“This humble minister greets Princess Qianqian.”
When Li Changsheng stepped out, he saw a proud and stunningly beautiful woman standing before him.
Long Qianqian had not changed in appearance. More than seventy years had passed, yet she seemed untouched by age. Instead, she had grown more charming and composed, her beauty now tinged with maturity.
As for Li Changsheng, he now wore a beard, his appearance that of a middle-aged man.
A Spiritual Practitioner at his level would live at most 500 years. Now that he was over one hundred years old, it was only natural to present himself as more mature.
“Congratulations on your promotion to Left Censor-in-Chief.”
Long Qianqian looked at him with admiration in her eyes. Time had long since stripped away the innocence of her youth.
She had devoted herself to cultivation all these years. As a royal Princess, her cultivation resources far surpassed those of ordinary cultivators. Her cultivation level had already reached the King-level Spiritual Practitioner Realm, and that strength elevated her bearing to a higher plane.
After entering the room, Long Qianqian spoke directly.
“I will not beat around the bush. I need your help.”
“Your Highness’s request is my duty to fulfill. May I ask what assistance you require?”
“I want to become Emperor.”
“…”
Li Changsheng froze, staring at her in disbelief.
A Princess wanted to become Emperor? For a moment, he thought he had misheard. A woman ascending the throne seemed absurd.
He knew this world respected strength above all. A woman who cultivated to the peak could wield immense authority.
But ruling as Emperor? That was another matter.
History provided painful precedents. The Lü clan of the Han Dynasty disrupted governance. Wu Zetian of the Tang seized the throne. In later eras, imperial decline followed disastrous leadership. Again and again, turmoil accompanied such upheavals.
If a woman became Emperor, what would the Great Shang Empire become?
Suddenly, Li Changsheng’s heart stirred.
Of course.
If a woman ascended the throne, would that not hasten the Empire’s downfall?
Long Cang had inexplicably chosen to abdicate. Was this not the perfect opportunity?
If Long Qianqian became Empress, how long could the Great Shang Empire endure?
Suppressing his thoughts, Li Changsheng forced a troubled expression.
“Your Highness, although His Majesty did not restrict the election to Princes, throughout history, there has never been—”
“What? Do you look down on me as well?” Long Qianqian’s expression turned cold. “Who says women are inferior to men? If my brothers may compete for the throne, why may I not?”
“The Emperor did not forbid female cultivators from participating. Li Wu, do you believe I cannot strip you of your official robes and exile you 1,500 kilometers to the border at once?”
Li Changsheng inwardly cursed. This woman had no patience for reason. She flared up at the slightest resistance.
“Since Your Highness is determined, this humble minister cannot oppose you. I will cast my vote for you when the time comes.”
If she only wanted his vote, so be it. Whether she won was beyond his responsibility.
“I do not want only your vote. I want the votes of all officials.”
Her tone softened. “I came to you because I want you to help me gather support.”
“If you can help me ascend the throne, I will make you the Prime Minister of the Great Shang Empire. High rank, great wealth. One person beneath me, above all others.”
Li Changsheng paused. “May I ask, besides my vote, how many do you currently have?”
“Only yours. You are the first.”
He nearly laughed.
She had come to him first, secured one coerced vote, and already dared to compete for the throne.
Every Prince likely had numerous officials backing them. No one had probably even considered voting for Long Qianqian.
After all, a woman ruling as Emperor had never occurred in this world.
If a female cultivator reached Emperor-level Spiritual Practitioner status, she would be revered regardless. But such women often remained behind the scenes, guiding through their families rather than ruling openly.
Long Qianqian was different. She intended to stand at the forefront.
“Since Your Highness places such trust in me, I will do my utmost. But I cannot guarantee how many votes I can secure. That will depend on Your Highness’s own destiny.”
Long Qianqian understood the difficulty. If her brothers learned of her ambitions, they would not remain silent.
With a flick of her wrist, she produced a jade token. “This is my personal insignia. If you encounter trouble, this token represents my authority. Keep it.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
After she departed, Li Changsheng sat alone, studying the jade token. It was engraved with dragons and phoenixes and bore Long Qianqian’s name, marked as Princess of the Great Shang Empire.
