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

Seeing the usually aloof Grand Preceptor reveal a rare hint of tenderness in his smile, Zhao Ji felt no joy, only guilt.

Zhao Ji gave an awkward smile and replied ambiguously, "The Grand Preceptor should understand my intentions."

"If Your Majesty has nothing else to say, I shall take my leave."

Luo Qingwei did not dwell on the issue and turned to leave after speaking.

"The Imperial Preceptor..."

Zhao Ji subconsciously called out to the other person.

For some reason, Zhao Ji just wanted to spend more time with Luo Qingwei, even if nothing could happen between them.

"Is there anything else, Your Majesty?"

Although Luo Qingwei did not smile when she turned her head, her beauty was more than captivating.

Luo Qingwei's charm is simply irresistible.

Zhao Ji paused for a moment, then shook his head, unsure of what to say.

"This humble Taoist priest takes his leave."

"The Imperial Advisor looked so beautiful when he smiled just now."

Zhao Ji mustered his courage and made a casual remark, his expression calm, but his internal energy was already being mobilized on its own, ready to defend at any moment, which showed how tense he was at the moment.

Luo Qingwei paused for a moment after hearing Zhao Ji's words, but quickly continued walking forward.

"lecher……!"

Thinking of the sounds Zhao Ji made while making love with the Holy Maiden of Xiaoyao Palace last night, Luo Qingwei couldn't help but mutter to herself, unable to maintain her aloof demeanor any longer. Fortunately, there was no one in front of her, and even if there were, no one would dare to look directly at her face.

Luo Qingwei was well aware of just how devastatingly beautiful she was, but no one had ever dared to say such things to her face, not even the late emperor.

However, Luo Qingwei didn't know why, but she wasn't angry just now; instead, her heart was beating a little faster.

Luo Qingwei could only attribute this strange psychological change to the fact that she had made Zhao Ji cultivate the Yin-Yang Imperial Scripture.

As Zhao Ji watched Luo Qingwei's graceful figure gradually disappear into the distance, he couldn't help but sigh. It seemed he would have to work even harder to cultivate the Yin-Yang Imperial Scripture.

"For my aunt, let's go!"

After Luo Qingwei's graceful figure completely disappeared from sight, Zhao Ji arrived at the bedchamber.

The messy imperial bed testifies to just how intense the romantic encounters of the previous night were.

Zhao Ji came to the dragon bed and looked at the blood-stained plum blossoms left on the sheets. The image of Mu Qingyi's shy and effeminate appearance when she was under him last night came to mind.

Mu Qingyi is truly a woman you can never forget once you've tasted her.

"It's good to let her stay by the Imperial Advisor's side for a while. There's plenty of time in the future, no need to rush."

With this in mind, Zhao Ji felt much clearer about his thoughts.

Zhao Ji is a greedy man; he not only wants Mu Qingyi's body, but also her heart.

Of course, the same applies to other stunning beauties.

Therefore, Zhao Ji's most important task at present is to improve his own abilities and then bring the crumbling Dali Dynasty back on track.

Zhao Ji sat cross-legged on the dragon bed, intending to enter a meditative state, but a unique fragrance entered his nostrils, interrupting his thoughts.

That was the scent left on Mu Qingyi after the rain had stopped.

"This woman is truly a vixen..."

Zhao Ji's heart skipped a beat.

【Ding! 】

Just then, the system's voice suddenly sounded in my mind, and a virtual panel appeared.

[Establish the Censorate, control the capital, and intimidate all officials (Completed)]

[Congratulations, host, you have received the reward: A Life-or-Death Strike.]

"After waiting for so many days, this mission is finally complete."

Zhao Ji was in a great mood.

This task is not just about creating the Censorate; it also involves controlling the capital and intimidating all officials.

Now that the reward has been distributed, it seems that Qi Yuanqing has secretly taken care of everything for him.

Zhao Ji took a deep breath and began to practice the Life and Death One-Slash Technique.

……

Meanwhile, at Chang Le Palace.

