After Emperor Xue Ye was buried, Xue Qinghe completed his coronation ceremony and finally took his seat on the throne of the Heaven Dou Empire.
On the first day of his reign, his ministers could hardly wait to demand that Xue Qinghe take a consort.
After all, a nation could not go a single day without a ruler, nor could it go a single day without an heir.
Although Li Pu was already a crown prince, Xue Qinghe had no other women by his side. Even if Dugu Yan was a candidate, that would not happen until after the Spirit Master Tournament, so it did nothing to prevent him from taking several more consorts.
Thus, the ministers' first order of business was to demand that Xue Qinghe, the newly enthroned emperor, take consorts as soon as possible.
Naturally, the candidates would be selected from the great noble families.
An emperor was a political creature, and politics was always his first consideration. In ancient times, the family and the state were one. How could an emperor win over powerful ministers, influential officials, meritorious servants, and capable administrators? The simplest way was through political marriages, making them one family and strengthening their unity.
Only then could he win the ministers' loyalty and make his rule more secure.
Therefore, a wife's family background and political standing were extremely important considerations.
Besides that, the empire needed heirs. One was not enough; it needed several children so it could raise a better, more capable successor.
So the ministers pressed their demands, stopping just short of sending Xue Ke off into a political marriage.
Unfortunately, Xue Ke was only ten.
Xue Qinghe said, "There's no need to rush into taking consorts. I intend to deal with some other matters first."
As Li Pu had requested, he