Her Majesty Chose Violence, They Chose Her

"Your Majesty, this was sent from the Heavenly Prison."

Personnel from the Ministry of Justice carried a large chest to the Imperial Study Room. When the chest was opened, it revealed neatly arranged books inside.

Xiao Yang was quite shocked as she looked at the chest.

"He couldn’t have actually finished copying all of them, could he?"

She casually picked one up and flipped through it. The handwriting was neat, each stroke clear and distinct.

The characters were proper yet sharp, powerful and vigorous. The handwriting truly reflected the man; this was undoubtedly Rong Yin’s work.

Xiao Yang had them lay out all one hundred and fifty volumes. She had sent fifty books to be copied three times each.

Xiao Yang flipped through all of them. Every single volume was copied meticulously, without cutting corners, and the ink still smelled fresh.

’It’s only been a few days, and he’s already finished?’

’His patience is terrifying.’

Xiao Yang didn’t really want to let Rong Yin out. But he had accepted his punishment and done the copying. Besides, she’d heard that the number of assassins sent to kill him recently was almost as high as the number of criminals in the Heavenly Prison.

And he had been injured saving her before...

Tsk!

’So annoying!’

Even so, Xiao Yang still had an edict delivered to release Rong Yin.

Less than an hour after the imperial edict was issued, Rong Yin entered the palace. Forsaking his usual, unchanging black robes, he was actually wearing white today.

His moon-white cloud brocade was embroidered with silver jacquard patterns, giving him an elegant, ethereal air. Over it, he wore a snow-white cloak, but its ties were as vividly red as fresh blood.

"Your Majesty."

Rong Yin untied his cloak, revealing the clothes beneath. The stark contrast with his previous black attire made him look exceptionally bright and spirited.

His features were already outstanding, but his black clothes had made him seem cold and aloof. The first impression one got was of his intimidating aura, which tended to overshadow his looks.

This white outfit, however, softened his aura, making him appear noble and elegant, drawing immediate attention to his handsome features.

’He really does have the air of a magnanimous, peerless gentleman.’

Rong Yin approached and bowed. "Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your merciful pardon."

Xiao Yang replied, "Of course, of course. Now that you’re out, I hope the Regent King will turn over a new leaf and behave himself. Please don’t be so impulsive in the future."

Rong Yin’s lips curved into a slight smile, his eyes shimmering. "Your humble servant shall meticulously obey Your Majesty’s sacred decree."

This stilted, formal language made Xiao Yang’s teeth ache. "Alright, that’s enough. Go on and do whatever it is you need to do."

But Rong Yin didn’t let it go. "Having been reborn after a calamity, your humble servant has prepared a banquet at my residence with osmanthus wine. I humbly request Your Majesty to grace me with your presence for a tasting."

Xiao Yang wasn’t blind. His intention to seduce her was written all over his face.

’Inviting me for a drink? Am I the side dish?’

"Have you forgotten, Regent King? You yourself said before that We are too young to be drinking."

Seeing her use his own words against him, Rong Yin wasn’t annoyed. "Your humble servant is greatly comforted that Your Majesty remembers my advice. However, even if you do not drink, you can still appreciate the scenery. I have three green-calyx plum trees in my courtyard, which are in full, glorious bloom right now. I invite Your Majesty to admire the flowers."

Xiao Yang was speechless. ’This man just won’t take no for an answer, will he?’

Seeing her hesitate, Rong Yin resorted to goading her. "What is Your Majesty afraid of? You were the one who first tried to make me your consort. I still have that memorial, you know."

Xiao Yang: "..."

’Hoisted by my own petard.’

At the time, she just wanted to cause some chaos and make everyone miserable. Who could have thought this rogue would one day actually take a liking to her?

"Rong Yin."

Xiao Yang ground her teeth. "Do you think We dare not kill you?"

Rong Yin replied with a hint of provocation, "On what charge would Your Majesty execute your humble servant?"

For insubordination, or for coveting the King?

Xiao Yang glared at him, her eyes filled with hidden killing intent. He was completely unafraid, certain that she wouldn’t kill him.

Xiao Yang scoffed. She was truly impressed by his shamelessness.

