The colored curtains were pulled down, shutting out the citizens’ cheers. The light suddenly dimmed, and below the platform, shadowy figures stood as solemn as stone guardian statues. Jing Hengbo felt like she was being locked in a dark room.

So this was the welcoming ceremony—conducted in such an environment, surrounded and enclosed on all sides with countless people competing for air? It certainly created psychological pressure easily. In such conditions, performing talents well would be strange indeed.

“The ministers of Dahuang pay respects to the Queen’s reincarnated form.”

The ceremonial minister from before called out loudly, and a large row of officials with varied expressions filed onto the platform in two columns, bowing to Jing Hengbo.

Jing Hengbo propped her chin, wondering why they didn’t call her “Your Majesty” but “Queen’s reincarnated form.” The implication was that they hadn’t officially recognized her as Queen yet?

Looking again at the expressions below—amid their calm solemnity, many revealed poorly concealed contempt and casualness.

Below the high platform were two more chairs, one left and one right, one black and one white. Shortly after, Gong Yin and Yelu Qi entered one after another and sat down. Everyone bowed to both men again, still paying respects to Gong Yin first. It seemed that in Dahuang, the right side was honored.

Gong Yin merely waved his hand, while Yelu Qi smiled and nodded. Their gazes met in the air—Yelu Qi blinked, Gong Yin turned away indifferently, not avoiding Yelu Qi’s stare, and looked toward Jing Hengbo on the platform.

The woman in the high chair appeared quite composed. His lips curved slightly—he knew she was audacious, appearing casual on the surface but disdainful at heart.

“Your Majesty.” Following convention, the ceremonial minister began the proceedings. This time he did use “Your Majesty,” though his tone still carried some mockery. “The heavenly maiden’s rebirth is Dahuang’s great fortune. The Six Kingdoms and Eight Tribes traveled hundreds of li to welcome you, and Dahuang’s subjects prepared ten li of red carpet, laid yellow earth on the roads, sprinkled clean water on the streets, set up altars every three steps, burned incense every ten steps, all seeking to bask in Your Majesty’s glorious presence…”

He held his ceremonial tablet and spoke at great literary length. Jing Hengbo didn’t understand a single word and only felt very tired. Her waist felt heavy, and her skirt seemed about to fall again. She suddenly stood up.

The ceremonial minister stopped speaking and stared at her dumbfounded. According to Dahuang rules, before the Queen responded to the ministers, she couldn’t make any movements.

“Ah, I’m fine. Continue speaking—don’t mind me.” Jing Hengbo had just lifted her bottom when she saw a bunch of speechless expressions below, thinking they wanted to come help. She quickly waved her hand. “Continue, keep going.”

“Uh…” The ceremonial minister had forgotten his words.

Jing Hengbo looked down and focused on her business, first pulling up her skirt at the waist.

Everyone watched her slender waist…

Then she stretched luxuriously.

Everyone watched her tight, proud curves…

She sat down, adjusted to a comfortable position she could endure for a long time, and crossed her legs.

Everyone watched her crossed legs…

After crossing her legs, she found the skirt too heavy. She grabbed handfuls left and right, folding the skirt onto her lap. This inevitably exposed a section of her calf.

Everyone’s eyeballs rolled around frantically, busy looking at her snow-white, slender calf. After looking, they suddenly realized this was wrong and turned in unison to look at the ceremonial minister who managed etiquette and had the authority to correct any improper behavior by the Queen.

The ceremonial minister had forgotten what to do next.

The ceremonial minister also didn’t know what exactly he should stop the Queen from doing—she had violated too many rules at once, too many improper behaviors…

“Eh, why did you all stop talking? Speak up.” Having made herself comfortable and settled down, Jing Hengbo finally noticed the wrong atmosphere. She looked up in bewilderment, eyes wide and round, with an expression of “What are you dawdling about—I’m getting impatient waiting.”

The ceremonial minister felt somewhat frustrated. Should he first correct the Queen’s improper behavior, or continue?

“Dear,” Jing Hengbo crossed her legs, swinging her calf back and forth to kick her skirt hem, saying with a smile, “let’s get straight to the point. It’s so hot.”

Everyone’s eyeballs swayed with that snow-white calf…

“Ahem.” The ceremonial minister coughed and gestured with his eyes. “Your Majesty, you…”

“Ah, this?” Jing Hengbo followed his gaze to see her skirt hem, suddenly raised her eyebrows angrily, and said furiously: “My legs—what are you looking at? Your gaze is so lecherous! You old pervert!”

“Pfft”—the venerable old ceremonial minister nearly spat out blood…

The poor old ceremonial minister was quickly carried away, while the others quickly averted their gazes to look at the sky.

“Your Majesty!” A young ceremonial official stepped forward indignantly and declared loudly: “You’ve gone too far! How can you show such disrespect to important court ministers! You violated etiquette first, and the ceremonial minister rightfully pointed this out to correct your improper behavior—honorable and proper. Why should he suffer such insult…”

This was the same person who had earlier told Jing Hengbo to go back and walk again. Jing Hengbo decided to make an example of him.

