123: The Queen Mother kneels! Fan Xian, we all have beautiful

Chapter 123: The Empress Dowager Kneels! Fan Xian, We All Have a Bright Future! (23)

Upon hearing this news, Empress Dowager Wei's eyes also lit up.

"Ye Qingmei, she was a legend of the Southern Qing Kingdom!"

"Southern Qing's sudden rise to power in twenty years, transforming from a small vassal state into a behemoth, Ye Qingmei's contributions were indispensable!"

"Her death back then caused a period of turmoil and bloodshed in Southern Qing."

"Fan Xian is actually the son of her and Emperor Qing, no wonder his promotion was so swift!"

"I understand. Tomorrow, I will personally summon Wei Hua. This matter must be handled as quickly as possible!"

After discussing Fan Xian's matter, Lang Tao, as arranged by Empress Dowager Wei, planned to bring Li Chang'an into the palace late at night.

Empress Dowager Wei had to talk with Li Chang'an to find out how many people knew that the young emperor was a woman.

If only Li Chang'an knew, then they would find every possible way to eliminate her!

If many people knew, then they would have to see what demands Li Chang'an had and if a deal could be made.

If Emperor Qing, that shrewd and ruthless man, were to find out about this, Empress Dowager Wei truly wouldn't know what to do.

After nightfall, Empress Dowager Wei finished handling state affairs and returned to her bedchamber.

It was still early, and she needed to rest for a moment before preparing to deal with Li Chang'an.

At the birthday banquet today, she had a feeling that the young emperor and Li Chang'an were overly familiar, and Haitang's demeanor when sparring with him was also somewhat hesitant.

Her intuition told her that Li Chang'an was a very difficult person to deal with.

Empress Dowager Wei came from a prominent family and also loved poetry, calligraphy, and painting, but her hobbies could never be shown to others.

She understood Li Chang'an because Li Chang'an was exceptional in poetry, calligraphy, and painting, possessing extraordinary talent.

However, this time Li Chang'an came to Northern Qi, Empress Dowager Wei felt that Li Chang'an was far more complex and profound than what appeared on the surface.

As he entered the bedchamber, he suddenly found a person standing beneath a painting on the wall.

"Li Chang'an! How did you get in!"

Li Chang'an said without turning his head, "Go ahead and shout. Let everyone know that the Empress Dowager of Northern Qi's bedchamber is hiding a man."

Although Empress Dowager Wei controlled state affairs, she was not a strong-willed woman and had not yet reached the point of acting unilaterally and doing as she pleased.

She quickly reacted. Since Li Chang'an could enter silently, he could also kill her silently!

Moreover, Li Chang'an was right; she absolutely couldn't let anyone know there was a man in her bedchamber!

"You! You really concealed your Cultivation!"

"Ninth Rank Upper Level? Ninth Rank Peak... or... impossible, you can't be a Great Grandmaster!"

Li Chang'an ignored Empress Dowager Wei's words and kept looking at the painting on the wall.

"This King's 'Ode to the Needle' actually ended up in the Empress Dowager's hands."

"It seems the Empress Dowager and Li Yunrui have a deep friendship, having accomplished many things through the Junshan Society, haven't they?"

This painting was bought by Li Yunrui at the time, and the Brocade-Clad Guards failed to snatch it. Now it seemed that Empress Dowager Wei had eventually exchanged it from Li Yunrui.

Empress Dowager Wei took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself as much as possible.

She knew that the current situation was completely one where she was the fish on the chopping block, and she could only see what Li Chang'an wanted and then seek a glimmer of hope for herself.

"Li Chang'an, what exactly do you want to do?"

"What are your demands? You can state them, and we can discuss them."

Li Chang'an turned around and sat on the Empress Dowager's comfortable bed, "This King believes that there are too many countries in this world; only one is needed."

Empress Dowager Wei said nervously, "Are you going to destroy my Great Qi? Do you want the lives of my daughter and me?"

Li Chang'an waved his hand and said, "Qi Country is to be destroyed, but killing you two will only make the situation more chaotic, and this King is also unwilling to do the heavy lifting for that old man, Emperor Qing."

Empress Dowager Wei sneered, "You really are going to rebel. Shen Zhong's death was orchestrated by you. How powerful are you really!"

Li Chang'an smiled calmly, "That's not important, and this King doesn't want to tell you."

"Today, this King is here to do two things. For the Empress Dowager, neither of these two things is difficult."

Hearing that Li Chang'an was going to state his conditions, Empress Dowager Wei immediately felt a lot more at ease.

For those in power, as long as they are willing to negotiate and make exchanges, it means there is room for maneuver.

"Please instruct, Your Highness Prince Yong. I am all ears."

Empress Dowager Wei's chest was firm, and a proud expression appeared on her face, never forgetting that she represented the dignity of Qi Country.

Li Chang'an casually said, "I don't like you referring to yourself as 'this palace'."

Empress Dowager Wei knew that she had to set aside her dignity now. She then bowed slightly, "This concubine respectfully awaits Your Highness Prince Yong's instructions."

