Chapter 102: The Abandoned Little Emperor (6)
When Xiao Miyun woke up, most of the imperial physicians had left, and the palace servants, wary of the iron-blooded Regent, didn’t dare to approach her.
So, when the little emperor spoke, only the two of them could hear.
Looking at the killing god sitting by her bed, Xiao Miyun wanted to slap her sleepy self. How could she be so unguarded, letting anyone approach her without any defenses?
Now, this pervert was close again.
Thinking of this, she suddenly felt that her pain had vanished, all her attention focused on Su Mingxiu. She instinctively sat up, trying to move away. “Forgive me, Right Chancellor, Zhen was instructing the servants earlier, I didn’t know you were here, such trivial matters—”
“Your Majesty’s safety concerns everyone in the country. How can anything related to you be trivial?”
Su Mingxiu interrupted her casually.
At the same time…
The person lying in bed clearly felt the hand on her body move, the touch neither light nor heavy, devoid of any suggestive intent, yet it made her feel a surge of shame and mortification.
She instinctively reached into the quilt, trying to stop Su Mingxiu’s movements. “R-Right Chancellor…”
The child’s face was flushed like a blooming peach blossom, her beauty vibrant. Her soft, pleading tone was incredibly endearing.
She was truly skilled at using her looks to her advantage.
Weak, pitiful, pretending to be strong… It reminded Su Mingxiu of Suhui. A voice in her head told her that they only shared a similar appearance, this resemblance was probably just a coincidence.
Even if this was Suhui’s reincarnation, since Xiao Miyun didn’t have those feelings for her, she should let go of the past and treat Xiao Miyun as a complete stranger.
“Not feeling uncomfortable anymore?”
Su Mingxiu’s black eyes stared at Xiao Miyun, ignoring her attempt to stop her, her expression unreadable. But her soft voice only made Xiao Miyun feel even more uneasy.
The little emperor, originally holding Su Mingxiu’s hand, wanting to stop her, now hesitated, then finally let go timidly, as if submitting to her touch.
Her obedience would have evoked sympathy in any adult. But remembering the things Xiao Miyun had done behind her back, Su Mingxiu could only smile.
So she did.
There was a saying in the capital: When the Yama of Su smiles, officials lose their heads. This woman, when expressionless, actually seemed less dangerous than when she was smiling.
Xiao Miyun, seeing her alluring smile, imagined flowers blooming in the underworld. Her heart pounded with fear for her life, yet she couldn’t tear her gaze away from Su Mingxiu’s face.
Since she didn’t speak, Su Mingxiu’s touch became even more forceful, making Xiao Miyun gasp softly, a delicate moan escaping her lips.
“It hurts…”
Hearing her cry of pain, Su Mingxiu knew that this wasn’t just discomfort from her first period, the little bud was about to bloom into a flower, the little girl about to blossom into a woman.
There was no lust in her eyes as she declared calmly: “I’ll be staying here tonight.”
Her tone was that of an announcement, as if this imperial palace was her own backyard, she could go wherever she pleased.
Xiao Miyun felt a sense of foreboding, but after Su Mingxiu finished speaking, she could only swallow her refusal.
She forced a smile. “The Right Chancellor cares so much about state affairs, discussing them with Zhen late into the night, Zhen is deeply moved.”
Terrible acting.
Su Mingxiu commented inwardly.
Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t bother staying to watch the little emperor’s performance, which, in the modern entertainment industry, would be criticized as talentless.
But this was a private matter, and although Su Mingxiu could guarantee that she had no ulterior motives, she couldn’t guarantee that Xiao Miyun wouldn’t be taken advantage of by others if she left.
After all…
This little emperor had ambition and desire, but her methods were clumsy. Any cunning wolf could easily devour her whole.
Even though Su Mingxiu had purged the palace, the Xiao Zhou dynasty, having just experienced tyranny and chaos, still faced threats from within and without. Some regional lords still commanded their own armies, the Turkic forces loomed at the northern borders, and the new emperor and the Regent’s identities were unique. With both internal and external troubles, no one could truly relax.
