The Woman Disguised Herself as a Man and Abolished the Prince, Married a Princess and called the Empress - Chapter 2

Outside the Hall of Everlasting Peace, the incessant chirping of cicadas was maddening. Xiong Yujie sat impassively inside the hall, her reflection in the bronze mirror looking haggard, a weary face staring back. The gardenias in the corner were drooping limply, as if surrendering to the sweltering heat.

“The Emperor has arrived!” A sharp, high-pitched voice broke the silence. Xiong Yujie knelt, her heart aching. What was meant to come had finally arrived.

“SMACK!” A loud crack shattered the tranquility once more. The sharp sting made Xiong Yujie’s vision go black, and her ears rang.

Xiong Yujie fell to the floor, her cheek burning. A hot wave surged from her face to her head, and her vision began to blur.

“You ungrateful wretch, how dare you steal my token and let the Kang family escape!” Xiong Yishan roared furiously.

Xiong Yujie struggled to her feet, composed herself, and knelt again, feigning weakness.

“It was my mistake, Yujie is willing to accept any punishment, as long as Father can calm down,” Xiong Yujie’s gaze was full of pleading as she tugged at Xiong Yishan’s dragon robe.

Xiong Yishan pulled away in disgust, looking at Xiong Yujie with disdain.

“Effective immediately, Princess of Everlasting Peace is confined to the Hall of Everlasting Peace. The Ministry of Justice’s chief inquisitor will conduct a strict investigation.”

“Understood.”

Xiong Yishan turned and strode out of the hall without looking back, the eunuchs hurrying behind him, quickly disappearing from Xiong Yujie’s sight.

Tears silently streamed down Xiong Yujie’s cheeks, dampening her light jade palace robes. Her breathing became heavy; each breath felt like inhaling endless bitterness. The father-daughter bond they once had was shattered in a single night.

Xiong Yujie’s eyes were empty, staring blankly into the distance, seeing no way out. Only the fond memories of Xiong Shaoqing surfaced, offering a small measure of comfort.

After a long while, a pale light appeared in the east. In Qingping Town, villagers headed out to the fields in twos and threes.

The clamor of voices drifted lazily, intruding upon Xiong Shaoqing’s consciousness. She slowly opened her eyes, and pain washed over her like a tide.

“Did you hear? The Kang family was all arrested yesterday.”

“What? No way! Prince Kang was a great general who fought off the invasion of the Hundred Barbarians countless times.”

“You big lout, don’t pretend to be a scholar. My brother-in-law is a jailer in the imperial prison.”

Hearing the words “Prince Kang,” Xiong Shaoqing sobered up instantly, her heart clenching.

She endured the pain throughout her body, stealthily got up, and quickly hid behind a large tree, straining her ears, afraid of missing a single word.

“So it’s true then. It seems Prince Kang’s merit was too great, and he was…”

“You fool! You dare to say such things? You’ll be happy to be arrested and keep Prince Kang company.”

“Exactly. They say the whole Kang family is done for, they’ve met the King of Hell. Do you want to die too?”

“Alright, alright, I won’t say it.”

The words were like daggers, cutting into Xiong Shaoqing’s heart one by one. She bit her lower lip tightly, her body trembling slightly as she hid behind the tree. She watched the villagers begin their work—hoeing, tilling, and covering the soil with grass. Everything seemed normal, but for her, her entire world had collapsed.

A gentle breeze blew, and even though it was the height of summer, Xiong Shaoqing felt a chill to the bone. The rustling leaves seemed to be lamenting her sorrow.

The scene from the previous night replayed like a nightmare: her father’s tall figure standing in front of the pursuers, resolute and determined; her mother’s gentle eyes filled with reluctance, yet she fell in a pool of blood to protect her…

Father, Mother, from this moment on, your child is no longer the reckless young lord I once was. No matter the cost, no matter the sacrifice, your child will avenge you!

Xiong Shaoqing’s eyes were dry, not a single tear fell. Instead, they burned with a raging hatred.

Her hands clenched unconsciously, her fingernails digging deep into her palms. Hatred coiled in her heart like a venomous snake, and every breath brought a piercing pain.

