Bonus Chapter: What to Do After Transmigrating into an Emperor

Everyone, bad news: I’ve transmigrated.

Good news: I’ve transmigrated as the Emperor.

What should I do now?

Answer: Deal with it!

Qin Mu woke up and almost screamed in fright.

Can you imagine an old eunuch with a smile as crinkled as a chrysanthemum saying to you, “Your Majesty, it is time to get up. The Morning Assembly is about to begin”?

‘Your Majesty??’

Listening to the person with the chrysanthemum-like smile, Qin Mu was completely dazed.

The old eunuch looked at Qin Mu’s confused expression and thought His Majesty simply hadn’t woken up yet.

However, now was not the time to sleep in; the Morning Assembly held once every 15 days could not be neglected.

“Serve His Majesty while he dresses!”

With the old eunuch’s command, a large number of little eunuchs filed in to change Qin Mu’s clothes.

At this moment, Qin Mu finally realized the truth: he had transmigrated as the Emperor!

‘Oh my God! Is it really this great?!’

With an excited heart and trembling hands, Qin Mu couldn’t believe it, yet everything before his eyes was incredibly real.

‘Whatever. Even if this is a dream, I have to enjoy it enough before I wake up.’

However, wasn’t the task of serving the Emperor while he dressed supposed to be done by palace maids?

Why was it a group of little eunuchs?

Qin Mu was puzzled.

It wouldn’t do; having a group of little eunuchs serve him felt a bit awkward.

“Cough, cough. I think that starting from tomorrow, we should switch to some palace maids to serve me while I dress.”

‘Waking up to see a beautiful Miss would make my mood much better,’ Qin Mu thought to himself.

But the moment Qin Mu said those words, the old eunuch suddenly fell to his knees and kowtowed.

“Your Majesty! This old slave wouldn’t dare! If Her Highness the Regent finds out about this, she will surely skin me alive!”

‘What the! Skin him alive! This Regent is so ruthless!’

‘Wait! The Regent!!!’

A bad feeling immediately rose in Qin Mu’s heart.

This was not good at all.

Generally speaking, if there was a Regent, it meant that the real power did not lie in the hands of the Emperor!

In an instant, Qin Mu was filled with a sense of crisis.

If this Regent wanted to become the Emperor himself, wouldn’t he kill Qin Mu whenever he pleased?!

Moreover, looking at the reaction of this old eunuch, the Regent’s influence had already reached deep into the Imperial Palace.

Qin Mu’s heart sank. This was not a good sign!

‘Is the military power currently in my hands?’

This was Qin Mu’s biggest concern, though he didn’t have much hope.

The other party was the Regent, who held great power.

Still, as long as the Imperial Guards were still in his hands, it would be fine!

He could only pray for that.

Seriously, how did he end up transmigrating into an Emperor with no real power!

Qin Mu’s plan for a nationwide beauty pageant was ruined.

Being able to save his own life would already be quite an achievement.

***

The sky was just beginning to brighten.

As the bell rang, the Morning Assembly began.

Qin Mu sat on the Dragon Throne, looking at the dense crowd of people before him.

He frowned, putting on a mature facade.

After all, those in front of him were all old foxes.

“Your Majesty! This official has a memorial to present!”

A minister stood forward and spoke.

Qin Mu didn’t recognize him, but that didn’t stop him from listening.

“Speak.”

“Now that Your Majesty is nearly 20 and approaching his capping ceremony, this official believes it is time for you to take full power. It is time for Her Highness the Regent to return that power.”

‘Good!’

Hearing the minister’s words, Qin Mu wanted to jump up and applaud.

This man had truly spoken the thoughts of his heart.

‘Exactly! Hand it back!’

He really didn’t know how the previous owner of this body had lived.

To live so carefree without any power in his grasp — he must have had a massive heart.

Qin Mu looked around, trying to find exactly who the Regent was.

However, after waiting for a while, no one stepped forward to acknowledge themselves as the Regent.

“Humph! Vice Minister Liu, you only dare to be so disrespectful to Her Highness the Regent because she is absent today. Once the Regent returns, this elder will certainly impeach you.”

Another minister pointed at Vice Minister Liu and spoke.

‘The Regent isn’t here?!’

Well then.

No wonder Qin Mu had been waiting and waiting without seeing the Regent; it turned out the person wasn’t even present.

‘Dammit! This Regent is far too lawless, not even attending the Morning Assembly!’

Qin Mu trembled with rage.

