It was the first time anyone had ever seen a Foolish Monarch as self-righteous as Prince Hao of Qin.
Jiang Ke’er blinked innocently… ‘This probably has nothing to do with me.’
Beneath the steps, the civil and military officials all looked ashamed, yet none dared to raise their heads.
They were terrified that if they looked up, they wouldn’t be able to suppress the improper thoughts in their hearts, potentially sparking ideas of rebellion.
“That woman is a calamity, a disaster! Your Majesty should execute her to preserve the state!” one official risked his life to advise.
“Prince Hao of Qin” gave a cold snort. “I would execute your entire family before I ever executed her. Don’t mention this again.”
“Your Majesty, State Preceptor Yu Wen is looking for you to discuss urgent matters,” an official suddenly ran over from the distance and said, bowing respectfully.
‘These bastards have brought out their Assassin’s Trump Card!’
Clearly, someone had gone to Yu Wenhua Ji to complain.
“Prince Hao of Qin” let out a long sigh and glared fiercely at the officials below. It was not yet time to have a final falling out with Yu Wenhua Ji; he had to go.
“Take her to Yong’an Palace and see that she is well-settled,” “Prince Hao of Qin” commanded sternly.
However, the officials below once again showed looks of hesitation. “Your Majesty, you cannot! Yong’an Palace is the residence of the Empress! And the Noble Consort… has not even passed the Concubine Trial yet!”
“Is Yong’an Palace not empty? Since it’s empty anyway, she might as well use it.”
“It’s not empty! The former Empress did not go to Jiangdu; she is currently staying in Yong’an Palace…”
“Then divorce her.”
“…”
How willful could this Emperor be! The civil and military officials were so frustrated they wanted to curse.
“I can still make decisions on such minor matters, and it doesn’t violate any rules. Send the former Empress back to her hometown and let Nan Xue move in,” “Prince Hao of Qin” said in a tone that brooked no argument.
Jiang Ke’er was stunned for a moment before she remembered that Nan Xue was her current alias.
The officials below didn’t dare to babble anymore. Letting this Big Fox Spirit stay in the Empress’s residence was still better than having her stay in the Emperor’s Imperial Bedroom day and night. Moreover, if they kept arguing, this Foolish Monarch might actually go on a rampage and execute every official in the court.
Thus, “Prince Hao of Qin” went to see Yu Wenhua Ji, while Jiang Ke’er successfully survived another round and moved into the spacious Yong’an Palace.
Lying on the large bed of Yong’an Palace, listening to the birds chirping outside and smelling the fragrance of flowers, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Good heavens, that was way too dangerous!’
Plans truly couldn’t keep up with changes. She never expected Prince Hao of Qin’s ability to act would be so strong, or that his methods would be so simple and crude.
However, she still had ways to deal with him.
As long as she hid a poison pill in her mouth, she could use her own life as a threat the next time a similar situation occurred. Prince Hao of Qin wouldn’t be able to do anything then.
Earlier, time had been too tight and she hadn’t been prepared enough, but it would be fine next time… Yes, next time she would definitely seize the initiative!
“Whew—”
‘Don’t be afraid. Things are going relatively smoothly; at least I’ve successfully managed to sneak into the palace.’
Although the effect of Qing Cheng was a bit too powerful—making the situation somewhat difficult to control—it also provided her with many conveniences. At the very least, she had moved into Yong’an Palace at record speed. Now that she had reached this step, Qiao Xiaoxian would be completely unable to do anything to her!
Suddenly, a hand reached out from the shadows and firmly grabbed Jiang Ke’er’s wrist.
“Come with me. It’s too dangerous here,” Qiao Xiaoxian said succinctly, her tone full of concern.
“Let go, or I’ll call for help,” Jiang Ke’er replied with equal brevity, her voice ice-cold.
The atmosphere became tense for a moment.
“…You know full well that Prince Hao of Qin is no good. Don’t gamble with your own body,” Qiao Xiaoxian said with a furrowed brow, looking at Jiang Ke’er sadly.
“I can handle him. You don’t need to worry about it,” Jiang Ke’er said, turning her head away confidently.
