Puppet Emperor, the Empress Wields All Power and Calls a Deer a Horse

Within the Imperial Study.

Gu Changsheng sat upright on the dragon throne, his face shifting between light and shadow as he read reports from the various vassal lords and princes.

He had issued an imperial decree, ordering them to send troops to Qingzhou to quell the unrest.

But instead of a decisive action, each of the vassal lords and princes had dispatched only 10,000 troops each, a clear attempt to brush off his decree, showing no respect for him.

Luckily, Gu Changsheng hadn’t expected these vassal lords and princes to sincerely help him from the start.

His gaze deepened as he put down the reports, contemplating his next moves. After the unrest in Qingzhou was resolved, his first priority would be to deal with these vassal lords and princes within the Great Zhou Dynasty. Otherwise, one day, they might cause him great trouble.

“Your Majesty, the Tenth Princess Gu Ningshuang requests an audience.” Xia Wudao, the chief eunuch said, entering the study and bowing slightly before Gu Changsheng.

Upon hearing this, Gu Changsheng’s eyes flickered, his expression serious.

The Tenth Princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Gu Ningshuang, was in reality the reincarnation of the Red Lotus Empress from 100,000 years ago.

Lately, Gu Changsheng had been preoccupied with dealing with the Empress Dowager and hadn’t even had a chance to meet his younger imperial sister.

Now that she had come to the palace in person, could it be that she had some important matter?

“Let her in.” Gu Changsheng said with a nod, his voice calm.

Not long after, led by Xia Wudao, a young girl in a red dress, regal and cold, with skin as fair as snow, walked into the study.

Her delicate, youthful face contrasted with the terrifying aura she exuded. It was as if the entire room froze the moment she entered.

Seeing this, Gu Changsheng narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharpening as he carefully observed the girl in front of him. She was no ordinary person.

The Tenth Princess of the Great Zhou in the past never had such a frightening aura. Judging by the current situation, Gu Ningshuang had already awakened her past life memories.

The person standing before him was none other than the Red Lotus Empress from 100,000 years ago.

Had this been when he first transmigrated into this world, Gu Changsheng might have tried every means possible to curry favor with the Red Lotus Empress. But now, his plans had changed.

After all, while the Red Lotus Empress had regained her memories, her power hadn’t returned to its former glory. She was only at the peak of the Life and Death Realm.

…

[Name: Gu Ningshuang] [Identity: Tenth Princess of the Great Zhou, reincarnation of the Red Lotus Empress from 100,000 years ago] [Age: 15] [Cultivation: Peak of Life and Death Realm] [Physique: Phoenix Divine Body, Reincarnation Divine Body, Eternal Immortal Demon Body] [Divine Abilities: Nine Turns Nirvana Art, Immortal Reincarnation Art…]

Looking at the information panel of the Red Lotus Empress, Gu Changsheng couldn’t help but sigh.

Truly deserving to be the hidden big boss of the original plot, possessing three divine bodies and divine abilities, even the weakest of which are emperor-level techniques.

Then there’s Immortal Reincarnation Art.

Being familiar with the original plot, Gu Changsheng knew that this technique had a huge backstory, originating from the Forbidden Land of Gods and Demons, and it was an immortal-level technique.

The son of destiny, Crown Prince Zhao Hao of the Great Li Dynasty, relied heavily on this immortal technique in the original story to ascend to the position of Emperor.

However, now that Gu Changsheng knew everything in advance, he naturally intended to seize the son of destiny’s opportunities. In doing so, who knows how many plot points he might be able to collect?

“Imperial Sister, what brings you to the palace today?” Gu Changsheng’s gaze fell upon Gu Ningshuang, his tone casual and full of humor.

“Hm?” Gu Ningshuang’s eyes narrowed, her gaze flashing with surprise as she scrutinized Gu Changsheng.

It seemed that her ninth imperial brother, the current emperor of the Great Zhou, only had a mere Innate Realm cultivation.

Her first instinct was that Gu Changsheng was concealing his true strength from her. But with her vision as a former emperor, even a saint couldn’t hide their cultivation from her. How was Gu Changsheng able to do it?

Clearly, her ninth imperial brother was not as simple as he seemed.

“Brother, not long ago, while I was cultivating, I sensed the aura of a strange flame within the palace.” Gu Ningshuang said without hesitation. “The Phoenix Divine Body I possess makes such flames invaluable to me. I wonder if my imperial brother would be willing to part with it?”

“My imperial brother has no need to worry. I am willing to offer a Saint-level cultivation technique in exchange.”

Hearing this, Gu Changsheng was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered. He recalled that not long ago, he had drawn the Red Lotus Flame from the system. It seems the flame’s aura had leaked, and the Red Lotus Empress had sensed it.

Gu Ningshuang was even willing to trade a Saint-level technique for the Red Lotus Flame in his possession. Had it been anyone else, they would likely have agreed without hesitation.

But the technique he cultivated was the Emperor’s Dao Art, a divine technique from the system, capable of reaching the Emperor Realm. What use would he have for a mere Saint-level technique?

Besides, the Red Lotus Empress was currently seeking his help. Not taking this opportunity to extract more benefits from her would be foolish.

Gu Changsheng’s lips curled into a playful smile. “You are indeed generous, Imperial Sister, offering a Saint-level technique in exchange for a mere flame. However, I already have a suitable technique and have no need for another.”

Gu Ningshuang’s expression darkened upon hearing this.

She could offer an Emperor-level technique, but doing so would raise questions she couldn’t answer. She even considered forcibly taking the Red Lotus Flame from him, but quickly dismissed the idea.

The palace was filled with powerful figures, and she could sense that a Sword Dao Great Expert was secretly guarding Gu Changsheng.

With her current strength, even if she obtained the flame, she wouldn’t be able to escape.

“What would my imperial brother need in exchange for the flame?” Gu Ningshuang asked, taking a deep breath to steady herself.

Gu Changsheng smiled again, his tone light but full of meaning. “How about this? I don’t need any treasures from you, but if you swear an oath to the heavens to help me with three tasks once you’ve regained your strength, I’ll give you the Red Lotus Flame.”

Gu Ningshuang hesitated, conflicted.

If it had been one task, I would have agreed without a second thought.

But three? That would mean assisting him three times as the Red Lotus Empress.

She was ready to refuse when Gu Changsheng added, “I also happen to have some Ten Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea, which I can give to you along with the flame.”

“What?” Gu Ningshuang’s eyes widened in surprise.

Red Lotus Flame and Ten Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea? Where was her ninth imperial brother getting all these rare treasures?

If she could obtain both, it would shorten the time needed to restore her Emperor-level strength by several years. After a brief moment of contemplation, she finally made her decision.

She swore the oath to the heavens and agreed to Gu Changsheng’s terms.

Seeing her agreement, Gu Changsheng smiled, and with a thought, a scorching, golden-red lotus-shaped flame appeared in his hand.