He had to take down this Regent no matter what. Otherwise, he — no, he, the Emperor — would never be able to sleep or eat in peace!

Throughout the entire assembly, Qin Mu had no interest in listening to the verbal sparring between the ministers.

He was constantly thinking about how to deal with this Regent.

‘Should I try the Kangxi approach? Secretly train Dead Soldiers, lure the Regent into the palace, and then capture him!’

‘No, no! I can’t be sure if the Imperial Guards are in his hands yet.’

‘Right! The Imperial Guards. I must have this force in my hands no matter what!’

After the assembly ended, Qin Mu looked at the old eunuch beside him.

Come to think of it, he still didn’t know the old eunuch’s name.

“Cough! That… what was your name again? It slipped my mind for a moment.”

Hearing Qin Mu’s words, the old eunuch smiled and said, “Your Majesty, this old slave’s surname is Cao. As for my given name, I fear saying it would only dirty Your Majesty’s ears.”

‘Oh my God! Eunuch Cao!’

Qin Mu was truly shocked and immediately asked, “Do you happen to know some kind of Tongzi Gong?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, this old slave has cultivated it for 50 years.”

Qin Mu slowly closed his wide-open mouth.

‘What the! That’s too much of a coincidence!’

Qin Mu couldn’t believe it.

‘Wait! That means this world has martial arts!’

‘Then did my original body cultivate any Martial Arts Manual?!’

Qin Mu immediately closed his eyes and began to carefully sense his body.

Sure enough, there was a warm current of Qi within him.

“This… Eunuch Cao, where do you think my strength ranks in the martial world?”

To Qin Mu’s question, Eunuch Cao flatteringly said, “Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven! How can you be compared to those brutes in the martial world? Besides, what Your Majesty cultivates is a health-preserving manual specifically chosen by Her Highness the Regent, not a manual meant for combat and killing.”

‘The Regent! Him again!’

Hearing Eunuch Cao’s words, Qin Mu’s mood instantly soured.

This Regent not only held massive weight in the court but also reached into the palace, even interfering with the manual he cultivated!

‘No!’

At this moment, Qin Mu’s heart was set.

As long as the Regent was not eliminated, he would never have peace.

After finishing his duties, Qin Mu couldn’t wait to head toward the Imperial Guards.

Before he could even reach the interior of the military camp, Qin Mu was stopped at the entrance.

“Your Majesty! Her Highness the Regent has ordered that Your Majesty is forbidden from entering the military camp without permission!”

The soldier blocking the way spoke.

Hearing this, Qin Mu almost fainted from anger.

‘Fine! Fine! Regent! I’ll remember you!’

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty! There are swords and spears everywhere here. If Your Majesty were to get hurt, this old slave wouldn’t be able to explain it to Her Highness the Regent!”

Eunuch Cao knelt and begged Qin Mu not to enter the camp.

Otherwise, the Regent would truly have his head.

Qin Mu’s face was as dark as could be.

‘Regent! Fine! I’ve marked you!’

With a flick of his sleeves, Qin Mu left in a huff.

Upon returning to the palace, Qin Mu was so angry he could barely breathe.

‘That damned Regent! He has made me, the Emperor, nothing more than a figurehead!’

‘Right! There’s one more question!’

“Eunuch Cao! Has the Regent been granted the Nine Bestowments?”

Qin Mu asked with some unease.

If they had truly been granted, then it was over.

He might as well pack his things and run away as soon as possible.

“Your Majesty, have you forgotten? When you ascended the throne, Her Highness the Regent was already granted the Nine Bestowments.”

*Crack — *

Hearing Eunuch Cao’s words, Qin Mu was petrified on the spot.

‘Granted the Nine Bestowments at the coronation!!!’

‘My goodness, if I don’t run away now, what am I waiting for?!’

“Fine, I understand. You may leave now!”

Qin Mu waved his hand, and Eunuch Cao immediately retreated upon seeing the gesture.

‘This won’t do! If I don’t run, am I supposed to wait for the Regent to cut me down with a blade?!’

After Eunuch Cao left, Qin Mu immediately started packing a bag to flee.

He went to the desk and saw all kinds of Imperial Seals on it.

Regardless, they were made of jade; he’d take them to trade for money!

Then Qin Mu saw various calligraphy and paintings and took them all down.

This would be his money after he escaped!

By the time Qin Mu was almost finished packing, the sky had begun to darken.

Come to think of it, he hadn’t even eaten lunch yet.

It was all because of that damned Regent; the pressure was too much!

