Chapter 9: A Queen's Struggle
"Your humble servant, Wan Ou, pays her respects to Your Majesty." It wasn't the pain that caused her heart to relax, but the tension in her chest slowly eased.
A deep, resonant voice echoed from above. "Did you design these wedding couplets? Did the Xixuan Kingdom send you here?"
She had already changed out of the dazzling fox costume, yet how did he still recognize her origins? This emperor, though elegant, was sharp in his methods. She lowered her gaze carefully, her eyes reflecting the gleaming floor beneath her. "I've long heard that among the Five Great Kingdoms, the Imperial Phoenix Kingdom has the most prosperous situation. The palace is filled with joy, and the whole nation is celebrating. Your humble servant is simply following the people's wishes in the Imperial Phoenix Kingdom, and thanks to Your Majesty, I have the fortune of additional happiness."
Indeed, as sly as a fox, the deep male voice responded slowly, "What do you mean by 'additional happiness'?"
Could she stand up and reply? If she had to kneel every time she spoke in every kingdom, she'd need to consider getting knee guards. Slightly shifting her position, she mentally cursed the old, oppressive system. "The brave and mighty Wolf King of the Imperial Phoenix Kingdom is marrying the beautiful and proud Seventh Princess. This is an immense joy!" Damn it, she was actually praising those two perverts.
She still maintained the lazy and untamed nature of a fox, her lips curving into a slight, almost playful smile. Emperor Dugu Heng, however, only offered a cold, detached smile in return. "Another joy is that you've filled your coffers with gold."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Wan Ou remained kneeling, the air heavy with a terrifying presence that weighed down the entire hall.
Looking up, she saw him leisurely flipping through a book. Wan Ou forced a bitter smile. The emperor of Xixuan Kingdom had been much easier to handle. This one, though young and handsome, was as formidable as a CEO of a top-tier corporation. "Your Majesty, you are most perceptive."
His deep black eyes flicked over to the wolf-shaped bracelet in her hand. His perfectly handsome face finally betrayed a reaction—his dark pupils narrowed, and his lips curled into a slow smile, one that could almost be called genuine. "Given your contributions, I grant you the honor of accompanying me to greet the Second Prince and his marriage alliance."
Her face twisted in a grimace as she looked at him, "Thank you, Your Majesty." Damn, if she knelt any longer, her legs would be useless. But the thought of facing that perverted monster again made her shudder in fear.
Emperor Dugu Heng was a wise ruler, and "Keng" had been mentioned several times in the imperial records. Wan Ou followed closely behind him, having entered the Imperial Phoenix Kingdom under her real name. "Keng" was merely a codename used in Xixuan Kingdom, and since no one recognized her, she didn't want to lose both her body and her name. After receiving Dugu Heng back in the palace, the imperial feast officially began. Wan Ou mingled with the crowd, ate her fill, and then disappeared. She still had to go digging for antiques and treasures in the royal palace.
But the Wolf King's residence felt like a hellish place, with Dugu Lue acting like the King of Hell, casually ending lives.
"Who are you… Where is my little Seven?" he demanded. She wasn't his "little Seven," but he rudely tore at her sleeve. His hands were as smooth and pure as jade, but they were empty. Her face, fierce and unrestrained, was far from fragile like a nation-dominating beauty. As he ripped her clothes, her exposed body was far from delicate and transparent like crystal.
The Seventh Princess was not frightened by his crude actions. Instead, she slithered toward him like a snake. "Yuwang, my husband, I am your little Seven… I really like you..."