Su Mingxiu clearly understood the Xu family’s scheme.
These aristocratic families had been entrenched in the country for centuries, their methods and secrets countless. No matter what Xiao Miyun’s intentions were, just one wrong move in this game of power could result in her being used as a breeding vessel by the Xu family, her child kept and she herself disposed of, giving the Xu family the perfect opportunity to install a new emperor.
Thinking of this…
Su Mingxiu looked at Xiao Miyun again, her gaze sweeping over her youthful, blossoming face, a hint of appreciation in her eyes.
“Why is the Right Chancellor looking at Zhen like this?”
Xiao Miyun pulled the blanket tighter, trying to control her gaze and ignore where the woman’s deadly hand was placed.
“Your Majesty is very beautiful.”
She heard the Prince of Zhenbei say this, her tone so simple and straightforward that Xiao Miyun wondered, Is she… complimenting me?
But she didn’t like being praised for her looks.
There was no shortage of beautiful women in the palace.
“Zhen… the Right Chancellor is also beautiful,” the little emperor replied.
Su Mingxiu didn’t mind her almost saying “Prince of Zhenbei.” Hearing the crackling of the candles in the hall, realizing that it was late, she waited for the palace maid to bring the prepared medicine. After someone tasted it, she brought it to the little emperor.
Xiao Miyun didn’t even dare to frown. She closed her eyes and drank the medicine. As she handed the empty bowl back, she heard Su Mingxiu’s gentle concern: “Is it bitter?”
The little emperor, having been “cared for” by Su Mingxiu many times, knew better than to take her seemingly kind words at face value. Otherwise, she might find a hidden blade beneath the sugar coating.
So she shook her head firmly. “It’s not bitter.”
The figure sitting by her bed was dressed in a bright purple silk robe, her long hair cascading down her back, an image of unparalleled elegance and unrestrained casualness.
From her appearance, it was clear that she had come to the palace in a hurry from the Zhenbei Manor, her hair even unbound, giving the impression that she was deeply concerned about the emperor.
But now, the little emperor she cared so much about watched as she picked up the candied fruits beside the medicine bowl, her slightly pale fingertips holding them delicately as she brought them to her lips.
One after another.
She didn’t even bother massaging Xiao Miyun’s aching areas anymore.
The little emperor watched in disbelief as the Prince of Zhenbei ate all the candied fruits meant to alleviate the bitterness of the medicine, then heard her casual comment: “The chefs in Your Majesty’s palace are quite skilled, it would be a shame to waste these.”
Xiao Miyun: “…”
She really wanted to curse.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t. She could only watch as the Prince of Zhenbei, having finished her candied fruits, pulled back the golden silk quilt on the dragon bed and lay down beside her.
Xiao Miyun’s entire body stiffened. As Su Mingxiu’s hand reached into the quilt, she said quickly: “Zhen is fine now.”
Su Mingxiu had originally planned to wait until Xiao Miyun was comfortable before sleeping. But now, hearing her evasive tone, she didn’t withdraw her hand. Instead, she pulled Xiao Miyun closer, a playful smile in her voice: “Since that’s the case, please return the favor and warm this minister up, Your Majesty.”
Xiao Miyun, who had felt warm and even slightly sweaty after drinking the medicine, now felt a chill as she was pressed against Su Mingxiu’s chest.
Was this mad king made of ice?
How could she be so cold?
She remained motionless, cursing inwardly, her hands clenched into fists under the quilt, trying to endure the cold. But as the chill on her back subsided, she unconsciously drifted off to sleep in the warm palace.
Only when Xiao Miyun’s breathing became even did Su Mingxiu withdraw her arm, her eyes opening to look at the person with their back to her. Her circulating internal energy calmed down, and she got out of bed.
