254: Being a mad dog

“When I went on an expedition back then, one was to protect her, to prevent her from falling into the hands of the Southern Demon and ruining the happiness of her latter half of life.

Secondly, I also wanted to do something within my power for this country.” Moye Chen said unhurriedly while sipping his ice black tea.

“In the end, I won that war, the Southern Demon retreated, and Great Zhou ushered in an era of peace.

However, my achievements overshadowed the ruler, and the late emperor became wary of me, stripping me of my military power after the border war ended.”

“But Xiao Yao also gained the recognition of the Luck during this period.”

Xiao Yao? Is that the tyrant's nickname? Should I try it someday? …Su Xiaobai's heart was eager to try.

But he quickly gave up on his suicidal thought. His facial injuries hadn't healed yet; was he forgetting the pain after the wound healed?

Moye Chen continued, “However, as a woman, she would eventually become a tool for political marriage. This is the sorrow of being born into the imperial family.”

Su Xiaobai nodded silently, not interrupting him.

There is no emotion within the imperial family. When one person ascends the throne, everyone else becomes withered bones. It has always been this way.

“Until one day, she told me that she no longer wanted to be manipulated. She wanted to become empress herself and take her destiny into her own hands.”

Moye Chen couldn't help but smile, as if recalling the determined little girl from back then, “To be honest, I was startled by her at the time.

A woman becoming empress was something almost no one thought of, nor dared to think of.”

“But the look in her eyes told me that she was serious.”

“Then Duke Mo, you must have agreed, right?” Su Xiaobai asked.

“Of course, I agreed.” Moye Chen's eyes showed a look of reminiscence, “I have no attachments in this world.

If I couldn't protect her mother in the first half of my life, and I still can't protect her in the second half, then there's no point in living.”

Su Xiaobai was sensible enough not to inquire about his relationship with the empress's mother.

“To help her ascend the throne, we plotted for over ten years. Both I and she paid a huge price.

The hardships involved are far more than can be summarized by a simple 'because she is a Luck Legacy holder.'

Do you understand?”

He looked at Su Xiaobai, his eagle-like gaze inexplicably giving people a sense of oppression.

“This subordinate understands.” Su Xiaobai said sincerely.

“But now, she has gambled the results of so many years on you. To be honest, I'm very angry.”

His tone was tinged with a hint of coldness, as if suppressing his rage.

That feeling was like a daughter, raised for many years, suddenly getting pregnant by a young punk—angry but helpless.

Su Xiaobai immediately bowed, “Holy Monarch, rest assured, this subordinate will always follow Your Majesty's lead from now on. If she tells this subordinate to go east, this subordinate will never go west!”

Moye Chen finally suppressed the anger in his heart and sighed helplessly, “Forget it, the die is cast. Even if I beat you up, it won't change anything.”

Su Xiaobai's face darkened. I've already been beaten by the tyrant once; it would be rude to beat me again!

“I came here today to give you some pointers.” Moye Chen returned to the main topic.

Su Xiaobai sat up straighter, “Duke Mo, please speak.”

“You have now become a target. Prince Ming and others will undoubtedly start with you to force Your Majesty to abdicate. Do you know how to counter their offensive?”

Su Xiaobai pondered for a moment, then shook his head. He could curse people, but he was truly not good at the intrigues of the imperial court.

“Please teach me, Duke Mo.”

Moye Chen tapped the table, “It's simple: make them wary.”

“Make them wary?”

“Let them know that you are now a cornered mad dog. Whoever provokes you, you bite them. As for how much flesh you can bite off, that depends on your ability.

As for other things, just follow your heart. Your Majesty and I will handle the minor issues for you.”

Su Xiaobai's expression wasn't very good. “I understand the principle, but Duke Mo, next time, can we use a better analogy?”

Moye Chen seemed not to hear him and continued, “You are now a knife. I hope this knife of yours can end the long-standing three-party balance in the imperial court.

At the same time, you must also be careful; they might send people to assassinate you.”

“I understand.” Su Xiaobai nodded deeply, a hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes.

To force the empress to abdicate, it would simply be a matter of framing him.

And who is the easiest to frame?

The answer is undoubtedly: a dead person.

“However, this is also an opportunity. They don't know that you are already in the Supreme Realm, so the people they send to assassinate you won't be particularly strong either.”

“Taking advantage of this opportunity…”

“I get it, I get it! Feign weakness to catch a tiger, follow the vine to find the melon!” Su Xiaobai's face showed a sinister smile.

“Alright, since you understand, the rest is up to you. Don't let her efforts be in vain.”

Moye Chen stood up, and his figure disappeared directly.

“Farewell, Holy Monarch.”

...

Prince Ming's Residence.

Prince Ming leisurely sipped tea with his younger brother.

“Second Brother, Lin… Your Majesty this time, in order to protect Su Xiaobai, even gambled her throne. She is utterly pedantic. Our opportunity has come!” Prince Pingyuan said excitedly.

Prince Ming's eyes showed a hint of disdain and mockery, “I didn't expect Lin Yao to be infatuated with a man.

Heh, women are just women; they can't achieve great things.”

Prince Pingyuan nodded repeatedly, “Then Second Brother, I'll send people to kill Su Xiaobai right now, and at the same time, fake signs of Demon Race Qi leaking from his body to frame him.

With no one to testify, even if Lin Yao wants to investigate, she won't be able to!”

Prince Ming glanced at him sideways, his tone cold, “How many times have I told you, no matter where you are, as long as she hasn't abdicated, you cannot call her by her name directly. Why don't you ever learn?”

Prince Pingyuan: “…”

He felt very wronged in his heart. You clearly said it too, so why can't I say it?

But he dared not openly contradict his elder brother, so he could only meekly accept the reprimand.

Prince Ming continued, “Although Su Xiaobai himself is only in the Infant Transformation Stage Early Stage, he can use the Demonic Soul within his body. According to his performance in Qingzhou, he can reach the Virtual Soul Stage after using the Demonic Soul.

Moreover, he has Brocade-Clothed Guard Commander Wu Fan protecting him closely, and Wu Fan is a master in the Void Soul Realm Late Stage.”

He pondered for a while and said, “Alright, send three Virtual Soul Stage assassins to assassinate him. Remember to bring Extinction All Directions to prevent him from escaping.

With three Virtual Soul Stage experts, even if he has a Demonic Soul and Wu Fan is by his side, he will only die.”

“Why not directly send a Supreme Realm expert? Wouldn't that be safer?” Prince Pingyuan asked in confusion.

Prince Ming looked at him as if he were an idiot, “Do you think Supreme Realm experts are common cabbages? Those Supreme Realm experts in the Prince Party were all invited by me after much persuasion.

If you ask them to deal with a boy in the Infant Transformation Stage, they will only feel insulted. This Prince doesn't need to make a fool of himself.”

“…Alright, then everything will be as Second Brother says. I'll arrange the people now, and we'll have a celebration feast tomorrow night!

Second Brother, just wait here for my good news.”

Prince Pingyuan showed a “leave it to me” smile, then strode out of Prince Ming's Residence.

Prince Ming shook his head, a hint of helplessness and indulgence flashing in his eyes. There were many things he didn't feel comfortable entrusting to others, only to his own brother.