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

The entire induction banquet proceeded in a harmonious atmosphere, with Xia Chen naturally serving as the focal point of the gathering throughout the event.

Those in attendance today were, at the very least, mid-to-low-ranking officials of the Hundred Households level; as the banquet progressed, they mustered their courage to approach and offer toasts. Xia Chen responded with a smile, addressing each one in turn, conducting himself without the slightest trace of arrogance and fully immersing himself among the grassroots ranks.

This gradually eased the hearts of the attendees considerably.

The reason for the unease lingering in their minds was that this superior of theirs was simply too young.

They feared that this superior, eager to establish his merits, might employ crude and reckless methods, initiating a purge of these grassroots officials right from the outset.

Xia Wen and Xu Xingchen were also surrounded by numerous individuals; everyone understood that these two were undoubtedly Xia Chen’s trusted confidants, despite their nominal roles as mere attendants and a clerk.

Yet even the steward of a prime minister’s residence could rival a Seventh-Rank official in stature!

Especially Xia Wen—he was a legitimate son of the Marquis of Zhendong’s household; though his particular branch bore no noble title, his father was, after all, a Junior Minister—a full-fledged Fourth-Rank official!

Moreover, it was now common knowledge among them that Xia Wen was a prodigy; at just eleven years old this year, he had already attained the Eighth Rank. It was conceivable that he would assuredly rise to become a prominent figure in the future.

Thus, no one dared overlook Xia Wen on account of his tender age.

“I can’t handle any more—I can’t drink another drop! You all go toast Brother Xu instead!”

Xia Wen’s eyes were bleary with intoxication, yet he retained a shred of lucid consciousness; ever the cunning little imp, he hastily pointed toward Xu Xingchen beside him。

Back at the marquis’s mansion, he had never had the chance to drink; today, basking in the adulation of the crowd, his spirits soared, and he indulged—only to find himself tipsy in short order.

Hearing Xia Wen’s voice and seeing him point in his direction, Xu Xingchen swiftly feigned drunkenness, slumping onto the table.

At this banquet, everyone drank to their heart’s content, reveling in unrestrained merriment.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Xia Chen sat flanked by Zheng Ping, Cui Hu, and Lu Shen.

“Today, the Division Head has gone to great expense!”

Zheng Ping’s cheeks glowed red; he too had consumed a fair share of wine, yet he still raised his cup to offer Xia Chen a toast.

“We’re all brothers—what talk is there of expense or no expense!”

Xia Chen likewise lifted his wine cup, smiling as he clinked it against Zheng Ping’s.

“It’s just that, well, today I had reserved the entire second floor, yet I hadn’t expected that it wouldn’t even be filled!”

Xia Chen sighed, speaking offhandedly with an air of nonchalance.

Upon hearing this, subtle changes flickered across the faces of Zheng Ping, Cui Hu, and Lu Shen, each expression distinct.

“His Majesty tasked me with entering the Lamplighters, and in truth, he entrusted me with a mission!”

Xia Chen spoke again, his tone remarkably forthright, as though he regarded all three as his own men.

The expressions of the trio shifted; even Lu Shen, typically the most composed, turned his gaze toward him.

“Might we know… what this mission entails?”

Cui Hu couldn’t refrain from asking; ever since that day when Xia Chen had lectured him, something—unknown to them—had transpired, rendering him unusually docile and exceptionally obedient.

“His Majesty remarked that in recent years, within the Lamplighters, there has been a proliferation of forming factions for personal gain—everyone clustering into cliques, their subordinates nearly transformed into personal household troops…”

Xia Chen paused here, leaving his words unfinished; he cast a glance at the three, whose faces had abruptly paled—especially Lu Shen!

“Thus, on that day, when I dispersed the men under your command, it was to save you. I hold high hopes for all three of you—you’re clever men, and I trust you can comprehend the painstaking intent behind my actions!”

Xia Chen patted Zheng Ping’s shoulder, then gave a pat to Cui Hu’s beside him.

He then turned his gaze to Lu Shen, whose expression was the most strained, and spoke.

“His Majesty possesses a heart of benevolence and a magnanimous spirit; though you are Lu Li’s adopted son, you are, after all, merely an adopted son. So long as you refrain from missteps during this sensitive period, these matters are of little consequence!”

