Chapter 107 - 106: The Substitute Bride 22

Chapter 107: Chapter 106: The Substitute Bride 22

"A divine being has appeared! It must be a divine being!"

The lead strategist finally realized his resistance was futile. In the face of absolute power, everyone was nothing more than an ant.

’Since that’s the case, and I don’t want to die, I’ll just claim we encountered a divine being. That’s why we were ultimately defeated.’

’That excuse is far more convincing than the truth—that we led tens of thousands of men and still couldn’t take the Eastern Palace.’

’Besides, if I surrender to a divine being, perhaps the Emperor will still grant me a way out.’

The lead strategist steadied his nerves and took a deep breath. With a THUMP, he fell to his knees. He raised his hands high and viciously smashed the long saber in his hands onto the ground, producing a heavy thud.

He screamed at the top of his lungs, his voice thick with tears, "We were ignorant! We have offended a divine being! Only after witnessing the divine might of the Crown Princess Consort, the Fairy, do we understand that in the face of divine power, mortal strength is no more than that of an ant. We are willing to lay down our arms and surrender to the Fairy. We implore the Fairy to spare our lives!"

His kneeling was like the first domino to fall. The other strategists and soldiers quickly followed his example. In an instant, a dark mass of people were all kneeling on the ground, and overlapping cries for mercy echoed through the ruins.

Another strategist hastily removed his helmet and kowtowed heavily, his forehead instantly turning red and swollen. "Fairy above," he said, his voice trembling, "we were blind to have foolishly attempted to resist a god’s power. We were all deceived by King Wu into committing this terrible error. We only beg for the Fairy’s great compassion! Spare us this once, and we will willingly go through fire and water for you in the future, without hesitation!"

The soldiers’ faces were pale with fright. Their weapons lay scattered on the ground as their bodies trembled like sieves. They kowtowed relentlessly, their foreheads striking the ash-covered ground until they were soon slick with blood.

They stared at Ji Xiaosong in terror, as if looking upon the arbiter of life and death.

Ji Xiaosong’s expression was glacial as she looked down upon the crowd. The longsword in her hand shifted slightly, Spiritual Power coursing along its blade and emitting a chilling light.

She said coldly, "You have committed treason, an unpardonable crime. But if you truly surrender to the Royal Family today, lay down your weapons and await your sentence. If you show even a hint of disloyalty again, I will ensure your souls are scattered to the winds!"

The strategists nodded frantically. While hastily directing the soldiers to throw their weapons into a pile, they scrambled over one another to pledge their allegiance.

"Rest assured, Fairy! We would never dare to harbor treacherous thoughts again. From this day forward, we are the Royal Family’s most loyal servants! At the Royal Family’s command, we would die ten thousand deaths without regret!"

"Yes, yes! We have all been awed by the Fairy’s divine might. We will turn over a new leaf and start anew."

At that moment, the grand gates of the Eastern Palace slowly swung open. The Emperor emerged, flanked by Chu Qingyun and his attendants.

The Emperor surveyed the wreckage before him, then glanced at the crowd kneeling on the ground. His expression was stern, radiating an authority that needed no anger to be felt.

Upon seeing the Emperor, the lead strategist scrambled forward on his hands and knees. He kowtowed heavily several more times and cried out, "Your Majesty, our crimes are worthy of ten thousand deaths! We have betrayed Your Majesty’s trust. But we were led astray by King Wu; we truly had no choice! Only after witnessing the Fairy’s divine manifestation today did we finally come to our senses. We beg Your Majesty to spare our lives on account of our sincere repentance! We are willing to atone for our crimes through meritorious service!"

The other strategists also crowded around, kneeling at the Emperor’s feet. They kowtowed ceaselessly while spouting various pleas for mercy and pledges of loyalty.

The Emperor gazed down at the men kowtowing at his feet like pestles grinding garlic. His eyes were as cold and deep as a winter pond, devoid of any warmth.

He raised a hand slightly, gesturing for silence. The clamorous pleas for mercy ceased instantly, leaving only the sound of heavy breathing to spread through the deathly still air.

"You have committed treason, attempted to overthrow the Royal Family, and sought to plunge the realm into chaos. Do you think a simple ’we were deceived’ and ’we sincerely repent’ can erase your crimes?"

The Emperor’s voice was low yet powerful, each word landing like a heavy hammer on their hearts. "This empire was built by generations of my Chu Family, who poured their very hearts and souls into it. Do you think you can simply trample all over it?"

The lead strategist’s face went ashen. Beads of sweat the size of peas rolled down his forehead. His body trembled, and though he wanted to speak up in his own defense, his throat felt choked, and he couldn’t utter a single word.

The other strategists and soldiers were so terrified they didn’t dare to breathe. They could only bury their heads lower, as if that could somehow shield them from their impending punishment.

"Guards!"

The Emperor’s command echoed over the ruins. "Imprison these traitors for now. After I have interrogated them thoroughly, they will be executed!"

The words had barely faded when soldiers from the North Suburb surged forward like a tide. With long spears in hand and resolute gazes, they swiftly surrounded the surrendering strategists and soldiers.

Though the rebel soldiers were weak with fear, they had no choice but to rise obediently under escort. They dragged their heavy feet, step by step, toward their confinement.

"Your Majesty, spare us! We truly know we were wrong!"

"Your Majesty, have mercy! We are willing to slave away for the court to atone for our crimes!"

Desperate cries and pleas for mercy occasionally erupted from the crowd being led away, but the Emperor remained unmoved, his gaze firm and resolute.

Anyone who dared to betray the Royal Family would pay a heavy price.

Ji Xiaosong withdrew her Spiritual Power and faded into the background.

’I’ve been in the spotlight more than enough for one day. No need to keep showing off.’

’This empire will belong to my husband sooner or later, and then to my son. I have no desire to be some exhausted workhorse.’

’Being the Emperor, or holding a position above the Royal Family, is just too exhausting.’

’You have to worry about reviewing official documents every day, not to mention handling all sorts of state affairs.’

’That’s not the kind of life a simple blade of grass like me wants.’

’So far, all this immense power I have is just for self-preservation and to make my own life a little more comfortable.’

"Crown Princess Consort, we owe you a great debt for today’s events."

The Emperor had wanted to ask what reward she desired, but then he remembered he had no money to offer her and decided against it.

"I am growing old, and Qingyun’s health has returned. Therefore, once you give birth to the legitimate heir, Qingyun shall ascend the throne."

Chu Qingyun was stunned for a moment, then his eyes flashed with surprise and resolve. He dropped to one knee, his voice resonant with respect. "Your son will not fail your trust, Father. I will do everything in my power to protect this empire. I will ensure our people live in peace and prosperity, and I will not betray the hundred-year foundation of our Royal Family."

He had been raised as the Crown Prince since childhood; there was no need for false modesty now.

Hearing the news, the Second Prince and Third Prince stepped forward to offer their congratulations. "Congratulations, Elder Brother. You will surely become a wise sovereign. We will naturally do all we can to support you."

"Alright. Let us depart for the palace."

Now that the day’s crisis was over, the Emperor had to deal with the aftermath.

He would clear away every obstacle for his son, giving him the chance to usher in a golden age.