Chu Ning, You Did This On Purpose!

"Your Majesty, what happened? Why did Mister Chu leave? He hasn't finished his meal yet?"

"Eat your food and don't ask too many questions."

Ye Qinglian's tone was cold, and a complex expression flickered in her eyes.

What does she mean? He leaves after I expose his true thoughts, trying to avoid me?

Or has he seen through me?

But why, after saying such things, do I feel so empty inside, as if something is suddenly missing from my life?

Ye Qinglian scoffed inwardly.

Chu Ning entered the palace, and it has only been three days until today. Such attentiveness must have a motive.

If it's not for power or profit, what else could it be?

Does he think he can take over the empire by plotting against me?

The Ye Family's empire was passed down through generations, and it's the only thing the late Emperor left in my hands. I will never hand it over; that's my bottom line. As for anything else, Chu Ning can have whatever he wants.

He's playing this game of feigning indifference, does he think I can't see through it?

But right now, I have no appetite.

"Xiao Bing, you can finish the rest. I'm not hungry anymore, I'm going to rest."

Xiao Bing was even more confused.

If Mister doesn't eat, why isn't Your Majesty eating either?

This bowl isn't even finished yet. Doesn't Your Majesty usually love this dish?

Sensing that Ye Qinglian was clearly not in a good mood, Xiao Bing didn't dare to say anything more.

"Then I'll clear the table, Your Majesty."

"Mm."

On the bed, Ye Qinglian tossed and turned, her mind replaying Chu Ning's expression from earlier.

He seemed like a genuinely enthusiastic person, talking about Emperor Jiajing of the Great Ming Dynasty as if he knew him personally. She had never heard of the Great Ming Dynasty. As for Chu Ning's hometown, wasn't it the Great Gan Dynasty? Where else could it be?

The Tianxuan Continent only had the Five Great Dynasties, each occupying vast territories with their own names. She had read all the historical records and was known for her vast knowledge. Where had she ever heard of such a dynasty, or the methods Chu Ning spoke of?

The methods of consolidating imperial power were too profound; they were beyond the imagination of an ordinary person.

If Chu Ning didn't know these things and was just an ordinary person, Ye Qinglian wouldn't have said anything. But she only had this one empire, and she would never hand it over. This made it difficult for her to decide what to do.

Will he deliberately neglect me, treat me coldly, and even stop cooking for me in the future?

So what if he doesn't cook? So what if he treats me coldly? He's just the father of my child anyway. He can just stay in the harem and take care of the baby, fulfilling his role!

I don't need anyone else's care; I can still do very well on my own!

Thinking this, Ye Qinglian tried to convince herself, but she couldn't help but feel melancholic…

I, the dignified ruler of a nation and a peak cultivator, why am I so lost in thought over such a trivial matter!

She slept soundly through the night.

The next morning, Ye Qinglian opened her eyes.

She hadn't slept well last night. There were too many things that required her attention: the implementation of the new political system in the empire, the memorials for the day, and Chu Ning.

This damn man, why did he have to say those things yesterday? Doesn't he know that the harem is not allowed to interfere in politics!

Even though I have no intention of establishing a harem, one Imperial Sovereign is enough, but even so, it's not allowed!

There are too many examples of the harem interfering in politics and destabilizing the nation; the cases are countless. I want to be the greatest monarch of this era, unite the Tianxuan Continent, and establish a supreme dynasty. I cannot allow such a thing to happen!

Thinking this, she still couldn't resist extending her divine sense to check what Chu Ning was doing.

He was sleeping.

As expected. He's not even doing the thing he promised me at first.

I was indeed overthinking it. I actually thought Chu Ning was an extremely responsible man who genuinely cared for me. Now that his lie has been exposed, he's too ashamed to face me…

"Xiao Bing, help me change."

Outside the door, the maid also pushed open the door and ran in.

"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister sent someone to deliver a message. He said that the new political system Your Majesty implemented was almost fully established yesterday and they plan to start trials today. He also said that since Your Majesty intends to cultivate herself, the memorials will be handled according to Your Majesty's plan by the Six Ministries and the Cabinet. Those that are processed will be sent to Your Majesty. They plan to implement it for a few days to let Your Majesty see the results."

"Send word to Old Qiu. Approved. Proceed as usual."

Xiao Bing smiled happily. "Then Your Majesty has more time now. You can take Mister Chu around to see the sights. I was thinking, although Your Majesty is the ruler of the Great Gan Dynasty, you are now pregnant. It's too distant between you and Mister Chu. If the Dragon Prince notices this later, it might affect…"

Ye Qinglian sneered. "Why would I accompany him? As long as he isn't discovered now, he can go wherever he pleases. I am busy with state affairs and have no time!"

