Chapter 102
Chapter 102: She Was Once My Junior Sister
Wan Yan Qian was taken aback by Shi Zi Chu’s ambition, yet there was a spark of excitement rising within her. Without hesitation, she declared, “I want to! I want to enter the court!”
In a feudal dynasty like this, carving out a path to success was a dream come true!
Shi Zi Chu smiled brightly, a gentle warmth in her expression. “For next year’s imperial exams, I hope you will become the top scholar.”
Wan Yan Qian took a deep breath. “Yes!” she replied with determination.
Shi Zi Chu clapped her hands, and a maid appeared to take Wan Yan Qian to learn about the exam process.
“I’m going to take control of the military.” Meng Xi Yu’s cold voice echoed in the room.
Shi Zi Chu chuckled softly. “A’Yu understands me.”
If only Jiang Wan Sheng were around; then, she’d have one more sharp blade in her hand.
Meng Xi Yu added, “With you growing your power like this, Clan Chief Ye will likely take action.”
One mountain cannot accommodate two tigers, especially when it comes to the dragon throne. The bed beside the throne was no place for others to sleep soundly.
“I know.” Shi Zi Chu nodded, her expression calm and harmless. “Although I have no experience in killing my husband, I’ll definitely be seasoned at it in the future.”
Meng Xi Yu paused in silence for a moment before speaking. “You and Clan Chief Ye are quite the match.”
Shi Zi Chu had considered killing her husband, and Ye He Qi had likely thought of killing his wife too. Both of them were hypocritical and ruthless—beautiful and gentle on the outside, yet filled with murderous intent on the inside. It was a wonder they had lived in harmony for five years.
“Don’t disgust me,” Shi Zi Chu waved her hand. “I’m not looking to shorten my life.”
Ye He Qi deserved someone pure and ignorant, while she, with all her cunning, was the perfect match for his calculating mind.
Meng Xi Yu said, “I’ll see you later.”
Shi Zi Chu responded, “Until then.”
After Meng Xi Yu left, Shi Zi Chu was escorted by Ye He Qi’s guards to the imperial palace.
The golden throne hall stood before her, pristine and orderly as though nothing had ever happened.
A man in a moon-white robe sat on the dragon throne, his features exquisitely sharp yet gentle.
Shi Zi Chu stepped into the hall, gazing at Ye He Qi with a slight tilt of her head.
“Would you like to experience it?” Ye He Qi asked with a soft smile.
Shi Zi Chu lifted the hem of her skirt, stepping up the stairs with measured grace until she stood before him, gazing down at him. “Husband, are you planning to share the world with me?”
“I have no habit of sharing power,” Ye He Qi replied with a light laugh. “I imagine Madam feels the same way.”
After years of playing the loving couple, Ye He Qi had long since grown accustomed to such endearing words. What had once been difficult for him to utter now slipped from his tongue easily, a testament to how much he had enjoyed pestering Shi Zi Chu.
Shi Zi Chu shifted the conversation with a smile. “With the shifting of the imperial power, I wonder if Husband’s dear little sister will come to visit.”
Ye He Qi patted the dragon throne, gesturing for her to sit.
Shi Zi Chu didn’t hesitate, lowering herself gracefully onto the seat.
She ran her fingers over the dragon-shaped armrest, her gaze distant, fixed on the dawn breaking beyond the hall.
…
Because of Shi Zi Chu’s efforts, Ye He Qi was pushed from crown prince to emperor in just a few days.
[Task Three Complete!]
When the artifact spirit notified her, Shi Zi Chu was in the imperial study, watching Ye He Qi review official documents.
She paused for a moment, a pleased smile forming on her face.
“Madam, don’t be too happy just yet,” Ye He Qi said, handing her a document. “Young Master Jiang is the emperor of Jiang Kingdom, and Ji Mo Li is the emperor of Jimo Kingdom.”
Shi Zi Chu took the document, scanning it as she muttered, “And with the two from Chu Kingdom, it really is… troublesome.”
Because of Chu Zhi Rou, the alliance between Ji Mo Li and Chu Zhi Sheng was inevitable. As for Jiang Wan Sheng, he was a madman who might very well attack Zhou Kingdom to claim her for himself.
The situation was becoming unfavorable.
Ye He Qi leaned back in his chair, watching her as she read, his eyes filled with interest.