She was serious.
Spiritual energy flowed within the token. Its craftsmanship alone was worth over 10,000 spirit stones.
If he truly wished to corrode the Great Shang Empire, he must ensure she ascended the throne. If she became Empress, he would become Prime Minister. At that point, accepting bribes would be effortless.
He felt one step closer to becoming the Empire’s greatest corrupt official.
…
“Any memorials? If none, court is dismissed.”
The next day in the Golden Hall, officials stood in rows.
“I have a memorial.”
Li Changsheng stepped forward immediately.
“Speak.”
“Your Majesty, I have just been promoted to Left Censor-in-Chief. Bearing your immense favor, I must serve loyally. Last night, while patrolling the streets, I discovered Vice Minister of Revenue Chen Juncai lodging at Autumn Moon Pavilion in the Southern District, spending lavishly. I impeach him for neglecting state duties in favor of indulgence. I request Your Majesty’s judgment.”
Shock rippled through the hall.
Among the crowd, Chen Juncai’s face drained of color.
Chen Juncai had been the Bangyan of Li Changsheng’s examination year.
For over seventy years, he had remained in the Imperial Capital, rising steadily from Editor at the Hanlin Academy to Vice Minister of Revenue. His future had seemed secure.
“Your Majesty, I did visit Autumn Moon Pavilion. But I used my own salary. I did not squander funds recklessly. I admit I have my weaknesses, but I go only once a month. I am innocent.”
Sweat poured down Chen Juncai’s face.
The hall filled with restrained amusement.
Autumn Moon Pavilion was a renowned pleasure house. Which official did not frequent such places? The Great Shang Empire did not forbid such indulgences. Multiple wives and concubines were common among cultivators.
No one had expected the newly appointed Left Censor-in-Chief to be so unyielding.
“This matter is minor. Minister Chen, do not be anxious,” Long Cang said mildly. “Still, as a court official, frequenting such establishments lacks refinement. You should exercise restraint.”
“Your Majesty is wise. I will remember.”
Chen Juncai retreated, casting Li Changsheng a venomous look.
This Li Wu had humiliated him deliberately.
He would remember this debt.
After court, Li Changsheng wandered the streets. As Left Censor-in-Chief, his duty was to impeach officials. Whether for impropriety or minor misconduct, he would raise it in court.
It was a position designed to make enemies.
“My Lord, the Liu Family from the Western District seeks an audience.”
Returning home, Li Changsheng entered the main hall and saw three figures waiting.
An elderly man, a middle-aged man, and a young woman.
He recognized one of them. Liu Qi.
“Lord Li, this humble one Liu Qi greets you.”
“This humble one Liu Shan greets you.”
“This humble daughter Sun Rou’er greets Lord Li.”
Li Changsheng nodded. “Serve tea.”
They entered cautiously, faces humble.
“What brings you here?” he asked, his gaze settling on Liu Qi and Liu Shan.
More than one hundred years had passed. Liu Shan was now over 300 years old, an old man.
Without cultivation, his grave would have long been overgrown.
Liu Qi appeared aged as well.
Liu Shan had once met Li Changsheng, though Li Changsheng had been disguised then. After a century, he likely remembered nothing of that mortal named Li San.
Though Liu Qi had been exceptionally admitted without examination, he had never secured official appointment. Exceptional admission did not guarantee office. It merely exempted future examinations.
With so many Jinshi each year, Liu Qi’s turn might never come.
Liu Shan had retired. His cultivation remained at the lower-middle Spiritual Practitioner Realm. Advancement was no longer possible.
The Liu Family had declined into ordinary nobility.
“Lord Li, we have brought some local specialties as gifts.”
Liu Qi smiled obsequiously, gesturing to the young woman.
Sun Rou’er nervously presented a gift box.
Li Changsheng ignored the box and studied her face.
Her features bore a faint resemblance to someone from his past.
“Your name is Sun Rou’er. Where is your family from?”
She stiffened. “This humble daughter is from the Sun Family of the Northern District. My grandfather was Sun Xing. He has passed away.”
