Tsubaki’s POV

“I will not have her in my court,” I screamed.

“Please, son, rethink this at least make her a lower rank concubine.” my mother pleaded.

“And I said no,” I answered immediately.

“This is gonna take a while.” Pan-an slouched in his chair a bit.

“Mother, she is 17 years old.”

“So, what about it?”

“She is a minor.”

“So?”

“I am 20 years old.”

“You acting like age is an issue here.”

“Mother it is.”

“Your great-grandfather was 23 years old and married your great grandmother who was 17 when they got married.”

“Mother, just because they were comfortable with it doesn’t mean that I am.”

“Tsubaki, you have turned down 15 of my recommendations already.”

“You carried a 47-year-old woman to me. Then carried a man that looks like he smokes, drinks and does drugs daily.”

“He is a war veteran.”

“Another reason why a war veteran no offence but when was the last warlike 37 years ago. He is 50. No offence to war veterans but I swear they look dead on the inside and I fear that they might kill me in my sleep if they get nightmares of war.”

“But she is a young, cute, petite girl just look at her.” 

“And I said no. Child, what is your name?”

“My name is Wanshi, your majesty.”

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

“I want to train animals, your majesty.”

“Then I will send you to the Head of the Military that deals with Animal Intelligence and you can go from there.”

“Thank you, your majesty.”

With that, she left to her parents who hugged her and was on their way. I sighed as I walked back and forth before stopping in front of my laughing brother and my acting innocent mother.

“I will not be marrying or taking anyone in my harem court that is younger than 18. I will only accept 18 and go straight to 30.”

“So not even 31?”

“Oh, you know what 35. But no more.”

“I will keep that in mind.” my mother sighed in defeat.

“And you,” I said, turning to my brother who was trying to hide his laughter.

I inhaled before speaking, “Stop laughing at my suffering.”

And with that, he bent over and laughed his heart out to the point he started gasping and coughing. I placed my right hand on my hip and my left hand rubbed down my face. I was so done with my family, they were just too much.

“I said stop laughing.”

“I can’t.” he continued.

“You know what. Mother, you think you can get that 47-year-old woman with that overly make-up head to marry my brother? I will give my blessings from now on.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” he immediately stopped laughing and pointed at me.

“Yes I would, I am the future emperor. Anything I say goes, I am the monarchy.” 

“Don’t pull that card Tsu, I swear on my life I will drop kick you.”

‘Go through my two guards first.”

At the same time, Akio and Ruogang came out of their hiding places rubbing their necks.

“Sorry, your majesty. We can’t fight a member of the royal family without proper reason.” Ruogang spoke up.

“Oh come on,” I screamed.

“Tsubaki ready for my fist.”

“Wait no, I don’t want it anymore. I cry mercy.”

We were very easy with each other and it had been three days now, since the refurbishing of the empire and creation of the government. All that was left to do was choose the person to go into minister positions than go ahead with the plan for Heads of States which was pre-approved by the Elders already. This would be fun.

“Um, big brother Tsubaki.”

I turned to see Zian walking towards me with a bunch of scrolls in his arms. Not too long ago, I realized Zian’s magic was a literal god sent, one in every generation. Zian was able to see the auras of people and sense their intentions- must have been a mixture of mother’s heat reading and according to documents his father’s sensory magic. So I gave him as a secretary for the secret military of the Hun Empire and he seems to be having fun.

“Yes, Zian.”

“The people for the minister positions are here and lined up based on the tests they took, but five was too much so we cut it down to the top three.”

“That was fine, bring them in front of the building and we will take them into separate rooms and ask them one question and have them write their answer down. Then we will choose it based on that answer.”

“Alright, I will tell the officers.” Zian left in the same direction he came from.

“He is a promising kid.”

“Lingjiang.” I turned to hug my sister, “He is, I am glad Pan-an decided not to kill him.

“Let us not talk about those old days.”

“Please, that was only a month ago. Barely old days.”

“Well let us pretend it was please.”

“Ok, brother, we will respect your wishes.”

“Thank you.”

“Send him to the farmlands.”

“I heard that.”

“Ok come on, the testing is in progress. So what should we do before they need us?”

“Can I just say something?” Lingjiang began.

“Sure, go ahead.”

