Chapter 286

Ding, the cultivation technique issued by the system must be 100% loyal to the Host to be cultivable; if someone with impure thoughts forces cultivation, lightly their meridians will be ruined, seriously their body will explode and they will die.

Hiss, now there's no need to worry, the cultivation technique has been learned by others, and moreover, later we can even root out the disloyal—truly a case of killing two birds with one stone. No wonder it's a system product; this cultivation technique is truly powerful, and it's also bound to the dynasty's fortune, able to increase with the Dynasty Grade—this time we really hit the jackpot! Liu Bian was overjoyed by 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, boost their strength, and the pace of unifying Tian Xia can be accelerated.

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

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 contend for supremacy over Tian Xia.

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

In stark contrast to those scheming ambitious folk, when the common folk heard this news, their hearts filled with joy.

After all, they are subjects of the Han Dynasty; the Han's four-hundred-year rule has long taken root in the People's Hearts. Moreover, the news from Luoyang says that the present emperor is a True Dragon Reincarnation, an Immortal God Descended. In this age, people firmly believe in talk 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 beyond 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 palace before. 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 and paid their respects; Liu Bian ignored them and walked toward the rear garden.

"Tomorrow is the day the officials have their audience and the Emperor opens the Grand Court Assembly; you all clean these palaces spotless—whoever makes a mistake for our household, watch your lives!" Just as Liu Bian passed by a palace exterior, a voice like a eunuch's duck-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 looked 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 bit." After saying that, he flicked the whisk in his hand, turned, and intended to leave.

"Your servant greets Your Majesty!" Eunuch Li turned his head, saw Liu Bian at the door, and hastily knelt to pay his respects.

"Your servant greets Your Majesty..." the busy Gong Nu, upon hearing this, all hastily knelt to pay their respects.

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

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

"By the way, what's that Gong Nu called?" As Liu Bian was about to leave, he suddenly saw a Gong Nu standing at the rear, striking in appearance: 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 "hiding the moon, shaming the flowers" or "sinking fish, falling geese" are not exaggerated.

Standing among the Gong Nu, she was like a crane among chickens; the moment Liu Bian saw her, he felt that even 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 over and pay your respects to Your Majesty?" Eunuch Li bowed to Liu Bian in reply, then barked at Ren Hongchang.

"Your 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—indeed she is one of the Four Great Beauties; what good fortune, having come across to this era, I was just thinking how to bring the beauties of the Three Kingdoms Period into my Imperial Harem, and I didn't expect to meet Diao Chan here." Liu Bian then realized she was Diao Chan, one of history's Four Great Beauties.

"Ren Hongchang, right? Rise; from now on you will be called Diao Chan—this name Ren Hongchang is not pleasant to hear. I, the Emperor, 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—good heavens! He is incredibly fortunate, actually catching the Emperor's eye!!!" The surrounding Gong Nu, upon hearing this, all looked at Diao Chan with faces of 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 looked at Liu Bian with a face full of bashfulness, tightly gripping the hem of 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, took Diao Chan's hand; she obediently followed him toward the Changqiu Palace of Empress Dowager He Lian.

"Empress Dowager, you truly are beautiful, 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 foolishly at him, not knowing what happy thought she had; the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, revealing a lovely arc.

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

Liu Bian spoke somewhat nervously: "Empress Dowager, your subject has fallen for Diao Chan at first sight, and hopes you will agree to let us be together." His eyes were full of determination and affection, moving He Lian.

He Lian smiled and said: "Youngster Bian, you are also at the age to marry; I was still thinking about arranging a match for you, but I didn't expect my Youngster Bian to have found his beloved on his own; the Empress Dowager is very happy." Her tone was full of kindness and relief.

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 nervousness vanished instantly, replaced by full delight. She gratefully bowed to He Lian and said, "Thank you, Empress Dowager, for granting this!"

Liu Bian also breathed a sigh of relief; he looked gratefully at He Lian and said, "Thank you, Empress Dowager!"

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