Empress Xiao Zhaohuang

"The Jingzhao Prefecture Pacification Investigation Guard urgently reports that the Azure Profound Immortal Venerable, in the drought-stricken area of Eastern Sichuan, rode Divine Dragon through the sky and performed the art of summoning clouds and rain, bringing forth sweet rain to save the parched land for thousands of miles."

Beneath the steps of the Hall of Heavenly Worship, the Thousand Commander of the Pacification Investigation Guard, dressed in a black Flying Fish Uniform, raised his hands high and knelt on the ground, his voice deep and solemn, echoing throughout the hall.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhaohuang, who was sitting quietly on the dragon throne, had a flash of excitement and surprise in his eyes, but it disappeared instantly.

"Bring it here."

When the eunuch presented the secret report, Xiao Zhaohuang's heart was filled with turbulent emotions after reading its contents.

It's been a year.

It's been a whole year.

It was as if the Azure Profound Immortal Venerable had vanished from this world, leaving no trace whatsoever.

She even thought that the Immortal Venerable had flown back to the Immortal Realm and would never set foot in the mortal world again.

Unexpectedly, a year later,

And once again, news of the Immortal Venerable was received.

At this moment,

The longing and infatuation in her heart were almost too much to bear, threatening to break through the layers of the emperor's pretense.

But in an instant, she took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing her surging emotions, and once again donned the calm and restrained shell of a king.

Xiao Zhaohuang slowly closed the secret memorial, and when he looked up, his expression had returned to calm, though his voice was slightly trembling:

"Order the Pacification Investigation Guard of Jingzhao Prefecture to immediately dispatch more men to track down the Immortal Venerable's whereabouts. Remember, under no circumstances should you rashly approach and disturb him."

"As you command."

The Pacification Investigation Guard Thousand Commander received the order.

Then Xiao Zhaohuang's gaze swept over the report, his phoenix eyes suddenly turning cold.

"The disaster relief funds were allocated by the Inner Treasury three months ago and sent in full to the Jingzhao Prefecture. However, the Jingzhao Prefecture is still suffering from a severe drought, and the number of people starving to death is rising, making life unbearable for the people."

Her fingertips tapped heavily on the paper, her voice low but carrying the suppressed anger of an emperor. "The money has clearly been distributed, yet the disaster has not eased in the slightest. This is not a natural disaster, but a man-made one."

The Hall of Heavenly Worship fell silent. The officials who had been whispering about the appearance of the Azure Profound Immortal Venerable from the Southwest all became serious upon hearing that the disaster relief funds of the Jingzhao Prefecture had been embezzled and the disaster victims were suffering.

After sweeping his phoenix eyes over the assembled civil and military officials below, Xiao Zhaohuang turned his gaze to Wang Yanan, the Commander the Pacification Investigation Office, his tone resolute:

"By imperial decree, the Pacification Investigation Guard shall immediately dispatch its best personnel to the Jingzhao Prefecture to thoroughly investigate the flow of disaster relief funds and grain. From the Prefect down, all county and prefectural officials shall verify the accounts one by one. Anyone found to have intercepted or embezzled disaster relief funds and grain shall be severely punished without exception."

"All officials involved in the case will be arrested and brought to the capital, their property confiscated, and all proceeds from the confiscation of wealth and grain will be used for disaster relief in the Jingzhao. In addition, honest and capable officials will be selected and dispatched to the Jingzhao to open granaries and distribute grain to comfort the disaster victims."

Commander Wang Yanan of the Pacification Investigation Office stepped forward and knelt on one knee. "Your His Majesty's decree commands me to immediately proceed to the Jingzhao Prefecture to thoroughly investigate this matter!"

Since Xiao Zhaohuang ascended the throne and became emperor,

Throughout the year, the imperial court was stable, the administration was efficient and clean, the cities were prosperous, and the people lived in peace and contentment, presenting a picture of peace and prosperity.

But unexpectedly, this happened.

This was undoubtedly a slap in the face.

How could she possibly face Azure Profound Immortal Venerable again? What right did she have to sit on this dragon throne?

When the emperor is enraged, corpses lie scattered for miles.

