Chapter 216: That’s When the Sky Would Truly Fall

The night wind swept past, making his cloak snap and flutter.

From the shadows, Mu Yunlian watched as Li Wei carried the Emperor inside. He then watched him finally emerge, his body radiating a joy and excitement that feigned composure could not conceal.

Based on his understanding of Xiao Yang, he didn’t need to see it with his own eyes to know that Li Wei had surely obtained the promise he had so desperately yearned for. Perhaps they had even done something more intimate.

He could confine Xiao Yang, but he could not confine an Emperor.

’I have to do something. Your Majesty belongs to me.’

’Coward... Incompetent... Useless trash...’

The chaotic voices made his head ache, but he pretended not to hear them.

He would not let ’him’ come out again. Everything between him and Your Majesty, be it sweet or painful, was for him and him alone to experience.

After the Lantern Festival, the entire imperial court descended into a state of true busyness.

Xie Liuzheng and Xiao Lv were busy with spring planting and agriculture. Prime Minister Song’s newspaper business was flourishing. Mu Yunlian was flying through the ledgers at the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Industry had launched a massive campaign for rubber production.

The civil service examinations were the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial College, with Grand Tutor Xu and the Regent King serving as chief examiners. Wu Taimei was tasked with guarding the exam questions and the examiners themselves.

Ye Shao and Xiao Cheng were responsible for the security patrols during the exams, and they brought Xiao Qing along for the ride.

Xiao Qing: "..."

’I’m well aware that I’m a hostage, but these people don’t seem to have any self-awareness as my captors.’

Xiao Cheng, being one of the "old-timers" who had followed the Emperor the longest, spoke with grave sincerity. "Your Majesty keeps no idle hands. The fact that you’re here among us brothers proves that Your Majesty is willing to give you a chance."

"Don’t even think about rebelling, and don’t get a big head. Just do your work honestly. Once you’ve earned some merits, then you can plead for your family."

"And another thing. I’d advise you not to harbor any hatred for Your Majesty. The crime of treason is punishable by the execution of one’s entire clan. It’s not that Her Majesty couldn’t have annihilated you all. You’re standing here alive today because Her Majesty was willing to spare you."

"Her Majesty doesn’t need a hostage. She isn’t the least bit afraid of your father rebelling. The only reason you’re in the Capital City is that Her Majesty took a liking to your name. If you don’t seize this opportunity, you will regret it for the rest of your life. And we will be watching you."

Xiao Cheng raised the sword in his hand. "Her Majesty might not care about you, but we will not allow anyone to harm her. If you have any traitorous thoughts, our swords will find you long before hers does."

The Emperor had never demanded loyalty from the likes of Xiao Lan and Xiao Cheng, nor did she seem to care how loyal they were. But they knew exactly how they had gotten to where they were today. They knew how good Her Majesty was, and they genuinely wanted to protect her, even if it cost them their lives.

Xiao Cheng’s words were a lot to take in, and Xiao Qing needed some time to process it all.

"Thank you."

Xiao Cheng was the same age as him, but he felt far more mature and reliable. Besides, his speech had been half threat and half admonition; he was capable of telling the difference.

Once everything was on the right track, Xiao Yang found she had much less to do. Although she still had to review memorials daily, they were becoming increasingly straightforward, not to mention she had Xu Ling and Xiao Hong to help share the load.

Watching her ministers run around, so busy they couldn’t catch a break, all working diligently... they had even forgotten to be corrupt.

’My employees are too good. It makes me, the boss, feel a little redundant.’

Xiao Yang sighed. "No one’s been rebelling lately. It’s getting a little boring."

Xu Ling and Xiao Hong looked up at the same time. They glanced at the Emperor, then looked at each other, speechless.

’We don’t want to even acknowledge the Emperor. Just listen to her. Is she even speaking like a normal person?’

The Emperor didn’t talk like a normal person, and she didn’t act like one either.

She started making the rounds to the various ministries with her guards in tow.

