From Then On, the Monarch Skipped Morning Court

Time could pass slowly, or it could pass quickly.

Jiang Mingyang considered himself a man who repaid every slight, and he had never forgotten Qian Renxue's earlier provocation.

The fierce battle finally drew to a slow close.

Jiang Mingyang was a man who prepared thoroughly.

A huge bathtub appeared in the great hall. Holding Qian Renxue, Jiang Mingyang stepped into it and gently helped her bathe...

Afterward, Jiang Mingyang draped a robe over Qian Renxue and carried her to the Dragon Throne, the symbol of supreme power in the Heaven Dou Empire.

Position determined stature.

She was still the same person, yet Jiang Mingyang had to admit that Qian Renxue was even more alluring to him as emperor.

A peculiar sense of accomplishment welled up in Jiang Mingyang's heart. Even when he had obtained the Imperial Jade Seal inscribed "Mandated by Heaven, may the reign endure forever," he had felt nothing like it.

After Jiang Mingyang's vigorous attention, Qian Renxue felt utterly exhausted and... comfortable.

So Qian Renxue nestled in Jiang Mingyang's warm embrace and slowly fell asleep...

From a distance, Jiang Mingyang sat on the Dragon Throne with the Imperial Jade Seal in hand, as though he held the power to rule all under heaven.

A glimpse of Qian Renxue's snow-white skin showed beneath her robe, as though her peerless beauty were drawing Jiang Mingyang in.

The scene resembled a favored consort resting in the arms of an emperor whose might shook the world.

Seeing that Qian Renxue had fallen asleep, Jiang Mingyang idly turned the Heaven Dou Empire's Imperial Jade Seal over in his hands.

Tsk, tsk. It doesn't feel as good as my own Imperial Jade Seal.

And the way it looks is rather petty.

Not until dusk did Qian Renxue slowly wake. Still bleary-eyed, she raised a slender, delicate hand and gently rubbed her eyes. She looked adorable.

Jiang Mingyang was not sleepy. He was brimming with energy, so instead of sleeping, he had spent the whole time toying with the Imperial Jade Seal and... Qian Renxue.

He had held the sleeping Qian Renxue for nearly six hours without the slightest impatience.

Jiang Mingyang never lacked patience for someone he loved.

Jiang Mingyang watched every adorable little movement Qian Renxue made as she woke, and a faint smile tugged at his lips.

After rubbing her eyes, Qian Renxue instinctively tilted her head back to look at Jiang Mingyang.

She found him smiling down at her, his star-bright eyes full of tenderness. Blushing, Qian Renxue lowered her head.

Then Qian Renxue looked up again and gave Jiang Mingyang a sweet smile.

She noticed that Jiang Mingyang did not look as though he had slept at all. Besides, she had been lying against him the whole time; he hardly seemed to have had a chance to sleep.

A little hopeful, Qian Renxue asked, "Xiaoyang, you... you haven't slept at all?"

Jiang Mingyang slowly nodded. Qian Renxue's smile grew sweeter, and in her eyes, Jiang Mingyang shone all the brighter.

Then Qian Renxue took fresh clothes from her Soul Tool and slowly dressed.

It had to be said that Qian Renxue's figure was among the finest in the world.

When they... Qian Renxue always gave Jiang Mingyang an exquisite experience.

And afterward, holding Qian Renxue as she slept felt wonderful too, with her shapely figure and slender, willow-like waist.

Qian Renxue was shy as she changed, but between the two of them, there was little left to hide.

Once dressed, Qian Renxue ordered her trusted attendant outside to prepare a meal.

Exercise always took a great deal of energy, especially when the two of them had kept at it for so long and with such unprecedented intensity.

Jiang Mingyang was fine. He could endure hunger rather well, so he barely felt it.

Qian Renxue had fallen asleep right after their exertions, and she woke ravenous.

Seeing Jiang Mingyang filled her with joy, and he had nourished her besides, but hunger was hunger.

Hearing Qian Renxue issue the order without hesitation, Jiang Mingyang slapped his forehead. He had been too busy admiring his breathtaking little wife...

Seeing his reaction, Qian Renxue smiled gently. Whether he had thought to do it did not matter; what mattered was that he cared.

Qian Renxue was someone who held her other half close to her heart.

To Qian Renxue, as long as Jiang Mingyang kept her in his heart, any hardship became easy to bear.

That night, Jiang Mingyang's heart was calm and free of stray thoughts. He held Qian Renxue gently, and they slept through the night.

Restoring strength...

Because they had gone to sleep early the night before, Jiang Mingyang and Qian Renxue were awake shortly after five in the morning.

Since they were already awake, then...

When Qian Renxue felt Jiang Mingyang's wandering hands, her face flushed crimson.

Though Jiang Mingyang had taught her many times already, Qian Renxue still grew terribly shy whenever they did anything of that sort.

An hour later, the trusted attendant who had been standing guard outside heard the sounds from within growing louder and louder. She had no idea what to do.

The sun was about to rise. It would soon be time for morning court.

And today was the monthly Great Court Assembly, which all the Heaven Dou Empire's highest-ranking ministers had to attend.

But... given what was happening, should she interrupt? Help... this is urgent.

The attendant hesitated for a long while before finally deciding to ask.

It was entirely possible that there would be no court today, but she still had to ask.

After all, a servant could not make decisions for her master.

So the attendant knocked softly on the door and asked, "Your Majesty, today is the Great Court Assembly. It is time to attend court."

Inside the great hall, Jiang Mingyang was giving it his all.

Hearing her attendant, Qian Renxue replied without hesitation, "No court today. Mm... mm. I'm welcoming Duke Tianya."

The attendant hurried to the eunuch at court and explained the matter.

By then, almost all the ministers had gathered in the court hall.

The highest-ranking ministers appeared to be absent, but they were actually sitting in a side hall, drinking tea as they waited, ready to enter the court hall at any moment.

The eunuch considered his words, then slowly announced, "His Majesty is holding a welcome reception for Duke Tianya today. There will be no court."

The court erupted in discussion.

At those words, Censor-General Wei Yuanzheng cried out, "A treacherous minister holds sway! This Jiang Mingyang, using his body... He's utterly shameless!"

At noon, at the Jiang Residence.

Jiang Mingyang slowly entered through the main gate. The servants guarding it lit up at the sight of him and ran into the residence, calling, "The Third Young Master! The Third Young Master is back..."

"What? Little Mingyang is back?"

Jiang Nan, who was eating breakfast, hurried out. He took Jiang Mingyang by the hand, looked him over from left to right, and let out a breath of relief.

Then Jiang Nan said to Jiang Tian and the others coming out, "No broken arms or legs. Don't worry."

Jiang Mingyang's eyes widened. Second Brother, are you serious?

In that brief moment, Jiang Tian and the others arrived. Sensing the peculiar aura that filled Jiang Mingyang's body, Jiang Tian slowly nodded and said, "Come in and eat."

Jiang Mingyang smiled and went inside, surrounded by everyone.