As she moved, her fingertips, which had been warmed up under the quilt, became pale and cold again.
When the little emperor woke up the next day, the Prince of Zhenbei was long gone.
The little emperor’s fainting incident, which had caused a commotion in the Imperial Hospital, was finally resolved. And her coming-of-age ceremony was approaching.
Since she had no imperial consorts, the ceremony was handled by the Ministry of Rites. And because there had never been such a young empress in the dynasty’s history, the Ministry of Rites couldn’t find any precedents for celebrating a coming-of-age ceremony for an emperor, delaying the matter day after day, arguing about it during every court session.
Su Mingxiu sat on the gilded throne beside the dragon chair, her fingertips tapping the armrest rhythmically, her gaze fixed on the darkening sky outside, lost in thought. She didn’t seem to have any intention of interrupting the officials’ debate.
Xiao Miyun, dressed in her formal court attire, kept glancing at her. Seeing that the Regent wasn’t interested in the court proceedings today, she pursed her lips and voiced her agreement with the Grand Scholar from the Ministry of Rites’ suggestion.
As soon as the court session ended…
Su Mingxiu summoned the cabinet ministers and the six ministry heads to the Qinzheng Palace for a meeting. The emperor naturally accompanied her. Just as they entered, Su Mingxiu spoke: “The northern regions are suffering from a severe winter disaster this year. Even the capital has to set up relief stations for the victims. I want you to calculate how much the national treasury can afford to spend on military expenses.”
“This minister dares to ask, what war are we preparing for, Right Chancellor?”
“The Turkic forces,” Su Mingxiu replied concisely. “Three years ago, the Turkic leader, Zhao Yi Abu, was killed, and their tribes are now divided. Whether they reunite or not, this winter’s harsh climate will inevitably force them south.”
Even though the court hadn’t received any reports of war yet, Su Mingxiu knew that this battle was inevitable. Even if they didn’t engage in war now, the Xiao Zhou dynasty had to be prepared for a sudden Turkic invasion.
She was mentally reviewing the generals stationed at the northern border when she heard the pacifist faction among the cabinet ministers advise her against war. The country had just been reunified after a costly war, and with internal strife still rampant, they shouldn’t provoke external conflicts. Moreover, the national treasury was depleted this year. A war would be detrimental to the people.
The little emperor sitting beside her shifted slightly. Having sat motionless for a long time during the court session, she now wanted to stretch her legs.
Suddenly, Su Mingxiu turned to her and asked:
“What is Your Majesty’s opinion on this matter?”
Xiao Miyun: “?”
She felt a nervousness she had never experienced even in Cheng Qing’s lessons. Suddenly called upon by the Prince of Zhenbei, hearing the Ministry of Revenue’s report on the current state of the treasury, she calculated inwardly, knowing that if the Turkic forces invaded, the national treasury wouldn’t be able to sustain a war.
The best course of action was to temporarily endure this humiliation and negotiate peace with the Turkic tribes.
But Xiao Miyun, thinking about Su Mingxiu’s background, her military family, her hatred for foreign enemies, hesitated for a long time, then said simply: “We fight.”
Hearing this, a few ministers from the pacifist faction frowned, but they didn’t dare to show their disapproval too openly.
After all, they all knew the Prince of Zhenbei’s temper and understood that the emperor was only trying to please the Regent.
“How do we fight?” Su Mingxiu asked again.
Xiao Miyun instinctively looked at her. Although she didn’t like Su Mingxiu’s monopoly on power, she also knew that the Xiao Zhou dynasty’s military strength depended heavily on the Prince of Zhenbei and her soldiers.
Not receiving an answer, Su Mingxiu naturally understood what she meant. She chuckled softly.
Then, she said casually: “Courage without strategy is recklessness.”
Similarly, ambition without the ability to match it, sitting on this throne, was a dangerous burden.
The other ministers, hearing the Regent’s reprimand of the emperor, all lowered their gazes. After Su Mingxiu turned back to them, they all pleaded with her to consider the stability of the country and not to start a war.
