MTLNOVEL Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Empress Zhu
Within the Star Luo royal family, the wives of direct descendants must come from the Zhu family. This ancestral rule had never been broken.
The current Star Luo Emperor's Empress was the elder sister of the Zhu family's patriarch. With such powerful maternal relatives, her status naturally rose as well—especially since both of her sons were her own flesh and blood.
It went without saying that Empress Zhu held great influence within the royal family.
She was no ordinary empress but a formidable one who could interfere in state affairs.
...
That night, the Star Luo Emperor did indeed summon Zhou Sheng'an to the palace.
This action sparked great dissatisfaction among Zhou Sheng'an's followers. It took his personal intervention to calm them down—otherwise, if over ten thousand soul masters decided to cause a commotion, the military forces in Star Luo City might not have been able to suppress them!
Inside the palace, the Star Luo Emperor and Zhou Sheng'an drank together. A lavish feast was laid out on the table between them.
Accompanying them was none other than the Empress herself. Empress Zhu personally poured wine for the two men.
Zhou Sheng'an protested, "This is highly improper. How can we allow the Empress to do such a thing?"
The Star Luo Emperor laughed heartily, pressing down on Zhou Sheng'an's hand as he said, "No need to be so formal, Grand Sage Master. My Empress greatly admires your wisdom, and pouring wine for a Saint of the Mortal Realm is hardly a disgrace for her."
"Yes, Grand Sage Master, serving you wine is my honor." Empress Zhu smiled charmingly, covering her red lips with her sleeve.
Zhou Sheng'an could only sigh helplessly. Since both of them insisted, he had no choice but to accept.
He turned serious and said, "Your Majesty, I actually wanted to discuss the issue of the people's livelihood with you earlier today. Right now, Star Luo's policies toward commoners are far too harsh…"
The Star Luo Emperor shook his head. "Grand Sage Master, when it comes to theory, I am far inferior to you. But when it comes to governing a nation, you should not compare yourself to me."
"Of course, I know the people suffer. They barely have any spare money by the end of the year due to heavy taxation, oppression by nobles, and various other levies."
"They suffer, yes. If they face a poor harvest, they'll have to tighten their belts just to survive."
The Star Luo Emperor sighed deeply, as though he were some compassionate sage.
Zhou Sheng'an frowned in confusion and asked, "Your Majesty, since you are aware of the people's hardships, why not change things? As long as you strengthen control over the nobles and—"
The Star Luo Emperor waved his hand, interrupting him.
"Grand Sage Master, let me be honest with you. The people's current state is already their best possible state. They won't starve, they won't freeze, and they won't be able to stir up trouble. If they want a better life, there is only one way—to serve the Empire! Even if they become soul masters, they must join the Empire to do so!"
The Star Luo Emperor chuckled in satisfaction—this was his way of ruling.
As for whether the people under his rule were happy, that was not his concern.
As long as they were alive, that was enough!
Zhou Sheng'an understood his meaning and his gaze flickered slightly.
In this world, whether it was Star Luo or Heaven Dou, the common people were all the same… The people of Heaven Dou were oppressed by the nobility, while those of Star Luo were crushed by the Empire. All of them were nothing more than the exploited.
Zhou Sheng'an no longer wished to continue this conversation—he had no desire to stir up trouble.
"Grand Sage Master, don't dwell on such trivial matters. Let's continue discussing divinity instead, shall we? It has been ten thousand years since a god last appeared. Yet you, Grand Sage Master, have been able to draw forth divine miracles—how truly enviable…"
The Star Luo Emperor grabbed Zhou Sheng'an's hand, drinking excitedly as he pressed on with his questions.
Zhou Sheng'an could only answer begrudgingly. The longer he conversed with the Star Luo Emperor, the more irritated he became.
When the Emperor extended an invitation—offering to make him a prince with the authority to rule alongside the Emperor, even proposing a marriage alliance with a princess—Zhou Sheng'an declined all of it. He had no interest in staying in the Star Luo Empire.
An hour later, the Star Luo Emperor was completely drunk. He waved his arm, knocking dishes off the table before slumping onto it, falling into a deep sleep.
Zhou Sheng'an sighed softly.
At that moment, Empress Zhu, who had been sitting beside them, suddenly spoke.
"Grand Sage Master, do not lower yourself to His Majesty's level. He is a coarse man, arrogant and conceited. If he has shown you any disrespect, I hope you won't take it to heart."
Zhou Sheng'an snapped back to attention, looking at Empress Zhu in surprise.
From her tone, he detected no trace of reverence or affection for the Star Luo Emperor.
Empress Zhu continued, "For a Saint like you, staying in a single nation would be too narrow-minded. Yet His Majesty even considered using force to keep you here—how utterly crude."
"What do you mean by that?" Zhou Sheng'an frowned.
"He wanted to force you to stay. In fact, he previously sent soul masters to try and abduct you, just to make you serve Star Luo. This time, he had the same thought—but I persuaded him otherwise."
Empress Zhu smiled sweetly and leaned in slightly, closing the distance between them.
Zhou Sheng'an could even smell the rich fragrance on her body.
He instinctively leaned back, putting some distance between them.
If the Star Luo Emperor woke up, this would be hard to explain!
"Grand Sage Master, I understand your thoughts. You have a kind heart—something the Star Luo royal family could never comprehend. But I am different. I understand you."
Suddenly, Empress Zhu took Zhou Sheng'an's hand and placed it against her chest.
"Grand Sage Master, can you feel this heartbeat? It speaks of my admiration for you." Her eyes shimmered with soft emotion.
Zhou Sheng'an quickly pulled his hand away, standing up and stepping back several paces. He stared at Empress Zhu in disbelief.
"You…" He did not feel the joy of being admired—only a chilling sense of dread.
Empress Zhu was not some love-struck fool. In the depths of her gaze, he saw raw ambition!
"Grand Sage Master, why do you shy away from me?" she asked with a gentle smile. "Don't worry, I spiked His Majesty's wine. He will be asleep until morning and won't wake no matter what."
She took a few steps toward him.
"The night is late. I shall take my leave," Zhou Sheng'an hurriedly said, backing away before swiftly turning and leaving.
Empress Zhu watched his retreating figure and licked her red lips.
…
[The Star Luo Emperor's casual disrespect toward Zhou Sheng'an has angered his followers. In secret, they gather and begin sewing a royal robe.]
Upon seeing this entry, Bibi Dong was momentarily stunned. She had been waiting for the right time to lure Zhou Sheng'an into her trap.
Why had things suddenly escalated?
A brief thought was all it took to understand.
The power behind Zhou Sheng'an was simply too vast! Nearly twenty percent of the entire soul master world had become his followers.
Even those who had not officially pledged allegiance still held him in fanatical reverence!
Zhou Sheng'an had no ambition and did not seek rebellion?
But would his extreme followers tolerate him being slighted like this again?
To them, Zhou Sheng'an was a sacred existence that could not be defied!
"Zhou Sheng'an, Zhou Sheng'an… I have never wanted to kill you solely for personal reasons. Your very existence is a threat to the entire continent."
"And Empress Zhu… Interesting. I underestimated her."
Bibi Dong sneered coldly.