“I am going on a date.”

“With who?!”

“Are they worthy of our bloodline?”

“Do I need to threaten them to treat you right?”

“Who dares date, my daughter.”

“She has been dating them for a while. It is hilarious when she sneaks out to meet them.” Peru landed beside me which frightened me a bit.

“Can’t a girl date someone in peace, I have been dating them for three years now.” Lingjiang folded her arms.

“Not when you are dating a nobility.” Peru started.

“Wait, nobility, how come that ain’t come out yet?” Pan-an questioned.

“Gag order of 2347 at which states that any rumour about the royal family will result in the people engaged will lose their tongue.” I quickly said.

“What was up with our great grandfather? He made very questionable decisions and laws.” Lingjiang sighed.

“Guys.” Ruoqiu came towards us, “The hour test is finished, they require you to go through and look over the results and choose your ministers. You have our cousins there already.”

“Alright, we are coming.”

~~~~~

“Please rise for the entering of the Hun Royal Family and their Elders,” Akio spoke up.

Everyone in the room stood up as I led my family into the room and situated myself at my throne- waiting until everyone reached before sitting down which allowed everyone else to sit.

“Please, be quiet and respectful as the results are called out.” Ruogang finished.

There was small chatter before silence settled on the room, I quickly glanced over the crowd before taking a deep breath, “Begin.”

Elder Zhan took the stage, “Zhu Li, Qiu Tai and Ami Yu. You three took the Foreign Affairs Test and the victory was hard to decide but we decided to make Ami Yu Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

Ami Yu stood turning towards me, bowing as the crowd applauded her for her achievement.

Elder Xiong Zhiqiang stood after, rubbing the tiredness from his eyes, which must have pushed him too hard recently, “The Education test came to three people- Bai Wuya, Du Lan, and Yu Kang. You guys had a fierce battle with each other. One getting full marks and the other two tying for second, impressive. After discussion, we have decided that Bai Wuya will be the new Education Minister.”

Applause rang once more as Bai Wuya stood clasping his hands and quickly bowing to everyone.

Elder Ushi rose from her seat, “Commerce test was taken and the top three people were Xu Guanya, Fu Li and Bashu Transwei. Congratulations to  Banshu Transwei for becoming Minister of Commerce.”

Bashu Transwei rose to smile and bowed quickly before sitting down.

Elder Tuhai started as he stood “Charlote Yin, Wan Yawen and Cao Lingxin took the Politics Test. And over a hard battle, Charlote Yin is now appointed Minister of Politics.”

Chalote bowed in her seat as she clasped her hands.

Elder Sun Ping began, “Yuan Delan, Jia Ah, and Du Jing fought hard and the victor Du Jing was the Minister of Tourism and Tradition. I look forward to working with you.”

Du Jing's eyes smiled at the Elder before turning to me, bowing and waving a bit before sitting.

Elder Sonnin remained in his seat, he may not be too old but his foot injury wasn’t anything to joke at, “Lang Hai, Liang Shi and Han Su fought with honour and have proven their secrecy but we gave this on to Han Su for his courage and persistence.”

Han Su rose from his seat, held a book bowed then sat and went back to reading, the confidence levels emitting from him was admirable.

Elder Qin spoke out after, “Hang-shu Hin, Zhuan Bao and Peng Jun fought for the position of Minister of Spiritual Energy and Operation. And I am glad to announce that my adoptive son Hang-shu Hin got the position. Congratulations child.

Hang-shu Hin air hugged the elder before bowing towards me and sat back down.

Elder Qiao Shirong stood up, “Minister of Environmental Protection and Labour was handed to Lai He not only because he was the only one that willingly took the test but also because he qualified for it too.”

Lai smirked and winked before bowing then sitting back down.

Elder Mo ZhenKang fixed himself before standing, “I have to go all out for this one because I loved this. Ru Sheng, you surprised me with your answer to the question that I had to share. The question was, “If there was war and it threatened our borders, what would you do? This man wrote a conversation for his answer.” I sighed remembering the answer Ru Sheng wrote, I saw the Elder take out the scroll.

‘Guard: There is a war on our borders, what should we do?’

‘Ru Sheng: Is it our war?’

‘Guard: What?’