Just as Qin Mu’s stomach began to growl, Eunuch Cao’s voice came from outside.

“Your Majesty, you haven’t eaten for a long time. Although there’s no major problem because of your Cultivation, it wouldn’t be good if you were to starve your dragon body.”

‘So it was because of the manual.’

No wonder he hadn’t felt tired or hungry after packing for so long.

“Mhm, very well.”

Qin Mu just happened to want to taste how the food in the Imperial Palace actually was.

As Eunuch Cao ordered the meal to be served, Qin Mu immediately heard the sound of numerous footsteps approaching.

‘Oh! Not bad!’

Judging by the noise, the display was certainly not small!

Qin Mu began to look forward to it.

What kind of dishes would they be?

He was truly excited!

When all the food was placed before Qin Mu, he was stunned.

“This… this isn’t right… four dishes and one soup??”

Qin Mu rubbed his eyes and asked, “Eunuch Cao, is this all?”

Was this the standard for an Emperor?

Even if he was a puppet emperor now, there should at least be some fanfare.

The Regent hadn’t openly fallen out with him yet.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, these are all dishes meticulously chosen for Your Majesty by Her Highness the Regent. This old slave doesn’t dare to say more.”

‘Unbelievable!’

Even the food he ate was controlled by this Regent!

Qin Mu felt he had to run! He absolutely had to run!

Otherwise, when he died, no one would stand up to block the blade for him.

Qin Mu picked up his chopsticks and took the first bite!

‘Mhm! Not bad! It’s delicious!’

Like a wind sweeping away the clouds, Qin Mu finished every last bit.

“Phew — satisfied, satisfied!”

Qin Mu patted his belly with satisfaction.

Although it was unbecoming of his status, his life was almost gone; who cared about status?

‘Right!’

Qin Mu looked outside.

It was already dark.

Since it was dark—

‘Hehe, my beloved concubines, I’m coming!’

“Eunuch Cao, I have decided to flip a plaque!”

Qin Mu said with great vigor.

As the saying goes, when one is full and warm, thoughts turn to… well, here it was.

Hearing Qin Mu’s words, Eunuch Cao was so frightened he fell to his knees.

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty, watch your words! Lest you make the Ladies unhappy!”

‘What on earth?’

Qin Mu was left bewildered by Eunuch Cao.

He was just flipping a plaque; how would that make the Ladies unhappy?

Could it be that as the Emperor, even the concubines in the harem could bully him?!

‘So angry I’m shaking!’

Qin Mu was so furious he let out a sharp breath — and then just stayed angry.

“Fine, forget it. You leave; I’m going to sleep.”

Transmigrating as the Emperor was supposed to be a wonderful thing, but after today’s experience, Qin Mu was about to explode with rage!

The number one enemy: the Regent!

It seemed he couldn’t win this fight.

The other party was too overpowered; his stats simply couldn’t compare.

Time to slip away.

Saving his life was the most important thing.

“Your Majesty! Her Highness the Regent will be arriving shortly! If Your Majesty goes to sleep now, Her Highness…”

“Fine, fine! I won’t sleep, okay!”

Listening to Eunuch Cao, if it weren’t for the fact that Cao had served him well today, he would have kicked him out long ago.

‘The Regent… Sigh, poor guy. As the Emperor, I have zero power; everything is held in the Regent’s palm.’

“By the way, Eunuch Cao, do you think you could kidnap the Regent?”

Qin Mu suddenly thought of an idea. Kidnapping the Regent — that would be a guaranteed win.

If he could kidnap him, the Imperial Guards wouldn’t dare move against him as he escaped.

Even if he died, he’d take the Regent down with him.

However, upon hearing Qin Mu’s request, Eunuch Cao’s legs almost gave out from fear.

“Your Majesty is mocking this old slave! Even if this old slave fought with his life, I couldn’t harm Her Highness the Regent in the slightest!”

Eunuch Cao felt that something was very wrong with His Majesty today.

Could it be that because Concubine Yan had extracted too much last night, His Majesty’s mind was a bit unclear and he hadn’t recovered yet?

Don’t be fooled by Eunuch Cao’s 50 years of Tongzi Gong being enough to dominate the martial world; compared to the Ladies in the harem, he was simply not worth mentioning.

Each of the Ladies had extraordinary martial skills that far surpassed his own.

If it weren’t for the fact that the manual His Majesty cultivated was extremely overbearing, he would have died young long ago from the Ladies extracting his essence day after day.

‘Good heavens! Is this Regent that strong?!’

