Chapter 484: Extra 2: S-Class National Fortune, Everything for Beili

Chapter 484: Chapter 483: Extra 2: S-Class National Fortune, Everything for Beili

They both stared at her, each seeking her approval.

Ji Qingwu smiled. “I’m not taking sides.” She spoke slowly, “Your father will have the final say in this matter.”

Princess Chen Zhao pressed, “And if Father’s decision is wrong? Will Mother still do nothing?”

Hearing this, Yuan Heng frowned. “Watch your tongue.”

Ji Qingwu said, “You can only manage the affairs of a position you hold, Zhaozhao. That is a lesson Mother shouldn’t have to teach you.”

Princess Chen Zhao, seething with frustration, stormed away with her cheeks puffed out in anger.

Ji Qingwu smiled and shook her head. ‘The little girl’s temper is growing, but it comes and goes quickly. She’ll reflect on her own once she’s cooled down.’

She gazed at the young man who had grown as tall and handsome as a pine tree, as refined as jade.

Ever since they were little, Yuan Heng had always given in to Jiu Jiu, doting on both his younger sisters to an extreme degree. At times, even Ji Qingwu found it hard to watch.

Lately, however, the relationship between Yuan Heng and Chenzhao had become strained.

Ji Qingwu sighed. “Heng’er, why are you deliberately causing such a scene with Zhaozhao?”

A helpless look crossed Yuan Heng’s face. “Mother, if we don’t stir up trouble now, we’ll have a catastrophe later.”

“I have no desire for the throne. Zhaozhao has both the talent and the ambition, but her power base is still weak. By arguing in the court, I can make all the officials realize that in Father’s eyes, Zhaozhao is just as much a potential heir as I am. Only then will they truly consider her a candidate for the throne.”

Ji Qingwu said, “Heng’er, don’t read too much into it. The truth is, your father still favors you.”

At her words, Yuan Heng smiled. “I know. Father can’t bear to let Zhaozhao shoulder such a heavy burden.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Mother, don’t think I don’t know the meaning of that calendar chart hanging in your chambers.”

Ji Qingwu’s gaze faltered. “It’s just a chart marking when you and Zhaozhao come of age.”

Yuan Heng said, “As it stands in the court, most of the ministers still support me. If nothing unexpected happens, you’re both just waiting for the day I come of age to unload the throne and go travel the world together.”

As Princess Chen Zhao reached the entrance to the hall, she ran into Emperor Wu Su. She was about to call out to her father when the Emperor pulled her aside. Father and daughter stood at the doorway, listening to the conversation between mother and son.

At first, Princess Chen Zhao felt a pang of guilt. Her Imperial Brother was actually trying to help her build prestige in the court.

But the more she listened, the angrier she became.

“Father really plans to go traveling with Mother? And abandon this whole massive enterprise? What about Baocheng? She’s only ten!”

Zhao Mingyan looked at the princess, who now came up to his shoulder. “Your father is getting old. It’s time for me to rest.”

The man before her was middle-aged, and though one could glimpse the traces of time in the deepening lines around his eyes, the oppressive aura from his long reign had faded. When he smiled, the corners of his lips curved in the same way as a certain someone’s.

He had the distinct look of a man well-nourished by love.

‘Old and tired? In what way?’

Princess Chen Zhao stomped her foot. “Fine, go on your trip! When you return, I’ll bring ten husbands to greet you!”

The princess ran off in a huff. Yuan Heng then emerged from the hall. Seeing Emperor Wu Su at the door, he offered a respectful greeting and departed as well.

The exchange between father and son was as distant as ever.

Ji Qingwu was sighing dramatically inside the hall. When Zhao Mingyan sat down beside her, she slumped against his shoulder.

She mumbled, “The children are all grown up. They’re not so easy to fool anymore. Yuan Heng has figured everything out.”

Zhao Mingyan gently squeezed her hand. “It’s alright. We have Yuan Heng as a safety net.”

Ji Qingwu looked up. “Actually, there was something I wanted to see you about.”

Zhao Mingyan asked, “What is it?”

Ji Qingwu glanced at the palace attendants in the hall and dismissed them.

“Your Majesty, would you like Beili to enjoy ten years of good weather and gentle rains, free from any natural disasters?”

