章 15: Daily life - 12

---

*Emperor – Meng Tian (POV)*

The decision had been made. I had ordered the Lu Qian army to surround and imprison the rebel soldiers. The Queen, Lu Zhi, and her children waited anxiously for news of the Emperor's defeat, oblivious to the storm that was about to descend upon them. I had anticipated that sending the shadow guards to retrieve them would be more efficient than waiting for the soldiers, who might waste precious time.

As the Queen and her children sat, their faces etched with hope and anticipation, an unexpected dizziness overwhelmed them. They collapsed, and when they regained consciousness, they found themselves in the grand throne room. Panic seized them as they realized the gravity of their situation.

Emperor Meng Tian's voice, cold and unyielding, cut through their panic. "Are you feeling well, my Queen, Prince, and Princess?"

Without waiting for a response, I commanded the eunuch to list the charges: poisoning the Emperor, forming private forces without my knowledge, conspiring to rebel, and more. The accusations were as damning as they were numerous. As the eunuch spoke, I gave the order for their execution to be carried out immediately, outside the palace walls.

My thoughts drifted to a story Victor had once shared with me—a tale of tragic misunderstanding. In the story, a king had commanded his soldiers to bring a thief before him. However, due to a slight mispronunciation, they had killed the man instead. This error, stemming from the similarity between the words "Bring" and "Kill" in the local dialect, had led to the complete destruction of the king's capital by the wife of the innocent killed before judgement. Despite the disaster, the wife's devotion to her late husband had become legendary, a stark contrast to the treachery of my own Queen.

The Queen, with her arrogance and ambition, had plotted my demise, believing she could seize power through deceit. Her pride and greed were her undoing, and I had no sympathy for her. Despite her father's previous enmity, I had once considered her a trusted partner. Now, I felt no sorrow for her betrayal, only a cold resolve.

As the Queen, her prince, and princess begged for their lives, I remained unmoved. Their fate was sealed. The day was marked by an atmosphere of heightened tension and vigilance. Soldiers patrolled every street, and the homes of corrupt officials flowed with the blood of retribution.

The following day, after a meticulous cleanup, the dynasty began to settle into a new rhythm. The mandatory military service rule was enforced, and a new era of reform was underway. The officials responsible for national infrastructure announced improvements, including the establishment of modern sanitation facilities. The imperial treasury funded this ambitious project, with cement production becoming a controlled secret of the palace. This new source of income would help stabilize the economy and control prices.

Though the populace was unsettled by the recent purge, the news of the Emperor's action against corruption was met with mixed feelings—relief, admiration, and a lingering fear of the power that had wrought such change. It was the dawn of a new era for the Meng dynasty.

Time skip ~ 1 year

*Emperor Concubine – Li Bingbing (POV)*

I awoke to the familiar sight of my trusted servant preparing for the day. The morning walk, once seen as a punishment, had become a refreshing routine. The physical improvements were undeniable; I felt more energetic and less burdened. The new rule implemented by the Emperor was proving beneficial.

The newly built modern toilets in the imperial harem were a marvel. Luxurious and clean, they had transformed an uncomfortable necessity into a pleasant experience. The prospect of body washes and fragrant shampoos, soon to be introduced, was eagerly anticipated. The Emperor's efforts to improve the quality of life in the palace were evident, and I found myself appreciating these changes.

My thoughts wandered to my sons, the 5th and 9th princes, who had been away for nearly a year, undergoing compulsory military training. I had not seen them for a long time and was curious about their well-being. The training was rigorous, particularly for royal children, and I hoped they were faring well. They were expected to return for a one-week leave soon, and I looked forward to seeing them again.

The Emperor had maintained a certain distance from the concubines, princes, and princesses since the purge. He seemed to favor the 4-year-old 10th prince, who had lost his mother during birth. The child had formed a bond with Victor, the silent boy who had become a favorite of the Emperor. It was said that Victor addressed the Emperor as "Uncle Emperor," a sign of their special relationship. The palace maids had shared these observations, adding to the intrigue surrounding the Emperor's preferences.

The changes in the palace, the Emperor's new policies, and the evolving dynamics within the harem were all part of a grand transformation. The Meng dynasty was entering a new phase, marked by both progress and a hint of lingering uncertainty.

...

Author's Note: I've reached 15,000 words—apologies for the brief chapter previously. I was aiming to rank higher and had to push through to meet the word count. The next chapter will focus on a child, so stay tuned.