Chapter 195: Xiao Ziling

The first King Huainan was a brother from Xiao Yang’s great-grandfather’s generation. After his death, the title was passed down, and the current holder is the third-generation King Huainan, making him a distant grand-uncle to Xiao Yang.

The first King Guangchuan was a distant paternal cousin of Emperor Gaozu. Though he also bore the surname Xiao, their blood ties were not close. He had followed the Xiao Family from the beginning as they conquered the realm, earning illustrious achievements. When rewards were distributed based on merit, he was enfeoffed as a king. The title had now been passed down to the fourth generation.

Though they all shared the surname Xiao, they were distant relatives.

After so many generations, their disloyalty was inevitable.

Xiao Yang took a couple of bites of fruit and sighed. "Those two places are a bit far. How long will it take to conquer them?"

’It’s easy to talk big in the heat of the moment, but moving an army and fighting a war isn’t so simple. It all takes time.’

Prince Jing walked past, his arm wrapped up like a dumpling. He snorted. "It’s good that you realize that. If you keep acting so recklessly, we won’t even have time for the New Year’s celebrations."

Hey!

Xiao Yang’s temper immediately flared, but when she turned, she saw Prince Jing with one arm bound in a sling across his chest, the other clutching several thick dossiers.

Xiao Yang’s anger instantly fizzled out. "Ahem. Uncle, why aren’t you resting properly? You can just leave these things to Xiao Hong and the officials from the Ministry of Personnel."

Prince Jing said grumpily, "Luoyan City has a population of eighty thousand. Not only that, but many of them are injured. Everyone is swamped. I’d feel terrible just lying around doing nothing."

After speaking, he seemed to realize his tone had been harsh. He bowed. "This subject takes his leave."

He complained, yet he still worked.

Xiao Yang was speechless. ’Oh, well. I’m a magnanimous Emperor. I’ll forgive him this one time.’

But...

Xiao Yang suddenly darted to one side and grabbed Xiao Hong from a corner. A dangerous smile played on her lips. "Second Brother, you’ve walked past me a thousand times today, and you’ve slowed down to stare at me every single time. Did you do something to feel guilty about?"

Xiao Hong’s handsome, pale face instantly flushed bright red. "Your Majesty is mistaken. It’s just a coincidence."

Xiao Yang put on a majestic air. "Confess the truth, or you’ll face torture."

Xiao Hong seemed to see something, and with a sudden burst of strength, he wrenched himself free and ran off.

Xiao Yang turned around. ’There’s nothing behind me except Liang Sha and Ling Ji?’

Speaking of Ling Ji, Xiao Yang remembered she had something to discuss with her. She waved Liang Sha away and then asked Ling Ji, "Ling Ji, the night before last, you were exceptionally brave and rendered a great service. You proved that your abilities extend far beyond being a mere handmaiden. Have you ever thought of walking a less ordinary path?"

Ling Ji didn’t understand. "What less ordinary path?"

Xiao Yang chuckled, her voice holding an inexplicable allure. "The path to power."

"I am a woman, yet I sit upon the throne. That means a woman can just as naturally serve as a chancellor or a general, stand tall in the imperial court, and be immortalized in history."

"The universe is as eternal as the galaxy, but a person’s life is all too brief. If one lacks ability, so be it. But to possess great skill and live one’s life in obscurity—what a pity that would be. Even if you cannot be an eternal star, to become a meteor, shining brilliantly for just a moment, means your life was not lived in vain."

Xiao Yang raised a hand and gently caressed her cheek. "I am only offering a suggestion. I will respect your wishes."

The impact of this offer was so great that Ling Ji was momentarily speechless.

Xiao Yang wasn’t in a hurry for an answer. Whether Ling Ji accepted or refused, it was fine. She never forced anyone to do anything.

’Still,’ Xiao Yang thought, ’Ling Ji is highly skilled in martial arts, she’s literate, and she has the support of both Mu Yunlian and me. It would be a true waste for her to spend her entire life as just a handmaiden.’

As Xiao Yang got busy, Nanny Yang and Liang Sha attended to her personal needs. Ling Ji discovered that unless she actively fought for tasks, there was simply no way for her to get involved.

It was in that moment that she had a sudden realization: anyone could take care of Her Majesty. The Emperor did not need *her* specifically.