She dared not waste another moment. She hurried to a farmhouse and exchanged one tael of silver for several sets of coarse clothes, deciding to disguise herself to avoid attracting attention.

With everything prepared, Xiong Shaoqing headed for Shangyang Commandery, which bordered the capital of Tianyu. As soon as she reached the city gates, she saw guards strictly checking everyone against portraits.

Seeing this, Xiong Shaoqing’s heart pounded, but she took a deep breath and pretended to be calm, walking forward steadily without any fear.

Perhaps her disguise was too convincing, or perhaps the guards didn’t suspect this “country girl” with a dirty face. She successfully entered the city.

Inside the city, shops lined the streets, and the sounds of hawkers, laughter, and carriage wheels wove together into a lively symphony.

But Xiong Shaoqing was deaf to it all. Her heart was shrouded in gloom. This cheerfulness belonged to others; her world was nothing but gray.

She walked directly toward the posted notices, her eyes anxiously searching. The notice read:

“Prince Kang, Xiong Yichuan, colluded with the Hundred Barbarians and committed treason, a crime with irrefutable evidence. His entire family has been executed.

“The remnant, Xiong Shaoqing, the Young Lord of Kang, has fled. Those with information who assist in his capture will be rewarded with 100 taels of gold.

“Those who capture and hand him directly to the authorities will be rewarded with 1,000 taels of gold, dead or alive.”

Seeing these words, Xiong Shaoqing felt a rush of blood to her head, and fury burned in her chest. Her fists clenched, her knuckles turning white from the force, and her teeth ground together. She wished she could rush back to the palace and tear that incompetent emperor to shreds.

But years of education and training quickly brought her back to her senses. She was only briefly overcome with emotion before taking a deep breath and walking quickly toward the market.

Xiong Shaoqing found an inn, and after entering her room, she bolted the door before slowly opening the satchel Xiong Yujie had given her. Inside, in addition to stacks of silver, there were many small bottles of trauma medicine.

Seeing this, her heart warmed. She sighed softly, thinking, “My cousin is still as thoughtful as ever.”

She sat on the bed, gently applying the medicine, and then opened the letter from her cousin.

As the letter unfolded, the familiar handwriting appeared, and every word from her cousin seemed to carry warmth.

She read it word for word, her brows initially furrowed with worry for her cousin’s safety. After all, openly defying imperial and patriarchal authority was a capital crime in the state of Yu.

However, as she continued to read, her furrowed brows slowly relaxed. It turned out that her cousin still had some use in the emperor’s eyes because of her engagement to Lu Minghao, the Prime Minister’s son. After all, her cousin was the only legitimate princess of Yu…

Xiong Shaoqing carefully put the letter away. Then, she slowly reached into her bosom and took out a smooth jade pendant. As soon as she held it, the scene from her coming-of-age ceremony flooded her mind uncontrollably.

“Shaoqing, don’t resent your father. He has a bitter heart,” Li Biyun’s voice, gentle yet tinged with fatigue, echoed from the depths of Xiong Shaoqing’s memory.

“Don’t worry, Mother, your child knows. Father also wants me to be more outstanding and shoulder the responsibilities of the young lord.”

Li Biyun, full of doting affection, raised her hand and stroked Xiong Shaoqing’s head. Her movements were gentle, filled with boundless motherly love.

Then, she slowly took a jade pendant from her sleeve. The jade was crystal clear, and in the sunlight, it gave off a soft glow. The carving on it was lifelike, resembling a willow tree swaying in the wind.

“Shaoqing, take this jade pendant. It’s your coming-of-age gift from me. You must keep it safe. It’s the only dowry I have.”

Xiong Shaoqing received it solemnly with both hands: “Mother, don’t worry, your child will cherish it dearly.”

However, a question lingered in her heart, and Xiong Shaoqing finally mustered the courage to ask: “Mother, you rarely mention your family. I have never met them since I was born, they…”

Before she could finish, Li Biyun gently interrupted her, “I’m tired, Mother. You should drink this bowl of lotus seed soup to cool down and get some rest early.”

Her tone was final, leaving no room for argument. Xiong Shaoqing had no choice but to swallow her questions silently.

Now, sitting on the bed in the inn, Xiong Shaoqing gently caressed the jade pendant. Each touch felt like a connection to the warm times of the past.