"Get out!"

Rong Yin’s invitation, made with ulterior motives, was naturally unsuccessful. However, the two jars of wine he sent to the palace were accepted.

Although Rong Yin was clearly interested, Xiao Yang remained cold and ignored him. It was useless no matter how much he tried to show off.

As court affairs mounted, they both became incredibly busy, forcing any extraneous thoughts to be suppressed.

The spring planting season was demanding, heavy rains plagued the southern regions, and disasters of varying scales had occurred.

"BANG!" "CRASH!"

Furious, Xiao Yang violently threw the memorial in her hand.

"A swarm of parasites!"

She was about to die from anger. The moment she managed to raise some funds by confiscating assets, every last one of them was eyeing it, looking to take a bite.

There were indeed disasters, but not to the extent they claimed. Even if only one household was affected, they would report it as a hundred, all to get disaster relief funds from the court.

The people needed saving, but the Silver allocated by the court would never reach their hands.

Corrupt officials, insatiably greedy.

Xiao Yang was furious, but after her anger subsided, she found it laughable.

’What am I even doing? Have I actually started trying to be a good Emperor?’

"Your Majesty, Minister Xu requests an audience."

A handsome, middle-aged man of about forty walked in with a steady gait and dignified bearing. "Greetings, Your Majesty."

This was Xu Shikai, Xu Xingchen’s uncle. He was the former Imperial College Sacrificial Officer who had been promoted to Minister of Rites after the previous one was executed and his assets confiscated.

There was still a fierce glint in Xiao Yang’s eyes, but she didn’t take her anger out on an innocent person. "Is there something you need?"

Xu Shikai glanced at the shattered cup on the floor and realized the Emperor had just been in a rage. He had come at a bad time, but he was already here.

"Your humble servant... does indeed have a matter to request of Your Majesty."

"I implore Your Majesty not to indulge Xingchen so much."

Xu Xingchen was now the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice. He had always enjoyed investigating cases, and now, backed by the Emperor’s authority, he had completely let himself go.

Recently, any case that crossed his desk, big or small, he dared to pass judgment on.

Regardless of the criminal’s status or how many powerful factions were involved, he looked only at the facts of the case. If the evidence was solid, he would hand down a severe sentence without exception.

During this period, he had been on a rampage, offending every single noble in the entire Capital City.

Xu Xingchen himself didn’t care, but people like Xu Shikai still had to live in this world.

Xu Shikai originally had several good friends who came to him for help regarding their cases. But no matter what he said, Xu Xingchen showed no mercy. As a result, several of his friends had turned against him, and even his daughter’s marriage prospects had been affected.

Xu Xingchen refused to listen to any advice. Having no other choice, Xu Shikai had come to plead with Her Majesty.

"Your Majesty may not know, but that child, Xingchen, is stubborn and obsessive. He insists on getting to the bottom of everything and has no understanding of worldly wisdom. He will offend many people by acting this way."

"He relies heavily on penal law and disregards personal connections, stirring up widespread resentment. Ultimately, this will destabilize the court."

"Your Majesty..." He bowed deeply. "Xingchen is a naturally intelligent child, but he’s just... missing something. He is truly unsuited for a position in the court."

He had no idea what his own father had been thinking, sending Xu Xingchen to the Emperor. Now his nephew was making enemies everywhere.

And the Emperor, so young yet so bold, would use anyone.

Xiao Yang: "Are you suggesting that We should dismiss him from his post?"

Xu Shikai: "I implore Your Majesty to see the truth of the matter."

’See the truth of his head! I finally found someone as interesting as Xu Xingchen, and he wants me to dismiss him just like that?’

"You’re afraid of offending others, so you want to have your own nephew dismissed. Aren’t you afraid of offending Us?"

Xu Shikai: "Your Majesty, your humble servant would not dare offend you. It is simply that Xingchen is not suited to be an official..."

"You are mistaken." Xiao Yang cut him off, her gaze cold and disdainful. "You have lived comfortably in this corrupt and murky court for so long that you naturally can’t stand to see things in simple black and white. But it is precisely because you think he is unsuitable that he is, in fact, the most suitable person for the job."