“Do the rules only apply to me?” Jing Hengbo’s eyebrows rose like willows. “I can’t violate rules, but you can? Rules don’t allow me to do this or that, but they allow you to stare at the Queen? Which rule says that’s okay? Show it to me! If there is one, I’ll kowtow and apologize!”

“We weren’t staring…” the young official protested weakly.

Jing Hengbo said nothing, then suddenly said: “So itchy…” She pulled her skirt up with a rustle, right to her knees.

Eyeballs rolled all over the floor again.

“Your Majesty!” The official said angrily: “You must not casually expose your skin!”

“Where did I expose skin?”

“Your legs…” The official was halfway through when he realized he’d been tricked, choked suddenly, and began coughing violently.

“Aha, you didn’t look! You didn’t stare!” Jing Hengbo cackled. “If you didn’t look, how do you know I exposed my legs? If I exposed my legs, shouldn’t you immediately withdraw and avoid looking? Yet you have the face to stand here looking left and right endlessly, taking advantage and getting your fill? Which rule allows you to casually take advantage of me? As ceremonial officials, you should lead by example in strictly following all rules. You yourselves are shameless, staring at me and breaking rules—what face do you have to stand before the ministers and put on airs demanding I reflect? Bah! Go buy a mirror, look at yourselves, then bash your heads against it and die—a bunch of hormonally imbalanced moral criminals and fake intellectuals! I bought a watch last year!”

“Uh…” The ministers were confused. How did the conversation suddenly escalate to the serious crime of taking liberties with Her Majesty?

The ceremonial officials were even more confused. They were used to lecturing queens with stiff necks, making queens follow rules. After doing this for so long, they’d forgotten the rules they themselves should follow. They tried hard to search their minds for doubts, wanting to find regulations to refute the Queen. But should ministers follow rules first, or should they make the Queen follow rules first? Dahuang law had one article: “Subjects are not allowed any blasphemous acts toward the royal family.” Looking at the Queen’s skin certainly counted as one, but if they couldn’t look at the Queen’s behavior, what if she decided to streak naked later…

“You sanctimonious hypocrites!” Jing Hengbo continued lecturing. “You should learn from your Right State Preceptor—he never stares at me!”

He just touches directly, hmph.

Gong Yin, who was drinking tea, nearly choked and swallowed tea leaves…

“Bang.” The young official who had been searching his mind but still couldn’t find any regulations to refute Jing Hengbo was literally stumped unconscious.

…

Having won a round, Jing Hengbo smugly put her hands behind her back and made a victory gesture toward Gong Yin.

Gong Yin sat motionless, a helpless curve touching his lips.

Using one sentence to anger to death two ceremonial officials who valued rules above all—only someone with her unreasonable, shameless disposition could do it.

Jing Hengbo adjusted her skirt and put it back properly, raising her chin.

She did it on purpose. So what?

The experience on the red carpet was their show of force against her, but wasn’t it also the first test she wanted to challenge?

She had long known Dahuang valued rules highly, treating queens like little widows who’d lost their husbands. She either wouldn’t be this queen, or if she did it, she absolutely wouldn’t swallow her anger and be bound by those unreasonable, heavy regulations.

Today was just the first step—first knock out those most demanding about etiquette, so they wouldn’t constantly create difficulties during the ceremony. Later, if they dared, let them search through all the books and come back—she’d take them all on!

The platform quieted. Originally the ceremonial officials were supposed to recite a long list of Dahuang history and deeds of previous wise rulers, but now with two officials down, no one was in the mood for lengthy speeches. A high-crowned elderly man with an ancient countenance suddenly stepped forward and bowed slightly. “Your Majesty has received heaven’s favor to rule all directions. We ministers wish to request Your Majesty demonstrate divine miracles, so that all Dahuang subjects and ministers may bask in your virtue.”

Seeing the old man come forward, everyone showed reverent expressions, saying one after another: “The Grand Sage personally conducting the examination will surely be wonderful.”

The so-called Sage was an honorary title in Dahuang, generally held by retired high officials who had wielded great power for many years, were remarkably talented, honest in office, and had excellent reputations among the people. These people held noble status with extraordinary influence and prestige, equivalent to today’s honorary chairmen.

Listening to this formal sentence, Jing Hengbo guessed and deduced that they wanted her to demonstrate abilities to verify “whether she possessed the virtue and talent to be queen.”

But could an examination conducted shut away in this dark room really have a fair outcome? A group of people who disliked her—no matter what she did, they’d give her failing grades and kick her out. What good ending could she have?

“Since it’s an examination, why all this sneaking around?” She crooked her finger. “Aren’t you afraid of cheating?”

“Your Majesty means…” The Grand Sage’s face stiffened.

“If we’re testing, test openly! If we’re watching, let everyone watch together!” Jing Hengbo suddenly swept her sleeve and called loudly: “Open!”

