Logging into the Game World Early and Starting with a Royal Marriage to the Empress

Inside the palace, the flames of the candle flickered, and the light and shadows danced treacherously on the walls like silent ghosts.

The slight rustle of the candle as it burned was like the rubbing of a dancer’s skirt, each flicker of flame stirring the still air.

Emperor Wen sat high above, looking down at the prostrate teenager Xia Chen kneeling before him, nodding slightly, a hint of satisfaction on his face.

I don’t need you to go through fire and water, just by seeing that you were able to break through the Inspection and Supervision Court’s trickery, I know that you have some talent.

Today, you are appointed into the Lamplighters to assist Ma Song and uproot Lu Li’s party’.

Emperor Wen’s gaze was like a torch, fixed on Xia Chen, as if it wanted to pierce his skin and probe into the depths of his soul to see if he was truly loyal.

After a long time, Xia Chen did not make a sound before slowly raising his head. Your Majesty, is that all?

His voice was calm, but there was a hint of questioning in it.

‘What else do you think there should be?’

Emperor Wen’s voice was indistinct, seemingly from a distant land, and the rhetorical question carried a hint of playfulness.

Your Majesty has summoned me to the palace, I believe there must be another important matter to discuss.

Xia Chen replied boldly, his gaze meeting Emperor Wen’s openly.

You are indeed intelligent. I have one more thing for you to do, stand up.’

Emperor Wen’s tone softened slightly, at this moment, he seemed to be just an ordinary old man, but the majesty emanating from his body made people not dare to overstep their bounds.

‘Thank you, Your Majesty.’ Xia Chen stood up and sat down in front of his seat.

‘You have entered the Lamplighters, the first and foremost task is to uncover the secret agents of the Royal City Command and the Inspection and Supervision Court that are lurking among them.

Emperor Wen’s words were calm, but like a boulder thrown into Xia Chen’s heart lake, they caused a thousand ripples.

‘The Lamplighters have actually been infiltrated?’ Xia Chen could not help but blurt out.

‘To say infiltration is too strong, but there is no doubt that there is a mole, and the position is not low. Otherwise, Lu Li wouldn’t have made such a low-level mistake and even misunderstood the purpose of stealing the military defence map.

Emperor Wen narrowed his eyes slightly, as if remembering the complicated situation.

I will definitely find out the truth within three months.

Xia Chen clenched his fists and swore.

‘Oh? Three months? You really are so confident.

Emperor Wen gently lifted his eyelids, his gaze like a knife, gently scraping over Xia Chen’s body.

‘There are no jokes before the king. Xia Chen did not flinch and replied firmly.

A good sentence, there are no jokes before the king. After three months, I will wait for the good news.

Emperor Wen lightly waved his right hand and a white-gold token slowly floated in front of Xia Chen.

Tomorrow, you will go to your post. The investigation of this case is urgent, so you are authorised to select several people from the Imperial Guard to go with the Lamplighters.’

After speaking, Emperor Wen waved his hand, signalling for Xia Chen to retire.

‘I ask to leave.’ Xia Chen bowed, his movements as standard as a textbook example, every gesture showing respect.

Emperor Wen also could not help but look at him more closely.

……

In the carriage, Xia Chen and Li Wenzhong sat facing each other. Doesn’t Uncle Shi want to know what His Majesty and I are talking about? Xia Chen was the first to break the silence.

Since His Majesty asked me to step aside, he has private matters to explain to you alone, so why should I ask more?

Li Wenzhong did not raise his eyelids, as if lost in his own world, his eyes closed.

His Majesty has entrusted me with a heavy responsibility and ordered me to join the Lamplighters as Director of the Nine Divisions’.

Xia Chen’s words were like a thunderbolt that instantly exploded in Li Wenzhong’s ears.

‘What?’

Li Wenzhong’s eyes snapped open, his gaze was like electricity, and that light took a long time to fade.

After Lu Li’s downfall, two major directors of the Nine Divisions went with him.

However, Lu Li has been in charge of the Lamplighters for more than twenty years, and there are many people who have been favoured by him, and it is hard to count the number of people whose hearts are inclined towards him.