Li Chang'an continued, "First, tell me all the information you know about the Junshan Society."

Empress Dowager Wei was a member of the Junshan Society, and Li Chang'an needed to obtain more detailed information about the Junshan Society from her.

Of course, Empress Dowager Wei was only a member of the Junshan Society, so what she knew should be limited.

"The Junshan Society is an organization founded by your sister, Li Yunrui, when she was very young."

"However, at that time, the Junshan Society primarily recruited Jianghu masters and was an assassin organization."

"During this phase, the Junshan Society was an organization through which Li Yunrui helped Emperor Qing, secretly killing many opponents that Emperor Qing found inconvenient to kill."

"But as Li Yunrui's power grew, the Junshan Society no longer served Emperor Qing and transformed into an anti-Emperor Qing organization."

Empress Dowager Wei's account was similar to Li Chang'an's memory. The Junshan Society later developed into a high-end resource exchange platform.

It wasn't that the Junshan Society's purpose was to oppose Emperor Qing, but rather that Li Yunrui could use it to do anything, including rebelling against Emperor Qing!

"The members of the Junshan Society that I know include Great Master Ku He, Si Gu Jian, Ye Liuyun, the Old Madam of the Ming Family, Qin Ye, and even your Crown Prince!"

"Not everyone in this organization is striving for the same goal; it is merely a trading platform."

"Members of the Junshan Society possess extraordinary martial power, immense authority, or boundless wealth! Only with these qualifications can one engage in transactions!"

Li Chang'an continued, "In other words, this Junshan Society actually has two stages."

"Initially, it was a low-end assassin organization cultivated by Li Yunrui, and later it evolved into a high-end resource trading platform."

"So, Li Yunrui is a resource broker, a pimp, so to speak."

When it came to Li Yunrui, Empress Dowager Wei had much to say, "For us, we can only make some exchanges through the Junshan Society."

"But for Li Yunrui, it's different. She is the initiator, and many people owe her favors for a long time."

Regarding the Junshan Society, Li Chang'an basically confirmed it; there was nothing new.

The organization itself was not very strict, but through it, earth-shattering deeds could be accomplished, and Great Grandmasters could be invited!

"Second, you tried to make things difficult for this King at the birthday banquet today and even harbored murderous intent towards this King."

Empress Dowager Wei defended herself, "That was because this concubine was unaware of Your Highness's strength, which led to a mistaken judgment."

Li Chang'an, however, said, "I'm afraid you still harbor thoughts of killing me. A woman like you must be severely punished."

Empress Dowager Wei sensed a dangerous aura. She said nervously, "What do you want to do?"

Li Chang'an said indifferently, "You and Li Yunrui are about the same age, but she lives a much more comfortable life than you."

"She not only had a child with Prime Minister Lin but also found a young lover, and she has a bunch of male companions."

"And you, in order to conceal the fact that the young emperor is a woman, walk on thin ice, constantly fearful of being caught with a slip of the tongue."

Listening to Li Chang'an's words, Empress Dowager Wei's eyes widened, as if she had perceived Li Chang'an's incredible intention.

Li Chang'an ignored her astonishment and simply beckoned to her.

"Come here... kneel... today, this King will do you a favor..."

...This trip to Northern Qi was finally a complete Perfection.

The next day, at Li Chang'an's instruction, Si Lili was brought into the imperial palace by Haitang Duoduo.

Si Lili could not openly reveal her identity in Southern Qing, and she couldn't help Li Chang'an much, so it was better to stay in Northern Qi and be Li Chang'an's open spy.

A few mornings later, in Zhan Pianpian's bedchamber.

Li Chang'an held Zhan Pianpian and slowly opened his eyes. The sky was already bright.

For some time recently, the Northern Qi imperial palace had become Li Chang'an's harem.

He lay on the bed, lazily stretching and turning his neck, and the brocade quilt covering him slipped down.

Zhan Pianpian, leaning in his arms, let out a soft moan. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and her clear, beautiful eyes slowly opened.

Her delicate face was still flushed with a burning blush. Zhan Pianpian reached out her fair arms and tightly hugged Li Chang'an's neck, looking very charming and adorable.

"Husband, it's still early. Let's sleep a little longer."

Zhan Pianpian was still half-asleep. Li Chang'an pulled her through a set of morning exercises, and she truly fell into a deep sleep again.

The daily life of the First Princess of Northern Qi was simple and beautiful.

After Li Chang'an returned to the inn, Fan Xian and his group came to bid farewell; they were about to depart for Qing Kingdom.

Fan Xian brought along Gao Da, Zong Zhui, Guo Baokun, and the mostly recovered Yan Bingyun.

Yan Bingyun's expression showed no discernible emotions; it was unclear how he would deal with his identity.

However, that was no longer relevant to Li Chang'an; his transaction with Xiao En had been completed.

"Your Highness Prince Yong, all matters in Northern Qi have been settled. This subordinate will now set off to return to Qing Kingdom."