With a swoosh, the colored curtain directly facing her slid down from its frame with a rustle, letting in a stream of bright sunlight.

The shouts of citizens crowded outside waiting behind the curtains immediately surged in like a tide.

“My subjects!” Jing Hengbo raised her hand toward the mass of black heads below. “I am not only the queen of the dynasty and the Six Kingdoms and Eight Tribes, but more importantly, your queen! I must be responsible to the dynasty, to the officials, and even more to the tens of millions of Dahuang people! Pull down these damned curtains—I allow you to observe this trial! Whether I’m worthy to be queen, you—” She pointed at the crowd. “—decide!”

The people roared like thunder—in Dahuang’s hundreds of years since founding, the populace had consciously remained in the ruled class, accustomed to enduring various inequalities. No one had ever looked at them directly, no one had ever sought their opinions, no one had ever instilled thoughts like “the people are more important than the state” in their hearts. What separated the people wasn’t just a curtain, but hundreds of years of unshakeable class barriers.

However, today’s new Queen, in every word and action, was full of freedom’s radiance and human charm. Like a fresh, brilliant wind, she suddenly swept across the hearts of Dahuang’s people, carrying away outdated rules and customs, bringing a new tide of longing for autonomy.

“Pull them down! Her Majesty says pull them down!” Almost immediately, countless citizens jumped up, leaping over the blocking guards to pull down those curtains hanging high above.

In the crowd, Yi Qi’s group worked hard—they moved at heights, and with a kick of their toes, zhang-wide curtains silently slid down.

“My wife says to collect the curtains,” Yi Qi said seriously to the blocking guards.

“Thunder and rain mean collecting clothes!” the experts shouted happily. “Whoever collects fastest gets to marry her!”

…

All the curtains around the platform fell, sunlight spreading gloriously. For the first time, that invisible wall separating people and nobles was casually destroyed.

The ministers’ faces were quite spectacular—Jing Hengbo moved too quickly, giving no time for opposition. Her display of remotely dropping curtains also shocked everyone, making many think: Did the Queen know advanced martial arts?

Jing Hengbo smiled as she watched, though her eyes kept glancing at Gong Yin and Yelu Qi.

She noticed Gong Yin wasn’t too concerned with her actions, his gaze instead occasionally sweeping through the surrounding guard formations. Yelu Qi kept staring intently at Gong Yin, seeming more interested in him than in her.

Meng Hu silently walked to Gong Yin’s side. Gong Yin’s eyes flicked sideways, and Meng Hu almost imperceptibly nodded slightly.

Everything was ready for any eventuality.

Yelu Qi lightly flicked his fingers. A dozing guard beside him intentionally or unintentionally leaned over, seeming to yawn while bringing his mouth to Yelu Qi’s ear.

“Sir,” the guard whispered, “the report came from below—Gong Yin indeed has unusual movements. He’s mobilized the Dragon Cavalry and Kang Long, and the Spider Web operatives are also out in full force today.”

A trace of smile flashed in Yelu Qi’s eyes, as if expected yet slightly surprised.

“Didn’t expect he’d really…” He sighed softly but suddenly changed the topic. “Since he wants to do something earth-shaking, let’s watch closely and wait to catch him in the act.”

“Yes.”

“Also…” Yelu Qi’s gaze swept through the crowd, where a cold, hateful stare had been following him—that was Zhan Xin, leader of the Zhan Yu Tribe and Zhan Jue’s father.

“The old who don’t die become thieves…” he muttered, meeting Zhan Xin’s gaze. Under the other’s poisonous glare, he displayed an innocent and kind smile.

“Hurry up and glare—if you don’t glare now, you won’t get another chance…”

The lazily dozing guard shrank his neck, seeming to go back to sleep, but soon his inconspicuous prone figure disappeared from beside Yelu Qi…

Undercurrents surged below the platform while above, the pressure was intense.

Jing Hengbo’s non-negotiable removal of the curtains caught the ministers off-guard, and they vaguely sensed the new Queen’s domineering refusal to play by the rules. Then the ministers also felt this approach had its benefits. With more people came greater pressure, and her failure would be more shameful and irreversible under public scrutiny.

The Grand Sage knelt across from Jing Hengbo and began his merciless questioning.

“What talents does Your Majesty wish to demonstrate?”

Jing Hengbo propped her chin. “What do you consider talents?”

The Sage pondered briefly.

“Can Your Majesty demonstrate martial skills? Powerful force would make subjects feel they could receive protection.”

“No! Does a woman fighting and killing look good? Practicing martial arts would damage my delicate skin!”

“Can Your Majesty compose poetry? Outstanding learning can guide subjects in the right direction.”

“No zuo no die. I think this poem is excellent. It conveys life’s ultimate truth—if subjects, especially you, heard it, you wouldn’t court death anymore.”

“…Your Majesty’s words are profound. Please enlighten us.”

