Her Majesty Chose Violence, They Chose Her

The title of Marquis Pingchuan was bestowed by the founding emperor. The first Marquis Pingchuan followed the founding emperor of Da Wei to conquer the realm and was a renowned general of his time.

When Da Wei was established, he was ennobled as a marquis for his merits and enjoyed a period of great prestige. But many years have passed, and each generation has been less impressive than the last.

The current, fifth-generation Marquis Pingchuan is Xiao Lin. His martial arts are passable, but he has grown accustomed to the peace and prosperity of the Capital City, long having lost the ambition to charge into battle.

Of his three sons, he only sent Xiao Cheng to practice martial arts to inherit the title. The other two were focused on literary studies, preparing them for future careers in the officialdom.

When Prince Jing sought him out and specified that he wanted him to transport a shipment of weapons, Xiao Lin’s expression changed instantly.

"My Prince, you... haven’t you already acknowledged Your Majesty? What is the meaning of this?"

Prince Jing stared at him in confusion for a moment before it dawned on him. ’Xiao Lin actually thinks I’m planning a rebellion?’

’This is an outright slander of my character!’

Prince Jing shot him a cross look. "I am now the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Your Majesty’s most favored courtier. My coming to you is on Your Majesty’s orders. Rebellion? Rebel my ass."

’Honestly, can’t this man think of anything positive for once?’

"Oh." ’So it’s not a rebellion.’

Xiao Lin felt that his head was safe for now, and only then did he ask what was needed.

Prince Jing said, "Your Majesty needs to secretly transport a shipment of weapons to the border and wants you to be the Chief Escort Officer."

The moment Xiao Lin heard "border," he immediately tried to refuse. "No, I can’t, my Prince. You know I don’t have the ability. If I were to mess this up, even ten thousand deaths wouldn’t absolve me of the blame."

Prince Jing looked at his cowardly display, his eyes filled with contempt.

"It is your honor that Your Majesty values you. Don’t put on such an unseemly display."

"Her Majesty has said that she does not support idlers. If you are unwilling to work, she will strip you of your Marquis title, and you can go back to being a farmer."

Xiao Lin’s eyes widened instantly. ’How could that be?!’

He was a Marquis! The court was visibly improving, and the benefits of being a Marquis would likely increase in the future. To lose his title and become a commoner would be a fate worse than death.

"Your Majesty... has so many officials. Why me, of all people?"

He was quite self-aware; with his abilities, he shouldn’t have been entrusted with such a critical mission.

Prince Jing replied with sage-like calm, "It is precisely because no one would suspect you that you were chosen. This is called the element of surprise."

Prince Jing clapped him on the shoulder. "Your son is the Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard, trusted by Her Majesty. Your daughter is a female official favored by Her Majesty. If you, their father, can’t accomplish anything of merit, wouldn’t that be a little embarrassing? Don’t you want to establish some authority in front of your children, or show off a little before the court and the clan? Her Majesty didn’t choose any other imperial relatives, only you. This proves she sees your potential and is willing to give you this chance. You must seize it."

Xiao Lin: "..." ’I feel like there’s a trap up ahead, but I have no choice but to jump in.’

Walking out of the Marquis Mansion, Prince Jing suddenly heaved a long sigh. The Emperor had used this very tactic to threaten him back then, and now he had learned to use it on others.

’Truly, the world is unpredictable.’

’But this is good. The Little Emperor may be a woman, but she is clearly capable and courageous. Rather than waiting for death in mediocrity, old bones like us might as well gamble on her and go for broke.’

’And now, with such powerful weapons, perhaps we can truly witness the rise of a golden age.’

Xiao Lin departed from the Capital City with the goods in secret, while back in the Imperial Palace, the court was in a heated, unending debate over the Emperor’s preparations to campaign against the Xirong.

One faction did not want to go to war. Although the West Rong people had been detestable before, now that Her Majesty had killed two of their generals and their prince, peace negotiations were not entirely off the table.

Another faction, the warmongers, was eager for a fight. The Emperor was young, the nation was strong, and the troops at the border were led by the most powerful military general, Li Wei. If not now, when was the time to expand their territory?

The final, quieter faction consisted of Prince Jing and his associates. They simply watched the others argue.

’Her Majesty has already made all the arrangements. By the time they finish arguing, the war will have probably already started.’