When Consort Chen saw her mother again after many years, she could no longer control her emotions and threw herself into Li Qingguo's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Mother... your daughter misses you so much."

With the fall of Western Chu, Consort Chen naturally dared not address Empress Dowager Li Qingguo as "Mother." If someone with ulterior motives were to overhear this, the mother and daughter would certainly meet a terrible end.

As for her mother, Consort Chen couldn't bring herself to call her that. How could she possibly admit that her mother was the concubine of her father's killer?

Li Qingguo's eyes also welled up with tears; how could she not miss her daughter all these years?

"It's your mother's fault for not protecting you. How have you been all these years in the palace?"

Li Qingguo was no longer the aloof person she was when facing others; her attitude was now very doting and gentle.

"It is because your daughter is not capable of protecting you, Mother. You don't need to worry. Your daughter has been doing very well in the palace all these years."

Since the emperor ascended the throne and began his Taoist practice, he has never even touched the empress, let alone a mere concubine.

Because the emperor disliked women, there was no infighting in the harem. In addition, the empress was banished to the cold palace, and she had the support of the Western Liang. Therefore, over the years, Consort Chen has become the most powerful concubine in the harem.

"I'm relieved that you're doing well," Li Qingguo smiled.

"Mother, you are still as beautiful as ever, you haven't changed at all."

Consort Chen believed that she was a stunning beauty in the harem, second only to the Empress, but she was somewhat inferior to her mother.

"You're just good at saying nice things to coax me."

Li Qingguo raised her jade-like finger and tapped Consort Chen's delicate nose.

"No, my daughter is telling the truth. If I were walking down the street with my mother, people would definitely think we were sisters."

Consort Chen's words were not an exaggeration. Without knowing the truth, people would only dare to guess that Li Qingguo was twenty years old.

"Silly daughter, your mother is already 34 this year, almost at the age where she's old and faded."

"If even a beauty as stunning as Mother is considered to have lost her luster with age, then there would be no beauties left in the world. Even the Empress would probably pale in comparison to Mother..."

"Shh!"

Li Qingguo quickly placed a jade-like finger on her daughter's red lips and said in a lecturing tone:

"What did your mother teach you before you entered the palace? Entering the harem is like walking on thin ice; one wrong step and you're on your way to an abyss. What shouldn't be said, what can't be said—you've been in the harem for so long, don't you understand?"

"My daughter knows she was wrong."

Consort Chen quickly admitted her mistake.

Discussing the Empress in private is indeed dangerous. It's fine if no one hears it, but if someone does, it could be disastrous.

Consort Chen was usually very cautious, but today, upon seeing her mother, she was so happy that she let down all her guard and only wanted to make her mother happy.

"Alright, your mother isn't blaming you."

Li Qingguo patted his daughter on the back to comfort her.

"Yes, my daughter knows."

Consort Chen nodded and pulled Li Qingguo to sit down on the phoenix couch: "Mother, don't go back to Xiliang this time you're in the capital. Stay here in the capital from now on."

Upon hearing this, Li Qingguo shook his head: "Mother understands your filial piety, and I also want to stay in the capital to accompany you, but Chen Sangui will not agree, and the Emperor will certainly not allow it..."

Li Qingguo was well aware of the current situation in the capital and Xiliang.

She's a hot potato right now; the emperor would rather send her back to Xiliang immediately than agree to let her stay in the capital.

Although that incident had just occurred in the court and things seemed to be in some trouble in Xiliang, Li Qingguo was still more inclined to believe that it was Chen Sangui's conspiracy.

Han Pingchuan was Chen Sangui's most trusted adopted son, how could he possibly betray him?

Thinking of this, Li Qingguo was about to ask his daughter to remind the emperor to be careful, as this was a trap set by the King of Xiliang, but then he saw his daughter reveal a faint smile.

There seemed to be some secret hidden in her smile.

Before Li Qingguo could speak, Consort Chen said with great certainty:

"Mother, His Majesty will agree."