Her Majesty Chose Violence, They Chose Her

Chapter 32: Chapter 32: To Rebel and End Up Like You Is a True Disgrace

In the afternoon, it was time for Xiao Yang’s martial arts lesson.

Xiao Yang was still thinking about ganging up on Li Wei, so she went quite enthusiastically.

Li Wei was very busy, and teaching the Emperor wasn’t originally his job. Still, he insisted on clearing his schedule just to practice with His Majesty for this short while.

Xiao Yang brought her three brothers-in-arms along, marching over with high spirits, determined to take down Li Wei.

When they arrived, Li Wei was already prepared. But why was Rong Yin there too?

"It seems Your Majesty is not pleased to see me,"

Rong Yin said, strolling leisurely toward Xiao Yang. "You attend Grand Tutor Xu’s lessons, however unwillingly. You show up for General Li’s lessons with great enthusiasm, even if it means getting beaten. So I’m puzzled—what kind of monster am I that makes Your Majesty so eager to avoid me?"

Xiao Yang folded her arms, looking thoroughly arrogant. "You’re puzzled? I’m puzzled too."

"What is a Regent King? A treacherous villain, full of wild ambition, who assassinates the emperor to usurp the throne and plots rebellion."

Everyone: "..."

’Your Majesty, you’ve really got some nerve,’ they thought.

Xiao Yang continued, "You should be trying to murder me, seize my power, and become emperor yourself, not spend all day thinking about how to teach me my lessons!"

"As a traitor, you’re a complete disgrace!"

This was utterly backward!

Rong Yin was so exasperated he actually laughed.

He didn’t think the Little Emperor was a brainless idiot, so these words weren’t just nonsense. This was an open gambit.

The Little Emperor called him a traitor. If he made a move, he would prove it. If he didn’t, the Little Emperor could run wild all over him.

He had to admit, the Little Emperor had guts.

Anyone with even a shred of fear for their own life would never say something so arrogant and inflammatory.

Xiao Lv took a step forward to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Xiao Yang, his body tense, ready at a moment’s notice to protect their infuriating emperor.

Li Wei’s expression also turned serious. If Rong Yin dared to make a move, he would cut him down without a second’s hesitation.

Rong Yin sensed the atmosphere in the room. He hadn’t been angry before, but now he was genuinely starting to feel a spark of fury.

"Your Majesty truly is heartless. I saved your life and protected you, yet I never imagined this is how you see me."

He drew a sword from the rack. Lifting his eyes, a menacing aura emanated from their deep, phoenix-like depths. "In that case, perhaps Your Majesty would grant this subject an opportunity?"

Xiao Yang could tell. Rong Yin wanted to beat her up.

’See? Being the emperor is no fun at all.’

Xiao Lv stepped forward. "Swords have no eyes. Your Majesty’s person is invaluable and must not be put at risk. Why not allow me to exchange a few moves with the Prince?"

Li Wei’s sword tip rested on the ground. With Xiao Lv stepping up, he remained silent for the time being.

Rong Yin’s gaze was fixed solely on Xiao Yang. "Your Majesty, if you please!"

Xiao Yang’s lips twitched. Resigned, she stepped out from behind Xiao Lv, rolled up her sleeves, and picked up a sword.

It was clear Rong Yin was genuinely angry. He attacked in an instant, the tip of his sword carrying a biting killing intent.

Xiao Yang’s expression immediately turned serious as she raised her sword to meet his attack.

Rong Yin was merciless, and though Xiao Yang struggled to parry, her reactions were swift. She used a nimble movement technique to deflect his force, then turned his own momentum against him.

What was expected to be a one-sided affair turned into a genuine back-and-forth exchange.

The others’ initial worry transformed into astonishment.

Xiao Lv asked Li Wei, "General Li, do you recognize the Swordsmanship His Majesty is using?"

It was the first time Li Wei had seen it as well, and his eyes were filled with wonder. "I don’t. But this Swordsmanship is truly exquisite. It overcomes strength with softness and uses the opponent’s momentum against them. It’s quite suited for His Majesty."