"But now is not…"

Can't find the book title, maybe try searching for the author? Perhaps the name has been changed!

"Xiao Bing, there are some things you shouldn't say."

Ye Qinglian's eyes were cold, and her mood was clearly bad.

Hearing this, the young woman said no more.

Something was indeed wrong...

She'd spent half the night thinking about it yesterday. What new trouble were those two stirring up now?

She'd ask Mister Chu about it later...

She meant well for their relationship, sob sob, even though Mister Chu seemed a bit unreliable, she felt he was still quite dependable...

For Your Majesty's happiness, and for her own taste buds!

Soon, after changing her clothes, Xiao Bing hurried out.

"Mister made breakfast this morning and asked Xiao Bing to bring it over."

Ye Qinglian frowned slightly, puzzled. "Wasn't he sleeping? When did he make breakfast?"

Xiao Bing smiled and said, "These past few days, he's been making it before dawn, just like before. It's just that Mister Chu said he was too tired today, so he went to rest first. According to the rules, it's my duty to deliver it."

Ye Qinglian glanced sideways slightly, watching Xiao Bing open the food containers one by one.

Aside from the Dragon Marrow Jade Precious Soup she loved most, all the dishes were new and different from each other!

He really did as they agreed...

But looking at the table full of food, she felt a pang of unease, feeling that Chu Ning was missing.

Thinking back to what she had considered earlier, Ye Qinglian's eyes were complex.

Was she really overthinking Chu Ning?

"Your Majesty, shall we eat?"

"Mm."

After breakfast, she headed to Mingde Hall.

The court session lasted three days. The Prime Minister established the cabinet and implemented the new political system, issuing orders to officials and government offices across the land to unify the new policies, enacting the performance appraisal law, the promotion law, and the new personnel assessment system.

But why were there no memorials?

Ah, right. The memorials were first sent to the Six Ministries, then transferred to the new cabinet. All that remained was a list delivered by Prime Minister Qiu Zun's subordinate.

It was about the arrangements for the Six Ministries personnel.

Qiu Zun, a Prime Minister of two dynasties, was reliable and loyal to the throne. The personnel he submitted for the Six Ministries and the new cabinet list included some of his own people and some talented individuals from the court, without any favoritism.

Attached was a note: "With the new laws implemented, results are expected daily. Your subject humbly requests Your Majesty grant some time, and it is not advisable to abandon efforts lightly."

The general meaning was that the new laws would take time to take effect, and she shouldn't be too quick to exert herself based on the current situation.

Ye Qinglian naturally understood that any new law required a period of adjustment. Initially, she would handle any poorly managed affairs, then review and approve them herself before the cabinet issued them. Later on, things would become much easier.

But for now, she seemed to have nothing to do.

Ye Qinglian, who had always been diligent, could probably see the effect of this new law.

If the court officials could truly govern with virtue, then she would have more time in the future for cultivation, self-improvement, and nurturing her well-being.

Ye Qinglian's brows furrowed. She was a little unaccustomed to this for a moment, but she still waited in the hall for new memorials to arrive, and began to cultivate directly.

Time reached noon, and she gradually came back to her senses.

Counting the time, Chu Ning should be coming over to deliver lunch.

"Your Majesty, Xiao Bing is here to bring lunch for Your Majesty."

The young woman carried the lunch into the hall and placed it down. Ye Qinglian's expression was unreadable.

"Heh, so it's you who knows to bring the food now?"

Xiao Bing chuckled awkwardly. "Before, Mister Chu simply didn't give me the chance. I couldn't afford to offend him either."

"And now you can afford to offend him?"

Xiao Bing shook her head.

"Mister said that family and state affairs are separate and cannot be mixed. Mingde Hall is the center of the Great Gan Dynasty, and its status is sensitive. Entering it carelessly could lead to gossip or accusations of interfering in state affairs by those who wish to do so. Therefore, I have strictly adhered to Your Majesty's decree and dared not intrude lightly..."

Ye Qinglian pursed her lips upon hearing this and couldn't help but clench her fists.

If he wasn't coming, he wasn't coming. It was better not to have to listen to those foolish words, and her ears would be clean!

At a time like this, he knew to abide by the decree? Why didn't he listen before? He had to choose the time when she was most bothered...

He's doing it on purpose, he's definitely doing it on purpose