Lu Shen swallowed hard, cold sweat beading within his heart; at last, he understood why His Majesty had dispatched a youthful outsider into their Lamplighters.

Youthful vigor, brash actions, an eagerness to prove himself—such ruthlessness was the natural strength of the young!

A young man was the perfect blade for the task!

And now, this blade was poised to strike at the faction of his adoptive father, Lu Li!

As Lu Li’s adopted son, he should, by rights, have been among the first on the list for purging.

“But… in this sensitive period at present, you are no longer suited to serve as the hallmaster of Pear Blossom Hall. Are you willing to relinquish your position, temporarily humbling yourself to serve as an attendant by my side?”

Xia Chen inquired calmly; Lu Shen fell silent, saying nothing. Xia Chen employed no thunderous measures, nor did he pin any charges upon him—Lu Shen had committed no fault—yet with such tranquil words, he sought to strip away all the authority in his hands, a move far graver than merely scattering his subordinates earlier.

Yet Lu Shen knew he had no alternative; indeed, he ought to feel gratitude toward Xia Chen for sparing him.

For by all logic, he should have been the first to face the axe.

“In reply to the Division Head—I am willing. Henceforth, I wish to serve as an attendant by your side, repaying the grace of your life-saving mercy!”

Lu Shen raised his wine cup, his voice deep and resolute.

Whether his heart was sincere or not, he knew he must express gratitude—for Xia Chen now held his life and death in his grasp.

In the three days Xia Chen had been absent from the government office, they had all come to learn that he bore the “Imperial Sword of Authority,” embodying His Majesty’s will. This was why, on that day, they had clashed with Xia Chen in tense confrontation, yet today they were as meek as docile brides.

With this, Xia Chen successfully “released military power with a cup of wine”!

“Old Zheng!”

Xia Chen then turned to Zheng Ping; Zheng Ping jolted, hastily responding.

“Division Head, this humble one is no partisan of that Lu Li—please, sir, see the truth clearly! But I too am willing to surrender my hallmaster position and serve as an attendant by your side!”

Zheng Ping unleashed a torrent of words, swiftly distancing himself and pledging loyalty, terrified that Xia Chen might twist the truth and brand him with the label of Lu Li’s faction.

His Majesty had unmistakably resolved to kill; all of Lu Li’s faction would face a purge.

“Haha, Old Zheng—I’m no murderous fiend; there’s no need for such nerves! I meant to ask—I’ve heard that Chen Song and Li Yue seem to be men of the Crown Prince and the Third Prince, don’t they?”

Xia Chen shifted the topic with a laugh, picking up a piece of beef from the table and eating as he spoke.

Zheng Ping relaxed, though his eyes remained steadfastly calm from start to finish.

“Such matters are truly beyond this subordinate’s knowledge; this humble one dares not speculate about the Crown Prince or the Third Prince. However, for the Crown Prince and princes to extend their reach into the Lamplighters—that’s a grave offense! We Lamplighters are all loyal to His Majesty alone!”

Zheng Ping declared with earnest solemnity.

“Haha, Old Zheng—you’re a veteran of our Eagle Eye Division; I’m new to the Eagle Eye Division and still unfamiliar with many of its rules. It’s the perfect chance to seek your counsel.

Tell me—today, I’ve hosted a banquet for all my colleagues in the Eagle Eye Division; you three have honored me with your presence, yet those two alone have not come, even bringing a host of their subordinates with them in their absence—what does that signify?”

Xia Chen pivoted to yet another topic, his tone casual, as though posing a mere offhand question.

The gazes of Cui Hu and Lu Shen grew exceedingly grave; they knew the true crux had arrived.

“Defying a superior and forming factions for personal gain—that’s a grave crime!”

Zheng Ping’s eyes bore a stern resolve as he spoke.

“And what punishment would be fitting?”

“For forming factions for personal gain—a capital offense, confiscation of property, exile for the men of the family, and consignment of the women to the Imperial Courtesan Bureau!”

Zheng Ping answered without the slightest hesitation, his voice cold and unyielding; at these words, even Cui Hu and Lu Shen beside him cast deep, probing glances at Zheng Ping—was this still the same Old Zheng, ever jovial and amiable to all?