I've Decided To Be This Tyrant's Dark Moonlight - Chapter 97

Yunshao’s eyes curved, a mischievous glint within them.

She clearly had the kind of face that was aloof and noble, her features finely chiseled, yet now she was smiling like a cat that had just stolen cream. Her upturned eyes drew in the faint red beauty mark at the corner, her lips and eyes curving like crescent moons. Her lush lashes quivered ever so slightly, tipped with pale gold where the sunlight fell.

Wei Ying’s heart skipped a few beats. Looking at her, she felt momentarily dazed.

Yunshao propped her chin in her hand. After a brief gaze between them, she leaned closer, wrapping her arms around Wei Ying, her hands slipping swiftly to the knot at Wei Ying’s waistband. With practiced ease, she undid the intricate knot in a single motion.

Wei Ying: “Your Majesty is so fast.”

Yunshao said proudly: “Of course. I trained for this.”

After all, Yingying always liked tying her up.

They embraced and kissed, but before they could go further, a voice rang out from outside—Fushou calling urgently:

“Grand Preceptor, Grand Preceptor, wait—let me announce you first!”

Mister Gong Hongbo stopped mid-step, recalling that day’s events, his face souring. “Military matters are urgent, yet Her Majesty is still… absurd!”

Fushou bustled in, his little steps pattering across the floor, a worried look on his face. “Your Majesty, the Grand Preceptor insists on seeing you.”

Yunshao, still clinging to Wei Ying and pecking her neck, refused bluntly: “I won’t see him.”

Fushou thought: Your Majesty has grown a backbone!

“Understood!” he chirped, ready to run back out. But just as he reached the door, Wei Ying called out to stop him.

Wei Ying: “Your Majesty, you should meet him. State affairs are important.”

Yunshao pouted, reluctant, and re-fastened her loosened robe collar with visible sulkiness, stealing a pitiful glance at her. Wei Ying leaned in and whispered softly: “I’ll spoil you later.”

Yunshao’s face instantly lit up, her eyes sparkling, nodding quickly.

Fushou couldn’t hear what Wei Ying had whispered, but seeing how easily she soothed the little emperor, he was filled with admiration.

Amazing! Our Beauty Ying!

Wei Ying then slipped into the imperial bed, drew down the bed-curtain, and hid inside to eavesdrop. Normally, she wasn’t much interested in court affairs, but when it came to the borderlands, she had to pay attention.

Xiao Qianxue and the Noble Consort had both gone to the frontier—she wondered if that would prevent the tragedy from the original novel, where Old General Gong had met a fatal end.

If the general died, a chain of troubles would follow, one after another, a true headache.

Not long after Fushou left, Gong Hongbo strode inside.

The first thing he did was glance at the imperial bed. Seeing the golden curtain still lowered, he let out a disdainful “hmph.”

That “hmph” was so very much like Gong Beinu’s style.

Wei Ying touched her lips, suppressing a laugh. One could tell at a glance they were father and child.

Turning again, Gong Hongbo saw the emperor sitting lazily in a round-backed chair, dragon robe slightly disheveled, nonchalantly munching on green dumplings.

“Your Majesty…” He opened his mouth, but the words died on his tongue, fury leaving him speechless.

With cheeks puffed from the sticky dumpling, Yunshao mumbled indistinctly, “Teacher, please sit. What is so urgent?”

Gong Hongbo swept his robe and sat down, taking two deep breaths. Don’t get angry. Don’t get angry. If I die of rage, who benefits?

Meanwhile, Yunshao continued munching noisily.

At length, Gong Hongbo forced himself to begin: “Your Majesty, this is a military dispatch from Yunzhou. The northern tribes advance aggressively, unlike before. What is your view?”

Yunshao: munch munch.

After a while, realizing it was inappropriate, she looked up with a smile. “Teacher, would you like some green dumplings?”

Gong Hongbo: “……”

So infuriating!

Finishing another dumpling, Yunshao dabbed her lips elegantly and said: “Since this concerns the state, let us summon Minister Pei as well to discuss. What does Teacher think?”

Gong Hongbo nodded.

