His Highness the Madman gave in again today.

With Mo Sangyu absent, Feng Xingyu was already in a state of extreme agitation.

There was a shortage of officials in the court, and the system for selecting officials had serious problems. He was a military general who had been stationed on the frontier for many years. He suddenly became emperor. He knew that the system was flawed, but he couldn't think of a better solution for the time being.

At this time, someone actually dared to submit a memorial impeaching the Empress...

It is said that since becoming empress, Mo Sangyu has not spent a single day in the palace, and no empress in history has ever been like this.

Although... that's true, he didn't dare say a word about his Ayu. What right did these old fogies, who hadn't even settled down yet, have to talk about her?

Most importantly, it's been almost a month, why hasn't she come back yet?!

Gu Jinzhi silently walked in, picked up the folding tablet on the imperial desk and glanced at it.

He rubbed his forehead.

They're really courting death.

When he saw the contents of another folding sheet, he couldn't help but gasp.

And there are even more fearless people who actually let the master choose his concubines?

They are busy to the point of exhaustion every day, while these officials are quite idle.

It's only been less than a month since the founding of the country, and they're already trying to stuff people into the harem while the empress is away!

No wonder I'm angry.

"Jinzhi, tell me, why did I become this emperor?"

Feng Xingyu began to doubt himself.

I made this choice simply to survive, and also... to have the ability to take revenge.

Now that a country has been created, he won't even have his freedom anymore.

"Master."

After talking for so long...

The master can't live without his wife.

Gu Jinzhi advised, "Your Majesty, the Empress is traveling far and wide to strengthen the border defenses and protect the country we have built together. You... just bear with it a little longer. I estimate she should be back soon."

"...Hmm, do you have any good ideas about selecting officials?"

This time, the rewards for meritorious service were almost all given to military officers.

The court was in dire need of civil officials, and those who relied on family background to obtain official positions, the sons of officials, wanted to become officials simply because of the glory of their fathers and grandfathers, without needing to make any merits or have any talent...

This approach clearly won't work on Feng Xingyu.

"The old system definitely had problems..."

Gu Jinzhi pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Recommendation, hereditary privilege, and donations are rife with drawbacks, easily leading to factionalism and blocking the path of talented individuals from humble backgrounds. Now that our dynasty has been newly established, it is the perfect time to break with the old and establish the new."

"How to establish something new?"

"...Well, don't rush me, let me think about it."

"Hurry up."

Feng Xingyu rubbed his temples and said, "There are too many vacant official positions in various places. If this goes on for too long, it may cause trouble."

"Okay, I got it, I'll do it as soon as possible."

Gu Jinzhi was also troubled. He glanced at the folded papers and asked, "What should we do with these?"

Feng Xingyu glanced at it with disgust, then casually grabbed the memorials on the imperial desk, including those impeaching officials and requesting the selection of imperial concubines, crumpled them into a ball, and threw them into the charcoal brazier at his feet.

Flames erupted, instantly engulfing the words.

"Anyone who dares to criticize the Empress or bring up the matter of selecting concubines will be punished for undermining the foundation of the state."

Gu Jinzhi's heart skipped a beat, and he nodded, saying, "Understood."

Now, the lady has become the master's Achilles' heel, and also a pillar of stability for the Chen Kingdom.

To touch her is to cross my bottom line and shake the very foundation of this empire.

Don't even mention that I won't agree; the soldiers below won't agree either!

"I will first send someone to issue a private warning..."

Gu Jinzhi had only spoken half a sentence when a familiar voice suddenly came from outside the Imperial Study.

"Who is Mr. Gu going to warn?"

Upon hearing this voice, Feng Xingyu suddenly looked up, his eyes lighting up instantly.

Mo Sangyu, dressed in a plain white dress and a dark cloak, walked towards the Imperial Study, her shoulders still covered with unmelted snowflakes.

She had a smile on her face, but her eyes showed the weariness of a long journey, yet her gaze shone like stars.

"Ayu!"

finally come back!

Feng Xingyu suddenly stood up, knocking several of the memorials off the table.

He practically rushed over and pulled her into his arms, the force so strong that Mo Sangyu let out a soft "Mmm".

"Why did you suddenly come back?"

He buried his face in her neck, his voice low and deep: "You didn't even tell me beforehand."

Just two days ago, they sent a message saying that their return date was uncertain.

"I deliberately didn't tell you."

Mo Sangyu smiled slightly, raised her hand to wrap around his waist, tiptoed to his ear, and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Did you miss me?"

What do you think?

Feng Xingyu looked at her with deep, unfathomable eyes, his voice low, husky, and alluring: "I'm going crazy thinking about it."

After saying that, he kissed her lips directly, without caring at all that there were other people around.

"..."

Um... he's still here!

Gu Jinzhi hurriedly turned around, facing the wall, pretending to study the map hanging on the wall, muttering to himself.

"This city defense map of Fog City is truly exquisite... Yes, exquisite."

"His Majesty!"

At this moment, Eunuch Lian Chen ran in excitedly from outside, shouting as he ran, "Great news, Your Majesty! The Empress has returned! The messenger says she has already entered..."

The words came to an abrupt halt.

He stared blankly at the two people embracing in front of the imperial desk, his mouth opening and closing.

This woman must be the Empress... right?

Strange.

He clearly rushed back as soon as he received the news, so how come the Empress arrived before him?

