Shang Yan drew his long sword, pointing it at his heart: “Shang Mingsi, the tens of thousands of frontier soldiers who died unjustly are waiting for this day to send you to hell.”
Suddenly, a shout came from outside: “My Lord, release His Majesty, or Ruan Niang will lose her life!”
Chu Liang held his sword against Ruan Ning’s neck, his face pained: “My Lord, I had no choice. Please release His Majesty.”
Shang Yan dragged the nearly unconscious Shang Mingsi outside, indifferent: “Chu Liang, as I expected. From the moment of infiltration, I knew there was a traitor in the Xuanyi Guard. If I hadn’t followed you, I wouldn’t have found Shang Mingsi.”
Chu Liang’s face contorted. He was a hidden pawn planted by the previous emperor in the Champion King’s mansion. Had the Champion King maintained a good relationship with the court, he would have been Shang Yan’s loyal subordinate for life.
But now, he was forced to betray Shang Yan to fulfill his mission.
He said with difficulty: “My Lord, Chu Liang apologizes. You can cut me into a thousand pieces, but you cannot kill His Majesty.”
“It’s not for you to decide,” Shang Yan replied, pushing the sword tip forward. Shang Mingsi screamed as blood seeped through his clothes, instantly wetting himself.
“My Lord!” Chu Liang gritted his teeth. “If you dare touch His Majesty, I’ll kill Ruan Niang!”
Shang Yan sneered, mockingly saying, “Do you think I would release Shang Mingsi for her?”
Ruan Ning’s heart turned cold. So that was how it was.
“I will definitely kill Shang Mingsi. As for her,” Shang Yan dragged the nearly unconscious Shang Mingsi closer, smiling at Ruan Ning, “I’ll wait for you to wash my clothes.”
Ruan Ning slightly opened her mouth, seeming to understand something, yet also feeling more confused.
Digital numbers quickly zeroed out, chaos gradually disappeared, and Ruan Ning’s body returned to solid form. Before the panel vanished, she saw a large number 5 in the negative review column.
Ruan Ning: … What grudge, what resentment? Why do I get so many negative reviews in every world?
“One negative review is from a reader in the previous world who was very dissatisfied that you pulled up your pants and ran away.”
Three negative reviews criticized Ruan Ning for having physical contact with several men, labeling it as “impure.” They claimed she constantly sold her body, had low taste, and played with emotions. The final negative review came from a standard female voice who expressed anger over Ruan Ning’s threats to the system and her bad attitude.
“Who are you talking to?” Shang Mian observed her transformation from translucent to real, feeling excitement and shock. He didn’t ask questions but pulled her into his embrace, trying to prevent her from leaving again.
“A secret,” Ruan Ning smiled softly.
Shang Mingsi was buried outside the imperial mausoleum under the name of a traitor. A few days later, Shang Mian ascended the throne as Emperor Wu, with Ruan Ning as the only concubine.
After the coronation, Ruan Ning attempted to wash her two dirty clothes but couldn’t find them.
“If the clothes aren’t washed, you can’t leave,” Shang Mian said playfully.
Ruan Ning said nothing and hugged him tightly, offering her lips.
After ascending the throne, Shang Mian gradually eliminated Shang Mingsi’s forces, strengthened military preparations, and adjusted officials. With strong support from the Xie family, the new dynasty stabilized, and the people soon lived peacefully. However, many officials resented the Emperor’s excessive love for the Empress, who had humble origins and a prior marriage.
The Emperor’s insistence on not taking concubines dashed many officials’ hopes, especially since the Empress had not yet become pregnant. Without an heir, the dynasty’s stability was at risk. Eventually, several officials petitioned that the Empress was unvirtuous and demanded that the Emperor take concubines to ensure succession. They brought in witnesses from the Song family to claim that the Empress had acted improperly and could not bear children.
Furious, Shang Mian ordered the execution of these officials and related members of the Song family. This widespread calamity became known as the “Concubine Calamity.” From that point on, no one dared to criticize the Empress again.
Shang Mian’s repeated massacres for the Empress earned him the reputation of a tyrant, while Empress Ruan became known as the Demonic Empress. A year later, she mysteriously disappeared from the palace, with reports claiming she ascended to immortality. Shang Mian passed the throne to his nephew and retreated to the mountains to cultivate Taoism, vowing to reunite with the Empress in this lifetime.
(End of “The Tyrant’s Heartblood”)
