The Tyrant’s Drama Queen Empress

CHAPTER 38: How Pitiful

　　Xie Yuanxun said with a playful glint in his eyes, “The spies left behind by the late Emperor were all hunted down by the Shadow Guard after his death. Not all of them perished, though. The Shadow Guard originally came from the Crown Prince Zhaoyuan’s faction. Some of those people were blindly loyal, wanting to avenge their former master. And a few fools… the late Emperor played them like puppets, making them think I was the one to be killed. When the two sides joined forces, it actually gave me some entertainment in the Palace.”

　　“Oh right, I almost forgot. There’s still the remnants of the Mu family’s faction. Back then I wiped them out, not only because I hated the late Emperor trying to use the Empress Mu to control me, but also because they sheltered spies he planted outside the Palace. They knelt before me, yet in their hearts they were scheming to use leverage against me. If they don’t die, who will?”

　　Shen Ling’s eyes flickered.

　　—So it really is them.

　　—They’re the stubbornest, even dead they still jump around like cockroaches.

　　—But wow, your life really sucks. Your father’s faction wants you dead, the late Emperor’s people are after you, and even your Empress’s family wants a piece of the action. Just hearing it makes it feel like a tragic romance. She bore you, he loved her, she loved him, he hated him… what a twisted story.

　　“......” Xie Yuanxun said, “Take this one alive and hang him. Let the others see. One comes, one dies. Dare to come, and it’s death.”    

　　Shen Ling, “......”

　　—I’m taking back my sympathy. You’re not the one who’s pitiful here, it’s them. You’re no fragile little thing—you have a bastard father!

　　Xie Yuanxun glanced at Shen Ling, and she instinctively asked, “What are you looking at?”

　　His fingers, a bit cold, pinched her cheek. “Stick close tomorrow. Don’t get separated. You’ve felt their intent to kill you today, and I don’t want to see your body then.”

　　—Are you trying to comfort me or serving me a death notice?

　　Shen Ling fired back with all her soul, “Your Majesty, do I really seem that weak in your eyes?”

　　Xie Yuanxun countered, “Haven’t you always been weak?”

　　Shen Ling felt invisible arrows strike her chest with every word. His words hurt so much she didn’t even want to answer. She lifted her foot and walked ahead of him down the mountain.

　　Xie Yuanxun spoke slowly, “I wonder if anyone’s lying in wait on the way down.”

　　Shen Ling obediently stopped, stepped back, and edged closer until she was right beside him. She looked up and smiled, “Your Majesty, we went up the mountain together, so we’ll come down together too. I’m not leaving you behind.”

　　Xie Yuanxun snorted, “You’re just afraid of dying.”

　　Shen Ling replied, “I call it cherishing life.” She had already been granted a second chance at life by fate. If she lost this one too, she didn’t know if she’d ever get another shot in another world. Though, honestly, Shen Ling figured there probably wouldn’t be another chance. Fate isn’t some pebble you pick up by the roadside.

　　Xie Yuanxun said, “Hypocrite.”

　　—Fine, I’m hypocritical, whatever you say.

　　—You’re His Majesty. Whatever you say goes.

　　......

　　Madam Jiang and Madam Yang, whose husband was also an official in the Ministry of Personnel, walked together chatting. Madam Yang had heard the rumors about Shen Ling’s rocky relationship with Madam Jiang and didn’t really want to get too close. But since her husband’s rank was lower than Shen Kangzheng’s, she couldn’t afford to offend Madam Jiang and could only patiently accompany her.

　　Shen Xi followed behind them, alongside Madam Yang’s daughter, Miss Yang. At first, Madam Jiang didn’t want to bring Shen Xi out in public, but if she didn’t, people might gossip anyway. On top of that, Shen Jinxiu would occasionally check in, and Madam Jiang didn’t want to give him any reason to complain or for Shen Xi to report her.

　　She’d learned that lesson the hard way before.

　　Miss Yang was a spoiled young lady. She had plans to meet friends, but the moment Madam Yang saw Madam Jiang with Shen Xi, she made her stay to accompany Shen Xi. Miss Yang was not happy about it at all.

　　Shen Xi asked, “Miss Yang, are you tired? If you are, we can step aside and rest for a bit.”

　　Miss Yang shot her a sharp look. “Rest? Haven’t you seen that Mother and the others have already walked far ahead?” Her eyes flicked around. “If you really want me to rest, you might as well just let me leave first.”

　　Shen Xi shook her head. “If you want to leave, you can’t ask me. You need Madam Yang’s permission. I can’t just let you go, otherwise, if something happens, it won’t be good.”

　　Miss Yang snapped, “Who said anything about something happening to me? I’m fine! Why are you cursing me like that? If it weren’t for you, I’d have left already. Now you’re just standing here pretending to be innocent!”

　　Shen Xi looked a little hurt. “I didn’t realize you held such a grudge against me.”

　　Miss Yang’s eyes went wide. “There you go again! Is someone standing nearby?” Her gaze swept the area, and sure enough, a few handsome young men were passing by just behind her left side.

　　She bit her lip. “I knew it!” She had been caught off guard by Shen Xi before. Even though she hadn’t bullied Shen Xi, she couldn’t stop herself, and then some young gentleman would happen to see it and give her a disapproving look, making her feel like she was being ridiculously spoiled.

　　Shen Xi said calmly, “What are you talking about? I don’t understand your words.”

　　Miss Yang paused, frustrated. “...ugh, and there you go with that tone again! Always pretending!”

　　Shen Xi’s lips curved into a small, quiet smile. Watching the flustered Miss Yang, she felt a little satisfied. If only Shen Ling could be this easy to rattle too.

