Chapter 293: Just Bored~~~

As a Vassal King who had attempted a rebellion only to be pacified by the Emperor—and who later came shamelessly asking for a favor—Xiao Kun was prepared to meet the Emperor, but this audience was far too sudden.

To meet in the desolate wilderness, with the encounter beginning as a life-saving rescue… He was currently a disheveled mess, rendering all the speeches he had mentally prepared completely useless.

He could only awkwardly bring up matters concerning Longchuan and report on the results of Xiao Qing’s efforts.

Xiao Yang listened as she sipped her soup.

Only after he finished did Xiao Yang say, “Xiao Qing will not let me down.”

The rocks blocking the road ahead were cleared. Xiao Kun moved on, and Xiao Yang’s group also resumed their journey.

Wen Yuan was worried but couldn’t voice her concerns openly. Only when they were back in their carriage did she say anxiously, “The Empress is traveling with so few people. Isn’t she afraid of the danger?”

Xiao Kun, on the other hand, wasn’t concerned. “The Empress is accompanied by the number one divine general under heaven, Li Wei. And those guards are all masters of martial arts. Have you forgotten what Ah Qing told us? Her Majesty herself is a martial arts expert who can go toe-to-toe with Li Wei. When they travel, you can be sure everything has been arranged. Even if Her Majesty is unconcerned with her own safety, others would never allow her to be placed in danger.”

They hadn’t traveled for long before their party was suddenly stopped. This time, however, it wasn’t by bandits, but by disguised Black Dragon Guards.

They immediately presented a token. “By order of Her Majesty, we are to escort King Longchuan to the Capital City.”

Xiao Kun lifted the carriage curtain. Looking at the young leader, he said politely, “My thanks for Her Majesty’s grace. We shall be troubling you.”

The leader gave a stern nod. “The Prince is too polite.”

After that curt reply, one squad began escorting them, while the other half headed for the mountain behind them—no doubt to go exterminate the bandits.

Da Wei was powerful and the realm was prosperous, but there would always be those who wished to reap without sowing.

Under the government’s strict crackdowns, banditry wasn’t rampant, but it could never be completely stamped out.

This area was a desolate wilderness, yet it also served as a shortcut. It was no surprise that bandits were present.

Those bandits were highly skilled in martial arts; they didn’t seem like ordinary thugs. Who knew how many innocent people had already fallen victim to them.

Now that the Emperor had encountered them, there was no way she would allow them to continue existing.

Watching those men, Wen Yuan finally understood. The Emperor’s entourage looked small, but her real power followed in the shadows, ready to rush forward and protect her at a single command.

Those men looked young and strong, and their martial arts skills were profound. It was obvious at a glance that they were first-rate masters.

She thought of the Emperor she had just met. She was a Princess Consort, after all, a woman who had seen her share of the world. And yet, the Emperor was a mere woman in her twenties. But that imposing, majestic aura she possessed… A single glance from her, even one accompanied by a smile, was filled with disdainful pride and overwhelming pressure. It made Wen Yuan afraid to even look directly at her face.

The first Empress in history, and blessed with such beauty. Even dressed in simple clothing, she was utterly striking.

Her three children, whether speaking in person or writing in their letters, expressed nothing but absolute adoration and submission toward Her Majesty.

Just from a brief encounter and a few exchanged words today, they had already witnessed just how formidable this Empress was.

Wen Yuan couldn’t help but sigh with feeling. “The decision the Prince made back then was the right one.”

Although they had suffered greatly in Mo Chuan and Longchuan over the years, this outcome was likely the best fortune they could have possibly drawn.

And the closer they got to the Capital City, everything they saw only made their admiration for the Emperor grow.

This was especially true when they saw the magnificent Capital City, a sprawling metropolis so vast you couldn’t ride out of it in a single day.

A place where all the world’s rare treasures were gathered, it was the pinnacle of luxury, wealth, and prosperity.

In all the world, Da Wei was the greatest nation, and this was its most prosperous city. In fact, it was the most prosperous place in the entire world, bar none.

Everyone flocked here, desperate to put down roots and make a life for themselves.

So why would the Empress, who ruled such a great nation, appear in the middle of a desolate wilderness?

Wen Yuan couldn’t figure it out, but Xiao Yang could have answered her. The reason was simple: she was bored.

For instance, at this very moment, Xiao Yang was leaning over the second-floor railing of a restaurant, watching Xu Xingchen get harassed by a rich young lady down below.

Xu Xingchen’s face was just too deceptive. Fair-skinned and innocent-looking, handsome and endearing—judging by his appearance alone, no one would doubt it if you claimed he had just turned eighteen.

Xu Xingchen looked like a gentle, noble scion raised by a prestigious family with the strictest of etiquette. He looked utterly delectable.

He practically seemed to glow when standing in a crowd.

The arrogant, domineering rich young lady spotted him at a glance and made her move immediately.

“Young Master, am I not beautiful?”

“My father is the wealthiest man in this city. This entire street belongs to him! My older sister married the governor’s son. If you marry me, I guarantee you’ll have more money than you can spend. If you want to become an official, I can make sure you have a meteoric rise through the ranks.”

Such arrogance.

Xu Xingchen had no desire to engage with this woman. He felt a familiar gaze on his back and sighed in resignation.

‘Her Majesty is heartless, just enjoying the show.’

“See that most remarkable person up there by the railing?”

The rich young lady subconsciously glanced over. There was no need to search. Some people are just that dazzling; you can spot their exceptional nature in a crowd of thousands with just a single glance.

Xu Xingchen said, “That is my wife.”

This was the first time Xu Xingchen had ever announced his relationship with Her Majesty to someone else. A secret thrill of delight made him indulgent enough to even tolerate the young lady’s insolence.

‘He was Her Majesty’s husband, and Her Majesty was his wife.’

Having said his piece, Xu Xingchen walked proudly toward the stairs.

The rich young lady: ???

She didn’t understand what the fair-skinned young master was suddenly so smug about, but her feet followed him subconsciously.

She hadn’t gotten a clear look from a distance. She was curious to see just what kind of woman this young master’s wife was.

But unfortunately for her, she couldn’t even make it up the stairs.

A guard blocked her path, the blade in his hand radiating a frosty chill. “Take one more step, and don’t blame me for being merciless.”

The rich young lady was about to say something when she saw the young master in white walk over and pull the other person into an intimate embrace.

They really were a couple.

This rich young lady had a discerning eye. She could tell that while the young master and his wife were dressed simply, the fabric of their clothes was extraordinary. They wore few accessories, but every piece was of the highest quality.

And the guard standing before her was clearly not someone an ordinary family could employ.

Realizing she wouldn’t gain any advantage here, the rich young lady decided to leave.

Give up? Impossible.

She always got what she wanted. She would go find her parents and her sister.

“Keep an eye on them.”

‘I can’t let them get away.’

Her parents doted on her. When they heard she had taken a fancy to a handsome young master, they immediately brought a group of people with them to check him out.

However, by the time they arrived, the group was long gone. The man she had left behind to keep watch had been knocked unconscious and lay on the ground.

When they finally managed to wake him up for questioning, he knew nothing.

“They can’t have gone far! Find them! You must bring them back to me!”

However, the people they were looking for were never found. Instead, the Governor Mansion received a visit from the Bian Bureau.

‘A governor and a wealthy merchant joined by marriage? If they weren’t going to investigate you, who would they investigate?’

‘And to think you wanted to use your influence to bully people and track down Her Majesty’s whereabouts. You’re simply courting death!’