Chapter 13

Ding, the cultivation technique issued by the system must be 100% loyal to the host to be cultivated; those with impure thoughts who forcibly cultivate it will suffer mild meridian destruction or severe bodily explosion.

Hiss, now I don't have to worry, the cultivation technique has been cultivated by others, and moreover, later we can also root out the disloyal, truly a double gain. As expected of the system's product, this cultivation technique is indeed powerful, and it's also bound to the dynasty's qi, able to rise with the Dynasty Grade; this time we really made a killing! Liu Bian was ecstatic over the system's maneuver. The system's cultivation technique can only be cultivated by those loyal to oneself, so there's no fear of the technique leaking.

Now we just wait for the Grand Court Assembly five days from now; then we will impart the cultivation technique to the officials, enhance their strength, and the pace of unifying Tian Xia can be accelerated.

As time passed, after four days of spreading, the news of Liu Bian regaining control of Luoyang also slowly seeped out; the Marquis of all regions also received the news through their subordinates, some rejoiced, some worried; those who rejoiced were naturally the officials still loyal to the Han court, while those who worried were naturally the ambitious sorts like Dong Zhuo, for whom the emperor regaining great power was not good news, after all the Han Empire still existed, and many remained loyal to the Han.

If Dong Zhuo won, they could still, under the banner of suppressing rebels, legitimately expand their own sphere of influence, and even have a chance to vie for supremacy over Tian Xia.

However, to everyone's surprise, the seemingly invincible Dong Zhuo actually died at the hands of the young emperor. This change caught many off guard, ruining all their original plans. Now they can't even find a reason to send out troops.

In stark contrast to those scheming ambitious individuals, ordinary commoners, upon hearing this news, felt their hearts filled with joy.

After all, they are subjects of the Han Dynasty; the Han Dynasty's four-hundred-year rule has long taken root in the People's Hearts. Moreover, the news from Luoyang says that the current emperor is a True Dragon Reincarnation, an Immortal God Descended. In this era, people firmly believe in the doctrine of immortals and gods; to them, having a powerful and wise emperor is a good thing, a great good thing.

Liu Bian still didn't know about the world outside the Imperial Palace; after four days, tomorrow would be his first Grand Court Assembly since arriving. With nothing to do, he planned to stroll around the palace; he had never seen an ancient Imperial Palace before, and these past few days, aside from the Court Hall and the Sleeping Palace, he had only visited the Changqiu Palace where the Empress Dowager resides.

"Greetings, Your Majesty..." The soldiers stationed along the way, the passing eunuchs and Gong Nu, upon seeing Liu Bian, all knelt to pay respects; Liu Bian ignored them and walked toward the rear garden.

"Tomorrow is the day officials pay their respects and the Emperor convenes the Grand Court Assembly; you all must clean these palaces spotless—if anyone causes a mistake for our household, watch your lives!" Just as Liu Bian passed by a palace exterior, a voice like a eunuch's duck-like call came from inside the hall.

"Eunuch Li, we, your servants, obey."

After the eunuch's words fell, a chorus of assent rose from the Gong Nu.

Liu Bian turned toward the sound and saw more than ten Gong Nu respectfully bowing to a eunuch.

"Alright, work well, keep your eyes sharp for our household, work diligently, and I'll go check elsewhere for a while." Having said that, he flicked the whisk in his hand, turned, and intended to leave.

"Servant greets Your Majesty!" Eunuch Li turned his head and saw Liu Bian at the doorway, hastily kneeling to pay respects.

"Servant greets Your Majesty..." The busy Gong Nu, upon hearing this, all hastily knelt to pay respects.

"All rise." Liu Bian said lightly to them.

"Your Majesty, we servants are cleaning this hall; please don't dirty your dragon body!" Eunuch Li below said to Liu Bian with a fawning expression.

"By the way, what's that Gong Nu's name?" As Liu Bian was about to leave, he suddenly saw a Gong Nu standing out at the rear, with three thousand strands of black hair, a delicate nose bridge, lustrous black eyes that seemed to speak, and paired with that absolutely beautiful face, descriptions like shaming the moon by her beauty and making fish sink and geese fall are not an exaggeration.

Standing among the Gong Nu, like a crane among chickens, the moment he saw her, Liu Bian felt that the celebrity beauties he had seen in his past life could not compare to her beauty.

