, she stepped to the door and pushed it open, only to see Chen Shubao standing outside with his head down.

"What a disgusting fellow."

She raised an eyebrow: "Is this servant's punishment over?"

"Your Majesty, not yet."

"Then let's continue."

After saying that, he left Chen Shubao, who was staring wide-eyed and dumbfounded, and gracefully departed without giving him another glance.

Ren Zhong's residence, bedroom.

In less than a month, Ren Zhong seemed to have aged more than ten years.

He lay on the bed, leaning against a pillow, his eyes cloudy, his wrinkles deeper, his face dull and withered, devoid of any color.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty————"

"This old minister...I'm afraid...it's too late..."

Lu Zuo sat on the edge of the bed and said, "General, don't overthink it. I have already instructed the imperial physicians to heal your injuries no matter what."

"it's useless----"

Ren Zhong waved his hand: "When I was middle-aged, I suffered a severe blow—damaging my foundation. After the battle in the palace, I was completely exhausted—powerless to reverse the situation."

"But, Your Majesty—your current situation is very dangerous—"

"The six great families are stirring, Shen Xun of Dongyang is bound to rebel, and the Great Sui Dynasty is also eyeing us covetously."

"This old minister truly does not wish to see Your Majesty alone—facing internal and external troubles—"

Lu Zuo sighed inwardly and said, "General, this is precisely why I have come. I would like you to recommend a few trustworthy people to lead the five major camps."

"There are trustworthy people, but they're useless—"

"Officials at all levels of the imperial court, and generals of all ranks in the army, have long been infiltrated and recruited by the major aristocratic families."

"No matter how you change it, they'll still have their people."

"Even my closest confidants might not be secretly colluding with them."

"His Majesty!"

Ren Zhong's eyes sharpened, a glint of intelligence flashing in them: "You are a man of exceptional talent; you should know that if powerful clans continue to control the court and monopolize the world, the Chen Kingdom will surely perish!"

"And Your Majesty—"

"In the end, he will become a ruler of a fallen kingdom, bowing down to the Sui Emperor, suffering endless humiliation, and being trampled upon!"

"Throughout history, which ruler of a fallen kingdom hasn't met this fate?"

"The preferential treatment recorded in historical texts is nothing but embellishment. The underlying contempt and humiliation—that is the pain that pierces to the bone!"

"This old minister, nearing the end of his life, tearfully begs Your Majesty: I implore you to make an exception and promote talented individuals from humble backgrounds!"

"Only in this way, as long as we withstand the Sui Dynasty's repeated attacks, can the Chen Kingdom's national strength be restored, and Your Majesty's empire—"

'

Only then can true peace and stability be achieved!

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