Great Jin Dynasty.
Imperial Capital.
The triumphant army was warmly welcomed by the citizens, who stuffed chickens, ducks, and geese into the soldiers’ arms.
The leaders of the scattered, unaffiliated forces within the Great Jin territory respectfully waited at the city gates. Upon seeing the imperial palace from afar, they knelt down one by one, holding their seals with both hands.
Dongfang Liuli accepted all the seals without hesitation, taking control of the command authority.
In the Golden Throne Hall, she summoned them, assigned official positions and territories, and branded them with the official Great Jin label.
Thus, the Great Jin Dynasty achieved complete unification.
A total of six Morning Glow Great Beings expressed their allegiance to the Empress. Of course, the main reason these powerful beings submitted was because Meng Qingzhou stood beside her, leaning on his sword with a cold expression, ready to draw his blade at any moment.
For the next ten days.
Empress Dongfang Liuli did not rush to send troops to the Western Buddhist Kingdom for support. Instead, she chose to rest and recuperate, quietly assimilating the resources of the Shizong Alliance.
Until one morning, half a month later.
A mechanical system prompt sounded in Meng Qingzhou’s ear:
[Congratulations to the host for successfully assisting the Empress and enhancing the national power of Great Jin.]
[Great Emperor Grade—Supreme Emperor Weapon: Immortal King’s Shroud.]
[Immortal King’s Shroud: Soaked in the blood of a fallen Immortal King, it carries immortal battle intent and overwhelming blood energy. It is not a strong offensive or defensive Emperor treasure but can unleash boundless power in specific scenarios.]
Meng Qingzhou, who was walking Big Yellow as usual, was stunned.
Wow!
The Immortal King’s Shroud, what a grand name. But what does ‘specific scenarios’ mean?
No matter what, it’s still a Supreme Emperor Weapon of Great Emperor Grade, even the Shizong Alliance’s thousand-year-old treasury only had one defective piece.
“Too bad it’s not a sword.”
Meng Qingzhou felt a bit regretful. He listened and found that Big Yellow was still dawdling, taking forever to find a good spot, so he urged:
“Hurry up, I’ll find you a mate tomorrow. I’ve picked out several good girls for you.”
Sunlight Lord’s dog face was filled with despair.
It didn’t know what had gotten into this blind man. Ever since returning to the Imperial Capital, he took it out for a walk every day, right on time.
And he insisted on making it relieve itself in public.
It seemed like he was deliberately trying to humiliate it.
The Sunlight Lord endured it all because the blind man was too strong, and it couldn’t win against him, so it had no choice but to submit.
But!
The blind man even wanted to find it a mate! He claimed to have found some good girls, but they were actually different breeds of dogs!
“Done? Then let’s go home.”
Meng Qingzhou listened for a while, smiled contentedly, and dragged Big Yellow back to the Qin residence.
Qin Residence.
Dongfang Liuli had changed back into her simple everyday clothes and was planting vegetables in the courtyard. She had her sleeves rolled up and her hair tied back, resting on her shoulder. Seeing Meng Qingzhou return with the dog, she said:
“You’re back. The Empress wants you to come to the palace; she has something important to discuss.”
Ever since they returned to the capital half a month ago, his wife had been ‘released’ by the Empress, saying her condition had improved and she could rest at home.
Meng Qingzhou smiled and approached, hugging Dongfang Liuli’s slender waist from behind and whispered in her ear:
“Your husband spends all day with the Empress, even acting as her personal guard. Aren’t you worried at all?”
“After all, the Empress is the most outstanding woman in the world. Any man would find it hard to resist.”
Dongfang Liuli pretended to be angry and said:
“How dare you!”
“Besides, the Empress wouldn’t be interested in you.”
Meng Qingzhou raised an eyebrow arrogantly and said, “Really?”
“Haven’t you heard about my performance in the battle with the Shizong Alliance? If I wanted the throne of Great Jin, it wouldn’t be too difficult. Would the Empress still not be interested in me?”
Hearing this, Dongfang Liuli felt a bit aggrieved for some reason.
If they were a normal couple, hearing such words from her husband, she would be furious and tell him to stay away from that vixen.
But Dongfang Liuli couldn’t say that.
Not saying anything felt wrong too. Her husband had openly admitted his feelings for the Empress, and if she didn’t stop him, it would be like encouraging him to become a scoundrel.
What if Meng Qingzhou got a taste of it and started bringing other women home?
“I… you…” Dongfang Liuli opened her mouth but couldn’t form a complete sentence, her face turning red with frustration and anger.
“So, you’re giving your consent?”
“Allowing my relationship with the Empress to progress further?”
Meng Qingzhou didn’t retreat but advanced, continuing to ask softly, one hand around her waist and the other caressing her cheek.
“I never said that…” Dongfang Liuli’s voice was weak, muttering softly.
Meng Qingzhou asked in a puzzled tone:
“Then what do you want me to do? Should I develop feelings for the Empress over time, or should I stay away from her? Just say it, and I can do it.”
Hearing this, Dongfang Liuli’s mind went blank, and she saw stars.
Checkmate!
From her perspective, no matter what she said, it would be wrong.
“Do as you please! I’m just a plain village girl with no cultivation, unworthy of the famous Space-Time Sword Saint. The Empress is unparalleled, and it’s only natural for you to develop feelings for her over time. Go, seek your destined one.” Dongfang Liuli stomped her foot, puffed her cheeks, and angrily broke free from his embrace, kicking stones with her back turned, like a little wife who had been wronged.
Meng Qingzhou secretly laughed.
For deceiving me together before, watch how I settle the old scores.
“Alright then.”
“Since my dear wife has spoken, I’ll go pursue the Empress as ordered.”
Meng Qingzhou sighed repeatedly, looking helpless, and hurried towards the palace.
Now, it was Dongfang Liuli’s turn to be dumbfounded.
What?
This isn’t right. How can you just leave? The little wife is clearly angry, and instead of comforting her, you’re going to pursue another woman?
What kind of logic is this?!
“Damn, I forgot this guy is a blockhead.” Dongfang Liuli patted her forehead.
…
…
Back in the capital for a few days, Meng Qingzhou felt much happier.
Every day, he followed a routine of walking the dog, teasing the adorable and silly Sword Immortal Su Qingqiu, and discussing assassination plans against the Empress’ Husband with Wu Die.
Although Wu Die had repeatedly said to give up on the assassination plan, claiming she only did it under Zhao Gou’s orders.
Finally, he would tease his silly wife. After a round, the dog would be gnashing its teeth in hatred, someone would be blushing, and someone would be trembling with fear.
Only Meng Qingzhou enjoyed it all.
Approaching the Golden Throne Hall, Meng Qingzhou slowed his pace and restrained his smile.
He figured his wife had already returned to the palace and changed into the Empress’ attire.
After half a month, the Great Jin Dynasty had barely digested part of the Shizong Alliance’s resources. Coupled with absorbing three-quarters of the Wilderness’ fortune, the national power was increasing daily.
Even Wu Die had broken through to the peak of the Sea Covering Realm, and Su Qingqiu had reached the half-step Moon Shine Realm.
Some young and middle-aged generals were rising, and some ministers stuck at the peak of the Moon Shine Realm had broken through to the Morning Glow Realm.
Including the scattered forces within Great Jin that had submitted, they had gained six Morning Glow Great Beings, making a total of fifteen!
“Summoning the court officials to the palace now is probably… to declare war on the Western Buddhist Kingdom and aid Prime Minister Jiang Canghai.”
“Jiang Canghai… Jiang Dahai, Qin Fenghuo… Qin Sanhuo, haha.”
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