’A handmaiden... so easily replaced.’

"Miss Ling Ji."

Xiao Hong was passing by and raised a hand in greeting, but Ling Ji walked right past him, cold and aloof, as if she hadn’t heard a thing.

Xiao Hong keenly noticed that she seemed to have something on her mind. He was about to step forward when he saw Ling Ji’s eyes suddenly light up as she strode ahead. "Young Master."

Xiao Hong stopped in his tracks. It was Mu Yunlian. He knew Ling Ji had originally been Mu Yunlian’s handmaiden.

’He’d thought Ling Ji was always so cold. So she could have such a bright expression after all...’

For a rare moment, Ling Ji felt lost. She had never before contemplated such a profound question about her own life.

Her master had saved her, so she would repay him by serving him for the rest of her life. Then she met the Emperor, and on her master’s orders, she took care of Her Majesty. Now that she recognized the Emperor as her new master, it was only natural that she should serve Her Majesty for the rest of her life.

She roughly understood what Her Majesty meant, but the shock was immense. It was as if a tidal wave had crashed into the placid waters of her life, a wave so large it left her dizzy and directionless.

Ling Ji told Mu Yunlian what the Emperor had said. "Young Master, what should I do?"

Mu Yunlian looked at Ling Ji and asked, "If you were tending a fire for cooking and suddenly saw a beautiful piece of wood in the firewood pile—a piece of top-grade timber—what would be your first thought?"

He answered his own question. "Superior timber naturally receives superior treatment. You’d carve it and make it into furniture."

Mu Yunlian said, "You are that piece of superior wood mixed in with the firewood. And Her Majesty has seen you."

Because this concerned Xiao Yang, Mu Yunlian spoke patiently. "Her Majesty genuinely appreciates you, which is why she has given you the choice. Whether you want to remain as firewood or be carved is up to you to decide."

Ling Ji looked up at Mu Yunlian, her eyes bright and resolute. "I understand. But, Young Master, I am not firewood, nor am I timber. Her Majesty said... I will be a star."

Ling Ji bowed, then turned and walked away. Mu Yunlian stood watching her go, then suddenly laughed out loud.

’Her Majesty certainly has a way of captivating people’s hearts,’ he thought. ’The scales in my handmaiden’s heart have already tipped.’

Ling Ji found Xiao Yang as quickly as she could and knelt before her. "Your Majesty, Ling Ji is willing to walk that less ordinary path. I ask for Your Majesty’s guidance."

Xiao Yang smiled at her words. She leisurely walked over and helped her up. "I’ve thought of a new name for you. See if you like it."

Ling Ji followed Xiao Yang to the desk. Xiao Yang picked up a brush, and her hand slowly descended.

Each stroke was precise, yet radiating a sharp brilliance.

Two words soon graced the paper: Xiao Ziling.

Xiao was the imperial surname. Zi—purple—was a color she, the Emperor, deeply loved. And Ling was from her own name.

’The name ’Ling Ji’ is too slight,’ she thought. ’So slight that in the annals of history, it would be like a speck of dust, scattered by the faintest breeze.’

That was why Xiao Yang had thought of this name for her.

’Ahem, actually, I have a selfish reason,’ Xiao Yang mused. ’I have this weird obsession with assembling a full rainbow of names. If I can’t find them within the Xiao Family, I’ll just bestow the names myself. Besides, Ling Ji is a perfect match for the character ’Zi’ for purple. It couldn’t be anyone else.’

After Ling Ji finished reading, tears began to fall. "Xiao Ziling... Thank you, Your Majesty, for this name."

Every part of the name conveyed Her Majesty’s profound favor toward her.

She loved this name. She loved it so very much.

From now on, she had a family name and a given name. Her soul had a place to belong.

Ling Ji was older than Xiao Yang and had always looked after her, both in her actions and in her heart, always projecting a cool, steady, and reliable image.

But now, here in front of Xiao Yang, she was crying her eyes out.

Xiao Yang couldn’t help but laugh. She opened her arms wide, her expression one of warm indulgence. "Want a hug?"

Ling Ji—or rather, Xiao Ziling, as she was now called—threw herself into the Emperor’s arms and held on tightly.

"Your Majesty..."