Chapter 4: This Harem Is Too Dangerous!
Pei Ju had only served as the Minister of Personnel for less than a month and had kept a low profile all this time. No one expected him to suddenly shine so sharply today.
In an instant, the Golden Luan Hall fell silent—a pin drop could be heard.
"You're being ridiculous. This is the Empire's central hall of governance. How dare you bark like mad dogs here!" Pei Ju rebuked sternly.
Upon hearing this, the voices in the hall gradually died down.
"The eight vassal kings have yet to express their opinions. According to the founding rules of Great Zhou, it is you princes who hold the greatest right to speak on this matter."
At that moment, Li Shimin, dressed in a fitted black outfit, stepped forward and smiled. "This humble subject, on behalf of the Tang King, recommends the Fourth Prince, Ji Hao."
All the other princes looked at Shen Hao in disbelief.
Only Shen Hao stood there with an innocent look on his face.
The other three princes cursed in their hearts:
That Li Shimin really is a wolf in sheep's clothing.
This scheming Li Tang—he knows full well that Fourth Prince Ji Hao has no backing whatsoever. If he takes the throne, he'll be nothing more than a puppet.
Yuan's representative, Tuolei, also smiled. "This humble subject, on behalf of Yuan King Genghis Khan, likewise recommends the Fourth Prince, Ji Hao."
Sui's representative, Yang Guang, said, "This humble subject also recommends the Fourth Prince, Ji Hao."
Beside him, the Second Prince's face changed dramatically. He quickly spoke up, "Cousin, didn't Uncle promise to recommend me?"
As it turned out, Sui King Yang Jian's wife, Princess Gudu, was the biological sister of the Second Prince's mother. And yet now, things had changed.
Yang Guang shrugged. "Second Prince, though we are family, the succession of the throne concerns the foundation of the state and must not be taken lightly. My father has made it clear—he must recommend the Fourth Prince, Ji Hao."
Zhao Guangyi followed, "This humble subject likewise recommends the Fourth Prince, Shen Hao."
And so it went, as though previously arranged—one by one, all eight vassal kings unanimously recommended the Fourth Prince, Shen Hao, as the new emperor.
Everyone clearly understood the vassal kings' intentions: Shen Hao was easier to control.
Ministers aligned with the eight kings stepped forward as well, voicing their support for Fourth Prince Ji Hao.
Before long, the entire court echoed with a single voice—recommending Shen Hao for the throne.
As expected, things unfolded just as planned. A trace of smugness crossed Pei Ju's lips. "I invite Fourth Prince Ji Hao to ascend the throne."
"Please, Fourth Prince Ji Hao, ascend the throne."
Under the watchful gaze of all, Shen Hao nervously sat on the imperial throne.
Pei Ju was the first to kneel and proclaim, "Long live the Emperor, may he live ten thousand years!"
The ministers quickly followed suit. "Long live the Emperor, may he live ten thousand years!"
Their voices thundered across the heavens!
Shen Hao, seated as emperor for the first time, had no idea what to say, so he simply mimicked what he'd seen in television dramas. "Rise, my beloved ministers."
As soon as he spoke, the sky above Great Zhou swirled with rolling dragon-shaped clouds.
Then, Li Shimin stepped forward again with a smile. "Now that the new emperor has ascended, he should wed without delay to continue the imperial bloodline. To celebrate this joyous occasion, my royal father has selected a stunning beauty—Shi Feixuan—to become Your Majesty's consort."
A collective gasp swept through the hall.
"Oh my god—Shi Feixuan?"
"Isn't she the Holy Maiden of the Cihang Jingzhai from within the Tang King's domain?"
"How could this be possible?"
"Why would Shi Feixuan agree to this?"
Standing nearby, Shi Zhixuan's expression turned ice-cold. His clenched palms radiated with deadly intent, sending a chill through the surrounding ministers.
Cihang Jingzhai… a lifelong enemy.
Yang Guang's eyes flashed with a hint of greed, but it vanished quickly.
He too stepped forward and smiled. "Your Majesty, my royal father also presents a peerless beauty—Wanwan. She is an unparalleled enchantress, a rare beauty on earth."
The rest of the court was utterly shocked.
What the hell—Wanwan, the Holy Maiden of the Demonic Sect? Isn't she the mortal enemy of Cihang Jingzhai?
Looks like the Tang and Sui factions are preparing to go head-to-head!
They actually sent both of their holy maidens into the palace—holy crap.
Even as Yang Guang spoke, he felt a pang of regret. Wanwan is such an exceptional beauty… gifting her to Shen Hao feels like bleeding out—but refusing isn't an option.
Zhu Di now also stepped forward with a smile. "Congratulations, Your Majesty, on gaining such heavenly beauties. My royal father has also selected a gifted, stunning woman for Your Majesty—Jiang Yuyan, truly a once-in-a-generation treasure."
The ministers were stunned beyond words.
What?! Jiang Yuyan from the Palace of Shifting Flowers? The one who mastered the supreme martial technique 'Shifting Flowers and Grafting Trees'?
Shen Hao was dumbfounded, with a thousand galloping horses stampeding through his mind.
Demonic maiden Wanwan, holy maiden Shi Feixuan—and now, the big boss Jiang Yuyan?
This woman is terrifying. She once slaughtered everyone in her way—how the hell am I supposed to survive this?!
Tuolei now stepped forward and bowed to Shen Hao.
Shen Hao's heart skipped a beat. No way—this guy isn't offering a woman too, is he?
"My royal father has chosen the most beautiful woman of our Mongolian people for Your Majesty—the Princess Shaomin, Minmin Temur. She is radiant beyond compare, graceful and spirited, undoubtedly the perfect empress."
Holy crap! Zhao Min too?!
Not a single one of these women is easy to handle!
Zhao Guangyi now stepped forward, unwilling to fall behind. "Speaking of intelligence and charm, my royal brother has also chosen an extraordinary beauty for Your Majesty—Huang Rong. Not only is she a brilliant cook, but she's also breathtakingly gorgeous."
"What?! The daughter of the Eastern Heretic, Huang Rong?"
"My god… Zhao Kuangyin really pulled out all the stops."
"This day just keeps getting crazier."
Yongzheng now stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "My royal father has also selected a beauty for Your Majesty—Su Quan."
Whoa… the Holy Maiden of the Divine Dragon Sect?
Hu Hai also stepped up with a smile. "What a coincidence—my royal father has also chosen a beauty for Your Majesty—Tian Yan."
Yelü Qi bowed respectfully. "My royal father also presents a rare and extraordinary woman to Your Majesty—Li Mochou."
Shen Hao's lips twitched uncontrollably.
What the hell—is this world insane?
This harem is way too dangerous!