Checking In for Sixty Years, From Puppet Emperor to Heavenly Emperor – Chapter 19

Ch 19: The First Step in the Plan

Having taken off the Qianyuan Battle Armor, he returned to Qianyuan Palace and saw the Empress and the Purple Guard were there.

The Purple Guard all saluted him upon seeing him. The Empress breathed a sigh of relief and walked over quickly, saying with a slightly reproachful tone, “The Emperor, where did you go? You made Your Subject worry.”

“Qianyuan Palace is too conspicuous. The Great Ancestor told me to hide somewhere else. Now that the invaders have been killed by the Great Ancestor, I have returned,” Zhou An said.

“That’s good. Does the Great Ancestor have any instructions?” the Empress immediately asked.

Zhou An took out a pile of elixirs and secret manuals he had obtained from check-in and placed them on the table, saying, “These elixirs can increase Internal Force by 10 to 30 years. The martial arts are all rare Earth-Rank Cultivation Methods. You should take some time recently to improve your cultivation. You can distribute these to the Purple Guard. Find a way to improve the overall strength of the Purple Guard.

Over the next period, these Immortal Heroes and Heretical Cultivators, and even the Demon Race, may come. It’s best to have the Purple Guard stay in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility,” Zhou An said.

“Your Subject understands. Your Subject and the Purple Guard will stay in Qianyuan Palace. The Emperor’s safety is the most important thing,” Shangguan Rong didn’t look at the things on the table, but instead looked at Zhou An with a worried expression.

Zhou An smiled, hugged the Empress, and said, “The Great Ancestor wants me to follow him in cultivation. Don’t worry about me. The Great Ancestor will handle the matter of the Sun Moon Universe Pearl. You don’t need to ask about it.

Purple Seven, go call the Brocade Guard Commander Zhou Ling Sha. You two, go call the Left Prime Minister and Right Prime Minister to the Imperial Study. I have important matters to announce.”

“Yes.” The three Purple Guard saluted and immediately left.

Shangguan Rong said, “The Emperor, Shangguan Yuchen has already been recalled by the Shangguan. The Shangguan Family will give you an explanation. Shangguan Yu has now been arranged to take over.

Your Subject believes that this is already the Shangguan Family’s biggest concession. We cannot push too hard. Our strength is not yet enough to contend with the entire Shangguan Family system. We can only endure for now.”

Zhou An nodded. This was what he had expected, so there was nothing strange about it.

Purple Seven used to be responsible for monitoring and protecting the Emperor, so she was the most familiar with him. She used to wear leather armor and an iron mask. The first time he saw her appearance, Zhou An took a few more glances.

The Empress saw his gaze and suddenly said, “The Emperor, during the White Heaven Imperial Palace rebellion, your original Imperial Concubines were either killed or participated in the rebellion. Now, the Emperor only has Your Subject by his side. Inevitably, there will be times when I cannot serve the Emperor. It would be better to choose some more Imperial Concubines to enter the palace.”

Zhou An frowned. It wasn’t that he didn’t like beautiful women. He wanted more time with the Empress. First, the Empress was truly beautiful, and second, the Empress was a Houtian Sixth Level Cultivator, so he could use Yin-Yang Art to improve his cultivation.

The Empress was very perceptive. Seeing Zhou An’s expression, she smiled and said, “The Emperor, Your Subject wants to expand the Purple Guard, but the Purple Guard’s selection must be strict. I will be very busy recently and will not be able to serve the Emperor all the time.

Why don’t you choose a few Imperial Concubines from the Purple Guard? First, they can serve the Emperor in place of Your Subject, and second, they can protect the Emperor. Moreover, only the Purple Guard can be trusted now. It would be difficult to prevent outsiders from planting spies if we choose from outside.

Furthermore, if the Emperor doesn’t have any Imperial Concubines by his side, outsiders will think it’s Your Subject’s fault. Please allow it, Emperor.”

Hearing these words, Zhou An’s eyes lit up. The Purple Guard were all quite skilled, and the remaining Purple Guard were all more skilled than Shangguan Rong. They were good candidates for cultivating Yin-Yang Art.

He looked at the surrounding Purple Guard. They were all wearing veils, so he couldn’t see their expressions clearly, but there was some surprise in their eyes.

“Then the Empress can choose. Let them decide for themselves. Don’t force anyone,” Zhou An said, scanning the Purple Guard in front of him with a curious expression.

Shangguan Rong smiled and said, “You have all heard. Take off your veils and let the Emperor see you. If you are willing to become the Emperor’s Imperial Concubine, then step forward.”

The Purple Guard all took off their veils, revealing shy expressions. These girls had no fear when fighting, but now they were all as shy as young brides.

