The remaining ministers instantly went pale, clamping their hands over their mouths. They wanted to vomit, but feared following in the footsteps of those before them.
Clap, clap, clap.
Qian Renxue began applauding, the crisp sound ringing especially loudly through the great hall.
"Go on. Why aren't you talking anymore?"
She waited another few moments, then spoke again after confirming that no one dared answer.
"I have some unfortunate news for you. Prince Xue Xing and Prince Xue Beng tragically died of food poisoning. Upon hearing the news, my imperial father was so overwhelmed with grief that his dragon chariot ascended to heaven."
This...
Below her, everyone exchanged looks. Did His Highness the Crown Prince take them for fools? At least put some effort into making up an excuse.
Several of Xue Xing's diehard supporters even secretly decided to raise troops in rebellion under the banner of purging the emperor's court once they returned!
Unfortunately, they would never get that chance.
Qian Renxue took out a little notebook and began calling names: Liu Chongshan, Wei Bingqian, Shen Yanzhi... These were all Xue Xing's devoted confidants, who had frequently joined him in making snide remarks about her.
Each time she finished reading a name, a streak of sword energy flew in and cut that person in half at the waist. Toward the end, the targets summoned their martial souls in a desperate attempt to fight for their lives.
But these ministers were only Soul Kings and Soul Ancestors. Worse, their long years in high office had dulled their combat instincts. Aside from lighting up the great hall, their efforts accomplished nothing.
Only after purging a full third of them did Qian Renxue put away her notebook. By then, everyone below was drenched in cold sweat, kneeling respectfully on the floor.
Dignity and etiquette both had to give way before life and death. Besides, kneeling before the emperor was only proper for a subject. It certainly did not mean they had jelly for spines.
Qian Renxue watched them coldly. How could anyone govern a country with this swarm of vermin? If she had not needed them to keep things running at a basic level, she would have told Pufferfish to kill them all long ago. Why bother with all this trouble?
Seeing that everyone on her list had been dealt with, Ye Yan teleported behind her and leaned close to whisper a few words in her ear.
Qian Renxue nodded in satisfaction. Xu Xiaoyan really was clever, coming up with a method like this.
"I sent someone all the way to the Star Dou Great Forest specifically to capture a Dark Demon Evil God Tiger. Legend says this creature is connected to the God of Evil. He is also exceptionally powerful, capable of challenging a hundred-thousand-year soul beast with only ten thousand years of cultivation."
Playing along, Ye Yan released the Blue-Horned Deer from the Wishful Treasure Bag.
The ministers who had been trembling moments ago now felt their mouths twitch uncontrollably. Whose subordinate was this? How could he be so fearless?
Could he not see the rivers of blood? He actually dared use this thing to fool His Majesty.
Just as they thought Ye Yan would die on the spot like those before him, Qian Renxue loudly applauded instead, praising his work and promising him a generous reward.
After making a show of admiring the creature, Qian Renxue spoke again, questioning the fence-sitters first.
"Su Mingyuan, tell me what you think of this fierce tiger."
The earl surnamed Su frantically racked his brains after being called upon. What exactly did His Highness mean? This was plainly a deer, and a Blue-Horned Deer at that-the most common kind found in the wild. How had it become a Dark Demon Evil God Tiger?
"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, this should be a ten-year soul beast, a Blue-Horned Deer."
Slash!
A flash of cold light swept past, and Earl Su went off to enjoy Li Si's fate.
Qian Renxue's expression remained unchanged as she called on the next person. A sinister-looking middle-aged man rose. He seemed to have guessed His Majesty's intention.
"Your Majesty, this is the most imposing beast your humble servant has seen in half a lifetime. His claws and fangs are hooks, his mane is steel, and his presence surges like a rainbow. If I encountered him in the wilderness, I fear I could not escape even with my guards.
"Across all the world, who but Your Majesty could capture such a ferocious creature? If he were made our nation's guardian beast, he would surely preserve Heaven Dou's foundations for ten thousand generations!"
"Ha ha ha! Excellent!
"Your words please me greatly, my dear minister. If everyone were as sensible as you, how could our grand undertaking fail to flourish?"
Although she knew he was spouting nonsense, Qian Renxue was still quite pleased. No wonder emperors placed such trust in treacherous flatterers. Who would not like a clever fellow like this?
"Gu Zhongyao, correct? I recall that you are still an earl. From this moment onward, you are a marquess.
"In addition, Yidefu Province in the west will officially be placed under your administration. I hope you will not disappoint me."
The art of ruling one's subordinates required both kindness and severity. A club in one hand and sweet dates in the other would make people obedient.
Sure enough, the sinister-looking man was so excited that he kowtowed like a pestle pounding garlic, babbling about long life to the Heaven Dou Empire and dedicating his life to His Majesty.
It was enough to listen for amusement. The loyalty of people like him depended entirely on the power in one's hands. In any case, that region was Prince Xue Xing's old stronghold. Once they had fought themselves out, she could go pluck the ripe peaches.
With his example to follow, the remaining ministers began boasting extravagantly, their words pouring out like a river. They even called the beast the overlord of Star Dou and claimed he could utterly crush the Titan Giant Ape. In short, they praised this "Dark Demon Evil God Tiger" to the heavens.
Apparently, they still had not heard that Er Ming had already been hunted down. That made sense. Without the strength of a Titled Douluo, who would dare venture into the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest?
These people received no rewards, though. They were lucky enough to keep the heads on their shoulders.
After testing their obedience, Qian Renxue began adjusting the ministers' responsibilities. The most important matters-finances, law, personnel, and the army-were all assigned to people planted by Spirit Hall.
Only the miscellaneous chores went to the remaining ministers. That way, there would be people to do the work without petty villains stirring up trouble.
By the time everything had been handled, evening had arrived.
"Ugh, being emperor is exhausting. I have to manage this and that."
Once there were no outsiders present, Qian Renxue returned to her original appearance. Ye Yan sat sideways on the imperial throne, kneading her shoulders and rubbing her back.
"Of course it is. And that's without having to scheme and struggle against them. Otherwise...
"Tsk, it's no job for a human being. You should hurry up and arrange a stand-in. Once you become a god, what emperor won't kneel and bow before you? In this world, strength rules in the end."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Qian Renxue gave a wicked smile and stroked his face with her delicate hand. You little rascal. Once I become a god, you'll be the first person I make kneel and sing 'Conquest.'
Speaking of which, is that Snow Empress watching us?
She suddenly wanted to try it and see how doing it on the imperial throne differed from doing it at home.
Mmm...
Whatever. I was his first woman. If Snow Empress wants to watch, let her. She can watch me thoroughly ravage Ye Yan right in front of her.
"Hey, hey, hey! Xue'er, what are you doing?"
Ye Yan looked bewildered as she pulled him in front of her. Why did it feel as though he had opened the wrong app? Something was wrong with this position, wasn't it?
Qian Renxue threaded her large hand through his silky hair, pressing Ye Yan firmly against her passage.
"Stop talking and get eating!"
Hajimi, is this how you treat your loyal hero?
Ye Yan was deeply displeased. (.・`ω´・)
How is this any different from tearing down the bridge after crossing the river? Can't you learn from Rongrong? All you ever do is act like a domineering queen. Oh, no-now you're a domineering empress.
Then have I become... the imperial consort?
Well, when you put it that way, I suppose I can eat, meow~
Sure enough, when it came to fruit, nothing beat a premium honey peach. Its pink outer skin was thin and tender, and the lightest bite released an overflow of sweet, fresh juice.
Before you continue
Like what you read?
Upgrade to the full novel to keep reading beyond the preview chapters.