Chapter Four: Be My Empress

Suddenly, Tang Yu thought of the Southern Barbarians.

So you want me to cede territory? Very well, very well! Just wait and see how I’ll make you cry for mercy.

Having made up his mind, Tang Yu turned to Murong Yun, his gaze uncharacteristically calm.

“Commander Murong, heed my decree. Leave at once with my verbal command, order the Murong Army to thoroughly investigate all remaining conspirators, and imprison them in the Heavenly Prison to await my judgment.”

Murong Yun’s eyes lit up, as if realizing something, and he looked at Tang Yu for confirmation.

The task itself was not difficult—the real question was whether His Majesty possessed the resolve.

Tang Yu saw Murong Yun’s intent, his own gaze sharpening.

“If anyone dares defy my order, execute them on the spot and hang their heads at the palace gates, so all under heaven may see and know!”

“Your servant accepts the command!”

Murong Yun’s voice rang out with an excitement he had never before known. At last, His Majesty had awakened; at last, Daxia would see the dawn!

With that, he withdrew with his men.

Only Tang Yu and Ye Yue remained in the great hall.

A fatigue never before seen settled over Tang Yu’s face; with the tension released, exhaustion swept through him. He simply slumped down onto the steps, gazing at the silent Ye Yue.

She looked to be of an age with him, yet her face no longer bore any trace of girlish delicacy—only a cool determination remained. Her eyes seemed to hold the wisdom of all the world, steadier now for all they’d seen.

Had she not carried the burden of protecting him, perhaps she would have been like other girls: innocent and kind, with no need to stain her hands with blood or become a figure of fear.

“Ye Yue, in truth, I was at fault before—allowing Consort Su to cloud my judgment and chill your heart.

I know all that has transpired. This time, you risked your life to rescue me, overcoming countless hardships along the way. What reward do you desire?”

At these words, the frost on Ye Yue’s face seemed to melt, surprise coloring her features as she stared at Tang Yu. He called her Ye Yue?

Tang Yu paused, momentarily uncertain.

Had he said something amiss? He had only recently taken over the body of the original Tang Yu—if anyone noticed, wouldn’t he die here before even leaving the beginner’s village?

He cleared his throat, forcing himself to appear calm as he met Ye Yue’s gaze.

Her expression remained unreadable, not the slightest hint of relaxation, as she shook her head.

“To protect Your Majesty is my duty. If Your Majesty truly intends to turn over a new leaf, then please, address the crisis before you.

The Southern Barbarians harass our borders without end, coveting our land under the guise of peace. Within the court, traitors hold sway, corrupt officials protect each other, and rot eats away at us from inside and out.

This year, the number of refugees has multiplied. The whole of Daxia is in dire straits, the common people in utter misery.

Today, though you have ordered the removal of the traitors loyal to Consort Su, it is far from enough—the true mastermind is Chancellor Su…”

By the end, her strength seemed to drain from her.

Corruption had sunk into the very bones of the empire; to restore Daxia would not be the work of a day.

Tang Yu’s face grew somber at her words.

He had been a fool in the past, neglecting a fine woman for that wretched Consort Su, nearly losing his life for it.

Now that he had crossed time and space to be here, if he couldn’t survive, everyone around him would be doomed as well.

Tang Yu rose and walked to Ye Yue’s side, pondering for a moment before speaking:

“Don’t worry. I can do it. Su Li is nothing but a minor obstacle.”

Ye Yue shook her head with a self-mocking smile. If only it were so simple; once, she too had thought Su Li could be easily eliminated. Yet he was surrounded by layers of powerful protectors, with countless officials backing him both openly and in secret.

No one could touch him in the slightest.

A flicker of heartache appeared in Tang Yu’s eyes. So young, and yet she had given so much to protect him, to safeguard Daxia. If the former Tang Yu had shown half her dedication, things would never have come to this pass.

“If you don’t believe me, are you willing to make a wager?

If I eradicate Su Li and his faction, save the people from suffering, and restore Daxia’s glory, you must grant me one request!”

His tone was playful, lightening the oppressive air.

Ye Yue’s eyes softened a little, as if she were an old soul looking at a child. She nodded.

There must always be hope in life. Perhaps, with the Emperor’s change of heart, she might yet live to see him destroy Su Li.

But saving the people, restoring Daxia’s glory—such things were too much to hope for.

Yet, her expression grew more earnest than ever as she replied,

“Very well, I accept the wager. But Your Majesty must promise me three things and keep your word no matter what the circumstance, come wind or rain.”

Tang Yu nodded, joy flickering in his heart.

“Speak!”

“First, govern diligently and keep away from brothels and taverns; let not women or pleasures ruin your resolve and rob you of ambition.

Second, distinguish the loyal from the treacherous; do not be swayed by slanderous words, lest you bring disaster upon the nation. Otherwise, I cannot guarantee I will be able to protect Your Majesty a second time.

Third, Your Majesty’s health has been depleted by years of indulgence. You must train in martial arts with me, so that even in my absence, you can defend yourself.”

Ye Yue’s gaze was searching; over the years, she had said these things to the Emperor more than once, but he had never truly listened. She doubted whether he would agree now.

To her surprise, Tang Yu agreed without hesitation.

“I promise you!”

“Truly?”

“Truly.”

Ye Yue frowned slightly. Was the Emperor really so quick to agree? Could a lifetime’s habits be changed overnight?

“But I have one condition,” Tang Yu said, suddenly smiling with a seriousness that made Ye Yue pause. “If I accomplish these things, you must marry me and become my Empress.”

His eyes were gentle. Even if he knew little of love, he could see that this woman had devoted herself to him, cared for him with all her heart.

Any man would be loath to let go of such a woman.

She might appear cold and deadly, but beneath that mask, Ye Yue was still just a girl.

What’s more, she was strikingly beautiful—her every glance captivating, standing there like an immortal descended to earth, untouched by the mundane world.

Whenever she smiled, Tang Yu was left dazed, wishing she might always have such joy.

Yet, hearing his earnest words, Ye Yue’s gaze turned cold, the very air in the Golden Throne Hall seeming to drop several degrees.

“Your Majesty, there are boundaries between ruler and subject.”

Her voice was not only cold but also distant.

Anyone else would think the Emperor was up to his old tricks again—jumping out of Consort Su’s pit, only to fall into another beauty’s. What difference did it make?

Tang Yu pursed his lips. It seemed he was still branded as a pleasure-seeking fool.

Damn it!

He was in no rush to clear his name; a reputation like that couldn’t be changed in a day. So, he played the fool.

“I don’t care. If you won’t agree, I won’t govern. Let someone else be Emperor—whoever wants it can have it. As for the Empress Dowager’s instructions to protect me, ignore them; don’t protect me anymore. I’m just mud that can’t be shaped.”

This display left Ye Yue trembling with anger and disappointment. If not for the Empress Dowager’s instructions, she would have given Tang Yu a good lesson then and there.