His Majesty has sent you to help the new Commander-in-Chief, Ma Song, rectify the situation.

Among the Lamplighters, a bloody storm is afraid to be inevitable’.

Li Wenzhong’s gaze was deep and his tone was full of emotion. For more than twenty years, Lu Li’s infinite scenery in his eyes, who would have expected that it would now be like a building falling down, fleeting, how could he not let his heart sigh with regret?

The Lamplighters are too powerful, outside of the court’s rules and regulations, is the sharp edge in His Majesty’s hands.

However, in recent years, Lu Li has become too powerful and has been cultivating his close friends among the Lamplighters, causing many people to only know Lu Li and forget about His Majesty.

His fate is not only because of the military defence map, but also because of his own fault.’ Xia Chen said.

Xia Chen’s gaze was calm and his tone indifferent. Although Lu Li’s defeat was caused by him, the root cause was Emperor Wen’s intention, and the military defence map was just a detonator.

Li Wenzhong looked deeply at Xia Chen and secretly sighed in his heart that this young man was far more sober and wise than he expected.

As a courtier, accompanying the king is like accompanying a tiger. His Majesty’s esteem is a godsend, but it is also a crisis, and the slightest carelessness will lead to disaster.

In the past, Lu Li, now I and the Lamplighters of Ma Song, even including you, are in this whirlpool of power’.

Li Wenzhong’s gaze was distant, his head leaning lightly against the wall of the carriage, as if he wanted to see through the illusions of this world and gain insight into the direction of destiny.

Xia Chen also stared at Li Wenzhong, not expecting that this General, who had always been cautious and prudent, quite a traditional martial arts General, would actually spit out such heartfelt words in front of himself.

‘Uncle Shi is about to become the Senior General of the Dragon Martial Guard, and is a trusted and important official of His Majesty. If he speaks such words now, is he not afraid that I will inform His Majesty?

The corner of Xia Chen’s mouth rose slightly as he looked at the reclining Li Wenzhong with a smile or not.

I haven’t known you for a long time, and I can’t say that I know you well. But I’ve always been a keen observer of people, and there’s no awe in your eyes, whether you’re looking at me or talking about His Majesty.

I am not as loyal as I appear, and neither are you, you and I are on the same path.

Li Wenzhong’s gaze remained steady, and after saying that, he looked back at Xia Chen.

I’m quite optimistic about you, as long as you don’t make any big mistakes and perform well, you might be able to break the centuries-old law that foreign relatives are not allowed to hold power.

At that time, I may have to look up to you and consider it an investment in advance.

Li Wenzhong’s face flushed with a hint of a smile, he picked up his teacup, gestured to Xia Chen through the air, and then drank it all in one go.

Xia Chen was silent for a long time and finally raised his teacup as well, returning the favour to Li Wenzhong.

As the ancients say, great wisdom is like folly, and that’s what Uncle Shi is talking about. It is said that all court officials are the most intelligent people in the world, I think if Uncle Shi takes the path of studying and joining the civil service, his achievements will not be inferior to theirs, and it would be a pity to join the military.

Xia Chen smiled and praised.

Great wisdom is like a fool, do not dare to be, but some of the way of dealing with the world. In the capital, it is like an abyss of dragons and snakes. The son of heaven above the clouds, soaring in the sky of power and wealth, the power of the henchmen, seemingly reckless and stupid martial artists, insidious and cunning politicians, hidden conspirators, and the leader of the group of rogues of the leader, which is not intelligent people, facing these people, how can you not be careful, like walking on thin ice it’.

Li Wenzhong shook his head and sighed slightly, his gaze falling on Xia Chen again.

‘On the contrary, it is you, these years you are the most intelligent of the juniors I have seen.

Uncle Shi, you and I should stop praising each other.

Xia Chen hurriedly stopped the carriage, not wanting to continue this topic.

As the carriage moved forward, the two of them leaned against a corner, both lost in their own thoughts.

Suddenly, Li Wenzhong’s voice resounded in the silence, “If I lose my power one day, can you protect my family?

Why did Uncle Shi say that?

Xia Chen’s gaze was heavy as he looked at the calm Li Wenzhong, a feeling of heavy sadness welling up in his heart.