Chapter 104: He Sacrificed Too Much for His Majesty
The Emperor locked himself in Zichen Palace. Aside from battle reports, he allowed no other news to be sent in, nor would he see anyone. The only person who could come and go as he pleased was Xiao Lv, but Xiao Lv’s mouth was slick as oil; he answered every question, but not a single answer was useful.
Xiao Cheng and Xiao Lan led the Black Dragon Guards to surround Zichen Palace in layer upon layer. The two of them stood guard in shifts, their hands on their longswords, ready to draw at a moment’s notice.
The situation was rather complicated.
People said that the Emperor was a woman and shouldn’t rule, yet the ones protecting the Emperor were all members of the Xiao Family.
Leaving others aside, Prince Jing and Xiao Lv were from the direct, legitimate line of the Imperial Family. Since they chose to protect the Emperor, could the rumors be false?
They firmly believed that no man would support a woman being in charge, let alone as Emperor.
It was absolutely impossible for any scion of the Imperial Family not to desire the throne.
Therefore, it seemed more likely that the Emperor was a man.
Of course, there were also those who had caught wind of the rumors and, harboring ulterior motives, insisted the Emperor was a woman. For the sake of their own goals, they would have called him a woman even if he were a man.
They even attempted to turn the Black Dragon Guards against the Emperor, telling them that since the Emperor was a woman, they should be questioning her, not aiding a tyrant and compounding their mistakes.
The Black Dragon Guards: "..."
’Do you even hear yourselves speak?’
’Never mind that it’s not even confirmed whether the Emperor is a woman.’
’Let’s talk about who pays us. General Li is still out there fighting. If we get rid of the Emperor now, who’s going to send supplies to the front lines?’
’Where else are the soldiers going to find such a generous Majesty?’
’If the money runs out, are you going to pay us?’
They were men, and they also felt a woman shouldn’t be Emperor, but they weren’t fools. They could still tell who was doing good for them and who was trying to get them killed.
Taking a step back, even if the Emperor really was a woman, what was wrong with supporting an Empress who gave them money, compared to a bunch of villains egging them on to do something that would cost them their heads?
They were men, and they were human. They had to eat and support their families. The benefits of a power struggle might not fall to them, but the first to die would surely be the traitors.
Besides, while they served the Emperor, they had another leader in their hearts: Li Wei. They primarily looked to Li Wei’s attitude.
Right now, Boss Li was at the front lines and had been injured. The situation was dire, and he desperately needed the Emperor’s trust and unwavering support. Coincidentally, the current Emperor was exactly that kind of person.
With loyalty and righteousness before them, how could they be swayed by a few rumors from treacherous court officials?
Of course, if one were to ask why they were so clear-headed and resolute, the credit undoubtedly belonged to the three Xiao brothers.
The three of them staunchly supported the Emperor and even took the initiative to analyze the pros and cons for the guards, letting them know who to follow if they wanted to get fed.
Even if the Emperor was a woman, they still had Heir Lv as a backup. They had seen Heir Lv with his clothes off—he was definitely a man.
Xiao Lv, who had been forced to strip and train in the middle of a harsh winter: "..." ’He had sacrificed far too much for His Majesty.’
However, what the guards didn’t know was that among the three brothers, aside from Xiao Lv, the other two were just as uncertain as they were.
They also didn’t know if His Majesty was male or female, nor did they know what the future held. But they had truly grown attached to His Majesty during this time, and betraying him was out of the question.
When Xiao Lv entered, his gaze swept the room. Not seeing the Emperor, he searched deeper inside, finally spotting her lying on the bed, wrapped up like a silkworm in a cocoon.
There was no doubt about it. That long bundle on the bed was the Emperor.
Outside, rumors were running rampant and the sky seemed ready to fall. Everyone assumed the Emperor must be terrified, unable to eat or sleep.
Who would have thought that she had ordered the soldiers to surround her bedchambers, and was inside eating well, drinking well, and sleeping soundly.
