Chapter 53 Male Protagonist’s Scheme

“Qiu Daren…” Qin Zhengya murmured her name, staggering half a step back: “It can’t be, Qiu Daren is innocent.”

Seeing the hesitation in Qin Zhengya’s eyes, Cai Er pressed on: “Even if you say Qiu Daren is innocent, will Her Majesty believe it? If you don’t stand up for yourself, if you can’t make Her Majesty respect you, whatever you say will be in vain. She will only be more convinced that you are covering for Qiu Daren.”

“No…” Qin Zhengya frantically grabbed Cai Er’s sleeve: “Cai Er, tell me, what should I do? I can’t just watch Qiu Daren fall into misfortune.”

Cai Er smiled with satisfaction: “Others find it as difficult as climbing to heaven to gain a foothold in the palace, but the young master can do it effortlessly. You just need to carry yourself with the dignity of an Empress. Whoever displeases you, you can deal with them according to the laws of the inner palace. In a few days, even Rong Fei will have to bow and pay respects to you obediently when she sees you.”

The handkerchief in Qin Zhengya’s hand was almost wrinkled to pieces. Listening to the sounds of Yue Shen and Lan Xuezhao’s intimacy constantly coming from the tent, he instinctively resisted and shrank back, but… as soon as he thought of Qiu Shuzhi, he suddenly became fearless.

“Alright!” He clenched his fists, his eyes casting aside all softness and becoming determined: “I will definitely protect Qiu Daren.”

“Is that really what he said?” Yue Guanyi stood with his hands behind his back, the long wind making his official robes flutter noisily, his forehead hair disheveled, his phoenix eyes cold and dangerous.

“Yes. This subordinate heard it very clearly,” Chang’an replied respectfully.

The delicate young master of the Qin family had finally come to his senses. With his maternal family’s status and the Empress Dowager’s support, it seemed the inner palace would soon return to his control.

But… Chang’an didn’t dare to look at Yue Guanyi’s expression. He himself never expected that Qin Zhengya’s awakening was because of Qiu Shuzhi.

Though Yue Guanyi appeared calm on the surface, his heart must be a sea of jealousy right now.

This Qiu Shuzhi really had good fortune with romance. One Crown Prince, one Empress Dowager weren’t enough to satisfy her, now even the Empress was in the palm of her hand.

If the little Emperor knew that her brother, her stepfather, and even her Empress had all become Qiu Shuzhi’s subjects under her skirt, she would surely be furious enough to jump. Perhaps the desire to flay Qiu Shuzhi alive would be in her heart.

No, if the Empress Dowager knew that her own nephew had gotten involved with her lover, the consequences would likely be unimaginable.

In any case, it was all Qiu Shuzhi’s fault. The relationships in the inner palace had all become a mess.

“Heh—” Yue Guanyi’s barely audible laugh came on the wind, but it was so cold that one couldn’t discern joy or anger, only making people feel that the fierce beasts on his official robes were even more intimidating.

“Protect Qiu Niang, he’s not worthy,” his eyes were as dark and deep as a swamp, rotting and swallowing the souls of all living things.

This morning at the horse grounds, he had already noticed the unusual dependence and trust in Qiu Shuzhi’s eyes when looking at Qin Zhengya. After the small horse was startled, that tearful look on his face was blatantly seducing her. If there hadn’t been so many people around, he probably would have thrown himself into her arms.

Chang’an felt waves of bone-chilling cold on his head and quickly said: “Of course the Empress is not worthy, he’s just daydreaming. However, if the Empress’s power rises, it would be beneficial. At least there would be someone in the palace who could contend with Rong Fei.”

“Yes, he is the Empress.” Yue Guanyi’s expression was so gloomy it could drip black water. A man whose body had been taken by the Emperor, who had just finished serving in bed, whose body still bore traces left after pleasure with another woman, actually dared to have filthy thoughts about Qiu Niang, and still had the face to cry and declare his love.

Even in a brothel, one couldn’t find such a lowly man.

It was really unlucky for Qiu Niang to be liked by him.

“Let’s go!” Yue Guanyi clenched his fist and headed towards the main tent.

“Your Highness, it’s late, just when Her Majesty and her favored consorts are having dinner. Where are we going?” Chang’an looked at the direction Yue Guanyi was walking, so scared he didn’t dare to breathe, fearing he would lose his head in jealousy and argue with the Empress.

“Since it’s dinner time, why not join the fun.” Yue Guanyi’s face was gloomy.