The luxurious palace gown of the crown prince’s consort accentuated Shi Zi Chu’s striking presence—elegant, powerful, yet still commanding. As she flipped through the document, her aura of ambition and power radiated even more than her beautiful appearance.
Shi Zi Chu’s gaze, once on the document, shifted to Ye He Qi’s face.
Their eyes met—two pairs of warm, affectionate eyes filled with a silent understanding.
“I’ll guard the city.”
“I’ll lead the army.”
They spoke in unison. Their laughter, soft and clear, filled the imperial study.
Shi Zi Chu leaned on the desk, eyes glinting playfully as she looked at Ye He Qi. “Husband, you won’t skimp on the military funds, will you?”
Ye He Qi placed the document neatly aside. “Madam, you won’t rebel, will you?”
“I’ll try my best,” she replied lightly.
Ye He Qi chuckled at her familiar tone, mimicking her words. “I’ll try my best too.”
Shi Zi Chu clicked her tongue, raising a hand to mimic the gesture of slitting a throat—an unmistakable threat.
They exchanged a few more words before Ye He Qi returned to his work. Shi Zi Chu continued to watch.
Life in the palace was no different from their time in Heng Prefecture. They were still busy with their own affairs.
After the coronation, both Ye He Qi and Shi Zi Chu found themselves even busier.
Once the situation in Zhou Kingdom was stable, Ye He Qi proposed the establishment of female officials.
This suggestion was met with resistance from the court officials, but after a few days of negotiation, Ye He Qi’s patience ran thin.
That night, in the empress’s palace.
Shi Zi Chu was at her desk, looking over the account books when Ye He Qi, freshly bathed, walked over in his nightclothes. He glanced at her for a moment before sitting down beside her, not disturbing her.
“The plan to promote female officials is being obstructed?” Shi Zi Chu asked without looking up.
Ye He Qi sighed, resting his head in his hand. “Sometimes, I really feel like being a tyrant.”
“Go ahead,” Shi Zi Chu responded, glancing at his tired face. “If you’re tired, go to sleep. I’ll finish up and come to you.”
Ye He Qi nodded.
After Shi Zi Chu finished the account books and freshened up, she went to rest. Ye He Qi, pretending to nap, lay on his side with his eyes closed.
She stepped over him, tucking the blanket in, and as she did, his weary voice called out, “Chu Kingdom isn’t peaceful. You’ll head out with the army tomorrow.”
Shi Zi Chu responded with a nod. “The daughters of noble families are well-educated. You can use that angle to push for female officials.”
Ye He Qi nodded in understanding. “General Yao is old, so the imperial edict to appoint Yao Ruo Ruo as general will accompany you to Qingheng Pass.”
…
The two of them lay in bed, keeping a proper distance between them, enough space to fit two pillows. Their relationship was devoid of warmth, built on years of careful distance and vigilance.
The next morning, Shi Zi Chu set out with the army toward Qingheng Pass.
Yao Ruo Ruo, upon receiving the imperial edict, was overjoyed; her task was complete at last!
The elderly General Yao watched the young Shi Zi Chu and Yao Ruo Ruo, silently admiring that he had made the right choice all those years ago.
…
The calm of Qingheng Pass was shattered by Zhou Kingdom, as Shi Zi Chu’s envoy was killed in Chu Kingdom.
War broke out. Under Yao Ruo Ruo’s leadership, the well-trained army struck Chu Kingdom by surprise.
Emperor Chu Zhi Sheng, leading his army, was shot dead by Shi Zi Chu with a single arrow.
The defeat of Chu Kingdom was so swift it left everyone in shock.
Jimo Kingdom had not yet come to their aid, but Shi Zi Chu and Yao Ruo Ruo had already captured sixteen cities.
When they entered the imperial palace of Chu Kingdom, Chu Zhi Rou sat on the dragon throne, her majestic appearance and regal crown still projecting an air of nobility.
Yao Ruo Ruo rolled her eyes.
They were prisoners now. Who was she trying to impress with that act?
Shi Zi Chu spoke gently, “Ruo Ruo, she is my former junior sister. I’ll speak with her alone.”
Yao Ruo Ruo nodded and, trusting in Shi Zi Chu’s strength, left with her guards.
Only Chu Zhi Rou and Shi Zi Chu remained in the golden throne hall.