Zhao Mingyan said, “Of course. If that were possible, I’d issue an edict of abdication tomorrow.”

He was actually the one eager to pass on the throne and travel the world. Ji Qingwu, on the other hand, was always hesitant, reluctant to leave the children.

Ji Qingwu pinched his arm. “You have to wait until the children are at least eighteen. Don’t be in such a rush.”

Zhao Mingyan asked, “Does my Ah Wu truly have such an incredible method? One that can guarantee Beili ten years of peace?”

She pulled him mysteriously into the bedchamber, where the double-layered bed curtains had already been drawn.

Ji Qingwu pushed him onto the bed. “I do, but I’ll need your cooperation.”

Zhao Mingyan let himself fall back onto the bed. “Such a wonderful proposition? I will most certainly cooperate with every fiber of my being.”

Ji Qingwu gave him a cryptic smile, then produced a pair of shackles from under the pillow and locked his wrists to the wooden headboard.

‘So Ah Wu prepared this for me.’

Zhao Mingyan gazed at the gleaming silver shackles. “And this will trade for ten years of the nation’s prosperity?”

Ji Qingwu shook her head. “Of course not.”

She stripped off his Dragon Robe, kicked it under the bed, and then, with a great CLATTER, produced a pile of items and began busying herself over his body.

When she was finished, Ji Qingwu was breathing a little heavily. She looked at the body before her, even more lean and powerful than she remembered, now entwined with fine chains that perfectly sectioned off his torso.

A rush of heat went to her head, and she nearly lost her composure.

After composing herself for a moment, Ji Qingwu picked up a whip, tilted his chin up with the tip, and asked, “What does Your Majesty think?”

Zhao Mingyan’s gaze shifted from the hand holding the whip to her face. “What are you planning to do, Ah Wu?”

Even after so many years of marriage and three children, his dark, soul-searing gaze still made Ji Qingwu swallow nervously. She shouted a slogan to steel her nerves.

“Everything for Beili!”

Her shout was enough to extinguish Zhao Mingyan’s budding passion in an instant. His face darkened.

Ji Qingwu ignored his state, determined to complete her system task.

The soft leather tip of the whip moved from his chin, tracing a slow path over his Adam’s apple and down to his full, broad pectoral muscles.

Just as his breathing grew ragged and unsteady again, Ji Qingwu let the whip fall. A red welt immediately rose on his abdomen.

Ji Qingwu clicked her tongue.

‘So satisfying.’

She suddenly understood why Emperor Wu Su could never control himself from leaving marks on her. It was a strange, wonderful feeling—a mix of tenderness and satisfaction.

After that, Ji Qingwu showed no mercy. A series of low, hoarse sounds stimulated her eardrums.

‘This is way too S-Class.’

Fifteen minutes later, Ji Qingwu’s wrist was aching.

She tossed the whip aside. After so many years, her “revenge” was finally complete. She let out a contented sigh.

If circumstances allowed, she would have loved a celebratory glass of wine.

Zhao Mingyan’s eyes were bloodshot. His voice was a hoarse, breathy whisper. “Ah Wu… are you not continuing?”

Ji Qingwu said, “This should be enough.”

Zhao Mingyan said, “It’s not enough.”

A loud, distinct CRACK echoed above Ji Qingwu’s head—the sound of the sandalwood headboard being snapped by sheer force.

Zhao Mingyan sat up and tossed the splintered remains of the wood that had been between his shackles onto the floor.

‘I really overlooked that detail,’ she thought. ‘Should have used an iron bedstead.’

Ji Qingwu scooted backward on her bottom. “We… we can talk about this. Let’s talk it out. No hitting.”

Zhao Mingyan picked up the whip, gave it a look, then tossed it onto the floor.

Ji Qingwu had just breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him unwrapping the chains from his body. He then grabbed her from where she was huddled in the corner of the bed and pulled her toward him.

Zhao Mingyan chuckled. Slowly and deliberately, he began to wind the chains, still warm from his body, around her, starting from her legs and moving up.

Ji Qingwu’s eyes went wide. “I was only doing it for—”

Zhao Mingyan looked up at her. “I know.”

He whispered in her ear, “My Empress, for the sake of Beili… just endure it.”