Speaking of the empress Shui Yinzhu, people all recognized her as the personification of a succubus. She was so charming like a vixen whose glamour in innocence could attract everyone around her. She didn’t wear the phoenix crown and robe, the status symbols as the empress but the blood-red dress. She kept her hair in a bun, and wore a simple hairpin with two pearls on it. The emperor of Yun was so fascinated by her that he forgot the responsibility of the throne and started to kill innocent people.

Under the constant and mostly intentional influence of the evil empress, Yun Su raised the tax over and over again. He forced his people to do labor work and abused his power and the financial resources to build wonders. The nervous people were sent everywhere to build grandiose temporary palaces for the pleasure of the emperor and the empress.

The emperor totally ignored the welfare of his people as he would torture them for saying anything wrong. He conscripted men by force, underfed and underpaid these people while restricting their liberty. Compared to that, it would be a minor mistake for him to punish his loyal subordinates.

Soon afterwards, human lives were treated like trash. All the people in that country felt in danger and tried to protect themselves. It was the most horrible period of time in the history of the Empire of Yun. The government was filled with corrupt officials and the common people had to suffer.

Exorbitant taxes and levies were applied and there was a severe shortage of labor force. In order to build better temporary palaces, fawn on the emperor and get promoted, the officials shielded one another and protected merchants so as to pay tribute to a higher level. The citizens ended up being oppressed.

In certain areas, the people had to sell their children since they had nothing to offer after selling their house and everything. Gradually, the people couldn’t even find bark to eat.

Because of the evil empress’s deeds, there weren’t any ministers who had the courage to stand up against her. Most of the loyal officials died and the imperial court was left with the yes-men. The Empire of Yun and its emperor disappointed all the officials.

The very few loyal officials that survived had no courage to speak up. Those who work in the military asked for leaves whenever possible so as to stay away from the chaos. Even so, Shui Yinzhu sill invented certain reasons to kill some generals.

The entire empire was shadowed by the dark cloud. On that new year’s eve, a lot of people couldn't have enough food or clothes. Some didn’t have anywhere to live. Since even the survival was a problem, celebrating the new year would only be a luxury for them. While water could carry a boat, it could also overturn it. Once the people were driven up to the wall, they would surely rebel once someone incited them.

The fact is that as long as the common people could make ends meet, they would never join the rebellion for it would put their life at stake. Death could come any minute. But when they became refugees with nothing more to lose, they would either starve or freeze to death if they stay silent. Since they were unable to celebrate the new year, they would make the corrupt officials difficult to spend their new year, either.

At midnight on New Year’s Eve, when all the local officials and rich people were waiting for the new year at home, the refugees in rags broke into their houses with axes, hoes or even pitchforks.

Before an entire night’s burning and looting, the refugees were determined to risk their own lives. Death would be the only outcome if they chose to observe the law but putting up a fight could bring them a chance to live. Blood covered all those once-rich houses. Corpses piled up all over the country.

As the refugees paid with their blood and crossed the bottom line of humanity, they started to rule their own places. Some were used by certain people and joined rebellion armies. War began in the ever-peaceful Empire of Yun.

Everything was supposed to be freshened in this new year. But snow did not melt in the Empire of Yun as the war started everywhere in this country.

Among all the rebellion armies, the one under the name of restoring the Kingdom of Xuan was best organized. Xuan Zhi was their leader. The former warlord of the Kingdom of Yun would never start a battle unless he could secure a triumph.

Ever since they started from a small city near the border, the army of Xuan had gathered intel before besieged a city. Even though they couldn’t guarantee a 100% win rate, they tried their best to reduce casualty. They didn’t plunder the local people after conquering the city but helped with the reconstruction instead.

Under the inspiration of their righteousness, many people volunteered to join the army of Xuan. They were fighting for their family. When the army went to suppress bandits on mountains, they didn’t hurt them for most joined just to survive in the difficult times. Their kindness won the heart of a lot of bandits.

The army of Xuan grew at an astonishing speed. The tyranny of the evil empress Shui Yinzhu inside the palace of Huaiyang City played an important part. If it weren’t for the chaos caused by her, the government wouldn’t lose the support so fast, and the common people wouldn’t have been forced to stand up against them, to join the bandits and then further into rebellion armies.

Under another influence of the prophecy and the rumors, the war was a matter of time. Hero would come in troubled times. Xuan Zhi was their hero as he stood out to save the common people from tyranny.

When autumn came again, time couldn’t drift the dark clouds away. War had yet to come to Huaiyang City. The majestic palaces were still gilded with gold.

The sunshine filled in the bedchamber of the empress in the afternoon. The gorgeous evil empress in her red dress sat beside her table. Across from the table was Madam Li in her formal dress. Recently, Madam Li came to visit Shui Yinzhu whenever she was free, which was surely not just for chitchat.

Shui Yinzhu kept joining the morning session every morning even though there were rebellions being reported. Yun Su started to gather the ministers for emergency meetings in the afternoon. He was trying to keep Shui Yinzhu in the dark.

The morning sessions were filled with discussions about trifles instead of those about something important. Serious political affairs were left for the Imperial Study Room in the afternoon.

But would it be possible to keep Shui Yinzhu away from this? Recently, Madam Li came to visit Shui Yinzhu every afternoon to update her on the state affairs discussed in the previous day.

