Chapter 287: "What a Heartless Man~

Xiao Hong was a devoted man, his heart set solely on Xiao Ziling. For seven years, he had followed her all the way from the military barracks to the Bian Bureau, and now to the Ministry of War.

He was clearly one of the most promising and capable officials by the Emperor’s side, yet he had reduced himself to being Xiao Ziling’s Assistant General.

Xiao Ziling went from constantly rejecting him to eventually getting used to him. Later, the two of them went through several life-and-death situations together.

As Xiao Hong protected and cared for her time and time again, Xiao Ziling clearly heard her own heart beating for him.

She had once revered her master, Mu Yunlian, and later developed feelings for Your Majesty. In this web of affection, she was destined to be merely an observer.

She just wanted to watch over Your Majesty and Mu Yunlian, letting her own life shine in its own way, and had given up on expecting anything from love.

But then she met Xiao Hong, who had, for so many years, steadfastly chosen her.

After confirming that she truly did love him and was willing to spend the rest of her life with him, Xiao Ziling accepted Xiao Hong’s marriage proposal.

After reporting to the Emperor and their parents, they had their birth characters compared, and an auspicious date was chosen for the wedding.

For Xiao Ziling’s wedding, Mu Yunlian helped with the preparations in the capacity of her maternal family and presented a generous dowry.

Xiao Yang, as usual, bestowed rewards on both sides.

On the wedding day, Xiao Yang went to the Prince Jing Mansion to offer her congratulations, and her four Imperial Consorts arrived one after another.

It was only after arriving that Xiao Yang learned that although Xiao Ziling and Xiao Hong were holding their wedding at the Prince Jing Mansion, all their belongings were at Xiao Ziling’s own residence, which was where the couple would live.

Good news: Her son got married.

Bad news: He now belonged to someone else’s family.

Consort Meng was certainly unhappy about this, but there was nothing she could do or say.

This was the girl her son had pursued for seven years. She couldn’t bear to see him disappointed. Furthermore, Xiao Ziling had the Emperor and the Imperial Consort Mu Yunlian backing her—people Consort Meng could not afford to offend.

The wedding ceremony proceeded smoothly. After finishing her wine, Xiao Yang wasn’t in a hurry to return. Instead, she rested for a moment in a pavilion, watching the group of little rascals playing below.

Xie Liuzheng, Xiao Jinsu, Zhong Ningxue, and Xu Ling kept her company.

They drank tea and chatted.

Although they were all women, the conversation at this table wasn’t about household trifles.

Xie Liuzheng was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue; Zhong Ningxue had passed the imperial examinations and was now a fifth-rank National Doctor (a teacher); Xu Ling was the Chief Historian; and Xiao Jinsu was a third-rank Palace Supervisor, in charge of the palace’s internal affairs.

Their identities were not merely “someone’s daughter” or “someone’s wife,” but esteemed courtiers of the current dynasty who could stand proudly in Jinluan Palace.

Xiao Yang listened as every other word out of their mouths was about the future development of the nation. They seemed even more dedicated than she, the Emperor, was.

Xiao Yang was very pleased with this.

The more her courtiers worried, the less work she, the Emperor, would have to do.

She had no energy for the rat race herself, but she was more than happy to see her officials compete fiercely with one another.

While they were chatting, Xiao Yang’s attention drifted. Out of the corner of her eye, she happened to see a young woman on the corridor suddenly stumble and start to fall. Coincidentally, Xiao Lv was just walking past the corner.

Just as a classic “hero saving the beauty” scene was about to unfold, Xiao Lv paused for a crucial moment, then sidestepped her and walked away without a backward glance.

The young woman fell flat on the ground. She was probably stunned by the fall and didn’t react for a long moment.

Xiao Yang was thoroughly enjoying the spectacle. Xie Liuzheng leaned in, her body close to Xiao Yang’s, to watch the drama together.

“Such a heartless man~”

Xiao Yang chuckled. “That heartless man happens to be your husband.”

‘He’s so cold and dismissive to others, yet here’s Xie Liuzheng, enjoying the show. Is that really appropriate?’

Xie Liuzheng smiled and pointed to a spot not far away. “Your Majesty, look over there.”

Xiao Yang looked over. On a pavilion in the distance, the banquet was lively, with a group of people boisterously challenging Li Wei to a drinking contest.

Just as the commotion was at its peak, a young woman carrying a wine cup went over to join the fun, wanting to offer him a toast as well.

