### Chapter 54: The Empress's Debut and Her Unexpected Charisma - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

### Chapter 54: The Empress's Debut and Her Unexpected Charisma Watching the unfolding scene, Su Mo was somewhat surprised by the story's unexpected development. As the Third Prince, does he still hold the same title? He wondered how he would encounter this Empress in the upcoming events. ... *After learning of your father's death, you felt no sorrow. You had met him fewer than three times in your lifetime. To you, he was merely a father in the biological sense, your emotional ties to him were weaker than those with the household servants who cared for you.* *A month after your father's passing, a message arrived.* *The title and lands of King Qi required a successor. The current Empress, Xiao Huang, intended to choose one among the princes to inherit it.* *This news sent your father's dozens of sons into a frenzy, each eager to claim the title and territory of King Qi.* *You, however, had no desire to vie for the position. In your heart, nothing was more important than mastering the classical texts.* *Upon learning of your attitude, your mother immediately came to your study to persuade you.* "My son, you must not forgo the title of King. If you do not fight for it, others surely will, and they will become noble through the generations." "Do you wish to see your descendants suffer?" "Listen to your mother. When the Empress summons you princes to the Golden Throne Hall in a few days, you must strive to compete." *What do you choose?* *Option One: Heed your mother’s advice and strive to inherit the title of King Qi.* *Option Two: Host a Hongmen banquet, inviting your 32 brothers and secretly poison them all, leading to their mysterious deaths.* *Option Three: The Xiao royal family, in order to placate the public, has not restricted the personal rights of the Su family. Reject your mother’s proposal and inform her that your sole focus is on studying, with plans to take the local examination in August.* ... Faced with these three choices, Su Mo deliberated immediately. Due to his "Righteousness" talent, any chaotic or wicked option was not viable, or else his sense of righteousness would be extinguished. Thus, the second option was ruled out directly. Between the first and third options, Su Mo wavered. The Emperor Deji had fathered 32 sons, each well-trained; hence, the chance of being selected for the throne was merely a 3% probability. Rather than gambling on such odds, it might be better to cultivate this aura of righteousness to its highest level and see what kind of abilities it could bring. Diligently reading and preparing for official examinations was the correct path. Of course, it was quite strange for a prince to participate in civil examinations. But he had no choice. Therefore, Su Mo chose the third option. *You chose the third option.* *You informed your mother that the Su royal family had fallen to commoner status and you no longer harbored any ambition for power; sitting for the examinations was the correct way.* *Disappointed by your decision, your mother reluctantly gave up persuading you.* *Subsequently, you spread the news to all your brothers.* *Your brothers were delighted by your withdrawal from the succession and treated you with greater kindness.* *They even threw a banquet in your honor, where everyone drank heavily.* Watching the scene unfold, a small devil in Su Mo's heart emerged. If he had chosen the second option, he would have deceived everyone by pretending to relinquish the claim to King Qi’s inheritance, luring them into a trap with poison. Alas, there was no "what if." ... *Soon, news of your withdrawal and desire to participate in the exams reached Empress Xiao Huang.* *Upon hearing that you rejected the opportunity to inherit King Qi’s title, she looked at you with newfound respect, curious about what kind of distinguished figure you were.* *Thus, on the day of selecting King Qi’s successor, Empress Xiao Huang specifically had someone bring you along.* *Inside the waiting hall, all the former princes gathered in numbers, and your appearance alarmed your brothers.* *The eldest prince, Su Jingyu, most likely to receive the title, immediately regarded you with hostility.* "Third Brother, didn't you say you'd forfeit the title to focus on exams?" "Now you show up—what are your intentions?" "I was wrong to think you genuinely wanted to quit!" *The eldest prince Su Jingyu’s words resonated with the other princes.* "Indeed, you already quit, and now you reappear. How is this different from a liar who breaks promises?" "Yes, it's the selection time, the Empress will arrive soon, and now even backing out is impossible!" "Third Brother, I never expected you to hide your intentions so deeply!" *Amidst the flurry of accusations, you chose to ignore them.* *Two hours later, the Empress entered, her presence silencing all the hall's noise instantly.* ... Upon the Empress's entrance, Su Mo zoomed in on the scene to capture every detail of her presence. In the image, Xiao Huang walked gracefully into the hall, her red embroidered shoes stepping with poise. Her figure was enveloped in an expansive yet form-fitting red dragon robe, embroidered with golden-threaded five-clawed dragons. Despite the grandeur of the robe, it couldn't fully conceal her robust form. Her perfect waist and hip curves, especially her slender waist, invited one to hold it with a single hand. Her exposed skin appeared exquisitely delicate, exuding a pearlescent sheen, looking enticing against the red robe. Raising her chin slightly, Xiao Huang surveyed the hall slowly. Her phoenix eyes glistened with vibrant energy. All the former princes immediately lowered their heads without daring to breathe heavily. Gazing at the Empress in the image filled Su Mo with an urge to subdue her. This woman was stunning, particularly with her proud, unyielding demeanor. Such intensity was something he had only seen in Daji. However, Daji had liked his simulated self from the start and thus never revealed this intensity before him. But Xiao Huang was different. Being unfamiliar with his simulated self, her complete aura was fully unleashed, overwhelming any ordinary person who would likely kneel before her. To conquer such a woman would undoubtedly be a significant personal triumph. ... *Upon seeing Xiao Huang, you immediately lowered your head.* *The Empress had been secretly observing your passive demeanor during the preceding two hours, and she grew intrigued by your calm disposition.* *Nonetheless, her primary focus was on evaluating the former princes.* *Stepping gracefully onto the throne's dais, she spoke with commanding authority.* "The title of King Qi is not easily earned." "Since everyone desires it, we will take a fair approach—I will not consider the order of the princes." *Upon hearing the Empress's words, the faces of the eldest and second princes darkened like charcoal; the others rejoiced, as this increased their chances of succession.* *Subsequently, the Empress shifted her tone.* "The hunt ground hosts numerous creatures, some near developing into sentient beings, approaching the realm of demons." "Over time, this becomes a hidden danger." "You shall hunt in the grounds—the more beasts you slay, the higher points you'll score. There will be designated officials to oversee and tally the points." "The one scoring the highest shall be crowned King Qi!" *The rule for selection was like a cold shower for all princes.* *They were no match for creatures nearing demonic stature!* *After speaking, Empress Xiao Huang glanced at you.* "You remain." "And watch the events unfold with me." (Chapter End)