Chapter 238: Great, Another Year of Working Hard to Stay Alive

Xu Xingchen stayed in the palace for three consecutive nights. Although there was no official announcement, everyone knew what was happening.

Xu Xingchen did as he pleased, with eyes only for the Emperor. The Xu Family alone had to endure all the strange looks.

At first, everyone was a little awkward about it, but one look at Grand Tutor Xu changed that. His calm and unshakeable demeanor, as if he could weather any storm, was like a stabilizing pillar.

And so, everyone calmed down.

Xu Xingchen was with the Emperor. There was no shame in that.

How many people begged for such an opportunity and never got it?

If he were a woman, it would be the equivalent of the Xu Family producing a favored Imperial Concubine—a supreme honor.

With the Regent King and Minister Mu setting a precedent, Xu Xingchen’s existence wasn’t all that strange.

Ever since the incident at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, the Emperor had worn a cold expression, and her imperial might had left everyone breathless. Now that she was willing to show favor to someone, it proved her anger had somewhat dissipated.

No one dared to gossip. In fact, they were all hoping the men could coax Her Majesty into a better mood.

The Mid-Autumn Festival arrived, and the palace prepared for a banquet. It wasn’t until the guest list was announced that everyone finally breathed a collective sigh of relief.

To still be invited to dine with the Emperor in the palace meant their lives were safe for the year.

How wonderful. Another year of striving to stay alive.

This year’s Mid-Autumn night was exceptionally harmonious. Gifts were given, wine was drunk, and forget assassins—not a single person dared to pull any petty tricks in front of the Emperor.

It felt as though the stench of blood from those who had died a month ago hadn’t completely faded yet.

For Li Wei and the others, one assassination attempt on the Emperor was more than enough. If another assassin managed to get past them to the Emperor’s face, they might as well commit suicide to atone for their incompetence.

There was no bad news, but there was plenty of good news.

The Prince Jing Mansion announced the joyous news of Xiao Lv and Xie Liuzheng’s grand wedding next month. Meanwhile, Ye Shao had finally received Song Qingyi’s consent and pulled her forward to request an imperial edict for their marriage.

Xiao Yang looked at Song Qingyi with an expression that said she loved a good drama, "You really said yes to him? You’re not going to reconsider?"

Before Song Qingyi could answer, Ye Shao grew anxious. "Your Majesty!"

’Was there ever such a wicked Emperor?’

’Was she afraid the world was too peaceful? Did she not want to see him happy?’

"HAHAHAHA!"

Xiao Yang’s laughter was wild and unrestrained; she didn’t look like a good person at all.

But Song Qingyi answered firmly, "He is very good to me. I am willing to marry him. I ask Your Majesty to grant us your blessing."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yang finally picked up her brush and decreed the marriage on the spot.

Ye Shao clutched the imperial edict as if it were a priceless treasure. The Emperor might be unreliable, but the power of her decree was absolute.

After the Mid-Autumn banquet, several of them wanted to stay behind with the Emperor, but in the end, none could win out against Xiao Lv.

"The Capital City has changed so much in the past two years. It feels like ten or twenty years have passed, yet it also feels like yesterday."

Xiao Yang tossed a bean into her mouth, chewed it slowly, and casually poured herself a cup of wine. "Why the sudden life reflections? Getting old?"

Xiao Lv wasn’t bothered by the jab about his age. "Liu Zheng agreed to the marriage because of Your Majesty. May this subject know what happened?"

Xiao Yang said, "You can’t. That’s a secret between us."

Xiao Lv chuckled, seemingly not intending to press the matter.

He raised his cup and said with great solemnity, "This cup is for Your Majesty. Thank you for your trust. For the rest of my life, I am Your Majesty’s subject, ready to serve at your command. I am also Your Majesty’s brother, ready to stand with you through thick and thin."

Xiao Yang watched Xiao Lv drink the cup of wine, a flicker in her eyes.

Xiao Lv was entrusted with great responsibility by Xiao Yang, partly due to his lineage and blood ties, but mostly due to his own abilities.