When they reached the main tent, without waiting for the palace servants to announce them, he directly lifted the curtain and entered. The tent was warm and steamy inside. Yue Shen sat high in the main seat, embracing the soft and boneless Rong Fei. Musicians played seductive silk and bamboo music, dancers displayed alluring charms, a scene of decadent and licentious pleasure.

As for Qin Zhengya, he was sitting upright beside Yue Shen. Lan Xuezhao’s robe occasionally brushed against his hand, but he ate his food in small, cultured bites, calm as if they were two completely unrelated worlds.

He saw Yue Guanyi enter and was somewhat surprised: “Why has elder brother come?”

Yue Guanyi’s face was as cold as ice: “What? Am I not allowed to come?”

“Of course you’re allowed, of course you’re allowed. Elder brother, please take a seat,” Qin Zhengya hurriedly said.

Lan Xuezhao nestled in Yue Shen’s arms, his slender fingers resting on her chest drawing circles, his eyes full of charm: “It’s so rare for Crown Prince to come.”

Yue Guanyi’s expression was already unfriendly, and he couldn’t even be bothered to give a glance to Lan Xuezhao, a pawn of the King of Dian.

Lan Xuezhao felt slighted and sat to the side, saying displeased: “Elder brother really puts on such airs.”

Yue Guanyi’s already cold expression became even more gloomy. Qin Zhengya hurriedly tried to mediate: “It’s rare for elder brother to come. It’s livelier for the family to eat together, don’t you think so, Your Majesty?”

It was meant as a kind gesture, but unexpectedly seemed to touch Yue Shen’s sore spot.

Perhaps because she was still angry about earlier in the day, her words came with barbs, determined to put Qin Zhengya down: “Elder brother hasn’t even spoken, what right does the Empress have to interject?”

Qin Zhengya’s smile instantly vanished, his face turning pale.

Lan Xuezhao gave a light, mocking laugh. Though not loud, it was particularly grating.

The dignified Empress, just for saying one sentence, was publicly rebuked by the Emperor in front of the dancers and musicians. It was laughable, pitiful, and tragic.

“That’s right, elder brother hasn’t even spoken yet, Empress brother is really taking himself too seriously,” Lan Xuezhao sneered. He was dressed in extremely luxurious and exquisite clothes, the hem of his skirt piled by his hand, the jade ornaments hanging at his waist jingling with Lan Xuezhao’s laughter, like a hammer mercilessly pounding on his dignity.

Qin Zhengya’s fingers clutching his robe tightened again and again, but he still endured.

The lamplight in the large tent flickered, the light and shadow sometimes bright and sometimes dim, but never reaching the darkness in his eyes. He slowly added fuel to the fire: “The Empress has always been graceful, gentle and considerate. Why do Your Majesty and Rong Fei speak of him so? Today I saw him learning horsemanship from Qiu Daren to please Your Majesty. They were chatting and laughing for a while, and the Empress nearly fell off the horse. It was all thanks to Qiu Daren that nothing serious happened.”

The more Qin Zhengya heard, the paler his face became. What he feared most now was being associated with Qiu Shuzhi, afraid that he would implicate her.

Now that Yue Shen had finally calmed her anger, it was brought up again by Yue Guanyi.

He timidly glanced at Yue Shen, and sure enough, her already unpleasant expression instantly darkened. Especially when Yue Guanyi mentioned Qiu Shuzhi, Yue Shen’s gaze became even more terrifying.

Qin Zhengya immediately panicked: “Elder brother is joking. I and Qiu Daren merely exchanged a few polite words.”

“Polite words?” Yue Shen seemed to have heard a joke, indescribably contemptuous, her almond eyes dangerously narrowed, like a cold, wet snake hissing and flicking its tongue.

Qin Zhengya instinctively trembled, but still pretended to be calm. Suddenly he remembered Cai Er’s words.

Qin Zhengya’s eyelashes trembled as he closed his eyes, silently reciting in his heart. He was the young master of the Qin family, the Empress Dowager’s own nephew. The Emperor couldn’t do anything to him. He must stand firm.

The next moment he opened his eyes, there was only determination in them. Though his voice trembled, it was unshakable: “I am the Empress. Even if I chat with a minister for a few words, it’s no big deal.”

Yue Shen’s gaze instantly became venomous.

Although Lan Xuezhao was surprised that the spineless Empress had become tough today, he had no inkling that this was just the beginning of Qin Zhengya’s change.

He rested his head on his hand and said indifferently: “Empress brother puts on such airs, relying on the title of Empress to show off in front of Her Majesty. Your panicked explanation makes it seem like you and Qiu Daren have something unspeakable—”

Slap————

A crisp slap landed heavily on Lan Xuezhao’s face. The entire gathering was shocked!

