Chapter 11: Disfigured, You're Threatening Me

Even though her hair was being yanked so hard that her scalp went numb, Ziqing’s sharp eyes still refused to even glance at Han Xi'er. Instead, they were locked firmly onto Prime Minister Han, who had remained motionless on the side!

"Look at me!"

Han Xi'er roared, unable to endure Han Ziqing’s disdain. She had gone to such great lengths to come up with this perfect plan to subdue this wretched girl; she had to humiliate and take revenge on her properly!

However, Ziqing let her shout, seemingly indifferent to the point that she could let her body be handled however the other pleased, yet she stubbornly refused to look at her.

"Han Ziqing, I order you to look at me!"

Han Xi'er bellowed, yanking her hair fiercely to force her face around. Who would have thought that the moment Ziqing turned her head, she would immediately spit a mouthful of saliva right onto her face!

"Ah..." Han Xi'er shrieked, hurriedly letting go to wipe her face frantically. Just as she was about to swing a slap, she saw that Ziqing had already turned her head away, not treating her as a threat at all, but rather as if she were air!

Her hand froze instantly. How could this wretched girl be so calm? How could she not take her seriously?

She was the one in control of everything now; she could grant her life or demand her death!

Yet, looking at Han Ziqing’s sharp, defined profile, she felt an involuntary tremor of fear. She couldn't bring herself to strike, and instead, felt a strange sense of being controlled by her!

Just then, Ziqing spoke coldly, "Father, Qing'er can stake her life on this: aside from me, even the most brilliant divine doctor would not be able to heal Elder Sister’s face in under two months! The selection is imminent; if Elder Sister is not afraid of being disqualified, you are welcome to ruin me right now!"

As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately jolted Prime Minister Han and Han Xi'er back to reality.

The selection of the consort at the Prime Minister’s residence was decreed by the Emperor himself, and it was something Prime Minister Han had spent years scheming to secure.

This was a grand event hosted by the Prime Minister, involving a bottom-up selection process to choose ten young ladies for Prince Yao to select his consort from, and the venue was the Prime Minister’s residence itself.

One had to know that marrying Prince Yao was an honor second only to being the Empress!

Who was Prince Yao? Prince Yao was the God of War of Great Zhou!

The Crown Prince of Great Zhou had unfortunately passed away from illness at the age of fifteen. Although the old Emperor had many sons, the most capable were the Second Prince and the Fourth Prince.

The Second Prince, Jun Sichen, was erudite and renowned throughout the world, favored by the Emperor. Furthermore, his mother came from the Left General’s mansion and controlled one-third of Great Zhou’s military power. Thus, although he did not occupy the Eastern Palace, he held immense power at court, second only to the Emperor.

Yet, no matter how glorious he was, he could not compare to the Fourth Prince, Jun Beiyue. This prince was granted the title of Prince at a young age—the only one among all the princes to be so honored. The Emperor personally bestowed upon him the title "Yao," signifying that his brilliance shone like the sun, moon, and stars over the land of Great Zhou, comparable to the majesty of the Emperor himself!

It was not for nothing; it was because at fifteen, he had traveled a thousand miles alone, single-handedly charging into the seven Youyun prefectures in northern Great Zhou, killing the rebel generals and quelling the chaos in the northern border. At sixteen, he formed the ace cavalry unit, the "Eighteen Riders of the Dark Night," to guard the four gates of the Imperial Capital. At seventeen, he led an army of three hundred thousand to force the Western Jing army to retreat without a single battle.

There was a saying among the people: As long as Prince Yao does not fall, Great Zhou shall prosper forever!

Prince Yao’s biological mother was a palace maid who died in childbirth; he had no support from maternal relatives. In the court, he had always walked alone, never forming cliques. His glory never relied on anyone; he was a source of light himself, dazzling and brilliant!

Had his mother not been of lowly status, he would have long been the Crown Prince of Great Zhou. How many powerful figures in the court were constantly coveting the position of Princess Yao!

Though it was called a selection, the Emperor’s bias was very obvious. However, obvious as it was, Prince Yao was the final hurdle.

Now that the selection was imminent, such a thing had happened to Han Xi'er. Once this opportunity was missed, there would be no second chance!

The Han Prime Minister’s residence had only one legitimate daughter, and she had even received the Emperor’s tacit approval behind the scenes. If her face were ruined, where would they find a second Han Xi'er?

"You are threatening me!"

Han Xi'er was furious and swung a slap down. Ziqing dodged to the side, collapsing weakly to the floor. Her body was frail and her long hair was disheveled, but those clear eyes were cold and piercing. Far from looking pathetic or defeated, she appeared inviolable and impossible to look down upon!

"Yes, I am threatening you!"