You and Li Chengqian sat on the ground.

At this moment, the decadence of the foolish ruler was gone from him, and so was the majesty of an emperor. It was as if he had reverted to that once-unfavored prince who had crawled out of the river back then.

"I still don't understand. The Li Clan is so powerful. Even if that Qin Rong is also a Martial Saint, dealing with him shouldn't be too difficult, right?"

"If I do not seek aid from the imperial clan, they will not interfere in court affairs. This is a ancestral rule."

"Then ask for their help?"

"Then they would think I cannot handle court affairs and am unfit to sit on this throne.

The ministers would then propose changing the emperor, and the Li Clan would not oppose it, as the new one would still be chosen from among the Li clansmen.

But how can the emperor be changed if he doesn't die?

What awaits me would be drowning, poisoning, a serious illness...

I finally obtained this heaven-sent opportunity to become emperor. I am neither willing to let go nor die an unclear death!

A foolish ruler is still a ruler, which is always better than passing away!"

Looking at Li Chengqian, who had made himself appear so aged and wretched to feign weakness, you couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

Being an emperor is not easy.

Later, you learned that Li Chengqian truly was at the Martial King Realm.

He had been deceiving both sides all these years.

Deceiving the Li Clan, making them think the martial cultivation resources he diverted from the imperial clan were used to reward subordinates.

Deceiving the powerful minister faction led by Qin Rong, making them think he hadn't cultivated at all, when in fact, relying on his Heaven-Grade Innate Talent, ample resources, and guidance from famous masters, he had long since climbed to the Martial King Realm.

The reason Li Chengqian's cultivation had never been exposed was that his father, the Prince of Qian Province, had left him a treasure.

The Turbid Qi Pearl, held under the tongue, suppresses one's own realm, making them appear only at the Body Refining or Spirit Gathering level.

This isn't about concealing one's aura; it genuinely presses down the realm. However, as long as the Turbid Qi Pearl is removed, the realm remains unaffected.

Therefore, no matter how many powerful figures Qin Rong or the Li Clan had, or how strong their spiritual sense was, none discovered Li Chengqian's little secret.

Sneakily cultivating sounds easy, but only Li Chengqian himself knew how difficult it truly was to do.

"In the court, it's not that there are no loyal or honest ministers. Inside and outside the court, Qin Rong also has many political enemies and adversaries. So, I haven't been fighting alone all these years."

"But overall, the state has still been corrupted by these profit-driven and power-hungry individuals. As the emperor, the people of the world will still criticize you."

"Therefore, this time is my only chance!"

Li Chengqian grabbed your hand and solemnly entrusted you with a matter.

Your eldest brother, Chen Jing, had already communicated with Li Chengqian via secret letters, explaining your relationship with Chen Jing.

Li Chengqian had not a shred of doubt about Chen Jing's loyalty.

He hoped you would take a message to Chen Jing, telling him to intensify his attacks and fight all the way to the capital!

At that time, Li Chengqian would appoint himself as the Grand General who Protects the State, personally lead the expedition, seize the opportunity to establish military prestige, and take control of the military!

As for your eldest brother, he only needed to have his men put on a show outside the capital, feigning defeat in a few battles.

"Benefactor! This matter is of utmost importance. I beg you to ensure the message is delivered. If I were to send a secret letter to your eldest brother using my previous method, I'm afraid the delay would be far too long!"

You gave Li Chengqian a reassuring look.

"Your Majesty, rest assured! I will definitely deliver it! I will help you reclaim the power that is rightfully yours and eradicate the treacherous officials! But..."

Your map of the State of Yan wasn't long; you stated your purpose directly.

"The Imperial Mausoleum Nethersoil..."

"Your Majesty, is it inconvenient? It's fine. Even if you can't provide it, I will still help you!"

You thumped your chest resoundingly, sincere as a double agent.

"Benefactor, you saved my life, a debt I can never repay in my lifetime. What is a mere catty of Imperial Mausoleum Nethersoil?

It's just that the Imperial Mausoleum Nethersoil is located inside the imperial mausoleum. I can only enter the mausoleum to pay respects during the annual ancestral worship ceremony, when I might have a chance to retrieve some.

