ãInside the tent, Ye Yu sat on the main seat, while Huangfu Baizhi knelt respectfully before him.ã
ãAt this moment, she had already prepared for the worst.ã
ãEven the possibility of immediate execution had crossed her mind.ã
ãYet, she was deeply puzzled.ã
ãThe disparity in military strength between them was vast.ã
ãIf Ye Yu truly wished to annihilate their rebellion, it would be as easy as flipping a hand.ã
ãBut why was he giving so much money to the rebels?ã
ãWas it really as the rumors said?ã
ãThat the great money-sprinkling emperorâs only hobby was to distribute wealth?ã
ãAs Huangfu Baizhi pondered this, Ye Yu continued to observe the rebel leader.ã
ãEver since hearing Meng Shifangâs description of Huangfu Baizhi, he had been very interested in her.ã
ãHe had even read through Huangfu Baizhiâs documents on the way here.ã
ãIt was hard to stop once he started.ã
ãIn the hundred years of war, the tasks Meng Shifang assigned to Huangfu Baizhi were nothing short of hellish.ã
ãYet this woman had demonstrated astonishing talent in leading troops.ã
ãNo matter how dire the situation, as long as she was in command, she could effortlessly turn the tide.ã
ãSuch a brilliant record should have warranted a promotion long ago.ã
ãBut now, she was still just a minor fourth-rank general, stationed in a frigid, desolate land, with no hope in sight.ã
ãNo wonder she harbored grievances!ã
ãYe Yu lightly tapped the table, then, after a moment of thought, slowly rose and walked up to Huangfu Baizhi.ã
ãAs he approached, Ye Yu could clearly smell a subtle fragrance.ã
ãUnexpectedly, not only were her eyes so sharp, but she also smelled so pleasant.ã
ãIt was a pity that she was still veiled at this moment, making it somewhat regretful not to see her full appearance.ã
ãYe Yu frowned slightly.ã
ãHe reached out and pulled down the veil from Huangfu Baizhiâs face.ã
ãThough she attempted to avert her face, she ultimately endured.ã
ãWhen Ye Yu saw Huangfu Baizhiâs true face, he couldnât help but widen his eyes in surprise.ã
ãOriginally, he thought that Huangfu Baizhi wore a veil to hide ugliness.ã
ãBut he never expected that her appearance was so extraordinarily beautiful.ã
ãThe beauty mark at the corner of her mouth added an extra touch of charm.ã
ãHuangfu Baizhi slightly lowered her head.ã
ãIn a deep voice, she said: Your Majesty, there is no need to look further at this humble appearance of mine.ã
ãNo matter what punishment is given, I can accept it.ã
ãYe Yu couldnât help but laugh.ã
ãIf this could be considered a humble appearance, then perhaps there are no beauties in the entire northern wilderness.ã
ãYe Yu took a storage ring from his hand and placed it before her.ã
ãUpon seeing this, Huangfu Baizhi was very puzzled.ã
ãYour Majesty, what do you mean by this?ã
ãYe Yu explained: Inside this ring are martial arts techniques, spiritual stones, and artifacts. With proper use, they can definitely help you advance to the next level.ã
ãThis statement left Huangfu Baizhi even more confused.ã
ãIt seemed that His Majesty did not intend to kill her?ã
ãMoreover, why was he giving so many things?ã
ãHuangfu Baizhi found it increasingly strange.ã
ãJust then, a terrifying vast pressure descended in an instant.ã
ãEven though Huangfu Baizhi had already reached the Integration Realm, under this immense pressure, she couldnât even move a finger.ã
ãThen, Ye Yuâs warm voice echoed in her ears.ã
ãI intend to keep you for future use.ã
ãBut one must know their place. If you accept my things and still harbor ill intentions, then no one can protect you, and I mean that.ã
ãHuangfu Baizhiâs heart trembled violently.ã
ãAfter speaking, Ye Yu turned and left the tent.ã
ãThe terrifying pressure also vanished.ã
