"Dong, dong, dong..."

The surrounding was silent, with only the sound of the female official’s continuous kowtowing.

Her forehead was already covered in blood, and after prolonged contact with the ground, the flesh was gone, revealing the stark white bone.

The bone was stained with tattered flesh and blood, looking particularly ghastly.

Everyone held their breath, not daring to make a sound. Especially looking at the female official’s miserable appearance, they all felt chills rising from the soles of their feet.

Someone quietly looked up at Li Qingmu, only to see his face full of indifference, unmoved by the female official’s tragic state, and suddenly, that icy feeling became even clearer.

"Dong, dong, dong..."

The frequency of the female official’s kowtows was initially high, but gradually, as blood kept flowing and the wound expanded, her speed slowed down, becoming more lethargic until she finally fell to the ground with a thud.

Someone nearby went to check her breath and reported, "Eldest Young Master, she is already dead."

Li Qingmu slowly opened his eyes, looked at the female official covered in blood, and coldly said, "Dead? Are you sure?"

"Confirmed, there is no breath!"

The guard reiterated.

Li Qingmu slowly nodded, "Good, if she is dead, it is for the best. Someone, cut off her head and hang it on this tree for others to see, so they know the fate of those who disgrace me!"

"Eldest Young Master!"

Someone exclaimed in fright, trying to plead for the female official, but upon seeing Li Qingmu’s cold gaze, they immediately collapsed on the ground, fainting.

This was truly terrifying; this Eldest Young Master was not just generally ruthless, but exceedingly cruel, wasn’t he?

Not only forcing the female official to die shamefully, but even in death, she couldn’t find peace, being dismembered and made a wandering ghost forever unable to reincarnate!

Such methods, such brutality, truly sent shivers down one’s spine!

Seeing the fearful expressions of the people around, Li Qingmu finally seemed satisfied. He let out a gentle laugh and slowly stood up, "To Fengming Palace!"

Having ruthlessly killed a female official and intending to hang her body on a tree, such a method was too cruel. Li Qingmu deemed it necessary to inform Rong Si, to admit his wrongdoing, and also to secure the power he deserved!

...

At Fengming Palace, Rong Si had already received news. Li Qingmu had directly forced a female official to kowtow herself to death in the Imperial Garden, seeking to hang her corpse to intimidate others.

Such a method was truly cruel!

"State Preceptor, has my son’s temper been too intense lately?"

Rong Si frowned slightly as she looked at the State Preceptor You Su beside her.

You Su replied, "The Eldest Young Master’s temper is indeed strong. I will later prepare some calming medicine to help suppress this violent energy."

Rong Si gently nodded, that seemed to be the only solution.

"Princess, the Eldest Young Master is here."

A palace maid came in to report, but as she mentioned the "Eldest Young Master", a tremor instinctively ran through her voice; Li Qingmu’s recent actions had truly frightened the palace servants.

"It’s good he’s here; I was just planning to find him! Let him in."

Soon, Li Qingmu entered calmly.

"Mother!"

He first saluted properly and then knelt down, "Mother, today I made another mistake."

His voice was somewhat soft, which softened Rong Si’s heart as she stifled the scolding she had intended to give and instead asked mildly, "What happened this time?"

She knew the cause and course of events but still wanted to hear his explanation.

Li Qingmu said, "Mother, today I went out to relax, passed through the Imperial Garden, and heard someone belittling and insulting me. In a moment of anger, I lost control and killed the person. Mother, I realize my mistake, and if you wish to punish me, then please do!"

He kept his head low, as if waiting for a beating,

Rong Si’s nature favored softness over hardness, and seeing his pitiable expression, how could she scold him? She sighed immediately, "Never mind, never mind, all of you, leave!"

A mother educating her son, certain things are better left unheard by outsiders.

All the palace attendants withdrew, and even the State Preceptor You Su sensibly exited, leaving the expansive Fengming Palace with only the mother and son.

"Mother?"

Li Qingmu looked up, his eyes a bit fearful as he gazed at her, causing Rong Si to feel a pang of reluctance, "You child, quickly stand up."

"Mother, are you no longer angry with me?"

"I am, but what good does anger do? I blame you not for killing the palace maid but for not knowing how to manage your reputation!"

Li Qingmu was taken aback, his face full of confusion, "Reputation? Mother, I don’t understand. Why would I need reputation?"

"Mu’er, you don’t understand. In the future, you are to help me govern this world. If your reputation is poor, how will you earn the genuine respect and allegiance of those below?"

Li Qingmu was silent for a while and then said, "Mother, even if I have a good reputation, those people still won’t be loyal to me! You don’t know, what that female official said was extremely harsh, claiming that I rely entirely on you to back me, essentially calling me a thorough waste!"

Rong Si’s pupils contracted sharply; did that female official actually say such things? Indeed, she deserved death! 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Mother, I feel that the weak will not earn loyalty, and might even be controlled by ministers. On the contrary, those who act decisively and ruthlessly will gain more followers!"

Rong Si remained silent; wasn’t she the same?

Through decisive actions, she had gathered a large group of court ministers.

Gazing at Li Qingmu, her eyes couldn’t hide her admiration, truly her son, becoming more like her in conduct and style.

This bout of losing his head might indeed be a good thing!

"Mu’er’s reasoning is sound; Mother will say no more. Do what you think is right and necessary!"

"Thank you, Mother!"

Li Qingmu expressed joy, quickly getting up and dashing to Rong Si’s side, "Mother, shall I massage your shoulders? You handle state affairs every day, certainly it must be exhausting for you?"

Truly a considerate son, isn’t he?

Rong Si, feeling delighted, nodded slightly. Speaking of which, Mu’er’s massage technique was really good, almost addictive!

Li Qingmu moved behind Rong Si, sitting on the edge of her bed, and began massaging her shoulders. Rong Si enjoyed this deeply relaxing feeling, slowly closing her eyes.

This massage continued for a long time, until Rong Si felt her body so light she was almost floating. Suddenly, a gentle voice came to her ears: "Mother, I humbly request something from you."

Rong Si softly responded, "What is it?"

Li Qingmu: "Mother, that female official thought I became Eldest Young Master under your influence. Although I killed her, I know many harbor similar thoughts, looking down on me. So, I want to..."

Li Qingmu hesitated, Rong Si nodded, "Oh, what do you want to do?"

"Mother, I wish... to lead troops to war!"