My Wife Turns Out to be an Empress of the Dynasty

Upon hearing this, Gu Lan gently embraced his wife around her supple waist. Like minds connected by an unseen thread, neither uttered a word, yet they understood each other's intentions perfectly.

Journeying through the six realms was a romantic promise made under the moonlight long ago, and now it was time to fulfill it.

Over the past three years, amidst studying and advancing their cultivation, Gu Lan diligently collected treasures imbued with spatial energy.

A year ago, he even ventured into the Immortal Realm, acquiring a significant quantity of spatial stones from the Star Picking Pavilion.

Remarkably, despite his purchases, not a single coin was taken by the Star Picking Pavilion.

With these spatial stones, he finally unsealed the Divine Sky Ring, making traversing the six realms much more convenient.

Since his beloved wife was willing, Gu Lan naturally intended to accompany her at all times. However, proper preparation was necessary beforehand, especially regarding state affairs, leaving no room for negligence.

Jing Nation was currently experiencing rapid development, where even the slightest disturbance could affect the entire Earthly Realm's equilibrium.

Although some referred to these three years as the Jiaqing Prosperous Era, this notion was quickly refuted and replaced with Jiajing Governance.

This title combined the honors bestowed upon Mu Yuyan and Gu Lan, leaving no room for dissent. After all, no one could deny the achievements of Empress Mu Yuyan and Prince Jingyang throughout Jing Nation.

While Gu Lan paid little heed to such empty titles, Mu Yuyan was particularly concerned, especially about her husband's reputation.

Previously, when misunderstandings arose regarding her husband being mistaken for a mere pretty boy among the common folk, she had been too preoccupied upon her return to court to address it promptly.

If such incidents were to reoccur, she wouldn't hesitate to cleanse the capital city with bloodshed, even if it meant ruling as a despotic monarch.

"My dear husband, our journey to the Upper Realm won't be brief, and it may be impossible to conceal it from the courtiers."

"If we can't conceal it, then let's be forthright."

"I intend to convene a court session tomorrow and appoint Great Chancellor Sima as the regent."

"He is devoted to studying your teachings daily, integrating them into his governance with unwavering loyalty."

"Now that he has become a cultivator, possessing remarkable physical strength, he is capable of assuming the responsibilities of regency."

Mu Yuyan's proposal met with Gu Lan's full approval. Indeed, Sima Qin was the ideal candidate for regency.

"Then let it be settled as such."

"I'm sure the Great Chancellor will be pleased."

...

"What! Both Her Majesty and Prince Jingyang are ascending to the Immortal Realm together?"

"Yes, Her Majesty also wishes for me to temporarily assume the responsibilities of regency."

In the court hall, Commander Wei Zhi and Great Chancellor Sima Qin were conversing in hushed tones.
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Wei Zhi's expression was one of astonishment, while Sima Qin appeared resigned. Ever since he embarked on the path of cultivation, he found himself drawn to the practice.

However, as Jing Nation entered a period of rapid growth, more and more state affairs were delegated to him by Her Majesty.

Jing Nation relied on him, and he, in turn, couldn't detach himself from his duties. Today, Sima Qin received yet another weighty message: Her Majesty wished to ascend to the Immortal Realm, entrusting him with the regency.

This meant that his plans to refine the methods of cultivation in Confucianism would be postponed once again.

Observing Sima Qin's demeanor, Wei Zhi couldn't help but be puzzled. "Great Chancellor, isn't this good news? Why do you seem displeased?"

"I... I am pleased, can't you tell?" Sima Qin forced a smile towards Wei Zhi.

"Um, I really couldn't tell."

"... "

This won't do. I must find a way to have someone else take over the regency. I'm getting on in years; shouldn't I enjoy the pleasures of cultivation in my twilight years? Sima Qin pondered, then suddenly, a faint smile crossed his lips.

Seeing this smile, a chill ran down Wei Zhi's spine. Some smiles were better left unsmiled.

Of course, this was all inner dialogue; certain thoughts couldn't be voiced aloud.

On the other side of the grand hall, Gu Lan was briefing Li Xiong. Among the most crucial instructions was to ensure the defense of Jing Nation and to monitor cultivators from various regions.