“When I’m speaking, it’s not your turn to interject, you mere consort!” At the mention of Qiu Shuzhi, Qin Zhengya’s hand seemed to move uncontrollably, instinctively making a choice for him.

He felt the burning pain in his palm, unable to believe he had actually done such a thing.

“How dare you!” Yue Shen flew into a rage, slamming the table as she stood up.

“May I ask Your Majesty, in what way has your servant been disrespectful?” Qin Zhengya tightly clenched his trembling hand, refusing to show weakness as he met Yue Shen’s venomous snake-like eyes: “Lan Xuezhao is merely a consort, yet he dares to offend his superior and insult the Empress. Am I not allowed to discipline him?”

Although Qin Zhengya was terrified inside, he forced himself to remain upright. He knew he had no way to retreat now. If he showed weakness, the Emperor would torment him even more viciously. He wasn’t afraid of Yue Shen’s methods of dealing with him, but he was worried his resistance would cause Qiu Shuzhi to suffer undeserved disaster.

No matter what, he could not lose.

“You—” The hatred in Yue Shen’s eyes was like a raging fire that almost incinerated him.

Yue Guanyi slowly stood up: “The Empress has always been gentle. Rong Fei indeed spoke out of turn today. Your Majesty should be more understanding of the Empress.”

Lan Xuezhao covered his face, stunned for a long while before he reacted. He had relied on his beauty to bully others for many years. Even in the Miao village, no one had dared to hit him. Today he was actually slapped hard by a man he had always looked down upon. How could he swallow this anger?

“Your Majesty—” He fell to his knees crying at Yue Shen’s feet, tears streaming: “Your Majesty, your servant never intended to offend his superior. It’s the Empress brother who is jealous of your servant being favored, and using his position as Empress to take revenge on your servant.”

“Your Majesty, you must seek justice for your servant.” Lan Xuezhao cried pitifully, but the hatred in his eyes was glaring. If using poison in the palace wasn’t so blatant, he would have long ago sprinkled a packet of poison on Qin Zhengya’s face to ruin this slut’s looks.

Yue Shen had never seen Qin Zhengya like this before. Though putting on a fierce appearance, he was actually trembling to his bones, yet still pretending not to be afraid of anyone, all because Lan Xuezhao mentioned Qiu Shuzhi once.

She gripped her hand tightly, her nails seeming to dig into her flesh, hatred almost piercing through her skin.

He really did love her!

Qin Zhengya, this slut, really did covet her Qiu Niang.

“The Empress bullies consorts out of jealousy, failing the virtues of the Phoenix Empress. Come!” She said word by word, intense hatred in her eyes, wishing she could flay the Qin Zhengya before her with a knife.

“You dare!” Qin Zhengya shouted angrily, blatantly defying the Emperor.

“Your Majesty is determined to favor Rong Fei. Whatever I do is wrong.” Qin Zhengya felt his entire body trembling, cold sweat pouring down his back: “But no matter what, I am still the Empress, the husband you married from the Qin family through proper channels. Others have no right to criticize.”

The corner of Yue Guanyi’s lip curled into a mocking smile as he watched them fight like dogs, a strange pleasure rising in his heart. None of these people were worthy of Qiu Niang. They should all fall into the abyss.

He chuckled slowly: “Your Majesty, don’t be angry. It’s because you haven’t spread your favor evenly lately, neglecting the Empress. Why don’t you let the Empress serve you in bed tonight? The two of you can talk things over in bed. I believe the Empress will certainly be understanding of you.”

“Elder brother makes sense.” Yue Shen came to her senses, her terrifying gaze enough to make one’s flesh and bones separate: “The Empress will serve in bed tonight.”

“No—” Qin Zhengya’s whole body was soaked in cold sweat, as if a nightmare had descended. He could publicly defy Her Majesty, but had no way to refuse serving in bed.

Yue Guanyi lowered his eyes, his thin lips curling into an imperceptible smile. He had achieved his goal.

Qiu Shuzhi had just returned to the Yulin Army’s camp when she heard the sound of an argument inside. She went to check and saw Ji Mei arguing fiercely with someone, their words so heated they were almost about to come to blows.

“Silence, all of you!” she shouted, her authoritative aura suppressing everyone.

After this period of marching, all the Yulin Army knew that this Senior Cavalry Commander was completely different from the Middle Commander. If anything was done wrong, it would be dealt with according to military law. Therefore, they had all been very well-behaved during this time.

Some people who looked up to the Middle Commander were secretly keeping score, planning to find a chance to seize her military tally after returning to the capital, so she couldn’t show off her power anymore.

