He had originally raised his troops under the banner of restoring Daqian’s orthodoxy, so it made sense for him to be willing to have his imperial status returned and then manipulate the situation as he saw fit, didn’t it?
As for the three commanderies he had already conquered, he had returned them to Daqian.
This was sothing Chu Xiong couldn’t understand. Why would Qingchen, that traitor, willingly give up the prize he had already acquired? It didn’t make logical sense.
The man’s actions were like a child playing house. He would attack Daqian, return the lost territory, and then suddenly stop fighting.
If he didn’t want to fight anymore, he should have just gone back where he ca from. Instead, he set up camp and stubbornly refused to move.
It was truly maddening.
Whenever people were sent to negotiate with him, he would avoid them.
In any case, he was a traitor, and they had no way to deal with him. Fighting him would require a great deal of manpower and resources, but not fighting him ant he wouldn’t retreat or surrender, remaining like a dagger plunged into Daqian’s heart.
In the end, both sides beca locked in a stalemate, neither willing to withdraw their troops.
If he wanted to raise troops, then they would fight.
To return to the matter at hand, Chu Xiong felt comfortable under Concubine i’s administrations and gradually drifted off to sleep.
Concubine i removed Chu Xiong’s clothes and laid him flat on the bed.
She waved away her maidservant and her attending nanny, then closed the palace doors.
At that mont, a woman erged from behind the bed.
The woman, about sixteen years of age and dressed in red, possessed an ethereal beauty. She gracefully approached Chu Xiong, took his wrist, and checked his pulse.
"Red ssenger, he’s already asleep. Can we proceed tonight?" Concubine i asked.
After a mont, the Red ssenger replied, "Tomorrow morning will be fine. Rember the incantation I taught you. When he opens his eyes and sees you, just recite it while looking into his eyes."
Concubine i curtsied to the Red ssenger, "I understand."
The Red ssenger looked at her and said, "Rember the Young Master’s important affairs. You mustn’t ruin them. Otherwise, you know the Young Master’s thods."
A warning was still necessary. Now that Concubine i was this dog Emperor’s woman, it was hard to say if she might develop ideas she shouldn’t.
Concubine i said with sincerity and trepidation, "Rest assured, Red ssenger. I will absolutely not ruin the Young Master’s important affairs."
"As long as you rember. I’ll be on my way then. I’ll be waiting for your good news."
Concubine i said, "Respectfully sending off the Red ssenger."
With a flash, the Red ssenger disappeared from the bedchamber.
Once the Red ssenger had gone, Concubine i wiped the fine beads of sweat from her forehead. The Red ssenger’s aura of intimidation was too strong; in her presence, Concubine i always felt her heart pound with fear.
Concubine i glanced at Chu Xiong on the bed, took off her own clothes, and lay down beside him, turning her head away in disgust.
At Red Leaf Villa, what girl wouldn’t be captivated by the Young Master? She was no different.
Even without the Red ssenger’s warning, she would never betray the Young Master.
She rembered entering Red Leaf Villa at the age of five. She underwent all sorts of training until, at fourteen, she saw the legendary Young Master Qingchen for the first ti.
That one fleeting glimpse was enough for her heart to be lost to Qingchen. Like the other girls, eting Qingchen ant her life was forever his.
Everyone knew it was one of Qingchen’s techniques for winning loyalty, yet they couldn’t help but fall deeply for him, unable to pull themselves away.
There was no need for anything like a Mind-Control cursed insect; Qingchen already possessed the hearts of those girls.
It had to be said, he was successful. Not a single girl who ca from Red Leaf Villa would ever betray him.
「The next day」
When Chu Xiong opened his eyes and saw the beauty in the crook of his arm, he couldn’t help but kiss her brow.
Concubine i had woken long ago. Now, she feigned having just awoken, opening her beautiful eyes and smiling faintly at Chu Xiong.
"Beloved Concubine." Chu Xiong’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he stared at Concubine i, his hand caressing her cheek.