ãHuangfu Baizhi knelt on the ground, trembling uncontrollably.ã
ãWhat money-sprinkling emperor? A ruler without cultivation?ã
ãIt was all false, all of it!ã
ãYe Yuâs cultivation level was definitely above the peak of the Tribulation Crossing Realm.ã
ãHe might even be at the legendary Ascension Realm.ã
ãIt was terrifying!ã
ãEveryone in the Great Yong Dynasty thought Ye Yu was an emperor who didnât practice cultivation and only knew how to squander money.ã
ãIn contrast, he was actually the most hidden figure on this continent.ã
ãNo wonder he dared to come alone.ã
ãWith such cultivation, even if the rebel forces were ten times more in number, they wouldnât pose a threat to him.ã
ãBut what did his words mean?ã
ãKept for future use?ã
ãHuangfu Baizhi didnât believe that a mere Integration Realm cultivator could be of any use to someone at the Ascension Realm.ã
ãCould it be that His Majesty was interested in her?ã
ãHuangfu Baizhi shook her head slightly, a blush appearing on her face.ã
ãShe picked up the veil from the ground and put it back on.ã
ãAs the Emperor of a Great Dynasty, what kind of woman couldnât he have? How could he be interested in her?ã
ãHuangfu Baizhi dismissed this unrealistic thought.ã@@novelbin@@
ãShe then picked up the storage ring, infused a trace of spiritual energy into it, and began to examine it.ã
ãBut just one glance made her expression priceless.ã
ãThat night, Ye Yu returned to the palace.ã
ãHe found Sun Longhai still kneeling at the entrance of the Yangxin Hall.ã
ãYe Yu asked him what he was doing.ã
ãSun Longhai immediately replied that he also bore responsibility for Huangfu Baizhiâs rebellion.ã
ãYou insisted on negotiating alone with the rebels, which made him very worried.ã
ãSo he planned to kneel here until His Majesty returned, and if His Majesty did not come, he would kneel until death!ã
ãListening to these extremely nauseating words, Ye Yu stepped forward and gently kicked him over.ã
ãHe then prepared to go back and rest.ã
ãSun Longhai struggled to get up and hurriedly asked: Your Majesty, how was the handling of the rebels?ã
ãYe Yu had already walked far and waved his hand, saying: Treacherous ministers and rebels, I alone suppressed them!ã
ãUpon hearing this, Sun Longhai furrowed his brow slightly and murmured to himself: Treacherous ministers and rebels, I alone what?ã
ãWait, could it be âmarryâ?ã (¹)
ãâTreacherous ministers and rebels, I alone marry them.â That flows well!ã
ãFor the peace of the nation and people, His Majesty actually took on all the burdens alone.ã
ãBut who did he marry?ã
ãHuangfu Baizhi!ã
ãThe leader of the rebels!ã
ãYour Majesty, your sacrifice is so great!ã
ãSun Longhai wiped away the invisible tears on his face.ã
ãHe recalled the scene from a hundred years ago, when Ye Yu often looked at Huangfu Baizhi.ã
ãWait, perhaps His Majesty wasnât making a sacrifice, but had planned this for a long time!ã
ãWhatever it is!ã
ãAs long as His Majesty can marry, itâs a great blessing for the Great Yong Dynasty.ã
ãThe Ye familyâs legitimate line would finally have descendants!ã
ãAfter a moment of silence, Sun Longhai quickly left the palace.ã
ãHe summoned his trusted aides for a meeting.ã
ãThe ministers gathered at the Sun residence.ã
ãSomeone anxiously asked: Prime Minister, why did you call us here in such a hurry? Is something major happening?ã
ãIs it related to the rebel Huangfu Baizhi?ã
ãUpon hearing this, Sun Longhai slapped him across the face.ã
ãTo hell with the rebels, thatâs the Empress!ã
(T/N: (¹)In the original text, Ye Yu says âå¹³â (pÃng), which means âto pacifyâ or âto suppress.â Sun Longhai mishears this as â娶â (qÇ), which means âto marry.â These two words sound similar, especially when spoken quickly.)