Chapter 33: The Strange Tale of the Imperial Study!

“Are you even capable of being a Vice Minister? So many officials have submitted memorials accusing you—every time they come to you for official business, you either dodge or delay. You’ve dragged out a minor matter for over a year—why don’t you just die?”

“And you—you’ve embezzled even the bricks and tiles for paving the imperial palace grounds, right down to the ground beneath my feet. Fine, I’ll give you credit for your audacity. If the man beside you had half your initiative, he could be a Minister already.”

Indeed, the one speaking these words was Li Chen, the brother Li Si had longed for.

Before Li Chen stood two officials kneeling on the ground, trembling in fear.

He could also see a memorial precisely smashed into the face of one official, so startling it nearly sent the man into convulsions and unconsciousness.

It was the first time she had ever seen her brother so furious—his imperial aura was unmistakable.

This further increased Li Sijing’s already high affection for him.

Perhaps no matter what Li Chen did—even walking or eating—Li Sijing would grow fonder of him, her affection steadily rising, though she hadn’t realized it yet.

Chu Ruoyan beside her was also curious—who was this palace-dressed maiden?

In her eyes, the palace-dressed maiden looked like a fairy stepped from a painting: skin whiter than snow, eyebrows and eyes as if painted, a high nose bridge, lips like cherry blossoms.

Even she, renowned for her beauty, felt immense pressure.

Chu Ruoyan recalled something—the palace-dressed maiden had just called Li Chen “Imperial Brother.” Was she a princess?

Wasn’t it said that relations among imperial blood relatives were poor, everyone wearing masks of kindness?

But from Chu Ruoyan’s observation, the admiration and fondness in the palace-dressed maiden’s eyes for Li Chen didn’t seem feigned at all.

Moreover, she didn’t seem afraid of Li Chen—perhaps their relationship was quite good.

Chu Ruoyan wondered whether she should try to get on good terms with this palace-dressed maiden.

If she ever became Li Chen’s concubine, this would be her little sister-in-law.

But if Li Chen didn’t even notice her, how awkward would that be?

Most importantly, their faces were now dangerously close!

Chu Ruoyan wanted to move away, but feared the palace-dressed maiden would think she was showing disdain.

Yet if she didn’t move, it felt strangely awkward.

Just as she was torn, the two ministers inside had already met their fates.

One was ordered to leave on his own and wait for news; the other had already been carried out by the Imperial Guards.

“You two, come in.”

Li Chen’s voice reached the two beauties peering through the window.

Li Sijing playfully stuck out her tongue and stepped inside.

Chu Ruoyan still looked restrained, even more nervous than when she had come a few days earlier.

It wasn’t her fault—many people feared entering Li Chen’s Imperial Study.

Chu Ruoyan had seen many court officials, including Grand General Guo Po, emerge from there either trembling in the legs or drenched in sweat.

Indeed, Li Chen’s Imperial Study was like a rule-based horror tale—a place every minister of the Tian Ce Dynasty dreaded.

Among ministers, a set of Imperial Study rules had even spread:

【Rule 1: Upon hearing the Emperor’s summons, immediately drop whatever you’re doing and arrive at the Imperial Study at top speed, or you will be in grave danger.】

【Rule 2: When picking up a memorial that has fallen at your feet in the Imperial Study, no matter what you see written on it, you must pretend to be terrified and never admit you read its contents—only then can you temporarily survive.】

【Rule 3: When the Emperor rises, never meet his gaze, or he will think you are challenging him.】

【Rule 8: If you violate any of the above rules, it proves you have been contaminated by the horror—go to Wu Men and accept a single blade to end this horror journey.】

To many, Li Chen might seem terrifying—a solemn new Emperor.

But Li Sijing felt only pity. Her tutor had said being Emperor was exhausting, and now she could see it was true. As Li Chen’s good sister, she naturally wanted to help shoulder his burdens.

Inside the Imperial Study, Li Chen himself didn’t understand—when the former Emperor was alive, there weren’t nearly this many memorials.

