Chapter 230: A Self-Imposed Prison, Willingly a Slave

The eunuch, Lou Yan, was once again kicked out of the Empress’s bed.

’If he’s so hot, he can go outside and cool off. Why is he going crazy on me?’

Seeing Lou Yan kneeling in the snow with his clothes in disarray, the onlookers were speechless.

It was hard to say whether the Empress doted on Mr. Lou. She punished him without mercy, yet when he dared to climb into her bed, his only punishment was to kneel.

Mr. Lou had repeatedly tried to seduce Her Majesty. Although he was never successful, he was never punished for his audacity. The Empress never bothered to hide how special Lou Yan was to her. In fact, it was the courtiers who, mindful of the Empress’s reputation, dared not gossip.

Lou Yan was just as stubborn, though. In the freezing snow, where even the palace attendants didn’t dare to stay out for long, he knelt ramrod straight wearing only two layers of clothing.

Snow fell heavily, and in moments, he was completely covered, looking like a snowman.

Just when some began to worry that Lou Yan might freeze to death, the doors to the Empress’s bedroom opened again.

"Mr. Lou, Her Majesty summons you."

Lou Yan raised his head, his body stiff. After a moment, he took Mu Bai’s supporting hand and slowly rose. He didn’t enter immediately, however, instead hurrying off to change his clothes.

He brushed the snow off himself, put on a fresh set of clothes and a cloak, then walked inside with his back straight, as if he were not the same man who had just been kicked out and forced to kneel so wretchedly in the snow.

’With skin that thick,’ Mu Bai thought, ’it’s no wonder he can keep pestering Her Majesty without getting himself killed.’

Although the Empress had summoned him inside, it wasn’t to have him continue attending to her in bed. She just gave him a cushion and made him stand guard.

It was a unique form of torture, like placing meat before a wolf but only letting him look, not eat.

Lou Yan watched Xiao Li on the bed from behind a curtain. ’She’s definitely not asleep yet.’ But he could do nothing more.

A single curtain separated them. She was the Emperor, resting peacefully on her bed.

And he was a mere servant, dutifully standing guard.

He was just like a Mo Jiang—a wolf by nature, but trained to be as obedient as a dog.

He sat down, leaning against a pillar, filled with a resentment he was forced to suppress.

’She would certainly not make a good lover,’ he thought, ’but she is undoubtedly a great Emperor, able to grasp people’s hearts and play them in the palm of her hand.’

’And he, despite having had countless opportunities to leave, had drawn his own prison and willingly become her slave.’

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After the victory banquet, Xiao Li held another feast, this one specifically for the envoys from several other countries.

’After all, they’d already made the journey. An Emperor couldn’t be stingy.’

’Besides, the Ministry of Rites was handling all the preparations. All it took was a single word from her, and it’s not like money was an issue.’

Xiao Li kept all the handsome men sent by the various nations, placing them in the same residence to be looked after along with Prince Murong Yu of Yue Country.

’They were just gifts. She had accepted them, and what she did with them was her own affair.’

The banquet for the envoys was much the same as the victory celebration, but the envoys’ minds were clearly not on feasting. The Beicang Envoy took the lead, saying he wanted to see the Empress’s Divine Weapon.

The others immediately chimed in, wanting to witness the glory of such a deadly weapon with their own eyes.

A smile played on Xiao Li’s lips, her expression unreadable. "Witness it? Alright."

She had the Silver Armor Army bring out a cannon and fire two shots on the spot.

"BANG! BANG!"

In an instant, two large craters were blown into the ground. What’s more, it hit exactly where it was aimed, demonstrating its precision and control.

The crowd watched with covetous eyes. The Beicang Envoy was overcome with excitement. "Empress, may I take a closer look at this Divine Weapon?"

Xiao Li simply smiled, but her gaze was powerfully intimidating.

The Silver Armor Guards formed an impenetrable ring around the cannon.