“Wisdom that transcends the era by thousands of years—you’re destined not to comprehend. Forget it, in plain language: No! Next question!”

“Is Your Majesty skilled in policy discussion? A ruler versed in current affairs can provide the country with the clearest governing strategies.”

“What’s policy discussion? I do have an excellent ‘Theory of Beauty’ that categorizes handsome men worldwide into four major categories and sixteen subcategories, very detailed in listing the characteristics of each type of handsome man, with perfect analysis from perspectives of horoscopes, zodiac signs… Forget it, why are you looking at me like that? No! Next question!”

“Does Your Majesty understand military strategy? Powerful military force is a nation’s foundation.”

“Does ‘of the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing is best’ count?”

…

The officials below revealed expected mocking smiles.

Indeed a useless fool.

The citizens further away had been holding their breath listening with reverent attitudes. To them, this was the first time participating as citizens in a major matter that could determine royal power, naturally carrying supreme sanctity. At this moment, the quiet crowd also stirred slightly.

A string of “don’t knows” and “can’ts,” a string of nonsense—the initial excitement from the new Queen’s unconventional behavior gradually calmed, and citizens began looking serious.

After all, novelty was temporary—a truly talented and brilliant ruler better matched citizens’ expectations.

The citizens’ disappointment was also seen by the officials, who couldn’t help smiling more broadly—this was the new Queen digging her own grave! Originally, conducting the assessment behind dark curtains, whether she passed or not could depend on their mood. After all, she was a puppet queen—if she was willing to make some major concessions, letting her ascend wasn’t impossible. But she insisted on exposing everything under broad daylight. Without real talent and ability yet hoping to gain citizens’ support—dream on!

Some remained excited and confident.

“My wife is special! She doesn’t know anything!” Yi Qi said.

On the platform, the questioning Grand Sage’s face grew darker, his brow tighter, his tone increasingly helpless and disappointed.

The Sage was unbiased at heart, belonging to no faction, and was among the few officials who genuinely hoped the Queen would be outstandingly talented.

“Then can Your Majesty do needlework and embroidery? This is a woman’s duty!”

“Look at these fingers—would you bear to have them pricked by needles?” Jing Hengbo displayed her ten white fingers, clicking her tongue lovingly.

“Can Your Majesty cook? Can you manage household affairs? At least you could fulfill a wife’s duties if you married.”

“A woman as exquisite as me should never let her ten fingers touch spring water! My goal is to find a man who can cook.” Jing Hengbo said indignantly, “Would you bear to have kitchen smoke taint me!”

Gong Yin glanced at her—he’d definitely lock her in the kitchen later. Also, all cooking nobles should be killed.

Yelu Qi stroked his chin, saying somewhat worriedly to the guard beside him: “I have an ominous premonition.”

“Ah?”

“She’ll definitely cling to me shamelessly wanting to marry me.”

“Ah?”

“Because I can cook…” Yelu Qi sighed. “Looking throughout Dahuang’s court, I’m the only peerless man who can cook!”

…

In the crowd, Yi Qi scratched his head. “Fourth Brother, don’t you have a palace cookbook? Lend it to me later.”

…

“Can Your Majesty sing or dance?” Having asked about all possible talents, the Grand Sage’s face was grim as he racked his brains and asked the last talent he didn’t think much of. “Of course, any dance involving body movements is forbidden for a queen to display. Queens may only perform solemn, sacred heaven-blessed dances. The thirty-eighth Queen was once skilled in ceremonial dance. The State Preceptor of that time was fortunate to witness her solemn yet beautiful dancing, and even composed poetry to commemorate it—a fine tale passed down for a hundred years.”

Fine tale, fine tale my ass!

Dancing before subjects, who could then write poetry fantasizing about it—how was this full of brothel vibes? Was this a queen or a prostitute?

“Does pole dancing count? Square dancing? Grass skirt dancing…” Seeing the other’s increasingly dark face, Jing Hengbo waved her hand. “Forget it, no. Next question!”

Citizens below showed even deeper disappointment, and some began quietly leaving.

“Yi Qi, are you sure you want to marry such a wife?”

“Yeah, pretty good. I really want to see grass skirt dancing.”

…

“Responding to Your Majesty.” The Sage’s face showed thick mockery. “All abilities a queen should possess, as well as basic talents women should know—this humble minister has asked about them all. As for more difficult divine abilities like moving mountains and seas, commanding clouds and rain, traveling a thousand li in a day, or summoning thunder with a wave—I imagine Your Majesty cannot do these either, so there’s no need to ask.”

“The latter ones you mentioned, I actually can do…” Jing Hengbo sighed and muttered.

No one paid attention to her.

The Grand Sage snorted coldly, looked at Jing Hengbo with contempt, angrily flicked his sleeves and turned around. He first shook his head at the officials, then said to the citizens showing disappointed expressions: “Everyone, you may disperse. You have no authority to participate in the Queen’s subsequent disposal.”

