Not! You're Really Letting Me Handle State Affairs? Then I Won't Hold Back!

The court officials were still very clear-eyed about the larger situation.

What he saw before him left Chu Ning somewhat dumbfounded.

No wonder the system of government he had given Ye Qinglian had been implemented within days and swiftly put into operation.

If this were not the Immortal Dynasty, but merely an ordinary mortal dynasty, there would have been far too many things to contend with—the resistance of the official faction, the opposition of the scholar-gentry class, the obstruction of the noble houses, even all manner of backlash from members of the Imperial Clan.

But now, all Ye Qinglian had to do was sit here and say a single word!

This was the Emperor Consort. Whoever refused to submit could simply be killed!

Her words were the will of Heaven. Whoever objected, come and test it!

The status and strength Ye Qinglian possessed gave her an overwhelming forcefulness—so forceful that even Chu Ning, standing beside her, felt a thrill.

My wife was incredible. My wife was amazing!

As for himself?

He only needed to quietly stay by his wife's side and raise the child. There was no trouble to speak of now, and there was no use for his cultivation anyway!

In the end, it all came back to raising the child and keeping his wife company!

When someone possessed absolute authority and strength, even the sense of conquest people sought in the eyes of the world seemed to lose its meaning.

Living plainly, raising the child in peace, and staying by his wife's side in peace—that was what truly mattered!

He seemed to like this domineering Ye Qinglian even more.

It felt so good—so satisfyingly conquering...

At this moment, Chu Ning more or less understood Ye Qinglian's personality.

She had been an emperor for far too long. This was simply her nature. Even if she truly realized that she had done something wrong somewhere, she would absolutely never lower her head and admit fault.

She would not solve the problem; she would solve the person who had caused the problem!

Thus, Chu Ning sitting here was the solution Ye Qinglian had come up with.

Looks like this was the only way...

Still.

It was quite interesting.

Though the civil and military officials at court did not know this newly appointed Emperor Consort at all, Her Majesty had already spoken!

Then you were the Emperor Consort. They had nothing to say!

Anyone Her Majesty acknowledged was someone they acknowledged!

As for the authority granted to Chu Ning, they would just treat it as the boy stumbling into a great bargain. As long as he did not let the Inner Palace interfere in government and throw the court into disorder, it was fine.

But that did not seem to be something they needed to worry about.

With Her Majesty present, who could possibly seize her authority?

At this moment, Qiu Zun seemed to have guessed something as well.

Why had this man been able to so swiftly establish himself as Emperor Consort, to the point that Her Majesty had not hesitated to overstep ritual and place him directly in this position?

To share the realm with her, possess the authority of a regent, command the Cabinet and the Six Ministries, and even restrain the armies of the realm?

The new system of government had, as expected, come from this man!

He had wondered why Her Majesty, who had always ruled alone and schemed for the realm, had suddenly produced such a complete governmental system—so complete that not a single internal detail had been omitted—as well as methods for putting that system into practice.

Many of the officials behind him were dissatisfied, but none dared voice it openly.

Yet as the Prime Minister, Qiu Zun had quickly perceived the subtle details within it.

This man was no simple figure, not merely a somewhat prettier decorative vase.

He must also share an exceptionally deep connection with Her Majesty!

As expected, it was his talent!

At this moment, Qiu Zun stepped forward.

"Since Her Majesty has personally chosen the Emperor Consort, let us dispense with the previous cumbersome procedures. As the Minister of Rites has suggested, we should prepare the grand ceremony directly. Does Your Majesty approve?"

Everyone turned to look at the Old Man.

Prime Minister! Aren't you going to say something?

You were a senior official—Her Majesty surely would not bear to kill you. At least offer a few words of remonstrance.

Did you truly not want to say a single word about that authority to govern as regent and command the armies?

What could Qiu Zun say?

Say shit. Her Majesty was right here!

Whatever Her Majesty said should be done, would be done. They were merely subjects, serving only the realm and the royal house.

Ye Qinglian gave a slight nod.

"Simply proceed with the grand rites."

"Should invitations be sent to the other four great dynasties? According to protocol, they still should be."

"The remaining matters may be handled according to court protocol."

Qiu Zun bowed deeply, raising no further objections.

The remaining affairs were not particularly burdensome.

The court was dismissed.

Though Ye Qinglian could use thunderous means to suppress the court and the realm, she would surely be unable to stop the storm that followed.

Once word spread, the court and the common folk alike were shaken!

"How did this happen so quickly? My little nephew was even preparing to take part in the selection of an Emperor Consort! He's definitely better-looking than that new Emperor Consort!"

