Chapter 271

Volume 1_Chapter 271   Empress x Flower King (1)

Jiang State.

As women's power grew stronger, even surpassing men's, dynasties changed, the entire court saw women gradually seize power, and the imperial throne was passed only to princesses, not princes.

After men's power fell short of women's, reproduction shifted from women to men; men gained the ability to bear children, growing a uterus, and could become pregnant and give birth just like women.

Jiang Zhi, who had become the emperor of Jiang State, took over a month to accept her identity.

The empire she ruled was the foremost in the world; besides Jiang State, there were two other countries that checked each other, as well as over a dozen insignificant small states.

From the world's plot, it is known that this world evolved from a female-supremacy novel; the original host was named Jiang Zhi, twenty-five years old, had reigned for ten years, her methods were cruel, she was arrogant and heartless, domineering and lawless, a typical tyrant.

But the villain of this world is now a flower king in Pine and Bamboo Pavilion.

Pine and Bamboo Pavilion is the most luxurious place in the imperial capital, located in the most prosperous district; those who can enter are either officials and nobles or descendants of aristocratic families. Those with power and wealth, whose pockets hold myriad strings of cash, can all enter this Pine and Bamboo Pavilion.

All inside Pine and Bamboo Pavilion are men, trained from a young age; whether appearance or bearing, they are the best. Moreover, each young attendant's identity is special: some are fallen aristocracy's wealthy young masters, others are princes left behind after their kingdoms fell.

The villain is the fallen prince of Jiang State's destroyed kingdom; at eight years old he drifted into a flower pavilion, possessing a dual personality—one naturally simple-minded and kind, the other completely opposite, naturally dark, a yandere with an extremely deep mind and meticulous thoughts.

He ultimately destroyed Jiang State, while the original host was beheaded alive by him, her head hung outside the court.

After sitting on the imperial throne, he let all living beings suffer, and finally destroyed the world.

Her mission had two options: one was to raise his Love Points and Hatred Value to 100.

If she merely pursued the simple-minded, kind personality, the mission would seem easy.

But what no one expected was that this naturally simple-minded demeanor was only a facade; inside he was cold and unfeeling, like a robot, hard to win over.

That is why this world is called an SSS-level difficulty world.

The second option was to, without breaking character, secretly help the villain and eliminate his corruption value.

Jiang Zhi didn't even think, she chose the second.

Compared to the first, the second is much easier.

The plot has now reached the point where the original host visits Pine and Bamboo Pavilion, falls in love at first sight with the villain, forcibly takes him, and brings him into the harem.

The original host's methods were extremely cruel; she repeatedly tortured the villain to the brink of death—if not for the villain's strong life, he wouldn't know how many times he had nearly crossed the Gate of Hell.

This is also why the villain so hates the original host.

Jiang Zhi needs to maintain her persona, eliminate his corruption value, and stop him from destroying the world.

Towering and majestic, beside the palace stood trees that reached into the clouds; it was still and silent, the night thick, the carved beams and painted pillars of the palace walls blocking the view of the horizon.

She discreetly rode a carriage to the Pine and Bamboo Pavilion mentioned in the plot.

The streets outside the palace bustled intensely; crowds flowed endlessly before the shops, the carriage stopped before Pine and Bamboo Pavilion, between the buildings hung various lanterns, the light scattering darkness, as bright as daylight, the architecture everywhere exuded a luxurious and decadent air, the air filled with a faint fragrance of powder and rouge, making one involuntarily linger, wanting to enter.

Accompanying her was the leader of the imperial guard, named Xia Jin, one of the original host's most loyal subordinates.

"Your Majesty, this place is filthy; if you wish to return, I will go back immediately." Xia Jin glanced disdainfully at Pine and Bamboo Pavilion, she held this place in utter contempt.

Jiang Zhi unfolded the fan in her hand, pressed it against her chin, and gave her an uncertain glance: "Call me young master."

Xia Jin hurriedly apologized: "It was my slip of the tongue."

Jiang Zhi said no more, stepped out of the carriage with swift movements, and strode into Pine and Bamboo Pavilion.

In the plot, tonight is the debut night of the villain Wen Ci; as the most famous flower king of Pine and Bamboo Pavilion, Wen Ci is acclaimed as the number one beauty of Jiang State, her looks peerless, captivating countless hearts.

After Xia Jin communicated with the head of the Pine and Bamboo Pavilion, they came to the second-floor distinguished guest seats and sat down; this spot was the best on the stands and also the center of the partition, allowing them to see outside while outside could not see inside.