Yunshao continued: “Minister Pei has been busy overseeing the examinations these past days and is staying in the palace. Fushou has already gone to fetch him. Teacher, please wait. Truly don’t want a dumpling?”

Gong Hongbo: “I have no appetite.”

Yunshao beamed: “That’s wonderful.”

Gong Hongbo: “???”

Yunshao: “It shows Teacher is so devoted to the realm—splendid indeed.”

The atmosphere stiffened.

Seeing the tension, Wei Ying came out to ease it—absolutely not because she was craving dumplings.

She stretched out her delicate fingers toward the emperor.

Yunshao chuckled: “Yingying wants dumplings?”

Wei Ying smiled, picked one up, and sat beside her. Together, the two lowered their heads and munched in harmony.

Gong Hongbo, drowned in the sound of chewing, finally couldn’t stand it. He flicked his sleeve with another “hmph!”

Wei Ying looked up sweetly: “Grand Preceptor truly doesn’t want any? We queued forever to get these.”

Gong Hongbo snapped: “At such a time, Your Majesty still has the mood for dumplings? To eat dumplings so merrily? How decadent!”

Once, such scolding would have left the young emperor pale and trembling, stammering out apologies. Gong Hongbo briefly recalled the timid boy of those days—obedient as a puppet. Not at all like now…

But the emperor merely leaned against Wei Ying and nodded gravely: “Teacher is right. I am indeed decadent.”

Then she and Wei Ying exchanged a glance—and both burst into bright laughter, their “giggles” echoing throughout the chamber. Gong Hongbo’s head spun with the sound.

Trying to return to business, Gong Hongbo said sternly: “Not long ago, Your Majesty even flogged veteran officials over the examinations. These are pillars of two reigns! Such actions will provoke public censure.”

Yunshao nodded, “Oh.”

Wei Ying, hugging her, laughed: “Grand Preceptor still so concerned about those old men’s behinds, I see.”

Gong Hongbo: “……”

Couldn’t even refute it.

Wei Ying continued with her sly smile: “Truly, a pillar of the realm—so considerate! Right, Your Majesty?”

Yunshao said warmly: “Yingying is always right.”

Gong Hongbo: So infuriating!

Ignoring his glare, Yunshao bent close to whisper with Wei Ying again, fingers creeping over to hold her hand. Wei Ying tapped her lightly on the back, but Yunshao only laughed, inching closer.

Gong Hongbo looked away, unable to bear the sight, missing the obedient student he once had.

Not long after, Pei Jian arrived swiftly. Seeing him so quick, Gong Hongbo’s heart sank. He realized the emperor was already forming her own faction.

The Gong family held many court posts, yes, but they were all aged men on their last legs or spineless opportunists. Men like Chancellor Cui thrived by avoiding all sides.

But young talents like Pei Jian—future pillars of state—had already been won over by the emperor.

Though the brazier blazed like midsummer, Gong Hongbo felt chilled to the bone.

Pei Jian saluted the emperor and consort first, then greeted Gong Hongbo before launching straight into his analysis of the border.

He explained that the northern tribes and Da Sheng had been in stalemate for a century, with no serious issues.

The last true crisis had been during the Yunzhou War of the previous dynasty, when corruption and weak leadership nearly allowed the enemy to seize the city.

But now the nation was prosperous, the people thriving, governance sound. There should have been no problem.

Yet this time the enemy’s tactics showed signs of a clever strategist guiding them.

Wei Ying frowned. The plot was veering off again. Wasn’t this supposed to be a palace intrigue novel? Why was it turning into a full-blown war epic?

Unreasonable! Outrageous!

Yunshao stiffened slightly, her gaze wandering, unconsciously glancing at the girl beside her.

Wei Ying tapped her back softly: “Pay attention!”

Yunshao pouted, then obediently looked back at her ministers. “What ideas have you, beloved minister?”

Pei Jian dropped to his knees with a thump: “Your Majesty, I request to lead troops to the frontier! I swear to drive those barbarians back in utter rout!”

Wei Ying pressed her brow. Typical of the Pei family—to roll up their sleeves and charge in themselves.

Yunshao waved a hand: “Request denied.”