“All of you, come in here!” Qiu Shuzhi didn’t want to make a big scene and directly summoned Ji Mei and another lean woman into the tent.

As soon as they entered, Ji Mei knelt on the ground: “My lady, this humble officer knows her mistake. This humble officer has violated military discipline and you can punish me however you wish, but you absolutely cannot indulge this Li Liang.”

Qiu Shuzhi frowned: “What exactly happened?”

Li Liang knelt on the ground, her attitude quite peaceful: “My lady, please be discerning. During this time, we sisters have all been loyal and dutiful following you, never making any mistakes. Ji Mei comes from a bandit background and her words can’t be trusted.”

“You’re talking nonsense! You harassed a herder’s young son and still have the gall to say you made no mistakes,” Ji Mei cursed loudly.

Qiu Shuzhi’s gaze turned cold as she looked at Li Liang: “Is what Ji Mei says true?”

Seeing that she had been exposed, Li Liang was still fearless: “My lady, Ji Mei is exaggerating. This humble officer just held his little hand and said a few words, who knew he would cry? It’s not this humble officer’s fault.”

“That was just saying a few words? You almost stripped off his clothes,” Ji Mei said angrily. “Even when I was in the bandit lair, I wouldn’t do such a thing!”

“So what? If this humble officer has made a mistake, naturally the Middle Commander will deal with it.” Li Liang smiled disdainfully, her words containing a hidden threat: “By the way, you might not know this, but Middle Commander Li Mian is my aunt.”

“My lady!” Ji Mei looked at her with a face full of hope.

All along, Li Liang had been relying on her status to bully others, and no one dared to restrain her. Ji Mei knew that only Qiu Shuzhi could deal with her.

Qiu Shuzhi was silent for a moment, her eyes deep.

After a while, she smiled, seemingly with a compromising intent, and gently helped Li Liang up from the ground: “Since you’re Lady Li’s niece, we’ll let Lady Li deal with this matter when we return. The ground is cold, quickly get up.”

“But for now, you’d better not go anywhere else. Just stay in the tent. After all, we’re under the Emperor’s nose right now. If this gets blown up even a little, even I won’t be able to protect you.”

Harassing a respectable young man, not only escaping punishment but also gaining the benefit of not having to patrol or stand guard, Li Liang smiled with joy, glancing triumphantly at Ji Mei. “Since my lady is so reasonable, I’ll listen to you.”

“My lady! How can you cover for her?” After Li Liang left, Ji Mei asked fiercely: “Are you also afraid of the power behind her, afraid of jeopardizing your own promotion?”

Qiu Shuzhi rubbed her brow: “Why are you shouting so loudly?”

“Then tell me, why didn’t you punish her? She committed the crime of molesting a soldier, she should be beheaded on the spot as a public example.” Ji Mei carried her sword, already prepared to draw it and drink blood.

“You reckless woman, use your brain!” Qiu Shuzhi’s face was serious: “Don’t you see what the situation is now? The Emperor, Empress Dowager, consorts, and all officials are gathered at the Imperial Hunting Ground. Even the slightest disturbance is not allowed.”

“Then, then you still shouldn’t have let her off like that. Did you see how arrogant she was just now? When we return to the capital, with the Middle Commander’s protection, we won’t be able to deal with her at all.”

Qiu Shuzhi looked at her coldly, speaking unhurriedly: “Who says I won’t be able to deal with her after we return to the capital?”

Not only would she deal with Li Liang, but she would also uproot all the hidden worms in the Yulin Army, including Li Mian, washing away years of humiliation for what was once the army of kings.

She had agreed to this escort mission in order to obtain the military tally. Now that the Yulin Army’s military tally was in her hands, there was no reason to hand back the military power she had obtained. Since Li Mian didn’t have the ability to manage the Yulin Army well, why not let the capable take charge?

The Qiu family had declined because of the corruption case in the Imperial Textile Bureau. The rise and fall of the nation were closely related to the prosperity and decline of families of common people. From the moment she had made up her mind to become an official, she never thought of taking the safe, patient, and mediocre path.

Qiu Shuzhi was grateful that she had transmigrated to a female-dominated world, where she didn’t have to be confined to the inner chambers and fight to the death with other husbands for a woman’s favor. Instead, she could openly realize her ambitions, and reorganizing the Yulin Army was just her first step.

“The current situation forces me to appease her, but when we return to the capital, I will behead her in front of the entire army and purge the Yulin Army.”

In an instant, Ji Mei seemed to see a blaze of glory in her eyes – clear, rational, gentle yet ruthless, as powerful as a deity, making her kneel on the ground and look up in awe, deeply immersed and unable to extricate herself.