Her Majesty Chose Violence, They Chose Her

Because the Emperor had just killed a great many people, everyone was on their best behavior at this palace banquet.

They meekly ate their food and watched the performances.

When they occasionally dared to look up, they saw the Emperor flanked on the left and right by the Regent King, Prince Jing and his son, and Li Wei.

The Emperor’s truly loyal power base had been formed. No one dared to cause the Little Emperor any trouble, much less be tactless enough to try and force her to drink.

The Emperor, who had been an insignificant figure just last year, had now become a true ruler who could not be underestimated.

And this transformation had taken place in less than four months.

No one believed the Little Emperor had undergone a sudden change in personality. They could only assume she had been patiently lying in wait, biding her time for the perfect moment.

Such profound cunning was chilling to the bone.

Whether the Emperor was truly formidable was entirely a product of their own overactive imaginations.

The Emperor in reality:

’The lovely young woman dancing tonight is the one who gave me that handkerchief! Her embroidery is exquisite, and she’s such a good dancer, too!’

"A reward!"

’Whoa, that backbend... My own back aches just watching her. That looks painful, poor thing.’

"A reward!"

Fine wine, delicious food, the music of string and bamboo instruments, and beautiful women dancing before her. All she had to do was sit here and hand out rewards.

The lovely dancers who received a reward would shoot electric glances her way, approaching coquettishly to express their thanks. They were the very picture of feminine charm and allure.

’Mmm, now *this* is the life an emperor is supposed to lead! How delightful~~’

’First, I questioned them. Then, I understood them. Now, I’ve become them!’

The Little Emperor’s gaze was utterly undisguised, and the tension-filled flirtation with the dancers was thick with ambiguity.

There was nothing innocent about that look; no one would believe for a second that the Little Emperor had no interest in women.

The courtiers glanced from the dancers to the Regent King and General Li, who had been the subjects of romantic rumors involving the Little Emperor.

Even though the rumors had been rampant and the Little Emperor had personally confirmed them...

...it had seemed more like something said in a fit of pique. Besides that, their interactions were strictly those of a ruler and her subjects.

While they were all foolishly distracted by the gossip about the Emperor and her rumored lovers, she had already seized the assets of over a dozen families.

They had every reason to suspect they had been played!!

The courtiers exchanged glances, their minds abuzz with the tantalizing prospect of the Emperor taking on an empress and consorts.

Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager’s face turned dark and grim as she watched the Emperor staring "lecherously" at the group of women.

’How did I give birth to such a shameless creature?’

Overall, the banquet was proceeding in perfect harmony—until a eunuch entered.

"Prince Kang and Mr. Xie have arrived with their families to present gifts."

"Prince Kang? Mr. Xie?"

Xiao Yang was completely baffled; she didn’t recognize a single name.

The eunuch Lin Yi, who was attending her, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, Prince Kang is the Regent King’s biological father."

As for Mr. Xie, he didn’t know which one that might be.

Xiao Yang said nothing, but the Empress Dowager spoke up with a smile, "Have them enter at once."

Xiao Yang’s gaze swept over the Regent King’s cold, grim face before finally landing on the Empress Dowager.

’This definitely has something to do with her.’

Soon, two middle-aged couples entered together.

They were of a similar age and dressed in lavish attire. The man on the left, however, wore a golden crown and bore a striking resemblance to Rong Yin, making his identity obvious at a glance.

"We pay our respects to the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty!"

The four of them bowed in unison. The Empress Dowager smiled and raised a hand. "You may rise. It has been many years. I almost didn’t recognize you, Your Highness."

Though Prince Kang’s face showed the marks of time, he was still handsome and mature, exuding the charm of a distinguished older man. He smiled at her words. "It has indeed been many years, yet the Empress Dowager’s grace remains as radiant as ever."

The two exchanged a few pleasantries before Prince Kang presented his gift.

"My wife and I specially selected this for you, Empress Dowager. We wish Your Majesty good health and boundless longevity."

Mr. and Mrs. Xie also quickly presented their gift and exchanged polite pleasantries with the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager immediately had the gifts collected and then arranged for seats to be brought.

Coincidentally, there was just enough space near the main throne, on the left and right, to place two more tables.

Prince Kang naturally strode to the side closer to the Regent King. His gaze fell upon Rong Yin, his expression cold and stern. "Rong Yin. Do you not even greet your elders when you see them?"

Rong Yin’s hand tightened around his wine cup. A moment later, he set it down, rose to his feet, and bowed calmly. "Prince Kang."

Prince Kang’s expression immediately soured. "Have you decided not to acknowledge your own father now?"

Princess Consort Kang was a delicate, bewitching woman. Despite her age, she carried herself with a flirtatious air, though a hint of shrewishness sharpened her eyes.

