Her Majesty Chose Violence, They Chose Her

Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Berated by the Emperor for Having No Intention to Rebel

Xiao Lv sent someone to summon Prince Jing, then returned to keep Xiao Yang company.

Xiao Yang picked up her teacup. "What do you usually do, Cousin?"

Xiao Lv replied, "The usual. Reading, practicing martial arts, painting. Nothing special."

"Oh?" Xiao Yang’s lips curved. "You enjoy reading, Cousin?"

Xiao Lv felt that his younger cousin’s gaze held a hint of mischief—not hostility, just something odd, giving him the strange feeling that someone was about to have a bad day. "It’s alright."

Xiao Yang had already finished a cup of tea by the time a sleepy-eyed Prince Jing slowly ambled over.

Prince Jing wasn’t old, only forty-five, but perhaps his carefree lifestyle had made him "prosperously plump." He had a round face and a large belly, cutting a rather wealthy-looking figure.

"This subject greets Your Majesty."

Xiao Yang raised a hand. "Uncle, dispense with the ceremony."

"I hear you’ve acquired a fragmented scroll from the Mo Family."

Prince Jing nodded with a grin. "A chance acquisition. I’m currently studying it."

Xiao Yang continued, "So, have you figured out the part about rebellion yet, Uncle?"

Prince Jing answered offhandedly, "Not yet."

"Father!"

Hearing his father fall into the trap, Xiao Lv’s scalp tingled with dread. He quickly tried to smooth things over. "His Majesty is only joking with you."

Prince Jing finally seemed to register what the Little Emperor had said. The last vestiges of sleepiness vanished in an instant. His slit-like eyes flew wide open as he stared at Xiao Yang in disbelief. "Your Majesty, how could you lay a trap for your own uncle?"

Xiao Yang watched him with leisurely calm. "This isn’t a trap. I’m very seriously inquiring about your progress, Uncle."

Not knowing what else to do, Prince Jing’s knees buckled and he knelt. "Your Majesty, please see the truth! This subject is merely obsessed with the wondrous contraptions of the Mo Family and enjoys traveling. I have absolutely no intention of rebelling."

Xiao Lv quickly knelt as well. "Your Majesty, my father only ever fiddles with those wooden things. He is completely loyal. Has someone been sowing discord before Your Majesty?"

Xiao Yang let out a soft laugh, but the mirth didn’t reach her eyes.

"Do you two think that because the crime of rebellion is unforgivable, being a prince who has no desire for power makes you the good guys?"

She curled her knuckles and tapped them lightly on the armrest. A casual, faint smile played on her lips, but it held no warmth. Her dark, cold eyes gazed down at the two of them.

"With the Empress Dowager ruling from behind the curtain and Rong Yin acting as regent, powerful ministers hold all the sway. The Xiao Family’s empire is about to fall into the hands of others, yet a prince and a Princely Heir of the Xiao Family are only concerned with avoiding suspicion and being Leisurely Kings?"

For a moment, neither of them knew what to say. After all, being berated by the Emperor for *not* having the heart to rebel was truly unprecedented in all of history. The situation felt surreal and absurd.

Xiao Yang continued, "A few days ago, I was poisoned and nearly died. You’re both aware of that, I presume?"

The father and son nodded.

Xiao Yang asked, "If I die, who do you think will become the Emperor?"

Neither of them spoke.

Xiao Yang asked again, "If I die, do you think you can continue your carefree lives?"

Xiao Lv started, "Your Majesty is blessed by heaven..."

"Oh, shut up!"

Xiao Yang rolled her eyes at him. "Did I go to all the trouble of leaving the palace just to listen to your platitudes?"

Realizing the two of them wouldn’t get it, she issued a direct order. "Starting tomorrow, Prince Jing will attend the morning court sessions. You will also draft a detailed rebellion plan for me. Whether it’s the Empress Dowager Faction or someone else’s, you will eliminate at least one person per month."

The father and son stared at each other, utterly speechless. They could hardly believe what they were hearing.

"Your Majesty..."

Xiao Yang turned to Xiao Lv. "You. Go pack your things and move into the palace immediately. From this day forward, you will live there and study with me."

