Chapter 227: The More I Listen, the Wilder the Story Gets

Xiao Li was pleased with Xiao Jingrong’s tact, but she still stripped him of his title and demoted him to a commoner.

His family was naturally returned to him. She even generously gave him a residence—though of course, letting him live in a Prince Mansion was out of the question.

Xiao Li wasn’t about to leave a Prince as a brother for herself.

Of all the late Emperor’s sons, Xiao Jingrong had become a commoner, Prince Yanping had been turned to ash, and Prince Chen, Xiao Jingyu, was still locked up. Now, only Xiao Jingyi remained.

He hadn’t participated in the rebellion, nor had he made an enemy of Xiao Li. He had bent the knee too quickly. Now, he was proving quite effective at handling affairs outside the capital, making it impossible for Xiao Li to strip him of his princely title even if she wanted to.

No wonder Xiao Li was suspicious of him. The man’s luck was just too good; it was as if he made the right choice every single time.

She wanted to kill him but couldn’t find an opening.

He was too hard to kill.

Dealing with Xiao Jingrong was simple and caused no ripples. The court was now filled with the Empress’s followers. If anyone dared to bring up matters of brothers, relatives, or princes, Song Junzhan could quell them with a single glance before Xiao Li even had to speak, and the officials of the Six Ministries would take care of the rest.

’They don’t even get it. Worrying about the Emperor’s brother? What, are you trying to back a rebellion? Do you think we, the Empress’s ministers, are just freeloaders?’

As for the Emperor of Yue Country, he was even less important.

A ruler of a fallen nation, a dog that has lost its home. Xiao Li gave him one look and had him dragged away. She wouldn’t kill him, just keep him imprisoned.

If she killed him, Yue Country would be harder to manage. Besides, she had no personal grudge against its Emperor. So she would just keep him, saving her subordinates some trouble, and wait for a suitable time for him to have a suitable death.

After that came the audiences with the envoys from various nations, one wave after another.

Although these people already knew that Longsheng was now ruled by an Empress, they were still stunned when they saw a woman in a Dragon Robe sitting calmly on the Dragon Throne.

Six months ago, they would have scoffed. How could a woman become an Emperor?

But half a year later, Yue Country had been annihilated. Today was the day the grand army returned in triumph. The Emperor was a woman, and her court was filled with young, powerful officials. No one dared to show the slightest disrespect.

In fact, this nation ruled by a female emperor was even more aggressive and threatening than before.

The envoys from the five nations each came forward with a torrent of praise, followed by gifts.

Provocation? Did they think the deadly weapons of the Silver Armor Army guards were just for show?

But compared to their awe and trepidation, Xiao Li was simply annoyed.

She had never held court for this long. Her temples were throbbing.

The most ridiculous part was that every nation brought a young, handsome man. Though their looks varied according to different standards of beauty, they were all indeed outstanding.

’They’re just handsome, that’s all. It’s not like I’m short on good-looking men.’ But just as drowsiness was setting in, Xiao Li’s eyes shot open when she saw the Prince of Chi Rong enter.

"Mu Hati pays his respects to the Empress!"

’Why does this Prince of Chi Rong, dressed in magnificent, wild Chi Rong attire, look so familiar?’

"Mu Yunzhu?"

The other person lowered their voice and bowed again. "Reporting to the Empress, my name is Mu Hati. I am Mu Yunzhu’s third brother."

Xiao Li: "..." ’I’m not blind.’

Even with the deliberate disguise and lowered voice, she could tell it was Mu Yunzhu at a glance.

Especially... Xiao Li’s gaze slowly drifted downward. Even though Chi Rong robes were loose, there was still a noticeable curve to that chest.

However, she didn’t expose her. Just like with the other envoys, she let her go through the motions.

When the audiences were over, all the envoys were settled in by the Ministry of Rites, to be seen again at the banquet that evening.

Xiao Li rose and left. A moment later, Mu Yunzhu caught up to her. "Your Majesty."

Seeing her jog over, Xiao Li’s lips curled. "Done with the act?"

Mu Yunzhu smiled. "My father, the King, originally wanted to send my third brother for the political marriage, but I didn’t think he was worthy of the Empress, so I came myself."

"Even though I am also a woman, as long as the Empress is fond of me, I can be your concubine."

Once again, Xiao Li was speechless. "..."

’After all this, is she dead set on becoming a concubine of Longsheng?’

Mu Yunzhu had even thought it all through. "Yunzhu knows that Your Majesty is a woman, but a political marriage is just for the sake of good relations between our countries. It’s not as if I must bear children for Your Majesty."

"Yunzhu can ride horses, accompany Your Majesty for amusement, and warm your bed. I would be content if Your Majesty would just grant me any concubine’s position."

Xiao Li had nothing to say.

’I already thought the other envoys sending handsome men was ridiculous, but now here comes Mu Yunzhu, who is even more over-the-top.’