Right now, the ancestral worship is still half a year away."

You still needed to go to the Northern Frontier to fetch the "grass of the Northern Frontier" and to Xiliang to fetch the "water of Xiliang."

You also needed to deliver Li Chengqian's message to your eldest brother promptly.

Staying here waiting wasn't an option.

Therefore, Li Chengqian promised you that once he obtained the Imperial Mausoleum Nethersoil, he would send someone to deliver it to you.

For this purpose, Li Chengqian gave you a golden token.

With this token, Li Chengqian's people could always know your whereabouts. Holding this token, you could enter and leave the capital and the imperial palace without hindrance.

You and Li Chengqian chatted a bit more about everyday matters, solidifying your connection.

"Who would have thought that the once-unfavored prince who fell into the water and cried for help back then would ultimately become the emperor of Great Qian. Truly, the ways of the world are unpredictable."

"To be honest with you, Benefactor, I myself often find it incredible. So I've always told myself that since Heaven has given me this opportunity, no matter how bitter or difficult, I must seize it! I will never let it slip through my fingers!"

You could see that although Li Chengqian had been in a semi-puppet state all these years, the temperament of an emperor had actually been forged through years of endurance and covert struggle.

What he lacked now was an opportunity to reclaim his power.

The struggle between imperial power and ministerial power, before the position of chancellor was abolished, was the main theme of an emperor's entire life, unavoidable in any dynasty, or even any world.

Finally, you informed Li Chengqian about the impending Demon Tribe invasion.

Li Chengqian already knew.

The court was fully aware of the movements in the Southern Borderlands.

"Qin Rong has already diverted the troops originally intended to defend against the Southern Borderlands to Cangqiong Ridge to cooperate with the Limitless Sword Sect. The required war resources are also being transported.

The imperial clan also has Martial Saint Realm experts heading there. More personnel and resources will be added later depending on the battle situation.

Benefactor, rest assured. We are preparing in advance, setting up an inescapable net. The Demon Tribe won't be able to stir up too big a storm."

"That old traitor Qin is actually this decent? I thought he would find excuses not to dispatch troops or provide resources."

"Qin Rong is treacherous, but he's not stupid. Even if someone overthrows the imperial clan, wouldn't he, Qin Rong, serve as chancellor for whoever takes over?

But the Demon Tribe coming is a different matter altogether.

The Demon Tribe doesn't need any chancellor. The Demon Tribe would only want his life!"

You left the imperial palace.

Li Chengqian continued to play his role as the foolish ruler. You needed to go to the Northern Frontier to deliver his message and, along the way, search for the "grass of the Northern Frontier."

The fifty-eighth year, age seventy-six.

With Li Lingyue giving you a lift, you quickly reached the Northern Frontier and saw your eldest brother Chen Jing again.

This was actually the first meeting between Chen Jing and Li Lingyue.

Both had fought campaigns in the south and north, pinching the Central Plains from both sides. Though they had never met before, heroes naturally admired each other.

After discerning the relationship between the Female Emperor and you, Chen Jing threw his head back and laughed heartily, his eyes practically disappearing into slits from joy.

"Hahaha! Excellent, excellent, excellent! They say the eldest brother is like a father. This marriage has my approval, your big brother!"

His own younger brother marrying a Female Emperor was roughly equivalent to the family directly gaining the entire territory of the Southern Borderlands!

Good heavens, what kind of empire-building is this easy!

Li Lingyue, for once, revealed a trace of bashfulness, though it lasted only a moment.

In her words and actions, however, there was an added layer of respect towards Chen Jing.

"My Northern Frontier is loyal to the emperor. Fourth Brother, you saved the emperor's life. The Female Emperor is marrying Fourth Brother. The Sword Lord of the Eastern Wastes is Fourth Brother's benefactor!

Once His Majesty reclaims his power, we are all one family! What's there to fight about?

Excellent, excellent, excellent!

We're only missing Xiliang. But that place is full of all sorts of strange Spirit Artifacts and cults. We're better off without it!"

You said inwardly:

Soon, Xiliang will be part of the family too. You're not just some link between big shots; you have your own territory too!