Xiao Lv wanted to refuse, but standing before him was the Emperor.

And a Puppet Emperor was still an Emperor.

He looked to his father for help.

Prince Jing was still processing the previous command when he had to deal with the next. "It’s fine if Your Majesty wants Xiao Lv as a study companion, but there’s no need for him to live in the palace, is there?"

Xiao Yang replied with righteous indignation, "Did you think I was inviting him over for a vacation? He’s a hostage, understand?"

She put on her most vicious, villainous expression. "If you fail to meet my demands, I’ll abuse him, enslave him, and torture him until he wishes he were dead!"

Prince Jing and Xiao Lv: "..." ’So scary,’ they thought sarcastically.

What a headache!

Prince Jing pressed his forehead. "Your Majesty, please don’t be ridiculous."

SHING!

Xiao Yang drew the sword from Bi Fang’s hand and pressed its tip to Prince Jing’s throat. All expression vanished from her face, leaving it calm. Her eyes were bone-chillingly cold. "Does Prince Jing think I’m joking with you?"

The young Emperor had a delicate, almost childish face, not at all what one would consider intimidating. But in that moment, her killing intent was so blatant that it sent a chill down the spine of the forty-something-year-old Prince Jing.

Xiao Yang said, "Xiao Xuan, I don’t know if you like the throne, but I truly despise it. I’ve had enough of being a string puppet, living in constant fear. And if I’m going to suffer, then everyone is going to suffer with me."

"If you two won’t make a move, then I’ll force the Empress Dowager to make a move against you."

"It’s survival of the fittest, where winners are kings and losers are bandits. On my game board, no one gets something for nothing."

She raised her hand, sheathed the sword with a clean motion, and rose to leave, not sparing them another glance.

After Xiao Yang left, Xiao Lv helped his father to his feet. Prince Jing’s legs were so weak that Xiao Lv almost couldn’t lift him.

"Father, what do we do now?"

’The Little Emperor didn’t seem to be playing around. It was as if she had decided to go all in.’

"That sword in her hand was the late Emperor’s Emperor’s Sword. Just yesterday, she used it to execute two people in Jinluan Palace."

Prince Jing sat down. "She wants to seize power and needs our help."

Xiao Lv asked, "Is it just ’help’?"

’Her words didn’t sound like a request for help. They sounded more like she planned to abuse and oppress someone.’

Prince Jing was silent for a long time. "Forget it. I’ve enjoyed many years of peace. I’ll just consider it a debt I owe her father."

He had considered rebellion before, but he was well aware of his own capabilities. He knew he couldn’t fight his way through so many powerful ministers, which was why he had kept a low profile as a Leisurely King, plotting slowly and carefully.

But he couldn’t keep a low profile any longer.

-----

Bi Fang was certainly skilled. Xiao Yang left the palace and returned without alerting almost anyone.

She gave Bi Fang a deep look, then lowered her gaze to hide her emotions.

The next day, Prince Jing, who had always maintained a low and carefree profile, appeared in Jinluan Palace. The Empress Dowager, however, was absent due to "ill health."

This seemingly small change sent massive waves through the court officials.

’So, does this mean the Emperor’s power grab was a success?’

Xiao Yang leaned languidly against the armrest of the Dragon Throne. "I recall there’s a vacancy for the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Effective today, Prince Jing will temporarily assume the position."

"Anyone have any objections... Well, you can just hold them in!"

A new broom sweeps clean. It was understandable that the Little Emperor, having just seized power, would be eager to install her own people in high positions.

If the Little Emperor had appointed someone else, there might have been objections. But this was Prince Jing, a genuine, bona fide prince, which left them with no grounds for rebuttal.

Only the Regent King frowned slightly. He had intended to give the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue to Meng Xuechen and was planning to arrange it today.

The timing was so perfect, it was as if the Little Emperor could predict the future.

’Setting aside factional politics,’ he thought, ’Meng Xuechen is more suitable than Prince Jing.’

’The most important function of the Ministry of Revenue is to make money. Prince Jing spends his fortune on useless trinkets—he’s nearly bankrupted the entire Prince Jing Mansion. Does he even know how to make money?’