However, Xiao Yang had only been well for a few days. Her foundation was still weak, and her stamina couldn’t keep up. Her legs suddenly gave out, and she pitched forward.

With a flick of his wrist, Rong Yin caught her and pressed his longsword against her neck.

"Your Majesty, you’ve lost."

Xiao Yang was too tired to speak but let out two unconvinced grunts.

Rong Yin, of course, wouldn’t harm the Emperor in public. He released her and sheathed his sword. "I expect to see Your Majesty in the Imperial Study Room tomorrow. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee what I might do. After all... I am the great treacherous villain."

Rong Yin dusted off his sleeves and departed with a cool, elegant arrogance.

Xiao Yang found a place to sit and fiercely gulped down a large mouthful of tea.

Li Wei stepped to her side. "This subject has selected thirty young officers. Their martial arts are outstanding, their family backgrounds are clean, and they have followed me onto the battlefield several times. They are loyal, dependable, and quick-witted. Would Your Majesty be willing to take a look?"

He had previously killed the Imperial Guards from the Empress Dowager’s faction. The current Imperial Guards included men loyal to the Regent King and other factions, but it was impossible to know how many were truly loyal to the Emperor.

The men he selected were ones he trusted. He wanted to protect the Emperor, and these brothers were willing to serve him with their lives. But they were his men, after all, and he worried the Emperor would suspect him of ulterior motives. That was why he had hesitated to bring it up.

But seeing the Little Emperor constantly provoking the Regent King, he felt it was necessary.

He was terrified that one day the Regent King would finally snap, and the Little Emperor wouldn’t even know what hit him.

For a moment, Xiao Yang didn’t grasp the depth of Li Wei’s concern, but it was true that her Imperial Guards were short-staffed.

"Fine. Bring them all in for me to see."

Li Wei was a man of action. In the short time it took Xiao Yang to practice a bit more, he had the thirty men assembled.

The youngest was eighteen, the oldest thirty-eight.

They had all been on the battlefield, and you could clearly sense the bloody, baleful aura they carried.

"We greet Your Majesty!"

Their voices were like a great bell, filled with righteous integrity.

Li Wei began to admonish them. "You are my brothers in the army, but you are first and foremost His Majesty’s soldiers. If you become Imperial Guards, your loyalty will be to His Majesty alone. You will protect him with your lives. Do you understand?"

"Understood!"

Having finished, Li Wei, along with everyone else, turned to look at Xiao Yang, waiting for her to choose.

Xiao Yang stood up straight, then raised a hand and pointed at Li Wei. "Beat him up for me."

Li Wei: "..."

Everyone else: "..."

Some hesitated, but one man attacked directly.

"Haha, apologies, General!"

You could tell this was someone who had wanted to beat up Li Wei for a long time.

With one person starting, the others immediately swarmed in.

Thirty men ganged up on Li Wei.

Li Wei’s martial arts were formidable, but the men he had handpicked were naturally top-tier fighters themselves. With a whole group swarming him, they put considerable pressure on Li Wei.

But a true martial artist never shows fear, only growing stronger when faced with a powerful opponent.

Neither side used lethal force. Those knocked down by Li Wei would get back up after a moment and charge back in. The two sides were locked in a stalemate, fighting for a full forty-five minutes without a clear winner.

Everyone had suffered a few scrapes and bruises, and Li Wei was no exception.

Having seen enough, Xiao Yang ordered them to stop.

"That’s enough."

Xiao Yang set down her teacup, her gaze sweeping over the thirty men. "Very good. Give the list to Xiao Lv. After he runs a background check, they can take up their posts if there are no issues."

"Those who are selected will have their salaries doubled." She raised a hand and pointed at Li Wei. "I am very poor. Go collect it from him."

Everyone knew that Li Wei held a vast fortune. He had no objection to this, nor did anyone else think it was a problem.

After all, the money in Li Wei’s hands had been given to him by the Emperor, who had gone against all opposition to do so. He had even used it to settle all the back-pay owed to the military. It was only natural to go to him, as His Majesty had no money.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"