“Wei Lang is such an interesting man.”

Wei Lian said, “Asking your Majesty to please not punish this subject for the crime of discussing the court’s affairs.”

Ji Yue stated, “Granted.”

Wei Lian explained frankly, “Your Majesty had just returned from the court, and what displeased you should be what the minister had presented today. According to this subject’s knowledge, the Qin Empire was once corrupted—where official titles were gained with wealth. Its people voiced their discontent openly as it was impossible for them to make ends meet. Since your Majesty’s accession to the throne, the evil was eliminated and good triumphed. New policies were implemented to root out the local corruption, and strictly prohibit power abuse and favouritism, thus bringing about the present state of peace and tranquility within the Qin Empire.”

Ji Yue was neither happy nor angry. “Wei Shijun grew up in the Chu Empire yet knows my Qin Empire like the back of his hand.”

Wei Lian saluted. “Your Majesty’s reputation is famous throughout the six empires, who hasn’t heard of your name?”

“Famous?” It was hard to tell if Ji Yue was smiling or not. “Shouldn’t it be notorious? We have heard that even three-year-old children on the Chu Empire’s roadside dare to join hands and sing the nursery rhyme of ‘Chu good Qin bad, the end will comeMore accurately, Chu will be the one to destroy Qin as the end of the Qin Empire will come. ’. Is Wei Shijun mocking us?”

Wei Lian immediately knelt down. “This subject dares not. This subject only thought that your Majesty is a wise ruler and has never been criticised in matters regarding the empire, so this should be a private matter.”

Wei Lian said calmly. “The royal family’s affairs are also the Qin Empire’s affairs. Your Majesty has celebrated his coming of age at twenty弱冠 In ancient times, when young men (not women) reached twenty, they could officially call themselves adults. So they would be putting on their ‘adult hat’ (crown/ guan/ 冠) as the start of their path to adulthood, but their body was still just a young men, like the weak (ruo/ 弱) in the name., yet hasn’t established a harem and there is no heir to the throne. This one assumed that the court counsellors had criticised for a long time, but was suppressed by your Majesty for the time being, until last night happened...where your Majesty brought this subject back to the chamber. Giving others the idea that your Majesty had the original intention, so the old matter was brought up again. The topic discussed by the court today should be requesting your Majesty to expand the family and fill the back palace.”

Ji Yue’s sharp eyes raised upward.

The young man landed on the target word by word.

Usually, a man of twenty-one already had many wives and concubines, with children running around. Yet as the Emperor of the Qin Empire, Ji Yue had none in his harem. Because of being blackmailed by the Empress Dowager at an early age, he trusted no one. Even towards the palace maids sent by the Empress Dowager to educate him in human nature.

This continued behaviour was unacceptable. In his earlier years, he had fought against four sides. Now after all six empires had surrendered to Qin, this matter couldn’t be ignored.

The Gongzi of the Chu Empire was the first person in the Emperor’s harem. Before last night, he was considered a joke to everyone. Until he was carried into the Yangxin Palace Hall by Ji Yue and spent the entire night in the chamber.

Those well-informed cunning people of the court immediately became active and thought that after his Majesty had a taste of the forbidden apple, the back palace would be lively soon. So one after another wanted to present their daughters or their granddaughters.

Resulting in today’s scene at the court, where they mentioned a show to display all the talented individuals.

Ji Yue was uninterested in this. He grew up walking on the edge of a knife, and used to conduct things with caution. He hated strangers on his side and was never in the mood for love. He didn’t want to put chattering women in the back palace to hinder him. 

The Qin Emperor was a tyrant, but not an incapable ruler. He had brutally executed countless people who’d tried to win him with flattery—those in the court today were all pillars in the army. He couldn’t punish them for this, which had made the loyal subjects more daring.

That was why Ji Yue returned with an expressionless face.

And Wei Lian had correctly guessed it all.

* * *

When Wei Lian finished his deduction, a silence fell over the chamber.

Ji Yue gazed at the kneeling youth indifferently and walked slowly around the figure. “Wei Lian, we like smart people.”

He added, “But we don't like people who are too clever. It's very tiring to deal with such people because we need to be on guard at all times. We still prefer a mute beauty to a mere beauty."

Wei Lian said nothing.

Was the Qin Emperor meaning to remove his tongue?

If you remove my tongue, this Gongzi will take that dog head off of your body.

This Qin Emperor really danced on Wei Lian’s bottom line at all times.

He suppressed the resurgent killing intent again.

There was still something he could use to save this situation.

Any great plans could be ruined by just a touch of impatience.

