[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-eternal-life-as-false-emperor":3,"chapter-eternal-life-as-false-emperor-eternal-life-as-false-emperor-chapter-69":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Eternal Life as False Emperor",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1682715,2149,"Chapter 69 - 59: Noble Consort Cui","eternal-life-as-false-emperor-chapter-69",69,"\u003Cp>After the Empress left, Zheng Yi turned his gaze towards Noble Consort Cui, whose expression was calm as still water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her name was Cui Xiabing, and she was the granddaughter of the current cabinet minister, Cui Jinghao, and came from a prominent family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her looks were not of the dazzlingly beautiful kind, but rather exuded a gentle and serene aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was said that she particularly enjoyed reading, and was once a famous talented woman in the capital, with a notably strong scholarly air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Zheng Yi’s eyes, she belonged to the category of scholarly beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she were to wear glasses... she’d be even more extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Noble Consort Cui.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noble Consort Cui was visibly taken aback, then quickly rose and said, \"Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you feeling better?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In response to Your Majesty, I have mostly recovered.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s good to hear. I was worried that the Imperial Physicians’ skills weren’t high enough to treat your ailment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty overestimates.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard you have many rare books in your palace. May I have the honor of seeing them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noble Consort Cui looked resigned and could only say, \"If Your Majesty wishes to see them, I will of course welcome you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yi responded with satisfaction, \"As expected of my beloved consort...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he finished speaking, he felt several jealous looks shooting toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially from the Empress and Consort Duann, even from such a distance Zheng Yi could sense a wave of jealousy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yi simply smiled serenely. He was the Emperor; he could visit any palace he wished and spend time with any consort he desired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could control him, and who would dare?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah yes, Consort Duann mentioned wanting to present Jian Yu to him; he wondered about Jian Yu...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze instinctively shifted behind Consort Duann, where Jian Yu stood quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had previously bestowed upon Jian Yu the title of Noble Lady, intending for her to enter the palace together with the selection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only he hadn’t said such words, he could have tasted what Jian Yu had to offer earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was no rush, after all, he had plenty of time, and eventually, he could share a spring evening with Jian Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps sensing Zheng Yi’s passionate gaze, Jian Yu instinctively looked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face promptly turned red, and she quickly lowered her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor promised her the title of Noble Lady, a promise as solid as gold, though normally she was teased by many of her sisters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, feeling the Emperor’s intense gaze, her heart grew more anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dancers swayed gracefully, and glasses clinked amidst the celebration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor’s disciples all laughed heartily and raised their cups frequently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yi was also welcoming to all, and soon felt a bit tipsy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he was a First-grade Martial Artist and quickly sobered up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Summon... the top three of the civil and military examinations for an audience!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as these words fell, six people stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The top scholar of the civil examination, Cui Xiazhao, the runner-up, Li Ziyang, and the third place, Wang Anshi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The top scholar of the military examination, Cui Xiawu, the runner-up, Chen Hongxiu, and the third place, Zhao Tieshan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the military top scholar was appointed, Zhao Tieshan and Tian Yiguang had a bout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The victor was Zhao Tieshan, who was immediately named third place in the military examination!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poor Tian Yiguang, who was outside the hall playing games and drinking with friends until he was dead drunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Liu Cheng’en had prepared the eunuch’s draft and announced loudly, \"By the Emperor’s decree: Bestow upon the civil top scholar, Cui Xiazhao, the position of Hanlin Academy Editor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bestow upon the civil runner-up, Li Ziyang, the position of Hanlin Academy Compiler.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bestow upon the civil third place, Wang Anshi, the position of Hanlin Academy Compiler.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"May the three ministers diligently serve the public for the country and its people, with this decree!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three immediately knelt down and respectfully said, \"We students will obey the decree!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In each examination, the top scholar is made Hanlin Academy Editor, a sixth-grade official.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The runner-up and third place are made Hanlin Academy Compilers, seventh-grade officials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, this is just by convention; after staying at Hanlin Academy for a while, they will have various adjustments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the civil examination appointments, it was the military examination’s turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three stepped forward, and Zheng Yi smiled, \"You three are the first top military exam participants since the founding of Great Yu, with no precedent for appointments.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So I ask now, do any of you have any thoughts?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words had barely left his mouth when the surrounding officials’ faces changed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the Emperor preparing to directly appoint them to positions of real power?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, an official stood up to dissuade, \"Your Majesty! Appointing Golden Champion Scholars without assessment contradicts ancestral practices.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moreover, there is no precedent for females holding official positions...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although there are cultivators and powerful martial artists in this world,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>there still haven’t been any women serving in official roles in court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ancestral practices?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yi retorted, \"Did ancestral practices include the military examination?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, with the Wu Country’s encroachment and the Six Northern States in turmoil, I make these decisions for the sake of Great Yu, adapting to the times as needed. Why not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or do you have a better solution for the Wu Country’s encroachment and the turmoil among the populace?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The official’s face immediately flushed red with shame, saying, \"I, I am incompetent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Step down then!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, yes, yes...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The official quickly withdrew, and Zheng Yi continued, \"Have the three of you made your considerations?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Xiawu promptly stepped forward, saying, \"In response to Your Majesty, I am willing to enlist in the Northern Territory, to seize merit and reward on the battlefield!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Approved!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yi immediately said, \"I hereby appoint you as Assistant General of Binzhou, to take up your post with the Binzhou Border Army!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, you must know, the Binzhou Border Army’s structure has long collapsed due to the Wu Country’s incursion and civil unrest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once you arrive there, you’ll need to personally rebuild it. Any objections?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... have no objections!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good! I trust you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yi laughed heartily, \"If you can rebuild the Binzhou Border Army, I’ll bestow upon you the position of General or Commander, even!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thus, I’ll assign you one thousand Imperial Guards and a squad of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, with you as the Commanding Officer heading to Binzhou!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I kneel to thank Your Majesty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Xiawu, overwhelmed with emotion, loudly proclaimed, \"With Your Majesty’s trust, I am grateful beyond words.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I swear today to remain loyal to Your Majesty my entire life, until my last breath!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will also bravely slay foes on the battlefield, even if I return wrapped in a horsehide!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should there be any disrespectful act, may I be scorned by both gods and men!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words caused the surrounding officials’ expressions to change further, discussing fervently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some envied Cui Xiawu for easily securing the position of Assistant General, while others were jealous of the Emperor’s trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Assistant General is a third-grade military position!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although military positions aren’t as prestigious as civil ones, it’s still a third-grade post.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there is such a thing as ascending to great power effortlessly, this is it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, many took notice of Cui Xiawu’s oath,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>especially officials from the Cui Clan like Cui Jinghao, whose expressions grew more sullen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yi knew that, without the disruption of a Sima Clan Luox River Oath, the importance of oaths in this world was immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Failure to uphold one’s sworn oath would likely draw widespread condemnation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yi remarked with satisfaction, \"I trust you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chen Hongxiu, what about you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1287,"2026-06-06T13:34:09.114Z",1,"novelbin.me","da7ac151353a9a7745099c92d438c72e0ac59a0e87b4f4e1ccc5ced1e355f11f","eternal-life-as-false-emperor-chapter-70","eternal-life-as-false-emperor-chapter-68",358,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Feternal-life-as-false-emperor-cover.jpg"]