Chapter 505 - 414: Sister, I Want to Be Selfish for Once
Chapter 505: Chapter 414: Sister, I Want to Be Selfish for Once
"The Frost King..." Lian Li bit her thin lip, hesitating for a moment before finally saying, "He... is no longer with us..."
At her words, Lian Li said no more. She bowed with clasped fists and turned to leave the Imperial Study.
In the Imperial Study, Qin Siyao raised her head to look out the window, remaining silent for a long time.
「Five more years passed.」
Now twenty-one, Qin Lan’er had become thoroughly familiar with most of the Qin Kingdom’s political affairs.
Qin Siyao began to have Qin Lan’er handle certain matters of the Imperial Court to gain experience.
And Qin Lan’er did indeed perform exceptionally well.
Every task Qin Siyao gave her, Qin Lan’er completed perfectly, without a single exception.
It was just that, Qin Lan’er couldn’t tell if it was her imagination.
’Her Majesty, my sister, seems to be gradually letting go of political matters, as if she wants to hand everything over to me.’
It wasn’t just Qin Lan’er; the other ministers had a similar feeling.
Although the current Crown Prince was truly outstanding, and training her with various political responsibilities was perfectly reasonable...
...Her Majesty seemed to be relinquishing a little too much power.
This didn’t seem like a gradual nurturing, but rather as if Her Majesty’s days were numbered and she wanted Qin Lan’er to be ready to take on the great responsibility as soon as possible.
However, because the Qin Kingdom was currently thriving and Crown Prince Qin Lan’er had never once made a mistake, the ministers said nothing.
「Five years later.」
Now twenty-six, Qin Lan’er was fully capable of shouldering the great responsibility.
Qin Lan’er had also cultivated her own base of support.
The ministers in the Imperial Court were full of praise for Qin Lan’er.
From Qin Siyao’s perspective, there would be no major issues even if she handed the entire Qin Kingdom over to Qin Lan’er now.
「Three years later, Li Ge, Baili Xi, and Uncle Jian passed away one after another.」
Qin Siyao saw them off on their final journey.
Although these three ministers had never gone to the battlefield to slay enemies...
...from the unification of the world to the current golden age...
...the three of them had stabilized the Imperial Court, diligently handled political affairs, and set the tone for the entire Qin Kingdom.
「Two years later.」
Qin Siyao wanted to build a Sacrificial Altar.
This Sacrificial Altar would use Mount Tai as its core, span a thousand-li radius to form an Array, and gather thirty thousand Array Cultivators, with construction planned to take fifty years.
This Sacrificial Altar would be powerful enough to gather all the Mountain and River Fortune of the World of Ten Thousand Laws.
When the ministers of the Qin Kingdom learned of this, they were all stunned.
They didn’t know what Her Majesty intended to do by building such a massive Array.
But by now, Qin Siyao’s prestige was so great that nearly every decision she made was considered correct. The ministers’ admonishments were completely useless.
Word of Qin Siyao’s plan to build the Sacrificial Altar spread among the common people.
Even if the people didn’t understand, they were all supportive.
Moreover, sixty percent of the Heavenly and Earthly Treasures requisitioned by Qin Siyao were taken from the mountain Sects, and forty percent from the Dynasty.
Besides, the Qin Kingdom’s national strength was now incredibly vast.
Therefore, even building such a Sacrificial Altar would not exhaust the people or drain the treasury, and it would have almost no impact on the populace.
And so, construction of the Sacrificial Altar began with few obstacles.
Ten years, twenty years, thirty years...
Gradually, because so much time had passed, aside from the Cultivators in the mountains who paid close attention to the Sacrificial Altar, the people of the Mortal World had almost forgotten about the grandest project of the Human Race Dynasty.
「Fifty years passed.」
When the last top-grade spirit stone was set in place, the last talisman was inscribed, and the final Array Flag was buried in the mountain...
...in that instant, the mountains trembled and the rivers churned.
The entire World of Ten Thousand Laws was thrown into turmoil.
"ROOOAR!"
One dragon’s cry after another resounded through the air!
All the Mountain and River Fortune in the World of Ten Thousand Laws began to converge on the Sacrificial Altar.
The Sect Leaders of every Sect in the World of Ten Thousand Laws raised their heads, gazing in the direction of the Sacrificial Altar.
Even in the Demon Race’s World, many Great Demons ascended to high places to look on, sensing the incredibly dense Mountain and River Fortune.
