761 The Cat and I Are Not Going Ou (2/2)

In an instant, everyone looked terribly solemn. They could not help it.

Just before Wei Wang was beheaded, his horrible screams and the look of disbelief on his face were etched in the memories of those that were present. When his head was finally cut off, both of his eyes were so wide open with hatred that they almost popped out of the eye sockets. It was hard to listen to all the nasty things that he was cursing as he was about to be beheaded. He would probably become a vengeful spirit after his death. No one could have imagined that Wei Wang, who had controlled the military, would be killed so simply. It was like killing a chicken.

Victories and defeats were common occurrences in war. Although losing Zijing Pass was a major defeat, the war was not lost yet. Although Wei Wang might be at fault for the defeat, he could still perform other meritorious deeds to redeem himself. Besides, Wei Wang was the Empress's uncle and held the power and control of the military. Yet at the end of the day, he was killed just like that. Without a sound.

All the old followers did not make a sound. Before the news of Wei Wang's death could spread, the power and control of the military had been completely taken over by this Empress. Other than one or two stubborn fellows who were determined to give Wei Wang a proper funeral, the rest chose to bow their heads to Her Majesty obediently.

Before there could be any chance of chaos or rebellion, it was put to a complete stop right from the beginning. This was far from over, and in fact, it was only the beginning. Only now did everyone realize that this was a cleansing. A complete and thorough cleansing. Within half an hour, six out of the nine ministers and three councilors of state had already been changed! It was swift and decisive.

This Empress was no longer mild and warm like she had always been. Instead, she was finally showing her cruel and violent side as she wrestled over control of all the powers that escaped her previously. On this night, countless people in the capital could barely fall asleep out of fear.

…

Bai Xi had no idea if other people were having trouble falling asleep, but she had no trouble whatsoever. She might be a prisoner, but she was living and eating well, so much so that she showed no respect to the Empress, who had just disturbed her sleep. Her actions were more brazen and disrespectful than ever. Her actions seemed to be guided by an adrenaline rush that originated from the fact that she had nothing more to lose anyway.

”What a pity. You are still too early by a decade.” Bai Xi yawned and was mocking the Empress over the defeat, ”No, perhaps with another five years, the outcome might not have turned out so badly?”

”Actually, another three years will do.” The Empress's face was one of indifference, as if she could not care less about the outcome of the war. ”It's a pity. I thought that I had hidden it well, yet in the end, I still underestimated Bai Heng.”

Wei Wang's defeat was not a crime. If someone else was in his position, where one was to face the feudal allied army that was attacking with full force, mistakes were inevitable. The fact that they did not lose the entire army and that a portion was salvaged was proof of Wei Wang's ability to adapt and adjust on the spot. In the end, he still paid the price of defeat with his life.

”How cruel. That was your last uncle, right?” Bai Xi glanced at her. ”Back then, when you first took the throne, everyone opposed it, but he was the only one that supported you. He was the one who helped you during your most difficult times. And now, all he wanted was just a little bit of power. Why so cruel?”

”Because he lost.” The Empress was calm. ”Besides, I had already given him a chance before. He left me with no other choice.”

Bai Xi chuckled outrightly. She was not showing the Empress any respect whatsoever. ”Yes, yes, yes. It was Wei Wang who sought his own death. Your Majesty is always right.”

The Empress was never upset. Actually, everyone around the Empress could not figure out why the Empress would adore the daughter of a renegade so much. Everyone knew how ambitious her father was, yet the Empress did not seem too concerned about keeping her so close. She even used the only remaining music theory and movement in the royal family to extend a helping hand to her.

Now that Bai Heng had rebelled, Bai Xi was his daughter yet not only had she not been beheaded, but she was also allowed to live comfortably in the palace. She was so well-fed that she had even put on weight. Could it be that she was not the adopted daughter of Bai Heng but the real daughter of Her Majesty? After all, Her Majesty was 32 this year, so it seemed somewhat reasonable that she could have a daughter of this age?

Recently, such rumors had been spreading around the palace like wildfire. Even when the Empress heard about them, she merely laughed without going into any explanation. This only made everyone look at Bai Xi more strangely than before. And now, the servant, who was standing nearby, could not help but tremble at the Empress's words.

”If it were you, what would you have done to Wei Wang?”

”Of course, I would have beheaded him,” Bai Xi answered automatically without a second thought.

”Then, how does that make you different from me?”

”Of course, there's a difference.” There was a serious look on Bai Xi's face. ”You killed him to carry out law and order, and to wrest control of power. I would have killed him because he was always imposing his ideas on others just because he was older. It annoys me.”

The Empress shook her head and sighed as if she had just heard a child make a joke. ”Bai Xi, power is not a toy.”

”No, power is just a toy,” Bai Xi replied curtly. ”It should always have been your toy. It's just that you have now become its slave.”

”How unbecoming.” The Empress took a glance at her with a look of pity on her face. ”You are still so young. Why are you growing to become a tyrant?”

”What you said isn't too accurate, Your Majesty.” Bai Xi smiled and continued, ”In comparison, isn't it more terrifying if one is born a wise ruler?”

Bang! A finger struck her head and she became unconscious immediately. There was no rage nor dissatisfaction. It was just like punishing a naughty child. It was just a simple knock that resulted in a small swelling.

”Looks like you must be so free that you have forgotten your position.” The Empress shook her head helplessly. ”It's just nice that, for the past two days since the cat has left you, it has been shedding fur and scratching my clothes. The two of you shall rely on each other from now on.” She said nothing more and got up to leave. The palace maids followed quickly behind, and in the blink of an eye, the room was completely empty except for Bai Xi and the fat cat that had been left on the table.

”What a weird woman, isn't that right, kitty?” Bai Xi pouted and picked up the fat cat. She began to hum a song. ”Come, let's not worry about her and go to sleep!”

Night had fallen.