Pei Jian sighed heavily, frustration plain.

Yunshao said gently: “Pei Que must remain in the capital to oversee the examinations. And besides, we have no proof yet of this mysterious strategist—merely conjecture.”

Pei Jian still looked sulky.

Yunshao added: “Your duty lies with the examinations. If the situation worsens, you may then go.”

Pei Jian brightened instantly: “Yes, Your Majesty!”

Then Yunshao turned: “And Teacher’s thoughts?”

Gong Hongbo, after some silence, said: “Pei’s words are not without merit. Yet the northern frontier is far away and uncertain. More pressing are our current reforms.”

Indeed, the new policies and examinations were the urgent matters.

Wei Ying, uninterested, only munched on dumplings and flipped through a book, occasionally glancing up to see the ministers clash. Even she could tell that Pei Jian’s momentum was growing, while Gong Hongbo seemed worn and spent.

Pei Jian argued passionately for merit-based examinations, where anyone could rise by skill, not birth.

Gong Hongbo retorted angrily: “Nonsense! If birth is disregarded, won’t riffraff flood the court? If even women joined, the world would descend into chaos!”

Pei Jian’s eyes lit up: “Women too? Then my sister could be top martial scholar!”

Gong Hongbo: “……”

Impossible to reason with this brat.

Silence fell. Then Gong Hongbo thundered: “The ancestors’ laws must not be defied!”

Pei Jian shot back: “And yet they cannot go forever unquestioned!”

“Defying ancestral law shakes the very foundation of the state—tantamount to treason!”

Pei Jian blinked, then grinned: “Reverse uno card!”

Gong Hongbo: “…… Insolent child!”

Watching them bicker like schoolchildren, Wei Ying rubbed her slightly bulging belly, sipping tea.

Too many dumplings. Too sweet.

Yunshao noticed her boredom, so she waved her hand to end the session. Both ministers bowed and withdrew.

Yet Pei Jian lingered, gazing at the emperor.

Patiently, Yunshao asked: “What is it?”

Pei Jian hesitated. “Your Majesty… my sister? I heard the Noble Consort was ill and sent to Yun Temple. But she’s always been sturdier than an ox—how could she suddenly fall sick?”

Yunshao froze, guiltily glancing at Wei Ying. Wei Ying quickly laughed: “The Noble Consort wanted to travel. Her Majesty gave permission, so illness was an excuse. Qianxue is with her—you needn’t worry.”

Pei Jian sighed with relief, though his concern quickly shifted. “I’m not worried about her—I worry for Lady Xiao. Isn’t she frail?”

Wei Ying chuckled: “Qianxue is as strong as a cow too.”

Pei Jian finally relaxed, bowed, and left cheerfully.

Once gone, Yunshao embraced Wei Ying again, eager to resume their interrupted intimacy. But Wei Ying caught her wrists. “And what does Your Majesty truly think of the northern frontier?”

Yunshao tugged at her sash with a tilt of her head. “Nothing much. We’ll just beat them back.”

And lunged again to undress.

Wei Ying sighed, holding her firmly. In the book, the old general’s downfall had been blamed on the emperor, but with reforms underway and Pei Jian trusted, it seemed unlikely Yunshao would repeat such a cruel betrayal.

The plot had already diverged greatly—from Xiao Qianxue’s supposed pregnancy to the fact that here the emperor was a woman.

Yunshao tilted her head: “What’s Yingying thinking?”

Wei Ying: “I want to hear about our past.”

Yunshao blinked, then obediently sat beside her, smoothing her robe, smiling softly. “What do you want to hear?”

Wei Ying’s gaze flickered briefly to the purple sandalwood cabinet, then she asked slowly: “You once told me, one autumn we rode together through a blazing maple forest. I picked up a leaf, wrote some words, and gave it to you. What were they?”

Yunshao blinked quickly, paused, then answered: “Rivers and mountains like a painting.”

Wei Ying frowned. “But last time, didn’t you say it was Peaceful Chang’an?”

Yunshao clenched her sleeve before smiling gently: “The front side said ‘Rivers and mountains like a painting.’ The back side said ‘Peaceful Chang’an.’ Why ask this suddenly?”

