"We dare not do so, and we beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

The ministers lowered their heads even further, pressing them tightly against the floor; if they hadn't reached that extreme, they probably would have buried their faces in the ground.

The surrounding air suddenly froze, and even breathing had to be carefully considered. Shen Jiao was also drawn into this heavy atmosphere and held her breath.

It turns out that working people have it tough in any era.

Ji Yan disagreed, poured herself a glass of honey water, and mocked Shen Jiao mercilessly, "Look at them, how much they resemble you."

How could a young girl in the prime of her life resemble an old, wrinkled, square-faced scholar? Shen Jiao's features scrunched up. "No, I don't think so. Although I haven't tested it, my genes could never be that rebellious."

Ji Yan: "..."

Ministers: "..."

"Okay, actually, it does resemble His Majesty quite a bit. For example, they both have noses and eyes." Shen Jiao realized she couldn't keep contradicting the Emperor, so she quickly tried to salvage the situation.

The tyrant really has a powerful influence on people. We've only known each other for a few days, and she's already mastered the ability to make up excuses with her eyes closed.

My apologies, my apologies.

Ji Yan's face darkened. "What I mean is that they, like you, are afraid of death."

Shen Jiao thought to herself, "So that's what you meant. Could you explain it more clearly? Why do people assume I'm a coward all the time? Don't I have any dignity?"

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty is right," Shen Jiao echoed, adopting the same attitude she used when casually showing off her son's filial piety to her neighbor.

It's fine to be afraid of death, but it would be bad if she were portrayed as chaste and resolute from the beginning, and a tyrant told her to die to prove her loyalty.

The envoys below, who were terrified, all twitched at the corners of their mouths. They had never seen anyone so proud when accused of being cowardly. They were civil officials, or to put it more politely, scholars and literati, who considered themselves different from ordinary people. Their bones were instilled with the noble qualities of bamboo, which had been cultivated by books and ink for many years.

They dared not contradict His Majesty, but they had utter contempt for Shen Jiao's words and actions. She was indeed just a pretty face with no substance!

Shen Jiao was unaware of all this; she was currently contemplating a serious question.

Generally speaking, when you make up your mind to carry out a decision, if you are suddenly interrupted by uncertain factors halfway through, the decision usually falls through. For example, the plan to assassinate the tyrant is scrapped because the tyrant is stupid and rich. Give her a consolation payment and then send her away.

Shen Jiao's abacus was clattering away.

Then, a clear, cold voice said, "Let's continue. Didn't you want to strangle me? Come on."

Shen Jiao: "..." When did she think of that? Don't change the lines! She never said that!

Even though Shen Jiao was used to Ji Yan's rapid mood swings, she couldn't get used to it. Was the tyrant playing checkers in his head? Her young mind really couldn't handle this unique thought process.

Seeing that the Yan officials below were all bowing their heads, Shen Jiao knew they wouldn't dare to speak up and stop him anytime soon. As for the Wei envoy, he was laughing so hard his shoulders were shrugged. If it weren't for the inappropriate occasion, he probably would have laughed for hours.

Well done! The Wei envoy secretly resolved that when he returned, he would definitely seek a reward for this dancer!

Shen Jiao shook her head. She was in dire straits herself and had no interest in being curious about other people's thoughts.

Seeing her shake her head, Ji Yan pointed at the overly smug Wei envoy and said, "What? Are you not in the mood to attack them? Wang Fu, drag him out and execute him."

Since ancient times, it has been forbidden to kill envoys who come to negotiate, but this is the Emperor of Yan, a great tyrant. In front of him, the rules are just proof that there are rules.

Shen Jiao quickly interrupted, "No, I didn't, I didn't." She couldn't help but think to herself, what kind of worrying comprehension ability is this!

Ji Yan pressed further, "Then why did you shake your head?"

Shen Jiao: "Most likely, my neck got cramped from His Majesty's handsomeness."

Ji Yan: "..."

The officials were internally devastated. "Oh no! Quickly, give me a pen! I want to severely condemn this glib-tongued and cowardly pretty face!"

Shen Jiao: Damn, that's so corny. You've been spouting too much nonsense without thinking.

As the most noble and prestigious man in the Great Yan Dynasty, the tyrant must have heard countless flattering words, right? Wouldn't she consider this elementary-level praise as an insult to his character?

Shen Jiao thought it over and over, wondering if she should kowtow a few more times. The carpet here wouldn't hurt, but if she didn't kowtow loudly, wouldn't it seem like she wasn't sincere?

I'm so conflicted.

Suddenly, a familiar touch came from the top of her head. Ji Yan patted her little head and said, "Although what you said is the truth, I will not let you off the hook. Don't waste your time. My patience is limited."

Shen Jiao: "...Yes, Your Majesty."

Seriously, my advice for life is: don't waste your time trying to figure out what a tyrant is thinking. If you have time, go and work on some practice problems from the "53" college entrance exam series.

The tyrant's wish to strangle her was definitely not going to work. Firstly, her strength was too weak, and secondly, her mental fortitude was too poor. So, facing Ji Yan's expectant gaze and Wang Fu's heartbroken eyes, Shen Jiao looked around and then focused her gaze on the sword hanging on the back wall. The scabbard reflected a blue-green glass halo, clearly indicating that it was no ordinary object.

Great, I've decided on you!

Ji Yan watched her actions and showed approval. She took a liking to his sword at a glance, which showed she had good taste.

Shen Jiao was completely unaware of Ji Yan's thoughts; she simply thought the sword looked lighter and more delicate.

She secretly encouraged herself, rushed forward in one go, grabbed her sword and swung it with all her might, hoping to escape this predicament.

"Your Majesty!!" Wang Fu cried out in anguish, his eyes wide.

Then, a silver light flashed and floated into the air.

The room was completely silent.

In an instant, the Yan envoys felt a fierce, powerless exhaustion reach the top of their heads, and they all collapsed to the ground, each one like a walking corpse, not daring to look up. It's over, it's over, the country is without a ruler, the Great Yan is about to perish.

Although Ji Yan practiced tyranny, his professional competence as a ruler was beyond question. It can be said that, apart from the founding emperor, Ji Yan was the most outstanding.

The late emperor was a foolish ruler who was obsessed with beauty and the elixir of immortality. When he died, the Great Yan was already a paper tiger that was hollow and rotten inside. When the other six states heard the news, they immediately sent troops to attack the Great Yan, all wanting to take a share of the spoils.

At the critical moment of life and death, only Ji Yan, the seventh prince, stepped forward to resist foreign enemies, rectify the government, and lead the Great Yan to a rebirth from adversity and return to its peak. Unfortunately, the good times did not last long. Although Ji Yan did not inherit his father's business, he was a real tyrant who killed without blinking an eye. If it weren't for his gloomy personality and cruel political morality, he would surely have become a wise ruler who would be remembered in history.

The Yan envoy was heartbroken and silently began to plan for His Majesty's funeral.

Just then, an inappropriate conversation broke out from the head of the table.

"You haven't eaten?"

"No."

Why aren't you eating?

I accidentally overslept.

Ji Yan touched Shen Jiao's belly in disbelief, then pressed it again, seemingly trying to determine if it was very flat.

However, even if you are the emperor, you can't just touch it randomly. In principle, the belly shouldn't be on the waist, and it's really itchy.