Chapter 5: She, Li Yuanzhao, is not one to accept her fate!
Over the past two years, Li Yuanzhao outwardly scoffed at the absurd story, but deep down he remained on edge.
She is always meticulous in her actions, and even if there is only a one in ten thousand chance, she will never allow it to actually happen.
So she secretly dispatched her most elite guards to search day and night for the so-called "chosen one".
Within the Qi Kingdom, any young man who bore even a seven-tenths resemblance to the late Empress was secretly disposed of.
Over the years, he has killed dozens of people, but has not found a single one who fits the description.
At first, she thought she was just being possessed, that a few crazy words could disturb her peace of mind.
To this day, on Suzaku Avenue, the man in white, just as that person had said, fell straight down in front of her horse.
The moment he raised his head, his eyebrows and eyes were exactly the same as those in his mother's portrait when she was young.
At that moment, Li Yuanzhao had no choice but to believe that what that person said was true!
After all, this face is the most compelling evidence.
Her blood almost froze instantly, and she wished she could draw her sword and smash that eyesore's face to pieces right then and there!
But the man's last words, "You can't kill him," ultimately made her suppress the urge to draw her sword in the street, and she had him brought back and tested him repeatedly.
At this moment, looking at the man kneeling and begging for mercy at his feet, Li Yuanzhao suddenly found it utterly ridiculous.
What kind of bullshit destiny is this?!
Li Yuanzhao was exceptionally talented, unparalleled in the world. She was skilled in riding and archery, well-versed in classics and history, and possessed the talent to govern the country and bring peace to the world.
She was the eldest daughter of the Emperor of Qi, personally raised by him. Even if the officials disliked her, they would still praise her as having "the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix".
But how could... she lose to a man like that?
It seems that God really is blind!
Since the way of Heaven is unjust, she will kill the heavens and change her fate, so that the world can see who is worthy of being called "Heaven's Mandate"!
As long as he is dead and no longer exists, she will still be the high and mighty princess, and she will not lose her father's favor and the power in her hands.
She rose and walked to the sword rack, and with a "whoosh," thrust her own sword straight at his heart.
Let's see if killing him will cause this so-called world to collapse.
Chen Yanqing panicked instantly; he had no idea what was wrong with the princess.
He's like a madman with unpredictable tempers!
He'd already swallowed his pride and offered to be her gigolo, and she still wanted to kill him?!
Without the slightest hesitation, Li Yuanzhao's sword tip pierced through his thin clothes and into his flesh.
Chen Yanqing groaned, staring in disbelief at the sharp blade embedded in his chest.
Fresh blood quickly soaked his moon-white gauze robe.
At this moment, his eyes were filled with terror.
"Your Highness, what have I done wrong? Why are you killing me...?"
Li Yuanzhao remained expressionless as he looked at him. "Because... you deserve to die!"
Chen Yanqing didn't understand why he deserved to die.
He was just an ordinary, poor, and down-on-his-luck scholar who had no parents.
Having overcome countless dangers and hardships to reach the capital from Lingnan, all he wanted was to find a job and make a living.
As a result, he was walking along the street when he was inexplicably kidnapped and brought to this deep palace, and now he is going to die here inexplicably...
It hurts!
He could clearly feel his life slipping away with his warm blood, and his consciousness gradually fading...
The sword tip had just pierced half an inch when Li Yuanzhao suddenly stopped and warily scanned his surroundings.
The bedchamber remained silent, the candlelight flickering gently in the breeze, with nothing unusual in sight.
She sneered, and suddenly increased the force in her hand, the sword tip penetrating three inches into the flesh!
Chen Yanqing was in so much pain that he tilted his head back, too weak to even beg for mercy. His vision went black and he fainted.
However, at that moment...
"Boom!"
A bolt of lightning struck the roof of the palace, causing the entire palace to tremble.
The newly replaced glazed tiles of Xihe Palace were shattered by lightning, and several fragments fell like raindrops.
Li Yuanzhao's pupils contracted sharply, and he immediately spun around and retreated.
Even so, a piece of flying tile grazed her cheek, leaving a shallow bloodstain.
Chen Yanqing, who was in the center of the hall, was completely unharmed.
Li Yuanzhao's fingertips trembled slightly as he stared intently at the scene before him, his eyes filled with disbelief.
It's true! What that madman said is actually true!
"Your Highness!"
Hearing the noise, Ru Mo rushed in with his guards, only to be stunned into freezing place by the sight before him.
A huge hole was suddenly struck in the ceiling of the sleeping quarters by lightning, and rainwater mixed with dust fell down.
The man who had been brought back was lying on the ground covered in blood, his fate unknown.
His Highness had scars on his face!
This person... actually managed to injure His Highness?