"Your Majesty, she is called Ren Hongchang, a Gong Nu recently brought into the palace. Ren Hongchang, come pay your respects to Your Majesty?" Eunuch Li bowed to Liu Bian in reply, then shouted at Ren Hongchang.

"Servant Ren Hongchang greets Your Majesty."

"Ren Hongchang, why does this name sound so familiar? I recall that in the Three Kingdoms Period, the name of Diao Chan seemed to be Ren Hongchang; truly no wonder she is one of the Four Great Beauties—what good fortune to have transmigrated here, as I was thinking how to bring the beauties of the Three Kingdoms into my Imperial Harem, I never expected to meet Diao Chan here." Liu Bian then realized she was Diao Chan, one of history's Four Great Beauties.

"Ren Hongchang, right? Rise up; from now on you shall be called Diao Chan, for the name Ren Hongchang is unpleasant to hear. I intend to summon you into the palace as a consort; I don't know if you are willing." Liu Bian smiled and said to Diao Chan.

"What, Your Majesty wants to summon Ren Hongchang into the palace as a consort—goodness! He is incredibly fortunate, actually managing to catch the Emperor's eye!!!" Upon hearing this, the surrounding Gong Nu all looked at Diao Chan with envy and jealousy. As Gong Nu, they dreamed of being noticed by the Emperor; they never expected that Ren Hongchang, having entered the palace only half a year ago, would be noticed by Liu Bian and be made a consort.

Upon hearing Liu Bian's words, Diao Chan was completely stunned, unable to speak from excitement.

"How? Could it be that you are unwilling?" Liu Bian looked at the stunned Diao Chan and asked again.

"No, I am willing, I am willing!!!" Upon hearing Liu Bian's repeated inquiry, Diao Chan hastily replied happily.

After saying that, she gazed at Liu Bian with a blushing face, her hands tightly gripping her skirt.

"Hahaha, good, good!!!" Seeing Diao Chan agree, Liu Bian was also overjoyed, asking, who could refuse the number one beauty of the Three Kingdoms, Diao Chan?

"Come, let's go together to pay respects to the Empress Dowager." Liu Bian stepped forward and took Diao Chan's hand; she obediently followed him toward Changqiu Palace, where Empress Dowager He Lian resides.

"Your Majesty, you are truly handsome, and you even gave me a name—Diao Chan, which sounds much nicer than Ren Hongchang, hehe..." Diao Chan, being led by Liu Bian's hand, gazed at him dreamily, not knowing what happy thought she had, the corners of her mouth slightly turned up, revealing a lovely arc.

"Empress Dowager, this is Diao Chan; I, your son, wish to take her as a consort, and I ask for your blessing." In Changqiu Palace, at Empress Dowager He Lian's quarters, Liu Bian and He Lian sat at the head, while Diao Chan stood nervously behind Liu Bian, her face full of apprehension, her hands tightly gripping her collar, her autumn-water eyes full of expectation as she gazed at He Lian, fearing the Empress Dowager would bring up her Gong Nu status.

Liu Bian spoke somewhat nervously: "Empress Dowager, I, your son, have fallen for Diao Chan at first sight, and I hope you can agree to us being together." His eyes were filled with determination and affection, moving He Lian.

He Lian smiled and said: "Liu Bian, you are also at the age to marry; I had been thinking of arranging a marriage for you, but I never expected my Liu Bian to have found his beloved on his own; the Empress Dowager is very happy." Her tone was full of love and comfort.

Upon hearing He Lian's words, Diao Chan's face showed a bashful smile; she glanced gratefully at Liu Bian, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

He Lian continued: "When the time comes, we'll pick an auspicious day and hold your wedding. Diao Chan, you are so beautiful and so sensible—how could the Empress Dowager not agree?" Her gaze fell on Diao Chan, her eyes showing satisfaction.

Upon hearing this, Diao Chan's tension instantly dissipated, replaced by full joy; she gratefully bowed to He Lian and said, "Thank you, Empress Dowager, for granting this!"

Liu Bian also breathed a sigh of relief, looking gratefully at He Lian and saying, "Thank you, Empress Dowager!"

He Lian smiled and waved her hand, indicating they should sit down, and then began chatting about everyday matters. The entire Changqiu Palace was filled with a festive atmosphere, as if one could already foresee a future of happy and fulfilling life.