Her Majesty Chose Violence, They Chose Her

Meng Xuechen didn’t mention his death, instead reminiscing with Xiao Yang like old friends reuniting after a long separation.

He said that in this world, he started slowly regaining memories of his past life at age three, and by eight, he had remembered it all.

He studied and did business on the side, gradually making his way from a remote city to the Capital City.

He told her amusing stories from this life, describing how he conducted business with others.

He asked her how she had come to this world, and his heart ached when he learned that she hadn’t lived long before dying.

He wasn’t a man of many words, but now, he wished he could say everything at once.

He didn’t mention that he had died because of her, only asking if her life had been good afterward.

Despite the years that had passed and her constant guardedness, Xiao Yang couldn’t withstand this side of him.

His sincerity was disarming enough; even if his intentions had been a dagger, she doubted she could have dodged it.

"How were you so sure it was me?"

Xiao Yang thought back on her actions. Other than going on a rampage and messing with everyone, she hadn’t behaved in any way that was out of place for this world.

Even if their faces were identical, it wasn’t that strange for two people to look alike.

It was just like when she saw Meng Xuechen’s face; her first reaction had been surprise that someone looked just like him, not an immediate assumption that it *was* Meng Xuechen.

Meng Xuechen looked at her, his eyes like meltwater from a snow-capped mountain, holding a hazy emotion. It seemed faint at first, yet upon a closer look, it was entirely inscrutable. "I wasn’t certain before," he said. "But when you called me in, I was."

’No, that’s not it. He had recognized her from the very first moment he saw her.’

’It was his nature to never be overly enthusiastic. But in the instant he saw her, the entire world had erupted into a cacophony, and his soul had churned in an uproar. He was just so used to being aloof that he didn’t even know how to express his excitement.’

’He knew it was her. Whether she was a man or a woman, it was still her.’

’He just wasn’t sure if she had her memories, because her eyes held no trace of recognition. Besides, his twenty-four years in this life stood between them. He didn’t know how he was supposed to reconnect with her.’

’He hadn’t wanted to test her so hastily, but the situation had changed. He wanted to be there for her when she needed him.’

’Perhaps she didn’t need him, but he wanted her to.’

’This was his chance to get close to her. If his probing proved fruitful, he would reveal himself. If he was wrong and she had no memories, he had other plans.’

A thousand thoughts flashed through his mind, but Meng Xuechen said none of them aloud. He simply chuckled and said, "Rest assured, Your Majesty. Whatever you decide, I will support you."

In his past life, she had been a ripple. Now, she was the tidal wave that would capsize his world.

As evening fell, Meng Xuechen rose to take his leave. For a reunion of old friends, it was best to know when to stop.

’Your Majesty Xiao Yang, our time will come.’

As Meng Xuechen stepped out of the grand hall, he saw the Regent King standing by the palace wall, his expression grim. It was impossible to tell how long he had been there, but he was shrouded in a chilling, hostile aura.

Meng Xuechen paused thoughtfully, scrutinizing Rong Yin’s expression. In a moment, he had his answer.

"What brings the Prince here?"

Rong Yin’s gaze was dark and fiercely cold. "What urgent business did you have with Your Majesty?"

Meng Xuechen replied, "Nothing urgent. Just a bit of idle chat."

He gave a slight nod. "It’s getting late. I’ll take my leave."

Rong Yin watched Meng Xuechen’s retreating figure, then turned his gaze back to Zichen Palace. A turbulent undercurrent churned in his eyes, but ultimately, he did not approach.

’I have to do something,’ he thought, ’but not today.’

「The next day, at morning court」

The Civil and Military Ministers arrived early. For once, everyone was present; not a single official was absent.

They gathered in clusters, discussing the rumors. It was no use for the Emperor to shut themself away. The matter had to be settled today.

If the Emperor didn’t appear, they would march to Zichen Palace. They were determined to see the monarch, one way or another.

They resolved to find someone to lead them, but the Regent King’s face was like ice, and he ignored them. Prince Jing, looking perfectly serene, also paid them no mind.

At last, it was time for court to begin. The ministers stood in formation, waiting anxiously. When a eunuch finally announced the Emperor’s arrival, a sense of finality fell over them.

"Your Majesty has arrived!"

Some officials instinctively began to kneel, but stopped halfway down when they realized the men in front of them remained standing.

Until it was made clear whether the Emperor was a woman, they would not bow.

They would never kneel to a woman.

Half of them stood firm, while the other half hesitated. A stalemate ensued.

But it all happened in an instant. The moment a flash of imperial yellow appeared, the Regent King strode to the center of the hall and knelt with perfect propriety. "Long live the Emperor! May you live ten thousand years!"

His voice was clear and resounding, and many officials scrambled to follow his lead, dropping to their knees.

Whatever the truth about Your Majesty, at this moment, she was still the Emperor, and she still held the power to punish them.

Dressed in a bright yellow Dragon Robe, the Little Emperor sat upon the throne, leaning forward on both hands in an imposing posture.

Her gaze swept over the few who remained standing. A bewitching, soul-stealing smile touched her lips.

"What’s this? Planning a rebellion?"

There was no anger in her voice, only an eager, bloodthirsty readiness.

It had only been a few days since the Little Emperor’s massacre, and the terror was still fresh in their minds.

Just as their knees gave way and they were about to kneel, Prince Jing, who had just knelt, shot back to his feet.

"Your Majesty, it is said that you are a woman."

The crowd was stunned. ’Did he really have to be so direct?!’

’Where was the tact? The preamble?’

The Little Emperor was quite curious. "Oh? And where did you hear that?"

Prince Jing answered bluntly, "The rumor is everywhere."

Despair washed over the ministers, rendering them speechless. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go, but it seemed there was no turning back now. Everything was up to Prince Jing.

The Little Emperor tilted her head. "And? Do you have any proof?"

Prince Jing clenched his fists. "I have witnesses."

Prince Jing pointed toward the entrance, where Liu Shixu and Chen Qian appeared, supporting the Empress Dowager.

Xiao Yang’s gaze swept past the unfamiliar man trailing behind them and finally settled on the Empress Dowager. She spoke, her voice calm and majestic, "Empress Dowager, if you dare set foot in this hall today, there will be no turning back."

’She hadn’t killed the Empress Dowager—not because she didn’t dare, but as a final shred of decency owed to her own mother.’

’But if the Empress Dowager was determined to walk the path to her own ruin, she wouldn’t mind obliging her.’

The Empress Dowager looked up at the Emperor on the throne, her eyes thick with hatred. Supported on either side, she walked resolutely into the hall.

"When I was young, a moment of folly led me to make a terrible mistake," she began. "Today, I am here to correct it."

Under the eager, expectant gazes of the court, she walked to the very center of the hall.

The torment of her illness had left her rail-thin, and she looked haggard and weak, but her features had only grown more severe.

She tilted her head back slightly, her hate-filled eyes fixed on Xiao Yang as she declared loudly, "Sixteen years ago, I gave birth to a daughter. But to secure my position in the main palace, I announced to the outside world that I had borne a son. After the late Emperor ascended the throne, this child was named the Crown Prince. Later, he passed the throne to her. That person is the current Emperor—Xiao Jin."

As her words fell, the entire court erupted in chaos.

The Empress Dowager herself admitted she had given birth to a daughter! Your Majesty really is a woman!