Chaotic World Book

"Where is the yellow robe? Today's so-called 'donning of the yellow robe' actually lacks a yellow robe altogether. Strictly speaking, it doesn't conform to the 'ritual' those people harp on about, yet shamefully, not one of them brought it up."

After the meeting, Xia Chichi, exhausted as if collapsed, lazily sipped tea while leaning on a seat in a side hall. Tang Wanju was also resting beside her, drinking tea. There appeared to be no trace of ruler and subject between them; she did not wait for the "permission to sit," simply swaggering over and sitting down—The Emperor didn't bother with her at all.

This wasn't anything like a ruler-subject relationship, it was more like a family gathering.

And after the meeting, Vermilion Bird had disappeared, storming off angrily to who knows where.

Zhao Changhe had already hazily guessed where Vermilion Bird had gone and could even predict who would soon take their place. The topic he brought up now was almost a foundation for the arrival of that person. Subconsciously, was he shielding her in front of these two?

Xia Chichi was too tired to think much and casually replied, "I had already ordered the eunuchs and palace maids to make one using the existing dragon robe materials, which they are quite experienced with; they have the materials ready, so it won't take long. Imperial Concubine Winged Fire Snake had been in the palace for years, she has some control over the inner palace… Taking over this mess is convenient for us in many aspects, the Venerable's plans are quite commendable…"

Tang Wanju sipped her tea, glancing at her.

Indeed, eunuchs and palace maids are ready at hand and now those serving are your people, having been cultivated for quite a while, indeed convenient.

But you actually still don't know that the Winged Fire Snake and the Venerable are the same person… I used to consider you an opponent, but with that statement, your rank has directly plummeted to Bao Qin.

Talking about plans, if not for my respect for Changhe… I could truly turn your Dong Zhuo-style entry into the Capital into a farce, believe it or not? Still dreaming of becoming Emperor, wishful thinking.

Xia Chichi felt the disdain for her intelligence and glared back, "I say, Tang of the Tang family, with your disrespectful demeanor, are you still a loyal official?"

Tang Wanju slowly said, "My heart's ruler is Changhe, I am loyally playing along with him. Don't truly think I am loyal to you. If you were not his woman, today would not be a coronation but a bloodbath in the alleys of the Capital."

Xia Chichi said, "Now that the coronation is over and you have offered your support, in front of all under heaven, you are my subject. Any thoughts of rebellion are now impossible, are they not?"

"So what?"

"My love, why don't you kneel and see?"

Tang Wanju leisurely blew on her tea, calmly saying, "You could also dismiss me from my post or even imprison me, it is of no consequence."

Xia Chichi glared, Tang Wanju drank her tea.

Even without Zhao Changhe, politically speaking, Tang Wanju could actually be considered a partner, not someone easily dealt with. As for whether they would sever ties, that was a matter for the distant future, not the current internal and external troubles. Tang Wanju genuinely did not need to care about Xia Chichi and the Four Symbols Sect.

How sigh-inducing it was to see the most reliable official turn into this…

Tang Wanju, looking somewhat tired, set down her teacup and whispered, "My injuries have not healed, and I've struggled through the whole morning; I am somewhat exhausted and would like to return to rest, with no mood to wait for Huangfu Qing to come and quarrel with me. The reason I stayed was to speak a few words in private…"

She paused, then turned to Zhao Changhe, earnestly said, "I initially thought it would be you who would ascend to the throne… but now that it has come to this, upon reflection, there are advantages, only the plan has changed… I will later organize a list of characters related to the former dynasty for Chichi… Uh, for Your Majesty, for Your Majesty to covertly connect and support one by one. This will be Your Majesty's personal supporters besides the Four Symbols Sect—relying solely on the Four Symbols Sect is by no means an Emperor's consideration, even if you are the Sect Hierarch. That's one."

No wonder she avoided Vermilion Bird to say this…

"Secondly, if you consider that the former Emperor left no political legacy for Your Majesty, it's not entirely true; his death cut the roots of the Aristocratic Families, which will gain the favor of the commoners. If Your Majesty can expand the pathways for commoners to rise, it would be possible to win the hearts of all under heaven… Counterpart to this, people like Lu Jianzhang need to be replaced… This is a long-term political game, my concern is that once you have a secure footing, for example when Huangfu Shaozong's forces return, you'd start purging people. There's no need for haste, take it slowly, currently stability should be the priority. Your Majesty should even grant more rewards to these few in the Capital to honor their support in your ascension…"