Liu Shan quickly added, “The Sun Family and Liu Family were relatives. After Sun Xing’s death, the Sun Family declined. Sun Rou’er has since lived with us.”
“This girl possesses Spiritual Root Aptitude. She took the imperial examinations but did not pass.”
Li Changsheng understood.
If she resided with the Liu Family, she must share blood ties with Zhou Zhi’s lineage.
No matter how distant, she bore Spiritual Root Aptitude and descended from that branch.
He could not ignore that.
As for Liu Qi, his aptitude had always been lacking. After a century of waiting without office, Li Changsheng no longer held expectations.
Li Changsheng studied Sun Rou’er in silence, clearly weighing something in his mind. Sun Rou’er flushed with embarrassment, unsure why this high official was looking at her that way.
This was the highest-ranking third-grade court official she had ever seen, powerful beyond imagination.
If she could secure such a connection, she would be willing to do anything.
Liu Shan and Liu Qi were equally astonished. From Li Changsheng’s gaze, it seemed as though he had taken interest in Sun Rou’er. It felt like heaven itself was helping them.
If Li Changsheng truly wished to take a concubine, Liu Shan and Liu Qi would not hesitate to present Sun Rou’er to him.
But upon reflection, it seemed unlikely. Li Changsheng was now the dignified third-grade Left Censor-in-Chief. What kind of beauty could he not obtain? If he married, it would surely be a noble lady of equal status.
“I dislike beating around the bush. If you have something to say, say it directly,” Li Changsheng said calmly, finally returning to himself.
Liu Shan’s heart skipped. He nudged Liu Qi.
Liu Qi hesitated briefly, then forced a smile. “Lord Li, this humble one seeks a post. I wish to contribute to the Great Shang Empire and serve the court.”
Li Changsheng opened a small gap in the gift box. Inside lay a crimson spirit brick.
A spirit brick was far more valuable than spirit stones. It required 10,000 spirit stones to produce one.
Besides the spirit brick, there were medicinal pills and talismans. Altogether, the contents were worth tens of thousands of spirit stones.
If one included Sun Rou’er as well, the offer was indeed tempting.
“So you seek a position. What post do you desire?”
“I dare not choose. As long as I may serve under Your Lordship and the court, any post will do,” Liu Qi replied cautiously.
“Somewhere far away. Can you accept that?” Li Changsheng asked with a faint smile.
“Yes. Anywhere is fine.”
“Very well. Go home and wait for news. See them out.”
Li Changsheng turned and walked toward the Inner Chamber.
“Thank you, Lord Li, for your support.”
Liu Qi’s eyes shone with excitement. Sun Rou’er bowed slightly, though disappointment flickered across her face. She had imagined too much. Li Changsheng clearly had no such interest.
Once outside the residence, Liu Qi’s spirit soared. “Father, we have hope. I will soon become an official.”
Liu Shan, however, fell into deep thought, replaying Li Changsheng’s words.
He no longer remembered Li Changsheng. The official Li San from over a century ago had long faded from memory.
That unresolved past had become a lingering regret in his heart.
“What? Father, why sell the house? Where will we live?”
“Prepare to move.”
Liu Shan’s face darkened. He had understood Li Changsheng’s meaning.
The post would be far from the Imperial Capital and would not come easily.
Tens of thousands of spirit stones were insufficient to sway a third-grade Left Censor-in-Chief.
Sun Rou’er had not been kept behind, meaning she was not desired. But the gifts had been accepted, meaning there was a chance.
From Liu Shan’s experience, more cultivation resources would be needed.
Upon returning home, Liu Shan made a decisive choice. He sold the family property and shops, raising 1 million spirit stones.
Each month, Sun Rou’er personally delivered gift boxes to Li Changsheng.
Li Changsheng accepted them without hesitation.
Every delivery contained tens of thousands of spirit stones. This continued for over a year.
The Liu Family moved into rented housing. Some relatives divided assets and relocated to smaller towns. Even without wealth, they could survive modestly.
After a total of 1 million spirit stones had been delivered, Liu Qi finally obtained a county magistrate post.