“Sis, the army of Xuan is the best among all the rebellion armies. They have taken several cities and were getting closer to Huaiyang City. His Majesty and the generals were all worried about it.”

“The army of Xuan... that’s led by Zhi.” Her Zhi was finally about to come. Shui Yinzhu almost burst into tears. Her beloved man was fine and kept coming closer. But Shui Yinzhu, however, was no longer the pure girl.

“What’s the matter with you, sis?” Madam Li asked as she found Shui Yinzhu lost in her thoughts.

“It’s all right. I’m fine. I know what happened. Send my regards to Mr. Chi Mu. I’ll remember what he did for me.”

“Well, I trust you, sis. I’ll take my leave.”

“Okay, sis. Be careful.”

“Sure.”

It was the first time for Shui Yinzhu not to walk Madam Li out. But as an ally, Madam Li didn’t mind it. Shui Yinzhu sat on her chair alone, possessed by memory. It was the love and tender humanity that she hid deep down in her heart. She kept sitting there until the sun started to set.

The door to the bedchamber was opened. Paner followed several other palace maids and walked out with no one noticing her. She watched Yun Su getting into the bedroom and shut the door.

Paner was worried about Shui Yinzhu as she knew that the empress didn’t have her dinner. But a palace maid could do nothing but leave with all her colleagues.

Yun Su couldn’t get Shui Yinzhu back to her mind. The empress sat beside the table, engulfed by the memory. Yun Su slowly walked towards her and wrapped his arms around her from behind.

The hug brought her back to the real world. “Zhi!” the empress called unconsciously. That was the name deep down in her heart.

As the rebellion armies had been bothering Yun Su these days, he hated and feared Xuan Zhi the most. The mere existence of him was like a thorn. But now his Sister Xi’s mind is filled with Xuan Zhi. He yelled at her, “Sister Xi, I will never let you two meet with each other. Don’t even think about it.”

He didn’t give Shui Yinzhu any time before pressing her down to the table. Anxiety deprived him of sanity. All he wanted was to own her for that was the only way he could feel her. He started kissing her body all of a sudden.

Shui Yinzhu came back to her sense as she fell in Yun Su’s arms. She felt disgusted. But at the same time, she has become numb with the brutal intercourse with the emperor. The information of Xuan Zhi rippled the mind of Shui Yinzhu. When her man was fighting on the battleground, Shui Yinzhu was supposed to offer some help by using her pawns.

Yun Su went crazy that night. He did it over and over again. Shui Yinzhu didn’t have any time to rest for an entire night. The woman on the bed fainted for several times inside the bedchamber.

As she woke up, it was already the next morning. The man that was supposed to attend the morning session was still working non-stop on Shui Yinzhu’s body without feeling tired.

“Yun Su, that’s enough.” Shui Yinzhu couldn’t bear it any longer. She felt sore all over her body. It would be difficult for her to walk.

“No. It will never be enough.”

“You should attend the morning session. I need to ask for a leave today.”

“Sister Xi, will you please stay with me? You are the only thing I have.”

“Well, let me get some rest. I didn’t even have dinner last night.” Shui Yinzhu sneered in her heart but gave a piteous look.

“All right.” The flustered emperor let go of Shui Yinzhu and left in his imperial robe.

“Xiaoxin.” Once Yun Su left, Shui Yinzhu ignored the sore in her body and summoned Xiaoxin. That was the empress. She was cruel to others but even crueler to herself.

“Your Highness.”

“Prepare me a bath.”

“Okay.”

Shui Yinzhu felt impatient that day. After all that she had arranged, there was one last step left unfinished. After taking the bath, she was still unable to walk with her aching and limp body. She had to sit back in the chair with the help of Xiaoxin.

Even though it hurt to sit on the chair, Shui Yinzhu had to tolerate and ask Xiaoxin to prepare some wine jars.

“Your Highness, you didn’t even have dinner last night. it’s not good for your health to drink wine in the morning.”

“It’s fine. Ask Paner in alone after thirty minutes. Make it sound as if you just need a random maid. Don’t let her know that I asked for her.”

“Okay.”

“Wait for me outside the room. Keep the door closed and no one is allowed to come in.”

“Understood.”

Shui Yinzhu was an expert in humanity. Simple-minded girls would be no match for her. Shui Yinzhu had a plan on Paner. She earned her trust just for this day.

The empress splashed the wine all over the table. Alcohol covered up the smell of what happened last night. Shui Yinzhu started to drink by herself in her bedchamber. She wasn’t alcoholic but she could drink. Besides, she didn’t drink as much as she splashed.

It didn’t impress Paner that way. The innocent girl thought Shui Yinzhu was drunk. The girl was assured when she heard Shui Yinzhu calling “Yue, Zhi, I miss you so much.”

Shui Yinzhu was in that white dress which she hadn’t worn for a long time. There was the same hairpin with two pearls on her bun. The empress looked like a poor woman crying helplessly. And Paner obviously felt empathetic.

Paner went up to support Shui Yinzhu, “Are you all right, sis? It’s Paner.”

“Paner, Paner, I’m so, so sad. I miss Yue. I miss Zhi. I miss them so much.”

“Easy, sis. You have Paner with you.”

“Paner, I have a story to tell you.”

“Okay. I’m listening.”