Even from a distance, she could imagine the looks of adoration and obsession on their faces.

Among the four Imperial Consorts, Li Wei was the oldest, but he was powerful, well-built, and handsome. With his perfect male physique and immense combat strength, he was practically a walking pile of hormones.

With his noble status and god-like battle record, almost everyone who learned his name couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration.

When Li Wei first became an Imperial Consort, it broke countless hearts. Even if people had ideas, no one dared to openly compete with the Emperor for him.

Now, almost seven years later, Li Wei and the other consorts weren’t locked away in the inner palace. They remained active in the imperial court, wielding great power and exuding their charm.

Plenty of people were itching to make a move.

Xie Liuzheng’s gesture was both to show Xiao Yang and to give her an answer.

They were not women who depended on men to live; they wouldn’t fight and bicker out of jealousy or possessiveness.

As a couple, they weren’t stuck together day in and day out; they both had their own careers. You can guard against something once, but you can’t guard against it forever.

If their men could remain faithful, they would be a loving couple. But if their men couldn’t even control themselves, the women had the confidence and nonchalance to walk away.

The women going after Li Wei were clearly more numerous and more fervent than those trying to hook Xiao Lv, but Li Wei had learned his lesson more than once in this regard.

Before, when he didn’t have an official title, it might have been excusable, but now he did. He absolutely could not allow his name to be sullied again.

With a single glance from him, someone immediately pulled the toasting women away, giving them no chance to get near Li Wei.

On the way back to the Imperial Palace, Li Wei smelled strongly of alcohol, so he rode a horse outside instead of getting into the carriage.

Xiao Yang watched him from the carriage window and beckoned with her finger.

“Your Majesty?”

Puzzled, Li Wei bent down and leaned closer, only to receive a kiss from Xiao Yang, who tilted her head up to meet him.

Li Wei was pleasantly surprised, but also a bit dazed. ‘Why did Your Majesty suddenly kiss me out here?’

—–

When Xiao Yang had free time, she liked to leave the palace for leisure. In the past, she could dress in men’s clothing and pass as a handsome young gentleman, looking quite dashing.

But in the last two years, her body had developed exceptionally, making men’s clothes look awkward and out of place on her. She could only wear women’s attire.

And when she wore women’s clothes, she had to wear a veil. Mainly because her face was too eye-catching, making it impossible to enjoy herself properly.

The streets were neatly planned. Commoners wore fashionable buttoned clothes and culottes. Instead of horse-drawn carriages, the streets were filled with various bicycles and tricycles, making one feel as if they had traveled back in time to old Shanghai.

Xiao Yang sat in a newly opened teahouse, sipping her tea while watching the bustling market street below.

The Imperial Palace was too solemn. It was places like this, full of the vibrant energy of mortal life, that truly made one feel alive.

Just as Xiao Yang was leisurely enjoying her afternoon tea, Xie Liuzheng rushed over, her eyes shining with excitement. “Your Majesty… Quick, I’ll take you somewhere!!”

Overcome with excitement, Xie Liuzheng grabbed Xiao Yang’s hand as soon as she arrived.

“What is it?”

With a thrilled expression, Xie Liuzheng said, “You’ll know when you see it.”

Completely bewildered, Xiao Yang was pulled by Xie Liuzheng into the Capital City’s largest song and dance hall, Huayue Building.

Here, you could drink, listen to music, and watch dances.

The performers, both male and female, sold their art, not their bodies. It was purely for appreciation, so many men and women frequented the place.

It wasn’t even dark yet, but Huayue Building was already packed. Everyone seemed to be waiting for something in anticipation.

Xie Liuzheng had booked a private room upstairs and led Xiao Yang up the stairs.

They had just sat down when music started downstairs. Xie Liuzheng pointed excitedly. “Your Majesty, look!”

The music sounded somewhat familiar to Xiao Yang, but she couldn’t place it right away. Not until three men appeared and began to dance, their upper bodies adorned with chains and their lower bodies clad in horse-face skirts.

The scene hit her like a blow to the head.

Then she heard several men singing, “You said back then, behind the house, there was a vast expanse of white, white snow… in the valley, a golden flag fluttered in the strong wind~~~~”

The dead memories instantly assaulted her.

Xiao Yang was finally reminded of the fact that she had transmigrated.

Xie Liuzheng grinned. “Your Majesty, you’ve figured it out, haven’t you? There’s a transmigrator among them!”