They've already breached the palace, yet all they ask of me is an edict of self-reproach.

"Sister Zhaoyu, get up quickly."

Zhao Ji stepped forward and helped Qin Zhaoyu up.

Although the Imperial Path to Heavenly Success was tempting, Zhao Ji felt that his own life was more important.

If we were to propose taking Qin Zhaoyu into the harem at this point, we would likely be stabbed to death by the other party.

Upon hearing this address, Qin Zhaoyu looked up at Zhao Ji and was momentarily stunned.

She hadn't heard Zhao Ji address her like that in a long time.

Recalling her time with Zhao Ji during her teenage years, Qin Zhaoyu's heart softened, and she reminded him:

"Your Majesty, issuing an edict of self-reproach is one thing, but the most important point is that you can no longer indulge in cultivation. There is only one chance to purge the court of corrupt officials, and there will only be one chance."

Zhao Ji nodded: "I understand. I will no longer cultivate Taoism."

Zhao Ji thought to himself that with three thousand concubines in his harem, he couldn't possibly have time to favor them all every night, so how could he possibly have time to cultivate Taoism?

Seeing Zhao Ji agree so readily, Qin Zhaoyu couldn't help but frown.

Qin Zhaoyu knew Zhao Ji's character; this compromise was only due to the circumstances.

Thinking of this, Qin Zhaoyu couldn't help but sigh inwardly, feeling even more disappointed in Zhao Ji.

Zhao Ji was the one who most resembled Emperor Taizu in the three hundred years since the founding of Dali, but he was also the only incompetent ruler.

Seeing that Qin Zhaoyu seemed not to believe him, Zhao Ji said in a deep voice, "As the ancients said, 'It is easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature.' I know that Sister Zhaoyu does not believe me, so I will now swear an oath to all the emperors of the past."

"You unfilial descendant Zhao Ji, if you continue to indulge in Taoist cultivation from this day forward, and if you disobey this rule, you will not be buried in the imperial mausoleum after your death, nor will you be enshrined in the ancestral temple of the Zhao imperial family."

"His Majesty……"

Qin Zhaoyu was greatly surprised.

How could Zhao Ji, this incompetent ruler, make such a vicious oath? Has he truly come to his senses?

"So, General Qin, do you trust me now?"

Zhao Ji looked at Qin Zhaoyu.

Qin Zhaoyu felt inexplicably uneasy when she saw that Zhao Ji had changed how he addressed her again.

However, as long as Zhao Ji can come to his senses, everything she has done will be worthwhile.

Qin Zhaoyu nodded, but for a moment she didn't know what to say.

The reason why Qin Zhaoyu was able to serve as the General Who Guards the North despite being a woman was entirely because Zhao Ji overruled the objections and cited the story of how Empress Taizu defeated an army of 10,000 with only 800 cavalry.

Now that she has led her troops into the palace to purge the emperor's inner circle, it can be considered repaying kindness with enmity.

However, Qin Zhaoyu did not regret it. At least Zhao Ji, who was sent to purge the court of corrupt officials, had a chance. If someone else had been sent, Dali would probably have had to change emperors.

But Qin Zhaoyu would not tell Zhao Ji any of this.

Seeing that Qin Zhaoyu remained silent, Zhao Ji said, "General Qin, if there is nothing else, you may leave. I wish to be alone."

"Yes."

Qin Zhaoyu nodded; she was also looking for an excuse to leave.

Qin Zhaoyu truly doesn't know how to face Zhao Ji right now.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will send people to guard outside and will not allow anyone to disturb Your Majesty."

After Qin Zhaoyu finished speaking, she bowed and left the Hall of Longevity.

……

After Qin Zhaoyu left with her men, Zhao Ji secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

My life is now safe.

I just don't know how my concubines in the harem are doing.

There's still something that Zhao Ji can't figure out.

Although Qin Zhaoyu was brave and skilled in battle, the capital of Dali was the most fortified city in the world, and the soldiers defending the city were all elites. Why was it breached so quickly?

"Am I really just too incompetent?"

Zhao Ji thought it was very likely.

After all, since ascending the throne, he has only attended court a handful of times.

call--!

Just then, a gust of wind suddenly pushed open the main hall door.

A woman appeared suddenly without any warning and slowly walked into the hall.

Zhao Ji looked up at the other person and was stunned.

The woman was dressed in a Tai Chi robe, wearing a lotus crown, with a bright red cinnabar dot between her eyebrows. She was both pure and otherworldly, yet alluring and seductive.

