Chapter 10: She Is Raising Him Secretly

Xiao Li went to the Emperor's small study. Xiao Jingyi appeared out of nowhere, quickly pulling her away with a look of dread on his face: "Imperial Sister, why did you come here with that man?"

Xiao Li: "Who is he? Are you afraid of him?"

"You don't recognize Eunuch Lou Yan?"

Xiao Jingyi thought about how Xiao Li had been chasing Lu Yanzhi all this time, so it wasn't surprising that she didn't know him.

"He's a high-ranking eunuch who was only promoted last month. Don't let his young age fool you; his methods are ruthless. He used to work in the Punishment Bureau, doing the kind of work that involves flaying people alive."

"Others climbed the ranks through age and seniority, but he fought his way up through sheer capability. Whoever becomes his direct superior, he cuts them down. The previous Head Perfume Eunuch died at his hands, and several competitors died one after another until it was finally his turn."

It was clear that Xiao Jingyi was truly afraid of that eunuch: "I don't know what Imperial Brother is thinking, insisting on keeping such a fierce person by his side. It's terrifying."

Xiao Li, however, was not surprised: How could an Emperor not have a handy blade by his side?

This Lou Yan was clearly a blade the Emperor found very useful, so it wasn't strange that he carried such a sinister, cold, and violent aura.

Of course, a tool like this for an Emperor would inevitably be killed by a successor to serve as a sacrificial banner.

The Emperor, Xiao Yunyun, seemed to be in a good mood, having ordered tea to be prepared for them.

"Xuan Yang, you did very well tonight. Your brother is very gratified. I knew you couldn't bear to part with Lu Yanzhi. It is not too late to return to the right path; your brother is also happy for you."

The Emperor was taking advantage of the situation to act patronizing. Xiao Li set down her teacup, her expression turning fierce: "Imperial Brother is mistaken. I simply cannot swallow this grievance."

"Lu Yanzhi has neglected me for three years, not even letting me touch a single finger of his. If I were to just divorce him like this, wouldn't that be letting him off too easy?"

"Heh, he made me suffer for three years, so I will absolutely not let him live a peaceful life either. He doesn't want to be the Consort, but I will make him one. If he won't touch me, I'll keep ten or eight male concubines just to let the whole world mock him. I want to make him regret it to his very core, making him live a life of pain and despair!"

The Emperor and Prince Wei stared at each other in shock, seeing the same realization in each other's eyes: It's over, Xuan Yang (Imperial Sister) has been driven mad by provocation.

The Emperor sternly stated that keeping male concubines was unacceptable—did they not care about the dignity of the Imperial Family?

Xiao Li expressed that she understood the dignity of the Imperial Family, which was why she would raise them in secret, letting only the Consort know, so as never to damage the family's reputation.

The Emperor: "..." You certainly thought of everything.

What a headache.

Prince Wei: "..." Imperial Sister is amazing!!

"It is getting late, go back quickly."

Xiao Li walked away with her head held high. The Emperor wiped his face, wondering why he suddenly felt a sense of worldly weariness; he didn't know if this change in his sister was for better or worse.

However, thinking that his sister's love had turned to hate and her target was the Lu family, he supposed it should be a good thing for him...

***

Xiao Li returned to the Princess's Manor. Nanny Li and Hong Yue along with the others had prepared all the washing supplies to serve her meticulously.

Scented baths, essential oil massages—they did whatever was most comfortable.

Although she was trapped in this brainless story, as a Princess, she was quite satisfied with these luxuries.

She put on her nightgown, dried her hair, and prepared to sleep comfortably.

"Princess," a guard reported at the door: "Reporting to the Princess, the Consort has come again, and he is reeking of alcohol."

Xiao Li, who had been in a great mood, instantly flared up with rage: "You couldn't stop him once, and you couldn't stop him twice. What use are you?"

"Please forgive us, Princess!"

Xiao Li felt annoyed, but she also understood. It was because she wasn't powerful enough yet to give her subordinates the confidence to offend others.

To bully others with your status, you must first have status to rely on.

Noble identity is useless because there is always someone more noble; the most important thing is power.

Those with great power make even the Emperor wary; those with insufficient power must watch the expressions of even the Emperor.

As expected, no matter the world or the setting, the only constant is that the strong prevail.

*Crash!*

A wine bottle was smashed through the doorway. The maids inside rushed to shield Xiao Li, fearing the broken porcelain shards might injure her.

Lu Yanzhi entered, reeking of alcohol, his gait unsteady. He no longer possessed that aloof and elegant demeanor; instead, he was shrouded in a dark gloom. His cheeks were flushed an unnatural red from the intoxication, and his eyes, half-drunk and half-sober, were bloodshot. Hatred surged within him like a beast released from its seal, looking as if he wanted to devour people.

Seeing Xiao Li, his hatred immediately found its target, pressing down on her without concealment: "You went to such lengths and used such unscrupulous means just because you wanted to consummate our marriage, didn't you? I'll agree to it. Are you satisfied now?"

He looked filled with resentment and humiliation, as if he were about to swallow a fly, yet also possessed a ferocity as if he wanted to tear a piece of flesh from Xiao Li's body.

Xiao Li couldn't be bothered to waste words with him. She grabbed a water pitcher nearby and splashed the entire contents directly into his face.

"Wake up your pig brain before you speak to this Princess again!"

Lu Yanzhi was clearly not sober, and he was further provoked: "Get out! Everyone else, get out!"

He roared, his eyes fixed deathly on Xiao Li as if he wanted to eat her.

Seeing him like this, who would dare leave? Instead, they all moved closer to Xiao Li, shielding her in the middle.

Did Lu Yanzhi think Xiao Li would be afraid if he acted crazed?

Ridiculous!

"Everyone, out!"

Nanny Qian was worried: "Princess, the Consort is drunk, you—"

What Xiao Li hated most were people who couldn't help her or solve her problems, yet acted as if they were worried about her well-being.

"Out!"

The group hesitantly filed out.

"Close the door!"

The intentionally left-open door was shut.

With no one else around, Lu Yanzhi's ferocity was fully revealed. With a heart full of accumulated hatred, he immediately lunged at Xiao Li, looking as if he wanted to strangle her to death.

Without hesitation, Xiao Li delivered a sharp slap to his face.

*Slap!*

Lu Yanzhi had been seven parts drunk; now he was only three parts drunk.

His eyes were red, but mostly with shock: "You hit me?"

Xiao Li sneered: "What, weren't you the one rushing to get hit?"

She was about to sleep, yet she had to deal with this wretched thing.

Xiao Li grabbed him by the collar, used her strength to throw him violently to the ground, and in her burning rage, lunged at him to tear his clothes.

*Rip! Rip!*

No matter how expensive summer fabrics were, they couldn't withstand such force and tore easily.

Xiao Li was as ruthless as a hunting wolf. Even though Lu Yanzhi was a man, he couldn't hold her off for a moment, and it looked as if he was about to be stripped naked.

"Stop! Stop it, quickly!"

Lu Yanzhi was now completely sober, and his hatred had dwindled, replaced only by the terror of a sheep walking into a tiger's mouth. He struggled frantically, his eyes full of panic: "Someone! Someone, come quickly..."

Lu Yanzhi was calling out, and the group guarding outside heard him, but they all hesitated and did not move.

The one being "injured" wasn't the Princess, so it was better not to go in and disturb her "pleasures."

Judging by the sound of tearing clothes... well, the Consort probably won't die.

Haha, let's give the brothers and younger siblings a little shock.

(End of Chapter)