Chapter 286: Did She Just Unlock a Hidden Model?

"I wonder if Your Majesty still has need of a military general like me?"

Chu Yungui was unsure of Xiao Li’s attitude, and he tried to turn the tables on her with a probing question.

The corner of Xiao Li’s lips curled up in a cold, disdainful smile. "We do need military generals, and We also need highly skilled military generals like you. But what makes you think that person has to be you?"

Chu Yungui: "..."

Though he found it hard to believe, he still asked, "Your Majesty never considered taking this commoner into your service, did you?"

He had stopped referring to himself as "your subject."

Xiao Li took a sip of tea before answering slowly, "We do admire you. A descendant of a General’s family, highly skilled in martial arts, and in possession of a Divine weapon. But those are not Our standards for employing someone."

Xiao Li tapped the table. "Let’s put it this way. There are three reasons We are disinclined to use you. One: The Xiao Family has a blood feud with you. Two: You are rebellious and proud, and your pledge of allegiance is insincere. Three: Your martial arts are too good."

Chu Yungui was so angry he laughed. "Your Majesty, are you afraid that I will take revenge on you?"

Xiao Li: "Do you think We are judging you by Our own low standards?"

She lowered her head slightly, her smile wicked. "Apologies, but We call this judging others by Our own standards."

"We lost Our mother at a young age, have no affection for Our father, and were mercilessly bullied by Our siblings. Because I’ve seen so much heartlessness, I cherish the people I care for all the more."

"If someone were to drive a person I care about to their death, I would hunt them down, along with their entire family. I would slaughter their whole line to avenge that blood debt."

She tilted her head with a smile, her aura flamboyant and sinister, like a venomous scorpion. "Chu Yungui, do you want to kill Us?"

Chu Yungui’s heart skipped a beat. ’This is completely different from what I imagined.’

’Can an Emperor admit to being this wicked so openly?’

He knelt. "This commoner has never had any intention of killing Your Majesty."

This was the truth. Although the Empress was from the Xiao family, she was a woman, and the Chu Family’s spears did not kill women.

Of course, the Empress was the Emperor and couldn’t be treated like an ordinary woman, but he truly had not projected his hatred for the late Emperor onto her.

Previously, the Empress had reformed the aristocratic families and reduced taxes, benefiting the nation and its people. Even if she bore the name of a tyrant, in his eyes, the Empress was a good ruler who truly thought of her subjects.

Not to mention, the Empress had saved him and his sister at a critical moment.

The Chu Family drew a clear line between gratitude and grudges. How could they possibly want to kill the Empress?

"Sigh~~"

The Empress let out a long sigh, her cold eyes lazy and indifferent. "How boring."

’Military generals are so one-track-minded. They’re no fun to tease.’

Xiao Li stood up. "You still haven’t answered Our question."

The reason for his sudden return, wanting to pledge his loyalty.

Chu Yungui wanted to ask, ’Does it even matter anymore? You’ve already given me three reasons to reject me.’

’But the Empress is just too perverse and sinister, completely unpredictable. With someone like her, a rejection isn’t always a rejection.’

’Of course, if the answer displeases her, a rejection is definitely a rejection.’

"Your Majesty, this commoner’s return was indeed a last resort. Because of the incident at King Xian’s banquet, everyone now knows my identity. Before King Xian’s men even came after me, several other factions were already trying to recruit me. This commoner is unwilling to serve a rebel king, and even less willing to flee to another country. Plus, I need to find a cure for Lingyi’s leg, which means I must travel the world. After thinking it over, Your Majesty is this commoner’s best option."

Chu Yungui chose to answer honestly, because he truly couldn’t concoct a lie that would fool this Empress.

Of course, for someone as taciturn and withdrawn as him, just giving this truthful explanation had wracked his brain. Telling a lie would be even harder.

Xiao Li walked closer slowly, her eyes narrowing. "We’ve been meaning to ask. You keep covering your face. Is it because you’re ugly?"

Watching the Empress’s hand reach for him, a sweet fragrance washed over him, aggressive and domineering.