What puzzled Zhao Ji the most was that the other party had the fair skin of a young girl, the charm of a mature woman, and the ethereal grace of someone who had transcended the mundane world.

In short, Zhao Ji could see his favorite type in the other person.

Thinking of this, a thought involuntarily surfaced in Zhao Ji's mind: the myriad aspects of life!

"The Imperial Advisor."

After recalling information about the other party, Zhao Ji quickly stepped forward to greet them.

Luo Qingwei, the Grand Preceptor of Dali, is a woman even the late emperor could not obtain.

If we go by seniority, Zhao Ji would have to call her "aunt".

Because Zhao Ji's deceased mother and Luo Qingwei were from the same school, Luo Qingwei was Zhao Ji's mother's junior sister.

Luo Qing nodded slightly and asked in a cool tone, "Has Your Majesty awakened to the truth after suffering this calamity?"

Zhao Ji gave a bitter smile: "I've just woken up from a dream, and realized I've wasted half my life."

Luo Qingwei was somewhat surprised by the other party's answer.

Previously, Zhao Ji had been bewitched by the Heavenly Dao Sect to cultivate immortality, and the late emperor had neglected the empress for her sake. Therefore, Zhao Ji had never been kind to her, the head of the Human Sect and the national teacher. Unexpectedly, she would say such self-reflective words today.

And... he seemed to show her much more respect.

Luo Qingwei's tone remained as aloof as an immortal: "I beg Your Majesty not to blame General Qin for what happened today. It was all done by this humble Taoist priest in accordance with the late Emperor's last edict."

Zhao Ji looked at the stunningly beautiful female national advisor but did not answer.

In fact, after meeting Luo Qingwei, Zhao Ji understood many things.

With Luo Qingwei in charge of the palace, even if Qin Zhaoyu is brave, she will be killed by Luo Qingwei the moment she dares to set foot in the palace.

Luo Qingwei's title as the number one person in Dali is no joke.

After a long silence, Zhao Ji bowed to Luo Qingwei and said, "Zhao Ji thanks the Grand Preceptor for giving me another chance. From today onwards, Zhao Ji will definitely work hard to govern the country and make the people of the world live a good life."

After sorting through the relationships in his memory, Zhao Ji gradually understood the ins and outs of the matter.

After the late emperor passed away, he must have left behind some kind of edict.

Today's palace coup is likely because Luo Qingwei is acting on imperial orders to depose himself, the emperor.

However, perhaps because Luo Qingwei felt indebted to Zhao Ji's mother, she ordered Qin Zhaoyu to lead troops back to the capital to devise a plan to eliminate Zhao Hui, the King of the Southern Barbarians, while also giving Zhao Ji a final warning and a chance.

"It would be best if Your Majesty thought that way." Luo Qingwei nodded.

She had a feeling that something was off about Zhao Ji, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Luo Qingwei continued, "Your Majesty, have you considered how to handle today's palace coup? The situation in the north is currently chaotic, and these soldiers are the elite of the northern frontier. If not handled properly, it may cause turmoil throughout the land."

"The King of the Southern Barbarians plotted a rebellion. Qin Zhaoyu secretly received the news and led his army to quell the rebellion."

Zhao Ji thus definitively concluded the matter of purging the court of corrupt officials.

"Can."

Luo Qing nodded slightly, quite satisfied.

Luo Qingwei thought that given Zhao Ji's uncompromising nature, he would definitely settle scores later. However, judging from Zhao Ji's tone just now, he was probably not deceiving her out of necessity.

"Awakening from a long dream, I realize I've lived a foolish half my life..."

Luo Qingwei murmured something to herself and drifted away.

Watching Luo Qingwei's departing figure, Zhao Ji broke out in a cold sweat.

Zhao Ji could sense the killing intent in the other party's eyes. If he had said anything that displeased the other party, he would probably have been killed.

"It seems I must improve my strength as soon as possible."

Having gone through all that had just happened, Zhao Ji gradually understood his current situation.

He was an emperor, but an emperor whose head could be taken away by someone at any moment.

Looking back at the emperors of the Dali Kingdom throughout history, most of them were top-tier experts, with only a few not practicing martial arts.

However, these emperors who did not practice martial arts were all brilliant and ambitious rulers.

Such an emperor could naturally suppress the experts below him, but what about Zhao Ji?

Zhao Ji was neither a great ruler nor a master strategist.

"We must find a way to obtain the Imperial Path Nine-Five Heavenly Merit as soon as possible."

Zhao Ji seemed to be deep in thought.

He was the emperor, born with the ability to gather fortune, so this technique was perfect for him.