‘Ru Sheng: Are we a part of the war?’

‘Guard: No.’

“Ru Sheng: Then ignore it and strengthen our defences.’

‘Guard: But it's war?’

‘Ru Sheng: We ain’t at war minding your own business.’

I chuckled at how dramatic the Elder read the scroll, the elder continued, “Welcome to the team, I will enjoy your humour.”

Ru Sheng rose laughing a bit as he bowed.

Elder Meng Ling stood giggling a bit trying to compose herself, “Gave me serotonin levels for the day. Anyway, Shao Lan has been appointed Minister of Health and Human Services. So sorry to Hou Gang and Qin Yimu for trying.”

Shao Lan bowed in his chair.

Elder Mao Jin rose, “We are coming down to the end of the list. The test for the Minister of Agriculture came between Liao He, Song Yu and Mo Cai. But the successor Song Yu has surpassed everyone and received the position.”

“Thank you,” Song Yu spoke as he bowed.

Elder Liu Mingyu started, “Yan Hansheng, Guo Xun and Hu Shi fought for the position of Minister of Finance. Yan Hansheng congratulations on getting the position.”

Yan Hansheng shyly stood quickly, bowing, then quickly sat back down.”

Elder Li Bai stood up before looking straight at the winner, sighing, “Yuan-Yuan Chen is now the Minister of Justice. You beat two men that fought hard for the same position you are in. Congratulations.”

Yuan-Yuan Chen smiled, bowing before sitting down. Everyone looked at me and I looked to my right at Pan-an causing him to nod and stand, “Congratulations to everyone that has gotten the positions of the Ministers in government. I look forward to working with you. But don’t think that the questions we asked don’t have anything to do with reality. We asked who for a reason and the questions asked will be the first that takes you completely in your position. You will begin tomorrow.”

“Hold up,” I stood, “I have been looking for a secretary for a while and I have made my decision. There is a specific high ranking maid that caught my attention. I sent one of my guards to ask her a question and she gave me an answer that I value in anyone trustworthy to be working with me. Also, I asked Yunmo to privately test her and I am glad I found out about her talent. Yunmo.”

Yunmo stood, “Congratulations to Xi Shi, your majesty has personally appointed you as the Secretary of Parliament. I hope you work hard in your new post.”

She froze in the corner she stood and bowed several times before clasping her hands towards me- I smiled in return.

“Wait, wait, wait. I was promised a proposal.” Zian spoke out which caused the gasps to run through the building.

“Oh right, I forgot about that for a hot minute.” Peru laughed.

“Lingjiang darling, please come forward and stand right here.” Anoki smiled, jumping a bit.

“I just love how I was never told of this.” I sat down slouched a bit.

“What is all this about anyway?” Lingjiang asked.

“Shush, just listen.” Juneko quickly said.

I looked to my right as I saw Elder Mo ZhenKang walk forward and went in front of all of us, “I have dated Princess Hun Lingjiang for over two years now, and before I was scared that we might be separated from each other if the past emperor continued his ways. But now I realize that things and times have changed and I would like to take a risk. Usually, the family would marry off but I want to make sure I take the Princess’s hand before that can even happen. I would like to personally ask if I can take Lingjiang’s hand in marriage and make her my beloved wife, with your blessing Grand Empress and Future Emperor.”

I quickly looked at my mother and all she did was smile standing up and kissing the Elder on both her cheeks, “Welcome to the family.”

“I may not have properly known you but I see that you love my big sister a lot, you have my blessings.” I smiled.

The Elder smiled, turning to Lingjiang, “Lingjiang, please make me a happy woman and allow me to take your hand in marriage?” she said, pulling out a pendant and handing it over to Lingjiang.

Ling cried as she removed her pendant and switched it with the Elder signifying that they were engaged, “I would love to be your wife Zhen.”

Cheers erupted in the room, mainly from the royal family and most of the people in the building. I looked at the corner of my eyes and saw some didn’t like what they saw but who were they to speak to, especially after my mother and I gave our blessings. 

“Kiss already!” Zian yelled again.

“Child!” mother shouted.

“What, they make a cute couple.”

“And a wonderful wife, “Elder ZhenKang smiled.

“Same to you too.” Lingjiang smiled through tears.