The Empress sat in the pavilion of the Imperial Garden, without any palace maids by her side.
She was dressed differently from her usual attire, wearing a pure white imperial robe.
The face, as beautiful as a country, had also lost much of its majesty.
"Prime Minister Xiao, you have arrived."
The Empress held a pot of wine in her hand, her beautiful eyes falling lightly on Xiao Ye.
Seeing Mu Qingrou's expression, Xiao Ye had a clear understanding.
Beneath the seemingly calm surface, turbulent waves surged.
If he took just one step forward, he might be shattered to pieces.
After a pause of two seconds, Xiao Ye walked towards the Empress.
He asked a question he already knew the answer to, "Your Majesty the Empress, for what reason have you summoned this humble minister?"
The Empress lowered her head, gazing at the wine in her hand. She said indifferently, "I merely wish for you to accompany me and chat for a while."
Xiao Ye could not see the Empress's expression, nor did he need to see her face clearly.
He lifted the hem of his official robe and sat beside Mu Qingrou.
"It has been a long time since I have spoken with Your Majesty like this."
Mu Qingrou's beautiful face slightly darkened. She said sincerely, "I also miss the times when I could confide in you."
Before Xiao Ye, she dropped her regal demeanor, no longer addressing him as an Emperor!
As if granting a special privilege to Xiao Ye, Mu Qingrou quietly watched him.
In the pavilion, the Empress's lustrous black hair cascaded down. Her exquisite face was serene, devoid of any imperial majesty.
"Whatever Your Majesty wishes to say, let us discuss it properly."
A faint, calm smile played on Xiao Ye's lips, his dark eyes remarkably clear.
With just a glance, the Empress felt that all her inner thoughts were laid bare.
However, the Empress had not summoned Xiao Ye with any intention of concealment.
She had merely relied on her identity as Empress, confident that Xiao Ye would come.
"A foreign prince has died in our dynasty. The friendship between the two sides has collapsed. They are known for their bravery and skill in warfare... they will certainly not let this go."
The Empress poured two cups of wine, not hiding her worries. "Prime Minister Xiao, do you have any strategies to deal with the conflict between the foreign nation and our dynasty?"
Xiao Ye was slightly taken aback, then quickly replied, "The military strength of the foreign nation and our dynasty is not significantly different. The prince's death is currently a mystery. A collapse does not necessarily mean war will break out. If a war does happen, our dynasty has the advantage. Your Majesty need not worry too much."
"If such a day comes, will Prime Minister Xiao protect my dynasty?"
The Empress gazed deeply at Xiao Ye, her tone devoid of any authority.
She asked him very sincerely.
Xiao Ye nodded slightly and calmly said, "This is Your Majesty's dynasty, and I am Your Majesty's subject. Naturally, I will protect it with all my might."
"Even at the cost of Prime Minister Xiao's life?"
The Empress suddenly said.
She wanted to hear how much more hypocrisy Xiao Ye could utter.
Protecting my dynasty? She felt he was more likely trying to usurp it.
Xiao Ye maintained his usual calm demeanor, saying lightly, "I told Your Majesty before, my life is insignificant. If the Son of Heaven wishes to take it, I will not resist in any way."
Mu Qingrou let out a soft laugh. She observed Xiao Ye's expression but could not find any flaw in his hypocrisy.
Every word was one of loyalty. Outsiders would hesitate to believe he was a great traitor.
"Prime Minister Xiao's loyalty to the dynasty makes me very pleased."
The Empress said no more and handed a cup of wine to Xiao Ye.
A speculative glint flickered in her eyes. "I now bestow upon you this cup of wine. Taste its flavor."
Xiao Ye looked at the offered wine cup. The Empress's sudden action seemed rather deliberate.
Anyone could see there was something amiss!
A cold breeze swept through the pavilion. Xiao Ye looked into the Empress's beautiful eyes.
The calmer her expression, the more dangerous the Empress's thoughts became.
Xiao Ye knew that the Empress's purpose in summoning him today was by no means simple.
This cycle’s illusion had discrepancies with the details in Xiao Ye's memory.
The Empress had not invited Xiao Ye for wine, nor had there been any consultations at the Dragon Hall.
Xiao Ye knew this was his own doing, that his changed demeanor was making the Empress act strangely.
However.
This was precisely what Xiao Ye intended. He was not necessarily trying to clear his name before the Empress by reliving this cycle.
He wanted to fan the flames a little.
Xiao Ye reached out and took the wine cup, the light in his eyes dark and unreadable.
"Prime Minister Xiao, why do you not drink the wine bestowed by me?"
The Empress's voice turned cold, her gaze carrying an oppressive weight.
She suddenly stood up from the stone bench, staring at Xiao Ye's handsome face.
The Empress's eyes held a hint of complexity as she suddenly snatched Xiao Ye's wine cup.
While he was momentarily stunned, the Empress drank the wine meant for Xiao Ye!
She chuckled lightly at Xiao Ye, "Prime Minister Xiao, do you not think I put something in the wine?"