’It’s about time.’
In the Qin Kingdom Royal Palace, Qin Siyao gazed toward the Sacrificial Altar, feeling its connection to her.
In Qin Siyao’s view, the current Mountain and River Fortune of the World of Ten Thousand Laws should be sufficient.
「Three years after the Sacrificial Altar was completed.」
The Qin Kingdom was still blessed with favorable weather, and these peaceful times had already lasted for a century.
「One day.」
Just as Qin Lan’er was handling political affairs in the Eastern Palace, Qin Siyao walked into her study.
"Your Majesty."
Seeing Qin Siyao, Qin Lan’er quickly stood up and gave her a slight bow.
"Mm," Qin Siyao smiled at Lan’Er. "Lan’Er, are you free today?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, yes, I am." Qin Lan’er nodded quickly. "Is there something Your Majesty would like me to do?"
"Not exactly."
Qin Siyao shook her head.
"I just wanted to take a walk with you. What do you say? Shall we go for a stroll outside the Imperial Palace?"
"Of course."
Hearing Her Majesty invite her for a walk, Qin Lan’er was naturally not going to refuse, even though she was very puzzled.
"But Your Majesty, where are we going?"
"Just follow me."
Qin Siyao turned, and with a single step, she was high in the air, about to leave the Imperial Palace.
Qin Lan’er quickly activated her Divine Abilities and followed by Qin Siyao’s side.
The two used Shrinking Inches; a single step covered several li.
Before long, the two of them had already left the Imperial City.
Qin Lan’er turned her head and glanced at Her Majesty beside her.
For so many years, Qin Lan’er had never seen Her Majesty show much emotional fluctuation. Even when Her Majesty smiled, it was only a faint smile.
More often, what Qin Lan’er could sense was Her Majesty’s solitude and loneliness.
But Qin Lan’er didn’t know how to comfort her.
Especially after learning the story of Her Majesty and the Frost King, Qin Lan’er was even more at a loss for words.
’Although the books say that time erases all things in this world... for Her Majesty, does time truly work?’
"Lan’Er."
Just as Qin Lan’er lowered her head in silence, Qin Siyao spoke slowly.
"You can now handle the political affairs of the Imperial Court with ease. You are very intelligent, and your cultivation talent is also excellent. In the future, if you manage the Qin Kingdom, you will do no worse than I."
"I could never compare to Your Majesty!" Qin Lan’er said hurriedly.
"What is there to be nervous about?"
Qin Siyao chuckled.
"I have no other meaning behind my words; I’m just stating a fact.
Also, there’s something I’ve never told you.
I still prefer it when you call me ’Your Majesty, Sister,’ like you did when you were little, instead of just ’Your Majesty.’"
"Your Majesty... Sister..."
Qin Lan’er’s cheeks flushed slightly as she called out softly.
"Mm."
Qin Siyao nodded with a smile.
"That’s right, that title sounds much better." Qin Siyao reached out, just as she had when they first met, and stroked Qin Lan’er’s long hair. "Now, what your sister is about to tell you, you must take to heart and never forget."
"First: Li Wen, Liang Xue, Liu Dajin, and Shang Li. All four are capable ministers, skilled in governing. They were previously held in high regard by Prime Minister Li and others, but I deliberately found excuses to demote them from the capital. One reason was that they were too young and needed to go through some trials. The second was to save them for you to use.
After I am gone, you will recall them to the capital, bring them into the Cabinet, and you can entrust them with great responsibility.
They will be absolutely loyal to you."
"Second, regarding the Demon Race’s World. Although our World of Ten Thousand Laws has stabilized, the Demon Race’s World still watches us like a tiger stalking its prey. The border between the two worlds is indistinct, and major battles often erupt.
However, a new boundary will soon be established between the two worlds. When that time comes, you must not only have the great generals of the Imperial Court lead armies to defend it, but also send disciples from the other Sects there to gain experience."
"Third, from now on, aside from handling political affairs, you must not neglect your cultivation. Cultivate as far as you possibly can. You will become the longest-lived Emperor in the world. You must protect this peace that the World of Ten Thousand Laws has fought so hard to obtain."
"Your Majesty, Sister... What are you...?"
Qin Lan’er’s eyes wavered. She felt as if Her Majesty, her sister, was delivering her last words.
Qin Siyao smiled faintly, pinched Qin Lan’er’s cheek, and said softly,
"Your sister... wants to be selfish, just this once."