Li Chang'an listened to the faint breathing of Shadow not far away and said calmly, "You all go back first. Many people are waiting for your return."

"This King still needs to help Master Zhuang finish the poetry annotations. I estimate I will leave Northern Qi in about half a month."

Fan Xian harbored a great secret, and Emperor Qing and Chen Pingping were eagerly awaiting Fan Xian's return.

Watching the Southern Qing envoy delegation depart, Li Chang'an's heart was filled with hope.

After some twists and turns, Fan Xian gained Yan Bingyun, and this King gained the beauties of Northern Qi. We all have a bright future!

Southern Qing.

Li Chang'an's enormous collection of poems finally reached Southern Qing.

In the Imperial Study, Emperor Qing was already immersed in a sea of masterpieces.

Since the rise of Southern Qing, he had been determined to change the weak state of Southern Qing's literary circles, and he had put great effort into poetry and prose.

"From now on, our Southern Qing literary circles have completely turned around!"

"Most of these poems can be passed down through the ages; they are simply exquisite to the extreme!"

"Chang'an has accumulated a lot and, through these years of experience, his temperament, vision, and talent have all reached Major Achievement!"

After reading all the poems, Emperor Qing slowly lay back on the couch, his expression somewhat complex.

"Si Xiang, Prince Yong caused Northern Qi to lose two important officials and, with his own strength, completely suppressed Northern Qi in the literary world!"

"How do I feel that the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, in their constant struggles, are like children playing house compared to Prince Yong."

Hong Sixiang bowed and said, "Your Highness Prince Yong possesses great talent. It is a fortunate matter for the country!"

Emperor Qing's expression suddenly changed, "Look at Prince Yong's poems; his heroic ambition is fully revealed, his sharp edge completely exposed!"

"At the Yunmen Poetry Gathering, he confronted the young emperor of Northern Qi and even dared to say that the Zhan family's child was not the Son of Heaven!"

"At the Empress Dowager of Northern Qi's banquet, he brazenly sat on the young emperor's imperial seat!"

"How many people in court, openly and secretly, reported these messages to me, saying that Prince Yong has disloyal intentions, a suspicion of usurpation, and the ambition to seize the throne!"

"I can only say that they underestimated my magnanimity!"

Regarding the succession to the throne, Emperor Qing naturally wanted to live forever and be an eternal king.

He had been plotting for over twenty years and finally succeeded in extracting Xiao En's secret, hoping that he could live forever like Wu Zhu.

Although he had a Breakthrough to Great Grandmaster, there were no signs of his lifespan increasing. He dreamed of being young forever, like Wu Zhu, and always occupying the emperor's position.

If he could not live forever, the throne would definitely be handed over to the Crown Prince. Emperor Qing had never considered replacing the Crown Prince from beginning to end. Li Chengze was merely a whetstone for the Crown Prince.

In the original work, Emperor Qing, upon discovering the Crown Prince's affair with Li Yunrui, angrily deposed the Crown Prince.

If Li Yunrui and Emperor Qing had no emotional entanglement, the Crown Prince would most likely not have been deposed.

Regarding Li Chang'an's rise, Emperor Qing remained confident in his identity as a Great Grandmaster.

Emperor Qing believed that as long as Li Chang'an had no rebellious intentions, he would be his greatest aid in unifying the world.

The Crown Prince could not be replaced, but the whetstone could.

If Li Chang'an did not contend or fight, then so be it. If he had ambitions to seize the throne, then let him also be a whetstone!

The throne could only be passed to Li Chengqian. If Emperor Qing could not live forever, then before he died, he would definitely take Li Chang'an with him; otherwise, Li Chengqian truly could not suppress Li Chang'an.

Northern Qi.

Several hundred li south of Shangjing City, there was an ordinary waterfall.

By following Lang Tao, Li Chang'an easily discovered Ku He's hiding place.

He also didn't know why Ku He always chose a waterfall as his Cultivation place; perhaps it was to be closer to nature.

"I know you're here!"

A sudden remark entered the waterfall, greatly startling Ku He!

With his Cultivation, he actually didn't detect the aura of the newcomer, indicating that this person's Qinggong (lightness skill) was superb!

If it weren't for the different voice, Ku He would have thought Wu Zhu had returned again, because both of them said the same thing.

Ku He dared not be careless and immediately walked to the front of the waterfall, looking out through the water.

A handsome young man with an elegant figure and extraordinary bearing was also looking at him through the waterfall.

"It seems I truly am old. I didn't even know that such a young Great Grandmaster had emerged in the Jianghu!"

Li Chang'an replied, "I am still a step away from being a Great Grandmaster, but injuring you again should not be a problem."

Ku He sneered, "You have a big mouth. Don't you know that my defense is the strongest among the Four Grandmasters?"

"That's why I need to practice with you!" Li Chang'an said casually.

Ku He's eyes narrowed slightly, and a surge of arrogance welled up in his heart.

Where did this kid come from? Does he really not consider Great Grandmasters to be top experts?