Chapter 7

Chapter 7

In the days that followed, I focused my punishments solely on the Ye Family.

The members of the Ye Family were in a state of constant anxiety, keeping their doors tightly shut.

In truth, it wasn’t that I didn’t want to move against the other Aristocratic Families; it was simply that I feared they would unite against me. I could only afford to shear one sheep at a time.

They had likely grown too accustomed to their comfortable lives, for they showed no signs of rebellion. Instead, they collectively isolated the Ye Family.

The Ye Mansion, which had been the most sought-after residence for years, became a lonely, desolate estate.

In my past life, at this same time, Ye Weilan had climbed his way up by stepping on my face, and the Ye Family was at the height of its glory.

Back then, he was pursued and flattered by countless people whenever he went out. His siblings were treated as honored guests, his father and uncles received promotion after promotion, and even the family’s gatekeepers were insufferably arrogant.

In this life, I much prefer the way his home is now-deserted and forgotten.

It truly is a wonderful feeling.

Construction on the Aoxiang Pavilion began.

Just then, a locust plague struck Lunan, and countless refugees flooded into the capital. Under such circumstances, the start of construction on the Aoxiang Pavilion appeared even more loathsome.

Countless people cursed me for bringing ruin to the country and its people.

Xiangnu went out once and returned with a face pale and cold.

He personally went to the kitchen to prepare food, served me my meals, and then gave me a massage.

He tried his best to make me laugh, unaware that I could see the distraction in his eyes.

I asked him what was wrong.

He hesitated, his words coming out haltingly.

“Your Highness, shall we stop building the Aoxiang Pavilion? There are so many refugees now…”

“This Princess heard that when you went out today, someone cursed you?”

“Let them curse. Their words won’t take an ounce of flesh off me; I don’t care. It’s just… Your Highness, I’m afraid of them cursing you.”

His eyes were moist, the corners tinged with red, and his worry was plain to see.

My heart felt a slight sting.

My Xiangnu, his heart is entirely full of me.

I stroked his hair and said softly, “They want to curse This Princess not because I’m building the Aoxiang Pavilion, but because I’ve touched their interests.

“Since ancient times, there has never been a female Regent. By taking the position, This Princess has slapped them all in the face.

“They have to make a living under my hand, so naturally, they are unhappy.

“Even if This Princess didn’t build the Aoxiang Pavilion, they would find something else to curse me for.

“You only need to remember one thing: This Princess is not afraid of being cursed. If they give me money, I’ll even allow them to curse me to my face.

“But for them to curse you is absolutely wrong. Come with This Princess; we’re going out to curse them back.”

I took his hand and pulled him up.

Xiangnu was stunned.

“Your Highness, I… I am just an entertainer.”

“Hahahaha!”

I laughed.

Seeing how he usually bared his claws and teeth, I thought he was such a formidable character, but it turned out he looked down on himself so much.

I took him to the house of the person he had argued with during the day.

The palace maids and eunuchs set up a table and chairs. I sat down and leisurely sipped my tea.

The doors of the Zhao Family were tightly shut.

Xiangnu’s face lit up with joy. He swayed his hips and shouted, “Zhao Xiao’er, come out! You had the guts to curse people during the day, so why don’t you dare come out now? If you’re so capable, come out and trade insults with me for another three hundred rounds!

“You say I serve others with my looks? I’m just beautiful, and you’re green with envy! Why don’t you come and bite me?

“Her Highness is willing to build a pavilion for me, so what does that have to do with you? If you’re so capable, get Her Highness to build one for you too!

“If you come to serve Her Highness, I’ll be the primary and you’ll be the secondary. You’ll have to come and kowtow to me every single day! Come on then, if you have the guts!”