Chapter 1212: Empire and Beauty

Xia Ruqing was tied up thoroughly by Zhao Junqi and left in the center of the courtyard.

Zhao Junyao’s heart bled at the sight.

She was his wife, the woman he had cherished and cared for over the years.

Her arms, bruised and battered, had once been gently kissed by him.

Her disheveled hair had once softly brushed against his face.

Her eyes, filled with despair, had once seen the most beautiful scenes in this world.

Her neck, marked with blues and purples, had once been his most beloved place of comfort.

He held her in his palm, treating her as a treasure.

He kept her in his heart, loving her as his life.

And now.

The delicate flower he had protected for so many years was being tormented, toyed with, and threatened by another man.

How could he not be heartbroken?!

Zhao Junyao’s eyes instantly froze with icy coldness, his gaze turning as frosty as frost.

He stood at the gate wearing a dark long robe, holding a treasured sword, exuding terror.

Like an unsheathed icy sword about to strike, like an Asura from hell ready to kill instantly, like a lion enraged to the extreme.

"Let her go!"

He said just one sentence, his eyes steady.

The tone was filled with a terrifying threat that made even Xia Ruqing shiver.

Yet Zhao Junqi was unfazed.

He waved the gunpowder fuse in his hand.

"Imperial Brother!"

"You escaped last time!"

"This time, it won’t be so easy, will it?"

Xia Ruqing looked left and right anxiously, shouting loudly.

"Zhao Junyao, don’t come over!"

"There’s gunpowder ahead of you!"

Zhao Junyao halted his steps for a moment, brows furrowed as he looked around.

Xia Ruqing desperately shouted.

"Don’t come over! You better leave, don’t mind me!"

"There’s gunpowder everywhere, you..."

Zhao Junyao shot a glare her way.

"Stop the nonsense!"

"I would rather die than leave you!"

Abandoning his wife to escape is something not even an ordinary man would do, let alone an emperor.

If one truly did so.

He wouldn’t be considered a man.

Xia Ruqing fell silent instantly.

Though she worried like crazy inside, there was a sweet feeling in her heart.

"Hahaha!"

"What a desperate pair of lovers!"

"Qingqing, since I can’t have you, I can only destroy you!!"

"I wouldn’t let something I fancy fall into someone else’s hands!"

"Of course..."

He looked at Zhao Junyao maliciously.

"I won’t let someone be free and happy anymore either!"

"They say being an emperor is lonely, but I see you’re not lonely at all!"

"You have both the kingdom and beauty!"

"Zhao Junyao, aren’t you a bit too lucky, having everything as yours?"

Zhao Junyao stood there in his dark long robe, looking at him sarcastically and coldly.

"They say... what one holds in their heart, they see in everything!"

"Perhaps your heart is dark, that’s why everything appears dark to you!"

"I was born as a legitimate heir, rightfully taking my place. Why should I give it to you!"

"Do you feel... everyone owes you something?"

These words were well said, and Xia Ruqing just wanted to applaud.

But considering Zhao Junqi’s expression next to her, hmm, it seemed best not to add to her troubles.

If this guy went mad once more.

It would end up involving either herself or Zhao Junyao.

However.

Even if she didn’t applaud, Zhao Junqi had little patience or tolerance.

He was clearly on the verge of madness.

"Born to be yours!"

"You’re indeed your ruthless father’s good son!"

"All of them are worse than beasts, despicable and shameless!!"

Zhao Junyao’s heart was filled with rage, but he kept a controlled exterior.

He coldly glanced around.

Seeing that the soil around the courtyard indeed showed signs of being moved, suggesting there might be gunpowder, he dared not act rashly.

Lowering his head, he frowned and pondered how to rescue her.

Zhao Junqi, seeing him silent, lost his patience.

He squinted, raising the fuse in his hand.

"Have all your men retreat three miles away, or... I’ll kill her!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Junyao frowned deeply.

"Don’t listen to him!" Xia Ruqing panicked.

This person is unbelievably shameless, if Zhao Junyao’s men leave, perhaps they both won’t get out!

"No!"

"Zhao Junyao, you’re the Emperor, you can’t die!"

"Zhao Junyao, you..."

Zhao Junyao suddenly looked sharply at her.

"Impudent!"

"Do you, as a woman, have the right to intervene in my decisions?"

Xia Ruqing: "..."

She was stunned for a moment, tears instantly gushing out.

’You bastard, playing cool at a time like this!’

’Can’t you have some awareness of being an Emperor, you can’t die!’

’You must live!’

Zhao Junyao still gave the order.

"Everyone get out!"

"Retreat to three miles away and wait! Without my command, nobody is allowed to approach!"

"Emperor!"

"Emperor, think thrice about this!"

"Emperor!"

Imperial Censor Zhou and Commander Xu each bowed down!

Xia Ruqing cried like rain.

"No!"

With Zhao Junyao and this many people, there was still hope.

If he’s left alone, they’re bound to die!

How shameless and psychopathic Zhao Junqi was, she didn’t even want to recall.

She cried helplessly, shaking her head desperately, her entire body trembling.

Yes, she was truly scared.

If it weren’t for her, Zhao Junyao wouldn’t be here.

If he didn’t come, he wouldn’t be in danger.

She feared death, but feared even more that everyone would die because of her.

She felt guilty!

Yet Zhao Junyao remained fearless, standing tall with a calm demeanor. Once everyone retreated.

He calmly put away his sword and said composedly.

"What do you want? As long as I can do it, I’ll fulfill your wish!"

Zhao Junqi burst into laughter upon hearing this.

"What do I want?"

"Hahaha..."

"I want you to taste all the pain I’ve suffered in half my life."

"I want you to feel the agony of a father’s paralysis, to taste losing what’s most beloved!"

"Are you willing?"

"Today, everything that’s happening is your retribution, it’s your punishment!"

"Once you’re dead, my father’s spirit can rest peacefully!"

Zhao Junyao’s expression turned cold, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"His paralysis is his own doing!"

"If you want people not to know, you must not do it yourself!"

"You shut up!" Zhao Junqi suddenly shouted.

Zhao Junyao’s gaze burned fiercely, feeling deeply anxious.

"Tell me directly what you want, I have no time for circles!"

"Hahaha..."

Zhao Junqi laughed again.

"You can’t be bothered with circles, you’re feeling guilty, aren’t you!"

"It’s a rare sight, Zhao Junyao actually feeling guilty!"

"From childhood to adulthood, you were born with a halo, you were the Crown Prince, everyone revolved around you!"

"The best food, the best toys, the best things!"

"All were yours!"

"Even now!"

"Even the best woman is yours!"

Xia Ruqing: "..." The best? He’s out of his mind!

Zhao Junyao remained silent.

Zhao Junqi continued.

"Since you’re asking what I want, I won’t be polite!"

"I want the kingdom!"

"If you immediately decree to transfer the throne to me, then I’ll let her go and you can be happy together, how about that?"

"The kingdom and beauty, you can’t have both, can you?"