Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

"Don't you understand? What is the most taboo thing for an emperor? It is, of course, ministers forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices. Back then, the seven princes fought for the throne..."

Each side is pulling out all the stops to win over various factions within and outside the court to build momentum for themselves, which is a serious violation of the emperor's cardinal sin.

Jiang Mengxuan was stunned: "So that's why I was chosen by the Emperor?"

Shen Lang nodded: "Of course, it is precisely because you did nothing that you are the most suitable candidate for the throne."

"But why would this happen?" Jiang Mengxuan asked, somewhat puzzled. "Back then, I had no powerful connections. Wasn't Father afraid that his throne would be usurped?"

Shen Lang sighed: "No, it's precisely because you have no powerful forces to rely on that you can sit on the throne so securely."

Conversely, precisely because you don't belong to any faction, you actually hold the most leverage. When facing you, the new emperor, the court officials will inevitably try to figure out your intentions.

They'll also wonder who you're backing, and whether it's someone they can afford to offend. This suspicion will prevent them from easily taking action against you.

Now you understand the relationships between powerful families. They're not as monolithic as you thought. They can be won over or abandoned at any time if you offer enough benefits.

Based on that alone, there was probably no one more suitable to be emperor than you at the time.

After listening to Shen Lang's explanation, Jiang Mengxuan finally understood the political considerations involved and realized that her father's decision at the time was well thought out.

"Besides, Xuan'er, you don't really think you have no one supporting you, do you?"

Shen Lang continued.

"If I'm not mistaken, you have at least three formidable forces assisting you in consolidating your position."

The late emperor couldn't have placed you on the throne without any prior arrangements.

"The first force is Ye Xiang's faction. To be honest, without him stabilizing those civil and military officials who were dissatisfied with you in the court, your situation would not be optimistic."

"The second force is Prince Jing. As your uncle, although he doesn't have military power, he represents the royal family. Even if things develop to the point of no return..."

Prince Jing's attitude is crucial. If he is willing to stand by your side, then the court's coup will lack legitimacy and you will be unable to explain yourself to the people.

"The third force, Wang Zhongsi of Bingzhou, guarding the border without expressing his opinion, is the best support for His Majesty. The powerful families may disregard the various forces in the capital, but they absolutely dare not underestimate the power of the border army."

"Thus, these three forces, whether overt or covert, stood by your side, which is why when you first ascended the throne, Xuan'er, the situation seemed extremely precarious."

In truth, the late emperor had already paved the way for you, waiting only for you to take control of the court so you could realize your ambitions.

After listening to Shen Lang's story, Jiang Mengxuan finally understood that the late emperor's deathbed edict, which seemed to be forced upon him, was actually a preordained arrangement for her.

"Ah Lang, you have never met Father Emperor before, so why do you understand Father Emperor's thoughts at that time better than I do?"

"Ha, I'm working backward from the cause by looking at the effect, and then I grasp the key points for analysis. It's not surprising at all."

Jiang Mengxuan held Shen Lang's hand, her eyes filled with tenderness as she looked at him.

"However, Father probably did not expect that the person who would ultimately be able to secure my throne and bring about the revival of Great Chu would be my husband."

"You're wrong. It's not me. The reason Chu is where it is today is because you, Xuan'er, dared to break the old rules. I was just helping you solve some troubles. The real decision-maker of Great Chu is still you."

"No, Ah Lang, don't be so modest. Even if, as you say, my ascension to the throne is secure..."

But without your advice and strategies, without your repeated acts of risking your life,

"I never dared to dream of the state of Great Chu today."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang reached out a finger and flicked the tip of her nose.

"What do you mean by not daring to even dream about it? You are the Emperor of Great Chu, destined to rule the world. You should set your sights higher."

Jiang Mengxuan touched her slightly itchy nose, gently bit her lower lip with her pearly teeth, and lightly pinched Shen Lang's stomach.

"My biggest dream right now is to have a child for you. Now that you've come back from Sichuan, it's time to give me a child."

Shen Lang's expression showed a slight embarrassment: "Um..."

"Don't worry, I can handle it."

Jiang Mengxuan directly shut him down.

"After you left last time, I thought about what you said carefully and then I understood what you meant. Did you mean that you weren't attentive enough during our sex life and were afraid of hurting me?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang blushed slightly and turned his face away without answering.

It's the default.

"You……"

Jiang Mengxuan smiled and whispered in his ear.

"I might have been afraid before, but let me tell you, I've become stronger now. You don't need to worry. Me, the Empress of Great Chu, would I be afraid of such things?"

With such teasing, Shen Lang also began to feel restless.

"Are you sure? If your husband uses his full strength, you might beg for mercy."

"Hmph, you're just bragging. Tonight I want to see what you're like when you go all out."

"Then don't cry then."

"It's not certain who will cry yet."

After teasing each other for a while, the couple immediately went to take a bath and change clothes.

……

In the dead of night, on the bed in Shuixuan Residence…

"Xuan'er, don't scare me. Has something really happened? Can you say something?"

Shen Lang held the almost unconscious Jiang Mengxuan tightly, his expression full of tension.

“I already told you, you can’t do it, but you still insist on being stubborn. I’ll go and call the female doctor to treat you right now.”

He never expected that his first time giving his all to his wife would result in this. After quickly taking her pulse and confirming that she was just temporarily exhausted, he hurriedly prepared to find a doctor to treat her.

As soon as he moved, Jiang Mengxuan caught him and kept him there all night.

With her eyes closed, she mumbled, "Don't call the imperial physician. Just let Qingwen in to help me bathe..."

"it is good."

Soon, Qingwen and two personal maids helped the Empress to the inner bathroom.

Shen Lang sat at the table, looking completely bewildered. He sighed as he watched Jiang Mengxuan hunch over.

"There's an old saying that goes, 'There are only oxen that die from exhaustion, not land that gets worn out from plowing.' But it seems that saying isn't true anymore, sigh..."

Tonight, he truly understood the meaning of "women are made of water".

Inside the bath, as the warm water flowed over Jiang Mengxuan's delicate body, she slowly recovered from her daze.

"This shouldn't be happening. I've clearly become stronger, so why can't I even hold my own?"

Recalling her previous sexual encounters with Shen Lang, Jiang Mengxuan felt both ashamed and angry when she completely lost control and was manipulated by him.

"Is my husband really that fierce? I, a dignified mid-stage Immortal Realm martial artist, can't even withstand him?"

"However, it has a unique flavor, and it's quite good."

She covered her lower abdomen and smiled slightly: "Now, there is hope for our child."