In Li Mu's era, the feudal dynasty had long ceased to exist. He didn't know how the ancient emperors treated their favored officials.
He knew how the emperors treated their concubines. King Zhou was obsessed with Daji's beauty, King You of Zhou played with the warlords with the beacon fire just to make Bao Si smile, and Emperor Ming of Tang doted on Yang Guifei. In the future, everyone knew about their deeds.
King Shou's words woke Li Mu up. In some people's eyes, he was no longer a favored official, but someone like Bao Mo and Daji.
Li Mu knew that the Empress treated him well, but he didn't see it as clearly as King Shou and the others.
It turned out that the Empress treated him so well.
The Empress was the kind of person who would return the favor tenfold if someone treated her well.
If Li Mu was a woman, it wouldn't be a big deal. The Empress treated Shangguan Li very well too. However, he was a man. If the Empress treated him too well, it would cause people to criticize him.
However, Li Mu never cared about other people's criticism.
Since he came to Shendu, the criticism never stopped. He didn't care about these people's criticism. He only cared about the Empress's feelings.
After returning to the Li Residence, Li Mu looked at the scroll in his hand. After thinking for a long time, he took out a sound transmission instrument and said, "Chen Shiyi, help me investigate something …"
Changle Palace.
Zhou Yi leaned on the dragon throne with a book in her hand. After reading a page, she realized that something was missing. She asked Mr. Mei, "Where's Li Mu?"
Li Mu was late, but the Empress couldn't help but ask. Mr. Mei sighed and said, "Your Majesty, he didn't come to the palace today."
Not long after, Xiao Bai and Wanwan ran in.
Wanwan brought a stick of candied fruit for Zhou Yi and said, "Young Master asked us to tell Sister Zhou that he has something to do in the North County. He will return to Shendu in a few days …"
Zhou Yi stood up and frowned. "Didn't he just go to the North County …"
Xiao Bai looked disappointed and said, "Benefactor didn't take us with him either …"
Zhou Yi looked at the stacked memorials on the table and took out a spirit conch. After activating it, he asked, "Why did you go to North Prefecture? Do you still care about the Imperial Court and the Secretariat?"
Within the spirit snail, Li Mu's voice was mixed with the sound of the wind. "Your Majesty, Mount Baiyun has summoned me urgently, so I have no choice but to return. I will explain everything to Your Majesty when I return to Fairy's Capital. I am still on my way, so let's talk later …"
After that, there was no more sound from the spirit snail.
Zhou Yi put away the spiritual snail, gritted his teeth and said, "What urgent summons from Mount Baiyun? Do you think I don't know why you're here? Men are all the same. Once they get married, they forget everything. Back then, you swore that you would be loyal to me and would go through fire and water without hesitation. Now, when I need you, you can't even see me …"
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
During this month, the morning court was still held every three days. Although the morning court wasn't dull, there weren't any major changes.
Without Li Mu, the old and new parties had been quiet for a long time after being defeated by Li Mu.
The courtiers had long gotten used to the days without Li Mu. The current Imperial Court was very different from before. The influence of the old and new parties was not as strong as before. The Empress had absolute control over the Imperial Court, especially the officials led by the Left Assistant Minister of Personnel, Zhang Chun. They gradually formed a force.
These people held real power and had a lot of say in the Imperial Court. They didn't belong to any of the old and new parties and were only loyal to the Empress.
Although Li Mu wasn't in the Imperial Court, the Great Zhou Imperial Court was still under his shadow.
The people of Fairy's Capital hadn't seen Li Mu in a long time.
However, as time passed, Li Mu's reputation among the people didn't decrease. Instead, it increased.
This half a year was the most comfortable half a year for the people of Fairy's Capital in the past few decades.
Everything the people of Fairy's Capital had today was given to them by one person.
He gave the people dignity, justice, and hope for their lives.
In the past, Fairy's Capital was lifeless. Today, Fairy's Capital was filled with boundless vitality.
For the past few days, the people in the streets of the Fairy's Capital, whether it was the main street or the small alleys, would wake up early and clean the streets in front of their houses. After sweeping, they would rinse the streets with clean water, not leaving a speck of dust or a single leaf.
Those who littered on the streets didn't need the authorities. Any commoner who saw them would go forward to stop them.
The children of the officials of Fairy's Capital didn't dare to ride on horses in Fairy's Capital. Even if they rode in carriages or sedan chairs, they had to use roads specially designed for carriages and horses. Those who violated the rules would be severely punished.
In just half a month, the entire Fairy's Capital became orderly.
Of course, part of the reason for this was the intervention of the authorities. However, the commoners didn't object to this.