"Your nephew... forget it. He has neither looks nor learning. Does he really think he can squeeze in just because his uncle is a seventh-rank court official who entered through the Imperial Academy? There are plenty in court with far better family backgrounds than yours!"

"And haven't you noticed? This new system of governance could not possibly have been devised overnight. The Emperor Consort takes office and directly governs as regent..."

Hearing this, everyone fell into thought, then their eyes widened one after another.

"You mean..."

"Unspeakable. This is an edict issued by Your Majesty. It does not matter who came up with it. In any case, this method truly benefits the court, though it does put a bit of pressure on us officials..."

"No wonder..."

Over at the Ye Family Holy Land, everyone was utterly dumbfounded once Ye Xuan brought back the news!

"What the hell??"

"You're saying that person Palace Official Ye brought here some time ago to have his aptitude tested was the Emperor Consort? You've got to be joking!"

"He has no cultivation, no family background... he doesn't seem to come from any great clan either. Other than being handsome, what does he have!"

"But Your Majesty is the sovereign of the Great Gan Dynasty. Even if the Emperor Consort has nothing, so what? If Your Majesty wished it, she could probably establish an enormous clan for the new Emperor Consort in a short time. He would have power if he wanted power, wealth if he wanted wealth; even Cultivators and cultivation resources would not be lacking in the slightest..."

"Damn beast! I was even thinking I might win Your Majesty's favor! You don't know this, but every time Your Majesty came to the Holy Land before, she would glance at me one extra time. And now this pretty boy got there first!"

"Could it be that Your Majesty simply thought you looked rather peculiar..."

"Fuck your grandpa, what do you mean by that..."

The entire nation was shaken, and the other four great dynasties that learned of the news all reacted differently.

Just who was Chu Ning?

Why had he won Ye Qinglian's favor, rather than anyone else?

Meanwhile, within Mingde Hall.

After court was dismissed, Ye Qinglian brought Chu Ning here.

"Are you satisfied now? I have given you everything I can give. If you act like that again in the future, do not blame my sword for showing no mercy!"

Chu Ning could neither laugh nor cry. Looking at the woman before him in her golden Dragon Robe, he could not help but shake his head.

"You really didn't need to go this far. There was never any real conflict between us..."

Ye Qinglian shot Chu Ning a cold glance, her eyes filled with disdain.

No real conflict?

Then what was the meaning of you sleeping at your residence for three days straight before?

Wasn't it because you thought I had treated you poorly?

Now I've given you everything I can!

"Don't get a bargain and still act coy. When it is time for lunch, leave and go cook. I want Spicy Rabbit Head for lunch."

Chu Ning nodded with a smile. At this moment, Ye Qinglian pushed some of the state affairs left over from yesterday directly before him.

He froze.

"Qinglian, this..."

Ye Qinglian spoke calmly. "Since I have promised to share the realm with you and govern the court alongside you, you should naturally take some of these memorials and read them. If you cannot understand them, simply leave them aside."

Chu Ning was stunned when he heard that.

She trusted him far too much...

Though this feeling was quite nice, wasn't this leap a little too fast?

Then secretly giving her a hug should not be a problem either...

Suddenly, Ye Qinglian turned to look at him.

"I am not joking with you. If you have talent, show it. There is no need to conceal it; I will not say anything. If your ability to govern is adequate, then in a few more months, you will handle state affairs in full. I will focus on recovering my health. Do you understand?"

Hearing this, Chu Ning no longer hesitated in his heart!

"Alright!"

My wife must be able to focus on nurturing the baby!

What if he wore himself out?!

Mere memorials...

In his mind, the lifetime experiences and accumulated wisdom of countless emperors merged into one.

Chu Ning smiled and sat down. Casually picking up a volume, he leafed through it with convincing seriousness before taking up a brush moments later.

Watching from the side, Ye Qinglian murmured inwardly.

"Whether you're deceiving me or not, whether you truly want to rise to this position beside me, I believe you..."

"Since the Former Emperor died, I have had no one I could trust completely..."

Since he was her Emperor Consort, if he wanted to do it, then she would let him do it.

So long as he did not truly disappoint her, everything could be discussed.

She only hoped Chu Ning would prove worthy of that trust.

It did not matter whether he handled the memorials well or poorly. As long as he kept his heart on her and their child, that was enough.

But in the next instant, Chu Ning had already finished writing one.

He set it directly aside.

Ye Qinglian frowned slightly.

"Chu Ning, even these memorials should not be handled so lightly."

How long had it been? And he had already finished one?

Had he not taken her trust seriously at all?

Even if he did not know how, he could at least put on a more convincing act...

With displeasure on her face, Ye Qinglian walked over and opened the memorial, intending to use it to correct Chu Ning's behavior. Yet the next moment, she froze.

This...