"This humble minister dares not."
Xiao Ye quickly denied.
Unexpectedly, this provoked the Empress. Her body moved closer to Xiao Ye.
Her demeanor was no longer so calm; it was filled with extreme anger.
The Empress grabbed Xiao Ye excitedly, her voice icy, "What else do you dare not do? You have dared to overstep my authority. Do you know what the entire dynasty says about you? They say you are a traitor rarely seen in a century, and that my throne is no longer secure!"
"This humble minister never intended to take the throne."
Xiao Ye wondered if the wine had emboldened the Empress. She was suddenly agitated and confronting him.
She smiled at Xiao Ye, but her tone was sinister, "Then what do you want?"
Before Xiao Ye could answer, the Empress leaned close to his ear, "Prime Minister Xiao, you want me, don't you?"
Xiao Ye's body stiffened. He saw the complexity in the Empress's eyes.
"Why don't you speak? Why dare you not admit it?"
The Empress's beautiful eyes stared intently at Xiao Ye.
He seemed unmoved, showing no visible change.
The Empress suddenly stood on tiptoe and kissed Xiao Ye on the lips.
Unexpectedly, no one had anticipated that the Empress would take the initiative to kiss Xiao Ye.
Xiao Ye felt the softness of her lips, the delicate fragrance emanating from the Empress filling his nose, still carrying a hint of wine.
"Your Majesty, please don't do this..."
Xiao Ye's hand touched the Empress's soft waist, and he quickly pushed her away.
Seeing Xiao Ye's feigned resistance, the Empress couldn't help but let out a deep laugh. "You threatened me back then, demanding I serve you, and you didn't even regard me with respect. Why, Prime Minister Xiao, are you resisting me now?"
Xiao Ye said helplessly, "Back then, I just... wanted to dissuade Your Majesty."
"If the crimes of Mu Li were not punished by beheading, the common people of the world would be disappointed in you."
Who would have thought that the Empress would truly set aside her imperial dignity for her own kin.
"Hahaha..."
The Empress laughed, a sarcastic and dangerous sound. "You express your loyalty to me in every way, yet I feel as if Prime Minister Xiao controls the entire dynasty!"
"How can you not make me hate you? How can you not wish to kill you?!"
Finally, the Empress spoke her true feelings.
She had long been unable to tolerate Xiao Ye. How could an Emperor's authority be so carelessly wielded by a Prime Minister?
Xiao Ye, seeing the Empress's directness, sighed deeply, "If the ruler commands the minister to die, the minister must die."
The Empress saw no change in Xiao Ye's expression, as if she had wrongly accused him!
Why was he so guiltless, appearing so calm!
A traitor plotting to usurp the throne!
She trembled with anger, her hands clenched tightly.
"Since Prime Minister Xiao is willing to die for his ruler, I hope you will never regret it."
The conversation between the Empress and Xiao Ye ended unhappily. She knew she should have kept her emotions in check.
This conversation with Xiao Ye should have been calm and composed.
However, due to Xiao Ye's attitude, her emotions had gotten somewhat out of control.
"Prime Minister Xiao, you may leave!"
The Empress turned her sleeve, facing away from Xiao Ye, her expression restored to imperial majesty.
Xiao Ye bid farewell to the Empress in a manner befitting his position and turned to leave.
The system noticed that as Xiao Ye turned, the Empress's eyes were fixed on him.
She was watching his retreating figure, her gaze tinged with sadness.
The system couldn't understand the Empress's actions. "Host, why did the Empress summon you today?"
"To kill me."
The system looked at the unharmed Xiao Ye and said, "Then she was soft-hearted and gave up?"
"No, the Empress has already succeeded."
Xiao Ye gently touched his lips. The Empress's pounce was too deliberate.
How could he not see it?
Xiao Ye had repeatedly pushed the Empress's limits, and she could no longer suppress her murderous intent.
While she still held authority, summoning Xiao Ye was something he could not disobey.
However, in this illusory cycle, the method of death Mu Qinglan had given him seemed different.
He still had time to do more things!
...
The death of the grassland prince in the Mu Dynasty enraged their king.
They had broken ties with the dynasty, and there were signs of impending war.
Unfortunately, a neighboring country was also recruiting troops, and their relations with the dynasty were also hostile.
The entire court was in turmoil, and the people were suffering from floods.
The Empress was overwhelmed with work and allocated funds from the national treasury for disaster relief.
The ministers were in a state of panic, fearing that the grassland people would launch an attack.
During the court session today, many ministers were actively trying to impress.
"To counter the war launched by the grassland people, I believe we should recruit troops in advance."
Mu Qinglan sat on the throne and said sternly, "The national treasury has just allocated funds for disaster relief, and tax collection has not yet begun. Recruiting troops is financially insufficient. Which of my ministers is willing to share the burden?"
As soon as the words fell, the ministers in the hall quickly lowered their heads.
When the Empress named them, a minister belonging to the Grand Commandant's faction said, "My lord's family fortune has already been emptied by Prime Minister Xiao!"
