Become a king right from the start, beginning with receiving rewards from all the heavens.

The Li family's birthday banquet sparked a discussion in Qingzhou.

All the major powers in Qingzhou understood that the Li family was no longer someone they could easily offend.

In the past, only the Imperial Concubine Li would send someone to offer congratulations at Li Yue's birthday banquet, which was held once every hundred years.

Even the Xia Emperor himself sent people to offer his congratulations at this birthday banquet.

Everyone knows that the Xia Emperor sent people because of Renwang's identity.

The birthday banquet passed quickly, and the county town returned to its usual tranquility.

But everyone understands that from this day forward, the landscape of the prefecture has been completely changed.

"The Li family has truly taken off!"

...

Indeed, even powerful families and governors of Qingzhou nowadays have to give the Li family some respect!

...

"In the past, the Li family had to pay protection fees to various sects for their business activities, but now no force dares to ask for them!"

...

Upon returning to Qingzhou City, Cai Qing immediately dispatched people to investigate all of the Lu family's residences.

These aristocratic families, with an history spanning tens of thousands of years, possess numerous villas within the city itself.

In just one day, all of the Lu family's residences in Qingzhou were tallied.

"Master, the rest of the area is fine; after our observation, they are all from the Lu family."

"Only the villa outside the west gate of the city is guarded by Lu family guards!"

Cai Qing tapped his fingers on the armrest, nodding inwardly. It seemed that Li Yue's information was not a lie.

As the head of the Heavenly Punishment Division, he only trusts His Highness and his own people.

Even if the other party is from His Highness's maternal clan, he will not completely trust them.

Upon his return, he immediately sent people to investigate and verify the matter.

"Alright, now that it's confirmed, I'll go check it out myself!"

"If it really is a remnant of the Zhang family inside, then the Lu family will be crippled, if not wiped out!"

In reality, Cai Qing believed that the Lu family would most likely follow in the footsteps of the Zhang family.

So, after night fell.

Cai Qing then set off and instantly disappeared from the Heavenly Punishment Division branch.

Outside the western part of the city, there are many mansions.

These are all footholds of major powers in the state capital outside the city. For these powers, a villa can provide them with a land deed permanently.

Therefore, they will try every means to buy other people's homesteads.

Cai Qing appeared several kilometers away from the Lu family's villa. Although it was night, it was clear that he was not in a good mood!

"Damn it, there's actually a Dharma Aspect Realm expert secretly overseeing things!"

"The Lu family is truly cautious!"

Cai Qing could sense from afar that a powerful aura was lurking in the shadows within that mansion.

With his current cultivation level, he cannot escape the divine sense of a Dharma Aspect Realm cultivator.

Being unable to enter the villa meant he couldn't obtain evidence.

Without evidence, there would be no excuse to deal with the Lu family.

Although he was certain that it was a remnant of the Zhang family inside, what if it wasn't?

This will have a very negative impact on the Heavenly Punishment Division and His Highness.

"But nowadays, no one in headquarters can escape the surveillance of a Dharma Aspect Realm expert to enter there."

"Forget it, let's just ask headquarters for backup!"

...

Inside the Great Xia Royal Palace, the sun began to slowly rise, and Xia Zhaoyan also finished his cultivation at the same time.

Not long after, Mu Wenhan hurriedly requested an audience.

"Your Highness, we have made progress in Qingzhou."

"We've roughly found traces of the Zhang family's remnants!"

After saying that, he briefly recounted the news that Cai Qing had reported.

"So, in that case, we have my grandfather to thank for this?"

Xia Zhaoyan had a strange expression on his face. He hadn't expected that his cheap grandfather would unintentionally do him such a big favor.

At the birthday banquet the day before yesterday, he only sent two women to represent him.

It would be a lie for Xia Zhaoyan to say that he had special feelings for his maternal clan.

After all, I've only met my maternal grandfather's family once in my life.

However, she still had a good impression of her maternal family and did not act arrogantly or domineeringly in the local area because of her status as a maternal relative.

They didn't use their own name or their mother's name to bully others!

Such a maternal clan certainly saves one a lot of trouble.

"Your Highness, we are currently struggling to find direct evidence."

"So Cai Qing wants headquarters to send a strong expert over there!"

Xia Zhaoyan thought for a moment and then shook his head.

"For now, keep an eye on the Lu family's villa; the court assembly is about to begin!"

As he spoke, he stood up and looked towards the palace, his voice lingering.

"At this court assembly, I will lay my cards on the table!"

boom!!

A thunderous roar echoed in Mu Wenhan's mind as he realized that His Highness would eventually reveal his true intentions.

But I never expected His Highness to reveal his true colors so quickly!

"Therefore, I cannot afford to be distracted these next few days. The Lu family is the chicken I'll use to make an example of them after I've laid my cards on the table!"

Only then did Mu Wenhan gradually regain his composure.

Although her expression still showed some shock, her voice was very calm.

"Your Highness, isn't this too early!"

...

"Is it early?" Xia Zhaoyan turned around, knowing what Mu Wenhan meant.

I just hope to accumulate more confidence, since time is on my side.

Anyone who stands in Mu Wenhan's shoes would advise themselves in the same way.

Because the current emperor is in his prime, and according to the traditional rules of succession, he can remain emperor for at least several hundred more years.

"Remember what I said before? Ten thousand years is too long, seize the day!"

"Only with greater power can I change the Great Xia according to my own wishes!"

Mu Wenhan took a deep breath and then knelt on one knee.

"Your Highness, I am willing to brave mountains of knives and seas of fire with you!"

"May Your Highness achieve the result you desire this time!"

...

In the square outside the Chaotian Hall, the spiritual energy in the air was gathered by the array, forming streams of water as thick as a thumb that flowed through the air.

These liquid spiritual energies were not meant to be absorbed, but rather to be used to wash away the dust that had settled on the officials' clothes.

That's how extravagant it is!

When Xia Zhaoyan arrived, everyone suddenly noticed that King Ren seemed different today.

Compared to before, her temperament has changed dramatically.

No one knew why, except for one person on the prince's side whose expression changed slightly.

Xia Qiming suddenly realized that he had the same demeanor when he went from being a prince to becoming the crown prince!

Could it be...

He simply couldn't believe his own judgment!

"All officials, come to pay your respects!" Eunuch Lu's voice rang out, and then everyone stepped into the Chaotian Hall!

After everyone returned to their places after paying their respects, the court assembly officially began.

The first thing was the appointment of the prime minister, which had been delayed for several months.

Emperor Xia glanced at King Ren before his voice rang out in the hall.

"My esteemed ministers, the position of Prime Minister has been delayed for months!"

"Today, it's time to finalize the selection!"

Everyone gave Renwang a strange look, unsure whether to thank him or blame him!

They were grateful to him for making the position of prime minister vacant, but they blamed him for breaking the rules of officialdom!

In the past, the appointment of a third-rank official required intense competition before selection.

Not to mention this time it's the position of Prime Minister.

Xia Zhaoyan knew that this position had nothing to do with him. Although the power of the prime minister was divided among the Six Ministries, the Nine Courts and other institutions.

However, the prime minister still wields considerable influence within the cabinet!

Therefore, no force will give up!