Chu Yungui’s heart pounded unevenly. He took a slow step back. "This commoner will do it himself."

He slowly pulled down the black scarf covering half his face, revealing a top half that was a dark bronze and a bottom half that was slightly fair.

Looking up, he saw the Empress’s strange expression and suddenly realized something. He quickly pulled up his sleeve to wipe his face. "This commoner forgot I had something on my face."

Chu Yungui went to wash his face, leaving Chu Lingyi to look at the Empress awkwardly.

"Your... Your Majesty, my brother didn’t mean it. He’s just used to it."

Xiao Li raised an eyebrow. "Used to it?"

Chu Lingyi nodded shyly. "My brother is a bit, um..."

She glanced at the Empress’s face before saying, a little uncertainly, "...good-looking."

Compared to someone like the Empress, she felt her brother didn’t seem quite as uniquely dazzling anymore.

"Back where we’re from, he’s the best-looking one, so people were always harassing him, even calling him a pretty boy. That’s why my brother likes to mix oil with ash to make his skin look darker, and he always wears that scarf. It makes him look less approachable and helps him avoid a lot of trouble."

Xiao Li thought back. All she could recall were Chu Yungui’s resolute, cold eyes, and his half-black, half-white face. She really hadn’t gotten a clear look at his features. ’Just how good-looking could he be?’

"Your Majesty."

Chu Yungui returned after washing his face.

Xiao Li turned to look, and the tip of her brow arched up involuntarily.

’Did I just unlock a hidden character model?’

Chu Yungui’s appearance was a perfect match for his personality. He had fair, cool-toned skin and well-defined, though not deep-set, features. With sharp, soaring sword-like brows, bright black phoenix eyes, a high-bridged nose, and sharp-lined lips, he was the very picture of a handsome, cold young master with a face like carved jade.

He was a handsome man on par with Lou Yan and Song Junzhan.

But he lacked Lou Yan’s demonic charm and Song Junzhan’s gentle warmth. He was simply cold.

It wasn’t an unapproachable aloofness, but a cold, withdrawn ’don’t-any-of-you-dare-touch-me’ kind of distance.

’And for some reason, he seemed a little... um... well-behaved?’

Xiao Li’s sharp, unrestrained appraisal made Chu Yungui uncomfortable all over. He even felt the urge to reach for his weapons.

His jaw was tense, his teeth slightly clenched. He looked formidable, but a trace of panic was suppressed in his clear, dark eyes.

He hadn’t shown his true face like this in years. And the Empress was staring at him with such a direct gaze. Although it wasn’t filthy and filled with desire like the stares of others, this gaze, which seemed to see right through him, was no better.

"Is there something wrong with this commoner?"

Xiao Li: "Wrong? No, you’re perfectly right. The number one requirement for Our generals is that they can’t be ugly."

Chu Yungui: "..."?

"Your Majesty... is willing to give this commoner a chance?" ’Because of my face?’

’Unbelievable.’

Xiao Li hesitated. "Hmm, We can consider it."

Chu Lingyi raised her hand. "Your Majesty, I... I know martial arts too! I can protect Your Majesty!"

Her face was filled with anticipation, practically screaming: ’It’s a buy-one-get-one-free deal! Your Majesty definitely won’t lose out!’

This time, Xiao Li was genuinely interested. "How good are your martial arts?"

Chu Lingyi was stumped. ’How am I supposed to describe how good my martial arts are?’

Her thoughts raced. Pointing at Chu Yungui, she said, "I can take ten of my brother’s moves!"

Chu Yungui mercilessly exposed her. "That’s when I’m not being serious. I could kill you in three moves as easily as flipping my hand."

Chu Lingyi raised a hand as if taking an oath. "Your Majesty, I can learn! I wasn’t diligent before. As long as I study seriously, I’ll be no worse than him!"

Xiao Li glanced at her leg. Chu Lingyi instantly fell silent and lowered her head, her expression crestfallen. She had almost forgotten that she was a cripple now.

Suddenly, a hand landed on her head and patted it gently. "It’s good to be ambitious. As it happens, We are in need of a female general."

"Someone, summon the military physician."