章 12: Daily life - 9

Emperor – Meng Tian (POV)

When I first heard the stories, I assumed they were mere exaggerations, tales spun by those too easily impressed. But the moment I set foot in Bamboo Village and laid eyes on the mansion, I realized how wrong I was. The fusion of Western and Eastern architecture was nothing short of breathtaking. The elegance and sophistication of the design put my imperial palace to shame. The outer walls, formidable and secure, made me question the traditional doors of my own palace. How could I, the ruler of this dynasty, live in a place so vulnerable in comparison?

And the glass—clear, flawless, and rare even in the capital—was used generously for the windows. My mouth nearly fell open at the sight. This wasn't just a mansion; it was a fortress, a masterpiece. I knew then that I could no longer be content with the outdated grandeur of my palace. I must build anew, a palace that would stand as a testament to the progress of this era and the strength of my rule.

But what truly left me in awe was the bathroom. Marble and granite covered the floors and walls, and water flowed through copper pipes that gleamed like gold. There was no stench, no filth, only cleanliness and a sense of peace. It was as though the very act of using the bathroom had been transformed into an experience of luxury. I marveled at how such a simple innovation could elevate one's life. This, I decided, must be shared with my people. A nation's strength lies in the health of its citizens, and if the bathroom could become a symbol of status and well-being, then so be it.

But what does it say about me, an emperor, to be so fixated on bathrooms? Perhaps it is not the bathroom itself, but what it represents—the cleanliness, the order, the advancement. These are the things I must bring to my dynasty. Yet, I must be patient. Cleaning out the filth in my empire will take time, and I must be as methodical as I am ruthless.

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Queen – Lu Zhi (POV)

The emperor has been avoiding us ever since that foreigner arrived at the palace. He spends all his time with him, and now he appears more energetic, more…alive. The fool probably thinks I love him. Ha! What a joke.

Why would I love that pathetic man? I abandoned love and happiness long ago for power, for my father's ambitions. Meng Tian is just a pawn in our game, and a feeble one at that. I poisoned him last year, yet the stubborn bastard clung to life. His luck is infuriating!

No matter. I've already seized control, with my father pulling the strings. Meng Tian is nothing more than a puppet now, and soon, my son will sit on the throne as the rightful emperor. I'll be the queen mother, and all those who dared to look down on me will grovel at my feet. The harem will be purged, and every prince and princess who disrespected me will pay with their lives.

That foreigner and his brat? They'll regret ever crossing me. The mansion in Bamboo Village will be mine, and that boy will be nothing more than a plaything for my grandson. As for the foreigner, my father will deal with him. He's already begun preparations for the rebellion. In a year's time, we will have the power to crush Meng Tian once and for all. And when we do, I'll savor every moment of his suffering.

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Time Skip – 1 Year Later

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###Emperor – Meng Tian (POV)

The day has come. The day I cleanse my nation of the filth that has infested its roots. Today, the Meng Dynasty will begin a new chapter, free of the parasites that have been draining it dry.

Over the past year, I've quietly prepared, gathering evidence, training an army loyal only to me, and securing alliances with those who still believe in justice and righteousness. General Lu Su and Queen Lu Zhi think they have me cornered, that today they will stage their coup and place the first prince on the throne. But they are fools, all of them. I've allowed them to believe in their victory, to grow complacent in their arrogance.

They have no idea that I've been watching their every move, that I know every detail of their treachery. Today, in the morning assembly, they will reveal their true colors, and I will be ready. With Lu Qian by my side and the power of my shadow soldiers, I will obliterate their rebellion before it even begins. The evidence is damning, and my sword will deliver justice.

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###Morning Assembly in the Imperial Palace Court

The eunuch's voice rang out as he announced my arrival. The courtiers bowed, but I could see the unease in their eyes. Those who knew what was about to unfold kept their faces neutral, but their hearts must have been racing. I took my seat on the throne, my face betraying nothing of the storm that was about to break.

As the eunuch called for the assembly to begin, a guard's voice echoed through the hall, announcing the arrival of General Lu Su and Crown Prince Meng Fei. The air grew thick with tension as the court waited, all eyes turning to the entrance.

When Lu Su strode in, sword in hand, he didn't even bother to bow. The arrogance on his face was infuriating, and yet I remained impassive. His violation of court protocol caused a ripple of murmurs, but I silenced them with a glance. Let him play his hand. It would be his last.

Lu Su's voice boomed through the hall as he launched into his rehearsed speech. He accused me of neglecting my duties, of ignoring the suffering of the people, of being consumed by greed and lust. He painted me as a demon, unfit to rule, and called for my arrest.

The first prince stood beside him, a smug smile on his lips. The ministers who had thrown their lot in with Lu Su and the queen stepped forward to show their support, emboldened by what they believed to be a guaranteed victory.

I let them speak, let them reveal the depths of their corruption and betrayal. My silence unnerved them, but they pressed on, determined to see this through. When Lu Su finally finished, I rose from the throne, my eyes cold as I looked upon the traitors before me.

"Is that all, General Lu Su?" My voice was calm, measured, but it carried the weight of an emperor who knew the truth. "You speak of duty, of the people's suffering. Yet it is you who has betrayed this dynasty, who has conspired with foreign powers, who has robbed the people to line your own pockets."

The court fell silent, the air thick with tension. I reached into my robes and produced the evidence I had gathered, documents detailing their corruption, letters proving their treason. I threw them to the floor, and the sound echoed like a death knell in the hall.

"Today, you will face justice for your crimes against the Meng Dynasty," I declared, my voice hard as steel. "You will not leave this court alive."

The shadow soldiers emerged from the shadows, their forms imposing as they surrounded the traitors. The court erupted into chaos as Lu Su and his allies realized they had been outmaneuvered, their coup crushed before it could even begin.

I watched with cold satisfaction as my soldiers subdued the rebels, their desperate cries for mercy falling on deaf ears. Today, I would cleanse my empire of its filth, and the Meng Dynasty would rise stronger than ever.

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Author's Note: See you later.

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