Citizens made noisy sighs but still lingered, unwilling to leave.

Jing Hengbo blinked. Eh, they were already discussing disposal? Too impatient, weren’t they?

“I believe,” an elderly man sitting in the place of honor on the right below the platform slowly stood up and said, “the Queen’s incompetence is clear to all—no further discussion needed. By precedent, a reincarnated Queen should inherit some abilities from the previous Queen, but the new Queen clearly hasn’t inherited any. This old man believes this woman is not the Queen’s reincarnated form. I suggest exile to the Black Water Marsh.”

There was an uproar below, most people looking fearful. Jing Hengbo squinted—what kind of place was this? It sounded terrifying.

She stared at the old man, always feeling his face was familiar but unable to remember where she’d seen him.

Across from the old man, a dignified middle-aged woman smiled and said: “Lord Xuanyuan is merciful. By rights, this woman impersonated the Queen’s reincarnated form and deceived the subjects—she should be executed immediately.”

Jing Hengbo blinked. Oh no, was her memory malfunctioning? Why did this woman also look familiar?

“Exile to Black Water Marsh is probably equivalent to execution anyway. But before that, please let the Right State Preceptor give the ministers an explanation regarding this matter.” The old man’s spear turned, pointing at Gong Yin.

Though spoken politely, the meaning was clear. If the Queen was incompetent and not recognized as the reincarnated form, then she was a fake product. The Right State Preceptor Gong Yin, who had brought this fake product thousands of li and mobilized troops extensively, affecting the entire nation’s welcoming effort, naturally couldn’t escape responsibility.

The platform gradually quieted, everyone’s faces grave.

Everyone knew that the Six Kingdoms and Eight Tribes, though harboring various grievances, outwardly obeyed Gong Yin because they had hostages in Emperor Song. Within the court, ministers supporting Gong Yin and those supporting Yelu Qi formed separate factions. The young reformers and grassroots faction were mostly Gong Yin’s loyal subordinates, while the established hereditary families and hereditary nobles naturally chose Left State Preceptor Yelu Qi, who came from the same centuries-old aristocratic background.

The elderly man and woman represented two such families—one was the Xuanyuan clan, which had produced seven Vice Chancellors, representing the old bureaucratic aristocracy. The other was the head of the Sang family, a specialized high priest family whose eldest daughters had traditionally served as the palace’s Chief Priestess, holding status second only to the Left and Right State Preceptors. After Gong Yin came to power, he dismissed the Vice Chancellor and sidelined the priesthood. Both great families had now openly declared their willingness to follow Left State Preceptor Yelu Qi.

At the Queen’s welcoming ceremony, these two families took the lead in making trouble.

Facing this challenge, Gong Yin remained expressionless. He calmly finished the tea in his hand and gently set down the cup.

The moment he set down his teacup, the originally noisy plaza suddenly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Gong Yin’s response was indeed in his usual style—simple to the point of being domineering.

“The Queen is genuine,” he said.

“How can you be so certain?” the middle-aged beautiful woman immediately pressed.

“Not worth demonstrating to petty people,” Gong Yin didn’t even glance at her.

A group of people turned iron-blue with anger. The middle-aged beauty didn’t lose her temper but smiled charmingly: “Yes, the State Preceptor speaks reasonably. Since the State Preceptor feels the Queen disdains showing her abundant talents to us small people, is the State Preceptor going to say next that we should let the Queen return to the palace, and when she’s in a good mood and wants to demonstrate, then she’ll demonstrate? This good mood might be ten years, perhaps a hundred years?”

Her tone was sarcastic, but Gong Yin didn’t even blink.

“That would be excellent,” he said.

“Is the State Preceptor openly showing favoritism?” the other side pressed relentlessly.

Gong Yin looked at her once, his gaze clear and cold as floating ice water.

“Then are you openly being provocative?” he said.

Jing Hengbo, who had no sense of crisis and was watching the show on the side, nearly applauded!

The State Preceptor was so cool and domineering!

The Sang family head was left speechless, wanting to say yes but not daring to—countless cold gazes had already pressed toward her. Wanting to say no but unwilling to, her face turned iron-blue with frustration.

With a cough, Yelu Qi finally spoke.

“Lord Xuanyuan, Priestess Sang,” he said. “What State Preceptor Gong says also seems reasonable. The Queen’s inability to demonstrate her talents could have many reasons—perhaps nervousness, perhaps fear, perhaps being in a bad mood, perhaps because she didn’t sleep well last night?”

When he said “sleep,” he winked at Jing Hengbo.

Jing Hengbo responded with a contemptuous look—what a flirtatious expression!

Everyone was somewhat surprised, not understanding why Yelu Qi was suddenly speaking for Gong Yin. Only Gong Yin remained unmoved, his fingers behind his back curving slightly, and immediately Meng Hu below melted into the crowd.

