Everyone turned to look.
They saw Prime Minister Xu and his grandson Xu Yangshuo walking into the Golden Luan Hall, flanked by several court ministers.
But in the next second, Xu Yangshuo’s face turned pale, his eyes fixed on Wu Yi as if he’d seen a ghost. He quickly suppressed his voice with spiritual energy so only the two of them could hear, “Grandfather, he’s not dead?”
“This… this can’t be possible!”
Others might’ve thought Wu Yi was simply beaten for teasing the Ninth Princess yesterday, but Xu Yangshuo, who had orchestrated the whole thing, knew the truth. The sinister spell he used not only allowed him to control Wu Yi’s mind but was supposed to erase his soul afterward.
He had planned it so Wu Yi would die under the Ninth Princess’s hands. That way, the Duke of Dingguo’s mansion would clash with the royal family, and with Wu Yi dead and no evidence, no one would ever suspect him.
But why was Wu Yi still alive?
Unlike the anxious Xu Yangshuo, Prime Minister Xu, the old fox with deep scheming, remained calm. He said indifferently, “It doesn’t matter. Just wait and see.”
He had it all planned. Even if Wu Yi survived, he had still provoked royal authority and insulted the royal family—both capital offenses. No matter how it turned out, it would still sow conflict between the Duke of Dingguo’s mansion and the Empress.
Prejudice in people’s hearts was like a towering mountain. As long as he stirred things up afterward, the outcome would remain the same.
As Xu Yangshuo stared at him in disbelief, Wu Yi cursed, “Keep staring and I’ll dig out your damn dog eyes.”
Xu Yangshuo froze. Something was wrong. This guy felt completely different today… off in every way.
Just then, Minister of Revenue Lin Zhengtang, who had entered with Prime Minister Xu, sneered with a forced smile and mocked, “Oh~ So Duke Zhenbei really brought Young Master Wu to beg for forgiveness from Her Majesty?”
“But the crime he committed this time is punishable by death! Aren’t you afraid His Majesty might execute him on the spot?”
Lin Zhengtang was in league with Prime Minister Xu. Of course, he wouldn’t miss a chance to suppress and ridicule Wu Yi.
Duke Wu An remained calm and said in a deep voice, “No need for Lord Lin to worry about that.”
“If you’re so free, maybe worry about your son Lin Yu and his repeated visits to prostitutes while in the military.”
“By military law, that’s a beheading offense!”
Lin Zhengtang’s expression changed instantly. He was so furious he couldn’t even speak.
“You… you…”
Laughter erupted throughout the court.
Last year, Lin Yu had repeatedly visited prostitutes while in the army and even assaulted civilians and abducted women. If not for Duke Pingxi’s protection, he would’ve been punished long ago. That incident had always been a deep source of shame for Lin Zhengtang.
Wu Yi suddenly chuckled, “Minister Lin seems rather idle these days?”
Lin Zhengtang glanced at Wu Yi with contempt in his eyes, “What do you mean by that, Young Master Wu?”
The other officials also turned to look at the infamous good-for-nothing, curious to see what kind of nonsense he’d spout.
Wu Yi smirked, “Because I noticed Minister Lin really loves meddling in things that don’t concern him.”
“Ever heard the saying? Eat too much spoiled food and you get sick. Meddle in too much nonsense and it’ll cost your life.”
Lin Zhengtang was enraged, “You… I am the Minister of Revenue! A top-rank official! You dare insult me, you brat?”
Wu Yi came here to cause trouble. Whoever dared speak, he’d curse; whoever acted shamelessly, he’d hammer. He was the heir of the Duke of Dingguo’s house, the only descendant of the Wu family. So what if he caused a ruckus in court today?
He had to act with the arrogance of a Young Master.
“If bowing your head means letting others trample you, then raise your head and overturn the world.”
“What’s so great about being Minister of Revenue?”
“My grandfather, Duke of Dingguo, was sworn brothers with the late Martial Emperor. Even Her Majesty addresses him as ‘Imperial Father.’ My father is Duke Zhenbei. The Wu family has two Dukes in one generation. My status is equal to that of a royal prince. So what if I curse you? Got a problem? Bite me!”
“What crime I committed has nothing to do with you. Everyone else is quiet, and you’re the only one barking?”
“You’ve got one foot in the Yellow River, and you’re still sticking your nose everywhere. If a manure cart passed by, would you scoop a spoonful and taste it for saltiness?”
“I’ve seen people bind their feet, but never seen someone bind their brain. Is it fun being the Xu family’s lapdog?”
“Minister of Revenue? You’re just a rotten mudfish that touched some saltwater and now think you’re seafood?”
