Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
This prison in the Ministry of War was leftover from the Hao Nation and hadn’t been used for decades. It was specially renovated to receive the emperor of the Yun Nation and was given a new bed of straw.
The cells were located underground, and when the doors were opened, there wasn’t only a musty smell, but also other strange smells.
The original color of the iron doors was no longer discernible as they were all covered by a reddish-brown rust.
The emperor of the Yun Nation and his concubines numbered more than ten and were housed separately in a few cells.
In fact, it was enough to send only the emperor, but in a rare act of kindness, Zi Donglai gave them a chance to stay together.
Regardless, they were to be escorted, so he might as well send the emperor and his harem as a package.
When the cell doors were opened, a ray of light broke through the darkness of the cells and woke the prisoners up.
The eyes of a dusty and dirty young man brightened. It wasn’t mealtime yet, so who could it be? Could it be that the empress of Dayao wanted to see them?
“Your Majesty…” the woman at his side said softly. She looked perturbed, but she stood up and picked a piece of straw out of his hair.
The woman tried to get some reassurance from him, but she was disappointed. The man didn’t pay any attention to her.
The emperor and his harem had been here for half a year.
Initially, they were expecting to see the empress of Dayao when they arrived and awaited for her to decide their fate.
Contrary to expectations, she wasn’t in Lan City, and they were put into these dark cells.
To these people who grew up in luxury, this was worse than death.
If not for a glimmer of hope, many people would rather die than be locked up in such a place.
After waiting for a few months, the empress finally returned to Lan City, and they assumed that the empress would see them immediately.
However, to their disappointment and incomprehension, Qi Zixiao didn’t show any intention of seeing them after one and a half months.
This made them feel bitter and angry. It was as if they had eaten Chinese Goldthread root.
No matter what, they were the royal family from the Yun Nation. How could Qi Zixiao do this? How did she dare to do this? Was she really prepared not to see them?
Not only did they not get to see Qi Zixiao, the officials who occasionally visited them also disappeared. Only meals were being sent to them every day and it was as if they were forgotten.
Expectations became disappointments and anger became despair.
However, their hopes were raised when they heard the footsteps.
When the doors were opened, the emperor of the Yun Nation saw a shiny body…
Even in such a dark environment, the body of the visitor was still reflecting light.
“Is Qi Zixiao going to see me?” The emperor of the Yun Nation tried to keep calm and preserve his last shreds of dignity.
If this had happened when he first arrived, he wouldn’t have been able to do it. However, after waiting for so long, he could at least control his feelings.
Ren Baqian looked at the two people inside. Their inner clothes were gray in color, and he guessed that they were originally white.
The clothes hadn’t turned black, which meant that they were treated slightly better than him.
The man was young and in his twenties, 23 according to hearsay, but he looked older than Ren Baqian.
In the face of such changes, he still could speak with such a dignified tone. It looked like he wasn’t as deplorable as they said.
As Ren Baqian had this fleeting thought, he subconsciously looked at the person behind the emperor. If the empress hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have taken notice. However, she brought it up and made him curious.
The other person’s face wasn’t neat and tidy, but it was still discernible.
She was younger than the little emperor, about 20 according to rumors, and was quite shapely. As she looked at him, she appeared worried.
Ren Baqian was stunned just by glancing at her. Her appearance couldn’t be described as delicate, but it was unique!
She had small eyes and a face like a big pancake with sesame seeds sprinkled on it.
Was this the empress of the Yun Nation?
Ren Baqian immediately had profound respect for the little emperor.
She was aesthetically distorted.
On the surface, this emperor seemed to be muddling along, but he might be ambitious and this queen probably had the talent of Zhong Wuyan[1.Zhong Wuyan: One of the four ugliest women in ancient China].
Then, he focused his attention on the emperor again.
The name “Chen Dongsheng” totally didn’t conform to the name of an emperor.
For example, that guy who was killed by skunk bombs was called Xia Bailong and the new emperor was called Xia Yijiang. Their names were more classy in comparison.
“Her Majesty doesn’t intend to see you!” Ren Baqian said frankly.
Chen Dongsheng thought that Qi Zixiao was here to see him this time. He didn’t expect to hear this and got angry, asking, “Why?”
“Why are there so many whys?” Ren Baqian groaned. “I’m here to see how you are doing!”
“When will Qi Zixiao come and see me?” Chen Dongsheng suppressed his anger and asked.
“She will see you when it’s time,” Ren Baqian replied. “Another thing, although you were previously the emperor of the Yun Nation, you are presently a prisoner. By repeatedly calling Her Majesty by name, it seems that you do not understand your present position.”
Chen Dongsheng’s face changed a few times. Was he still going to be locked up like this? Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore.
He bowed his head, closed his eyes, and said, “I’m willing to surrender to the empress of Dayao and write a letter of surrender in the name of the emperor of the Yun Nation. I hope I can receive the treatment appropriate to my status.”
After saying this, Chen Dongsheng’s body swayed. It was as if he had lost all his energy.
Ren Baqian glanced at him a few times before replying, “I will report this matter to the empress.”
As he closed the iron doors again, he heard Chen Dongsheng say loudly, “With my written letter of surrender, many people in the Yun Nation will listen to you.”
Ren Baqian shook his head slightly. Such a letter could actually reduce the amount of resistance.
After all, if even the emperor had surrendered, what else could his people do? This letter could break the fighting will of many people.
This should be his last bargaining chip to exchange for some concessions. Ren Baqian didn’t expect him to hastily state his terms before even seeing the empress.
They seemed to have broken down after being locked up for a few months.
However, this was only normal. Not only was this emperor in such a situation, he had never even thought that this would happen to him.
Even an ordinary guy would almost collapse if he was locked up and isolated for a few months. Furthermore, this was an emperor who grew up in the palace and had never faced any storms or big waves before.
Out of curiosity, Ren Baqian didn’t leave immediately. He went to the other cells to see the miserable looking concubines. They looked more normal than the queen.
After getting out of the dungeon, Ren Baqian loosened up. Being inside the dungeon was rather depressing and just taking a spin inside made him feel uncomfortable.
The feeling outside was much better.
It was close to the New Year. Many aboriginals traveled here just for the grand wedding and had brought many rare things from the mountains.
There were also caravans from the Jing Tribe and the Yun Nation that brought gifts. Lan City was crowded with people.
Such a busy scene was seldom seen during these last two years,
As the date of the wedding drew closer and closer, the atmosphere in the city became more and more cheerful. The number of fights increased in proportion to the number of people, and the Public Order Bureau was overworked.
Upon returning to the palace, Ren Baqian reported the matter to the empress.
The empress was watching the computer screen…
Ren Baqian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“Your Majesty…!”
“Your Majesty!”
“Your Majesty!” Ren Baqian finally shouted in her ears.
Boom!
Ren Baqian was smashed against the wall again.
“I heard you earlier, and I’m still deep in thought…” The empress pondered, pondered, and pondered… She seemed to be pondering, but her eyes were fixed on the screen.
