Chapter 267: Laughing Like 3 Idiots

Xiao Qing led his younger brother and sister in a bow, but the Emperor said nothing. A single glance was all it took for Xiao Qing to sensibly scramble off to a far corner with the two of them in tow.

He’d never felt so uncomfortably conspicuous before the Emperor.

’Just shrink and disappear.’

The three of them squeezed together, forming one large, utterly helpless lump.

Xiao Qing’s younger brother, Xiao Lin, was seventeen—two years his junior—and was a big, chubby kid.

He was well-proportioned for his size, though, not at all ugly.

Hunching down, Xiao Qing made himself into an even bigger lump than Xiao Lin. "Big Bro," Xiao Lin whispered, "I don’t think Her Majesty likes us."

Xiao Qing said confidently, "You can drop the ’I think’."

Xiao Yunluo, who was fourteen, was small and petite with delicate features and lively eyes. Wrinkling her nose, she stated with certainty, "Her Majesty doesn’t like us."

Xiao Qing had some understanding of the Emperor’s personality. She was a good person at her core, but she had a mean, mischievous streak and wouldn’t bother with fake, enthusiastic pleasantries.

That was why he’d spent the entire journey prepping his siblings on Her Majesty’s personality: the Empress was mean and fierce, but also stunningly beautiful and incredibly powerful.

No matter how much they might like or admire Her Majesty, they were not to rush up and try to get chummy the moment they saw her. They’d just get on her bad side.

They had to be good and obedient, or Her Majesty would toss them right back to Longchuan.

And most importantly, they had to understand one thing: she was the Emperor. Even if they were relatives from the same clan, she was the Emperor, with the absolute power of life and death. The hierarchy between sovereign and subject was a line they could not cross.

Xiao Qing had drilled this into them the entire way. Now, seeing the incredibly fierce Empress, his siblings were startled and a little scared, but they also thought, ’Big Bro was right. Her Majesty really is fierce, but she’s also so beautiful and majestic!’

Stars in their eyes, they were filled with adoration. ★v★~~~~~

’We’ve really made it, guys! We’re seeing the Empress in person!’

While the three siblings huddled in the corner, whispering amongst themselves, Wen Rang, dressed in his newest and cleanest robes, straightened his attire, stepped forward, and knelt. "This humble commoner, Wen Rang, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

That’s right. The main person of interest this time was Wen Rang; the other three were just along for the ride.

Xiao Yang observed him. He looked to be in his forties, with a gentle and scholarly air—a true, upright gentleman. He was no longer youthfully handsome, of course, but one could see that he must have been quite the looker in his youth. Even now, he was a very refined, distinguished-looking man.

But don’t be fooled by his scholarly demeanor. He might look like a civil servant without the strength to truss a chicken, but he was, in fact, a ruthless and decisive man.

He had followed Xiao Kun, masterminding strategies and managing both military and political affairs. He was not only Xiao Kun’s brother-in-law but also his chief strategist. Where Xiao Kun was the king, he was the prime minister—a truly remarkable figure.

"I have long heard of Mr. Wen’s reputation," Xiao Yang said. "I never expected to see you in person."

Wen Rang lowered his head in a humble bow. "Your Majesty is too gracious. Your formidable reputation awes the world, and I am filled with endless admiration. Your magnanimity in pardoning the King Longchuan reveals a broad-minded and benevolent character whose grace benefits all under Heaven. To be granted an audience with Your Majesty today is an honor I shall cherish for three lifetimes."

The things Wen Rang had seen and heard on his journey had already shattered his worldview, especially everything he witnessed upon entering the domain of the Capital City. It was a level of prosperity beyond anything he could have imagined in his entire life.

He had long admired Her Majesty from afar. Now, seeing how young and beautiful she was in person, he felt no contempt, only the conviction that this was exactly what a heaven-sent genius should be like.

Only a figure of such peerless elegance, so young and beautiful, could be capable of breathing such vitality into the world.

Having expressed his admiration, Wen Rang respectfully presented a letter personally written by Xiao Kun. "This is a letter from the King Longchuan’s own hand. I present it for Your Majesty’s review."

Lin Yi stepped forward to receive the letter, but instead of presenting it to the Emperor, he handed it to Xiao Cheng, who was standing nearby. Xiao Cheng opened it, inspected its contents, and only after confirming it was safe did he pass it to the Emperor.