She would just drop by for a look, handing out money for everyone to "add a chicken leg to their meal." She knew good employees deserved rewards.

At first, everyone was quite happy. But the Emperor started dropping by for a little while every day. A whole crowd of officials would rush out to greet her, only to then return to their work.

Later, even though the Emperor told them to dispense with the greetings, they worked in a state of nervous tension every day, terrified she might suddenly appear. They were even more afraid of making a mistake that she might notice.

Because she really *would* suddenly appear, and she really *was* watching.

The Emperor wouldn’t scold anyone. After noticing a mistake, she’d just circle it and give you a look. That single glance was like a knife scraping against your pride, making you feel like a complete idiot who just wanted to find a hole to crawl into and die.

Finally, they couldn’t take it anymore and begged Grand Tutor Xu and Minister Zhou to intervene. They swore they wouldn’t be corrupt—not a single coin—and they’d even work twice as hard. All they asked was for Her Majesty to please stop appearing all the time. The psychological pressure was just too much.

Although the two men weren’t affected by the Emperor’s visits, they could see how miserable everyone else was. So they took the initiative to block the Emperor as she tried to enter, saying tactfully, "Your Majesty, it’s quite a mess in here. Perhaps it would be best for Your Majesty to return to the Imperial Palace."

’For heaven’s sake, you’re just making trouble! We’re already short on officials. If you scare a few more of them sick, we’ll be completely screwed! Who’s going to do the work then?’

Xiao Yang, unaware she was being shunned at the Ministry of Rites, then went to the Ministry of Industry, only to be driven out by Prince Jing.

"It stinks in here! Go on, get back before the smell gets on you."

At the Ministry of Revenue, she took one look at the mountain of ledgers and—*yikes*. No one needed to chase her away from this one; she left of her own accord.

After making a full circuit, she ended up back in the Imperial Study Room, where it suddenly dawned on her: ’Wait, I’m the Emperor, and I’ve somehow become public enemy number one?’

’I’m so wonderful, so kind, so considerate! How could they? On what grounds?’

His Majesty the Emperor’s spirit was broken. In the end, she could only stay in the Imperial Palace and watch others dance, sing opera, and perform acrobatics.

After two days of this, she couldn’t stand it any longer.

Ever since Yu Li was kicked out of the palace, everyone knew it was impossible for a Dancing Girl to seduce Her Majesty and climb the social ladder.

So, the dancing men all performed obediently. No matter how confident or handsome they were, none dared to step out of line.

The Dancing Girls, on the other hand, were greatly favored by Her Majesty. Those who knew how to act cute and curry favor would not only receive rewards but were even allowed to get close and touch her.

When Her Majesty was in a good mood, she would grant any request, as long as it wasn’t too outrageous. Even if a girl had her eye on a certain guard and wished for a happy union, Her Majesty would arrange it on the spot.

Although His Majesty the Emperor was a woman, it seemed she was more popular with other women.

When Mu Yunlian finally managed to pull himself away from his duties and enter the palace to see the Emperor, he was greeted by the sight of her with a beauty in each arm, drinking wine and watching a performance. She was having the time of her life.

He couldn’t accept the Emperor embracing men, but seeing her embrace two women now... he felt that was even more dangerous.

With the precedent of Ling Ji, his greatest fear was that the Emperor’s preferences might change. If she ended up falling for women, his world would truly come crashing down.

"Your Majesty!"

Mu Yunlian stepped forward to offer a salute.

The moment the two beauties saw him, they tactfully gave up their spots.

’That’s the Minister of Revenue, Her Majesty’s purse-holder. We can’t afford to offend him.’

Xiao Yang showed not a shred of guilt at being caught in the middle of her revelry. She maintained her posture and looked at him lazily. "What brings you here?"

Mu Yunlian stepped closer. "If I hadn’t come, would Your Majesty have forgotten all about me?"

He drew near and knelt before the Emperor, taking one of her hands in his. He looked up at her, his eyes filled with longing tinged with a hint of playful reproach. "Your Majesty ought to keep me in your heart, at least a little."