Help! The Villainess Trapped in the Beast World's Drama!-Chapter 388 - 380: The Past Should End Completely

Qiu Yang had just left the bedchamber after reporting recent affairs, when suddenly he was called back by a voice.

"Lord Qiu Yang, please wait a moment!"

"Oh, what do you need from me?" Qiu Yang turned around to look at the person who called him.

It was Ge Chen who serves before the emperor, a person of resourceful intelligence and cleverness, adept at handling affairs and greatly favored by Your Majesty.

Ge Chen lowered his voice mysteriously, "I am very curious about something, and I’d like to ask Lord Qiu Yang, why does Your Majesty value that small nation so highly?"

He wondered, "Without sending troops to attack, he even wants us to provide support. I’ve been tossing and turning for days, thinking hard but cannot figure out what Your Majesty is thinking."

Ge Chen looked at Qiu Yang with a few flattering, ingratiating intentions, "You are a close confidant of Your Majesty, you must know the inside story."

Qiu Yang looked at him with cold disdain and sneered, "Has Lord Ge ever heard the saying— the more you know, the faster you die."

Ge Chen’s face instantly turned pale.

"Just do what you are supposed to do," Qiu Yang said indifferently, "Your Majesty’s intentions are not for you to speculate about."

Ge Chen’s face turned somewhat unpleasant. This Qiu Yang really carried a high posture, isn’t he just a Hidden Guard?

It was merely for the sake of Your Majesty that he gave him a little face, yet he dared to show him such a look, truly ungrateful!

After Ge Chen left angrily, a shadow emerged under the tree, looking towards the direction of the bedchamber, with a complex tone, "It seems that Your Majesty truly showed some genuine emotions on this trip."

Qiu Yang sighed heavily, Your Majesty was astute and perceptive since childhood. Although he stayed on that side for a long time, he originally thought nothing would happen, yet never could have expected... calculating a thousand times over, the matter of emotions is hard to calculate!

"An ill-fated love that shouldn’t have happened."

Fortunately, it’s all in the past.

Your Majesty has returned, and everything from before is completely over.

...

Over the past month, the entire Yiyuan Empire’s court has undergone a tumultuous upheaval.

The "sickly" emperor, viewed by the world as a puppet, suddenly purged the court with thunderous methods.

Dozens of ministers were executed and their homes raided, including influential ministers who held sway over the court.

In an instant, the entire Imperial City was filled with ominous winds, and everyone felt threatened.

At today’s morning court, civil and military officials stood in the hall, trembling even in their breaths.

"Your Majesty arrives—"

With the attendant’s announcement, a tall figure walked slowly in.

The man was dressed in a black and gold robe, his red hair gathered high, with a dazzling golden crown, fully displaying imperial majesty. On his handsome and enchanting face was a jade-like smile, yet it sent chills down people’s spines.

This was the first time in over a decade, since the shocking palace coup, that this "puppet emperor" who ruled behind the curtains, revealed himself to the public.

"Courtiers... we pay respects to Your Majesty!"

The officials were stunned for a moment, hurriedly knelt, while a storm of awe and confusion surged in their hearts.

Wasn’t it said that Your Majesty was bedridden and not long for this world? Why does he now appear not only radiant, but exude an overwhelming pressure that demands instinctive submission from them!

He seemed like a different person compared to usual.

What in the world is going on?

None of the ministers present could fathom it, but none dared to show it.

"All beloved subjects, please rise."

Ji Jiuli lounged lazily on the throne, his slender fingers lightly resting on his chin, wearing a gentle and refined smile, "These years, due to my frail health, I have been unable to meet frankly with all beloved subjects, hearing some rumors from the court, I feel deeply guilty and deeply uneasy." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Before his words were finished, one minister already knelt in terror, "Your Majesty’s words are too harsh! We have failed to alleviate Your Majesty’s worries and difficulties, we are guilty beyond measure!"

In the court, ministers bowed their heads in confession, voices rising and falling.

Ministers who had done something shameful secretly were sweating profusely, their hearts terrified, fearing their misconduct would be exposed.

Ji Jiuli chuckled lightly, unconcerned, "Fortunately, my health has now improved, past matters are bygones, but..."

His finger, slender like jade, tapped the armrest lightly as his lips curled into a meaningful smile, speaking slowly,

"Recently, I acquired an extraordinary treasure, today I wish to share it with all beloved subjects."

The attendant brought forth a tray covered with a red cloth.

A minister keenly sensed a bloody scent, his complexion changed dramatically.

As the red cloth was lifted—

"Ah!!!"

A piercing scream echoed through the hall.

Several old ministers fainted on the spot, more were frightened and collapsed to the ground, faces ghostly white, unable to utter a word.

It was none other than the bloody head of Regent King Yuan Ke!

Ji Jiuli slowly stood, gently stroking the head full of terror and unrest, his voice light as a lover’s whisper,

"This is... the fate of treason!"

The next moment, a terrifying pressure swept across the court!

"From this day forward—"

The man raised his eyes, scanning the crowd, each word he spoke made a minister vomit blood and kneel, body trembling.

"I am the world, disobedience leads to extinction of nine clans."

With the last word, all civil and military officials knelt to the ground, trembling in fear, any rebellious thought completely wiped away.

The resounding oaths were deafening, one wave higher than the next,

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"We swear to be loyal unto death!"

Thus, the Yiyuan Empire ended its internal strife, the world rumored ’puppet’ sickly emperor, with an iron fist, decisively took back the reins of power!

...

After purging the court, Ji Jiuli went alone to pay homage to ancestors.

After the rites, he went straight to the Observatory Pavilion.

This was the residence of High Priests for generations, even emperors cannot enter at will.

Guard in front of the pavilion was about to announce, but Ji Jiuli raised his hand to stop him.

He ascended alone, where he was greeted by a young Beastman of similar age.

Ji Jiuli said, "I am here to pay respects to my master, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen the old man."

The Beastman said, "Father will be very pleased to know you’ve returned."

Ji Jiuli smiled bitterly, "Master is my benefactor, without him, I wouldn’t be where I am today."

Inside the pavilion, he respectfully offered incense to the portrait on the wall, standing for a long time.

Qiu Yang and others waited outside the Observatory Pavilion for a long time, finally seeing Your Majesty come out.

Ji Jiuli did not rush back to the Imperial Palace, but wandered through the streets, saying he wanted to observe the people’s conditions.

When passing by a roadside stall, he suddenly stopped.

A Beastman following his gaze chuckled, "That little cat jade sculpture hanging there is black and white, quite interesting."

Someone agreed, "I’ve seen several of that style lately. I heard they’ve been popular recently, saying cats have spiritual nature, that black and white jade carvings can ward off evil, selling quite well."

"This little trinket reminds me of a rumor I heard before, it was said the new Monarch of Night Glow Empire’s true form is a black and white cat."

Ji Jiuli walked to the stall.

The vendor hurriedly knelt, "To Your Majesty!"

Ji Jiuli waved his hand, having him rise, and held the jade carving, "This little thing is quite cute."

The vendor quickly smiled obsequiously, "If Your Majesty likes it, just take it! It’s no valuable trinket!"

Ji Jiuli said nothing, gestured for his men to pay and bought the jade carving.

Qiu Yang saw this scene, his face sank slightly, a vague unease flashed in his heart.

As a close confidant assigned by the Late Emperor to assist Your Majesty, he was not only a Hidden Guard protecting Your Majesty’s safety but also a blade to clear any adverse factors.

He knew, for an emperor, any attachment could be a fatal weakness, especially for an enemy’s monarch.

It seems... that female must be eliminated.