Chapter 209: No Choice But to Submit

The three princes were in a sorry state. They couldn’t eat or sleep well, had no way to wash, and stank to high heaven. Of course, that wasn’t the worst part. The most unbearable thing was their injuries.

Prince Yanping was better off, with only an arm injury that didn’t affect him much. But the Nanqi King and Prince Chen were both seriously wounded and could only lie on the ground.

Although an Imperial Physician treated them from outside the cage, it was only enough to ensure they wouldn’t die. As for dignity or proper care, there was none.

Prince Yanping was the healthiest, but also the most miserable, as he had to take care of his barely-mobile brothers’ every need—from eating and drinking to their bodily functions.

The malice radiating from Xiao Jingzhao was growing at a visible rate. ’If not for the thought that killing these two would leave me to face Xiao Li alone,’ he thought, ’I would have just done them in.’

’It was one thing for them to compete with me for the throne, but now I have to take care of them? This is outrageous!’

Fortunately, the two were tough. After lying around for a few days, they could now sit up on their own. He no longer had to help them with everything.

When Xiao Li appeared, Prince Yanping was the first to spot her. His bloodshot eyes were filled with exhaustion, but a glint of defiance sparked within them when he saw the Dragon Robe she wore.

’But what good is defiance? She is the Empress, and we are her defeated captives in a cage.’

’Xuanyang! That little girl who was always bullied and pushed around by Jia Ruo has actually grown into an Empress capable of controlling a nation. How unexpected.’

He hated Xuanyang, but she was too powerful. He hated her, yet he couldn’t help but be amazed and even admire her.

"Xuanyang... Empress..." He sat leaning against the iron bars, looking up as she approached step by step. The brilliant gold Dragon Robe was more dazzling and blinding than the sun.

A sarcastic smile touched his lips, though it was unclear if he was mocking her or himself.

The other two, who had been lying down, quickly sat up at the sound of his voice, trying to sit properly to appear less pathetic.

Xiao Li swept her gaze over the three of them, her eyes skipping past Prince Yanping to land on the other two. "Which of you brought in the Yue Country?"

Prince Yanping’s expression changed abruptly. ’Shit,’ he thought, ’I almost forgot about that.’

’I may not care if my Princess Consort lives or dies, but I can’t just let this attack on my home go.’

He glared viciously at the other two. The thought that he had been taking care of them for the past few days made him feel utterly disgusted.

Xiao Jingyu answered immediately, "It wasn’t me."

Then, three pairs of eyes turned in unison to the Nanqi King, who was a step too slow and now speechless.

The Nanqi King didn’t want to admit it, but at this point, denial was useless.

Prince Yanping instantly lunged at him, grinding his teeth. "Brother, you really are my dear big brother. What did you promise the Yue Country to make them help you like this? If you want the throne, go fight for it yourself! What kind of man attacks my family?"

Xiao Li tapped on the iron bars. "The Yue Country has been burning, killing, and pillaging in Yanping State. Now they have also conquered Shanzhou and Taiping City."

As expected of the male lead, Xiao Jingyu immediately understood Xiao Li’s intention. "What do you want us to do?"

Xiao Li corrected him. "It’s *them*, not you."

’This one is the male lead, favored by fortune,’ she thought. ’I can’t give him any opportunities.’

The Nanqi King forcefully pushed Prince Yanping away. Glancing at Prince Yanping, who looked like he wanted to eat him alive, he said to Xiao Li, "Xuanyang, if you have something to say, just say it."

’I need to distract this mad dog.’

Xiao Li stated her purpose directly. "I will return both of your men to you. Take your Tokens, command your troops, and retake the lost lands."

Just as she intended, Prince Yanping forgot about settling scores with the Nanqi King and stared at Xiao Li in shock. "You’re willing to let us go?"

The Nanqi King was also surprised, but he felt it wasn’t that simple.

"What are your conditions?"

Xiao Li didn’t answer, instead adding, "I will send one hundred Silver Armor Guards to escort five cannons to accompany your expedition."

"Five cannons? You mean the ones you used to blast us before?"

A light shone in Prince Yanping’s eyes, and the gloom on his face was swept away.

