RWNEFE -Chapter 584 Tianjin! (Part 2)

“It’s because you’re useless—can’t even win over a man!” Zhou Qiwou was nearly mad with anger.

Having the Wang family’s blood really made her just like that foolish father of hers.

Wang Xiangyi lay on the bed, crying bitterly.

“Cry, cry, cry—you still know how to cry?” Zhou Qiwou snapped.

“I worked so hard to secure this future for you, and you don’t cherish it at all. What use are you to me?”

“Let me tell you: if you can’t hold Zhou Ruyuan, then send a few women to him. Let them bear his children—then Zhou Ruyuan will be in our mother-and-daughter’s grasp!” Zhou Qiwou scolded sharply.

Wang Xiangyi felt even more aggrieved. Not only did her mother not care that Zhou Ruyuan treated her poorly, she was even telling her to send other women to him.

What kind of mother would tell her own daughter to send women into her husband’s bed?

“Mother, I am the empress of a nation. How can I allow those wretches to bear imperial sons before I do?” Wang Xiangyi angrily wiped her tears.

Zhou Qiwou shot back immediately, furious at her stubbornness. “Since you know that, why are you fooling around here with other men?”

“You’re already a woman in a second marriage. Your reputation is even more important. Look at what you’ve done today!”

“Mother…” Wang Xiangyi did not want her to continue.

Zhou Qiwou had already begun to calm down, but seeing her daughter talk back made her furious again—this was outright disrespect.

“Wang Xiangyi, I’ve worried and worked myself to exhaustion for you. Now your wings have hardened—now that you’re empress, you dare to raise your voice at your mother?”

Guilt filled Wang Xiangyi’s face.

“Mother, that’s not what I meant…” She hadn’t intended to raise her voice; she only cared about saving face.

Zhou Qiwou almost wanted to slap her a few more times.

“You’re so capable now—fine. From now on, I won’t interfere in your affairs anymore.”

“From now on, do whatever you like in your chambers. If something happens, don’t come crying to me!”

Zhou Qiwou was so angry that she spoke these harsh words without restraint.

“Mother… I didn’t mean to speak loudly to you!”

“Mother, I was wrong. Please forgive me…”

“Mother…”

Zhou Qiwou stormed back to the Princess Manor. Wang Xiangyi, still disheveled, chased to the doorway but did not dare to go outside.

“Nanny, what should I do…”

…

Under pressure from both Zhou Qiwou’s faction and Zhou Ruyuan’s forces, Liu Binglin’s situation grew increasingly difficult.

One day after finishing work, he had just entered his study when he saw a stranger inside.

Judging by his clothing, he was not a servant of the household.

“Who are you?” Liu Binglin demanded.

Che Mingyuan turned with a smile.

“The former Admiral of the Navy has now become a frightened bird at the mere twang of a bowstring. This truly opens my eyes.”

Che?

He did not know anyone surnamed Che, and locally there was no such surname.

The only Che he knew was—

“You are Che Mingyuan, the court’s military strategist.”

Che Mingyuan smiled. “Indeed.”

Liu Binglin’s eyes flickered.

“Does Lord Liu not wish to know the cause of your son’s death?” Che Mingyuan asked.

“Do you not wish to break free from your restraints?”

“Or will you remain here, tied to Zhou Ruyuan, and leave your name in history—only to be cursed for ten thousand years?”

Liu Binglin stared at him sharply. “What exactly do you want?”

Che Mingyuan replied leisurely, “The fact that you didn’t call for guards immediately shows you’re not truly of one mind with Zhou Ruyuan.”

Liu Binglin’s expression darkened, and he remained silent for a long time.

On the other side—

After reflecting on her mistakes, Wang Xiangyi decided to follow her adviser’s suggestion and show weakness to her mother.

The first step in showing weakness was to send women to Zhou Ruyuan.

She herself was a jealous woman—Liu Chengen had been an example of that.

“Pour it. Make them drink it all—pour two more bowls!”

“Your Majesty, this infertility medicine is already very potent. One dose is enough. If they drink too much, they may suffer unbearable pain during their monthly courses, and it could shorten their lives.”

What did their life or suffering have to do with her?

Pain only proved the medicine was working.

“Say one more word and I’ll have your tongue cut out!”

The imperial physician was so frightened he immediately fell silent.

Six graceful, beautiful women were being held down by maids and matrons and forced to drink the medicine.

Two bowls each. Anyone who tried to spit it out would be beaten—the matrons were not gentle.

Soon, all six women had been dosed and lay sprawled on the floor in miserable condition.

“Change them into bright, fine clothes and have them accompany me to see His Majesty.”

“Yes!”

Zhou Ruyuan was discussing plans to test their strength by attacking the nearest city when a eunuch arrived.

“Your Majesty, the Empress has come.”

Without even thinking, Zhou Ruyuan said, “I am busy. Tell her to go back.”

The eunuch looked troubled.

“Your Majesty… the Empress did not come alone.”

What did that mean?

Zhou Yanxing and the others rose.

“Since Your Majesty has matters to attend to, we will take our leave for now. After you have finished, we will return.”

Although Zhou Ruyuan was annoyed, he could not slight them.

“Uncle, take care. Tomorrow we will continue discussing the attack.”

As Zhou Yanxing and the others left, they saw Wang Xiangyi and the people she had brought.

The way those women were dressed made it obvious they were meant to serve men with their beauty.

Zhou Yanxing and the others acted as if they saw nothing and departed.

“Your Majesty invites you in, Empress,” the eunuch announced.

Wang Xiangyi was preoccupied with the thought of appeasing her mother and did not notice that Zhou Yanxing and the others had not bowed to her as they left.

When she entered, Zhou Ruyuan was studying a map.

“Your Majesty,” she said.

Zhou Ruyuan turned, frowning. “Why have you come?”

Wang Xiangyi felt anger rise in her heart. When Zhou Ruyuan had first arrived in Tianjin, he had treated her with every kindness, appearing humble, courteous, and deeply affectionate.

Now that he had just ascended the throne, he had already turned cold.

“Your Majesty, the camp is full of men. There is no one to attend to you properly. I have been very concerned, so I selected some attendants to serve you.”

Zhou Ruyuan’s gaze fell on the six women. What scheme was Wang Xiangyi plotting by sending women to him?

“Your Majesty, with them here, delicate tasks like serving tea and water can be left to them. The men in the army are all rough-handed; how could they know how to care for someone?”

Zhou Ruyuan looked thoughtful. When he first ascended the throne, Yuan Lang had urged him to expand the harem, but at the time all his attention was on state affairs, so he refused.

Later, when Che Mingyuan brought the forces of the Prince of Zhennan to challenge him, Yuan Lang raised the matter again, but he still rejected it.

Recently, however, voices in the court had grown louder, all worried that he was being manipulated by Che Mingyuan and might ruin his own future.

As such discussions multiplied, some people inevitably began to waver.

There was only one way to resolve it: expand the harem and produce heirs.

“Was it the National Preceptor who sent you?” Zhou Ruyuan asked.

Wang Xiangyi stiffened, then said, “No. Managing the harem is my responsibility. Your Majesty has just founded a state; you should produce heirs as soon as possible. Once there is a successor, the hearts of both officials and the people will be at ease.”

Zhou Ruyuan glanced at her. He did not believe Wang Xiangyi could be so generous.

The idea of sending women to him must have come from someone else.