“Or perhaps she’s intimidated by State Preceptor Gong’s imposing aura?” Yelu Qi smiled. “Therefore, I suggest that the Queen’s punishment of exile to Black Water Marsh be temporarily postponed. But since the Queen’s identity is currently in doubt, naturally she cannot ascend the throne. She can temporarily reside in the side palace, with Priestess Sang and Lord Xuanyuan jointly responsible for managing the Queen’s daily life. Before the Queen’s identity is clarified, she must not meet with subjects and citizens again. How about that?”

He half-turned and smiled apologetically at Gong Yin: “Originally, State Preceptor Gong should have assigned someone to care for the Queen. But because the Queen’s identity is still in doubt, and you are, after all, the one who handled this matter, this… before the Queen gains recognition, it seems inconvenient for you to continue managing the Queen’s affairs…”

Both Xuanyuan Jing and Sang Dong smiled.

Good idea.

Spoken diplomatically and politely, but actually full of deadly intent.

Not exile, but house arrest, placing her in their hands was equivalent to controlling the Queen. Few people knew that the Sang family was skilled in mind control techniques. They could easily make the new Queen admit she was a fake, admit Gong Yin deliberately falsified evidence, and possibly even admit Gong Yin colluded with foreign countries.

This proposal wouldn’t earn the resentment of Gong Yin’s faction ministers either, since they didn’t welcome the Queen anyway. Killing or exiling the Queen would hurt Gong Yin’s face, but house arrest sounded quite acceptable.

If Gong Yin still unreasonably insisted on protecting the Queen in the face of such seemingly gentle concessions, it would make people suspect his motives and wonder if he had other intentions.

After all, there was no loyalty in politics. Those loyal to Gong Yin included some who were controlled by blackmail, some intimidated by his powerful force, and more who pinned hopes on his power and future. They hoped to follow Gong Yin, establish great achievements, become important ministers from the dragon’s rise, and climb higher.

So many people were waiting for Gong Yin to strike the Queen down. His protection would inevitably cause doubt and disillusionment.

“Relocating to the side palace is acceptable.” Gong Yin nodded, and before Xuanyuan Jing and Sang Dong could show their joy, he immediately said: “Jade Palace Kang Long!”

“Present!” Somehow the platform below was already filled with soldiers wearing soft armor from the Jade Palace and Kang Long armies, responding thunderously.

“Immediately escort Her Majesty the Queen to Cloud Terrace Side Palace.” Gong Yin spoke quickly with an unquestionable tone. Xuanyuan and Sang Dong hadn’t reacted yet, standing there stupefied.

“Yes!” The soldiers from both armies rushed forward quickly.

“Wait!” Yelu Qi immediately blocked them. “Please let my troops escort Her Majesty!”

“Unnecessary!” Gong Yin didn’t even look at him.

“Yan Sha Army!” Yelu Qi was also decisive, calling out without hesitation.

The group of “citizens” closest to the front of the platform suddenly threw off their outer clothes, tossed their garments to the ground, and also rushed onto the platform.

These men wore half-body leather armor with bare, muscular arms. Most had tall, imposing builds with high noses and deep eyes, different from the local Dahuang people’s appearance. Their movements carried fierce momentum.

“Yan Sha Army!” The citizens exclaimed in alarm, retreating with disgust in their eyes.

The officials and nobles exchanged meaningful glances.

Yan Sha was the strongest army under the Yelu family name. Though not numerous, they were famous for their fierce fighting prowess. The soldiers were said to come from mysterious foreign tribes from the so-called God-cursed lands, having countless connections with the Yelu family, who also had foreign blood. In Dahuang legends, people from there were naturally cruel and bloodthirsty, reincarnated demons, filthy and unclean. Therefore, they were always rejected by the populace.

This army had its own unique language and writing, distinctive communication methods, and was loyal only to the Yelu family, uninfluenced by any other force. Precisely because this army existed, Gong Yin, despite holding sole power, couldn’t quickly devour and suppress the Yelu family.

The Left and Right State Preceptors, who barely maintained balance, had each mobilized their strongest armies on the very first day of the Queen’s welcoming ceremony, going at it with real weapons!

“Since Her Majesty is to be cared for by the Sang family, please let the Yan Sha Army escort her to the side palace!” Sang Dong shouted.

Everyone knew that whoever escorted would naturally be responsible for guarding the side palace afterward. Once the Jade Palace Kang Long controlled the palace guards, the Sang family could do almost nothing.

Sang Dong had originally been delighted that Gong Yin readily agreed to Yelu Qi’s request, never expecting Gong Yin to pull the rug from under them—this move was truly brilliant. If not for Yelu Qi’s quick reaction, once the Jade Palace Kang Long took over, their wishful thinking would have been for nothing.

“You care for her, I escort her.” Gong Yin said coldly. “Cloud Terrace is a sacred place—how can barbarians be allowed to defile it!”

Yelu Qi’s face suddenly became very ugly.

The unclear bloodline of the Yan Sha Army had always been an unmentionable taboo for the Yelu family. Gong Yin was slapping his face in public.

