Chapter 217: Chapter 217 Concubine Mei
He had originally raised his troops under the banner of restoring Daqianâs orthodoxy, so it made sense for him to be willing to have his imperial status returned and then manipulate the situation as he saw fit, didnât it?
As for the three commanderies he had already conquered, he had returned them to Daqian.
This was something Chu Xiong couldnât understand. Why would Qingchen, that traitor, willingly give up the prize he had already acquired? It didnât make logical sense.
The manâs actions were like a child playing house. He would attack Daqian, return the lost territory, and then suddenly stop fighting.
If he didnât want to fight anymore, he should have just gone back where he came from. Instead, he set up camp and stubbornly refused to move.
It was truly maddening.
Whenever people were sent to negotiate with him, he would avoid them.
In any case, he was a traitor, and they had no way to deal with him. Fighting him would require a great deal of manpower and resources, but not fighting him meant he wouldnât retreat or surrender, remaining like a dagger plunged into Daqianâs heart.
In the end, both sides became locked in a stalemate, neither willing to withdraw their troops.
If he wanted to raise troops, then they would fight.
To return to the matter at hand, Chu Xiong felt comfortable under Concubine Meiâs administrations and gradually drifted off to sleep.
Concubine Mei removed Chu Xiongâs clothes and laid him flat on the bed.
She waved away her maidservant and her attending nanny, then closed the palace doors.
At that moment, a woman emerged from behind the bed.
The woman, about sixteen years of age and dressed in red, possessed an ethereal beauty. She gracefully approached Chu Xiong, took his wrist, and checked his pulse.
âRed Messenger, heâs already asleep. Can we proceed tonight?â Concubine Mei asked.
After a moment, the Red Messenger replied, âTomorrow morning will be fine. Remember the incantation I taught you. When he opens his eyes and sees you, just recite it while looking into his eyes.â
Concubine Mei curtsied to the Red Messenger, âI understand.â
The Red Messenger looked at her and said, âRemember the Young Masterâs important affairs. You mustnât ruin them. Otherwise, you know the Young Masterâs methods.â
A warning was still necessary. Now that Concubine Mei was this dog Emperorâs woman, it was hard to say if she might develop ideas she shouldnât.
Concubine Mei said with sincerity and trepidation, âRest assured, Red Messenger. I will absolutely not ruin the Young Masterâs important affairs.â
âAs long as you remember. Iâll be on my way then. Iâll be waiting for your good news.â
Concubine Mei said, âRespectfully sending off the Red Messenger.â
With a flash, the Red Messenger disappeared from the bedchamber.
Once the Red Messenger had gone, Concubine Mei wiped the fine beads of sweat from her forehead. The Red Messengerâs aura of intimidation was too strong; in her presence, Concubine Mei always felt her heart pound with fear.
Concubine Mei glanced at Chu Xiong on the bed, took off her own clothes, and lay down beside him, turning her head away in disgust.
At Red Leaf Villa, what girl wouldnât be captivated by the Young Master? She was no different.
Even without the Red Messengerâs warning, she would never betray the Young Master.
She remembered entering Red Leaf Villa at the age of five. She underwent all sorts of training until, at fourteen, she saw the legendary Young Master Qingchen for the first time.
That one fleeting glimpse was enough for her heart to be lost to Qingchen. Like the other girls, meeting Qingchen meant her life was forever his.
Everyone knew it was one of Qingchenâs techniques for winning loyalty, yet they couldnât help but fall deeply for him, unable to pull themselves away.
There was no need for anything like a Mind-Control cursed insect; Qingchen already possessed the hearts of those girls.
It had to be said, he was successful. Not a single girl who came from Red Leaf Villa would ever betray him.
ăThe next dayă
When Chu Xiong opened his eyes and saw the beauty in the crook of his arm, he couldnât help but kiss her brow.
Concubine Mei had woken long ago. Now, she feigned having just awoken, opening her beautiful eyes and smiling faintly at Chu Xiong.
âBeloved Concubine.â Chu Xiongâs Adamâs apple bobbed as he stared at Concubine Mei, his hand caressing her cheek.