Wei Ying leaned against her, pinching her cheek with a playful smile. “Just thought of it. That leaf—do you still have it?”

Yunshao lowered her head. “No. Burned in a fire.”

But after this, she didn’t pester for kisses again. Before long, a summons arrived from the Jade Dew Palace—Consort Xian wanted Wei Ying to visit her.

Wei Ying: “My dear sister must be lonely. With Qianxue away, she’s all alone. I’ll go keep her company.”

Yunshao clutched her sleeve.

Wei Ying teased: “Want to come with me?”

Yunshao gazed at her for a while, then reluctantly let go, lashes trembling.

Wei Ying ruffled her hair and left quickly.

Once alone, Yunshao returned to the sandalwood cabinet, sat cross-legged, and drew out a red-lacquer box.

Inside lay the scorched maple leaf. She lifted it to the flame, letting smoke rise as it nearly caught fire—then pulled it back, clutching it tightly despite the burn.

When she finally opened her hand, four delicate characters were revealed, charred edges framing them:

I return to Yun Mountain.

Yunshao closed her eyes.

Meanwhile, Wei Ying went to Jade Dew Palace to keep Consort Xian company. Inevitably, talk turned to the Empress.

Consort Xian pressed at her chest, on the verge of revealing the truth about Qianqiuyue, yet afraid it would tarnish the Empress’s dignity. So she merely sighed: “It’s been so long since Elder Sister Empress came out to play. She stays in her chambers writing…”

She blinked.

Wei Ying blinked back.

Consort Xian looked guilty, heart pounding, face pale.

Doomed! I almost revealed her secret!

Wei Ying smiled: “Since you miss her, let’s go visit the Empress together.”

Consort Xian tilted her head. “Eh?”

Wei Ying: “She must be lonely too. Let’s bring warmth together.”

Though puzzled, Consort Xian obediently packed a food box of pastries and followed her to Changchun Palace.

There, under the dim lamplight, Yue Qinghui sat reading. At the sound of their arrival, she raised her head and set aside her book.

Wei Ying walked over, glancing at the text full of statecraft strategies, feeling her head ache.

“Still reading, Sister Empress?” Wei Ying smiled. “Did you receive the dumplings I sent?”

Yue Qinghui’s lips curved: “Yes. Delicious.”

Cui Wu, however, was startled, glancing between the Empress and the piles of books with sudden despondence.

“Eh?”

Yue Qinghui: “Hm?”

Cui Wu drooped, sighing. “So I’m the only one idling.”

Wei Ying patted her. “It’s fine. I’ll idle with you.”

Cui Wu leaned against her shoulder, clutching a handkerchief, sniffling softly.

Wei Ying then asked the Empress: “These days, what have you been working on? Writing?”

Yue Qinghui smiled and shook her head. “You’ll know soon enough.”

Wei Ying didn’t press further. They strolled into the courtyard, nibbling snacks under the moonlight.

Moonlight poured down, silver as frost.

Wei Ying gazed upward, lost in thought. Her card reserves were dwindling again. She needed more tasks, but lately her romance with the emperor was too smooth—Palace System Chick hadn’t even been issuing quests. Unacceptable!

For the peace of the harem, for Chick’s KPIs, I must generate some tasks!

She clenched her fists in resolve, so deep in thought she missed the Empress and Consort Xian’s chatter.

By the time she noticed, they had entered a sea of white peonies glowing under the moon, like waves of snow.

Wei Ying, entranced, thought: Too beautiful.

Yue Qinghui said with a smile: “You came just in time. A few days later, the flowers will be gone.”

She led them to a pavilion within the blooms. Cui Wu ran off to admire the flowers, leaving Wei Ying leaning on the railing opposite the Empress.

Yue Qinghui studied her, then asked: “Yingying, is there something you want to ask me?”

Wei Ying praised her cleverness silently. Indeed, she had countless questions—about her secret work, about the frontier—but in the end, she asked:

“The year I first entered the palace, I encountered the Empress in the Golden Hall, honoring a deceased person with the surname Yun. Who was that person?”

Support