Xiao Yang looked at the letter before her but didn’t open it right away. Instead, she suddenly looked up at Wen Rang. "My Ministry of Personnel is in dire need of talent. Are you interested in coming to work for me?"

Wen Rang was stunned speechless and almost didn’t know how to react.

Xiao Yang continued, "The residence of Chancellor Wen is still standing, and I haven’t bestowed it upon anyone. If you join my court, I’ll give it to you."

During the era of the Grand Ancestor Emperor, there was a Prime Minister surnamed Wen, who was Wen Rang’s great-uncle.

Unfortunately, the Wen Family made a series of missteps afterward and were repeatedly demoted, never managing to rise again.

’A position in the greatest nation under Heaven, in the Ministry of Personnel no less, and she’d even give me my ancestor’s own residence...’

’This was an absolutely staggering offer...’

Wen Rang pressed his lips together and began a difficult, tactful refusal. "Thank you for Your Majesty’s high regard, but I..."

(Xiao Kun: ’Why do I feel like my most valuable asset is about to be poached?’)

"Don’t be in such a rush,"

Xiao Yang said, propping one leg up and flashing a confident, smug smile. "It won’t be too late to give me an answer after you’ve spent a couple of days in the Capital City."

With that, she unhurriedly opened the letter from Xiao Kun. The sharp, rigid, and forceful calligraphy drew a small sigh of admiration from Xiao Yang. The contents, however, were not nearly so pleasing.

Xiao Kun began by expressing his profound gratitude for the Emperor’s tolerance and magnanimity, and for the Empress’s care of his son.

He then launched into a work-report-style summary of his campaign from Mo Chuan to Longchuan, followed by his plans for Longchuan’s future development.

Xiao Yang read through more than ten pages in one go...

’Was this ridiculously long-winded letter sent just to torture me?’

Finally, at the very end, Xiao Kun revealed his true purpose.

He requested that his eldest son, Xiao Qing, be granted the title of Princely Heir, and declared that Longchuan would henceforth be a loyal and unwavering vassal state of Da Wei. He also mentioned that Longchuan was culturally barren and hoped the Empress would dispatch officials to provide education and administration.

Xiao Yang’s expression shifted from nonchalance to a deep frown, until finally, she let out a laugh born of pure anger.

’What the hell kind of gratitude is this? He’s trying to take everything that’s not nailed down!’

’No wonder he started with so much crap. It was all just a preamble for his shameless demands.’

Xiao Yang’s gaze fell on Wen Rang. Clearly, he was also aware of the letter’s contents.

This was, indeed, the plan he and Xiao Kun had devised. At the time, they had only been thinking of what Longchuan needed to develop, what would be best for its situation. But now, under the Empress’s piercing gaze, he felt so much pressure he could have sworn his spine was about to snap.

’Maybe... this was... in fact... a little much.’

’But Longchuan is just so poor!’

The Empress had dropped off the imperial edict, withdrawn the Black Dragon Guards and her army, and had even taken the cannons with her.

Xiao Kun was left to face a foreign country. His force of over ten thousand trusted men had dwindled to less than six thousand. But no matter how small Longchuan was, it was still an entire country—and a poor one at that.

You can’t make bricks without straw.

Wen Rang and Xiao Kun had stayed up for three straight nights, running the numbers over and over. They calculated that it would take at least ten years to get Longchuan back on its feet.

And even with ten years, it wouldn’t be in great shape.

At best, they could only hope for Longchuan to achieve the same level of stable development it had before.

Even if they wanted to copy the Empress’s playbook, Longchuan was bitterly cold and remote. It had few mineral resources and couldn’t produce much grain. Its only decent industry, fishing, was a "spring/summer limited-time event." Once the winter freeze hit, everything came to a standstill.

After thinking it over and over, they concluded the best solution was to latch onto a powerful patron.

’Who cares about being the King Longchuan?’

’What’s the point of ruling a poor country?’

’Latching onto the Empress’s coattails and living a good life—that was what really mattered.’

To show their sincerity, they had even sent three hostages this time.

The Empress’s gaze swept over to the corner. The three siblings, looking rather guilty, flashed wide, toothy grins, looking for all the world like three simpletons.

That’s right. They were the hostages.

Xiao Yang: ’...’ ’Fuck!!’