Chapter Two: The Whisper of Dark Silk

The emperor had been rewarded with a longevity elixir. If he took it, he would never fall ill again.

Damn it. Immune to sickness? That was fantastic.

And it still was not over.

There was another reward, and he had to choose one of two.

One: immediately obtain the blueprint for making black stockings.
Two: immediately obtain The Thirty-Six Stratagems of War.

The Thirty-Six Stratagems?

There was no need to think twice. If he was going to play the part of a foolish ruler, then of course he would choose black stockings.

...

"Your Majesty, why are you touching this servant's leg? It is so ticklish!"

"Hold still. This is a new massage technique I have just learned."

Such beautiful legs. What a pity not to put them in black stockings...

At the Bright Star City, in the Sunlit Palace, Li Chen rested his hands on the slender, jade-like legs of Wan'er as she lay on the bed, and he felt as though blood would soon pour from his nose.

"Your Majesty, how can you still be in the mood to massage this servant? Did you not see what happened at court today? The chancellor was so angry his face turned green."

"Forgive this servant for speaking out of turn, but for a tiny little state like Song, for Your Majesty to act this way is truly... ah... Your Majesty... it is beyond comprehension..."

Li Chen stroked those jade-like legs and gave a light laugh.

"Let them worry about it. Our Great Zhou has fought for so many years. Am I not allowed to enjoy myself a little?"

"They are nothing more than trying to seize the chance to make a name for themselves."

Feeling the emperor's hand growing more forceful, more brazen by the moment, Wan'er clutched the bedsheet and said with some difficulty, "Your Majesty... ever since your imperial body recovered this time, this servant feels as though you are somewhat different... ah... Your Majesty, gently!"

"Oh? Is that so? Then let me show you something even more different."

As he spoke, Li Chen's hand began to move upward along her jade-like leg.

Just then—

Knock, knock, knock!

"Your Majesty!"

Damn it. He had been interrupted at the worst possible moment.

Li Chen yanked the door open irritably, only to find an old servant standing outside with a tray of wooden plaques in his hands.

"May I ask, Your Majesty, who you would like to spend the night with tonight?"

Spend the night with?

My God. Thank heaven, thank the Buddha, that this good fortune had finally come to him.

Imperial Concubine An... Imperial Concubine Rong... Imperial Concubine Qi...

Children make choices. Adults take them all.

"Go on. Summon every woman listed on those plaques!"

"But... Your Majesty, it is only noon..."

"What does it matter if it is daytime? If I wish to see my beloved consorts, do I need to choose the hour? Hurry up. If you are late, I shall spank you!"

Li Chen planted his hands on his hips, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

If he was not debauched, how could he call himself a foolish emperor?

...

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea—

"Your Majesty, the consorts have all been summoned and are waiting in the courtyard."

Li Chen rubbed his hands together, humming a tune as he excitedly ran outside.

"Happiness comes too fast, like a tornado..."

But the instant he saw those consorts, Li Chen froze, utterly shattered within.

What the hell!

In the courtyard stood a row of heavily made-up women, each uglier than the last...

Their faces were deathly pale, and they all posed in a shameless, affected manner. Some were even batting their eyes at him.

Li Chen felt a wave of nausea.

"What the hell are these things?"

Then, in a flash, an idea struck him.

"Replace them all!"

...

The capital, the Chancellor's Residence.

"Absurd. Utterly absurd! If word of this spreads and the other nations all start copying it, how are we supposed to hold our heads up?"

Ouyang Yu trembled with rage, so much that the tea in his cup spilled over the rim.

"Please calm yourself, my lord. Perhaps His Majesty is only confused for the moment."

"Indeed. In my view, the emperor must have realized how strained the treasury is, which is why he took such action. It is merely a way to buy time."

Ouyang Yu sighed.

"Alas... with a male emperor on the throne, it truly is unreliable."

Suddenly, a servant rushed in in great haste.

"My lord, something has happened in the palace!"

"What is it?!"

"My lord, just now, His Majesty expelled all of his favored concubines from the palace!"