"Your injury! I will go and fetch the imperial physician immediately."
"No need." Li Yuanzhao raised his hand to wipe the blood from his face.
She suddenly chuckled softly, then burst into laughter as if she could no longer contain herself.
Laughter mingled with thunder echoed in the hall, startling the guards so much that they all knelt down, not daring to raise their heads.
Is this the way of Heaven?
Why did they insist on making fun of her like this?
Unfortunately, they targeted the wrong ants.
She, Li Yuanzhao, was not one to accept her fate!
"Take him away!"
She abruptly stopped laughing, staring at the unconscious man before her, her eyes chillingly cold. "You've defiled my bedchamber."
Ru Mo looked at the man covered in blood and hesitated, "Your Highness, should we summon the imperial physician to treat him...?"
Although I don't know what happened, since His Highness went to the trouble of bringing him back, he must have been attracted by his appearance.
But now that His Highness has injured this person so badly, she is unsure how to handle the situation.
“No need.” Li Yuanzhao looked up at the hole in the roof of the palace, where lightning and thunder continued to flash outside the window. “Throw him into the dungeon and let him fend for himself.”
She wanted to see just how tough his life was.
Ru Mo ordered the guards to carry the person away, and then arranged for people to quickly replace the carpet and clean the roof.
Everything proceeded in an orderly manner.
The rain outside the window gradually subsided, and the fragrance of sandalwood wafted through the hall, as if the thunderclap that had struck just moments before had never happened.
Li Yuanzhao leaned against the soft couch, his fingertips tapping the table absently.
She began to analyze the cards she had up her sleeve.
Ultimately, all the privileges she now possesses—fiefdoms, military power, the right to participate in court discussions, and even the fear of court officials and the indulgence of her father—are all due to her status as the "eldest daughter of the late empress."
This is the foundation of her power.
But now, this foundation is crumbling...
However, it is absolutely impossible for her to give up everything she has now, and to give up her position as the supreme ruler.
Therefore... for now, she must do everything in her power to prevent her father and the world from discovering Chen Yanqing's existence.
Chen Yanqing is currently unaware of his own background, and Empress Shen has been dead for nearly twenty years. Apart from his father and a few old ministers, no one in the palace can clearly remember what the empress looked like.
As long as Chen Yanqing is prevented from seeing his father and imprisoned in the deep palace forever, no one will be able to confirm that earth-shattering secret.
Moreover, my father is already old and suffers from headaches; he has at most three to five years to live…
If we can just hold out for these next few years, then she can ascend the throne.
At that time, with imperial power in hand, even if Chen Yanqing truly had the Mandate of Heaven, he would be nothing more than fish on a chopping board, with no possibility of overturning the world.
The current plan is to get the Emperor to make a decision as soon as possible to make him the Crown Prince, and to secretly eliminate Chen Yanqing's supporters one by one to ensure that nothing goes wrong.
"Your Highness, everything has been taken care of."
At this moment, Ru Mo stepped forward and reported softly.
Li Yuanzhao then came to her senses, the candlelight casting a half-light, half-shadow on her face.
"Ru Mo, how long have you been following me?"
Ru Mo lowered his head and said, "Your Highness, I have been following you since I was seven years old, and it has been twelve years now."
“I remember, you were given to me by my father.” Li Yuanzhao scrutinized her closely.
"Yes." Ru Mo's voice became even more respectful. "I was originally a member of the E-team of the Dark Guard. His Majesty personally assigned me to protect Your Highness's safety."
"Twelve years..." Li Yuanzhao drawled, asking casually, "Can I trust your loyalty?"
Ru Mo suddenly raised his head and answered without hesitation, "This subordinate is willing to serve Your Highness with his life, even unto death."
“Fine…” Li Yuanzhao smiled and said slowly, “Then go die.”
The tone was casual, making it seem as if she was just saying it offhand, or perhaps joking.
A look of shock flashed in Ru Mo's eyes, but without the slightest hesitation, he drew his sword and prepared to slit his own throat.
Just as the sword sliced through the skin on her neck, drawing out a bead of blood, Li Yuanzhao reached out and grabbed her wrist.
Looking at the fearless determination in Ru Mo's eyes, her doubts gradually dissipated.
Li Yuanzhao released his grip, leaned back on the soft couch, and his tone regained its usual coldness.
"Alright, I was just saying it casually. You may leave now."
Ru Mo paused for a moment, then sheathed his sword and, without any objection, respectfully kowtowed and withdrew.
The palace doors creaked shut, isolating the outside world.
Li Yuanzhao closed his eyes and took a deep breath of the blood-stained air.
It's no wonder she's suspicious; right now, she's determined to do something that absolutely requires her to not allow anyone around her to betray her.
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