Zhou An nodded. Most of the Purple Guard had good looks, and a few were indeed very beautiful, which made him feel expectant.

“Let’s put this matter aside for now. Empress, come with me to the Imperial Study,” Zhou An said.

“Yes.”

They came to the Imperial Study under the protection of the Purple Guard. Not long after, Zhou Ling Sha and the Left and Right Prime Ministers arrived. As soon as everyone was present, Zhou An said, “Tonight, four Heretical Cultivators infiltrated the Imperial Palace, attempting to steal the Great Ancestor’s treasures. Although they have been killed by the Great Ancestor, I received news that more Heretical Cultivators and Demonic people will come to Qian Capital.

Ling Sha, recently, have the Brocade Guard monitor the entire city. Record the physical characteristics of anyone you find suspicious. Don’t follow them. You will only be sending yourselves to your deaths.

Test them in public when appropriate. This is your specialty, right?”

“Yes, Brother Emperor, I guarantee I will complete the mission, hehe.” Zhou Ling Sha chuckled mischievously. She used to use this kind of thing to bully her older brothers.

Zhou Di worriedly said, “The Emperor, these Innate Realm people come and go without a trace. In their eyes, we are just mortals. Even the Great Ancestor Emperor was helpless against these people back then. This time we…”

“Left Prime Minister, don’t worry. The Great Ancestor told me about this matter. He will handle it. I have gathered you here tonight because I have important matters to announce.

The matter of the Western Sorcery Poison is related to the safety of the country. The Left Prime Minister will be fully responsible for handling the situation of the Western Sorcery Poison. The Imperial Court must fully cooperate with any problems. If necessary, you are allowed to mobilize the West Suppression Army,” Zhou An said.

“Yes, Your Subject will not fail his mission,” Zhou Di immediately saluted.

“Right Prime Minister, today’s battle in the Imperial Palace will surely cause unrest among the officials in the Imperial Court. You are the new head of the Shangguan Family, and most of the officials in the court are at your command. Now, I need you to appease the officials and prevent any chaos.”

As soon as Zhou An finished speaking, Shangguan Yu hurriedly said, “Your Subject dares not. Your Subject only knows how to share the Emperor’s worries.”

Zhou An smiled. The Face Reading on the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady Records described Shangguan Yu as being similar to Heshen on Earth.

“The last thing, and also the most important, is that from today onwards, the Empress will replace me in attending court. If there are any major matters, the Empress will report them to me.”

As soon as Zhou An finished speaking, Zhou Di immediately stood up and called out very seriously, “The Emperor, absolutely not! This violates the ancestral teachings!”

Shangguan Rong and Shangguan Yu didn’t expect Zhou An to suddenly announce this matter. Shangguan Rong’s eyes revealed a flash of light, but she didn’t show any expression.

Shangguan Yu glanced at Shangguan Rong and also stood up, saying, “The Emperor, you must not! The Empress Dowager’s matter has just happened. If the Empress replaces you in attending court, it will surely cause unrest among the officials.”

Zhou An secretly smiled. Shangguan Yu’s superficial skills were really in place. He was probably overjoyed in his heart. In this way, the Shangguan Family would definitely help stabilize the Imperial Court during this period.

“This matter was personally instructed by the Great Ancestor Emperor. The Great Ancestor Emperor said that if I don’t enter the Innate Realm, my Qianyuan Empire cannot be immortal. This is the cycle of Heavenly Order, which mortals cannot resist.

This time, the Empress Dowager’s rebellion, the Western Sorcery Poison, plus the surrounding countries eyeing us covetously, were originally signs of the Qianyuan Empire’s demise. Only because of the Great Ancestor Emperor’s appearance was the Imperial Court able to stabilize.

The Great Ancestor changing the dynasty’s fate will surely bring about greater disasters. This time, the Demonic Path entering the palace is also a sign. Therefore, the Great Ancestor ordered me to follow him in cultivation. Only by stepping into the Innate Realm and finding a Sky-Rank Cultivation Method can we grasp the destiny of the empire.

The Great Ancestor has observed in recent days that the Empress handles matters properly and knows the big picture, which is why he has the Empress temporarily replace me in attending court.

Plus the Left Prime Minister’s talent and the Shangguan Family’s connections are enough to support this country.”

Zhou An’s words made Zhou Di deeply sigh. Originally, the matter of ancestral teachings was the biggest obstacle, but now that the Great Ancestor had ordered it, this was no longer an issue.

Shangguan Yu’s heart was also half bitter and half sweet. When did winning people’s hearts become the ability to assist the country? If this had been in the past, he would definitely have been destroyed by the Emperor.

Shangguan Rong then stood up and said, “Your Subject will never fail the Emperor’s and the Great Ancestor’s expectations.”