Xiao Li didn’t answer. "Are the two of you willing?"

Prince Yanping nodded eagerly. "Willing. Of course, I’m willing."

’I’m so sick of this place,’ he thought. ’I just want out, right now. I can’t beat Xiao Li, but I can damn well crush those Yue Country bastards. Attack my home? Do they think I’m a pushover?’

The Nanqi King thought for a moment and also nodded. "I am willing."

Although he was involved with the Yue Country affair, it was a relationship of mutual benefit. It wasn’t worth sacrificing his own life just to avoid making an enemy of them.

Xiao Li nodded. "In that case, the Nanqi King will be commander, and Prince Yanping will be his deputy."

Prince Yanping immediately argued, "Why am I the deputy?"

Xiao Li shot him a look, but Prince Yanping remained unconvinced. "He colluded with the Yue Country! Who knows if he’ll betray us again? I should be the commander. I’ll definitely crush the Yue Country forces."

Xiao Li said, "I don’t have to use either of you. In that case, let’s just forget it."

With that, she turned and left without a hint of hesitation.

The two of them were instantly dumbfounded. Xiao Jingzhao was desperate to get out. "Hey, come back! I agree, I agree!"

Seeing that Xiao Li didn’t stop walking, the Nanqi King was the first to react. He shifted from sitting to kneeling and declared loudly, "This subject is willing to go on this expedition for Your Majesty!"

Xiao Li’s steps halted. Prince Yanping’s expression froze.

He looked down in disbelief at the Nanqi King prostrated on the ground. A tight fist seemed to clench his heart, and his vision went black, nearly causing him to faint.

Slowly, he raised his head again to look at Xiao Li’s departing figure. Her posture was erect yet slender—clearly a woman’s frame. But she wore the Dragon Robe and radiated an air of majesty. She was the Empress.

An Empress who had fought her way out from among them, her brothers, and crushed them all.

Prince Yanping struggled between the choice of being locked up forever and getting out. His hand, gripping the bars, slowly fell, and his whole body slumped to the ground.

Once, he had been forced to his knees by Xiao Li. Now, he was being forced to his knees before her again.

Before, he was her elder brother, and he had felt the anger and resentment of humiliation. Now, she was the monarch, and he had no choice but to submit in exchange for freedom.

"This subject... obeys..."

The Nanqi King and Prince Yanping were released. After they washed up, someone brought them armor. It was clear they were being sent on the expedition without any time to rest.

In the plaza outside, the troops of both their factions were already assembled, waiting only for them to depart.

But before the two left, the Silver Armor Guards took them to a side hall.

Inside were two identical iron cages. One held Princess Consort Hui and Princess Jia Ruo; the other held the Nanqi King’s Princess Consort and others.

Jia Ruo cursed and complained to Prince Yanping, while Princess Consort Hui worried for his safety.

The Nanqi King, however, was even more panicked. "Where are the children? Why aren’t Xuan’er and Yuan’er with you?"

A concubine clutched the Nanqi King’s hand, her eyes brimming with tears, unable to speak a word for a long time. It was the Nan Qi Princess who finally said, "Xuanyang... Her Majesty had someone take them away."

The Nanqi King asked, "Did Her Majesty say anything?"

The Princess Consort shook her head. "She said nothing at all."

Nothing was said, but the meaning was obvious.

The two missing children were the bargaining chips. And until the Nanqi King returned, his Nan Qi Princess and the others would have to remain in this cage.

’And Consort Qin is still in the rear palace, completely unaware of the situation.’

The Nanqi King looked at them, his back seeming to curve, little by little.

Compared to kneeling in the iron cage, he was now completely resigned to his fate.

He could not escape the palm of Xiao Li’s hand. She held all his loved ones in her grasp. He could only escape if he were ruthless enough to abandon his own mother, his wife and beloved concubines, and his children.

But he wasn’t that ruthless. And even if he abandoned them, he still might not be able to defeat the Empress.

"Wait for me... I will be back as soon as I can..."

Xiao Jingzhao looked back at this scene and suddenly understood why Xiao Li had made Xiao Jingrong the commander.