"Thirdly, concerning Hebei… our attention shouldn't first fall on the Wang Family, but rather on the Cui Family. Even if Your Majesty plans to suppress the Aristocratic Families and elevate the commoners, it should not be overly direct. The basic strategy of supporting some while fighting others must still be there, and the Cui Family is whom we should currently be courting. However, relatively speaking, the Cui Family isn't foolish either. They would know that our courting is just a stepping stone, their plans regarding this are yet unknown… Initially, if it were Changhe ascending, it would have been straightforward to establish Yuan Yang as the successor, but now… this requires Changhe to intervene, if this trip is not made, there could be complications…"

"Similarly, while pacifying Lu Jianzhang and others, one must not drop one's guard, knowing that they also have the intent to bite. The covert surveillance function of you Four Symbols Sect Members must come into play… especially monitoring interactions with the Central Pass and other regions, which will also be the basis for future actions… Ahem, ahem ahem… But as your Minister, ahem, I would not recommend setting up something like a permanent government office… ahem ahem…"

Towards the end, she finally started coughing again—her injuries had not yet healed; it was only that Zhao Changhe had previously pulled her back from Ghost Gate.

On the first morning, everything she did was meticulously planned for the sake of the King. And yet, she herself came from an Aristocratic Family... but her point of departure in considering these matters never once took this into account.

Xia Chichi stared blankly, finally understanding why her father, a man who held the whole world in disregard, held Tang Wanju in such high regard.

Over there, Zhao Changhe hurried forward to embrace Tang Wanju, gently patting her back as he whispered, "Okay, don't think too much. There's no rush with time. We have to wait for Shaozong's troops to return before I can leave with peace of mind, right? We can discuss this slowly; go back and rest for now."

Tang Wanju gasped slightly, the first time she had been embraced by him in front of others, feeling a little ashamed yet somewhat thrilled.

In the court, where men always vie for power, she had gone ahead with this...

Her eyes shifted as she secretly glanced at Xia Chichi, who was seated in the highest position, and whispered, "Is there anything else you need to take care of here?"

Zhao Changhe was stunned for a moment. Actually, there wasn't anything, but he felt that leaving directly after stabilizing the court and ascending to the throne—such significant events—just didn't seem right. Of course, he had to see what was happening and be sure there were no disturbances before he could be at ease… After the ascension ceremony was concluded, the situation generally stabilized, and there truly was no particular need for him to stay here anymore. Now, the first priority was to treat Wanju.

And the so-called treatment... had already been clearly stated the night before; it required Dual Cultivation.

Tang Wanju bit her lower lip, feeling that to continue speaking would be akin to inviting him to return to her chambers...

She didn't want to say it originally, but catching a glimpse of Xia Chichi, Tang Wanju clenched her teeth, tipped her toes, and whispered into his ear, "Last night... I cleaned myself..."

Zhao Changhe: Stark!

Xia Chichi was expressionless.

What a loyal minister, indeed the epitome of a rebel!

But then, such people... are truly difficult to hate. Xia Chichi sighed, half in exasperation and half in concern, "Since the Sect Hierarch is unwell, there's no need to rush about. The palace has its own hot springs; why not rest here?"

Tang Wanju was taken aback, slightly bowing her head without objection.

To stay in the palace... but in her heart, serving Zhao Changhe was akin to serving the King. Since it was serving the King, staying in the palace seemed quite normal...

Zhao Changhe sighed and shook his head at Xia Chichi, "Wanzhuang indeed needs treatment. We can talk later."

Suddenly, Tang Wanju's body was lifted as Zhao Changhe carried her in his arms.

Her heart raced, clutching his arm: "Hey, hey..."

Zhao Changhe, carrying her with great strides, declared, "I don't care what all you cunning minds think you're considering, I want everyone to be crystal clear that Tang, the Sect Hierarch, is my woman! Shall we let everyone know?"

Tang Wanju's face flushed to the root of her neck, burying her head in his chest. It took her a moment to muster a faint mosquito-like mumble: "Let them know."

A Palace Attendant smiled and led the way, "Your Highness, follow me…"

Soon, Huangfu Qing, holding a freshly tailored female Dragon Robe, burst excitedly into the side palace, "Chichi... Your Majesty, the Dragon Robe is here. Shall we see if it fits? Ugh... Where is that wretched woman? Call her out; I swear I'll..."

Xia Chichi, looking pitiable, hugged his knees while squatting on a large chair, "She said she was a loyal minister, but why do I feel like a villain who just snickered beside the Emperor and abducted the Empress..."

Huangfu Qing was dumbstruck.

Suddenly, Xia Chichi looked up at her and continued muttering, "Indeed, in the future, she might even abduct my mother…"