Zhou An smiled and gently patted the Empress’s hand, saying, “I believe you have this ability.”

“Left Prime Minister, I know that the neutral officials in the Imperial Court all support you. Now, with the addition of the Right Prime Minister’s faction, the only thing missing is Jiang Xian’s faction. I wonder if the Left Prime Minister has any way to persuade Jiang Xian’s faction to agree to the Empress attending court?” Zhou An asked.

Zhou Di hesitated for a moment, then revealed an embarrassed expression, saying, “I have always had dealings with Jiang Xian, and his faction’s ministers also have the intention of joining me.

A few days ago, Jiang Xian even publicly announced that he would marry his granddaughter to me. This girl is both talented and beautiful, and I do indeed like her. If the Emperor bestows a marriage, Your Subject will be able to stabilize Jiang Xian’s faction and have his faction’s ministers all join me. In this way, no one will dare to object to the Empress attending court.”

Zhou An was surprised and frowned slightly. Jiang Xian had betrayed him and attempted to kill him. He didn’t plan to let Jiang Xian’s family go, and Shangguan Rong was also trying to find a way to eliminate Jiang Xian’s family.

Now, the Shangguan Family had already begun to act, gradually striking at the Jiang Family. The Jiang Family had also gathered all the Independent Cultivators in their family and contacted the people in their faction to fight back.

Zhou Di also understood this and quickly said, “The Emperor, Jiang Family’s rebellion naturally deserves death, but behind the Jiang Family is the Kui Water Palace. The Palace Master is a Houtian Sixth Level Late Stage Cultivator. If we kill all of Jiang Family’s people, I’m afraid the Kui Water Palace will not sit idly by.

Your Subject believes that we should kill all of Jiang Family’s participants and those who knew about it, but the disciples who have close relationships with the Kui Water Palace do not need to be held accountable. They are already people outside of the world and do not care about court affairs, so they should not be pursued further.

This will also stabilize the ministers of Jiang Family’s faction. After all, their faction’s officials occupy 30% of the officials in Qian Capital, and each family has countless connections with small and medium-sized sects.

Now they already have the intention of relying on Your Subject, so this is a good opportunity.”

Zhou An smiled and said, “Alright, then we’ll do as the Left Prime Minister says. Empress, prepare the pen and ink for me, uh… or rather, let the Empress write the Imperial Edict.”

Zhou An thought that even his penmanship was like chicken scratch, so his calligraphy was simply unbearable, so he let the Empress write it for him.

And the Empress thought that the Emperor was letting her become familiar with writing Imperial Edicts, so she was naturally filled with joy.

Zhou An concluded from the Art of Kingship that in order to stabilize the Imperial Court now, he must maintain a balance between the various factions so that he, the Emperor, could sit firmly on the throne. Otherwise, with his current strength, he could be kicked out at any time.

Plus, with the mysterious and unpredictable Great Ancestor Emperor around, even if these people had great ambitions, they would have to consider it carefully, unless they were confident in dealing with the Great Ancestor Emperor.

However, the Great Ancestor Emperor had lived for 300 years, plus his recent strong return, was enough to make them worry about whether the Great Ancestor had the support of an Immortal cultivation sect or some Great Power behind him.

That was why the Shangguan Family was so obedient now, serving Zhou An diligently and not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

The Empress was the same. She had personally witnessed the Great Ancestor’s power, even those Heretical Cultivators could be killed with one strike. If she had any improper thoughts, she was afraid that she could be killed with one palm at any time.

Moreover, Zhou An allowing her to attend court was something that already made her happy, even saying that it was the most satisfactory situation at present. She was already content and didn’t dare to risk learning from the Empress Dowager to control the Emperor or even declare herself Empress.

Soon, an Imperial Edict was completed. Zhou An would personally arrange for someone to send it to the original Jiang residence.

After all of this was arranged, the two ministers left with their own thoughts.

Zhou An and the Empress returned to Qianyuan Palace to rest and sleep. As a result, after Zhou An took a bath and entered the bedroom wearing a robe, he saw the Empress and three beautiful women standing by the bed wearing seductive lingerie and waiting.

One of them he recognized was Purple Guard Seven.

The Empress smiled and said, “The Emperor, the three commanders of the Purple Guard are willing to become your Imperial Concubines. The Emperor doesn’t mind them all serving you together, right? I heard that you had no problems facing a dozen Imperial Concubines before.”

Seeing these Purple Guard, who were feared by the Imperial Court ministers, revealing shy appearances at this moment, Zhou An was truly filled with anticipation and joy. He laughed loudly as he walked over. This time, he estimated that his Internal Force could be greatly improved.