Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

After the New Year's Eve palace banquet, Emperor Jingzhao still failed to attend the morning court session the following day.

But the officials had already gotten used to it, and it didn't affect anything.

And Lingyan could finally begin to act on what she had been thinking about for a long time.

That is to ban brothels.

In fact, she had been thinking about this for a long time, but the timing was never right, so she hadn't taken any action.

But now she felt the time was right, and it was time to act while Emperor Jingzhao was ill and unable to handle state affairs.

Moreover, they had to act first and report later.

The reason for this is that 80% of the male officials in the court frequent brothels.

If she had raised this matter in court earlier, these officials would have strongly opposed it.

In addition, a large group of members of the imperial family were also frequent patrons of brothels.

Under such pressure, Emperor Jingzhao would certainly hesitate.

As time went on, Emperor Jingzhao also felt that it was not worth going against so many court officials and members of the imperial family over this matter, and that the matter would eventually be dropped.

Therefore, it was precisely because she anticipated this outcome that she acted first and informed the other party later.

To be honest, she could understand and comprehend Emperor Jingzhao's actions, since he had too many things to weigh.

He must have pitied the plight of these women.

However, compared to other things, this pitiful state is insignificant.

Because the situation of these women would not be his first consideration, but rather the last.

However, she did not blame Emperor Jingzhao, after all, they were in different positions, had different perspectives on the issues, and naturally had different thoughts.

Therefore, there is no right or wrong in this matter, it's just a difference in perspective.

But her understanding of him doesn't mean she agrees with him.

She didn't care about the thoughts of these court officials at all.

If they harbor resentment and want to cause trouble simply because the brothels were banned.

Such officials are better off without.

After all, if an official is dissatisfied with the court and Emperor Jingzhao because of his own selfish interests or lustful desires, what great things can you expect him to accomplish?

If we don't take him out, are we just going to keep him around for the New Year?

However, she felt that these officials were not that stupid.

Of course, there might be a few fools like that, and we can deal with them then.

As for the remaining officials, they can only continue to serve the court. Do they not want to be officials anymore?

As for those members of the royal family, they are a bunch of good-for-nothings who can't amount to anything and will never amount to anything.

Therefore, the impact of this matter was not that great at all; Emperor Jingzhao was overthinking it and making it too complicated.

Furthermore, it would have been most appropriate to do this two years later, after Emperor Jingzhao passed away and Xiao Muyao ascended the throne.

However, this matter will have to wait another two years, and how many women will suffer and how many women will lose their lives during these two years.

For these women, two years is a very, very long time.

Lingyan had waited long enough, so she was unwilling to wait any longer.

Secondly, once Xiao Muyao ascends the throne, she will definitely leave him and leave Da Zhao.

So by then she won't have another chance to do this, so now is the most opportune time.

So on the first day of the Lunar New Year, under Xiao Muyao's decree, a grand and swift crackdown on brothels began.

The imperial guards surged toward the brothels like a tidal wave.

Their steps were orderly, their expressions dignified, and the weapons in their hands gleamed coldly in the sunlight, highlighting the seriousness of this operation.

The people on the street were taken aback by this sudden spectacle and stopped to watch.

The Imperial Guards quickly surrounded the brothels and subdued those who tried to resist or escape.

The general in charge of the operation held the imperial edict and loudly proclaimed the order to ban brothels. His voice echoed through the streets and alleys, like a righteous pronouncement.

The women in the brothel initially looked terrified, huddled in a corner trembling, unaware of what fate awaited them.

But when they heard that the purpose was to abolish brothels and rescue them from their plight, many of them looked on in disbelief.

Then came unstoppable tears—tears of joy at regaining freedom.

The brothel madams, having assessed the situation and realized that all was lost, did not offer any resistance.

Those who tried to argue or resist were quickly taken away.

Other items, such as ledgers and contracts, which symbolize the evils of brothels, were also confiscated and will serve as evidence of these crimes.

The news spread quickly throughout the capital, and the people were discussing it extensively.

Some people applauded, praising it as a good deed and the court's move as very wise.

They had long harbored deep resentment towards the existence of brothels.

They believed that the place was a den of iniquity, corrupting social morals and tearing many families apart.

The people looked at the rescued prostitutes with more sympathy.

Some people were worried that the brothel workers who lost their livelihoods would cause chaos.

But Lingyan was prepared. She had arranged the necessary personnel and measures to properly resettle those innocent women and give them a chance to start their lives anew.

Those who commit evil deeds in brothels will also face severe punishment.

The officials in the imperial court reacted in different ways upon hearing the news.

The officials who frequented brothels were ashen-faced. Although they were dissatisfied, they dared not make any rash moves.

Because they knew it was His Highness the Crown Prince's decree.

If you oppose it rashly, you might get yourself into trouble.

Meanwhile, those upright and honest officials nodded in approval.

Furthermore, the court was already in recess at this time, and the grand court assembly would not begin until the sixteenth day of the first lunar month.

Therefore, many people were thinking of admonishing His Highness the Crown Prince during the grand court assembly.

Lingyan ignored them completely, busy arranging for people to provide physical and psychological treatment to these women.

Many courtesans suffered from long-term physical and mental torment, so Lingyan arranged for female doctors to conduct physical examinations and treatments for them.

At the same time, some women were arranged to comfort them and help them get out of the shadows of the past.

These women were housed in a special facility, where they were provided with warm meals and clean clothes every day.

Once they have almost fully recovered, we will arrange training and employment for them.

In order to enable them to support themselves, Lingyan inquired about their preferences and strengths and then began to train them individually.

Those who want to study, study; those who want to practice martial arts, practice martial arts.

Those who want to study medicine should study medicine, and those who want to go into business should go into business.

Those who want to embroider can embroider, and those who want to learn other skills can learn other techniques, etc.

In short, the safekeeping allows them to support themselves through their own abilities and realize their individual value.

Of course, for those women who wished to get married, Lingyan also arranged for people to act as matchmakers to help them realize their wishes to marry.

In short, everyone made arrangements very appropriately and thoughtfully according to their own circumstances.