"Has the Regent King grown so proud as a Prince that he now looks down on his own father? His Highness rushed all this way, worrying about you constantly. He only wanted to reunite with his son and share a proper family meal."

’My, what a strong cup of vintage green tea.’

Rong Yin’s face was devoid of expression. "Rong Yin has already been expelled from the Rong Family. Aside from my name on the family registry, I dare not claim association with Prince Kang."

Prince Kang’s face was black as thunder. He snarled, "You unfilial son! You think you’ve grown your wings and now I can’t control you?"

Before Prince Kang could finish, a wine pot flew through the air and smashed against his head.

It struck him squarely on the forehead. The ceramic shattered, and blood began to trickle down his face.

Princess Consort Kang’s face paled, and she shrieked, "My lord!"

"Who? Who did that?"

Princess Consort Kang’s furious gaze scanned the room and landed on the Little Emperor. She was just about to speak when she was met with a gaze so frigid and sharp it stopped her cold. She suddenly remembered this person was the Emperor.

Prince Kang looked over as well, seething with rage. "Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this?"

Xiao Yang had no intention of tolerating this couple, who seemed completely unhinged.

"Guards! Prince Kang entered the capital without a royal decree and has shown contempt for the Emperor! Throw him into the Heavenly Prison!"

The order struck like a clap of thunder.

The Empress Dowager, who had been stunned by the Little Emperor throwing the wine pot, snapped back to her senses. "Your Majesty, it was by *my* edict that they were permitted to enter the capital."

Xiao Yang gave her a casual glance. "Is the Empress Dowager saying that you wish to accompany them to the Heavenly Prison?"

The Imperial Guards had already entered and moved to seize the pair.

Only then did Prince Kang seem to realize the Emperor was not joking.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me! I do not know how I have offended you!"

’And he has the nerve to ask how he offended me?’

Xiao Yang sneered. "I, the Emperor, am sitting right here. From the moment you entered, you haven’t spared me a single proper glance, treating me as if I were nothing but air. Now you dare to berate someone in my presence? What is this, is the Imperial Palace your home now?"

’An uninvited guest, publicly berating someone at my banquet. Does he really think I’m some sort of pushover?’

Prince Kang clutched his bleeding head, his expression mortified. He had indeed paid this Puppet Emperor no mind, never expecting that he would actually manage to provoke her.

But she was still the Emperor. Prince Kang swallowed his rage. "This Prince—...This subject has prepared a grand gift for Your Majesty. It is still on the road and will not arrive until tomorrow. I did not mean to neglect Your Majesty."

’Is he trying to placate me like a child throwing a tantrum because they didn’t get a present?’

Xiao Yang merely gave a look, and the two were dragged away.

"Your Majesty, you can’t do this to me! I am your imperial grand-uncle!"

The Princess Consort was dumbstruck. She quickly pleaded, "Your Majesty, please forgive us! The Prince meant no disrespect..."

Her voice took on a simpering, coquettish tone that sent a wave of revulsion through Xiao Yang.

’Please, go act cute for your husband. I’m still a kid, for crying out loud!’

Xiao Yang ignored her. The Princess Consort could only turn to others for help. "Empress Dowager! Empress Dowager!"

"Rong Yin, say something!"

Prince Kang was furious. He had gone to so much trouble to return to the capital, yet before he could even begin to throw his weight around, he was being thrown into the Heavenly Prison. What kind of injustice was this?

Unfortunately, no amount of shouting could change their fate of being dragged away.

The Empress Dowager wanted to intervene, but absolutely no one listened to her. Not even the courtiers dared to stand up and stop the Emperor from establishing her authority. Trembling with rage, the Empress Dowager demanded, "Xiao Jin, what do you think you’re doing?"

Xiao Yang raised her cup and took a slow sip. "Nothing much. Just making him pay the price for scorning the Emperor. Since the Empress Dowager was the one who summoned them to the capital, why didn’t you teach them some basic etiquette first?"

As she spoke, her gaze swept over Mr. and Mrs. Xie, noting their stiff expressions. She then turned her attention to Rong Yin. Her eyes fell to his hand, and she frowned, barking, "Let go!"

Rong Yin looked up at her.

Xiao Yang glared at him. "Unclench your fist. Do you not want that hand anymore?"

As if waking from a dream, Rong Yin finally relaxed his grip. His palm was stained red with blood where his wound had clearly reopened.

Xiao Yang was furious.

’How long will that take to heal? How much more of his work am I going to have to do now?’

"Guards! Go drag Han Yang here for me!"

Rong Yin hadn’t expected the Emperor to be so worried about him. The dark feelings that had been welling up in his chest instantly vanished.

The Little Emperor had struck Prince Kang and thrown them into the Heavenly Prison. He suddenly felt that perhaps their existence wasn’t worth worrying about after all.