285: Chapter 0285 Who Will Be Chosen as Empress?

"It's all because of that Minister Liu Zongfu."

"Minister Liu?"

Xiao Qingxuan sighed, "Husband, there's something you don't know. Our Western Shu was originally a branch of the former Great Zheng Dynasty, which is why we all share the surname Xiao."

"After the Great Zheng fell, there has always been a large group of people within Western Shu who wanted to restore the Great Zheng Dynasty."

"In order to subvert the Great Gan, they have been cultivating talents to infiltrate the Imperial Academy and other high-level institutions of the Great Gan, as well as the gentry and noble families."

"Minister Liu Zongfu is one of them."

"I only found out who these people were after I became the Emperor."

"When Minister Liu Zongfu saw me that day, he recognized me. However, he was suffering from the plague at the time and didn't dare to approach me."

"But now that he's recovered, he waited here specifically for me, wanting to arrange a private meeting."

Lin Xiao feigned a look of sudden realization, "No wonder that old fellow was making those subtle gestures with his hands outside earlier."

"Husband, you really did notice," Xiao Qingxuan felt a secret sense of lingering fear.

Fortunately, she had come clean. Otherwise, if Lin Xiao had detected more anomalies, it would have easily led to a misunderstanding.

"The Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices is actually a spy for Western Shu?!"

Mu Wanying said excitedly, "This is too thrilling! Although that official rank isn't considered very high, he's in charge of the imperial sacrificial ceremonies."

"If he were to cause some trouble during a sacrificial ceremony, the Great Gan would suffer heavy losses!"

Zhao Caiwei also had a look of amazement, "I didn't expect Western Shu to truly be of the Great Zheng Xiao imperial bloodline, and that they still possess such influence today."

"I've heard my father mention that there are many spies within the Great Gan, but I never expected one to reach such a level."

Leng Bingyan speculated, "Could it be, Qing'er, that he wants you to lead them and immediately raise the banner to restore the Great Zheng?"

"It's truly possible. If Husband supports Qing'er, it would be equivalent to her going from a fallen monarch to a Queen commanding over two hundred thousand troops again."

Mu Wanying looked expectant; she was very interested in overthrowing the Great Gan imperial family.

As for who would be the Emperor? Overthrow them first, then talk!

"Wanying, stop messing around. After being together for half a year, do you still not know my heart?"

"If I truly wanted to restore the kingdom, I would have had Yaner contact General Leng Duo long ago. Why would I need Minister Liu Zongfu to contact me?"

Xiao Qingxuan said seriously, "I lost any desire to be an Empress long ago. I only want to assist my husband in achieving his great cause."

Lin Xiao smiled, "I don't have any great cause. I just want to try and see if I can make life a bit better for the common people."

"Husband, don't be modest. You should quickly help me think about how to deal with Minister Liu Zongfu."

Xiao Qingxuan said gloomily, "I know they have spent their whole lives wanting to restore the Great Zheng, but I truly have no heart to be an Empress anymore."

"Why? Is being a female Emperor not good? Or... do you only want to be the Empress Consort?" Mu Wanying asked with a smile.

"With Husband here, that imperial throne is not for anyone else to take, and I naturally am not worthy of it."

Xiao Qingxuan blushed, "As for who is chosen as the Empress... it is entirely up to Husband to decide."

Lin Xiao couldn't help but laugh, thinking to himself that since she had the strongest 'suction,' it obviously had to be her!

"Since my wife doesn't intend to be a female Emperor, it's simple. Just go and make it clear to Minister Liu Zongfu in person."

Xiao Qingxuan was stunned, "Is... is that feasible?"

"You are my, Lin Xiao's, woman. No one can force you to do anything you don't want to do! Remember, anything!"

Lin Xiao struck an awe-inspiring pose; anyway, he'd talk big first!

Xiao Qingxuan's beautiful eyes sparkled. On second thought, she was right. With her husband as her pillar of support, what did she have to fear?

In Hanyang City, in a quiet little courtyard.

Minister Liu Zongfu paced back and forth, occasionally looking up at the sky, his eyes filled with anxiety.