Xiao Yang: ’I call this conserving my energy and cultivating my joy. If I don’t eat and sleep well, how will I find the strength to lift my sword?’
"Your Majesty? Your Majesty?"
Xiao Lv called out twice to no effect, so he could only reach out and give the blanket a gentle tug.
Xiao Yang poked her head out, her cheeks visibly rosy, and let out a lazy yawn.
"Brother, what is it?"
The raging storm outside couldn’t disturb her blissful sleep under the thick quilt.
Xiao Lv looked at her fluffy head, his fingertips itching with the urge to pat it, but he resisted. "Meng Xuechen requests an audience."
Xiao Yang: "I’m not seeing him."
Xiao Lv produced a slip of paper. "He said that after Your Majesty reads this, you will definitely see him."
Xiao Yang glanced at it. On the paper was an English name...
’This world really is just a sieve, isn’t it?’
She rose reluctantly. "Let him in."
Xiao Yang got up, dressed, and went to the outer hall. Just as she sat down for a sip of tea, Meng Xuechen entered.
He made no attempt to be evasive, his gaze meeting hers directly.
"Your Majesty."
He wasn’t in a hurry to speak, offering a formal bow first.
Xiao Yang looked at his face, finding she had nothing to say. She raised a hand, dismissing everyone around them until only the two of them remained in the vast, empty hall.
Meng Xuechen was a man of muted emotions, and this moment was no different. In a calm voice, he dropped a bombshell.
"Junior Xiao Yang, long time no see!"
"Long time no see." Such a simple phrase.
But what lay between them was not time, but life and death.
Meng Xuechen had died in her arms. By the time she pushed him away, his body had already grown rigid.
She had personally watched him be cremated and had even attended his funeral. For such a person to appear before her, alive and well...
’Is there something wrong with this world, or is there something wrong with me?’
Xie Liuzheng’s "system" had told Xiao Yang she was a reincarnated soul. Xiao Yang hadn’t believed it at first, but now, Meng Xuechen stood right in front of her.
Xiao Yang had never harbored the slightest thought of acknowledging their past. That Chapter of their lives was over. It was enough that they were both safe and sound in this one.
She owed Meng Xuechen a life debt. If he ever needed it, she would certainly repay it.
But... why did he have his memories?
’Was the Meng Po Soup really that watered down?’
"Long time no see, Senior."
In the end, Xiao Yang acknowledged him.
Meng Xuechen had been watching her, his expression just as placid, but the moment Xiao Yang confirmed her identity, a brilliant smile bloomed on his face.
It was like sunlight breaking through the clouds to land on a mountain peak. The frost on his face melted away, brimming with renewed life.
He raised his hands, opened his arms, and invited with a smile, "I’m so happy to see you again. May I have a hug?"
Xiao Yang could refuse anyone in this world. She considered herself heartless and numb, believing no one could ever touch her true heart; love and romance were nothing more than a passing interest.
’But this was Meng Xuechen.’
He was a dear friend she had made when she was still young and naive, a man who had even lost his life to protect her. He was the first person to ever die in her arms. Even after so many years, she had never forgotten the sensation of his blood dripping onto her face, the feeling of it cooling from scalding hot to ice cold.
All men in the world might be the same, but Meng Xuechen was the one exception.
Xiao Yang didn’t know how she managed to walk toward him. All she knew was that a powerful lump had formed in her throat, and her vision began to blur.
The embrace was warm.
"Meng Xuechen, I’m so happy to see you again."
’Whether this is transmigration or reincarnation, whether he’s human or a ghost, as long as it’s him, it’s enough.’
At the entrance to the great hall, Xiao Lv glanced at the two people embracing inside. His gaze then shifted to the Regent King, who was standing at the doorway, staring intently at the scene. A dark fire and a wild malevolence glinted in his eyes.
Xiao Lv took a deep breath and squeezed his eyes shut. ’I saw nothing!’