Seeing this, Gu Jinzhi quickly went over, grabbed Lian Chen's arm and dragged him outside: "Come on, let's go see how dinner is being prepared."

"It's still early for dinner, this servant hasn't finished speaking..."

"Needless to say, His Majesty already knows."

The door was gently closed.

Finally, only the two of them remained in the imperial study.

The two separated, panting. Feng Xingyu pressed his forehead against hers, his breathing heavy: "Is the border all set up?"

"Yes, it ended five days ago."

Mo Sangyu raised her hand and touched his face, frowning as she looked at him: "Why do you look thinner?"

"I'm tired."

Feng Xingyu took her hand and led her to sit down on the soft couch, but he didn't let go, still holding her in his arms: "Being an emperor is more tiring than fighting a war."

Mo Sangyu chuckled: "I'm hungry."

Feng Xingyu immediately ordered someone to bring the meal.

The food was served quickly and laid out on the small table.

Feng Xingyu had already eaten, so he sat next to Mo Sangyu and watched her eat.

The way she ate was not refined, but rather carried the efficiency she had developed while marching, yet he couldn't take his eyes off her.

You wouldn't believe it this past month.

As Feng Xingyu watched her eat, he poured out his grievances: "Every day I'm faced with mountains of apologies. Those old men are better at bickering than fighting a war. There aren't enough officials, the system is flawed, and my head is about to explode."

Mo Sangyu picked up a piece of roasted mutton and held it to his mouth.

Feng Xingyu naturally opened his mouth to eat, and continued to complain: "I have no freedom at all. I'm followed by a bunch of people wherever I go. I can't sleep well at night either. I always feel like there's an empty space next to me."

As he spoke, he reached out and pinched her fingers.

Mo Sangyu let him pinch her hand, continuing to pick up food with her other hand: "Hmm, and then?"

"What's most infuriating is..."

Feng Xingyu's face darkened: "Someone even submitted a memorial impeaching you, saying that your absence from the palace is improper."

Mo Sangyu raised an eyebrow.

"I've already burned it."

Feng Xingyu added, then lowered his voice, "...There are even more outrageous things."

"What?"

"They..." Feng Xingyu's tone was cold and aggrieved: "They forced me to choose a concubine."

Mo Sangyu finally stopped picking up food with her chopsticks.

She slowly turned her head to look at him, her eyes slightly narrowed, and a half-smile curved her lips: "It's fine."

Feng Xingyu was taken aback.

"Then let's choose."

She put down her chopsticks and said in a relaxed tone, "There's no other way. You need to consolidate your power with the court officials, and choosing a concubine is indeed the best shortcut."

Feng Xingyu's face darkened completely, his eyes becoming deep and unfathomable, and he unconsciously tightened his grip on her hand: "Say that again?"

Mo Sangyu remained calm: "Such a good opportunity, are you sure you don't want to seize it?"

Feng Xingyu stared at her for a long time, then suddenly laughed again: "Ayu, are you testing me?"

"..."

"You don't believe me at all?"

Mo Sangyu was speechless when his thoughts were exposed.

She had indeed just wanted to test whether he had those kinds of feelings for her...

Men, once they have power, inevitably develop other thoughts.

The smile in Feng Xingyu's eyes faded, replaced by a deep, dangerous darkness.

He raised his hand and pinched her chin, not too hard: "It seems that my usual performance has not been good enough."

His breath brushed against Mo Sangyu's lips, and before she could answer, he lowered his head and kissed her.

The kiss, carrying a strong sense of punishment, forced open her teeth without any explanation.

Mo Sangyu instinctively tried to back away, but his other hand firmly gripped the back of her head.

She was forced to endure it, and her breathing gradually became erratic.

After a long while, Feng Xingyu finally released her, his fingertips brushing against her slightly swollen lips, his voice low and husky: "Ayu, why don't you become the Empress?"

Mo Sangyu, her breathing unsteady, looked up at him and asked, "What?"

"You will become the empress."

Feng Xingyu leaned back, his hand still around her waist: "You protect the empire we built, and I'll protect you."

"you……"

Seeing that he didn't seem to be joking, Mo Sangyu was slightly surprised: "You don't want to go back to the Great You Dynasty to take revenge?"

"Revenge and protecting you are not mutually exclusive."

Mo Sangyu blurted out, "If I become an empress, will you let me choose my husband?"

She immediately regretted saying those words.

It’s over.

Sure enough, Feng Xingyu's expression changed instantly, his eyes fixed on her like a ferocious beast whose scales had been touched.

The temperature in the entire imperial study plummeted to freezing.

"Choose a husband?"

The voice sounded like it was being squeezed out from deep in his throat: "Are you sure?"

No, no.

Mo Sangyu shook her head: "I was just saying."

"Just a casual chat? Sure."

Feng Xingyu grabbed her waist and carried her to the soft couch where they were resting. He placed her on the couch, and his tall figure loomed over her.

He braced himself on his arms beside her, trapping her in a small space: "Then tonight, let's just do whatever we want."

"Feng Xingyu!"

Mo Sangyu placed her hands on his chest and quickly tried to appease him: "I was wrong, I was wrong, you're enough for me."

After admitting their mistake, they immediately changed the subject and started talking about serious business.

"You just said there aren't enough officials and the system is flawed. I have a way to solve that, and I can also take care of those meddlesome old fogies who want to put people in your way."

Feng Xingyu: "...What method?"