Chapter 256: The Emperor Is Absolute Power

Lou Yan was a wolf—greedy and possessive.

Xiao Li knew he was provoking Song Junzhan, but she had only warned him, not intervened.

In a fight between a wolf and a fox, the one to lose wasn’t necessarily the fox.

Four hours later, Song Junzhan appeared before Xiao Li again, his earlier dejection gone, replaced by his usual composure.

"Your Majesty, here are the memorials and ledgers from the Ministry of Revenue. According to the policies Your Majesty has set, the National Treasury will still operate at a deficit this year. However, the wealth we confiscated from the aristocratic families was immense. That alone, provided we don’t go to war, is enough to cover the nation’s expenditures for a decade."

The wealth accumulated by so many aristocratic families over a century could fill the National Treasury several times over.

The Empress disliked luxury and kept no harem. Her greatest expenditures were military funds and rewards for her officials.

As long as no major problems arose, it was more than enough to support the nation for years to come.

Moreover, the Empress’s wealth wasn’t limited to this. While she collected no taxes from the common folk, she consistently collected commercial taxes. Then there were the factories the Empress had established; their products—candies, fabrics, clothing, and medicinal herbs—were all in high demand.

Labor costs were not low, but the products were sold at affordable prices, so the profits weren’t substantial. And what little profit there was, the Empress poured into Longxi Gully.

If not for that, the ledgers would likely look much healthier.

Despite her immense wealth, she didn’t indulge in luxury. Instead, she used it for the good of the nation—strengthening the army, reducing taxes, and benefiting the common people.

She was the Emperor, yet she never indulged in corruption or abused her power. Instead, she was wholly dedicated to strengthening the nation and enriching its people.

He was the Prime Minister, and the memorials of the Six Ministries all converged in his hands. No one knew better than him that this nation, seemingly operating at a loss, was in fact accumulating formidable power. It was like a sapling with an incredibly strong root system that, given time, would surely grow into a colossal tree capable of overshadowing the world.

Lou Yan had indeed gotten under his skin. He was jealous—insanely jealous.

He hated that he wasn’t the one in Lou Yan’s place, hated his own cowardice for losing the initiative.

But when he returned to his work and saw those memorials, he was struck by a sudden memory of his original purpose.

’At first, my goal was the imperial examinations—an obsession born from the ruin of my family. But after I began serving Her Majesty, my goal became to be her most capable minister, to help her govern the realm and build a powerful dynasty.’

’I love Her Majesty. I love her so much she’s all I can see. But my reason for following her in the first place wasn’t to become her man.’

’Even if she has taken Lou Yan as her favorite, she is still the same Majesty I respect and admire.’

’Lou Yan’s presence doesn’t affect the nation, it doesn’t affect the court’s politics, and it doesn’t affect Her Majesty.’

’The only one he affects is me, the one who gave in to jealousy.’

’To think I measured my bond with Her Majesty by carnal desire... How could I have been so wrong?’

’I love Her Majesty. If I could win her favor, I would of course be overjoyed.’

’But that doesn’t have to be the end goal, much less the entirety of my feelings for her.’

Having found a new clarity in his life’s purpose, Song Junzhan threw himself into his political duties. The Empress lacked neither money nor plans, and the necessary personnel were gradually being put in place. All that remained was to bring everything to fruition with time and persistence.

And he was destined to spend his life in the Empress’s service, striving not for the pleasures of her bed, but for the golden age they would build together.

They talked until dinnertime, and Song Junzhan was naturally invited to stay and eat.

Xiao Li had no intention of giving Lou Yan an official title, but he was different from everyone else, so she permitted him to join them at the table.

Seeing Lou Yan at the table again, Song Junzhan didn’t bat an eye. And of course, he wouldn’t be so presumptuous as to ask about it.

Three people at one table, each lost in their own thoughts.

Song Junzhan had reached a higher state of mind, having reasoned himself into a new perspective. He simply treated Lou Yan as if he weren’t there.

Lou Yan was itching to stir up trouble, but was quelled by a single glance from Xiao Li.

And as for Xiao Li, what was on her mind?

She was the Emperor. Did she need to report to someone or ask for permission just to dote on a man?

Was she supposed to be secretive and ashamed about it, just because she was a woman?

Ridiculous.

The title of Emperor meant absolute power.

Societal norms were dictated by the strong.

After the meal, Song Junzhan took his leave.

"Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."

He paused, then turned to Lou Yan. "If you still wish to come to the Prime Minister’s Mansion for tea, Lou, I will be sure to give you a warm welcome."

Lou Yan’s expression didn’t change. "You are too kind, Prime Minister."

Once he was gone, Xiao Li scoffed, "He was just asking for a snub."

Lou Yan pretended not to hear. "The flowers in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom. Would Your Majesty care to take a stroll to admire them and aid your digestion?"

Xiao Li said, "It’s already dark."

Lou Yan replied, "Admiring flowers at night has its own unique charm."

Half an hour later, Xiao Li found herself cornered in the Wind and Rain Pavilion, breathless from Lou Yan’s kisses. She twisted around and pinned him, stopping him from pushing his luck.

"I thought we were admiring the flowers?"

Lou Yan lowered his head and kissed the tip of her nose, his gaze shimmering and intoxicating. "Your Majesty just needs to admire the flowers."

’What was that supposed to mean?’

’She admires the flowers, he kisses her. A perfect multitasking opportunity, is that it?’

His kisses trailed slowly to her earlobe, and his low, husky voice held a seductive pull. "Your Majesty, may this servant enter your chambers to attend you tonight?"

’So that was his real goal.’

Just as Xiao Li was about to kick him, a cold light flashed, and an arrow shot out from the darkness.

Lou Yan, whose eyes had been hazy with desire just a moment before, instantly shot out a hand and snatched the arrow from the air. He immediately pulled Xiao Li behind a pillar, shielding her from further attacks.

The Silver Armor Guards mobilized instantly to apprehend the archer, while others formed a shield in front of Xiao Li.

Certain that Xiao Li was safely encircled by the Silver Armor Guards, Lou Yan vaulted into the open, snatching a long saber from a nearby guard.

The assassin’s martial arts were formidable, and his Qinggong was superb. He focused only on fleeing, not attacking, moving like a slippery eel. For a moment, even the Silver Armor Guards couldn’t lay a hand on him.

After all, the Silver Armor Guards relied on tactical coordination; not every single guard was a martial arts master with exceptional Qinggong.

Lou Yan took a shortcut, closing the distance in a few great leaps before unleashing a ferocious slash that forced the assassin down from the eaves.

As Lou Yan clashed with the assassin, the Silver Armor Guards formed a tight perimeter to prevent any chance of escape.

The assassin’s martial arts were impressive. He wielded a short blade, and his movement technique was uncanny—he was clearly an expert. But in Lou Yan, he had met his match; after all, Lou Yan’s own skills were anything but conventional.

Their skills in martial arts seemed to be evenly matched; it wouldn’t be easy for Lou Yan to win.

They moved with extreme speed, becoming little more than blurs and the sparks of their clashing weapons.

In a duel between true masters, the surrounding Silver Armor Guards couldn’t even get involved.

Suddenly, the long saber flashed through the air, a glint of cold light that pierced straight through one of the figures.

Lou Yan’s strike found its mark. Without a moment’s pause, he viciously yanked the saber free in a brutal, dragging motion, delivering the killing blow.

In a battle between masters, it isn’t over until your opponent has drawn their very last breath.

When Lou Yan killed, he never gave his victims a chance to take a single extra breath.

A Silver Armor Guard stepped forward to check the body. After confirming the man was dead, they began to inspect the corpse for anything dangerous.