Hua Wenbo looked up, staring fixedly at Ji Xue. He knew she had more to say. As expected, Ji Xue’s lips moved, and she spoke again, "But she absolutely refuses to follow orders. She said if we want to use her fifty thousand troops, we must hand over military authority and let her command this war to retake Chentang Pass."
As soon as Ji Xue finished speaking, Hua Wenbo’s anger flared. He slammed his slender hand heavily onto the high table, followed by a cold snort, "Despicable."
In the hall, as the two were talking, a haughty voice drifted in from outside, "The Empress Consort is back?"
It was the Fifth Princess Ji Meng, dressed in a trailing water-grass green gown, a dazzling phoenix hairpin adorning her head. She strode in with an imposing aura. Upon seeing Hua Wenbo, she neither saluted nor bowed, simply standing proudly in the hall.
Hua Wenbo was furious. He was the master of the harem; when had he ever endured such disrespect? The Fifth Princess’s father consort had always been timid and weak, which was why Hua Wenbo had tolerated his presence in the harem.
All along, the Fifth Princess had respected him. He hadn't expected that after the defeat at Chentang Pass, this woman would become so arrogant. Hua Wenbo’s expression turned grim, and he spoke in a low, cold voice.
"Ji Meng, don't you see this Palace here? You don't even understand basic etiquette. Is this how your father consort taught you?"
As Hua Wenbo’s words fell, Ji Meng couldn't help but chuckle. She spoke slowly,
"Empress Consort, you still think you are so noble? Haven't you heard what's been circulating in the Danfeng Kingdom recently? Everyone in Danfeng Kingdom says you are a demon consort, still the person who lost the country. The civil and military officials in the court are already memorializing the Empress to bestow death upon you! And you're still here dreaming in your spring and autumn."
As Ji Meng finished speaking, she felt a flash before her eyes. Hua Wenbo’s body had already darted to her, and he lifted her by the neck with one hand, as easily as picking up a chick.
Ji Meng’s face quickly turned pale, her eyes wide with terror. Ji Xue, standing beside Hua Wenbo, felt a sense of catharsis.
However, Ji Meng could not die for the moment. If she died, neither she nor Hua Wenbo would likely survive. She quickly walked over, stretching up on her tiptoes to pull Hua Wenbo away.
"Are you crazy? Let her go quickly, or none of us will survive."
Hua Wenbo paused, finally releasing his grip. Ji Meng’s body went limp like a boneless snake, collapsing to the ground. Ji Xue gave her a disdainful cold glare before turning back to look at Hua Wenbo, who seemed to have been provoked. He stumbled back a few steps and sank into a nearby chair. He looked up and asked with fierce eyes,
"Tell me, is there really such a thing?"
Ji Xue was bewildered and a bit lost. She had been confined to the official yamen and had no idea about the situation outside. She shook her head, indicating she didn't know.
Hua Wenbo roared towards the outside, "Guards!"
Officials of Huacheng immediately entered. They had been waiting outside and rushed in upon hearing the Empress Consort’s call from the hall, kneeling respectfully. "Your subject greets the Empress Consort."
A dark aura spread across Hua Wenbo’s exquisite and radiant face. He spoke coldly, "Tell me, is it true that this Palace is widely rumored to be a demon consort in the Danfeng Kingdom?"
As his voice faded, the prefect of Huacheng and other officials kneeling below were all startled. They reached up to wipe their faces with their sleeves, their faces deathly pale, not daring to utter a word.
The hall turned as cold as ice. Hua Wenbo saw their actions and understood. This must have been another piece of news spread by that woman Mu Qingyao.
Why, why was he always defeated by that woman? He had lived for over forty years, always believing himself to be shrewd and in control of everything. Yet, ever since his son encountered such a woman, everything had gone off track.
Hua Wenbo raised his hand in anger, smashing the high table beside him into a pile of wood shavings.
Everyone in the hall had a deathly pale face. If they dared to anger this man again, their lives might be next. The previously arrogant Ji Meng dared not utter a sound. Had she forgotten that this man was always ruthless, insidious, and extremely wicked?
"All of you may leave. I am tired and need to rest."
Hua Wenbo stood up, his white robe fluttering, and walked out gracefully. His posture was like a proud plum blossom, seemingly unyielding to anything.
In Hua Wenbo’s room.
Ji Xue stood cautiously to the side, gazing at the man lounging carelessly on the bed, wondering why he had summoned her. It wouldn't be again...
Ji Xue’s face flushed. At such a time, she still had the mood to think about such things. She quickly and respectfully asked, "I don't know why the Empress Consort has summoned me."
Hua Wenbo extended a long arm, and Ji Xue fell into his embrace. He did not speak, but held her tightly.
Ji Xue trembled. His current state made her heart soften, making it impossible to blame him. She could only bear it silently.
"Xue'er, have I committed too many sins, that Heaven is finally taking revenge on me?"
He spoke softly and weakly. Ji Xue’s heart trembled. She had always thought of this man as insidious, vicious, cold-blooded, and heartless. Yet, perhaps even the worst people had a soft side, and even the best people had a bad side.
The demeanor he displayed now made her reluctant to nod and say yes, though she had thought so all along, it was difficult to say it when the time came.
"Forget it. Don't overthink it."
She reached out to touch his hair. The smooth strands slipped through her fingertips, cascading downwards. She patted his back naturally.
"Mm," Hua Wenbo responded, falling into contemplation without moving. However, this tranquility lasted only a moment. He soon looked up, his eyes filled with murderous intent, his pupils extremely sinister. His voice was cold as he spoke,
"I will never let that woman Mu Qingyao go."
"Yes, I believe you. Let's work together to retake Chentang Pass."
Ji Xue sighed, thinking of Ji Meng, a sense of vexation arose in her heart. If they could recapture Chentang Pass, the Empress might not strip her of her Crown Princess title. If they couldn't retake Chentang Pass, as Ji Meng had said, she would be nothing. This position was something she had worked for years to obtain; how could she let Ji Meng have it?
Thinking of this, Ji Xue couldn't help but tremble slightly, as if seeing her future as bleak.
Hua Wenbo reached out, drawing her into his arms, his voice soft and alluring,
"Ji Xue, haven't you thought it through? If the Empress truly deposes you, you will be nothing, do you understand? Nothing at all. If Ji Meng or other royal members discover that you are not of true royal blood, do you think you can even preserve your wealth and status, let alone your high position? Therefore, if you want to become Empress, you can only rely on me."