Xiao Li arrived at the Emperor's small study when Xiao Jingyi suddenly emerged from somewhere and quickly pulled her aside, his face full of apprehension. "Elder Sister, why did you come with that person?"
Xiao Li: "Who is he? Are you afraid of him?"
"You don't know Zhangxiang Gonggong Lou Yan?"
Xiao Jingyi considered how Xiao Li had previously been chasing after Lu Yanzhi and realized it wasn't strange she didn't know him.
"He's the chief eunuch who was promoted just last month. Don't be fooled by his youth—his methods are ruthless. He previously served in Shenxing Si, doing work that involved flaying people alive."
"Others climb the ranks through seniority and experience, but he fought his way up through skill. Whoever became his superior ended up dead. The previous Zhangxiang Gonggong died by his hand, and several competitors eventually met their ends too, until finally it was his turn."
It was clear Xiao Jingyi genuinely feared this eunuch: "I don't know what Emperor Brother is thinking, keeping such a vicious person by his side. It's terrifying."
The deliberately left-open door was closed.
Those with great power could make even the Son of Heaven wary, while those without enough power had to defer to others, even if they were the Son of Heaven.
Lu Yanzhi was clearly not sober and had been provoked into anger: "Get out! All of you, get out!"
Xiao Li grabbed him by the collar and, with one forceful motion, threw him hard to the ground. Burning with rage, she pressed down on him and began tearing his clothes.
Of course, such an executioner for the Emperor would inevitably be killed by a successor as a sacrifice.
Xiao Li wasn't surprised: how could an Emperor not have a handy weapon by his side?
Did Lu Yanzhi think his madness would scare Xiao Li? Ridiculous!
Xiao Li indicated she understood royal dignity, so she kept him secretly, letting only the Imperial son-in-law know, ensuring no loss of face for the royal family.
"Crash!" A wine bottle was thrown in from the doorway. The maids inside hurried to shield Xiao Li, fearing the shattered porcelain might injure her.
To bully others by relying on power, one must first have power to rely on.
This Lou Yan was clearly a very useful blade for the Emperor, which explained his sinister, cold, and fierce aura.
The Emperor sternly declared that keeping male concubines was unacceptable—did they not care about royal dignity?
Xiao Li, who had been in an excellent mood, instantly flared up: "If you can't stop me once, and you can't stop me twice, what use are you?"
Qian Momo worried: "Princess, the Imperial son-in-law is drunk, you—"
A headache.
Without hesitation, Xiao Li slapped him hard across the face.
Lu Yanzhi was now completely sober, with little hatred left, only the belated fear of a lamb thrown to the wolves. He struggled in panic, his eyes full of terror: "Someone, help! Quick, someone—"
Putting on her nightclothes and drying her hair, she comfortably prepared for sleep.
What annoyed Xiao Li most were people who couldn't help her or solve problems yet acted concerned for her sake.
The Emperor and Prince Wei exchanged shocked glances, seeing the same thought in each other's eyes: It's over, Xuan Yang (Elder Sister) has been driven mad.
"Princess, forgive us!"
Noble status was useless because there were always those nobler than you; what mattered most was power.
No matter how expensive summer fabrics were, they couldn't avoid being thin and light—a hard tear would split them open.
Seeing Xiao Li, his hatred immediately found its target, pouring forth without concealment: "You schemed and stopped at nothing—isn't it just because you want me to consummate our marriage? I agree, are you satisfied now?"
Indeed, no matter the world or the setting, the one constant was that the strong ruled.
Xiao Li attacked with the ferocity of a hunting wolf. Even though Lu Yanzhi was a man, he couldn't withstand it and was nearly stripped bare.
"Stop! Stop right now!"
Prince Wei: "…" Imperial Sister is formidable!!
Slap! Emperor: "…" You certainly think things through.
Eyes reddening, but more from shock than anything else: "You hit me?"
"Get out!"
Xiao Li strode out with her head held high. The Emperor wiped his face, suddenly feeling a sense of weariness. He didn't know whether the drastic change in his imperial sister was for better or worse.
But considering that her love had turned to hatred and she was taking revenge on the Lu family, it should be a good thing for him… — Xiao Li returned to the Princess Manor. Li Momo, along with Hong Yue and others, had prepared all the bathing necessities and attended to her meticulously.
Though trapped in this idiotic story, the privileges of being a princess were still quite satisfying.
The group hesitated but eventually filed out.
Xiao Li sneered: "What? Weren't you the one begging for a beating?"
Seeing him like this, who dared to leave? Instead, they all moved closer to Xiao Li, forming a protective circle around her.
Lu Yanzhi stumbled in reeking of alcohol, his usual refined and aloof demeanor completely gone. Instead, he was shrouded in gloom, his cheeks flushed unnaturally from drink. His eyes, bloodshot and half-drunk, seethed with hatred—like a beast unleashed from its seal, ready to devour anyone in its path.
His expression was a mix of furious humiliation, as if forced to swallow a fly, and sheer viciousness, as if he wanted to tear a piece of flesh from Xiao Li's body.
The Emperor was gloating after getting his way. Xiao Li set down her teacup, her face dark with malice: "Imperial Brother is mistaken. I simply couldn't swallow that insult."
"Lu Yanzhi neglected me for three years, never even letting me touch a finger. If I just divorced him like that, wouldn't it be letting him off too easily?"
"Xuan Yang, you did very well tonight. Imperial Brother is quite pleased. Imperial Brother always knew you couldn't bear to part with Lu Yanzhi. It's not too late to turn back from your misguided path, and Imperial Brother is happy for you…"
"Princess." A guard reported at the door: "Your Highness, the Imperial son-in-law has come again, and he reeks of alcohol."
"It's getting late. You should head back now."
Xiao Li couldn't be bothered with idle talk. She grabbed a nearby water jug and flung the entire contents straight into his face.
He roared, his gaze fixed fiercely on Xiao Li as if he wanted to devour her.
"Close the doors!"
With no one else around, Lu Yanzhi shed all pretense, his pent-up hatred erupting as he lunged at Xiao Li, looking ready to strangle her.
Incense baths, essential oil massages—she indulged in every comfort available.
Xiao Li found it annoying, but she understood. She simply wasn't powerful enough yet, leaving her subordinates without the confidence to offend others.
"Sober up that pig brain of yours before speaking to this Princess!"
She was about to sleep and still had to deal with this wretched nuisance.
"Everyone, out!"
"Hah, he made me suffer for three years. I'll make sure he never has it easy either. He doesn't want to be the Imperial son-in-law? I'll force him to stay. He won't touch me? Then I'll keep ten or eight male concubines, making him the laughingstock of the entire realm. I'll make him live a life of regret, agony, and despair!"
Lu Yanzhi had been seventy percent drunk, but now he was only thirty percent.
Emperor Xiao Jingyun seemed in high spirits, having ordered tea prepared for them.
Rip! Rip!
Lu Yanzhi's shouts echoed, heard by everyone guarding outside, yet they all hesitated, making no move to intervene.
The one injured isn't the Princess, so we'd better not go in and disturb Her Highness's amusement.
Judging by the sound of tearing clothes, hmm, the Imperial son-in-law probably won't die.