But Xia Jin still wasn't satisfied with this seat; Your Majesty is the supreme exalted one, how could these commoners sit alongside Your Majesty?

But Your Majesty remained silent, so she could only endure her dissatisfaction.

Not long after, a snow-colored figure walked slowly onto the high platform; the plain gauze curtains fell to the ground, yet could not conceal his peerless appearance; the crowd held their breath, staring at the person on the stage with fiery eyes.

Only a sound like a cold snow mountain stream flowing rang out.

"I am called Wen Huan…"

As soon as this voice sounded, the entire venue erupted in an uproar.

Jiang Zhi, seated in the distinguished guest position, propped her chin with one hand; her phoenix eyes reflected the youth's silhouette within the curtains, and a faint smile played at her lips.

"No matter how high the price, I will have him."

Beside her, Xia Jin heard the voice, her chest heaving uneasily; she stared blankly at the person on the stage, then bowed and replied, "Very well, young master."

She couldn't understand how such a frail person could catch Your Majesty's eye.

Over the past ten years, Your Majesty has focused on state affairs; most of the people in the inner palace are the sons sent by high-ranking officials, or princes sent by other great states for marriage alliances; except for those who harbored designs to seduce Your Majesty, all were executed.

Nor had there ever been a low-born courtesan from the brothel.

Is it merely because of his outstanding appearance?

Xia Jin dared not ask further, and bought his contract at the highest price.

After returning to the palace.

After washing and changing, the youth was carried, naked, into the sleeping palace.

The palace was silent, with only the faint sound of the bedsheets rustling.

The youth lay prone on the bed, his legs lifting and swaying slightly; his ink-black hair, spread over his body and the edge of the bed, was like night; his porcelain-like side face bore a faint blush; his gem-like pupils were spotless, pure as a clear pool beside a vast lake.

This was what Jiang Zhi saw as she approached; her nose grew hot, and she almost spurted a stream of hot blood.

Who could withstand this!!

It seemed he heard her approaching; the youth turned his head, revealing a bewildered expression.

His face showed no panic or fear of her, only calm, like a dead pool without ripples.

Jiang Zhi finally understood the first personality mentioned in the story—his naturally dazed, cold and unfeeling nature.

The youth had a beautiful, amorous face, gorgeous and peerless, yet his chest held no heart.

She stepped closer, seized his soft, supple hair, lifted it gently; seeing the pain flicker in his brows and eyes, she excitedly curled her lips and said unhurriedly, "Do you know why I brought you back to the palace?"

The handsome youth's face turned pallid, the corners of his eyes quickly flushed red, his lips parted slightly, and he stammered, "Your... Your Majesty, it hurts..."

Jiang Zhi laughed cruelly: "Get off my dragon throne."

The youth obeyed, slowly crawling onto the wooden steps, legs kneeling on the ground, his naked body fair without a trace of darkness, every inch of skin as smooth as silk, making one unable to let go; the reddish corners of his eyes a dab of vivid color, as if the sole beauty in the world.

Jiang Zhi couldn't wait to release her hold, her heart turning to mush, she almost wanted to embrace the youth and lie on the bed in bliss.

But in the plot, the original host never touched the villain, only addicted to the pleasure of tormenting him.

So if she touched the villain, her character would collapse so badly even her mother wouldn't recognize it.

Only regret.

How did she end up transmigrating into an empress?

You can only look, not touch—what's the point of living like this!?

Jiang Zhi swallowed her tears, undressed, lay on the bed, covered herself with a blanket, and prepared to sleep.

Wen Ci on the wooden steps curiously glanced a few times at the rumored violent-tempered empress, feeling strange inside.

She didn't look much like the rumors.

Not long after, Wen Ci grew so tired he couldn't keep his eyes open, his head nodding slightly; just as he was about to fall, the still-awake Jiang Zhi caught his body.

She pulled the blanket from the bed over his naked body, propping her chin to stare intently at his face.

777 reminded: "Host, you're about to drool."

Jiang Zhi said: "You say why he looks prettier than a girl, his body so fragrant—does he naturally have a body scent?"

777 answered: "Yeah, the villain has been soaking in petals since childhood and took a secret medicine, making his body both soft and fragrant."

The more Jiang Zhi listened, the more she couldn't hold back; she shifted her body, leaned close to the youth's cheek, and gave him a light kiss.

Before she could fully sniff his scent, the youth suddenly opened his eyes; his usually pure, clear gaze shifted, the depths turning gloomy like a bottomless, dark lake swamp.