Chapter 54: The Fall of the Emperor

[August 14, 2025 of the Douluo Calendar: Someone accused Empress Zhu of having an affair with General Zhou An of the Zhu Nation. The Emperor of the Star Luo Empire flew into a rage, sealed the news, and cast Empress Zhu into the Cold Palace.]

[The Star Luo Emperor dispatched an imperial envoy to the Zhu Nation.]

When Zhu Zhuqing heard the news, she wasn't happy. No matter what, that was her aunt—and the Zhu Clan's key to regaining power. If something happened to her, things would only get worse for the Zhu Clan.

Fortunately, Empress Zhu was still the mother of two princes.

The Emperor hadn't gone to extremes. He still allowed the princes and their princesses to visit her—but nothing more.

When it came to Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's turn...

Seeing the Empress now noticeably thinner than before, a trace of pain flashed through Zhu Zhuqing's eyes.

"Mother! It's not true, is it?! How could you possibly be involved with that Zhou An?! Who would be dumb enough to slander you like this?! I won't let them get away with it!"

Dai Mubai's eyes were red as he roared in fury.

The moment he heard the news, he had rushed back from Shrek Academy.

"Mubai, go outside for now. I want to talk to Zhuqing alone." Empress Zhu rubbed her temples. These two children always barged in shouting like this.

What she wanted to see was the two princes pulling the Star Luo Emperor down from his throne—not them asking her questions like fools.

By comparison, it was still the Zhu Clan's daughter who better matched her expectations.

Dai Mubai looked stunned, then left the room helplessly.

Once the door closed, the room dimmed slightly.

Empress Zhu let out a bitter laugh. "I was too greedy for Zhou Sheng'an's body. I made the mistake every woman makes. Zhuqing, learn from me."

Zhu Zhuqing looked at her with sorrow. "Aunt, you've suffered a lot, haven't you?"

"It was just a beating and then being ignored. But... the child in my womb is gone. And he used musk to ruin my ability to bear children. I'll never have another child."

Empress Zhu gave a sorrowful smile. The light in her eyes was already gone.

What vanished with it was the love that had once sparked anew. It had now been replaced by a deep, disillusioned clarity.

If she had another chance, she would never have foolishly given herself to Zhou Sheng'an.

The infatuation had shattered with the dream.

Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip, letting out a faint sigh.

"Our Zhu Clan's ambitions... they're over. The Emperor won't spare Zhou Sheng'an. I never admitted to anything, but... heh. Zhou Sheng'an will die, but the Zhu Clan will survive."

"We Zhu women are destined to become mothers of nations. My scandal won't affect you."

"One day, if you take my place, remember—never let your emotions outweigh your rationality."

Empress Zhu stared straight into Zhu Zhuqing's eyes as she spoke.

"!!!" Zhu Zhuqing was shocked. She actually saw a hint of hatred in Empress Zhu's eyes.

Not just toward the Star Luo Emperor—but also Zhou Sheng'an!

A chill ran down Zhu Zhuqing's spine. She finally realized that her aunt had always been an extremely ambitious woman. It was only during the time she fell for Zhou Sheng'an that she had turned into a naive lovestruck fool.

"Aunt, maybe... maybe things haven't gone that far yet. Teacher, he…"

"Heh. Men are never to be trusted. Zhuqing, remember—if he gains power and I'm no longer around to restrain him, he'll absolutely slip from our control!"

Empress Zhu's voice turned cold.

Zhu Zhuqing opened her mouth but didn't speak again. She couldn't bear to provoke her further.

Empress Zhu continued, "Don't think too much. This time, he's finished. The Emperor is ruthless. He won't give Zhou Sheng'an even a sliver of a chance."

"Now, we need to focus on protecting ourselves."

Her tone was decisive.

...

"Teacher... is this the end of this simulation?" Zhu Zhuqing let out a sigh, the smile on her face fading. Everything had happened too quickly in this simulation.

Zhou Sheng'an only received the title of Ninth-Ranked General.

He hadn't yet led the Zhu Clan to rise, let alone trained Zhu Zhuqing into a Titled Douluo.

"It's all my fault. If I hadn't brought Aunt into this, maybe things would've turned out differently."

Zhu Zhuqing sighed again. Just then, the event entries in front of her updated.

[August 23, 2025 of the Douluo Calendar: Zhou Sheng'an killed the assassin sent after him, refused the poisoned wine and white silk sent by the palace eunuchs, and drove away the imperial envoy collecting evidence in Zhu Nation.]

[August 27, 2025: Zhou Sheng'an occupied Zhu Nation and declared independence, opposing the Star Luo Empire!]

[September 11, 2025: The Star Luo Empire dispatched Xiao Tianhe with an army of 300,000 to suppress the rebellion, confronting Zhu Nation's Changmen Pass. Both sides entered a prolonged stalemate.]

"!!!"

'As expected of Teacher. Such sharp instincts—he didn't fall into a passive position at all. He even led Zhu Nation to declare independence! This might really turn the tides!'

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes lit up, her excitement growing.

She still remembered—in the first simulation, even without 200,000 elite troops, Zhou Sheng'an had forced the Second-Ranked General MacArthur into defeat.

Now, Zhou Sheng'an was far stronger!

Zhu Zhuqing opened Zhou Sheng'an's character panel. Seeing "Command: 100, Strategy: 100..." those perfect scores only boosted her confidence.

A hexagon warrior—he could win any fight!

And don't forget, the 200,000 troops Zhou Sheng'an led now were all elite soldiers personally trained by him!

Zhu Zhuqing opened his event log.

[Zhou Sheng'an left behind three brilliant plans to defend against Xiao Tianhe's siege. Then, with 5,000 rapid cavalry, he raced toward Star Luo City to carry out a decapitation strike!]

Zhu Zhuqing's pupils shrank. Teacher, with just 5,000 cavalry... could it be that he—

The next second, the event updated.

Her eyes went into full-blown 'earthquake' mode.

[October 13, 2025: Zhou Sheng'an launched a lightning cavalry assault on Star Luo's royal palace, skewered the Emperor on his spear, and decapitated him. He also abducted Empress Zhu.]

[The Star Luo Empire was shaken and thrown into chaos!]

[Dorgon became acting regent, issuing orders. He mobilized an army of one million to annihilate Zhu Nation! Another 300,000 troops were sent to reinforce the border!]

...

On the screen, over 3,000 cavalry raced toward Zhu Nation.

Steeds galloped like a blazing dragon, trailing a long line of dust behind them.

Zhou Sheng'an rode at the front, Empress Zhu seated in his arms, and Zhu Zhuqing clinging to his back.

"Hahahaha... Zhou Sheng'an! You actually killed the Emperor for me! Good! So good—hahaha...!"

Empress Zhu laughed hysterically, her voice grating to the ear.

Zhou Sheng'an's face remained cold and silent.

But Empress Zhu wasn't about to behave. She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him on the lips.

At the same time, the sound of rustling clothes rang out.

With her body pressed behind Zhou Sheng'an's, Zhu Zhuqing's face turned crimson. Watching Empress Zhu occasionally throw her head back and laugh wildly, she had no doubt what was happening.