The six Ministers were struggling to withstand the pressure and had knelt down one after another.
“This Subject is terrified.”
Only Shangguan Yuchan still stood there, ethereal and transcendent as ever, completely distinct from the others.
Sweeping her gaze over the bowing Shangguan Yuchan, Di Lingwei looked down upon the six Ministers from her elevated position. “You are the Ministers, the heads of your respective ministries. You stand at a very, very high position, so you must be worthy of that height. At this height, you should be capable of handling all the problems in your hands. Otherwise, why shouldn’t Zhen simply replace you with someone more capable? Do you think what Zhen says is reasonable?”
The six Ministers certainly did not dare to refute Di Lingwei’s words. Naturally, they all nodded in agreement.
Seeing this, Di Lingwei had no intention of saying more. Her tone was indifferent. “Zhen is aware of your problems, but how to handle them is your job. Go back and do your things well. If Zhen finds in the future that you haven’t done them well enough… Hmph.”
She did not finish her sentence, leaving behind this suspense, which only served to let their imaginations run wild.
The six Ministers grew even more terrified, not daring to lift their heads.
“Very well, if there is nothing else, you are dismissed. There’s not much amusement to be had in this world anyway. All of you, go and properly handle affairs for Zhen,” Di Lingwei said coldly.
“This Humble Subject takes leave.”
The six Ministers retreated, and Chancellor Shangguan Yuchan did not remain either.
Seeing that they had all withdrawn, Di Lingwei sat down behind her desk and wiped at non-existent sweat on her forehead, relieved that she had overcome another hurdle.
Shangguan Yuchan and the six Ministers walked out of Phoenix Perch Palace.
After exiting, the Ministers all let out long breaths. They then looked at Shangguan Yuchan with some admiration. Just moments ago, they had been utterly nervous, but Shangguan Yuchan had stood there calmly and composedly the entire time. Thinking about it made them somewhat ashamed that their mental fortitude was inferior to that of a young woman.
“Tell me…” At that moment, the Minister of Personnel, Wang Baiyue, spoke up. “The internal affairs of each of our ministries are indeed not major issues, but the chaos appearing in the various localities of the court is no small matter. Her Majesty merely looked at the proposals and told everyone to handle it themselves. Could it be that the proposals were too good?”
“No, it’s simply that the test is still ongoing,” said Shangguan Yuchan.
The six Ministers all turned their gazes toward her.
As she walked, Shangguan Yuchan said, “No matter what, our proposals could never be perfect, especially in the eyes of Her Majesty, who is both wise and brave. There would certainly be better methods to replace them. But Her Majesty said nothing and still allowed everyone to solve their own problems. How is this not a test?”
Hearing Shangguan Yuchan say this, the six Ministers showed expressions of sudden realization.
Shangguan Yuchan continued, “Having you handle matters yourself is also a hope that you will perform your duties more diligently, without any carelessness. Otherwise, Her Majesty will surely punish you severely. Furthermore, Her Majesty revealed a crucial piece of information that you all likely missed.”
“What information?” asked the Minister of Personnel, Wang Baiyue, curiously.
The other Ministers also looked on with curiosity. They had not heard Her Majesty reveal any further information.
Shangguan Yuchan sighed lightly and said, “Her Majesty hinted so clearly, yet none of you noticed. How can you help share Her Majesty’s burdens?”
Wang Baiyue couldn’t help saying, “Chancellor Shangguan, please just speak plainly.”
Shangguan Yuchan stopped beating around the bush and said seriously, “Didn’t Her Majesty say, ‘There’s not much amusement to be had in this world anyway’? What does this mean? It means Her Majesty intends to vigorously develop the entertainment industry.”
“Her Majesty had that intention? Wasn’t that just a casual remark?” Wang Baiyue said blankly.
“From my understanding of Her Majesty, those words were absolutely laden with profound meaning,” Shangguan Yuchan stated with utmost certainty.
The six Ministers: “…”
“You still don’t seem to grasp the implications?” Shangguan Yuchan swept her gaze over them, shaking her head with some disappointment. “This action of Her Majesty could be a monumental achievement for all ages. Do you really not know what the situation would be like if the entertainment industry were vigorously developed?”
“Please enlighten us, Chancellor.”
At this point, the six Ministers were completely baffled.
The image of Di Lingwei surfaced in Shangguan Yuchan’s mind, and she revealed an expression of admiration. “This is Her Majesty’s far-sighted planning… Currently, the world is not peaceful. There is no end to those attempting rebellion, especially the Rebel Army beyond Fortune Pass in the west. So, the question is, why are there so many rebels?”
The six Ministers were even more baffled. They didn’t know what this question had to do with the previous topic.
Ignoring their reactions, Shangguan Yuchan continued on her own. “The reason people rebel is, of course, dissatisfaction with their current lives. If they were satisfied, why would they rebel? So, how can one make people satisfied with their lives? Is merely satisfying their needs for food and warmth enough? The answer is clearly, far from enough. At a time like this, forms of entertainment become crucial.”
Hearing this, the six Ministers gradually began to understand.
With a face full of admiration, Shangguan Yuchan said, “Therefore, the information Her Majesty revealed is ostensibly about promoting the entertainment industry, but in reality, it’s for the foundation of the Phoenix Dynasty, an attempt to reduce the number of rebels in the world. As long as everyone can find satisfaction in entertainment, how could they possibly rebel?”
The six Ministers fully understood.
The Minister of Revenue sighed in admiration. “As expected of Her Majesty. While everyone is racking their brains over the Rebel Army, Her Majesty is already using this method to eliminate the rebels’ expansion from the root.”
The Minister of War was full of worship. “As expected of Her Majesty. If we act according to Her Majesty’s words, the world will surely be at peace in time.”
“As expected of Her Majesty!”
The various Ministers exclaimed one after another, thinking to themselves that Her Majesty was truly Her Majesty, with such great foresight that they were far from matching it.
The group gradually walked away.
Back in the study room, after Shangguan Yuchan and the others had left, Di Lingwei remained there, flipping through books.
Not long after, Xing Ruolan entered. “Your Majesty.”
“Hm, do you have something to report?” Di Lingwei glanced at Xing Ruolan and asked.
Xing Ruolan approached and said gently, “After Chancellor Shangguan and the others left, their words were overheard by palace maids along the way. This Servant will now repeat them for Your Majesty.”
Di Lingwei nodded.
The original host had probably just ascended the throne and was extremely cautious, having ordered the palace maids to report anything they overheard from the ministers’ conversations within the palace. Hence, the current situation.
Di Lingwei didn’t mind and allowed Xing Ruolan to speak at her side.
But as Xing Ruolan continued, Di Lingwei couldn’t help but feel stunned.
I’m testing the ministers?
I want to develop the entertainment industry?
I’m developing the entertainment industry to eliminate the emergence of rebels?
I was thinking about so many things?
How come I didn’t know I was thinking about all this?