This year was the year when the countries of the Zu Continent paid tribute. From this month onwards, the envoys of the small countries in the south would arrive in Fairy's Capital. As citizens of Great Zhou, they had a strong sense of pride. They didn't want to embarrass Great Zhou in front of these small countries.
Great Zhou, which was born in the hinterland of Zhongjun, used to have enemies. However, after the Martial Emperor, Great Zhou had almost unified the Zu Continent. The remaining small countries in the south also respected Great Zhou. They paid tribute every five years in exchange for Great Zhou's protection.
This was the first time the various countries paid tribute since the Empress ascended the throne. It was even more important to show them the majesty of a great country.
Two men walked on the streets of Fairy's Capital. The young man kept looking around as he walked. He sighed and said, "Shangzhou is indeed Shangzhou. This is the most prosperous, most imposing, and cleanest city I've ever seen …"
The other middle-aged man shook his head and said in a low voice, "It's only bright on the surface. You have no idea what kind of life the commoners live here are living. What kind of darkness lies beneath all this brightness …"
The young man looked around and said doubtfully, "But it looks like they're living a good life …"
The middle-aged man said faintly, "It's all an act. Every year, the Great Zhou court does this. After the tribute, everything goes back to normal …"
The young man looked carefully again and shook his head. "I don't think they're faking it. Some things can't be faked."
"You're still young. There are some things you can't see through …" The middle-aged man looked at the commoners of Great Zhou who walked past him. His lips moved, but he didn't say anything else.
The last time he came to Fairy's Capital, it was during the reign of the previous Emperor. At that time, Fairy's Capital looked brighter on the surface than it was now. However, the commoners of Great Zhou had faces full of numbness and despair. It left a deep impression on him.
However, when he came to Fairy's Capital again today, it was still the same Fairy's Capital. However, the commoners of Great Zhou didn't seem to be the commoners of Great Zhou of the past.
The numbness and despair on their faces were no longer there. Instead, it was replaced by smiles from the bottom of their hearts. Every commoner's eyes were shining …
Was this still the Fairy's Capital he knew?
The middle-aged man was shocked. He muttered, "What happened here in the past five years?"
At a tea stall by the roadside, a few passers-by were drinking tea and chatting.
"I wonder where Lord Li went. I haven't seen him in a long time."
"It's been a long time. The last time I saw him was a month ago."
"Lord Li just got married not long ago. He should be accompanying his wife. We're all experienced people. We can understand, we can understand …"
"Lord Li will probably come back. I feel uneasy when he's not in Fairy's Capital …"
"Me too. If I don't greet Lord Li every few days, I feel like something is missing. With Lord Li around, there's more to life …"
A middle-aged man sat by the tea stall. He looked at them and asked curiously, "Excuse me, who is this Lord Li you're talking about?"
The few of them looked surprised. They exclaimed, "You don't know Lord Li?"
The middle-aged man smiled and said, "We're not from here. We don't know much about Fairy's Capital."
One of them poured him a cup of tea and said, "Even if you're not from here, it's impossible that you haven't heard of Lord Li. This won't do. I have to explain it to you today …"
Just as he was about to speak, his body suddenly trembled. He looked ahead.
A figure was walking on the street. The commoners crowded around him and greeted him warmly.
He hurriedly stood up and waved with a smile. "Lord Li, you're back …"
Beside the tea stall, two figures looked at the young man who was surrounded by the commoners of Fairy's Capital. They looked surprised.
Li Mu stayed on the street for a long time before he finally entered the palace.
At the entrance of Changle Palace, he asked Mr. Mei, "Is His Majesty here?"
Mr. Mei gave him a look, telling him to be careful later.
Li Mu walked into Changle Palace. He bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Zhou Yi was reviewing memorials. He didn't even raise his head. He said calmly, "It's only been a month. Why didn't you spend more time with your wife on Mount Baiyun? Why did you come back to Fairy's Capital?"
Li Mu said, "Your Majesty's birthday is coming soon. I have a few gifts for Your Majesty."
Zhou Yi finally raised his head. He asked in surprise, "How do you know my birthday?"
Li Mu smiled. "Mr. Mei told me."
Zhou Yi coughed softly. He asked, "What gifts?"
Li Mu stretched out his hand. A few scrolls appeared in his palm.
With a thought, the scrolls floated into the air and slowly opened. Zhou Yi took a look and was stunned.
She didn't care about her manners. She stood up and said in shock, "Zhenren DaoXuan's authentic works …. There's only one of his authentic works. Where did you find so many?"
Li Mu lowered his head. He said, "It's just a coincidence …"
Zhou Yi looked at him. He counted with his fingers and said in disbelief, "You dug up his tomb?"
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