TVWFTBS 32

[032] Unyielding Majesty

Blue Star Empire’s Grand General, Xiao Yichen: [Grand Marshal, what does Her Majesty the Empress mean by this? Could it be that she wants to reshuffle everything?]

Blue Star Empire’s Grand Marshal, Huo Tingyue: [Let’s observe quietly. The Empress’s thoughts are harder than ever to predict.]

Blue Star Empire’s Minister of Finance, Liang Jingxuan: [Is the Empress planning to groom the Second Princess? Could our spring finally be coming?]

Blue Star Empire’s Minister of Public Security, Lei Gang: [Let’s wait and see. Do more, speak less.]

Blue Star Empire’s Minister of Defense, Bai Jingyi: [I only recognize the Empress’s decree. Everything else people say is nonsense.]

For a moment, the empire’s key decision-makers whispered among themselves, each harboring their own thoughts.

Soon after, the Empress announced the empire’s upcoming plans and invited each minister to share their opinions. Time passed quickly, and the audience ended without any concrete decisions.

Just then, a guard entered to report that Bei Mingheng requested to meet the Second Princess. He claimed that if she refused, he would die at the palace gate to prove the sincerity of his feelings.

The Empress’s fury flared, but she quickly regained her composure. Her sharp gaze turned to Li Yaoyao.

“Second Princess, what do you have to say about this matter?”

Bei Mingheng, once expelled from the imperial capital by her elder daughter, now cowered like a stray dog.

His former prestige, in the Empress’s eyes, was nothing more than fleeting smoke.

Li Yaoyao felt her heart tighten. She knew her mother’s formidable power and was acutely aware of her own precarious position.

She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and spoke slowly:
“Mother, I believe that although Bei Mingheng is ambitious, he is no longer a threat. He was expelled from the palace by my sister and is likely afraid, unlikely to act rashly again.”

The Empress’s gaze remained piercing, as if she could see straight through Li Yaoyao’s heart. She fell silent for a moment before saying:
“Second Princess, do not underestimate him. Bei Mingheng is cunning and treacherous. If left unguarded, he could cause unforeseen trouble.”

Li Yaoyao quickly nodded and replied, “Mother, you are right. I will be vigilant and careful, and will not give Bei Mingheng any opportunity to act.”

The Empress slightly nodded, her gaze softening just a little. She knew Li Yaoyao was smart but still young and in need of further growth. Perhaps this incident was precisely the opportunity for that.

“Li Yaoyao, I want to hear your true words. Are these truly your words?”

The Empress’s beautiful eyes narrowed, and her aura instantly turned icy, as though the very temperature around her dropped several degrees.

Chen Lie, attending nearby, hurried to massage her shoulders and back, easing the tense atmosphere.

Li Yaoyao trembled, quickly kneeling in fear, saying, “Mother, please calm your anger. Everything I have said is truthful. I had no knowledge of this matter.”

“Besides, Bei Mingheng was promised to my sister by the Serpent Clan. How could I possibly entertain any thoughts toward him?”

Her voice trembled, her eyes full of fear and helplessness. She lowered her head, afraid that her expression might betray her true feelings.

Her heart raced violently, as if it might leap from her chest.

She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms, trying to use the pain to distract herself from the panic within.

She knew that once the Empress’s wrath was fully unleashed, the consequences would be unimaginable. She had to find a way to calm her mother, or she would face severe punishment.

“Please, Mother, I beg you to decide this matter on my behalf. I do not wish to become a figure despised by the world.”

Seeing that the Empress remained unmoved, Li Yaoyao’s voice trembled further, her eyes full of urgency and frustration, and she quickly reaffirmed her stance.

She clenched her fists even harder, her nails pressing into her palms, as if that could steady her inner turmoil.

She despised Bei Mingheng for his foolish actions. His selfishness and recklessness had put her in such a difficult position.

She had never imagined she would suffer so much because of him.

Her heart was filled with helplessness and grievance; tears welled in her eyes, yet she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

She knew she could not show weakness before her mother and had to be strong to secure a fair outcome for herself.

She took a deep breath, striving to keep her voice steady, and continued:
“Mother, I have always followed your teachings, striving to be a kind and upright person. Yet Bei Mingheng has treated me in this way. His actions not only bring me shame but also desecrate the dignity of the royal family. I humbly ask you, Mother, to uphold justice and restore my honor.”

Li Yaoyao knew today’s incident would not end favorably for Bei Mingheng. Sacrificing him would ensure she retained everything she had.

Once she became the Crown Princess and eventually inherited the throne, what kind of male wouldn’t she have? Sacrificing one Bei Mingheng while having countless others was not foolish—she would never sacrifice herself for anyone.

The Empress narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze moving from the almost hysterical Li Yaoyao to Chen Lie at her side.

Her face, previously cold as frost, softened just a little, yet still radiated an unyielding majesty.

“Lie, handle this matter. Do not leave any loose ends that the Serpent Clan could exploit.”
“If their people commit wrongdoing, let the Serpent Clan handle it themselves.”
“Slandering a royal princess and defying imperial authority are serious offenses, but they still need to be reported to the Serpent Clan.”

The Empress’s voice was not loud but clear and forceful, each word heavy with authority.

Chen Lie nodded slightly, his eyes full of obedience and respect. “I will follow your command.”

Without asking further questions, he turned and left.

Li Yaoyao watched this, a flicker of panic in her eyes, but she did not dare speak.

She bit her lip, hands unconsciously clutching her dress, knuckles white from gripping tightly.

Chen Lie’s steps were steady, his posture upright, and he soon vanished from sight.

The Empress returned her gaze to Li Yaoyao, her eyes piercing as if reading her soul. Li Yaoyao’s heart raced, and she instinctively lowered her head.

“Do not be too anxious. As long as your conscience is clear, Mother will not treat you unfairly,” the Empress said, her tone calm yet subtly reassuring.

Li Yaoyao shivered slightly and whispered, “Yes…”

At that moment, her heart was filled with fear of the unknown and speculation about her mother’s intentions.

In this deep and shadowed palace, she felt like a lost lamb, unsure of what fate awaited her.

The Empress cast a glance at the ministers, then frowned slightly. “Honored ministers, I have a message for you: the Crown Princess has traveled to another planet in search of new resources.”
“She will not return for the time being.”
“During this period, no one is allowed to disturb her.”
“If anyone dares to interfere with the Crown Princess—execution without mercy!”

Though the Empress was angry that her eldest daughter had fled the palace after sending just a single message, she was pleased that her daughter’s safety was ensured.

Her palace was a fortress of bronze and iron, and she was curious how her eldest daughter had evaded surveillance and the heavy guard.