Since these corrupt officials dare to reach for the life-saving disaster relief funds and treat the lives of thousands of disaster victims as worthless, then don't blame her for being ruthless and making an example of them.

She wanted to use the blood of these vermin to wash away the filth and corruption hidden beneath the surface of this prosperous era, and to warn all officials in the world.

The officials and civil servants in the hall trembled with fear, and no one dared to utter a word of advice. Everyone could tell that the Empress had now decided to kill.

Although Xiao Zhaohuang was Empress,

But in terms of power and prestige, he was in no way inferior to the founding Emperor Taizu, Taizu, Emperor Taizong who established the dynasty.

Therefore, once a government decree is issued, neither the court nor the public dares to disobey.

Although the chubby Xiao Gaoyi is still young as the Crown Prince, he already has the qualifications to attend court sessions.

He stood to the side of the dragon throne, his round little face no longer showing its former childishness, his eyes Jingjing watching the situation in the hall, silently taking it all in.

His aunt told him,

Observe more, listen more, and speak less.

He remembered his aunt's words well, so throughout the year he was basically a figurehead in the imperial court.

But today,

He seemed to be losing his balance.

Because he heard news about his older brother.

His longing for his elder brother was no less than that for his aunt, and he even dreamed about him frequently at night.

After he kept turning the soil and sowing seeds, the small courtyard was finally covered with chives.

But his older brother never came in again.

He wanted to go out and find his older brother.

But my aunt wouldn't allow it.

My aunt said he was the Crown Prince, the future emperor, and couldn't leave the Capital at will.

He didn't actually want to be emperor at all.

He just wanted to stay by his older brother's side.

But his aunt told him that only by becoming emperor would he be qualified to stay by his elder brother's side.

He felt that his aunt was lying to him.

Even though her aunt had become the emperor, she still couldn't stay by her elder brother's side.

Since my eldest brother left,

He moved from the Eldest Princess's Residence into the Imperial Palace. Although everyone there treated him with utmost respect, he felt increasingly lonely.

Besides my aunt,

Only Zhang Qingyan visited him regularly.

However, Zhang Qingyan has been coming less and less lately, and I wonder what she's been busy with.

Xiao Gaoyi's mind was racing, his heart heavy with worries.

They endured this until the end of the court session.

On the way to the Imperial Study,

Empress Xiao Zhaohuang suddenly stopped and said, "As the Crown Prince, you will one day rule over the vast land. In court, whatever is on your mind, you must not easily reveal your thoughts."

"During the court assembly just now, all the civil and military officials were present. If you let your mind wander, it's easy for others to see through your thoughts, which is a major taboo. What your aunt taught you—to observe more, listen more, and speak less—is not just about keeping quiet, but also about calming your mind."

Gao Yi's body stiffened slightly, and his round, chubby face immediately tightened.

He quickly composed himself, bowed respectfully, and replied, "Your subject will remember Your Majesty's teachings."

Upon hearing this,

Empress Xiao Zhaohuang's tone softened again.

"You must be so distraught because you heard about your older brother."

"Um."

Xiao Gaoyi nodded.

"Silly child, you should be happy. This proves that your elder brother hasn't returned to the Immortal Realm; he's still in the mortal world."

Empress Xiao Zhaohuang reached out and stroked her little nephew's head.

"Your subject is very happy."

Xiao Gaoyi smiled, a genuine joy emanating from his heart.

But soon,

The smile on his face slowly faded.

"Aunt..."

"Um?"

Do you think my older brother will come back?

"Yes, it will, it definitely will."

"When?"

"Your older brother will come back when he's tired of playing outside."

As the Crown Prince, Xiao Gaoyi had to go to the Hall of Literary Brilliance to listen to lectures from the attendants after court.

Therefore, Empress Xiao Zhaohuang returned to the Imperial Study alone.

Imperial Study

A portrait was hanging on the wall.

She stood before the portrait, her fingertips hovering lightly over the front of the scroll without touching it, her gaze lingering on the figure in the painting.

Just like my little nephew in the Hall of Heavenly Worship before,

His mind was wandering, and he was absent-minded.