“What are you staring at? You wanna hit me? I’ll give you ten sets of balls—dare to try? Believe me, my father could crush your balls on the spot!”
“If you don’t dare to make a move, then shut the hell up. One more word and I swear I’ll beat the crap out of you!”
Silence!
The entire court fell into absolute stillness.
The silence was so loud it felt deafening.
All the civil and military officials were stunned, staring at Wu Yi in disbelief.
His verbal assault was explosive. Completely overwhelming.
No one had imagined Wu Yi had such a sharp tongue.
Was this guy always pretending before?
Even Duke Wu An looked at his son in surprise, as if seeing him in a new light. But he didn’t stop him or scold him. Instead, he nodded in approval, “Well said.”
“A son of the Wu family must curse back even if he can’t win in a fight.”
“Otherwise, any dog would dare bark in front of us.”
Wu Yi cupped his fists with a modest smile, “Your teachings are right, Father. I’ll remember them well.”
Then he glanced at Prime Minister Xu and the others, grinning. “Some people, when you smile at them too much, they start thinking it’s normal. All you’re doing is encouraging sickness.”
Unlike the stunned officials, the newly arrived Eighth Prince, Long Yinyin, looked overjoyed. His eyes were filled with admiration that practically glowed.
“Your mother’s coin.”
“You’re amazing, Old Yi.”
“This is just… just…”
He was so excited he couldn’t even find the right words to express how thrilled he was.
[Note: According to the Longhua Empire’s laws, when the previous Emperor passes the throne, the new Emperor ascends, and the titles of other princes and princesses remain unchanged for three years.]
Wu Yi looked over at Long Yinyin and smiled. This Eighth Prince wasn’t exactly right in the head. He did whatever he pleased and was the original host’s only friend.
They were about the same age, both seen as idle, good-for-nothing wastrels, despised by others. Over time, they became close friends, always fooling around together.
Wu Yi said, “You’re trying to say ‘badass,’ aren’t you?”
Long Yinyin’s eyes widened, like he’d discovered a new world. His gaze sparkled with enlightenment, and he nodded repeatedly, “Yes, yes, yes, badass! That’s the word!”
“Badass, Old Yi! I never knew you were so good at cursing people! You’re the role model of our generation!”
“Please allow me to pay my respects!”
He actually stepped forward and gave Wu Yi a formal salute.
He had always thought his own cursing skills were top-tier, but now he realized he was just a greenhorn next to Wu Yi. His admiration shot through the roof.
Truth be told, Long Yinyin was quite a character. If Wu Yi was the second-ranked troublemaker of the Longhua Empire, Long Yinyin was number one—the leader of the scoundrels. Nicknamed “the waistband.”
He was bold, daring, and always up to no good.
His life motto: “If you’re going to be bad, be the worst. Be bad to the very end.”
He was even frequently upset that his mischief wasn’t outrageous enough.
Wu Yi laughed heartily, throwing an arm over Long Yinyin’s shoulder, “That’s nothing. Our Longhua Empire has a long and rich tradition of linguistic artistry. Our refined national culture stands at the top of the Yuanwu Continent. Who can rival us? Eighth Prince, am I right?”
Long Yinyin’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “For example?”
Wu Yi pointed at Xu Yangshuo and blurted, “Take this guy for instance. I bet his nose itches because the anesthetic wore off. Either his nose itches, or the drugs weren’t enough.”
Xu Yangshuo’s face turned livid with rage. Just as he clenched his fists to lash out, Prime Minister Xu stopped him, “He’s trying to provoke you.”
“It’s not worth getting angry over a dead man.”
“You still need to refine your temperament.”
Long Yinyin was in awe. His gaze toward Wu Yi became even more worshipful, “A double entendre! Brilliant, Old Yi!”
“Master, please accept me as your disciple.”
“Teach me your supreme secrets!”
As he spoke, he bowed to Wu Yi again.
Wu Yi laughed loudly, “Forget about discipleship.”
“But today’s not a good time. I’ll teach you some solid lines another day. I guarantee you’ll become the number one trash-talker in the world.”
Long Yinyin’s eyes lit up like lanterns. He looked at Wu Yi as if gazing at a god, “Number one trash-talker in the world?”
“That’s awesome! I have to learn it!”
Just then, a cold and authoritative female voice suddenly rang out, “What’s all this noise?”
Though it was a woman’s voice, it carried immense pressure—a natural, supreme authority.
The speaker was none other than the reigning Empress—Long Qiyue!
Wu Yi muttered to himself, “Tsk, that voice is too seductive. Makes a man stiff just hearing it.”