There are too many ruthless, domineering women who are considered "losers"!

"Your Majesty...Your Majesty!"

"Something terrible has happened!"

In the Shouning Palace, a eunuch rushed into the main hall, panting heavily.

At this moment, Murong Yuyan was lazily stretching her graceful figure, lying on the couch with cucumber slices on her face, enjoying a massage from a palace maid.

"What's wrong? Why are you in such a panic?"

Even when the eunuchs rushed in, he remained unhurried.

The eunuch hurriedly reported, "Your Majesty, Zhang Ze is dead!"

Upon hearing this news, Murong Yuyan suddenly opened her eyes, her cold gaze radiating a chilling killing intent.

"Who did it?"

The eunuch continued, "It was His Majesty who, under the pretext of upholding military law, had General Zhang Ze beaten to death on the spot."

In just a few words, Murong Yuyan thought of many things.

She waved her hand, dismissing the palace maids around her, and sat up.

"Has the Black Cloud Commandery been mobilized?"

"No movement."

Murong Yuyan narrowed her eyes and said, "Without mobilizing the Black Cloud Commandery, how could she have entered the military camp alone and beaten Zhang Ze to death?"

"It was that sword saint from Western Shu! He accompanied His Majesty there and witnessed everything."

The eunuch added.

"Xuanyuan Qingfeng? No wonder."

Murong Yuyan muttered the name for a while, then snorted coldly, "The people of Western Shu have quite the nerve, daring to interfere in the internal affairs of my Great Yuan Dynasty."

"It's said to be at His Majesty's behest," the young eunuch said, sweating profusely.

Murong Yuyan looked at her manicured nails, seemingly indifferent, and pondered, "Without me, His Majesty's throne would be unstable. But when did he get involved with the Sword Saint?"

"Could it be that during the previous meeting with foreign envoys...?"

She had assumed that Lu Chang'an would go to the Black Cloud Commandery, where the Black Cloud Commandery would keep an eye on her, and she would know his every move.

Murong Yuyan wanted to let the current emperor know that without her, she was nothing.

But now, the plan has fallen apart, and she has lost a trusted confidant in vain.

"This little emperor has some nerve, daring to kill my men."

But for some reason, Murong Yuyan suddenly became excited.

She didn't really care about the lives of her subordinates; what angered her more was that the current emperor dared not follow her path.

It's been a long time since anyone dared to defy her like this.

She decided to spend some quality time with the little emperor.

Let him know what I'm capable of.

Only by conquering a man like that can one feel a sense of accomplishment.

If it were solved too easily, it would be a bit lacking.

Murong Yuyan said calmly, "Pass on my imperial decree that the Black Cloud Commandery keep a close watch on His Majesty and the envoy from Western Shu. Any movements in the army must be reported to me immediately."

"yes!"

The eunuch seemed to remember something and respectfully bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, there is one more thing. The envoy sent by the Mulan people has arrived in Dadu. They said they offered considerable terms and would send troops to aid the Great Yuan."

Murong Yuyan remained unmoved: "Everyone knows the wolfish ambitions of the Mulan Kingdom. A hundred years ago, the Mulan people fought with the Mongols for the rightful place in the Central Plains and the position of the world's overlord. At that time, the Mulan people were already kicked out of the Central Plains. How dare a defeated enemy provoke us like this?"

"Your Majesty, Mulan's strength is not to be underestimated. There are five Nascent Soul Realm Divine Masters guarding the border. Our Great Yuan is facing the calamity of demons..."

Murong Yuyan refused without hesitation: "Our Great Yuan Dynasty has not yet fallen; how can we rely on an outsider?"

"Announce to all officials of the court that no one may meet with the envoys from Mulan. Anyone who violates this rule will be dismissed from office, and their descendants for three generations will be barred from taking the imperial examinations."

"Here you go!"

......

In a bustling restaurant, there was a quiet private room.

All sounds were blocked.

"Young lady, is there some deeper meaning behind your choice of this place?"

There were only three people inside.

Lu Chang'an sat in the main seat. Yang Yujing had changed into a set of plain clothes. Her skin was as white as snow and her jade fingers were fair, but she still couldn't hide her elegant demeanor as a lady from a prominent family.

Gu Wushuang stayed by Lu Chang'an's side as always.

"My father was often blocked at the door by high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital, with gifts and luxury cars everywhere, and people asking for help everywhere. He was extremely annoyed. My father never met with anyone and never accepted a single gift."

Yang Yujing seemed quite helpless and began to complain.

"If they find out that the mansion received a mysterious man, it will probably be the talk of the entire capital by the next day."

Lu Chang'an said with great understanding, "I never imagined that Lord Yang would be such an incorruptible and selfless official who is devoted to serving the people."

My father often said that a person's capacity is directly proportional to the burden they bear.

Yang Yujing shook his head: "He doesn't claim to be incorruptible or dedicated; he's just someone who has nothing better to do."

"I've digressed. This banquet for His Majesty was originally for serious business."

Lu Chang'an sat up straight: "I'm all ears."

Yang Yujing straightened his face and said seriously, "Actually, it's just one matter. What does Your Majesty think should be done to settle the many displaced people in this city?"

Lu Chang'an smiled and said, "I'm very curious, is this question asked by Lord Yang, or by your daughter?"

He needed to find out whether it was Yang Dashen's idea or Yang Yujing's decision on his own.

Yang Yujing calmly replied, "It is both what my father wants to see and what I want to ask."

"In that case, Your Majesty, may you answer?"

"certainly."

Lu Chang'an no longer concealed his abilities and thought for a moment before saying, "I have long considered the situation regarding these hundreds of thousands of refugees. First, we will provide them with food and register their households to ensure they do not disrupt the original order of the capital. Second, we will provide disaster relief through labor. This food is not free; they will need to contribute their labor to repair the city walls and manufacture defensive equipment to fight against demonic attacks. Third, we will select the strongest and most capable laborers to serve as manpower and provide them with simple training as reserves to ensure the supply of the Imperial Guards. Even if there are not enough people, they can hold out for a while longer."

Yang Yujing listened and nodded repeatedly.

They believed that Lu Chang'an's suggestion was very valuable and practical.

If my father heard this, he would probably be satisfied.

It is unbelievable that the current emperor has come up with so many solutions in such a short time.

To be honest, Lu Chang'an's statement was based on numerous experiences from previous dynasties.

If he can get through this hurdle, he won't have to worry about being coerced by the Empress Dowager's faction.

With these displaced people as a source of high-quality soldiers, he was confident that he could gain control of the discourse and thus take power within five years.

At that time, his cultivation level must have been infinitely close to the Divine Power Realm.

By then, with our power and strength, what will we have to fear from the Empress Dowager?

His confidence naturally stemmed from the assistance of the Rakshasa Cult.

The Rakshasa sect and the Empress Dowager's faction were locked in a fierce battle, allowing him to reap the benefits.

Just then.

A shout came from the street.

"I, Princess Mulan, am here. All bystanders, please step aside!"

A magnificent sedan chair, carried by six crimson horses, galloped into the capital.

Two foreign guards, their hair tied in braids on either side and with hawk-like faces, followed on either side.

Are the visitors envoys from the Muran people?

Lu Chang'an had just thought that.

Gu Wushuang, who was standing to the side, suddenly opened her eyes and looked into the sedan chair.

Her eyes held a mixture of reminiscence, hatred, and murderous intent.

This change was immediately noticed by Lu Chang'an.

Is there someone she knew in that sedan chair?

......