This Is What a Villain Is Like

Before the great hall, the court officials gathered. They stood with their hands lowered, holding their breath.

Prince Wuxuan, Prince Chong’an, Duke Zhongguo, and many other high-ranking, powerful princes and dukes had already arrived. Prime Minister Jiang Lintian was also present, standing at the front.

But unlike the other officials, his eyes were slightly closed as if he were resting. It seemed he paid little mind to the fact that Emperor Xia had broken through to the Eighth Realm.

A myriad of emotions stirred within the crowd. Many were shocked and stunned, while no small number were terrified and uneasy.

Emperor Xia’s breakthrough to the Eighth Realm and her revealing her identity as a woman before the people of the Imperial Capital—both were monumental events. The news would soon spread throughout Great Xia and cause a massive uproar.

But at this moment, Emperor Xia’s presence was overwhelming, her Dragon Energy surging. No one dared to step forward and remonstrate, to speak bluntly about the various consequences these two matters would bring.

After all, even Prime Minister Jiang Lintian, who had always been at odds with Emperor Xia, now chose to feign ignorance and remain silent. The other officials dared not utter a single word of dissent.

Emperor Xia had finally come into her own. Her Eighth Realm cultivation was enough for her to hold everything in contempt and look down upon the world.

Her attitude was utterly resolute, a clear declaration to all. ’So what if I’m a woman? I will become the greatest empress in history.’

"The Blood Immortal Sect has been lying in wait, plotting to throw the court of Great Xia into chaos and destabilize the nation. Effective immediately, every commandery is to begin an internal investigation..."

"The Imperial Capital will be locked down for three days for a thorough investigation to purge the hidden remnants of the Blood Immortal Sect. Not a single person is to be spared."

"Anyone found colluding with the Blood Immortal Sect will be charged with treason. There will be no leniency."

Emperor Xia’s tone was icy and indifferent. Her gaze swept over all the officials, finally lingering for a moment on the faces of Prince Wuxuan and the others.

This time, her plan had gone awry. Someone from the Imperial Clan Court had undoubtedly sabotaged it, but she still needed to investigate who was responsible.

It wasn’t just a problem with the people guarding Changsheng Hall. The Blood Immortal Sect’s mole must have also learned the true location of the National Treasure Dragon-Suppressing Seal. They must have known she wasn’t actually holding a grand ceremony to move the National Treasure.

"As you command."

The officials all voiced their assent. After such a major incident, there was bound to be a reckoning.

The Blood Immortal Sect’s assault this time had been truly ferocious. To infiltrate the Imperial Palace, they hadn’t hesitated to activate a mole they had hidden for many years.

But as for whether the Blood Immortal Sect’s plan had ultimately succeeded, no one knew for sure.

The generals in charge of guarding the four Forbidden Halls only knew that Emperor Xia had intervened personally, killing many of the Blood Immortal Sect’s experts.

It was only when three beings, their power far surpassing the average Seventh Realm expert, appeared that she was finally tied down.

Prince Chong’an, whose name was Chongzheng, glanced at Emperor Xia, his expression outwardly calm. A flurry of thoughts flashed through his mind before he bowed and retreated.

’I still don’t know what happened to the National Treasure Dragon-Suppressing Seal. Prime Minister Jiang Lintian’s intervention, on top of Emperor Xia’s breakthrough, truly exceeded my expectations and disrupted my plans.’

’All I have to do now is wait and see how things develop. If the Blood Immortal Sect succeeded, they certainly won’t miss the chance to broadcast their victory far and wide...’

However, before he left, he shot a long, meaningful look at Prince Zhenbei, Xiao He.

Of the four Forbidden Halls, only Changsheng Hall—the one under Xiao He’s watch—had been compromised. The Blood Immortal Sect’s experts hadn’t bothered with the other three halls at all, instead concentrating their entire force on Changsheng Hall.

’No matter how much Emperor Xia trusts Xiao He, after this, she’ll definitely suspect something is wrong on his end.’

’When the situation escalates, and I step in to offer my counsel, it will surely plant a seed of doubt in Emperor Xia’s heart.’

Prince Zhenbei, Xiao He, had worn a grim expression ever since he learned of the situation at Changsheng Hall.

This was especially true just now, as many officials had cast glances his way, whether intentionally or not. Even Prince Chong’an had given him a scrutinizing look before departing.

He cursed his luck inwardly but also knew he could not escape the blame for what had happened.

After the other officials had withdrawn, only Xiao He remained. His two sons, Xiao Ye and Xiao Wang, followed behind him. Their faces filled with self-reproach, they knelt beside their father.

Changsheng Hall had been breached. If not for Emperor Xia’s timely intervention, it would have undoubtedly led to a great disaster.

Before this, they had solemnly sworn that not the slightest harm would come to the National Treasure.

With her hands clasped behind her back, Emperor Xia looked at Xiao He, her gaze profound.

She naturally trusted this pillar of her court. But even if Xiao He himself was blameless for the incident at Changsheng Hall, there was no guarantee the people around him were.

"I trust you will give me a full account of this matter, Prince Zhenbei."

"I entrusted you with such a critical task, yet Changsheng Hall became the sole target of the attack. That could not have happened without a reason."

She simply waved her hand, not punishing Prince Zhenbei.

At present, she was the only one who knew the National Treasure was lost. But the truth will always come out. It wouldn’t be long before the Blood Immortal Sect was certain to exploit this matter for all it was worth.

Once the affair became public, the consequences would be severe. Not only would it shake the people’s morale, but her own authority would also be damaged.

However, even bigger troubles lay ahead. The fact that she, a woman, had sat securely on the throne for so long had already bred discontent among some of the stubborn, old-fashioned traditionalists. Once the purge of the Blood Immortal Sect was complete, they would surely seize the opportunity to move for her impeachment.

Nowhere in the laws and rites of the Great Xia was it ever stated that a woman could become emperor.

’Perhaps I will also have to face pressure from Dragon Guard Mountain.’

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will give you a full account." Xiao He wiped the sweat from his forehead as he spoke.

’Times have changed.’ Now, under Emperor Xia’s gaze, even a Seventh Realm expert like him felt immense pressure.