197: Reward!

It's unclear if Li Shengyuan and Female Emperor Mu Qingning noticed the traces he left behind…

Perhaps they were too flustered and careless to notice.

Or it could have been a deliberate flaw, meant to test everyone's bottom line little by little.

After all, if Empress suddenly announced she was pregnant, the impact would be too negative.

But by gradually breaking down boundaries and making people accept the Empress's debauchery and her beautiful demon queen, it would be easier to accept even if she were to have a child someday…

Li Shengyuan and Female Emperor Mu Qingning walked side by side, leading the way.

The revered and solemn Empress still occasionally exchanged soft, smiling whispers with her little puppy.

Some Confucian scholars and civil officials, who valued the dignity of the Imperial Family, followed behind with long sighs and worried expressions.

Among them was the Grand Tutor, a first-rank official who had taught Empress Mu Qingning since childhood.

This old man had sighed more in this moment than he had in his entire life…

If Empress were like this with anyone else, they would have already started criticizing her.

But who could blame her, when this person was her martial brother, Li Shengyuan, who had accumulated so many military merits?

Even his grandfather was the leader of the Confucian scholars and civil officials, so they didn't know what to say even if they wanted to.

They could only comfort themselves in their hearts, believing that they were a match made in heaven, the most suitable pair.

It was just that they were young now, and had been separated for a long time, which was why they were unrestrained and did some out-of-line things…

The celebration banquet was in the evening, so everyone first arrived at the palace where daily court sessions were held.

“Li Golden Uniform led the troops to guard the northern border, all of them are meritorious and deserve great rewards!”

Empress Mu Qingning first issued awards to everyone on the sky abyss, with no gold, silver, or treasures left out, and most importantly, promotions in rank and title.

Although Liu Zhen and the other three Golden-robed Demon Suppressors still held the title of Golden Uniform, they were all promoted from fourth-rank to third-rank, with vastly different treatment and salaries!

The ranks of Great Qian officials were like cultivation levels; it was extremely difficult to advance from fourth-rank to third-rank, which already meant entering the ranks of top officials!

The Demon Suppression Division and Imperial Observatory brothers who had followed Li Shengyuan in the Northern Border for so long finally received their rewards in terms of fame and fortune…

As for the greatest contributor, Li Shengyuan, he was rewarded with 100,000 gold, a fief of 10,000 households, the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households, and the right to choose any fiefdom in Great Qian!

This was already considered the highest-tier noble title and reward for the current Great Qian.

Dukes could only be obtained by a few founding heroes.

As for princes, Great Qian had never had a prince with a different surname!

But in everyone's opinion, judging by this trend, half of the Great Qian Imperial Family's bloodline would eventually be from the Li family…

Could princely titles compare to this?

Li Shengyuan's father, Li Mu, was also promoted to the second rank, whereas his previous title of Great General of the North was only third rank.

The Li family was truly a family of high-ranking officials and ministers, proficient in both civil and military arts, making other civil and military officials envious.

Not to mention whether their family members had the ability to achieve great merits, if other families dared to be so arrogant, occupying positions on both the civil and military sides, they would probably have already been dealt with…

As for the rewards for other officials and garrisons in the Northern Border, as well as Fan You, the strategist, they would be conveyed by imperial decree to the Northern Border on another day.

After the awards concluded, the discussion turned to the current disaster caused by the Demonic Cult.

Li Mu first reported and summarized the current situation in the Northern Border and Outside the Pass regarding the Demon Barbarians on the imperial court.

“Empress, Outside the Pass, due to the Heavenly Tribulation Dojo left behind by Li Golden Uniform and Palace Master Yue after their breakthroughs, a natural barrier has formed to block the two Demon Barbarian races.”

“Furthermore, the dojo also has the effect of helping third-rank cultivators break through to second-rank, so many strong individuals have gathered at Shanhai Pass, and with Sect Leader Fang Xiaolin, the Sect Master of Qingyang Sect, a second-rank powerhouse, they form a vital force to resist the Demon Barbarians. From now on, it will be even more difficult for the Demon Barbarians to invade Shanhai Pass from the south!”

“From then on, the Northern Border will be worry-free!”

As Li Mu's impassioned report concluded, all the civil and military officials in the court were excited.

A hint of a smile also appeared on Female Emperor Mu Qingning's dignified face.

“Minister Li, you have worked hard.”

“This is all thanks to Shengyuan and Palace Master Yue.”

Upon hearing this, Female Emperor Mu Qingning's gaze towards Li Shengyuan grew even softer.

“The Northern Border is worry-free, but other regions are still suffering from the harassment of the Demonic Cult and foreign forces. All esteemed ministers, let us discuss the matter of the Demonic Cult…”

“…”

Yue Xiyan was not a court official, so she did not attend the morning court. She had already gone to explore the Li family compound with Wenren Qingxuan and Shen Xinrong…

At this moment, Li Xinghe and Li Ruotang, who had grown a bit taller, were anxiously waiting in their elder brother's courtyard.

Seeing Wenren Qingxuan appear with Yue Xiyan and the others, they immediately rushed forward excitedly.

Li Ruotang tightly hugged Wenren Qingxuan, blinking her large eyes as she said,

“Auntie, Tangtang missed you so much!”

Wenren Qingxuan chuckled as she picked up Little Fatty and kissed her round cheek.

“Auntie missed you very much too!”

Li Ruotang's face was full of bright smiles, and she glanced behind the group, asking somewhat nervously,

“Where's Big Brother?”