Chapter 63

No one could have imagined that the first words the Empress would say to Ling Ziling would be to ask why she had not yet committed suicide. In that instant, Ling Ziling's small body could not help but tremble violently, her face turning pale, as if a thousand-jun boulder had pressed down on her back, making it hard for her to even breathe.

"Mother Empress, please forgive this subject for speaking out of turn, but why should Ling Ziling, who is innocent, commit suicide?" Xiao Sheng raised his head and broke the tense, almost frozen atmosphere in the warm pavilion. In that moment, the others in the warm pavilion all turned to look at him. Eunuch Liu's eyes were filled with disdain, sarcasm, and mockery. Prince Xian's eyes were brimming with unease and worry. As for Ling Ziling, her eyes were already brimming with tears.

The Empress glanced at Xiao Sheng and said calmly, "Old Fourteenth, do you feel very dissatisfied and want to speak up for this remnant of the Ling clan?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Prince Xian and Eunuch Liu could not help but feel a chill down their spines, and sweat beads the size of soybeans appeared on their foreheads. Prince Xian, in particular, wished he could rush forward and cover Xiao Sheng's mouth to stop him from speaking.

Xiao Sheng slightly lowered his head and said, "This subject dares not. However, the court has a rule that it never kills the innocent. This subject boldly asks, what crime has Ling Ziling committed?"

The Empress smiled faintly and said leisurely, "Back then, Ling Zhi Ling committed a grave offense by daring to assassinate the Emperor, which is the first crime. The Emperor, in his magnanimity, allowed Ling Zhi Ling to return to the Eastern Wasteland to atone for her crimes, but this lowly woman betrayed the Emperor's kindness and died on her own, which is the second crime. Our Great Hao Dynasty governs by law, but also by filial piety. A mother's crime should be repaid by her daughter, which is just and fair. Ling Ziling not only failed to take on her mother's responsibility but also seduced the Righteous Duke, leading to his downfall and shaking the stability of the 'Wasteland people governing the Wasteland, unchanged for a hundred years,' which is the third crime.

With these three crimes, if Ling Ziling had any conscience, she should have committed suicide immediately to atone for her sins. Prolonging her life out of fear of death, can she escape the responsibility she should bear?"

Xiao Sheng raised his eyebrows and argued, "Promoting filial piety is just an advocacy, not a mandatory requirement. The laws of the Great Hao Dynasty do not stipulate that children must pay for their mother's crimes. Moreover, Ling Ziling was kidnapped by Niu Lao; she is the victim. Niu Lao's downfall is his own doing and cannot be blamed on other innocent people."

The Empress gracefully picked up the teacup beside her, gently stirred the floating tea leaves, and while blowing to cool it, said leisurely, "Oh, Fourteenth Prince. According to what you say, this Empress is wrong, and I have wronged Ling Ziling, and I am making a fuss over nothing?"

Although her tone was light and her voice was pleasing, everyone present felt their hair stand on end and their scalps tingle. Only Xiao Sheng was the exception. He looked straight into the Empress's eyes and said solemnly, "This subject dares not be disrespectful. This subject is merely speaking based on facts. As for right and wrong, the people of the world will have their own judgment."

"Speaking based on facts? Who is speaking based on facts with you? With the Empress? Do you have the qualifications? Old Fourteenth, what are you thinking? The people of the world? In front of the Empress, the people of the world are nothing!" Prince Xian secretly sighed loudly. He had already heard clearly. The first and second crimes were not really important. The true reason the Empress wanted Ling Ziling to commit suicide was the third crime.

The Five Dukes of the Eastern Wasteland were all appointed by the Empress. The policy of 'Wasteland people governing the Wasteland, unchanged for a hundred years' was also proposed by the Empress. Now that the Righteous Duke Niu Lao had fallen and died, it was like a slap in the Empress's face.

Although the Empress had the means to suppress the situation before it worsened and stabilize the situation, such a bitter pill was hard for even an ordinary person to swallow, let alone the Empress. The Empress asking Ling Ziling to commit suicide was already very polite, considering the face of the Eight Virtuous Princes. Otherwise, she could have directly ordered her to be beaten to death, and Ling Ziling would have no means to resist.

Xiao Sheng was brought by Prince Xian. But if Xiao Sheng continued to defy the Empress and angered her, it might also affect Prince Xian. With no other choice, Prince Xian had to step forward to mediate.

Prince Xian smiled and bowed, saying, "Mother Empress, please calm down. Old Fourteenth did not mean it that way. In fact, Ling Ziling, although she has committed a grave crime, should indeed commit suicide to atone for her sins. However, since her days are numbered, Mother Empress, out of compassion, might as well forgive her for now."