Why, since he became Emperor, did these memorials flood in as if they cost nothing?

He didn’t realize that during the former Emperor’s reign, he had to balance court factions and even cater to old ministers who had followed him since his days as a prince.

Many matters were left unaddressed or handled coldly; court officials understood the Emperor’s intent, so fewer memorials were submitted.

But Li Chen went after anyone he could, had no factional allies, cared nothing for the feelings of old ministers, and even punished princes and great nobles—so ministers now eagerly submitted memorials.

As his “achievements” kept rising, Li Chen grew ever more outstanding in the eyes of his ministers, especially the loyal ones, who privately compared him to a great enlightened monarch.

To say Li Chen was an enlightened monarch to his face was merely flattery—no one took it seriously.

But saying it in private carried real weight—it meant they genuinely recognized him.

Inside the Imperial Study, Li Chen finished reviewing the last memorial, gently massaged his temples, and finally freed himself from the mountain of official duties.

At that moment, Li Sijing and Chu Ruoyan slowly entered the Imperial Study.

!

Seeing the two beauties appear, Li Chen’s mood improved considerably.

“Imperial Brother, you’ve finally finished,” Li Sijing said with a playful smile, her eyes shimmering with concern for Li Chen.

Li Chen looked up, his gaze soft as it landed on Princess Li Sijing, and smiled: “I’ve been busy lately. How come you’ve returned to the palace? Aren’t you busy with your studies?”

Li Sijing walked beside Li Chen and gently massaged his shoulders, pouting: “I heard you’ve been working day and night—I couldn’t bear to see you suffer, so I came back to help shoulder some of your burdens.”

They hadn’t seen each other in a long time, and since Li Chen had become Emperor, there were fewer rigid rules here—Li Sijing began pouring out her grievances, recounting years of hardship.

Her mother had always forced her to study this and that, things she had no interest in, yet she was compelled to learn them anyway.

During festivals, the capital held grand celebrations, and she wanted to go—but she couldn’t, forced to listen to the distant revelry, how dull it was.

Li Chen assured her: Don’t worry—now that I’m Emperor, no one else can control you.

They chatted enthusiastically, forgetting entirely that others were still present.

Chu Ruoyan even wondered if she was just an unnecessary presence here.

After a while, Li Sijing seemed to remember something, her expression turning serious: “Imperial Brother, I almost forgot—I came back for another reason.”

Li Chen paused his massage, slightly startled, and gestured for her to continue.

Li Sijing took a deep breath and said: “Tomorrow is the twentieth anniversary of Yunlu Academy’s founding. Many great Confucians from across the realm will attend, and scholars from all over the land will come just to witness the academy’s prestige. The academy’s tutor specifically requested Your Majesty’s presence—to celebrate the academy’s twentieth anniversary, and to let the scholars of the realm behold Your Majesty’s sacred majesty and feel your wisdom and valor.”

The tutor of Yunlu Academy? Li Chen had heard of him—he was one of the few Saint-level cultivators in the capital.

Li Chen remembered that during the former Emperor’s reign, he had invited the tutor to join court multiple times, and each time the tutor had politely refused.

Even the former Emperor had personally visited the academy, yet the tutor had never shown any interest.

So why, now, was he suddenly seeking me out?

It was rare to encounter a peer-level cultivator—after all, they were all in the same circle. Li Chen decided he wanted to meet him, so he replied: “Very well. I shall personally attend the ceremony tomorrow, and join the scholars of the realm in celebrating this grand occasion!”

His reply was formal, reflecting the Emperor’s official stance.

Seeing Li Chen agree, Li Sijing was delighted, then glanced at Chu Ruoyan beside her.

With a mischievous grin, she said: “Imperial Brother, aren’t you two supposed to be on a date?”

Li Chen rolled his eyes and replied: “If you know that, why aren’t you leaving?”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” As Li Sijing departed, she gave Chu Ruoyan a thumbs-up, making her feel slightly embarrassed.

(End of Chapter)