Chapter 258: "Senior, Are You Afraid?

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was the New Year again.

The palace held its New Year’s banquet as usual, but it was even more lively than the previous year.

Regardless of the Emperor’s relationships with others, Prince Jing still securely occupied the seat to the Emperor’s right—a sign of unique respect.

This year, many young ladies of noble families came forward to display their talents in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, each showcasing their own strengths.

The Emperor was a woman, so their target was naturally not her. They were merely using this banquet to build a reputation, all in preparation for next year’s imperial examinations.

If a woman could be Emperor, why couldn’t a woman be an official?

There was no need for any propaganda. When one person stands tall as an example, countless others will inevitably follow and emulate them.

The Emperor was a woman, Xie Liuzheng held a fourth-rank position, and there were many special posts explicitly designated for women only.

Many of these young noblewomen had been well-read since childhood, possessing extraordinary talents. Believing themselves to be no less capable than men, how could they be content with burying their lives away in the inner quarters?

The prosperity and strength of Da Wei were visibly growing. The Emperor was tolerant, and the social customs were open. In times like these, everyone wanted someone from their family to go up and get a piece of the pie.

If the sons were unaccomplished, an outstanding daughter could certainly bring honor to the family.

Hadn’t they seen that the Grand Tutor’s family’s granddaughter was always serving as an Assistant by Her Majesty’s side?

Xiao Yang was happy to see this trend develop.

Forcibly establishing posts for female officials was useless. As long as there were benefits to be had, people would naturally send their women into official positions. As for whether they could secure their seats and how much power they could grasp—that would depend on their own abilities.

The New Year’s banquet was a major event, and several people were secretly anticipating who Her Majesty would choose to attend to her in bed that night.

Just as the banquet was about to end, Xiao Cheng hurried in, leaned down, and reported something in a few words beside the Emperor.

The tipsiness that had just begun to cloud Xiao Yang’s mind vanished in an instant, leaving her completely clear-headed.

She put down her wine cup and prepared to rise. Then, a thought occurred to her, and she looked in a certain direction.

With just a single glance, Meng Xuechen understood immediately. He rose and followed her.

Many people witnessed this scene. They subconsciously glanced over at the Regent King and General Li. Tsk, that foul expression on their faces... No one dared to comment. No one at all.

When Meng Xuechen was called out, for a moment, he misunderstood.

’To be chosen by Ah Yang alone... If Ah Yang were to become intimate with me, I would look forward to it, but I’d also be at a loss.’

However, after they stepped outside, Xiao Yang put on a thick fox-fur cloak and had someone bring him his own fur-lined coat as well.

Xiao Yang’s eyes were astonishingly bright, but they held no trace of intimacy.

"Come," she said. "I’m taking you to see a good show."

The heavy snow had stopped, but the ground had not yet been completely swept clean. A group of people walked out, leaving a trail of dense footprints behind them.

"CREAK!"

The heavy city gates opened, and a troop of well-equipped, armored cavalry emerged, flanking two people of obviously noble status. The city guards kept their heads bowed, waiting quietly for the group to depart. Only after they were far in the distance and the gates were closed did the guards dare to breathe again, not even thinking of uttering a word of gossip.

The procession, carrying torches, moved swiftly through the night, finally stopping at a manor outside the city.

The entire manor was brightly lit, as if it had been expecting their arrival.

Everyone dismounted. Xiao Yang led Meng Xuechen to the front. She glanced at the gate and asked him, "Do you know what this place is?"

Meng Xuechen shook his head. "I don’t."

’These past few days, I’ve been busy learning to handle state affairs and searching for my memories. I haven’t even left the city gates.’

Xiao Yang said, "This is a manor under your name. Not a very important one, though."

The main gates opened, and Xiao Yang stepped inside. "Let’s go. I’m taking you to meet someone."

Even outside the manor, a pungent, smoky odor could be smelled. Once inside, the scent became even stronger.

"Ah, my Little Red! Little Red..."

"You killed my Little Red! I’ll make you pay with your blood!"

"Damn you! I won’t let you get away with this!"

"I am the Holy Daughter of the Witch Clan! You will regret disrespecting me!"

In the middle of a large, open space, a pit one meter deep and five meters square had been dug. The edges of the pit were surrounded by fiercely burning charcoal fires. Realgar had been added to the coals, and the smell of it burning was extremely pungent.

Mixed with this pungent odor was the smell of roasting meat. Above the coals, several snakes had been burned to a crisp. Another, an exceptionally vibrant red snake, had just been thrown on. It writhed frantically a few times before it, too, succumbed to being roasted alive.

