But how easy is it to refuse to compromise?
The Yueyao Kingdom was small to begin with, and its army consisted entirely of women. Let alone comparing it to a heavy cavalry regiment, even if the Western Frontier Kingdom sent the same number of ordinary cavalry, the Yueyao Kingdom would not be able to withstand it.
Therefore, Murong Xi's sisters—that is, the princesses who did not become empress—opposed her. They felt that they had been sending grain to the Western Frontier for so many years and had never attacked Yueyao Kingdom, so why did they want to rebel against Murong Xi?
They naturally felt that Murong Xi was not considering the people of Yueyao Kingdom, but rather trying to please the old empress. Events proved them right, because Murong Xi became the new empress through this.
So after she ascended the throne, several princesses challenged her. Since she said she would not compromise and would resist, they would not allow Murong Xi to give grain to the Western Frontier Kingdom next year.
Therefore, Murong Xi only had this winter left. With the military strength of Yueyao Kingdom, she naturally could not resist Xijiang Kingdom. So Murong Xi had no choice but to ask other countries for help, and she thought of An Kingdom.
The method was not very clever; the only option was a marriage alliance.
Now, the entire Yueyao Kingdom is filled with doubts about her. Incited by those princesses, even ordinary people believe that Murong Xi's rebellion against the Western Frontier Kingdom is for personal gain. Therefore, these people have also joined the ranks of those condemning her. If she cannot find a solution, what awaits her will not be as simple as just giving up the throne as empress...
So after winter set in, she led the Holy Maiden and a troop of women soldiers toward Liangzhou.
Although she was an empress, she was first and foremost a woman.
Moreover, she was a woman who wasn't very old, so Murong Xi sometimes felt particularly wronged.
Human desires are endless. If we continue to compromise with the Western Frontier Kingdom, sooner or later, the Moon Yao Kingdom will cease to exist.
She was clearly doing it for the good of Yueyao Kingdom, but she couldn't be understood by everyone, which is why she felt wronged.
At this point, she wanted to be empress even less, but before that, she still had to fulfill her promise.
...
After listening to Murong Xi's story, Jing Zhe comforted her, "Your Majesty, don't worry. There's always a way. Now that you've chosen not to compromise with the Western Frontier anymore, and the Western Frontier has openly invaded Liangzhou again, His Majesty will definitely help you once you go to Jingzhou!"
"I hope so..."
Murong Xi said calmly.
Hearing her downcast mood, Jing Zhe deliberately teased her, "But the Empress has told me everything about you. Aren't you afraid I'll go around spreading rumors?"
"Can you say it?"
To everyone's surprise, Murong Xi did not answer, but instead asked a question in return.
"Um...probably not...I'm a person with very strong professional ethics. Of course, it would be best if the Empress promised me some benefits, like some special products from Yueyao Kingdom, otherwise I'm afraid my ethics might waver. After all, these things can be both soft and hard..."
"I doubt you would!"
Perhaps because they had shared their secrets, the two had grown closer, and Murong Xi was no longer so serious and rigid when she spoke: "If you dare to say that, when I go to Jingzhou, I will tell your emperor to send you to marry him!"
"Uh... I was wrong, Your Majesty. Don't worry, as a man, my professional ethics have always been very strong and will never soften!"
Seeing that he immediately backed down, Murong Xi's lips curled up, and she said smugly, "Hmph, if you dare to talk nonsense again, I'll take it seriously!"
After saying that, he chuckled, spraying water that tickled Jing Zhe's chest, which felt quite pleasant.
Feeling better?
Seeing this, Jing Zhe asked.
"Um."
Murong Xi was taken aback for a moment, then immediately understood: "Thank you."
"Alright, now that we've said our piece, go to sleep."
"good."
Murong Xi also knew that today's conversation had come to an end.
Because their current position was already quite awkward, before they spoke, they might have just been "huddling together for warmth to survive," and she didn't think much of it when they lay down.
But after sharing so many secrets, their relationship suddenly became closer, and lying there listening to each other's heartbeats and breathing, the atmosphere became ambiguous.
So it's better to go to sleep as soon as possible, and no one should talk to each other, in order to avoid awkwardness.
Thinking this, Murong Xi leaned her head closer, her face almost touching Jing Zhe's chest, feeling his strong heartbeat and the masculine scent emanating from him. She could feel her body getting warm, which was much better than sleeping alone.
However, the more she thought about this position, the more embarrassed she became. Fortunately, only the two people involved knew about it, otherwise, how could they face others?
Never mind, it's just one night anyway...
This kind of encounter, this kind of moment, may only happen once in a lifetime...
Thinking this, Murong Xi nudged herself further in…
Now, Jing Zhe felt very uncomfortable.
Previously, when Murong Xi was in his arms, her hair would occasionally dangle across his face, making him feel itchy, but he could still tolerate it.
However, after her hair came off the white phoenix hairpin, it all became disheveled, especially since she kept snuggling into his arms, her hair sticking to his face, which he found unbearable.
"Your Majesty, can you please lift your head?"
"Why?"
It's warm and comfortable to lie in his arms, and I don't have to look at his face—although I can't see it, it's still a bit awkward to think about, so why should I lift my head?
Achoo!
Jing Zhe sneezed, reached out and pulled her long hair up, saying helplessly, "Because your hair is always sticking to my face, it's so itchy, I can't sleep at all!"
"Oh~"
Murong Xi finally understood, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she hurriedly looked up.
Because Jing Zhe was talking to her, his head was slightly lowered. So when Murong Xi suddenly raised her head, her forehead and nose were right next to his face. But because she was tilting her head back, her mouth went from Jing Zhe's chin all the way to his lips.
It can't be moved anymore...
Murong Xi's mind went blank.
Did they... kiss?
She was both ashamed and angry, but more importantly, she couldn't get angry at Jing Zhe, because the reason the two of them were able to kiss was entirely due to her own actions!
He doesn't think... I did it on purpose, does he?
The thought of this possibility almost brought Murong Xi to tears.
She didn't even have time to savor the wonderful feeling before quickly turning her head away, but the faint mark on her lips seemed to be imprinted on it, impossible to wipe away.
Jing Zhe was also stunned.
This is? ? ?
The soft touch on his lips triggered a primal urge in him, making him want to reach out...
Before he could make a move, Murong Xi turned her head away, leaving him with a sense of loss.
At this moment, he began to ponder what would happen next: was this an accident, or was it something she did intentionally?
Why did you force a kiss on me?
Jing Zhe suddenly spoke up.
"..."
————
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