The last world was a peaceful one, with not much fighting. Relying solely on his contributions to culture, he had accumulated over two hundred million merit points, a functional value that many people would need to experience numerous planes to obtain.
With the experience from last time, the system was no longer that surprised.
Instead, it said to her: [Only two hundred million? Host, including this one, there are seven worlds left. On average, each world requires over three hundred million merit points. You need to work harder.]
Zhuo Qin frowned and asked, "Is there a total of three hundred million people in this plane?"
System: […Probably not.]
"Then what nonsense are you talking about?"
Knowing clearly that they owed a lot of merit points, yet choosing a world with so few people. This little thing was truly flawed.
The system felt inexplicably wronged by her criticism.
However, it was already accustomed to its host's sharp tongue and didn't take it to heart.
[Host, how do you plan to help him earn merit points?]
"Why are you asking that?"
[Curiosity.]
Zhuo Qin thought about the main storyline and setting of this world, a smile curling at the corner of her lips. "A tyrant and a favored concubine. It sounds quite exciting."
System: […]
Although it had been created for over 1000 years, it was still a novice in this regard.
At this moment, it didn't quite grasp Zhuo Qin's meaning until the next morning, when Zhuo Qin issued an imperial decree.
Young Master Chong, for successfully attending to the emperor, is hereby conferred the rank of side consort.
The original host's body indeed had issues, but few people knew about it, and she wouldn't let anyone know. She had quite a number of beauties in her harem.
Before this, the highest-ranking person in the harem was also a side consort, the legitimate son of the Right Prime Minister's mansion of the Vermilion Bird Kingdom. He was two years older than the original host and had been in the palace for two years. He was quite indifferent and rarely made his presence known.
The ranks of the others were very low, and they dared not act presumptuously in front of him. Coupled with the original host's violent and irritable nature, who treated human lives as worthless, no one wanted to compete for favor, so her harem was quite peaceful.
Until this morning.
Previously, no matter who attended to the emperor, they would be beaten by the original host, who was both violent and incapable. That Side Consort Qiao clearly knew about this and felt sympathy for those people. Every time someone attended to the emperor, he would send people to care for them early in the morning, without being harsh on them.
But Chong Yan, who attended to the emperor last night, not only did not get injured, but was reportedly sent back wrapped in the emperor's dragon robe. He was also conferred the rank of side consort early this morning. Could it be that their Empress's hidden ailment had been cured?
With such doubts, Qiao Yu went to Chong Yan's palace early in the morning. He had previously lived with several other young masters from aristocratic families. The imperial decree this morning not only elevated him to the rank of side consort, but the Emperor also bestowed upon him a new palace. Palace maids were now busy helping him move.
"Side Consort Qiao arrives!"
An announcement from outside startled Chong Yan, who was carefully examining the dragon robe. He almost dropped it. He quickly snatched it up, stuffed it under the covers, and sat up straight. He then saw Qiao Yu, followed by several palace maids, walk in from behind the screen.
"Your servant greets His Highness, the Side Consort."
As he was about to rise to salute, Qiao Yu stopped him: "Sit down. We are like brothers, no need for excessive formality."
"Thank you, Side Consort."
"You don't need to thank me. From now on, you are also a side consort. We are equals, with no distinction in rank."
Chong Yan did not respond.
Although their ranks were now the same, Qiao Yu was an old hand in the palace and had always managed the harem affairs before. If he were truly to be considered his equal, without any distinction in rank, it would be an overstep.
"How is your body?"
Chong Yan was somewhat perplexed, but he still shook his head: "Your servant is unharmed. Thank you for your concern, Side Consort."
Hearing his words, and seeing his ruddy complexion, which, despite looking somewhat unrested, did not seem like he had suffered, Qiao Yu's doubts deepened.
He is truly fine.
Could it be that, as others had said, their Empress did not have a physical ailment, but simply had not met someone who could make her open her heart?
And that person had appeared now?
"It's good that you are well. You worked hard last night. This consort has asked someone to make you a nourishing soup. Drink plenty of it during breakfast later."
"Yes, thank you, Side Consort."
Qiao Yu expressed his concern and gave a few other instructions before leaving with his retinue.
He was still curious about what exactly had happened last night. Unfortunately, matters of the monarch were not something he could casually inquire about. He could only suppress his curiosity for now.
---
Meanwhile, Zhuo Qin sat on the seat of the supreme ruler, looking at the officials below and listening to them discuss various state affairs. On the surface, she showed no reaction, but in reality, she listened attentively.
She needed to know these matters. From the reactions of the civil and military officials to these issues, she could discern who truly served the country and its people, and who harbored ulterior motives. To play the role of a tyrant well, she would certainly need to kill people. She had to first identify the targets for her executions.
The officials below chattered on, unaware that their heads could be on the chopping block at any moment, arguing incessantly.
"Your Majesty, spring plowing is imminent. The north remains cold, and the south is scorching hot. If we cannot reconcile these conditions, spring plowing will inevitably be delayed, affecting the grain harvest for the entire kingdom. As the saying goes, the people regard food as heaven. Without grain, bandits will run rampant, and the common people will surely suffer. I beg Your Majesty to prioritize the welfare of the ten thousand subjects."
Another official immediately stepped forward: "Lord Minister, what you say is flawed. What does 'the people regard food as heaven' mean? The people should regard Your Majesty as heaven. Do you mean to say that Your Majesty cannot be the heaven for the common people?"
"This official is merely using history as a mirror. What is your intention in twisting the words like this?"
Another official stepped forward and said: "Lord Minister makes it sound easy. Heaven has always been controlled by the heavens. The north is cold, and the south is hot. This is a natural phenomenon, how can it be reconciled?"
Lord Minister argued vehemently: "The cold north cannot be reconciled, but the south can dig canals and divert water for irrigation, allowing for normal farming. How can it not be reconciled?"
"Digging canals and undertaking large-scale water conservancy projects – how is this different from the extravagant construction of the previous dynasty's imperial family? I suspect, Lord Minister, that you intend to destabilize the foundation of the state. Your intentions are malicious!"
"You!" The Minister was so angered that his whole body trembled. "You are simply twisting logic! Digging canals and promoting water conservancy are for the benefit of the people. The previous dynasty's imperial family engaged in extravagance for their own pleasure. How can these two be compared?"