Concubine i t Chu Xiong’s gaze and muttered an incomprehensible phrase.
As soon as she finished speaking, Chu Xiong’s eyes beca dull for a mont. Then, an inexplicable feeling erged in his heart, as if he were Concubine i’s slave and had no choice but to do her bidding.
He shook his head, trying to dispel the absurd thought.
Indeed, the feeling disappeared.
He chuckled self-deprecatingly. It must be an illusion, brought on by how much he adored Concubine i.
"Your Majesty, it’s ti to get up. You still have to attend the morning court," Concubine i gently removed his hand and whispered to Chu Xiong.
"Yes, it’s ti to get up." Chu Xiong got out of bed.
"Your Majesty, will you co here again tonight?" asked Concubine i while helping Chu Xiong wash up and get dressed.
"I will," Chu Xiong replied without hesitation.
"Your Majesty, you co to my chambers every day. The other consorts must want to eat alive," Concubine i said, a glint in her eyes.
"How could they? Tomorrow, I shall make you the Empress! Let’s see who dares say anything against my beloved Concubine then!" Chu Xiong blurted out, without a trace of hesitation.
"No, no, no, how could I accept the position of Empress at this ti?" Concubine i shook her head, looking frightened.
Chu Xiong grabbed her hand, "Why not?"
"With Nanhu County still suppressing a rebellion, how could this servant accept the position of Empress now? The court officials would surely curse this servant to death, calling a disastrously bewitching empress who brings ruin to the country and its people," Concubine i said with a charming smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She watched Chu Xiong intently for his reaction.
Indeed, Chu Xiong hesitated for a mont, then nodded. "My beloved Concubine speaks wisely. How could I let my beloved Concubine be wronged? Then, does my beloved Concubine have a solution that achieves both aims?"
A glint flashed in Concubine i’s eyes. The Mind-Control cursed insect was truly formidable! Today, Chu Xiong spoke to her entirely according to her wishes. He even boldly discussed making her the Empress, and he actually considered it!
In the past, anyone who dared utter the word ’Empress’ before him would have been beheaded. But now...
She could obtain it easily, but she didn’t care for it. One day, when the Young Master ascended to that position, she hoped to be his consort. Of course, becoming his Empress was sothing she didn’t even dare to dream of.
Concubine i looked into Chu Xiong’s eyes and asked, "Your Majesty, do you know who Young Master Qingchen is?"
Chu Xiong frowned. "Didn’t he say he’s the orthodox imperial heir and demand that I return the country to him?"
"Then why not restore his status?" Concubine i’s tone was slightly cold, and after saying this, she observed Chu Xiong’s behavior closely.
"Oh? Is that what my beloved Concubine thinks?" Seeing Concubine i’s face turn cold, Chu Xiong actually grew worried—worried that Concubine i was displeased.
Chu Xiong just furrowed his brow.
Seeing Chu Xiong appear sowhat fearful of her displeasure, Concubine i’s heart leaped with joy. She boldly continued, "Yes, Your Majesty is the Emperor. When you issue an edict, who would dare to defy you? Wouldn’t this save the trouble of internal conflict? In the future, wouldn’t the troops under Young Master Qingchen’s command beco Your Majesty’s troops?"
Chu Xiong nodded. Concubine i’s idea is indeed quite good.
"Mm, I shall issue an edict later." Chu Xiong patted Concubine i’s hand, kissed her on the cheek, and then left Huayang Palace.
Watching Chu Xiong leave the palace gate, the corner of Concubine i’s mouth curled upwards.
The Mind-Control cursed insect is indeed effective! It has just broken out of its shell and hasn’t matured yet. Once the Mind-Control cursed insect fully matures, then whatever she says will be law.
She understood Chu Xiong all too well. Once he decided on sothing, he wouldn’t compromise, no matter how much his ministers tried to persuade him, even if they talked themselves hoarse.
After consolidating his power, Chu Xiong had beco increasingly autocratic and self-willed. No one could defy him.
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