With both him and Mu Yuyan absent, there were bound to be those harboring ill intentions.

Li Xiong and his Misty Rain Building were the first line of defense established by Gu Lan, visible to all.

However, in the shadows, Gu Lan prepared a second, third, fourth, and even tenth line of defense.

When venturing into the wilderness, sufficient forces were crucial to guard the crystal. Considering his array of contingencies, Gu Lan couldn't help but feel a sense of dread.

He couldn't fathom anyone in the mortal realm capable of breaching his ten lines of defense.

As Gu Lan made his preparations, the court session in Jing Nation had already commenced.

Empress Mu Yuyan, adorned in imperial robes, sat upon the dragon throne, while Sima Qin, not in princess attire but a specially tailored robe befitting the Eastern Palace's crown prince or princess, sat beside her.

Nearby, the shimmering beast, the Kirin, lay sleeping.

Those present recognized the Kirin, a fierce creature, and dared not even exhale audibly in its presence. Gu Lan, attending the court session for the rare occasion, stood beside Sima Qin.

As the session began, Mu Yuyan instructed Liu Yexi to announce her and Prince Jingyang's imminent ascension to the Immortal Realm.

This revelation shook the entire court, with both civil and military officials casting astonished gazes toward Gu Lan.

They knew Prince Jingyang and Empress Mu Yuyan possessed profound cultivation, but never did they imagine it to be to such an extent.

Ascending to the Upper Realm during daylight was a feat achievable only by immortals. Not just in Jing Nation, but the entire mortal realm hadn't seen such cultivators in ages.

And here they were, not summoned by divine envoys like three years prior, but ascending on their own accord!

At that moment, envy surged within the hearts of the assembly for these celestial-like figures, leaving them nothing but admiration and wonderment.

"Inform Her Majesty!"

"The Little Princess is exceptionally talented, unmatched throughout history. In fact, she could also learn to govern."

"Her Majesty and Prince Jingyang's ascension to the Immortal Realm is a blessing for Jing Nation. The Little Princess's regency would also be a blessing for Jing Nation!"

"Your Majesty, I, Sima Qin, am willing to assist the little princess in her regency!"

Just as Mu Yuyan was about to have Liu Yexi announce Sima Qin's appointment as regent, Sima Qin preemptively submitted his plea! The Empress narrowed her phoenix-like eyes, her gaze slowly falling upon the old fox before her.

The pressure on Sima Qin was immense. He had never once disobeyed a royal decree in his life, the epitome of blind loyalty where the servant must die if the sovereign wills it. But this time, there was no choice.

The burden of regency was too great, and he feared he lacked the time and energy to handle it adequately. Of course, there was also a bit of selfishness involved.

After all, who wanted to be nearing retirement age and still have to work overtime like a corporate slave?

After he finished his plea, Su Hua and Zhang Qingwei, who knew what Sima Qin was thinking, also stood up slowly.

"Your Majesty, this old servant is also willing to assist. The young princess is diligent and studious, undoubtedly possessing the talent for regency! Early exposure to state affairs would benefit the future development of our dynasty without drawbacks!"

With these two standing up, the other civil and military officials in the court echoed their support for the little princess's regency.

Letting Little Mu govern, are you sure? Gu Lan glanced at his daughter, feeling somewhat worried as he looked at the officials in the court. With Sima Qin and the two Masters overseeing, there would naturally be no mistakes in state affairs.

However, the same couldn't be said for civil and military officials. If Simu governed, the elite of Capital City might not be too pleased.

After all, by then, the burden on the major ministers in the court would become even more arduous.

Was that old man Sima Qin doing this on purpose? Splitting the unpleasant tasks and making the grand ministers share the burden together?

Gu Lan looked at Sima Qin's serious expression and increasingly felt it was possible!

However, whether he took on the regency or not, the state affairs would mostly still rely on him. Simu could use this opportunity to gain some experience.

No matter what problems arose, he only needed to be responsible for correcting mistakes and adjusting the overall direction.

The real hard work would still fall upon the civil and military officials in the court.

Mu Yuyan also discerned Sima Qin's intentions. She pondered for a moment, then looked at her daughter.

"Mumu, do you want to govern?"