Seeing that she had rendered Xiao Li speechless, Mu Yunzhu sighed and said with a laugh, "I’m just kidding."

Xiao Li continued walking and entered her bedchambers, and Mu Yunzhu followed her in.

Xiao Li sat down, and Hong Yue quickly began to massage her shoulders. She gestured for Mu Yunzhu to sit. "How have you been these past six months?"

The last trace of a smile vanished from Mu Yunzhu’s face. The pretense in her eyes faded, replaced by a look of utter desolation.

"I got married."

Xiao Li: Hmm?

Mu Yunzhu suddenly raised her hand and, in a swift motion, tore open her robes, revealing a long scar on her body.

"My father, the King, blamed me for abandoning Xiao Jingyu and fleeing. In a fit of rage, he struck me down. A month later, he listened to my second brother and married me off to the chief of the Hu Yun Tribe, a warrior of fifty, already in his twilight years."

"Do you know why, Your Majesty?"

Xiao Li said nothing, waiting for the rest of the story.

Mu Yunzhu’s eyes filled with scorn as she continued, "Liu Xueyin went back to get reinforcements and collapsed wretchedly in front of my second brother. He rescued her and nursed her back to health, developing feelings for her in the process. He blamed me for Liu Xueyin’s suffering and wanted to vent her anger, so he instigated our father to marry me off."

’I have a feeling this story isn’t over yet,’ Xiao Li thought.

Sure enough, Mu Yunzhu added, "Two months ago, my father, the King, found Liu Xueyin. He allegedly tried to rape her but was discovered by my second brother. In a fury, my second brother killed our father. My three brothers then fought to the death over the throne, and my eldest brother was killed."

"My second brother was victorious and became the new king, but my third brother left with Liu Xueyin. If I’m not mistaken, they will definitely return to Longsheng."

Xiao Li picked up her teacup and took a slow sip. ’Any place with the female lead is bound to be dramatic.’

’Fathers and sons destroying each other, brothers killing one another... her charm is truly unbeatable.’

Just as she was thinking this, Mu Yunzhu said, "I am pregnant. Three months along."

Then she dropped a small bombshell on Xiao Li. "But it’s not my husband’s. It belongs to his son, Huyan Li, the young warrior of the Hu Yun Tribe."

Xiao Li’s eyelid twitched uncontrollably a few times. ’This... how does this story keep getting more and more insane?’

"Why are you telling me all this?"

Mu Yunzhu pulled her robes closed, her gaze pleading as she looked at Xiao Li. "Huyan Li was injured by his father and disappeared into the snow mountains. I took all of our wealth and came here under the guise of an envoy, hoping to ask Your Majesty for a safe place to stay so I can give birth to this child."

As she spoke, she knelt on one knee, performing the most devout salute. "The Great Witch said Huyan Li is not dead. He will surely come back for us. When the time is right, we will seize the Hu Yun Tribe and take all of Chi Rong. I beg Your Majesty to lend us your aid. This child, be it a boy or a girl, will surely be the future ruler of Chi Rong. They will rule in accordance with the Empress’s will, and the Empress will forever be the benefactor of my Chi Rong."

Xiao Li was intrigued. ’Is she trying to get me to bite on this grand promise she’s dangling?’

’But no matter how I look at it, there’s nothing in this for me.’

Seeing Xiao Li hesitate, Mu Yunzhu immediately threw out some heavy bait. "I brought two hundred Ferghana Horses from Chi Rong. If we take Chi Rong, its prized horses will be supplied first and foremost to the Empress’s Silver Armor Army."

Xiao Li: "..." ’She really found a reason that’s impossible to refuse.’

She truly did covet the warhorses of Chi Rong.

But coveting them was one thing; she wasn’t about to lose her senses over a few horses.

"There are plenty of ways for you to give birth to this child. Why must you come to Us with so much at stake?"

Mu Yunzhu replied, "I only trust you. And you are the only one who won’t be bewitched by Liu Xueyin."

Ambition glinted in her eyes. "I don’t even trust Huyan Li. Once the child is born, I will lead my own people and fight my way back."

She had always been a princess who refused to be subservient. The existence of an Empress like Xiao Li only strengthened her resolve to seize power in Chi Rong.

Xiao Li raised an eyebrow. This Mu Yunzhu was certainly to her liking. "My Princess Mansion is empty. You can live there."

Seeing that Xiao Li had finally agreed, Mu Yunzhu let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

At the same time, she added a warning, "Your Majesty, be careful of Liu Xueyin. My third brother, Mu Hati, is with her, and they have many people. They will surely try to rescue Xiao Jingyu."

The corner of Xiao Li’s eye lifted, her expression full of interest. "I was afraid she wouldn’t come."

’The whole reason I fought for this throne was to hold this position and keep the male lead from taking power.’

’If the male and female leads don’t stir up any trouble, things would be so boring.’

’Being a diligent and conscientious emperor is making me sick.’