Primordial World: Marrying the Eldest Princess, the Jade Emperor Has Gone Mad!

"Father Emperor, this son takes his leave!"

"Yes, go. Learn more from Wei Zheng about how to conduct yourself, but don't learn his temper. Be mindful of Chen Fan's safety; with you going, he'll surely be the center of attention!"

Li Shimin nodded, his expression serious as he gave instructions.

Li Chengqian bowed again before standing up, revealing his tall, straight posture.

"This son will engrave your words in his heart and follow Father Emperor's teachings!"

"That's good, go then!"

Li Shimin rubbed his forehead, appearing somewhat impatient.

Seeing this, Li Chengqian's eyes dimmed slightly. He bowed once more and took his leave.

Watching Li Chengqian's retreating back, a hidden softness emerged.

He still lacks tempering. How can such a disposition secure the throne!

Li Chengqian naturally didn't hear Li Shimin's muttered words.

The few eunuchs who did hear them lowered their heads deeply, wishing they had heard nothing at all.

Suddenly, a eunuch hurried over and respectfully said to Li Shimin.

"Your Majesty, Lord Xue from the Ministry of War, Lord Feng from the Ministry of Rites, and Lord Zhang, along with four others, request an audience!"

"Is it Xue Chengfeng and Feng Wancheng?"

Li Shimin mused for a moment before realizing who they were.

He had indeed reused the old subordinates of Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, but primarily to keep the faction left by Li Yuan in check. It was impossible to say he had no defenses against them. However, as long as they made no overt moves, Li Shimin had no intention of acting against them. These people usually worked diligently, doing neither more nor less than required. The two sides maintained this process of mutual probing and slow trust-building. Now, their collective arrival… could it be they finally trusted him and were ready to bare their hearts? This was good news!

Li Shimin smiled and waved his hand, saying.

"Have them wait in the Hall of Two Principles. I will be there shortly!"

"Yes!"

"Your subject Xue Chengfeng/Feng Wancheng… pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

"Rise, all my esteemed ministers. What brings you all here today?"

Li Shimin asked cheerfully, his gaze sweeping across their faces, nodding inwardly. Most of the core personnel of Li Jiancheng's old faction were present. The remaining two or three were no longer important. Once he had a firm grasp on Li Jiancheng's former subordinates and the old officials left by his father, he could leverage them to send a few into comfortable retirement without fear of courtly upheaval.

"This…"

They looked at each other, none expecting everyone to have come together. This was rather awkward!

Xue Chengfeng gritted his teeth. Since most of them were here, it didn't matter much anymore.

"Your Majesty, your subject has a major matter to report. I beg Your Majesty to dismiss all attendants!"

Li Shimin's smile faded. He scanned Xue Chengfeng's face several times, then waved his hand, leaving only Gu Zhong behind.

Meanwhile, in a certain temple outside the imperial palace.

A female monk, radiating an aura of compassion, serenity, and peace, sat in quiet meditation. Before her, the brothers Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, exuding a chilling, dark energy, were present. Suddenly, Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji's bodies trembled simultaneously, a flicker of surprise in their eyes.

"Bodhisattva, my second brother has learned that we have returned from the Underworld!"

Sensing a connection in the ethereal realm, Li Jiancheng quickly said to the female monk before him.

The female monk slowly opened her eyes, her pure gaze sweeping over Li Jiancheng.

Instantly, Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji felt as if they had been cleansed by pure water, all their emotions vanishing.

"Amitabha, good, good!

Karma is set, the overall situation is complete, this humble monk thanks you both for your assistance!"

Facing the female monk's bow, Li Jiancheng's eyes flashed with apprehension.

He quickly pulled his brother away, forced a smile, and spoke to remind her.

"We helped you, Guanyin Bodhisattva, avoid the Son of Heaven's dragon energy, and in return, you are helping us establish the Yellow Springs Ghost Kingdom.

It was merely a transaction, it does not warrant such a grand gesture from you, Bodhisattva!"

"Self-awareness comes from self-contemplation, donor has great wisdom!"

Guanyin formed a mudra with her hands, and the pure vase in her hand rose, sealing this karma.

Seeing that Guanyin had completed her arrangements, Li Jiancheng cupped his hands and spoke.

"This matter is settled, we just await the brewing of karma. Yuanji and I will await your good news, Bodhisattva!"

With that said, Li Jiancheng, his face full of apprehension, pulled Li Yuanji and fled.

As dark mist surged, their figures instantly vanished.

Seeing them leave, the compassionate and serene aura around Guanyin vanished completely.

She extended a fair jade hand and wiped away nonexistent sweat from her brow, muttering.

"Oh, my goodness, this cursed Chang'an City's humanistic suppression is too severe.

The rest of the matter will be left to Yuan Shouchang. I'm exhausted, I'm going to rest, rest!"

Inside the Imperial Dynasty's Two Principles Hall, Li Shimin's face was ashen as he reprimanded.

"Nonsense, you all..."

Looking at Xue Chengfeng and the others, who had serious expressions, Li Shimin pursed his lips and ultimately didn't speak harshly.

Although he was extremely reluctant to admit it in his heart, the return of those two.

However, Xue Chengfeng and the others had no reason to joke about such a matter.

But since even this kind of thing could be reported to him.

Then these people, at least, were loyal to him, which was a piece of good news!

"I was a bit out of line, please forgive me, all my esteemed ministers. Guards.

Reward Scholar Xue and Scholar Feng, and the other three, with a hundred taels of gold and ten bolts of silk!"

"Your subject thanks His Majesty for his boundless grace!"

Ten miles south of Zhao Family Village, Chen Fan looked at the vast expanse of wilderness before him, full of spirit.

"From here to here, I want it all. How much?"

The deputy county magistrate of Qingshui County held the map, comparing it with Chen Fan's directions, his eyes gleaming.

He beckoned to the clerks in the household registry, who picked up their abacuses and began calculating with a clatter.

"Young Master Chen has a keen eye! Such a contiguous stretch of land with rolling hills and rivers is rare!"

Chapter Forty-Seven: Underground Coal Mines, Oxen Head East!

"Young Master Chen, according to the current dynasty's system, land reclamation generally does not require payment.

However, the amount of land you are claiming is too large and will affect the allocated land of several nearby villages.

Moreover, this area has rolling hills and rivers, truly picturesque and beautiful.

The dynasty stipulates that wasteland can be sold for half a guan per mu, but Young Master Chen is purchasing a large quantity.

Therefore, I will sell it to you for four hundred and fifty wen per mu. What do you think, Young Master Chen?"