Chapter 55: The Annihilation of Former Princes and the Abolition of the Title of King Qi - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

Chapter 55: The Annihilation of Former Princes and the Abolition of the Title of King Qi [Empress Xiao Huang's voice turned soft and magnetic, but your breath hitched at her words, not knowing the woman's intentions.] [However, as you are no longer the Third Prince of Great Zhou, you can only nod in agreement.] "Yes, Your Majesty." [Meanwhile, your brothers have all gone to the armory to select their weapons.] [The allure of the title of King Qi is not something that everyone can resist.] [Soon, you and Empress Xiao Huang arrived at the viewing platform of the hunting grounds, where the civil and military officials gathered below, while your brothers, each armed with various weapons, entered the hunting fields.] [Your brothers plunged into the dense forest, and the shouts of battle and screams echoed continuously.] [Seeing this, you turned away, unable to bear it, feeling that your brothers were too foolish to understand what was truly worth fighting over with the position of King Qi.] [Xiao Huang noticed your reaction and spoke.] "Are you unwilling to see this?" "I remember when you faced harsh criticism from others." "What about these brothers of yours is worth your concern?" [You're not entirely sure what Xiao Huang means, but you can only respond.] "Yes, I am unwilling, even with strangers I would feel the same." "My brothers, in normal circumstances, are good, but they've been blinded by the lure of King Qi's position." [Xiao Huang regarded you with a faint smile, clearly not believing your words or that a former third prince would possess such a compassionate heart.] [Without some dexterity, she would have long been devoured by the rest of the Xiao imperial clan.] [The hunt continued.] [Yet gradually, you ceased to hear the shouting of your brothers, as everything gradually fell into silence.] [Before long, a number of men in flying fish robes emerged from the dense forest of the hunting grounds, each dragging a corpse behind them.] [These bodies belong to your brothers.] [Exactly thirty-one of them.] [In this hunt, all your brothers perished.] [You fell into silence.] [Even the dullest of minds could realize the empress Xiao Huang's intention was to eradicate the former princes.] [But you don't understand.] [Was there really a need, to be in such a hurry?] [Xiao Huang looked at you, while you gazed back at her, your eyes filled with anger and confusion.] [Yet she offered no explanation.] [Instead, she directed her gaze toward the gathered officials below, her voice authoritative and cold, spreading across the court.] "Since I have ascended the throne, I have always held the ancestral state as the foundation. Now the Third Prince of the former dynasty has voluntarily renounced his claim to the throne, and all other heirs to the King Qi title have perished, the issue of succession needs careful reconsideration." "Since there is no longer an heir to inherit the title of King Qi, leaving the position vacant would defy ancestral rites and disrupt familial order." "For the long-term stability of the empire, the title of King Qi is abolished from this day forth!" "This act is not to slight King Qi, it is dictated by destiny." "I urge all subjects to understand my heart; I shall govern diligently for the sake of the people!" [The civil and military officials, seemingly well-rehearsed, all rose to kneel before Xiao Huang.] "Long live Your Majesty, endless longevity!" "Long live Your Majesty, endless longevity!" "…" [Upon hearing Xiao Huang's words, your heart turned icy.] [You began to question whether your father truly died of natural causes.] [You also sensed that Xiao Huang held your life firmly in her grasp, that killing you would be easier than crushing an ant.] [But for now, there was no legitimate reason, so she has temporarily spared you.] [At that moment, many thoughts raced through your mind, and your knees involuntarily fell to the ground, submitting beneath Xiao Huang's crimson imperial gown, eyes fixed on her red cloud-embroidered shoes.] … Su Mo watched the events unfold on the screen, a shiver of fear running through his heart. Had he not chosen to renounce his claim, It would have meant his death in this hunt. And this simulation would end even before he could deal with Xiao Huang. Hiss! It had taken over a month of random scenarios before getting such a good start; if he had died so easily, it would have been a completely wasted opportunity! If any further choices appear, he would need to choose more carefully. … [Xiao Huang looked at your reaction with satisfaction.] "Su Mo, you are a smart man." "From now on, you don’t need to take the imperial exams, just assume the position of county magistrate in Gulan County under the rule of the Three Cities." "But as this magistrate, after one year, I will personally evaluate your performance; if you do poorly, you will be dismissed." [Upon hearing the name Gulan County, your heart turned icy.] [You had already heard that Gulan County was known for its fierce populace, practically a dragon's den, with the magistrate position long vacant.] [In the former dynasty, magistrates were repeatedly sent there, but all died mysteriously within six months, rumored to involve demonic mischief.] [But lacking evidence, the matter was left unresolved.] [In the new dynasty's six years, two magistrates were dispatched, only to meet death or madness.] [The danger is self-evident.] [Xiao Huang's plans are to eliminate completely!] [But faced with Xiao Huang’s command, you dare not refuse and can only gratefully kneel in thanks.] "Thank you for your great grace, Empress!" "Rise." [Xiao Huang's vermilion lips showed a hint of pride.] [She has always been wary of you former princes, yet due to public opinion, could not have you assassinated. But today, all has been resolved.] [As for you, in her eyes, going to Gulan County was no different than heading to your death.] … Returning home with unsteady steps, you started contemplating how to avoid the impending danger. Upon arriving, your mother rushed to you, relieved to see you unharmed. She had already heard the news of all the princes' deaths. "Mo’er, fortunately, you did not listen to me; you were right, you were right!" "I heard Queen Wang has fainted from grief, none of her sons returned." "Were you frightened, dear? Let me make you a bowl of bird’s nest soup to recover." [With that, your mother headed to the kitchen to fetch the bird’s nest she had been stewing since morning.] [Watching your bustling mother, you made up your mind to send her back to your grandfather’s house.] [Your grandfather, once the great general Li Jinglong of Great Zhou, had been living idly at home since the new dynasty was established. Because of many old retainers and lack of military power, the Xiao family never touched him.] [Sending your mother back to your grandfather would be the safest option.] [You explained everything to her.] [Upon hearing your assignment to Gulan County, your mother nearly fainted.] [Gulan County's notoriety was so widespread that even she had heard of it.] [Those who went there, none returned unscathed.] "Son, can you not go?" [At this moment, all you could do was comfort your mother.] "Mother, even if Gulan County is perilous, there are ways to survive." "If I don’t go, your son is truly doomed!" (End of Chapter)