After hearing Eunuch Cao’s words, Qin Mu was shocked.

‘My goodness, the Regent is that powerful! Then what’s the point of playing?!’

“Her Highness the Regent has arrived!”

Just then, a voice came from outside.

Qin Mu’s gaze locked onto the door. He wanted to see just what kind of character this so-called Regent was!

Then, a tall figure appeared before Qin Mu.

She was extremely beautiful, with skin like snow and long, straight legs.

The golden silk belt around her waist outlined a slender midsection, and her every movement was filled with grace.

Rays of light shone into eyes that looked like autumn waters.

Under that peerless countenance, she was so beautiful she seemed like an Immortal Lady from the heavens, untouched by the mortal world.

The moment Qin Mu saw her, he was stunned.

The Regent was actually a woman!!! And she was a super-invincible beauty!!!

Seeing Qin Mu’s stunned expression, the Regent’s lips curled up slightly.

Her careful dressing wasn’t in vain; she was very satisfied with Mu’er’s reaction.

“What is it, Mu’er? After not seeing Sister for so long, why are you just standing there dazed?”

Her voice was soft and gentle, like a spring breeze blowing past, bringing a sense of intoxication.

‘Sister!! So the Regent is my sister!!’

No wonder.

No wonder this Emperor could live until now, and the Regent even handled things like his meals.

In an instant, Qin Mu’s thoughts of escaping vanished into thin air.

‘Mhm! I’ll just enjoy life from now on!’

“No… nothing! It’s just that you’re too beautiful, Sister!”

Qin Mu hurried forward to support her.

Eunuch Cao very tactfully retreated upon seeing this.

Indeed, the reason the Emperor had been a figurehead for so long while still living such a pampered life was because Her Highness the Regent doted on her younger brother far too much.

Had it been anyone else, they would have ascended the throne and declared themselves Emperor long ago.

Not only that, but the current Emperor’s other sister controlled the martial world.

With one sister controlling the court and the other the martial world, the two of them firmly grasped the empire inside and out.

As for resisting?

Sorry, but the grass on the graves of those who dared to resist was already 1 meter tall.

Qin Mengyu naturally took Mu’er’s hand and sat down on the bed.

She said, “Mu’er, I heard a report that you wanted to switch to palace maids to serve you while dressing?”

“Yes, Sister, I feel…”

Before Qin Mu could finish, the previously gentle Qin Mengyu caused a chill to rush straight to Qin Mu’s head.

“Sis… Sister?”

Qin Mu’s small frame instantly began to tremble.

‘What’s going on? Did the temperature drop?’

“Mu’er, Sister has told you before: those palace maids are all up to no good. Besides, there are many concubines in the harem. Mu’er, you are still young; you are easily deceived by bad women.”

Qin Mengyu advised him earnestly.

“Mhm, mhm! I understand!”

Qin Mu nodded his head repeatedly in response.

The next moment, a gentle expression returned to Qin Mengyu’s exquisite face as she stroked Qin Mu’s head.

“Mu’er, remember, Sister will never harm you. So, you must listen to Sister obediently, understood?”

“Understood!”

‘Oh my God.’

Qin Mu was somewhat certain now: his Regent sister seemed to be a yandere!

This was truly bad news. He liked yanderes in anime, but he was terrified of yanderes in reality.

In any case, he had to keep her calm first. If he made her unhappy, she could change her face in an instant.

If she decided to stab him, he’d be chilled to the core.

Seeing that her younger brother was still very obedient, Qin Mengyu was quite satisfied.

Although many ministers wanted to send their daughters in to be concubines, she had rejected them one by one.

The current concubines in Qin Mu’s harem were all meticulously chosen by her and Sister Ruoshuang.

Each of them was top-tier in terms of both status and martial arts.

After a simple catch-up, Qin Mengyu prepared to leave.

After all, she was currently overseer of the state and had many things to handle.

Being able to set aside time to visit Mu’er was already difficult.

Walking to the door and looking at the bowed Eunuch Cao, Qin Mengyu instructed, “Remember, satisfy whatever requests His Majesty has — except for women.”

“This old slave understands!”

Eunuch Cao bent his body and answered with the utmost respect.

“Mhm.”

Qin Mengyu nodded and then departed.

After learning that the Regent he had hated so much was actually his sister, Qin Mu’s mood was mysteriously good.

It was just that… hiss!

That yandere attribute was a bit tricky!

But his life was safe for now, which was great news!

Qin Mu was undoubtedly satisfied with this result.