"Oh? Days are numbered?" The Empress put down the teacup, turned her gaze, and asked, "What do you mean?"

The Holy Maiden of the Ling Sect uses her body to cultivate the Netherworld Pearl. As long as the pearl remains with her, it will continuously draw on the mother's vitality, eventually leading to her death due to the loss of vitality. However, if the Netherland Pearl leaves the mother's body, the mother's vitality will suffer irreparable damage, and she will not live more than a year. Therefore, no Holy Maiden of the Ling Sect has ever lived past twenty years.

Ling Ziling, as the current Holy Maiden of the Ling Sect, began cultivating the Netherworld Pearl while still in her mother's womb. After eighteen years, the pearl has matured and is ready to be harvested. At that time, Ling Ziling will have at most one year left to live.

Xiao Sheng had previously told Prince Xian about these internal matters. Of course, to obtain the Netherworld Pearl, the mother must obtain the pure yang essence from a man, which was a bit awkward, so Xiao Sheng did not mention it. Now, Prince Xian recounted everything he knew in detail.

After listening, the Empress's face showed a faint smile. She asked Ling Ziling calmly, "Is this true, without any mistake?"

Ling Ziling lowered her head and looked at the floor, saying softly, "Yes, this subject dares not deceive the Empress."

"Ah, so you are also a pitiful child." The Empress sighed lightly but continued to smile. She asked, "Then, when will the Netherworld Pearl be mature and ready to be taken out?"

Ling Ziling answered softly, "I cannot say exactly how many days it will be, but it will probably be around the Empress's birthday."

The Empress nodded slightly and smiled, "Good. Since your days are numbered, this Empress will not pursue your three major crimes." She paused and called out, "Xiao Yunzi."

Liu Qingyun stepped forward respectfully, bowed, and said, "This servant is here. What does the Empress command?"

The Empress said calmly, "Pass the decree. Have the four dukes of the Eastern Wasteland prepare. Half a month from now, on the Empress's birthday, they will each send a representative to compete in martial arts. The winner will be rewarded with the Netherworld Pearl and will marry Ling Ziling. Both the pearl and the person, a double blessing."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present was greatly shocked. Ling Ziling cried out, "Marry, marry, marry? But, Empress, this subject... this subject..."

The Empress smiled gently and said slowly, "Your days are numbered. If you die without anyone to see you off, wouldn't that be sad? You are so young and have never enjoyed the happiness of a family. To die alone, wouldn't that be regrettable? The four dukes of the Eastern Wasteland will send representatives to compete in front of the Empress. The winner will surely be a hero. Having such a hero as your husband, even for just a year, would be your good fortune."

She paused and smiled again, "Ling Ziling, this Empress is doing this for your own good. You must not be ungrateful."

Ling Ziling's mind was in chaos. She clearly did not want to, but with the Empress speaking to this extent, what could she do? If she insisted on refusing, it would surely anger the Empress, and she would have no good outcome. But to agree... Ling Ziling had barely escaped from the tiger's den of the Eastern Wasteland; how could she be willing to return?

"Hero? Ha, Mother Empress, are you joking? The Eastern Wasteland, that backwater, can have what heroes?"

Xiao Sheng smiled and took a step forward, saying, "Mother Empress's consideration for Ziling is truly touching. However, speaking of heroes, the place with the most heroes in the world is the Central Plains, not the Eastern Wasteland. As for the Eastern Wasteland... Ha, to be frank, their so-called heroes probably can't even compare to this subject, a deposed prince."

The Empress raised her eyes and glanced at Xiao Sheng, saying calmly, "Old Fourteenth, I have heard about your recent affairs with the Ninth Prince. The nickname 'deposed prince' is certainly not appropriate for you. But you must also know that the abilities of someone like the Duke of Dinging are nothing special. If you think you are invincible, ha, Old Fourteenth, you are still too young."

"Of course, this subject dares not claim to be invincible. However, the Eastern Wasteland is nothing to this subject."

The Empress gazed at Xiao Sheng for a long time, then suddenly smiled. "Ha, Old Fourteenth, your temperament is just like that of the Mu family's sister. Both of you refuse to turn back until you hit a wall. Well, since you are so confident, dare you make a bet with this Empress?"

Xiao Sheng smiled calmly and said, "Whatever Mother Empress commands, this subject will comply."

The Empress picked up her teacup and took a sip, saying calmly, "Old Fourteenth, you will be sixteen next year, right? At this age, according to the ancestral rules, you can no longer stay in the palace and must move out to establish your own fief.

Here's the deal: I will allow you to participate in the martial arts competition on my birthday. If you can defeat the representatives of the four dukes of the Eastern Wasteland, not only will Ling Ziling and the Netherworld Pearl be yours, but I will also grant