“The Jade Palace Kang Long are others’ lackeys—how can they be allowed to stain the imperial jade steps!” He raised his eyebrows and smiled, loudly calling to the Yan Sha Army: “Come, let the noble Jade Palace Army see if their blood is redder than barbarians’!”

With a thunderous roar, citizens retreated, officials scattered, and the leaders of the Six Kingdoms and Eight Tribes observing the ceremony hastily left their seats.

The two armies were actually going to shed blood on this ceremonial platform!

In Dahuang’s hundreds of years since founding, there had never been such murderous intent!

The Yan Sha soldiers howled to the sky, threw off their arms, and simply discarded even their half-body leather armor, their bare, oiled brown chests directly meeting the blade points of the Jade Palace Army.

The Jade Palace, being the imperial army, had unparalleled arrogance in their bones. They all felt their dignity challenged and glared angrily, drawing their swords with a ringing sound!

The Kang Long were even more fierce and brutal practical warriors, yielding nothing. Their great sabers were already swinging, and under the sunlight’s reflection, bright blade light crisscrossed, covering a three-zhang radius in sharp whiteness.

Murderous intent was overwhelming, a fierce collision. The blade energy had already cut a bloody mark on the nearest Yan Sha soldier’s chest, while the Yan Sha Army’s long spears rang continuously with killing sounds.

People retreated in all directions, not daring to approach even slightly, fearing injury from the chaotic flying blade energy in the melee.

The next moment, blood would flow!

Suddenly, a slightly lazy yet strangely crisp female voice broke through this moment’s fierce killing intent.

“Stop!”

Everyone was startled and looked up.

The Queen!

The focus of the struggle, the instigator of the incident, Her Majesty the Queen who had been ignored by everyone after instigating the incident, actually jumped out at this critical moment.

She really did jump out.

Jing Hengbo struggled a bit to push aside a guard trying to block her and squeezed out from the crowd.

Everyone stared at her in shock, never imagining such a weak woman would dare call a halt at this moment.

At this time, the platform was full of swords and blades.

At this time, the atmosphere was thick with murderous intent, making people afraid to approach.

At this time, the Yan Sha Army, disturbed, all turned to look at her with evil glares, their eyes red with malicious hatred, making people feel their blades would strike in the next instant.

But Jing Hengbo seemed to see none of this.

“Hey, hey, hey, make way,” she patted the shoulder of a guard beside her, swaying and twisting to avoid the swords and blades everywhere, wobbling as she walked out, looking around with a smile as she went. “Wow, the Jade Palace is the most handsome! Wow, the Kang Long’s saber has blood grooves! Wow, Yan Sha!” She vigorously patted a Yan Sha soldier’s muscular chest. “Great muscles! So beautiful! If you entered a bodybuilding contest, you’d definitely win first place!”

Her claws explored, her gaze burning, seemingly drooling…

Gong Yin’s face darkened.

Yelu Qi’s face turned green.

Yi Qi wanted to vomit blood.

The court ministers and Six Kingdoms and Eight Tribes were too shocked to talk about rules.

Was this lady truly fearless, or just a naive fool?

In a situation where even masters dared not intervene, she drifted in like a swaying willow. Setting aside everything else, just this courage alone made everyone suddenly wonder if they had underestimated this new Queen.

Jing Hengbo smiled as she walked through the wall of swords and blades, gently pushing aside someone’s sword.

“Handsome, put away your sword—stabbing forward carelessly might hurt me.”

The Jade Palace soldier who had just been murderously brandishing his sword looked into her bright eyes and suddenly blushed, quickly sheathing his sword.

Jing Hengbo gracefully turned, her snow-white fingers lifting a Kang Long soldier’s blade.

“Tsk tsk, truly a good blade—you can tell it’s been bloodied! Warrior!” She clasped her hands to her heart, her gaze pure. “You must be a great hero who’s participated in many battles! Could you tell me your war stories sometime?”

The rough Kang Long soldier was left flustered by her admiring expression, mumbling something he himself didn’t understand while sheathing his blade, but secret joy surged in his heart.

Jing Hengbo’s skirt swirled, and a snow-white handkerchief appeared in her hand. With delicate fingers, she gently pressed the handkerchief to the bloody mark on the chest of the foremost Yan Sha soldier.

“A warrior’s wounds should only appear on battlefields fighting enemies.” She smiled as she slowly wiped the wound, but her tone lost its previous casualness. “They shouldn’t appear in peacetime, caused by one’s own comrades, and especially not because of me.”

The tall, fierce Yan Sha soldier stared at her rigidly with red eyes, not seeming to soften like the Jade Palace and Kang Long soldiers had from her charming words and smiles.

His fist-sized hammer remained unwavering—one downward strike could blow a hole in Jing Hengbo’s skull.

The atmosphere on and off the platform immediately tensed.

Xuanyuan Jing and Sang Dong felt joy mixed with unease. It would be best if the Queen died at the hands of the Jade Palace Kang Long, but death by the unreasonable Yan Sha Army would be troublesome.