He was actually taking a considerable risk by staying here for so long, as it could easily arouse suspicion.

But he had no choice. Having finally caught an opportunity to see the Empress, he had to make certain things clear.

Finally, the door opened.

Xiao Qingxuan, dressed in black and wearing a cloak, walked in.

"Your sinful servant, Liu Zongfu, pays respects to my Emperor!"

There was a hint of emotional tears in Minister Liu Zongfu's eyes.

He had waited over twenty years for this kowtow!

"Minister Liu, Western Shu no longer exists. My brother, who is called the Prince Regent, is nothing more than a puppet."

"Since you now hold a third-rank position in the Great Gan, you should naturally benefit the people and no longer engage in espionage."

Xiao Qingxuan said earnestly, "Save your heart for serving the country for the people of this world."

Minister Liu Zongfu's expression changed, "Your Majesty! Why do you say such things?!"

"You, the legitimate Empress, are still in this world, and General Leng and we loyalists of Western Shu are still here. Western Shu can be restored at any time. How can it not exist?!"

Xiao Qingxuan said, "A single Prince of Nanling and a single Red Flame Iron Cavalry were enough to destroy Western Shu."

"If it happens again, the result will be no different."

"Now that the north has finally been pacified and the people of all regions can recover, why should we start another war and shed blood in vain?"

"If we restore the kingdom only for our own selfish desires, without considering the people, then how are we any different from the likes of Prince Bai?"

Minister Liu Zongfu's eyelids flickered, revealing a moment of deep thought.

"Your Majesty... is it because of Lin Xiao that you are giving up on restoration?"

Xiao Qingxuan frowned, "My husband means more to me than anything, but my decision not to restore the kingdom was not forced by him."

"Every word I say to you today comes from my heart. I hope you do not misunderstand."

Minister Liu Zongfu stood up and cupped his hands, "Your Majesty, your servant has a question. I ask Your Majesty to enlighten me."

"Speak."

Minister Liu Zongfu asked, "If Your Majesty's identity is one day made public, and the Great Gan imperial family demands Lin Xiao hand over Your Majesty, how will Your Majesty handle yourself?"

"My husband will never hand me over. I trust him!"

Xiao Qingxuan said coldly, "If Minister Liu intends to sow discord between us, please save yourself the trouble!"

Minister Liu Zongfu nodded with a smile, "In that case, your servant is relieved."

Xiao Qingxuan frowned, "Do you intend to deliberately provoke a conflict between the Great Gan imperial family and my husband? To make the Zhenbei Army a target for everyone?!"

"Your Majesty misunderstands."

Minister Liu Zongfu said bitterly, "Your servant is not that Poisonous Scholar Chen Yanqiu. I would never do something so devoid of conscience."

"Since Your Majesty has no heart for restoration, then even if your servant is heartbroken, I would not dare to go against Your Majesty's wishes."

"Your servant only hopes that Your Majesty's true feelings will not eventually be met with betrayal by a heartless man."

"After all... Your Majesty is the legitimate royalty of Western Shu. Regardless of whether the kingdom has fallen, in the hearts of us all, you are the only monarch."

Xiao Qingxuan's expression softened slightly, "Minister Liu, I am living very well. You can rest assured."

Minister Liu Zongfu nodded and solemnly knelt down to kowtow three times.

"Your servant takes his leave!"

Minister Liu Zongfu then left the room, boarded a carriage, and quickly disappeared into the night-shrouded streets.

His carriage passed through the city gates and gradually faded into the distance.

On the city walls of Hanyang, Lin Xiao and Xiao Qingxuan watched quietly.

"Husband, I feel... he was lying to me."

Xiao Qingxuan said worriedly, "His final kowtows, rather than being a farewell, seemed more like... he was asking for forgiveness in advance for a crime he is about to commit."

Lin Xiao smiled, "This Liu Zongfu has deep schemes and a strong obsession. My wife's identity as the Empress truly is at risk of being leaked."

"Then I'll go after him right now and kill him!"

Xiao Qingxuan didn't hesitate. She didn't want her identity to bring trouble to Lin Xiao.