Martial Cultivator

From the time he began to act as regent until now, Great Liang had gone through so many storms, but when had even a single drop of rain fallen on his head?

Wu Xinyue looked at the young man before her, her eyes full of pity. People in the world only see how glorious and radiant it is to sit in that position, but very few think about what must be given up, and how one must persist.

“Xinyue, although I feel I suffer, I don’t dare say that I suffer. Because if those who become emperor or Crown Prince say they suffer, then how are the common people of the world supposed to live?”

The Crown Prince gave a self-mocking smile.

Wu Xinyue suddenly asked, “Your Highness, I’ve actually always had a question I wanted to ask.”

The Crown Prince looked at her.

“I’ve always wanted to know, what is an emperor?”

In a dynasty, the emperor was the most exalted person. His moods and decisions affected countless people across the land, yet what an emperor truly was, few could clearly explain.

The Crown Prince thought for a moment and said, “I’ve seen the answer on Imperial Father.”

Wu Xinyue asked, “What is it?”

The Crown Prince answered seriously, “The emperor is the one who acts for the people of the world. He is the one who must make their lives better, and give them dignity.”

This is an emperor.

Perhaps not every emperor, but it is the Great Liang Emperor.

Wu Xinyue nodded and asked, “Then does Your Highness feel that, in these days, you’ve done your best?”

The Crown Prince said, “I may not have done perfectly, but I can say I’ve done my best.”

“Then, in that case, Your Highness can occasionally indulge yourself a little.”

Wu Xinyue blinked and smiled. “From my perspective, for this matter, all you need is to ask the Lord Warden Commander’s willingness. Everything else isn’t important.”

“What if the court officials oppose?”

“The Lord Warden Commander has done so much for Your Highness; you can also do something for him in return. For example, argue with the officials?”

“A group of scholars who’ve read countless texts of sages, how could I argue with them?”

“Then Your Highness can act roguish. You’re the Crown Prince, acting as regent. Can they really force you to death?”

“Xinyue... your idea is... rather unconventional.”

“I’m just helping ease Your Highness’ worries.”

“If I say this is your idea, the officials might accuse you of bringing disaster to the state.”

“That’s alright. As long as Your Highness knows what kind of person I am and trusts me, that’s enough.”

The Crown Prince fell silent, only reaching out to take Wu Xinyue’s hand. He said softly, “Come with me and see Imperial Mother. You haven’t met her yet.”

Wu Xinyue smiled. “Alright.”

......

......

The Ministry of Rites was busy with major affairs, but the Ministry of Works had its own tasks as well. Compared to the matters of rites, the tasks of works were more urgent, like fire on the eyebrows, which had caused Minister Du to lose quite a bit of hair over the past few days.

Sighing and lamenting, Minister Du had just stepped out of the main hall today, intending to go somewhere to take a look. But as soon as he walked out of the office, he saw a middle-aged martial artist striding over, and immediately turned around, wanting to go back inside to hide.

This made the two gate constables struggle to hold back their laughter.

Minister Du was already having a headache, and seeing their expressions, he snapped irritably, “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and close the door, quickly! If you don’t close it now, an unwelcome guest will be at the door!”

Before the two constables could react, the middle-aged martial artist had already stepped over the threshold in a single stride, grabbed Minister Du’s arm, and said with a smile, “Minister Du, this official isn’t some plague god, why are you hiding?”

Minister Du turned his head, putting on an act as if he had only just noticed this middle-aged martial artist, and laughed awkwardly. “So it’s Commander Song. Why have you come again? Really, coming by yourself like this, if only you had informed this official earlier.”

Song Lian, the newly appointed Commander of the Divine Capital, said with a smile, “Minister Du, if this official had told you in advance, would this official still have been able to see Minister Du?”

Minister Du sighed, still wanting to argue, but Song Lian had already cut in seriously, “Minister Du, it’s not that this official wants to be a nuisance. It’s just that the Lord Warden Commander presses every three days with a small reminder and every five days with a big one. This official’s office is already piled up with matters. If Minister Du doesn’t believe this official, this official can take you to see it.”

Minister Du sighed. “It’s not that this official doesn’t know the Lord Warden Commander is anxious, but this kind of matter requires people to do it. Even with people, it still takes time. Just urging alone won’t work.”

Song Lian lowered his voice and said, “Give this official the truth, how many have already been forged? Can you gather a batch to be sent to the Northern Frontier?”

Minister Du shook his head. “Not many, truly not many. The craftsmen are working day and night. This official has reassigned other craftsmen to help as well. Right now, who knows how many officials are cursing this official behind my back. This official is on edge even when sleeping!”

Song Lian said in a low voice, “Who is being so unreasonable? Let this official go reason with them. This is a important matter of the state, who wouldn’t understand? And if they truly don’t, this official knows a bit of martial skill myself.”

Minister Du did not know whether to laugh or cry. With Song Lian acting like this, how did he resemble a high-ranking court official at all?

Minister Du said helplessly, “This official really isn’t trying to brush you off, Commander Song. It’s just that...”

Before he could finish speaking, a black-robed young man suddenly appeared at the entrance of the Ministry of Works and asked curiously, “Minister Du, it’s just that what?”

When Minister Du saw who it was, his eyes widened. But a moment later, he somehow found the strength to shake off Song Lian’s grip, jogged over, and laughed loudly. “Lord Warden Commander, how could there be any problem with forging the armor? There’s already quite a lot, quite a lot!”