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Yu not only failed to look surprised, he burst into laughter.

"It seems our new emperor still knows the importance of self-discipline. He has only just taken the throne, yet he has already cut off his indulgence in women. Good. Excellent."

"Our Great Zhou still has hope!"

"No, my lord. His Majesty did drive all the former consorts out of the palace, but... but then he summoned one hundred maidservants!"

Pfft!

Ouyang Yu could not hold back. The clear tea he had just swallowed sprayed all over the servant's face.

...

The Sunlit Palace.

"Your Majesty, you were looking for me?"

What a pity. Such a waste of that figure, though her looks were lacking. Otherwise, bringing her into the bedchamber would have been delightful.

Looking at the Minister of Revenue before him, Li Chen let out a quiet sigh in his heart.

"Minister, can the Ministry of Revenue release some silver now?"

Bai Lian lowered her head, her eyes shifting slightly.

The court session had just ended, and the emperor was already asking whether there was silver available. He must be planning something in secret, perhaps preparations for an attack on Song.

"Your Majesty, though the treasury has no surplus in funds or grain, if Your Majesty requires it, even if I have to tighten my belt, I can still scrape together a million in silver and grain!"

Li Chen clapped his hands together, delighted.

"Hahaha, splendid! I knew I had not misjudged you."

"It is like this: in a few days it will be the Moon Festival, and I plan to build a grand stage outside the palace, celebrate with the common people, and hold a black stockings party."

Huh... not for attacking Song?

Ah... he had been too hasty.

How could I ever have thought the new emperor would have such an idea?

"Your Majesty's desire to celebrate with the people is a blessing for all under heaven. But, Your Majesty, what exactly is a black stocki... pa... ty?"

"You need not concern yourself with that. You will understand in due time. I am entrusting this matter to you, and you must not disappoint me."

"But..."

"Hm?"

Seeing the emperor's displeasure, Bai Lian swallowed the words at the tip of her tongue.

"I... obey Your Majesty's decree!"

Damn it... I really want to slap myself a few times!

After Bai Lian withdrew, Wan'er came out from the inner chamber.

"Oh, Wan'er, you came at just the right time. How is the matter I asked you to handle coming along?"

Wan'er pouted, not looking especially pleased.

"Your Majesty, is this servant not serving you well?"

"What do you mean? Of course you are. Very well indeed."

As he spoke, Li Chen immediately took Wan'er's jade hand and gently stroked it.

Wan'er suddenly pulled her hand away.

"If it is well, then... then why do you still summon so many maidservants?"

Li Chen laughed heartily.

Wasn't he doing this all for the sake of completing the system task as soon as possible and bringing her into the path of immortality?

Taking her jade hand once more, he pulled her into his arms.

"Hey, I was doing it for you."

"You alone have been taking care of all the big and small matters around me. I care about you too, you know. Summoning more maidservants will help share the burden for you."

Wan'er's expression eased somewhat.

"Really?"

"Of course it's true. You're my little treasure. No matter how many maidservants there are, I will always favor you the most."

As he spoke, Li Chen's hand shamelessly lifted Wan'er's skirt hem and moved toward her jade-like leg...

"Tell me, how is the matter progressing? Don't tell me you failed to summon them."

Wan'er felt somewhat flustered and shifted her body slightly.

"Since Your Majesty gave the order, how would this servant dare disobey?"

"They have already been summoned. I have arranged for them to bathe at the Jade Clear Pool. In a short while, Your Majesty will see them."

The Jade Clear Pool... bathe?!

Imagining those supple bodies, all bewitching in the mist, this was the kind of treatment only a tyrant would enjoy.

A tyrant?!

Li Chen's emotions surged at once.

He sprang to his feet.

"Quick! I am going to the Jade Clear Pool!"

His behavior startled Wan'er.

"Your Majesty, they will be here soon enough. Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Why hurry? If I am late, it will be too late!"

With that, Li Chen gathered up his robe and ran out.

Behind him, Wan'er did not understand why the emperor was so anxious, and could only hurry after him.

"Your Majesty... wait for me!"