"I will also speak to Her Majesty about this."
"I believe Her Majesty and Princess Xin Yue will be willing. After all, you are family."
Li Mengdie was taken aback for a moment, then asked nervously, "What are you talking about, Her Majesty? Is Mother Emperor still alive?"
Chu Chen nodded and said with a smile, "Of course Her Majesty is alive, and very much so. She is currently in my Prime Minister's mansion."
Upon hearing this, Li Mengdie looked at Chu Chen with a strange expression. "Mother Emperor is in your Prime Minister's mansion? Why doesn't she return to this palace?"
Chu Chen could only shake his head. "Your Highness, I am not sure. Perhaps she wishes to rest for a while, or perhaps to give the Fifth Prince an opportunity to gain experience."
Li Mengdie felt a wave of helplessness. She had planned to overthrow Li Xin Yue's control and become emperor herself. But now that Mother Emperor was still alive, wouldn't her rebellion be considered treason?
Chu Chen's move had completely undermined the foundation of her rebellion.
Even if she succeeded in rebelling, would the ministers follow her under Mother Emperor's watchful eye?
Given Mother Emperor's health, who knew how long she would last.
Li Xin Yue felt that her dream of becoming emperor in this lifetime was likely over.
Li Mengdie, for the moment, lost all desire to rebel. If she could truly campaign outside the borders for the rest of her life, that wouldn't be so bad.
"I can agree not to rebel, but I have a condition."
Li Mengdie's lips curved into a smile.
Chu Chen was momentarily stunned. This was the first time he had encountered someone who, while being controlled, was still trying to negotiate terms.
However, Li Mengdie had been intimate with him, and in a sense, she was his woman. Could he simply abandon her?
Moreover, given the relationship between the Empress and Li Xin Yue, he couldn't possibly leave Li Mengdie to fend for herself.
"Tell me your condition first. Whether I accept it will depend on how unreasonable it is."
Li Mengdie sneered, "The condition is not unreasonable. Since Mother Emperor is still alive, I no longer wish to be emperor. I just want to campaign with you, so we can present a united front against external threats instead of fighting amongst ourselves."
"However, if Mother Emperor passes away, and both Xin Yue and I are still here, I want to compete fairly with Xin Yue. Why should she so easily become the emperor?"
"Even if I accept it then, others might not be convinced."
Chu Chen smiled wryly and shook his head. "Your Highness, this is not something we can decide. It will depend on Her Majesty."
"Your condition is still a bit harsh. Her Majesty intends for Princess Xin Yue to succeed her. How can I privately agree to let you compete fairly with her?"
Li Mengdie, however, disregarded his concerns. "I don't care. I will not be a stepping stone for others."
"How could I hand over the empire I built to someone else, and my own sister at that?"
"Wouldn't that make me her servant?"
Chu Chen shook his head with a wry smile. "Your Highness, how can you think that way? Isn't this an opportunity for you to lead troops?"
Li Mengdie finally understood and looked at Chu Chen, sneering, "I see. You want me to work for Li Xin Yue, don't you? And you're saying it so grandly. How ridiculous."
"I even trusted you so much before, and considered you someone I could rely on. I didn't expect you to be so despicable."
Li Mengdie snorted coldly.
Chu Chen was at a loss. "Your Highness, then tell me, what is your condition? I need to consider it, and I will also need to discuss it with Her Majesty and the Princess."
"Of course, I will guarantee your safety until we reach a conclusion."
"However, before that, you will be subject to some restrictions and limitations."
"I believe Your Highness can understand my predicament."
Chu Chen said with a wry smile.
Li Mengdie snorted. "Aren't these restrictions enough?"
"What kind of restrictions did you impose on me before?"
"I don't care. I want to be emperor, and I want to lead troops into battle."
"If you don't agree, I will tell Mother Emperor and Li Xin Yue about our affair, and see how you handle it."
"Then Mother Emperor will punish you, and Li Xin Yue will leave you. You'll be completely finished."
Chu Chen felt as if he had provoked a disaster.
This Li Mengdie truly made him regret being kind. He had saved her from falling into the hands of the Empress and Li Xin Yue, and in return, she was trying to harm him.
Chu Chen felt annoyed just thinking about it.
However, if he truly refused to help Li Mengdie, he couldn't bring himself to do it.
Chu Chen finally said with some helplessness, "Do you have to oppose me? Is there no compromise? Let's talk it through properly, without all this fuss."
Li Mengdie thought for a moment and nodded. "Perhaps you could kill me?"
Chu Chen's face immediately flushed red, and he angrily slapped her backside. "Can't you speak properly? Must you make me angry?"
Li Mengdie was also angry. "I was speaking properly. Who told you to tie me up and bring me here?"
"Since you brought me here, you have to take responsibility. Otherwise, how are you helping? I think you're deliberately trying to trap me, aren't you?"
"If you can't make the decision, then unseal my acupoints and let me go. This is our royal family's business, it has nothing to do with you, so don't interfere."
Hearing this, Chu Chen couldn't help but pout. "You think I *want* to interfere in your affairs? If it weren't for Yun Yue Kingdom, I wouldn't bother with you."
After speaking, Chu Chen sat aside, his face full of helplessness.
What should he do? This little girl was determined to fight. Her ambition was too strong!
But Chu Chen absolutely would not allow her to do this. He had finally managed to hold together the crumbling Yun Yue Kingdom, so how could he agree to let someone tear it apart?
Only when Yun Yue Kingdom became strong could he, Chu Chen, rise with it.
Chu Chen's mind raced, trying to figure out how to persuade Li Mengdie.
Conventional methods were clearly out. They held no appeal for Li Mengdie. He had to find a benefit that would truly move her.
"Kid, what wicked idea are you hatching to trap me now? Let me tell you, I'm not Li Xin Yue, and I won't be manipulated by you."
"Let me go now, or I'll really tell Li Xin Yue about our affair, believe it or not?"
Chu Chen felt a headache coming on from Li Mengdie's words and couldn't help but curse, "Stop chattering. I need to think about what to do."
Li Mengdie snorted and fell silent. Chu Chen pondered for a long time, then his eyes suddenly lit up.
"That's right, I remember now. I have a solution."
Li Mengdie blinked in surprise. "You have a solution?"
"Don't do anything like before, or I'll despise you."
Chu Chen repeatedly shook his head and smiled. "Of course not. This solution is the best."