Chapter 541: Chapter 541: No, I don’t want to establish an empress!

Ye Xiuhan nodded and said, “Your Majesty, Mu Yan and Zhan Lan together defeated the Western Rong, unified Nanjin and Western Rong, and established the Dayu Empire. Mu Yan became emperor, Zhan Lan was named empress. Mu Yan wasn’t flamboyant like Si Yun used to be, inviting envoys from other countries to celebrate.”

Xiao Luobai had fair skin, and wearing the spacious dragon robe made him look somewhat youthful.

Hearing Ye Xiuhan’s words, he murmured to himself, “Mu Yan has indeed ascended to the throne.”

He knew that someone like Mu Yan, a true talent among talents, would eventually become emperor.

Mu Yan, along with Zhan Lan, even charged into the Capital City of Western Rong and annihilated Western Rong. This was not good news for Beiyue.

“Now Dayu’s territory is connected with ours.” Xiao Luobai insinuated.

Ye Xiuhan nodded and said, “Your Majesty need not worry, Dayu will not take action against Beiyue.”

Xiao Luobai raised his eyes to look at Ye Xiuhan. He had always respected Ye Xiuhan’s opinions, as if it weren’t for Ye Xiuhan’s planning and support, he wouldn’t have become the emperor of Beiyue.

He asked with a clear and cold voice, “What does General Ye mean by this statement?”

“Dayu has annexed Western Rong, and the mess left by Nanjin, like Beiyue, needs time to recuperate. Besides, Emperor Jian’an has exempted the people from three years of taxes, focusing on developing national strength. I judge: For these three years, he will not wage wars externally.”

Xiao Luobai showed a look of shock. Mu Yan actually has the ability to exempt people from three years of taxes!

Then where does Dayu get the funds for the officials and the army?

When he ascended, he thought about reducing some taxes for the people, but alas, the treasury of Beiyue had almost been squandered by the previous emperor.

Even though he had some silver, he couldn’t exempt the people from three years of taxes. However, Mu Yan achieved it!

Given his understanding of this enigmatic Regent King, no, Emperor Jian’an, Mu Yan certainly wouldn’t recklessly make such a decision!

Xiao Luobai’s eyes trembled, and his ears gradually turned red as he once again felt the gap in strength between them.

Is this the reason he hasn’t won Zhan Lan’s favor?

Even though he had become emperor, Mu Yan seemed to be doing better!

Ye Xiuhan thought for a moment and then said, “I say this because Your Majesty and Empress Zhan are as close as siblings, and Empress Zhan is not a warlike person. Hence, I boldly assert that for at least three years, Dayu will not expand externally.”

Xiao Luobai’s clear eyes gradually dimmed, and he tentatively asked, “Does General Ye also think Zhan Lan regards me only with sibling-like affection?”

Ye Xiuhan guessed from Xiao Luobai’s expectant gaze that the young emperor before him liked Zhan Lan.

No wonder Xiao Luobai liked Zhan Lan. He always lived in the Qilin Palace, and aside from Granny Qi, the first young woman he saw was Zhan Lan. Even after leaving the Qilin Palace and becoming Beiyue’s emperor, he never saw another woman as outstanding as Zhan Lan.

He had the same thoughts about Zhan Lan, but unlike Xiao Luobai, whose affection for Zhan Lan was voiced, he only concealed his thoughts, suppressing the desire to think of her every day.

Ye Xiuhan did not answer Xiao Luobai’s question but instead looked directly into Xiao Luobai’s eyes and said, “Your Majesty’s sister Lan is married, and with her character, even if Mu Yan died, she would not remarry.”

Ye Xiuhan was well aware of the bold customs in Beiyue, where such matters as a younger brother marrying his widowed sister-in-law or an elder brother marrying his deceased brother’s widow were not uncommon.

There was even the occurrence of brothers sharing a wife.

The previous Beiyue emperor was so depraved that he took all his father’s concubines into his own harem.

Because of such customs, Ye Xiuhan would directly cut off Xiao Luobai’s thoughts.

Xiao Luobai lowered his eyes, and Ye Xiuhan had accurately guessed his little thoughts.

His eyes flickered as he argued, “General Ye, people’s feelings can change. What if one day Zhan Lan no longer likes Mu Yan, what if one day Mu Yan no longer likes Zhan Lan…”

“There’s no ‘what if.’ Can Your Majesty easily remove her from your heart?”

Ye Xiuhan’s expression suddenly became cold and stern, startling Xiao Luobai with his aura.

For his ascension to emperor, he had to thank two people: one who introduced him to Ye Xiuhan, Zhan Lan, and the other was Ye Xiuhan himself.

Without Ye Xiuhan’s help in his ascension and unconditional support, he was afraid of Ye Xiuhan.

Ye Xiuhan’s narrow phoenix eyes pressed down, making him feel the air was stagnating.

Ye Xiuhan nodded and said, “Beiyue men start marrying at fifteen; Your Majesty will be sixteen after the year and should establish an empress.”

Xiao Luobai abruptly stood up, attitude firm, “No, I don’t want to establish an empress!”

Ye Xiuhan lowered his eyes and said, “This is not my intention, as the old ministers have already kneeled outside the hall for seven days in the morning court, urging Your Majesty. Without an heir, the people’s hearts are uneasy, the ministers are uncertain, and the empire unstable.”

Xiao Luobai sat down dejectedly, this group of stubborn old ministers always pushed him to marry, but the one he wanted to marry could only be Zhan Lan.

He was still young, and he could wait.

Ye Xiuhan said solemnly, “Your Majesty, I absolutely will not force you. If you can withstand the old ministers’ daily remonstrations, then fine. Come, let’s practice swordsmanship.”

“Fine!” Xiao Luobai let Ye Xiuhan teach him swordsmanship and spear techniques, to become a real man.

Once one day, he could stand before Zhan Lan as a mature man, perhaps Zhan Lan would realize there are other men in the world besides Mu Yan!

Ye Xiuhan walked out with a sword, following behind Xiao Luobai, feeling a bit disgruntled. Xiao Luobai had grown up without parents, stubbornly sticking to something or someone once he’s decided, stubbornly clinging to a point.

There’s a kind of obsession called persistence, another called inner demons; his fixation on Zhan Lan was not beneficial, only a little change could affect it.

Ye Xiuhan chuckled self-deprecatingly as he thought, wasn’t he often thinking of Zhan Lan himself, especially about that night in the cave.

That night was always in the most secret corner of his heart, occasionally invading his dreams.

He originally intended to let himself become depraved so as not to remember Zhan Lan.

But when those exquisite women approached him, he couldn’t help but repel them, hence leaving angrily.

Zhan Lan is a woman who can gradually cause a man to sink; liking her is not only because of her stunning looks but because of her carefree spirit, her affectionate loyalty, and the soft seven-hearted mind she hid beneath her armor.

Such a woman deserves to be loved.

…

Four days later, a notice was posted on the white wall at the gates of Ding’an City, surrounded by a crowd of people.