“Father, Mother, don’t worry. Your child will one day cut off that dog emperor’s head to comfort your spirits in heaven.”

She swore this in her heart, with a determination to succeed or die trying.

As she thought, weariness gradually took hold.

The moonlight was like a ribbon, lightly sprinkling onto the inn’s window frame, casting dappled shadows on Xiong Shaoqing’s face through the hollow carvings.

She frowned slightly, her body curling up, as if resisting an unseen nightmare in her sleep.

“BANG!” A loud crash, like a sudden clap of thunder, as the door was violently kicked open by a brute force.

Xiong Shaoqing woke up with a jolt, her heart pounding fiercely in her chest. Before she could fully react, she saw Lu Minghao bursting in with a group of guards, their expressions menacing.

Almost at the same moment, a fierce, powerful gust of wind, laced with murderous intent, swept toward her like a surging tide.

In that moment of life and death, Xiong Shaoqing reacted with lightning speed. Without a second thought, she grabbed the satchel and drew the long sword from her waist. In an instant, a cold, sharp aura surged from her body, crashing against the approaching blade wind like a mighty wave.

The two collided, creating a deafening boom. The shockwave instantly shattered the table in the room, sending wood fragments flying. The leaves and petals from the potted plants were also tossed into the air, a chaotic mess of leaves and flowers.

Xiong Shaoqing’s movements were fluid and unpredictable, her swordplay like flowing water. She used offense as a defense, trying to find a weakness in Lu Minghao. Lu Minghao, on the other hand, used his blade as a shield, its surface like a copper wall, neutralizing Xiong Shaoqing’s attacks.

Sword light flashed, and blade light shimmered, sparks flying as they clashed. Each collision was accompanied by a whistling gale that seemed to tear through the air, creating a shrill scream.

As time went on, Xiong Shaoqing began to feel the strain as Lu Minghao’s attacks grew more and more ferocious.

This won’t do. My fighting strength is only 70% recovered. Continuing to fight will be extremely disadvantageous. I must get away as soon as possible.

Xiong Shaoqing thought to herself. She fought while retreating, and seizing an opportunity, she leaped out of the window, landing lightly on the roof below.

Seeing this, Lu Minghao was unwilling to let her go. He gave chase while roaring at the guards behind him, “What are you waiting for? All of you, go!”

The guards swarmed forward, joining the fray. Although these guards were not top-tier masters, their numbers were overwhelming. Xiong Shaoqing was quickly outmaneuvered, finding it difficult to cope. Their siege posed a significant threat to her.

Xiong Shaoqing fought desperately, retreating to the street. Unable to dodge, she felt a sharp pain in her back as a blade struck her, and several shallow cuts appeared on her arm.

Damn it, a tiger fallen into the sun is bullied by dogs. If I were at my full strength, this rabble wouldn’t even be fit to polish my shoes.

“Bah! You dog!” Xiong Shaoqing spat. The hand holding her sword began to tremble uncontrollably, but even so, she forced herself to circulate her inner energy, gritted her teeth, and charged again toward the enemy’s attack.

Multiple sword auras intertwined and clashed, creating a deafening sound. The figures of several people crisscrossed in the air, the sword light like a net. Xiong Shaoqing was in peril under the combined attack.

The sword energy was fierce, cutting down the lush leaves around them, causing them to fall one after another. Although it was the middle of summer, the falling leaves evoked the desolate beauty of autumn.

After about half an hour, Xiong Shaoqing had already exchanged hundreds of blows under their combined assault.

By now, her sword movements were getting slower, her breathing more rapid, and her chest heaved violently. Sweat poured down, creating a trail of wet marks on the ground.

I’m going to die anyway, I’ll go all out with you guys!

Xiong Shaoqing focused her mind, gathered her last ounce of strength, and concentrated all her power, preparing to unleash one final strike.

She poured all her blood and energy into her sword, let out a roar, and swung it out.

However, this final attack was not as sharp as she had expected. The momentum of the sword gradually weakened in mid-air and was successfully blocked by Lu Minghao.

Xiong Shaoqing could no longer hold on. Her long sword fell weakly from her hand with a “clank.”

Her body swayed, her legs went soft, and she could barely stand.

