Yue Fuguang couldn't help but vent her frustrations at Emperor Mingxi, occasionally glancing at him and flashing him a sweet smile.
Emperor Mingxi: "Don’t think that just because you’re smiling at me, I don’t know you’re cursing me in your heart!"
Truly fitting the saying—smiling on the surface, but seething inside!
Emperor Mingxi, repeatedly called out, felt a mix of irritation and shame, yet he couldn’t show it. Instead, he pretended to engage in a warm father-son chat with the Crown Prince.
"I recall a historical emperor from Planet Aqua who seized the throne by killing his elder brother, imprisoning his father, and staging a rebellion. Though his methods were dishonorable, it didn’t stop him from being posthumously honored as Emperor Wen, praised by later generations as a 'hexagonal monarch'—a ruler for the ages!
Why such high praise? Because he excelled in both military prowess and governance.
He expanded territories abroad, securing the submission of all lands. Domestically, he boosted the economy, prioritized agriculture, ensured clean governance, and fostered cultural prosperity.
Xie Fei still doesn’t understand—a ruler’s legacy isn’t just shaped by the pens of scholars, but also by the hearts of the people. Future generations don’t judge an emperor by how well he treated the literati.
Without strong governance and military achievements, no matter how kind he was to the scholar-officials, he’d end up like the Song Dynasty of Planet Aqua. The Zhao family ruled alongside the literati, but what was the result? Later generations mockingly called it the 'Great Cowardice Dynasty'—a unified empire that couldn’t even secure a seat at the table."
"Tsk!" Emperor Mingxi was once again directly scolded by Yue Fuguang, his face alternating between green and white, his teeth gritting in pain.
It had been over a decade since anyone dared to berate him like this. The last person who did now had grass growing over their grave—or, if they were lucky, their reincarnation might already be in their teens!
Yue Fuguang feigned concern, looking at him while inwardly mocking, "What’s this? Are you about to expose yourself?"
Emperor Mingxi, realizing his lapse, quickly waved his hand. "I’m fine—just drank the water too fast… burned my tongue." His speech slurred slightly, as if he’d genuinely scalded himself.
Yue Fuguang rolled her eyes internally. "I’ve barely said a few words, and you’re already this rattled? If I really lay into you later, you might just drop dead. Tsk, this man needs to be scolded more often—get him used to it."
The Crown Prince swiftly intervened, "Father, forgive me. It’s my fault for pouring the water too hot and failing to remind you to drink carefully!" While pretending to wipe spilled water from the emperor’s hand, he squeezed it firmly, signaling him to stay calm.
Emperor Mingxi knew he’d lost control of his emotions. Hearing about betrayal from his officials, being openly chastised by Yue Fuguang, and having foreign history thrown in his face—he’d gotten too absorbed and nearly slipped up. Clearly, his self-restraint needed work.
Eunuch Qian, relieved the situation was smoothed over, stepped forward. "Your Highness, you’re not accustomed to serving others. Please rest—let this servant handle it."
The system chimed in, agreeing with Yue Fuguang: Exactly! If I were Emperor Mingxi, I’d just execute all these traitors and confiscate their assets. With the Zhou Family and their network of corrupt officials and nobles purged, we’d free up enough land for countless peasants to farm.
Liquidating their wealth could fund a formidable army. Pity this emperor is too soft—such a perfect method, yet he opts for appeasement.
Too scared to act, too timid to touch anything. The country’s on the brink of collapse—what’s there to fear?!
Little Pearl, the problem is, the Dyan court doesn’t realize their dynasty will fall in a few years. They’re still dreaming of peace and prosperity.
Once the landless peasants rise in revolt from starvation, their delusions will shatter. By then, it’ll be too late to salvage anything.
A thousand-mile dike can collapse from an ant’s nest. Without purging the internal traitors and parasites, it’s unwise to reveal Master’s treasures—they might just end up aiding the enemy.
Now you see why I’m withholding advanced iron-smelting techniques? The Dyan court is like a sieve—nothing stays contained.
Little Pearl, scan for habitable islands overseas. If Dyan truly collapses, we’ll relocate the Yu family and wait it out for a few centuries before returning.
Would your grandfather and father really abandon their high-ranking posts to follow you?
Yue Fuguang tilted her head in thought. Escaping is a matter of free will. You know me—I respect others’ choices. No savior complex here. Stay or go, it’s up to them.
Yu Chongshan and his sons: We’re leaving! No question!
Other colleagues stared eagerly at the Yu family, their eyes practically screaming: Take us with you!
Emperor Mingxi: I’m right here, and you’re already discussing evacuation plans? Really?
At the same time, he soberly realized that unless he took concrete action, Yue Fuguang wouldn’t just refuse to help—she’d be the first to abandon him.
To keep this heaven-sent immortal by his side, his hand clenched inside his sleeve. The Zhou Family, Zhao Family, Fan Family, Bai Family—I’ll start with you.
As for the corrupt officials and traitorous nobles, we’ll take them down one by one.
Let the world—let the Little Immortal—see that Xie Fei can still wield a blade and spill blood!
...
"Esteemed ministers, no matter how splendid those overseas islands may be, they pale beside our great Dyan. Thus, I hope you’ll unite with me to rebuild our dynasty—that is the true path!"
Emperor Mingxi felt his officials were too distracted by Yue Fuguang’s island talk. If he didn’t rein them in, he’d truly become a ruler without subjects.
"Don’t you agree, Minister Yu?"
Yu Chongshan hastily bowed. "Your Majesty is right. My granddaughter’s island plan is merely a last resort. As you heard, she’d only leave if Dyan became unsalvageable.
I believe that if Your Majesty governs diligently and hope remains for Dyan, she’ll naturally offer her superior crop seeds."
So, Your Majesty, the ball’s in your court. Whether you’re weak or decisive—it’s your choice.
Everyone present, including Emperor Mingxi, understood Yu Chongshan’s unspoken message.
"Ministers, what are your thoughts on the four families’ schemes, as foretold by the Junior Mentor a month from now?"
Huo Ying, the Minister of War who’d been silent until now, spoke up. "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, we should set a trap and let them walk right into it."
The Minister of Justice added, "I concur with Minister Huo. We can lay our net in advance, capturing the 'bandits' while exposing the families’ crimes to the public. This way, the court’s actions will be legally justified."
The families’ influence was deeply entrenched, with connections among scholars and even court officials they’d once sponsored.
Caution was paramount—one misstep could backfire disastrously.