And tied to a post in the middle of the flames was a person—none other than the Holy Daughter, Qi Yue, who should have departed long ago.

Qi Yue hadn’t wanted to return to the Southern Domain Holy Land to be punished, nor did she want to marry the Southern Domain King. So, she had attacked several elders and managed to escape.

She thought she was free, but she had no idea that hell was waiting for her just ahead.

The charcoal fire contained not only realgar but also various herbs specific to the Southern Domain Witch Clan. All the Gu worms on Qi Yue’s body were uncontrollably drawn out, but the intense heat from the surrounding flames made them crawl restlessly all over her body instead of leaving. The sight was enough to make one’s skin crawl.

But then, someone added another large dose to the fire, luring the insects. Unable to resist any longer, they flew toward the flames like moths, landing on the hot coals and dying on the spot.

Qi Yue watched this, cursing furiously. These were her precious treasures, which she had spent so much effort raising, and now they were all gone.

She was so heartbroken and enraged that it never even occurred to her to wonder how these people knew the method to lure the Gu worms from her body.

Finally, out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed two figures slowly approaching from the corridor.

"Yun Lian! Yun Lian, I’m over here!"

Qi Yue shouted excitedly, thinking she was finally saved.

Living up to her expectations, the two figures did walk over. However, the expressions on their faces showed no intention of saving her.

Xiao Yang asked Meng Xuechen, "Do you remember her?"

Meng Xuechen replied, "I saw her once at the residence. The Southern Domain Holy Daughter."

’A person who should have left long ago. And I know she’s the one who harmed me.’

According to the descriptions from Xiao Ziling and the others, this woman had not only caused his amnesia but had also tortured him with poison for a long time.

Xiao Yang looked at the ground littered with insects and frowned in disgust. It wasn’t that she particularly hated insects, but for a person to be covered in them and use them to harm others—that was beyond her tolerance.

Qi Yue cried out urgently, "Your Majesty, please save me! They kidnapped me and killed so many of my precious treasures!"

Through the flickering flames, Xiao Yang gazed at her coldly. "Have you still not figured out who captured you?"

Qi Yue froze. She looked at the people still adding herbs to the charcoal fire, then at the Empress standing in the center of the crowd. No matter how foolish she was, she understood.

"It was you. You’re the one who had me tied up. Why?"

Xiao Yang was almost amused by her question. ’To have the nerve to ask "why" at a time like this.’

’So naive. Naively evil. Completely unaware that hurting others is wrong. A bad seed from birth.’

Qi Yue still had some sense left in her. She looked at Mu Yunlian standing beside Xiao Yang. "Is it because of him? I was just playing a little joke on him. Isn’t he standing right here, perfectly fine? How could you do this to me? And you killed so many of my precious treasures!"

Qi Yue’s eyes, flickering in the firelight, burned with rage. She struggled with all her might. "You tyrant! You’re completely unreasonable!"

Xiao Yang certainly didn’t believe this half-witted Holy Daughter was worthy of the Emperor deigning to reason with her.

"You harmed my people time and time again. I could let it go when I was unaware, but now I know. You even harmed him right before my eyes. What makes you think that I, the Emperor, would tolerate you leaving unscathed?"

Xiao Yang raised her hand, and Xiao Cheng presented her with a bow and arrow.

Xiao Yang took the bow and arrow, but instead of using it herself, she handed it to Meng Xuechen. She moved to stand behind him, guiding his hands to nock an arrow and draw the bow, aiming the arrowhead at Qi Yue.

She pressed her body against his, her gaze like a predator’s, locked tightly onto its prey.

"I don’t want the Senior you are today to kill anyone, but this person must die by your hand."

Her voice was gentle, yet laced with a strange, cunning smile. "Senior, are you afraid?"

Meng Xuechen had never killed a person before, but he felt not a shred of fear, because he was held tightly in Xiao Yang’s embrace.

"With you here, I’m not afraid."

He trusted her.

Xiao Yang’s lips curled into a faint smile, and then she let go.

"SWOOSH!"

The arrow shot through the flames and struck Qi Yue in the thigh.

"Ah, a bit off."

Xiao Yang teased maliciously, then took another arrow and nocked it.

Seeing the blood flowing from her wound, Qi Yue finally realized that the Empress wasn’t just threatening her—she truly intended to kill her.

"I am the Holy Daughter of the Southern Domain! If you kill me, the Southern Domain will not let you go! The Witch Clan will not let you go!"

The only answer she received was another arrow, fired once more by Xiao Yang guiding Meng Xuechen’s hand. This time, it struck Qi Yue in the shoulder.