Xiao Miyun didn’t say another word until the ministers left the Qinzheng Palace. Returning to the Qian Yuan Palace, her mood was foul. She didn’t even touch the newly prepared dishes from the imperial kitchen.
Ayue, seeing her bad mood, guessed that she had been angered during the court session. Dismissing the other servants, she tried to comfort Xiao Miyun, saying that her birthday was approaching, and she should be happy.
“Zhen naturally wants to be happy, but some people just insist on causing trouble.”
She was referring to Su Mingxiu, of course.
Clearly unwilling to share power, yet pretending to let her participate in political affairs, even reprimanding her in front of the court, Xiao Miyun was very unhappy.
“Your Majesty is the ruler of the world, everything will eventually be yours, just endure it for a little while—”
“Zhen is already enduring it.”
Ayue smiled faintly at her words. After a while, as if remembering something, she said hesitantly: “Your Majesty’s unhappiness naturally worries us, your servants. I heard there will be celebrations outside the palace for your birthday… would Your Majesty like to go and see?”
At the palace gates…
Su Mingxiu had her carriage stop. Seeing Sun Feiyan, who was on duty today, approaching, she waited for the general to stop at a distance and salute: “Wangye.”
“You’ve been stationed in the palace these days, enduring the little emperor’s whims, do you want to be transferred somewhere else?”
Sun Feiyan knew that nothing in the palace could escape Su Mingxiu’s eyes, but she still said: “His Majesty hasn’t made things difficult for this minister—we will obey Your Majesty and Wangye’s commands.”
The person behind the curtain looked at her for a while, then chuckled softly. “As you wish. But with His Majesty’s birthday approaching, the palace might be a bit chaotic. I’ll have to trouble General Sun to strengthen the security and protect the emperor.”
“It is this minister’s duty, I wouldn’t dare complain. Thank you for your concern, Wangye.”
Su Mingxiu nodded and lowered the curtain. The Zhenbei Manor’s carriage slowly rolled away, leaving the imposing palace walls behind.
West Palace.
Sun Feiyan, after finishing her duty, returned to her quarters. Remembering the Prince of Zhenbei’s instructions, she started checking the palace defenses, looking for any loopholes.
Under the candlelight, she stared at the map for a long time, then remembered the secret passages built during the Xiao Zhou dynasty.
The next morning, Sun Feiyan had her soldiers patrol the areas around these secret passages in disguise. It was a precautionary measure. Who knew that on the day before Xiao Miyun’s birthday, one of her subordinates reported that two palace maids, dressed in ordinary clothes, had been seen exiting one of the secret passages.
“Did you follow them?”
“Yes,” the subordinate replied. “We initially thought they were stealing palace treasures to pawn outside. But they only wandered around the city, eating and drinking, as if they just snuck out to have fun.”
After a pause, he asked: “Should we continue following them?”
Sun Feiyan stopped him and had someone confirm the emperor’s whereabouts. After a while, a soldier reported that the little emperor was unwell and resting in the Qian Yuan Palace, no one was allowed to enter.
“Unwell?”
With this little ancestor’s personality, if she was truly unwell, the entire Imperial Hospital would know by now.
Sun Feiyan guessed the truth and couldn’t help but rub her temples. She unfastened her armor and walked behind a screen. “Have someone continue following them, I’ll take over personally later.”
“Yes.”
The clever subordinate also guessed the truth and asked: “Should we inform the Zhenbei Manor?”
The person behind the screen was silent for a long time.
After a while, she said hesitantly: “Children are playful by nature, don’t disturb Wangye unless it’s something important.”
This little emperor already felt stifled. She constantly caused trouble in the palace. Sneaking out was probably just a way for her to relax. After all, she cherished her imperial power more than anyone.
Unless necessary, Sun Feiyan didn’t want to provoke her.
“Yes,” the soldier lowered his head and retreated.
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