As Liu Shan had predicted, Liu Qi was assigned to a remote mountainous region thousands of kilometers from the Imperial Capital, far removed from court politics.
During this period, Sun Rou’er took the examination again and achieved Jinshi status.
For female cultivators, achieving Jinshi differed from males.
After earning the degree, female cultivators usually joined imperial industries rather than entering official court positions.
They worked in areas such as spiritual vein management, spirit stone currency production, talisman crafting, medicinal pill refining, and formation array construction. They served the Empire, but mostly behind the scenes.
After Sun Rou’er obtained her degree, Li Changsheng arranged a position for her as well, placing her at a remote spiritual vein.
It was an extremely lucrative assignment.
Ordinarily, a newly minted Jinshi would wait years, perhaps decades, for a good post.
But through his connections, Li Changsheng arranged for her to bypass the queue and enter the highly coveted currency production sector.
That position was far more profitable than Liu Qi’s county magistrate role.
“Father, Lord Li sent me to such a desolate place. Was it merely a token gesture?” Liu Qi complained as the Liu Family set out together toward distant lands.
“You should consider yourself fortunate to receive a county magistrate post. Others might spend 10 million spirit stones and still fail,” Liu Shan replied thoughtfully.
He found it strange. He had invested just over 1 million spirit stones and received such returns. It was as though fortune had fallen from the sky.
Liu Qi still complained. He truly lacked perspective.
Li Changsheng had not only granted Liu Qi an official post but had secured an even more lucrative one for Sun Rou’er.
Liu Shan glanced at her.
This girl had truly stumbled upon great fortune.
No, it was not she benefiting from the Liu Family. The Liu Family had benefited from her.
Her position in currency production was extraordinarily profitable. Simply breathing in the dense spiritual energy daily would improve cultivation faster than ordinary training.
Without Li Changsheng’s intervention, she would never have gained such an opportunity.
Liu Shan suspected there must be some ambiguous connection between her and Li Changsheng.
But she denied it.
Regardless, Li Changsheng’s kindness to their family—especially toward her—was extraordinary.
In Liu Shan’s heart, Li Changsheng had become the Liu Family’s great benefactor.
Through Liu Qi, their family would rise again.
Without Li Changsheng, Liu Qi might never have attained a county magistrate post in his lifetime.
…
Once Li Changsheng began accepting bribes, word spread quickly.
“Your Majesty, I impeach Left Censor-in-Chief Li Wu. He accepted 1 million spirit stones in bribes, engaged in favoritism, sold official posts, and defied the law. I have evidence.”
In court, Vice Minister of Revenue Chen Juncai finally seized his opportunity and presented the accusation before all officials.
An uproar followed.
Li Changsheng stepped forward as the eunuch delivered the ledger to the Emperor.
Long Cang frowned slightly as he reviewed it.
The ledger detailed the bribes—1 million spirit stones from the Liu Family—and the sale of a county magistrate position to Liu Qi, who had waited over one hundred years for appointment.
“Left Censor-in-Chief, what do you have to say?” Long Cang asked calmly.
“I acknowledge my guilt. I did accept 1 million spirit stones from the Liu Family,” Li Changsheng said, bowing.
Gasps filled the hall.
1 million spirit stones was an enormous sum. Most officials earned only a few thousand per year, at most 10,000 to 20,000.
This amount represented decades of income.
“Your Majesty, Li Wu has confessed. I request removal of his office and execution,” Chen Juncai declared triumphantly.
“Your Majesty, we request judgment.”
Many officials joined in.
For over a year, Li Changsheng had impeached them relentlessly.
Minor matters, trivial issues—nothing escaped him.
He had accused officials of servants causing disturbances, questioned extravagant sedan chairs, suspected illegal land acquisitions.
Though often lacking conclusive proof, he had embarrassed them publicly.
Now was their chance.
“Your Majesty, I did accept the bribes. But I have not spent a single spirit stone.”
Chen Juncai sneered. “Not spent? You dare not spend it. Accepting it is already a crime. What, did you donate it?”
“Minister Chen is perceptive. I did donate it. I donated all of it to the national treasury. The Minister of Revenue can confirm.”
The hall fell into stunned silence.