Mu Yunzhu, still in her guise as Mu Hati, seized the opportunity to mock the Beicang Envoy. "You people from Beicang are truly shameless. The Empress lets you see her prized possession, and you’re still not satisfied? What, do you want to pack it up and take it with you?"

"Since the Beicang Envoy is so generous, why not bring out your city defense maps for all of us to have a look?"

Stung into a fury, the Beicang Envoy shot back, "The Second Prince of Chi Rong, Mu Disi, has become the King of Chi Rong. You, Mu Hati, are nothing but a stray dog who’s come running to the Empress to freeload. I haven’t even commented on your presence. What right do you have to speak?"

Mu Yunzhu retorted, "I may have no right to speak, but you’re clearly feeling guilty."

With that, she raised her hand and declared, "Your Majesty, this man harbors ill intentions! He definitely wants to steal your cannon. You must be careful."

The Beicang Envoy cried, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"Empress, he is speaking nonsense! We would never have such intentions."

Xiao Li waved her hand dismissively. "Enough. You’ve had your look. Everyone, sit and drink."

Mu Yunzhu and the Beicang Envoy shot each other a look of mutual disgust before returning to their seats. As she did, Mu Yunzhu didn’t forget to flash Xiao Li a proud smile, a clear sign of her staunch support.

Everyone took their seats, and the music and dancing resumed.

A short while later, Lou Yan leaned in and whispered to Xiao Li, "Your Majesty, Xiao Jingyu has been taken."

Xiao Li raised an eyebrow. ’Here we go.’

"I am aware. Have our people keep watching them."

’Let’s just see what sort of fun the hero and heroine have cooked up for me.’

Xiao Li had assumed Xiao Jingyu would try to escape. She expected him to lie low, gather his forces, build his strength, and wait for the right opportunity to challenge her for the throne.

But less than half an hour later, Mu Yunzhu slipped out and was replaced by a man upon her return.

His features were indeed somewhat similar to Mu Yunzhu’s. From a distance, you wouldn’t even notice the switch if you weren’t paying close attention.

’Could this be the real Mu Hati?’

’What is he planning, swapping places with Mu Yunzhu?’

Xiao Li had only just cast a couple of questioning glances his way when someone arrived to clear up her confusion.

"A gift from Chi Rong!"

A eunuch at the entrance announced, and several Chi Rong people entered, carrying a large chest.

The massive chest instantly captured everyone’s attention. Some speculated it was a great treasure, while others wondered if it contained another beauty.

Mu Hati stood up, his gaze fixed provocatively on Xiao Li. He didn’t even seem to fear being recognized.

"Empress, my father the King once had a younger sister who was lost in her youth. He had long thought her dead, but he learned not long ago that she had been adopted by people of your Longsheng Country. Later, she married your father and became Princess Consort Yu, giving birth to a Prince named Xiao Jingyu."

"Before he died, my father’s greatest wish was to meet his sister’s child. On his deathbed, he made me promise that I would come to Longsheng to retrieve my cousin. I am now here to fulfill my father’s final wish. Please, Empress, allow me to see my dear cousin."

’He’s already broken the man out, yet here he is demanding I hand him over. What is this farce?’

"Well, that is most unfortunate."

Xiao Li leaned back languidly in her chair, her gaze cold as she looked down on him. "I’ve already had Xiao Jingyu killed and fed to the dogs. I can’t give you the man, but I might be able to find you a couple of his bones."

"But it’s quite convenient, really. Your father is dead, and now he’s dead. Perhaps they’ve already reunited in the underworld. Would the Second Prince care to go down and confirm it for himself?"

Xiao Li’s tone was calm, yet it carried an unmistakable, absolute killing intent.

And yet, this Second Prince was so full of himself that he didn’t take her, the Empress, seriously. He continued his ridiculous performance, striding to the large chest like a magician about to reveal the solution to a puzzle.

"The Empress claims Xiao Jingyu is dead? Then take a look at who this is!"