“What if you can’t? That Prince Hao of Qin is clearly a madman.”
“There are no ‘what ifs’!” Even though Jiang Ke’er felt uncertain in her heart, she still answered firmly while facing Qiao Xiaoxian.
“Sigh,” Qiao Xiaoxian sighed softly. “Why must you deliberately be so difficult with me? I wouldn’t harm you…”
“You’re already harming me! From the moment we signed that Summoning Contract!”
Qiao Xiaoxian’s lip twitched. “…Wasn’t that because you gave yourself away for nothing?”
Jiang Ke’er was momentarily speechless and quickly changed the subject. “And that time in the Realm of Novice Cultivator!”
“…Wasn’t that also because you failed to poison me and gave yourself away for nothing?” Qiao Xiaoxian looked completely innocent.
“Uh… then… then that time in the Emperor Jiang Trial!” Jiang Ke’er hurriedly changed the subject again.
“…That was also you giving yourself away for nothing!” Qiao Xiaoxian’s eyes widened, looking extremely aggrieved.
Jiang Ke’er’s mental state instantly collapsed.
‘Ahhh, I can’t even argue back!’
“Anyway, it’s all your fault! If not for the Protagonist Halo on you, how could I keep giving myself away!” Jiang Ke’er flew into a rage out of shame, her small fists hammering against Qiao Xiaoxian’s chest like a rapid-fire cannon. “I! Jiang Ke’er! From this day forward, I will never give myself away again!”
“…” Qiao Xiaoxian looked at Jiang Ke’er in shock. “Are you… sure?”
“That’s right! I swear! From today on, you won’t have another chance!”
“I don’t believe you,” Qiao Xiaoxian said.
“Then we’ll just have to wait and see!” Jiang Ke’er sneered.
“…” Qiao Xiaoxian blinked, suddenly left speechless.
After a long time, she gave a soft sigh and dejectedly flipped out of the window and left.
“Yes!”
Watching Qiao Xiaoxian’s departing figure, Jiang Ke’er gave herself a mental fist pump. This time, she had clearly won!
In her excitement, Jiang Ke’er hugged her pillow and rolled around on the large bed, unable to contain the joy in her heart.
‘Yong’an Palace! Is there any better Training Ground in this world than this?’
Meanwhile, Qiao Xiaoxian, disguised as Prince Hao of Qin, went to see Yu Wenhua Ji. When the two met, they first exchanged the usual pleasantries.
Then, Yu Wenhua Ji made his intentions clear. “Your Majesty, although I support you in releasing some pressure, a forced melon is not sweet.”
Qiao Xiaoxian instantly understood Yu Wenhua Ji’s true thoughts and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ‘This bastard has actually been entranced by Jiang Ke’er too!’
That little girl… she really did always manage to bring unexpected surprises.
“What does Big Brother mean?” “Prince Hao of Qin” asked tentatively.
“The procedures in the palace cannot be broken. Besides, in matters of pleasure, one must also consider the other person’s mood…” Yu Wenhua Ji patted the other person’s shoulder as he spoke.
“I understand,” “Prince Hao of Qin” said somewhat gloomily.
“Of course, I also understand your urgency. After all, she is such a beauty,” seeing that the Emperor before him was very obedient, Yu Wenhua Ji was very satisfied and continued, “Your Majesty should spend more time with that beauty. If you can capture her heart, that would naturally be for the best…”
Qiao Xiaoxian once again read the true thoughts in Yu Wenhua Ji’s heart.
He was more than happy for “Prince Hao of Qin” to be a Foolish Monarch who ignored state affairs and was blinded by lust, yet he didn’t want this Prince Hao to actually sleep with Jiang Ke’er.
So, he encouraged him to try to win her heart. This would consume “Prince Hao of Qin’s” time and energy while ensuring Jiang Ke’er remained chaste for the time being—leaving her for him to enjoy later.
“Understood.”
Qiao Xiaoxian couldn’t refuse and could only agree. Of course, it was only an agreement on the surface.
Her thoughts spun rapidly and the corners of her mouth curled up. Suddenly, she had a new idea.