Gong Yin had already stood up, his usually calm and composed expression finally showing slight change. But he dared not speak to interfere.

The Yan Sha Army was famously unruly and difficult to train. They wouldn’t heed enemy rebukes and might even become more violent due to emotional escalation.

He tensed his body, staring intently at the platform, unable to blame her boldness now, only wanting to rescue her immediately if anything happened.

Yelu Qi hissed through his teeth as if in pain—even he had no way to control the Yan Sha Army once they entered combat mode.

“This woman…” he muttered. “This woman!”

…

The atmosphere was taut as a bowstring, but Jing Hengbo remained calm as a gentle wave.

She seemed not to see the soldier’s rigidity and killing intent. She removed the handkerchief and suddenly lowered her head, approaching the other’s chest filled with blood and sweat.

The Yan Sha soldier trembled all over, his hammer-gripping hand clenched tight.

Exclamations came from all sides.

Amid the exclamations, Jing Hengbo gently blew on the wound, then raised her head with a smile pure as a baby’s: “I’ll blow on it for you—doesn’t it hurt now?”

…

The crowd fell silent.

People watched as the tall but still young Yan Sha soldier suddenly softened inch by inch, releasing his grip on his weapon. A bewildered expression appeared on his scarred, dark red face.

He lowered his gaze, and the smile of the woman who seemed incredibly small compared to him entered his field of vision.

Bright, beautiful, pure, kind, without any impurities.

Like the clearest blue water and most brilliant sky in autumn.

Beautiful, and more importantly, in those eyes was none of the fear, disgust, avoidance, and contempt he was familiar with.

He was a Yan Sha soldier.

Part of Dahuang’s legendary army, from the sinful lands, from the supreme wasteland, among the people abandoned by heaven. Born with divine strength and martial valor, yet not accepted by the world. In everyone’s eyes, they were powerful weapons, brave subordinates, bloodthirsty beasts, but not equals.

Wherever they went, others fearfully avoided them, then peered out from behind walls with disgusted eyes, spitting contemptuously. After they passed, people would splash water to wash the ground they had walked on.

Such fear and disgust they had grown accustomed to, as if there were only these two treatments in life.

Until today, in a pair of bright eyes, he saw for the first time true equality and care.

The wound on his chest was only a bloody mark and didn’t hurt, but where she had blown seemed to burn with fierce fire.

He suddenly reached out and grabbed Jing Hengbo’s hand.

His huge black palm dwarfed her snow-white wrist, fragile as a snow-covered bamboo.

People exclaimed in alarm.

He pulled her hand close to his heart, bowed his head slightly, held her fist, and gently struck his chest three times.

All the Yan Sha soldiers behind him burst into low, deep calls.

Gong Yin’s body, which had been about to rush forward, suddenly froze.

Yelu Qi’s expression was shocked, as if deeply struck and swaying.

“My god…” he murmured. “They actually…”

Others didn’t understand, but were awed by the soldiers’ serious, reverent expressions and the ceremonial feel of this action.

Only Jing Hengbo remained smiling casually, thinking nothing of it. Having been grabbed to tap someone’s chest, she cheerfully commented: “Hey! Your chest muscles are also so strong!”

The Yan Sha soldier grinned, released her hand, stepped back three paces, waved to his comrades behind him, and was the first to jump off the platform.

The Yan Sha Army left without delay, just like that leaving the Jade Palace Kang Long Army on the platform, with soldiers looking at each other in confusion.

Gong Yin’s dark eyes stared intently at Jing Hengbo while slowly beckoning. The Jade Palace and Kang Long, receiving his command, gratefully hurried off the platform as well.

A tense, bloody incident turned into a farce and dispersed in the blink of an eye, all because of a few laughing words, a few actions, or perhaps just a comforting gaze.

Jing Hengbo stood on the platform, still smiling and waving goodbye: “Don’t come again next time…”

People stared at her snow-white fingers rising and falling, all somewhat bewildered. Was it these hands that obviously had never practiced martial arts that, like plucking strings, gently twisted and slowly played, dissolving an unstoppable slaughter into nothing?

The wise had some understanding—perhaps this was the so-called triumph of softness over hardness, the true character charm belonging to outstanding women?

Gong Yin’s tense body slowly relaxed. He finally sat down peacefully and reached out to accept the tea Meng Hu handed over.

Suddenly at peace.

Because he knew that hidden beneath her playful, crazy facade was a truly strong and fearless heart. One that could withstand heaven and earth’s hurricanes and storms, and endure the world’s upheavals and tribulations.

The tea was clear and blue-green, the tea leaves unfurling like clouds. At this moment, his heart also seemed to soak in this clear blue-green, warm, soft, and peaceful, with clouds rolling and unrolling.

He finally began to calmly develop curiosity about what would happen next.

How would this woman with her own inner universe continue to illuminate this moment’s Dahuang?