“Time to go to the great beyond. When you get to the Yellow Springs, don’t forget it was I, Lu Minghao, who was merciful enough to give you a quick end.”

Just as he finished speaking, an extremely powerful blade wind, carrying a lethal aura, swept violently toward Xiong Shaoqing.

Xiong Shaoqing slowly closed her eyes, and a sense of injustice spread through her heart. She said to herself, Father, Mother, your child is unfilial. I could not avenge you. I will perish here today.

But even so, I vow to become a vengeful spirit, and not one of those who harmed us will escape!

After a few seconds, the expected pain did not come. Xiong Shaoqing, full of doubt, slowly opened her eyes and saw a woman in white standing with a sword. She knew that figure all too well.

“Master, why are you here!” Xiong Shaoqing’s expression was one of disbelief, a mix of shock and joy, her voice choked with the relief of a narrow escape.

Su Xianfeng did not reply to Xiong Shaoqing. Instead, she quickly turned and shielded her securely.

“With me here, no one will harm you again,” Su Xianfeng’s tone was firm. She turned her head, her gaze soft, and looked at Xiong Shaoqing. She pulled a small porcelain bottle from her sleeve: “Take one first, and stay close to me.”

Xiong Shaoqing’s heart warmed. She subconsciously took the bottle, poured out a pill, and put it in her mouth. As the pill slid down her throat, a warm current instantly spread through her body, nourishing her exhausted form.

The heavens have not abandoned me. With Master here, I might really escape this fate, Xiong Shaoqing thought to herself.

She glanced at Lu Minghao opposite her, who was stunned. His attack had been foiled, and he was frozen in place.

After a moment, a seemingly calm and composed voice came from his mouth: “Your swordsmanship is superb. If you insist on taking him, I cannot stop you. But are you sure you want to make an enemy of the entire state of Yu?”

However, Xiong Shaoqing keenly detected a subtle tremble in his voice.

Heh, this bastard is good at pretending. Now he’s just a grasshopper in the fall. Let’s see how Master deals with this son of a bitch.

Thinking this, Xiong Shaoqing turned to look at her Master, who simply glanced at Lu Minghao with a look of faint disdain, offering no reply.

“You may be confident in your extraordinary swordsmanship, but you are still just one person. There are many people in the state of Yu who are more skilled than me. If they all attack, I’m afraid you won’t fare well,” Lu Minghao continued to pressure her.

A barely noticeable cold smile touched Su Xianfeng’s lips, and her voice was icy: “Nonsense.”

As soon as she spoke, Su Xianfeng slightly raised her right hand and flicked her index finger. An invisible sword aura instantly slashed through the air, piercing a hole straight through Lu Minghao’s blade, while the handle remained perfectly intact.

Xiong Shaoqing was filled with shock watching Su Xianfeng’s move. Master’s martial arts have improved again! The scene of her Master personally guiding her in martial arts as a child flashed in her mind.

Back then, Master taught me superior internal energy cultivation techniques. Among my peers, I was considered a top-tier talent. However, Master’s greatest skill was not martial arts, but rather medicine and pharmacology.

No wonder the pill Master made me take restored me so quickly. I was completely exhausted just now and couldn’t fight anymore, but now I’ve already recovered about 10% of my strength.

Xiong Shaoqing pulled her thoughts back. She looked at Lu Minghao, who was staring blankly at the hole in his blade, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

The guards were all too scared to breathe. The entire street was silent, a pin drop could be heard.

“Continue,” Su Xianfeng’s indifferent, dignified voice rang out on the street.

Lu Minghao finally snapped out of his daze, staring blankly at Su Xianfeng, a look of unwillingness on his face.

Xiong Shaoqing saw that Lu Minghao didn’t respond, but just gripped his blade tighter. She thought to herself, It seems he wants to retreat. A smile touched the corner of her mouth, and she said seriously:

“Come at me, it’s either you or me.”

Lu Minghao gritted his teeth, struggling to force out a single word: “Retreat!”

The guards followed the order and backed away. But just then, a strong and powerful voice echoed through the street with an endless reverberation:

“Wait. This old man would like to experience your skill!”

Support The Woman Disguised Herself as a Man and Abolished the Prince, Married a Princess and called the Empress