Chapter 651 - 270: Severed Kinship and Usurped Throne, Ji Tang’s Final Road

"My lords, the Grand Ancestor Empress Dowager has personally taken action, and the rebel traitors are about to be executed. The reopening of the imperial examination is postponed for further discussion. Instead, we should carefully consider, for the southern regions, which individuals should be appointed to take charge?"

Ji Changshou, who had been frowning for some time, now eased his brow.

A hidden divine light glimmered on his face, radiantly shining. Anyone could tell that His Majesty the Emperor had been in a great mood these past two days.

Moreover, not only was his mood good, but his cultivation had also made considerable progress.

Sensing the obscure yet grandiose aura above the throne, the officials in the hall murmured to themselves.

"Could it be that the method of ascending in broad daylight with three thousand concubines is true? It is said that indulging in women weakens the body, yet His Majesty has manifested a path in reality from legend. No matter his governance skills, in cultivation, at least, he is a prodigy."

Some ministers, feeling their longevity waning, thought to themselves about further inquiring on their return, to understand the identities and constitutions of the women brought by His Majesty’s confidants over the years.

If nothing else, was there not precedent to follow?

Of course, some ministers dismissed the notion with disdain, and some felt deep loathing, but none dared show any hint of dissent, fearing His Majesty might erupt in madness.

Last time, five imperial censors remonstrated but only once.

The fate of those five censors?

No one wishes to recall it.

It seems their entire families were executed, and their relatives and friends also suffered heavily. No, not all were killed; after confiscation of properties, the female members survived, rumored to become the most popular courtesans in Yujing City’s Qunfang Courtyard.

How did they rise to fame?

Of course, it was thanks to their colleagues’ patronage.

Seeing former colleagues venture into the world, driven by past affections, naturally, they support their business for their wives and daughters.

Especially for those nieces who once called them uncles and elders, they were particularly fond of them.

In light of this, although they saw the Emperor Ji Changshou’s increasingly rapid cultivation of the Heavenly Yang Pure Heart Skill and the increasing number of women captured from all over the world, they pretended not to notice, and indeed, could not show any displeasure.

"Your Majesty, I have a report."

Zang Taiyuan stepped forward and said, "Hanlin Scholar Fang is of upright character, widely learned, and renowned for integrity..."

"I have a report!"

"Your Majesty, please allow me to explain..."

With Tong Taiyuan recommending his own student, immediately, Tang Wenzheng of the Tang Family and Pei Fanglue of the Pei Family consecutively submitted memorials.

With a few Cabinet Scholars taking action,

Other officials also hurried to submit their recommendations.

In Jiangnan, Jiangdong, and the vast southwestern lands, there were too many lucrative positions available.

Any ambitious official thought of ways to embed their confidants, which was indeed expected.

Ji Changshou showed no emotion, though inwardly he thought that these old folks clearly understood how to conduct themselves, having cared for the families of several favored concubines in the palace. They weren’t merely self-serving and thus still valuable.

Once the rebels in the south were quelled, with the supreme cultivation of the Grand Ancestor Empress Dowager, even Beizhou’s forces would pose no difficulty. It seemed that after Grand Uncle’s "ascension," he too could consider enveloping himself in destiny and stepping onto the Rising Dragon Platform.

’After all, this Heavenly Yang Pure Heart Skill boosts cultivation rapidly, but the Guardian Technique is inadequate. How can side techniques compare to the orthodox Dao Alchemy Technique of the Daoist Sect? After breaking through to the Divine Martial Level, refining the Stinging Dragon Scripture and the Destiny Refining Technique wasn’t entirely unforeseeable to pursue longevity.’

Considering that the Grand Ancestor Empress Dowager was already over three hundred years old yet still as youthful as a maiden, Ji Changshou felt a warm sensation in his heart.

’Changshou, Changshou, if you cannot achieve eternal life, it would indeed bring disgrace to your name.’

Ji Changshou contemplated accepting several officials’ personnel recommendations to firmly grasp their loyalty.

Especially these great noble families; he had to draw them in, as he benefited greatly from their assistance over the years...

Bang...

Qingher Hall suddenly shook, dust falling like rain.

A roar erupted from the Beichen Back Hall.

Like the roar of a mad dragon.

The entire ground of the Imperial City trembled like ripples.

"It’s Grand Uncle; what madness is this?"

Ji Changshou’s eyes widened in shock.

He was only one step away from nurturing and was already a top-level expert in the world,

His spiritual senses were extraordinarily sharp.

He could clearly feel the dissatisfaction and despair in his Grand Uncle’s roar.

And boundless fury.

"Who angered the old man?"

Ji Changshou was startled, then recollected himself.

"No, ever since the Grand Ancestor Empress Dowager returned, Grand Uncle no longer behaved imperiously and became good-natured, smiling like a kind old farmer. How could he erupt in such a temper?"

Pondering over a matter, Ji Changshou became secretly anxious and dared not think further.

"This..."

Inside Qingher Hall, the civil and military officials were struck dumb.

Frightened by the roar, nearly half of them fell to the ground.

The quick-witted ones were now vaguely guessing something.

For a national patriarch, under normal circumstances, nothing would provoke such rage like thunder.

Then, why was he angry, and moreover, filled with despair and regret?