If Her Majesty hadn’t made a decision, their arguments were useless. If Her Majesty had made a decision, their arguments were also useless.

Tsk. ’Where is this sudden, inexplicable sense of superiority coming from?’

’Everyone else is in the dark, but we know the truth.’

’As expected, being a favored courtier is different from being one of these ordinary officials.’ (Smug face)

After the court session ended, Xiao Yang went to the Imperial Study Room. Duke Liang arrived with Ye Shao for an audience with the Emperor.

"I have heard that Your Majesty intends to campaign against the Xirong. It is a pity that this subject is old and my body is plagued by old ailments, preventing me from personally taking up arms. I can only offer what little I can to Your Majesty."

He presented a box. Inside were bank notes for several hundred thousand taels of silver, along with two treasures previously bestowed by the Emperor.

Seeing the Emperor look, he continued, "Your Majesty has met this old subject’s grandson. He is well-versed in both literary and martial arts and wishes to serve Your Majesty, to be at your beck and call."

Ye Shao knelt beside Duke Liang.

Above him sat the Emperor—his rival in love.

When he first learned that the Emperor was a woman, he had been thrilled for a moment. With the Emperor being female, Qingyi’s hopes would be dashed, and she would surely notice him.

But as it turned out, Song Qingyi refused to believe it, and even if she did, she remained just as infatuated.

He had no other choice. He had to fight for her with all he had.

’I must go to the battlefield, earn merit, and use my accomplishments to request an imperial edict for marriage. An edict bestowed by Her Majesty herself... Qingyi can’t possibly refuse that.’

While Ye Shao was lost in his thoughts, Xiao Yang was also thinking.

’As everyone knows, the second male lead in a melodramatic romance novel is always devoted, handsome, and outstanding, with a good personality and sound values. Perhaps his life is just too perfect, so heaven can only make him suffer the bitterness of love, gifting him a love-addled brain.’

’During the lantern festival, Ye Shao already proved his literary talent, and his martial arts aren’t bad either.’

’In conclusion, he’s a good chess piece.’

’I am the ’male lead’, Song Qingyi is the female lead, and Ye Shao is the second male lead.’

’As long as I have a hold on Song Qingyi, Ye Shao will have no choice but to obediently serve me.’

’He’s a good piece, yes, but... tsk, there’s something indescribably strange about this.’

’Am I supposed to adopt the identity of a scumbag male lead from one of those melodramatic novels now?’

"Duke Liang is very thoughtful. If Ye Shao is willing to go, We are naturally delighted to hear it. The nation needs such young and outstanding talent."

’Someone wants to go fight my battles for me, and he’s even bringing money to beg for the chance. I really can’t think of a reason to refuse.’

As Ye Shao came out of the Imperial Study Room, he happened to see Song Qingyi following a group of people carrying clothes for Her Majesty.

’The proper young lady of the Song Family... since when has she ever done menial tasks like serving others?’

Ye Shao was just about to approach her, but Song Qingyi had already followed the group, not sparing a single glance in his direction the entire time.

Prince Jing walked past, then couldn’t resist turning back. He glanced at Ye Shao’s longing expression and then at the direction in which the group of palace maids had disappeared.

"What are you looking at? Is there a young lady over there who’s caught your eye?"

Prince Jing was just teasing, but he didn’t expect to hit the nail on the head.

Ye Shao averted his gaze, not wanting to deal with Prince Jing, but he couldn’t help but ask, "My Prince, is Her Majesty truly a woman?"

Prince Jing was speechless. "Could there be any falsehood in this matter?"

Ye Shao: "Then why would a woman still like another woman?"

Prince Jing’s mind was sharp these days. He instantly filtered through the two women infatuated with Her Majesty. ’That girl Xie Liuzheng has some entanglement with my son, so it can’t be her. That leaves the young lady from the Song Family.’

’Isn’t Ye Shao in the same boat as my son now?’

He sized Ye Shao up and down. ’This man is a talented young gentleman. Tricking him into working for Her Majesty... he’d make a top-tier beast of burden.’

"I am too old to answer that question for you, but you could ask Xiao Lv."

After saying this, he clapped him on the shoulder. "Misery loves company. I’m sure you and he will have plenty to talk about."

Xiao Lv, who happened to be passing by: "?"