Ye Qinglian Feels Sour

For the next few days, their relationship was much the same.

Chu Ning would provoke and test Ye Qinglian's boundaries, only to be cut down. Of course, Chu Ning always managed to dodge...

In Xiao Bing's eyes, this was just a typical spat between a young couple.

How could Mister Chu, a mere Mortal, possibly dodge Her Majesty's blade...?

Nearly five days later, in Mingde Hall.

"There are quite a few memorials today. I'll handle them with you."

"No need, I can manage on my own."

Ye Qinglian was somewhat worried about Chu Ning's condition.

She hadn't been involved in handling the memorials for the past few days; Chu Ning had managed everything entirely before handing them over to her.

It wasn't that she doubted Chu Ning's abilities; his capabilities were increasingly astonishing.

It was just that if it continued like this, Chu Ning would surely get tired. After all, he was only a Mortal...

Her tone was cool as she gazed at Chu Ning's figure. After a moment's thought, she decided to make him realize when he was out of his depth.

"Heh, you seem to be taking to this role quite naturally now. You're only missing the official title to be the Emperor, aren't you?"

"Something like that. Are you going to give me your position?"

"Oh? You think you can actually do a good job if I let you?"

Ye Qinglian narrowed her eyes slightly, having adapted to this state. Usually, they spoke without reservation on such matters.

Chu Ning smiled as he spoke, but his brush never stopped moving.

"As for being Emperor, that depends on whether I want to do a good job. Right now, it seems like just attending court and handling memorials every day isn't that difficult..."

Ye Qinglian felt a tightness in her chest upon hearing this!

It's not that difficult, he said so casually. Did he even know...

But it seemed that was indeed the case...

His plan was to establish a new cabinet system, turning the court into a fully functioning political machine. His own political experience was even more extensive than hers by countless times.

The previous memorials had been sent down, and the current Chief Grand Secretary of the cabinet, Qiu Zun, along with several other Grand Academicians, had already given their evaluations.

Her Majesty deeply understands the ways of military and governance, her methods are excellent, and feedback from officials across the regions has been positive.

She felt a pang of bitterness.

The Prime Minister had never spoken so highly, and local officials rarely did either. Most of it was superficial, but now this feedback was genuine...

The memorials were all handled by her Imperial Sovereign; she had barely intervened, only reviewing and confirming them.

It's even better than what I did... Then just give me this Emperor position!

"Mmm... Qinglian."

Chu Ning suddenly looked up, picking up a memorial.

"This is about the disaster in the Jiangnan region."

Ye Qinglian immediately tensed upon hearing this and took it to examine.

Local grain prices had increased nearly a hundredfold. The common people were already resorting to cannibalism, and the local government was requesting the opening of granaries!

She was stunned. With just a few sentences on the memorial, she could already see the tragic state of the Jiangnan region. The local officials had been strictly ordered by the imperial court not to open the granaries!

Those were the people of the Great Gan Dynasty, suffering in dire straits, yet she could do nothing.

Chu Ning put down his brush, took a deep breath, and looked at Ye Qinglian.

"The current grain prices have reached an extreme. The text below states that grain merchants from all over the land are coming to profit, and the local populace cannot afford to buy it. The buyers are local gentry and powerful families working together."

"Add another point regarding measures for the disposal and burial of famine victims to prevent the outbreak of plague."

Ye Qinglian was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Yes, the plan remains the same."

Opening the granaries wouldn't save the local populace.

People would die, they certainly would, but as long as the grain prices could be stabilized, it would be enough. Many would survive.

This move was being carried out secretly by the local gentry, and they couldn't be killed yet.

If these people were killed, no one would continue to buy grain, and prices would remain high. Slaughtering them all would have too great an impact and would inevitably cause nationwide panic.

The current grain prices had already surged to a terrifying number, over a hundredfold!

Even in the distant border regions, merchants were flocking in for profit.

This was hope, the result Chu Ning had anticipated.

"Poisonous strategist..."

Ye Qinglian finished writing Chu Ning's subsequent arrangements, her tone cool as she commented. She then put it away and closed her eyes to rest.

Chu Ning by her side smiled slightly.

Heaven and earth are not benevolent; they treat the myriad things as straw dogs. The Saints are not benevolent; they treat the common people as straw dogs.

Blind benevolence will not solve fundamental troubles; grain prices are the real problem. Currently, local authorities have begun executing merchants who are artificially inflating grain prices, but they are only killing the small ones. The big ones are being fattened up before they are killed.

For a ruler, the goal is to achieve results. If the process is grand and righteous, but the outcome is still poor, then it is all for naught.

Wait a few more days. When the grain prices stop rising, it will signify that the wealthy gentry of Jiangnan have reached their limit.

That will be the time to turn things upside down and invert the universe!

He didn't think much of it. The mere matter of the common people in Jiangnan could not affect Chu Ning's state of mind.

These hundreds of emperors had brought Chu Ning not only the means to handle memorials but also extremely high vision and perspective.

He continued to be busy, helping Ye Qinglian with the finishing touches, doing his best to allow Ye Qinglian to rest peacefully during her pregnancy.

Chu Ning gradually became engrossed, his brushstrokes swift.

Meanwhile, Ye Qinglian was not resting. She merely closed her eyes and, upon hearing the sound of the brush, opened them again to observe Chu Ning.

That Dragon Robe and his imposing aura made him seem more like an Emperor than she did.

His demeanor and appearance were entirely different matters. His looks were indeed exceptional, but it was only when he was handling memorials that he would reveal such imperial presence.

She had been quite wary at first, but later, she gradually realized Chu Ning's true intentions and stopped overthinking it.

Chu Ning was genuinely concerned about her physical condition.

He only spent a short time each day handling memorials and arranging court affairs for her, which was almost equivalent to being an Emperor, only lacking the title.

Yet, Chu Ning did not push further, merely using these things as an excuse to get closer to her and take advantage.

As the saying goes, if it weren't for Ye Qinglian's request, Chu Ning wouldn't have said or done more.

How could there be such a man in the world, with such immense capabilities, yet only focused his thoughts on her?

Thinking of this, Ye Qinglian felt quite pleased, a slight smile curving her lips.

"As for your cultivation, Xiao Bing has been monitoring your progress. How is it going?"

"That cultivation technique."

Chu Ning, amidst his busyness, took a moment to reply.

"I've reached the introductory stage. It seems I can now use sword qi. I haven't been slacking off."

"Mm, reaching the introductory stage and using sword qi is fast. However, you're still a bit behind compared to me."

After speaking, Ye Qinglian let out a soft hum.

"The date for our wedding has been set. It's in half a month. The Ministry of Rites just sent someone with the news today. You will truly be the Imperial Sovereign then. Do you have anything to say?"

"Can I move into your sleeping quarters then?"

Ye Qinglian tugged at the corner of her mouth.

"What do you think?"

"Then I have nothing to say. It's not much different from now, at most just a change in how others address me."

Ye Qinglian was amused and exasperated, feeling helpless for a moment.

"You're quite carefree. Do you know how envious everyone in the world is of your position? And you say it's 'not much different'? Aren't you afraid I'll spread the word and people outside will kill you?"

Chu Ning sighed, his tone as if he had seen through a thousand worldly affairs.

"The grand spectacles that amaze the world are merely ordinary occurrences. Nothing to make a fuss about."

His expression was as if he had truly seen through the vicissitudes of eternity. Even Ye Qinglian paused for a moment.

"Tch, getting the benefits and then playing the martyr..."