Concubine Mei met Chu Xiongâs gaze and muttered an incomprehensible phrase.
As soon as she finished speaking, Chu Xiongâs eyes became dull for a moment. Then, an inexplicable feeling emerged in his heart, as if he were Concubine Meiâs slave and had no choice but to do her bidding.
He shook his head, trying to dispel the absurd thought.
Indeed, the feeling disappeared.
He chuckled self-deprecatingly.
It must be an illusion, brought on by how much he adored Concubine Mei.
âYour Majesty, itâs time to get up. You still have to attend the morning court,â Concubine Mei gently removed his hand and whispered to Chu Xiong.
âYes, itâs time to get up.â Chu Xiong got out of bed.
âYour Majesty, will you come here again tonight?â asked Concubine Mei while helping Chu Xiong wash up and get dressed.
âI will,â Chu Xiong replied without hesitation.
âYour Majesty, you come to my chambers every day. The other consorts must want to eat me alive,â Concubine Mei said, a glint in her eyes.
âHow could they? Tomorrow, I shall make you the Empress! Letâs see who dares say anything against my beloved Concubine then!â Chu Xiong blurted out, without a trace of hesitation.
âNo, no, no, how could I accept the position of Empress at this time?â Concubine Mei shook her head, looking frightened.
Chu Xiong grabbed her hand, âWhy not?â
âWith Nanhu County still suppressing a rebellion, how could this servant accept the position of Empress now? The court officials would surely curse this servant to death, calling me a disastrously bewitching empress who brings ruin to the country and its people,â Concubine Mei said with a charming smile that didnât reach her eyes. She watched Chu Xiong intently for his reaction.
Indeed, Chu Xiong hesitated for a moment, then nodded. âMy beloved Concubine speaks wisely. How could I let my beloved Concubine be wronged? Then, does my beloved Concubine have a solution that achieves both aims?â
A glint flashed in Concubine Meiâs eyes. The Mind-Control cursed insect was truly formidable! Today, Chu Xiong spoke to her entirely according to her wishes. He even boldly discussed making her the Empress, and he actually considered it!
In the past, anyone who dared utter the word âEmpressâ before him would have been beheaded. But nowâŠ
She could obtain it easily, but she didnât care for it. One day, when the Young Master ascended to that position, she hoped to be his consort. Of course, becoming his Empress was something she didnât even dare to dream of.
Concubine Mei looked into Chu Xiongâs eyes and asked, âYour Majesty, do you know who Young Master Qingchen is?â
Chu Xiong frowned. âDidnât he say heâs the orthodox imperial heir and demand that I return the country to him?â
âThen why not restore his status?â Concubine Meiâs tone was slightly cold, and after saying this, she observed Chu Xiongâs behavior closely.
âOh? Is that what my beloved Concubine thinks?â Seeing Concubine Meiâs face turn cold, Chu Xiong actually grew worriedâworried that Concubine Mei was displeased.
Chu Xiong just furrowed his brow.
Seeing Chu Xiong appear somewhat fearful of her displeasure, Concubine Meiâs heart leaped with joy. She boldly continued, âYes, Your Majesty is the Emperor. When you issue an edict, who would dare to defy you? Wouldnât this save the trouble of internal conflict? In the future, wouldnât the troops under Young Master Qingchenâs command become Your Majestyâs troops?â
Chu Xiong nodded.
Concubine Meiâs idea is indeed quite good.
âMm, I shall issue an edict later.â Chu Xiong patted Concubine Meiâs hand, kissed her on the cheek, and then left Huayang Palace.
Watching Chu Xiong leave the palace gate, the corner of Concubine Meiâs mouth curled upwards.
The Mind-Control cursed insect is indeed effective! It has just broken out of its shell and hasnât matured yet. Once the Mind-Control cursed insect fully matures, then whatever she says will be law.
She understood Chu Xiong all too well. Once he decided on something, he wouldnât compromise, no matter how much his ministers tried to persuade him, even if they talked themselves hoarse.
After consolidating his power, Chu Xiong had become increasingly autocratic and self-willed. No one could defy him.
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