Chapter 176

More than ten ministers with unanimous political views exchanged glances with one another.

Thinking of ways not to condemn the public, they didn't believe that the emperor could kill so many people!

When the time comes, the court will be empty. Let's see who she can rely on to govern Yue Country!

Having thought of this, they stood up at the same time and said loudly: "Your Majesty, for the sake of the future development of Yue Country, please withdraw your order!"

Qin Zhao gave a cold laugh. "Are you forcing me to make a choice?"

Zhang Hou, as the representative of the people, said: "It's not like that. We are also considering the future development prospects of Yue Country!"

"I am the daughter of the heavens, and my decision is the right path!" Qin Zhao said. "Come on, take them all out!"

The guards heard the order and rushed in to hold the ministers who had just spoken and dragged them out!

Zhang Hou panicked and shouted: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty! You will be punished for indiscriminate killing of the innocent!"

Seeing that Qin Zhao was unmoved, the others pleaded for mercy one after another. "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. I beg Your Majesty to spare my life!"

Qin Zhao waved her hand. "Take them away quickly, they're annoying me."

The guards reinforced their efforts and dragged the men out of the hall!

Just then, Qi Yan Su Luo spoke up: "Your Highness, please wait a moment, I have something to say!"

Qin Zhao gestured for everyone to be quiet, and the guards also stopped in their tracks.

Qi Yan Su Luo said: "Your Majesty, West Lin has suffered a heavy blow and needs a wise king to lead them to recuperate.

As the former princess of West Lin Country, I should rightly take over this heavy responsibility.

Please allow me to leave the capital and return to West Lin."

There was dead silence in the hall, and no one dared to look at the emperor's face,

afraid that she would arbitrarily convict people in anger.

Finally hearing her say that she wanted to leave in person, Qin Zhao's days of anxiety were confirmed.

Her hands shook as she gripped the dragon throne, but in order to maintain basic dignity in front of her ministers, she did not get angry in public. She just lowered her voice and said, "Dismissed. Qi Yan Su Luo stays behind."

The ministers hurriedly left the scene fearing dispute.

The guard tentatively asked: "Your Majesty, what should be done with these people?"

Qin Zhao didn't even look up and said, "Beat them to death!"

The desperate cries of more than a dozen traitorous ministers gradually faded away, and only Qin Zhao and Qi Yan Su Luo were left in the hall.

Qin Zhao looked at her and said, "West Lin has governors to manage it. It can recuperate without you having to go back in person."

Qi Yan Su Luo: "But I want to go back."

"Why?"

"My people are also waiting for me." Qin Zhao angrily said: "Don't say such sanctimonious words!"

Qi Yan Su Luo took a deep breath and opened her mouth slowly: "I don't mean this as just lip service. I really think so in my heart.

But there are other reasons too."

"Say it."

Qi Yan Su Luo walked up a few steps and stood on the first step below the jade stairs, looking straight at Qin Zhao.

"You stand too high and walk too far. I always have to crane my neck just to see you clearly.

It was like this before, and it will be even more so in the future.

Too tiring. I want to let my neck rest for a while."

Qin Zhao got up and walked quickly down the stairs, grabbing Qi Yan Su Luo by the shoulders. "I said we are equal. You don't need to look up at me."

Qi Yan Su Luo pushed away her hands and turned around. "From the moment you entered my life as a savior, I started looking up at you.

Before you appeared, I had already fallen into the abyss.

Anyone in the capital could trample me.

My foothold was too low. It was not something that could be solved just by you taking the initiative to come to my side.

Qin Zhao, you are a smart person. You must know what I am talking about.

If you really want me to live a happy life, please let me go."

Qin Zhao hugged her from behind and whispered gently, "Believe me, as long as we work hard together, we can smooth out the road under your feet again.

I will give you an easy and happy life. I will also take good care of your people for you.

I will handle everything well.

Stay. Otherwise how will I get through the lonely nights?"

Qi Yan Su Luo pried open Qin Zhao's arms and moved away from that alluring warmth.

She said, "If you want me to live easily, why did you push me to the forefront?

You know very well that breaking with tradition and making me the empress will cause a huge uproar!"

"Because I want you to be able to enjoy the same nobility and glory with me."

Qi Yan Su Luo retorted, "No, you want to use me to identify the ministers who disagree with you and get rid of them.

In the face of your revenge and grand cause, I'm just a pawn."

Qin Zhao's eyebrows tightened slightly. "How did you know?"

"From the way you dealt with them decisively and resolutely. As soon as they stood up, you immediately sentenced them to death without any hesitation.

Even when they showed signs of regret, you were not swayed at all.

From the beginning, you were targeting them.

Making me the empress was just a very good opportunity for you."

Qin Zhao expressionlessly walked back up the jade steps and sat back on the dragon throne, saying, "That's right, I did intend that.

But my feelings for you are also real."

Qi Yan Su Luo looked up at her and asked, "What if I insist on leaving? Would Your Majesty kill me?"

Qin Zhao did not answer, only saying: "Let me ask you again, are you willing to be my empress and stay by my side?" Qi Yan Su Luo curled her fingers tightly. "I'm not willing."

Qin Zhao closed her eyes. "Then I will grant that we shall not see each other again in this life."

Qi Yan Su Luo knelt down and knocked her head heavily. "Thank you for Your Majesty's great kindness."

...

Five days later, Qi Yan Su Luo packed her luggage, rode the thousand-mile horse bestowed by Qin Zhao, and headed out of the city.

The once unfamiliar yet familiar streets that came into view had made her want to vomit every additional glance. At this moment, however, she felt a little nostalgic about them.

But she knew which choice was more suitable for her.

If she stayed in the capital, she could only rely on Qin Zhao to live, and every move she made would be subject to public judgement.

Just thinking about such a confined life made her heart thump madly.

Upon this thought, Qi Yan Su Luo whipped the reins, spurring her horse to quicken its pace.

When she passed through Chang'an Street, the sky suddenly rained down.

The large raindrops hit her face sharply.

Qi Yan Su Luo used her hand to shield her forehead, looking around for a shop selling umbrellas.

To no avail, she decisively gave up.

The rain in August always comes quickly and goes quickly. Maybe it would stop after a while.

Just out of the city, Qi Yan Su Luo heard someone shouting behind her, "Miss Qi Yan, wait!"

"Yo!"

Qi Yan Su Luo pulled on the reins to stop her horse.

Cong Han caught up on horseback and handed her an oiled paper umbrella, saying, "Her Majesty said she couldn't come to see you off, so she asked me to bring you an umbrella."

Qi Yan Su Luo took the umbrella, seemingly moved, and looked towards the city wall!

But she saw no one there.

Cong Han asked: "What are you looking at?"

Qi Yan Su Luo shook her head lightly. "Nothing.

Then this is goodbye."

After she finished speaking, she pulled the reins and raced into the wind and rain...

On the tower, Qin Zhao watched Qi Yan Su Luo’s fading figure.

Huo Jun held an umbrella for her.

The two stood motionless for a long time until Qi Yan Su Luo shrank into a small dot.

Huo Jun said: "Your Majesty, the rain is getting heavier. Let's go back."

"Alright."

Qin Zhao turned around.

From then on, there was no more Qin Zhao and Qi Yan Su Luo drifting between the heavens and earth.

Only Yue Country’s Emperor Qin Zhao and West Lin’s King Qi Yan Su Luo remained.