Wei Lian said unhurriedly, “A mute can’t serve as a shield for his Majesty.”

The ministers were pressuring the Qin Emperor to bring in a harem, but the King was reluctant, and the two sides remained at a deadlock. There were three acts for being unfilial, and being without descendants was the biggest. Not to mention it was related to the concerns of the Qin Empire. This was not something that could be easily glanced through.

The Qin Emperor did not want to be disturbed by this matter at all times. His patience had a limit and he could not guarantee that one day he would be at odds with a minister, causing a discord between the ruler and his subjects. Obviously, this was not the situation that the Emperor wanted to be in.

If that was the case, it would be better to pretend to favour Wei Lian and make him a target. Then, all the ministers would be angry and accuse Wei Lian of using his body to forbid the Qin Emperor from receiving other beauties. A jealous lover bringing calamity to the empire. None of them would believe in the Emperor’s excuses.

It was true it would be putting Wei Lian at the heart of the struggle. Riches and honour always bring risk. As someone from Chu, the Qin subjects already hated him, so what was the harm in fuelling that hate?

As long as he was still valuable to the Qin Emperor, he could live well in the Qin Empire.

* * *

Ji Yue looked at him firmly, and the martial light slowly faded in his eyes to reveal a trace of appreciation.

“Why did Wei Bang send you here?” Ji Yue was amazed. “Your intelligence is shown as it surpasses and is victorious over one hundred other princes. If you were to be in a position of power in the future, we may actually see the Chu Empire as a threat.”

Wei Jiao was the heir to the Chu Empire’s throne. The third son of Lady Li, and Wei Lian’s third, royal elder brother.

Wei Lian uttered without much thought, “He is blind inside and out, how does he have the perception to recognise the pearl?”

This was not in line with his usual gentle nature, as his arrogant manner was showing at its fullest.

Ji Yue, however, laughed at this and pulled Wei Zhi up from the ground. “Wei Lang is such an interesting man, we like you.” 

“Where did you originally live...? It doesn’t matter anymore. From now on, you will stay in the Yangxin Palace Hall.” Ji Yue ordered, “Go back and pack your things.”

Wei Lian was shocked by the honour received as he bowed with hands held in the front. “Thank you, your Majesty.”

* * *

The snow was still falling outside.

Wei Lian realised how warm the pavilion was the moment he stepped out. Wrapping the fox fur coat around himself, he followed the palace attendant back to the Qingzhu Pavilion.

The staff treated him with respect and dignity, which contrasted from the past.

This was just how people were treated, according to their status. This didn't just hold true in the Qin Empire, but also the Chu Empire.

When they reached the Qingzhu Pavilion’s entrance, Wei Lian ordered, “Wait here.”

The palace attendants chorused, “Understood.”

When he entered the house alone, he found that the inside had changed dramatically.

The room was warm and decorated with exquisite and expensive furnishings as far as his eye could see. Each embroidered box was stacked on the table, they were opened to reveal the red silk inner, inside were some gold, silver and jade artefacts, all good things.

In addition, there were several unfamiliar faces, all from the palace. When they saw him, they saluted in unison, “Greetings to Wei Shijun.”

Wei Lian calmly commanded, “All of you, stand down first. Chang Sheng and Chang Shou, stay.”

The palace maids placed their hands on the side of their left waist 福身 — image from Baidu Baikeand walked out in a single file.

Wei Lian knew why things changed but he still asked, “What happened?”

Chang Shou immediately welcomed, “Lian Gongzi, you are back! Where did you go yesterday, why didn’t you return last night? Those workers from the internal management came, even the overseer came himself! They sent us charcoal, renovated the Qingzhu Pavilion entirely and gave us so many things. There are even helpers. This servant had never seen the overseer smile like that...”

On the other side, Chang Sheng was silent.

Wei Lian gave a light smile. “Since I caught the Qin Emperor’s eyes, he was afraid that I would retaliate or be dealt with if the Emperor came here and learned of my awful living conditions. He even compensated in just one night.”

Chang Shou was stunned. “Lian Gongzi, what did you say? Qi-Qin Emperor?”

Chang Sheng scolded in a low voice, “Lian Gongzi often calls you a fool and you never believe it. Other than the Qin Empire, who else would greatly change those snobbish internal management folks?! Gongzi...” His tone turned to serious distress, “Do you really...intend to take the favour of the Qin Emperor?”

“Not in the slightest. I just want to continue this performance with the Qin Emperor in the future.” Wei Lian chuckled lightly. “Pack everything needed. The happy days are coming.”