Another two days passed in the blink of an eye.
In the Phoenix Dynasty, whether or not to hold court sessions depended entirely on the Emperor’s wishes. Generally, once a month was fine. Therefore, Di Lingwei, fearing that meeting too many people would cause problems, decisively canceled all recent court assemblies. No one would overthink that decision.
These past two days, Di Lingwei occasionally tried interacting with Xing Ruolan and Wei Nian to unlock more achievements, but without success.
Besides that, she read whenever she had time. Inside Phoenix Perch Palace, there was her private study room, containing a rich collection of books. Through her diligent study of numerous books over these two days, she had gained a deeper understanding of this world.
“Your Majesty, it is time for the meal.”
Xing Ruolan’s gentle voice came from outside.
Di Lingwei emerged from the study wearing a magnificent vermilion pomegranate skirt. As the Female Emperor, she didn’t need to wear the Phoenix Robe every day. That ceremonial attire was worn only for important matters, like attending court. In her daily life, she had her casual wear, and this vibrant red skirt with its gorgeous, elegant embroidery was one of them.
After leaving the study, Di Lingwei walked unhurriedly to the eastern chamber of her bedchamber.
“Following Your Majesty’s orders, the weekly chicken soup has been prepared,” Xing Ruolan indicated the soup already served in a bowl.
Di Lingwei immediately felt conflicted.
This order was undoubtedly left by the Original Host. The problem was, she didn’t like chicken soup. She even found the smell somewhat unbearable. But wouldn’t it seem strange if she didn’t drink it?
Di Lingwei could only pretend as if nothing was wrong and started eating other foods first, pondering how to handle this. After all, this soup wasn’t something she could just gulp down and be done with. It would come once a week from now on; she couldn’t stand it.
Just then, Xing Ruolan noticed a palace maid approaching outside the eastern chamber. She went over to inquire and returned, saying, “Your Majesty, the Chancellor and the Ministers of the Six Ministries have come requesting an audience. They have been escorted to the study.”
Hearing this, Di Lingwei’s heart stirred. She pretended to reach for the chicken soup but then withdrew her hand, saying, “My ministers have arrived. I cannot ignore them. State affairs take precedence. Remove all these dishes.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Xing Ruolan responded obediently.
As Di Lingwei departed, Xing Ruolan looked at the chicken soup on the table, still feeling puzzled. In the past, Her Majesty loved chicken soup the most and would always drink it first.
Di Lingwei arrived at the study.
This place was spacious. The bookshelves were fully stocked with books covering astronomy, geography, ancient and modern, domestic and foreign—nothing was lacking. The scent of books permeated the air.
“Paying respects to Your Majesty.”
Seeing Di Lingwei arrive, all six Ministers of the Six Ministries knelt. The Chancellor, Shangguan Yuchan, merely bowed slightly, demonstrating her unique status.
“Rise.”
Di Lingwei’s beautiful phoenix eyes swept over the group. Maintaining her dignity, she spoke a word before heading behind the desk.
As she walked, information about those present surfaced in her mind.
‘In this world, the Chancellor holds substantial real power, followed by the Ministers of the Six Ministries. Compared to the ancient dynasties of my previous life, there are far fewer fancy positions; power is relatively centralized.’
With this thought, Di Lingwei sat down behind the desk.
Her gaze swept over the crowd, her eyes carrying intense pressure. It caused Shangguan Yuchan and the other six to lower their heads, not daring to look directly at the Female Emperor’s sacred countenance.
Di Lingwei nodded with satisfaction. It wasn’t that she could really project such a pressuring gaze, but her innate temperament was domineering. As long as this face became stern, it would become very oppressive. Interestingly, no matter how serious her expression became, her looks remained exceptionally beautiful, losing none of her charm, instead gaining a touch of heroic spirit.
“My ministers, what matters bring you here?” Di Lingwei asked, using the steady tone of one who holds supreme power.
As Chancellor, Shangguan Yuchan naturally spoke first: “Since the last court session ended, your subjects have been contemplating solutions for issues across various regions day and night, attempting to share Your Majesty’s burdens. Today, we have some preliminary ideas and hope Your Majesty will review them and offer guidance.”
“Bring them forward for Zhen to see.” Di Lingwei’s tone remained plain.
However, inwardly she felt somewhat helpless. She truly was incapable of handling state affairs, but she still had to keep up appearances.
Shangguan Yuchan stepped forward and placed some documents on the desk for Di Lingwei’s perusal.
Di Lingwei picked them up and looked. The issues listed above were basically those raised by the civil and military officials during the last court session. Now, each problem had one or more proposed solutions annotated beneath it.
Di Lingwei didn’t know which method was good or bad. After looking for a moment, she said, “Then proceed to resolve them according to your methods.”
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Yuchan couldn’t help but pause. “Your Majesty, do you not have any further suggestions for us? Also, some issues have multiple possible solutions, but we find it difficult to decide which specific approach to take.”
Di Lingwei gave a light snort. “Does Zhen need to spell out every detail of such trivial matters for you? Handle them yourselves. If problems arise, you will be held accountable!”
Seeing that Di Lingwei seemed somewhat displeased, Shangguan Yuchan thought it best not to say more. As for the Ministers of the Six Ministries, they dared not even speak.
“What else is there?” Di Lingwei looked at Shangguan Yuchan.
Shangguan Yuchan said nothing more, standing to the side with head bowed. She appeared ethereal and otherworldly, as if not of this mortal realm.
The Minister of Personnel, Wang Baiyue, stepped forward and said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, concerning the Ministry of Personnel…”
The Ministry of Personnel managed the careers of all civil officials nationwide, handling a vast number of matters. Even as the head of the Ministry of Personnel, the Minister would have many issues he couldn’t decide on his own.
After Wang Baiyue finished detailing his problems, Di Lingwei didn’t give an answer. She simply said flatly, “Next.”
Wang Baiyue paused, but dared not say more, only stepping back.
Next, the Minister of Revenue reported his department’s situation.
The Ministry of Revenue handled household registration, land, finances, and various other aspects, all with their own host of problems.
After the Minister of Revenue finished, Di Lingwei still didn’t respond, instead gesturing for the next person to continue reporting.
Following this, the Ministry of Rites, which oversaw ceremonies, imperial examinations, sacrifices, and meals; the Ministry of War, responsible for military guards, martial officers, and armaments; the Ministry of Justice, in charge of punishments and laws; and the Ministry of Works, handling engineering projects—each had their respective Minister step forward to report their department’s issues.
After hearing everyone out, Di Lingwei felt a headache coming on. She naturally knew everyone was waiting for her to speak, hoping to receive guidance from her. The problem was, she fundamentally lacked the ability to give them guidance.
At this moment, she had no other choice.
Her sharp phoenix eyes swept over the crowd. Di Lingwei spoke in a deep voice, “Only these trivial matters? Such minor problems, and you, as the Ministers of each Ministry, don’t know how to properly handle them? You even need to come and ask Zhen?”
Her tone escalated, each word heavier than the last. By the end, the Ministers of the Six Ministries all lowered their heads, bodies trembling slightly.
Di Lingwei slowly stood up. The oppressive feeling emanating from her intensified. She declared in a tone that brooked no argument, “If Zhen has to handle every matter under heaven personally, then what use does Zhen have for all of you? Zhen appointed you to share Our burdens. Is this how you share Zhen’s burdens?”