　　Just then, Xie Yuanxun and Shen Ling returned.

　　From a distance, Madam Jiang spotted them and said to Madam Yang, “Let’s go, we should greet them.”

　　Madam Yang offered polite flattery, “Her Grace’s favor is truly something you have to see to believe. Even when His Majesty goes out, he takes her along.” Hearing Madam Jiang say they were going to greet them, Madam Yang wanted to remark that it sounded all staged, as if they wouldn’t have gone otherwise.

　　Madam Jiang smiled lightly. “Actually, it’s because we raised her well. I only wanted her to be safe, never expecting her to stand out in the Palace.”

　　The corner of Madam Yang’s eye twitched. She had never seen Madam Jiang act so hypocritically after gaining the upper hand. “Yes, aren’t parents simply hoping for the best for their children? I only first heard news of Her Grace when you brought her back to the Shen residence a few months ago.” Madam Jiang claimed she had taught Shen Ling, but only a fool would believe her. Everyone knew Shen Ling had been secretly switched at birth and sent to live in the countryside.

　　Madam Jiang’s expression faltered at Madam Yang’s words. If she tried to give Madam Yang a cold look, Madam Yang wasn’t even looking at her. Maybe she thought Madam Yang was mocking her, but the smile on Madam Yang’s face was genuinely kind.

　　Madam Yang gave a small, satisfied smile. Finally, the frustration of being forcibly pulled into conversation by Madam Jiang was released.

　　As Xie Yuanxun and Shen Ling drew near, Madam Jiang and the others bowed in greeting. Xie Yuanxun didn’t even glance at them, and it was still Shen Ling who prompted them to rise.　　

　　Madam Jiang’s legs had been bent for a while, and when she finally stood, her body was a little crooked. Madam Yang, on the other hand, seemed fine. Madam Jiang lifted her head, not daring to look at Xie Yuanxun, and turned toward Shen Ling, “Your Grace, ah!” she exclaimed.

　　Madam Jiang saw the man in black, bleeding all over, his chest wound mangled and bloody. Fear made her step back, her face pale as death. Shen Xi and the others beside her looked like they had been stamped from the same mold. A maid by Madam Yang lowered her head, clenching her hands inside her sleeves.

　　Shen Ling offered a reassuring gesture to Madam Jiang. “Don’t be afraid. He’s a bad man. If you were truly a good person, you could ward off all evil. The one who should be scared is him, not you. Or… are you afraid because you’re not a good person?”

　　—This guy isn’t even dead. What’s there to be scared of?

　　—I’m not scared at all, I…

　　—Wait, yeah, I guess I’m not scared! I just realized I’m not scared. Is my tolerance really this strong? No, it’s not that I’m strong. It’s that I’ve already been scared before.

　　Shen Ling recalled the chaos from when she first entered the Palace, all of Xie Yuanxun’s maneuvers. Anyone without nerves of steel really wouldn’t have survived.

　　Madam Jiang, “……” Even if she wasn’t a good person, she couldn’t admit it now!

　　Madam Jiang said, “Yes, Your Grace is right. Evil cannot overcome good.”

　　Shen Ling nodded, “Not bad, seems like someone’s been well taught.”

　　—Hehe, I just love seeing you annoyed but having no choice but to swallow it. Suffer a little, why don’t you!

　　Xie Yuanxun glanced at Madam Jiang. Fear and apprehension showed on her face, along with a few strands of frustration and resentment she couldn’t hide toward Shen Ling. Xie Yuanxun’s gaze turned cold as he looked back at Shen Ling. “You believed her when she said she was good?”

　　Shen Ling blinked, “Huh?”

　　—I didn’t believe her.

　　—If Madam Jiang were actually good, then wouldn't you be a saint?

　　Xie Yuanxun raised his hand and tapped Shen Ling’s head, using more force than necessary. Shen Ling immediately frowned. “Ouch.”

　　“It should hurt,” Xie Yuanxun said, “That’s exactly the point—to make you feel it.” Put him and Madam Jiang together? Please, does she even deserve it?

　　Shen Ling, “???”

　　—Why did he hit me?

　　—He’s hitting my head! Does he think he’s cracking a walnut? If I end up getting dumber, you can thank yourself for a part of that!

　　“I said I want him hung.” Xie Yuanxun pointed at Madam Jiang. “You go hang him.”

　　Madam Jiang’s lips trembled. “Your Majesty, I am but a woman… how could I do such a thing…”

　　“Are you trying to teach me how to act?” Xie Yuanxun snapped.

　　“I-I dare not,” Madam Jiang hurriedly said, swallowing hard.

　　Madam Yang lowered her head as much as possible, trying to shrink out of sight. Shen Xi didn’t even think to help Madam Jiang; Xie Yuanxun’s presence was just too terrifying. She didn’t dare show herself. So this was the kind of unpredictable person Shen Ling faced every day? How pitiful, Shen Xi thought with pity.

　　Shen Ling's nose itched: Who was talking badly about her?

　　In the end, Madam Jiang didn’t actually go hang the half-dead assassin. It wasn’t that Xie Yuanxun let her off, but because one of the maids beside Madam Yang acted first.

　　While everyone’s attention was on Madam Jiang, the old woman pulled out a dagger she had concealed, her eyes filled with hatred as she roared, “Tyrant!”

　　Then she pointed the dagger straight at Xie Yuanxun… and at Shen Ling.

　　Shen Ling, “???”

　　—Why are you calling him a tyrant, but you’re trying to kill me?! 

   

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