Xiao Ye was not present at court today, yet these ministers dared to accuse him.
One by one, ministers stepped forward, accusing Xiao Ye of embezzling their family fortunes.
Mu Qinglan felt a chill in her heart as she listened, understanding how cunning Xiao Ye was.
She drafted an imperial decree, "The national treasury is depleted. Prime Minister Xiao should be willing to do something for me."
A eunuch received the decree and headed to the Prime Minister's mansion.
The Grand Commandant and the other ministers were beaming, hoping that the Empress's imperial decree would empty Xiao Ye's assets!
They waited for Xiao Ye to hand over his property.
But the news they received was...
The eunuch returned to the palace dejected, bringing less than a thousand taels of gold.
When the Empress received the news, she was instantly furious.
The Grand Commandant and other ministers also rushed to complain, "Prime Minister Xiao is lining his own pockets! The dynasty is in trouble, and he only brings this much money. He deserves to die!"
"Go and summon Prime Minister Xiao."
Mu Qinglan knew how wealthy Prime Minister Xiao's mansion was. His residence had undergone renovations.
The ministers had sometimes revealed this to Mu Qinglan, and she had heard it countless times.
Half an hour later.
A eunuch reported that Xiao Ye had entered the palace by carriage.
Numerous ministers waited to see him make a fool of himself, standing coldly beside Xiao Ye.
The ministers of the Prime Minister's faction, however, were afraid of the Empress's wrath.
They hoped that no matter how greedy Xiao Ye was, he would at least show the Empress some respect.
However, when they saw Xiao Ye, they were all somewhat astonished.
Xiao Ye appeared thin and gaunt, with his attendant Xiao Si nervously following him.
Xiao Ye's face was pale, appearing sickly.
"What happened to Prime Minister Xiao?"
The surrounding ministers exclaimed, not expecting Xiao Ye to be in such a state.
He wore plain blue robes and coughed into his fist.
"Greetings to Your Majesty."
Seeing Xiao Ye's appearance, the Empress was not surprised.
She deliberately asked, "Prime Minister Xiao, you don't look well?"
Xiao Ye straightened his back and nodded. "Your Majesty the Empress, this humble minister is feeling unwell and cannot attend the morning court. I request Your Majesty's permission to rest for a few days."
Mu Qinglan did not know how far the poison had spread in Xiao Ye.
Yes, Xiao Ye was poisoned!
The Empress herself had administered it the day they had wine.
Of course, the wine was not poisoned; the real poison was on the Empress's lips.
She knew Xiao Ye might not drink the wine.
To lower Xiao Ye's guard, the Empress had pounced on him, leading to that kiss.
This poison could only be cured by the Empress herself.
It was a rare poison that she had ordered the imperial physicians to research, and it had taken half a year.
However, the poison was not fatal. As long as Xiao Ye did not rush to find a divine doctor, it would be difficult to overcome.
Mu Qinglan felt a slight sense of relief seeing Xiao Ye looking so ill.
However, she coldly asked if he was unwilling to serve the dynasty, using the excuse of him not replenishing the national treasury.
"This humble minister can only produce a thousand taels of gold because... that is all that is left."
Xiao Ye lowered his eyebrows slightly and said with righteous indignation.
The Grand Commandant pointed at him and scolded, "You traitor! You never extort less than a thousand taels of gold from the officials' mansions. Are you deceiving the Emperor here?"
"If Your Majesty does not believe me, you may bring people to search this humble minister's residence."
Xiao Ye said calmly.
The Empress did not care much. She just needed to be sure that Xiao Ye's poison was taking effect.
She waved her hand, feigning exhaustion, and dismissed Xiao Ye.
The attendant Xiao Si, following Xiao Ye, felt very wronged for him.
"Prime Minister, you clearly gave me all your property for disaster relief. Why don't you explain to Her Majesty the Empress?"
Xiao Ye's gaze flashed with intelligence as he looked at Xiao Si.
For some reason, Xiao Si felt a flutter of panic under Xiao Ye's gaze.
Xiao Ye said, "Even if I told the truth, they would still find a thousand ways to trouble me."
What if the Empress knew?
It would not diminish her murderous intent towards Xiao Ye.
Xiao Ye preferred to delay this matter, perhaps there would be a pleasant surprise.
Xiao Si accompanied Xiao Ye into the carriage. Now, all the servants at the Prime Minister's mansion had been dismissed.
Xiao Ye had returned to a somewhat frugal life.
"Cough, cough..."
He looked so weak. Her Majesty the Empress should be very satisfied.
After the disaster relief, Mu Qinglan had not seen Xiao Ye for some time.
In the court, due to Xiao Ye's situation, many ministers' allegiances began to waver.
Mu Qinglan had removed several ministers from the Prime Minister's faction, causing some neutral ministers to lean towards the Grand Commandant's faction.
The Grand Commandant's influence grew immensely for a time.
However, news of war soon arrived in the dynasty. The foreign nation had finally launched its attack!