He was not a general, but he was a rare and capable minister.

Skilled in both civil and martial matters, he was sharp, intelligent, and possessed astonishing insight. He had decisive judgment, could analyze pros and cons, weigh gains and losses, and ultimately choose the correct path.

His brilliance was overshadowed by overpowered individuals like Mu Yunlian and Xiao Yang, but on his own, he was undoubtedly a young prodigy, a child of destiny. Given the chance, he could absolutely create his own legend.

And a man like that, sharp and perceptive, was destined to see through everything. Nothing could be hidden from him, especially when Xiao Yang had never hidden her true self, and Xie Liuzheng was not a good actress.

He saw, he understood, but he didn’t say it aloud.

A smart person doesn’t hide his intelligence; he pretends to be a fool in plain sight.

His affection had not diminished, and his loyalty remained. They had always played with their cards on the table; the true winnings were the hearts of men.

Xiao Yang drank her wine and chuckled as she set down her cup. "Since my brother has said so, then I won’t be polite. Don’t go saying I’m abusing you in the future."

’When a workhorse delivers itself to your door, it would be rude not to put it to use.’

The brother and sister shared a look, poured more wine, and clinked their cups.

Everything was understood without a word.

As soon as Xiao Lv left, the three men who had been waiting outside immediately entered.

Although none of them had an official title, since they were all in the same boat, it didn’t matter.

The four of them sat around the table, drinking together, but the atmosphere was more than a little awkward.

They all wanted to be alone with Her Majesty, but they had no desire to see their rivals.

Under the table, Mu Yunlian stealthily reached for her hand. Rong Yin pressed his knee against Xiao Yang’s. The two of them were flirting in secret. Xu Xingchen, seeing he couldn’t get close, simply picked up his cup and downed it in one go.

The wine tonight was strong. His face flushed after a single cup, and with his inhibitions gone, he lost all sense of shame and tumbled right into Xiao Yang’s arms.

Seeing the Emperor lead the man away, Mu Yunlian was so furious he crushed his cup.

"Truly a deep and calculating schemer. Is the Regent King content to just stand by and watch?"

Rong Yin’s face was grim. "If Lord Mu is not content, feel free to make a move. This Prince can collect your body for you."

However, Xiao Yang merely took the man to rest and then returned.

She didn’t say another word about Xu Xingchen, nor did she offer any explanation.

The two men were filled with a bellyful of fire and surging killing intent, but in the end, it all softened and dissolved into one cup of wine after another.

-----

「The fifth day of the ninth month. A joyous occasion at the Prince Jing Mansion.」

The highly sought-after and powerful Heir Lv, whose influence shook the court, was marrying Mr. Xie, Xie Liuzheng. The event was nothing short of spectacular.

Xiao Yang sent people to the Xie family to deliver additional dowry gifts for Xie Liuzheng, and she personally attended the ceremony at the Prince Jing Mansion. Of course, as the Emperor, she couldn’t be stingy for the wedding of her brother and capable minister; rewards flowed into the mansion like water.

The whole city was decorated in red, a bridal procession stretching for miles.

Prince Jing was so happy he couldn’t stop smiling, beaming brightly all day long.

The bride entered the gates, and after bowing to heaven and earth, she was escorted to the bridal chamber.

On such a joyous day, Xiao Yang didn’t try to hog the spotlight.

She drank the celebratory wine and left when the hour was right.

Xu Xingchen didn’t come. Rong Yin and Mu Yunlian sat to Xiao Yang’s left and right.

Rong Yin held a wrapped piece of wedding candy, while Mu Yunlian fiddled with a length of red string he’d torn from who-knows-where.

The two would occasionally look up at Xiao Yang. They said nothing, but it was as if they had said everything.

Seeing the grand wedding scene had, to some extent, gotten to them.

Xiao Yang saw it. TSK. ’What a headache!’

’I’m a firm believer in not getting married. I never intended to get involved with so many people. But I gave in to my lust, and things got physical *and* emotional. Now the situation is getting a little out of hand...’