【Inside the tent, Ye Yu sat on the main seat, while Huangfu Baizhi knelt respectfully before him.】

【At this moment, she had already prepared for the worst.】

【Even the possibility of immediate execution had crossed her mind.】

【Yet, she was deeply puzzled.】

【The disparity in military strength between them was vast.】

【If Ye Yu truly wished to annihilate their rebellion, it would be as easy as flipping a hand.】

【But why was he giving so much money to the rebels?】

【Was it really as the rumors said?】

【That the great money-sprinkling emperor’s only hobby was to distribute wealth?】

【As Huangfu Baizhi pondered this, Ye Yu continued to observe the rebel leader.】

【Ever since hearing Meng Shifang’s description of Huangfu Baizhi, he had been very interested in her.】

【He had even read through Huangfu Baizhi’s documents on the way here.】

【It was hard to stop once he started.】

【In the hundred years of war, the tasks Meng Shifang assigned to Huangfu Baizhi were nothing short of hellish.】

【Yet this woman had demonstrated astonishing talent in leading troops.】

【No matter how dire the situation, as long as she was in command, she could effortlessly turn the tide.】

【Such a brilliant record should have warranted a promotion long ago.】

【But now, she was still just a minor fourth-rank general, stationed in a frigid, desolate land, with no hope in sight.】

【No wonder she harbored grievances!】

【Ye Yu lightly tapped the table, then, after a moment of thought, slowly rose and walked up to Huangfu Baizhi.】

【As he approached, Ye Yu could clearly smell a subtle fragrance.】

【Unexpectedly, not only were her eyes so sharp, but she also smelled so pleasant.】

【It was a pity that she was still veiled at this moment, making it somewhat regretful not to see her full appearance.】

【Ye Yu frowned slightly.】

【He reached out and pulled down the veil from Huangfu Baizhi’s face.】

【Though she attempted to avert her face, she ultimately endured.】

【When Ye Yu saw Huangfu Baizhi’s true face, he couldn’t help but widen his eyes in surprise.】

【Originally, he thought that Huangfu Baizhi wore a veil to hide ugliness.】

【But he never expected that her appearance was so extraordinarily beautiful.】

【The beauty mark at the corner of her mouth added an extra touch of charm.】

【Huangfu Baizhi slightly lowered her head.】

【In a deep voice, she said: Your Majesty, there is no need to look further at this humble appearance of mine.】

【No matter what punishment is given, I can accept it.】

【Ye Yu couldn’t help but laugh.】

【If this could be considered a humble appearance, then perhaps there are no beauties in the entire northern wilderness.】

【Ye Yu took a storage ring from his hand and placed it before her.】

【Upon seeing this, Huangfu Baizhi was very puzzled.】

【Your Majesty, what do you mean by this?】

【Ye Yu explained: Inside this ring are martial arts techniques, spiritual stones, and artifacts. With proper use, they can definitely help you advance to the next level.】

【This statement left Huangfu Baizhi even more confused.】

【It seemed that His Majesty did not intend to kill her?】

【Moreover, why was he giving so many things?】

【Huangfu Baizhi found it increasingly strange.】

【Just then, a terrifying vast pressure descended in an instant.】

【Even though Huangfu Baizhi had already reached the Integration Realm, under this immense pressure, she couldn’t even move a finger.】

【Then, Ye Yu’s warm voice echoed in her ears.】

【I intend to keep you for future use.】

【But one must know their place. If you accept my things and still harbor ill intentions, then no one can protect you, and I mean that.】

【Huangfu Baizhi’s heart trembled violently.】

【After speaking, Ye Yu turned and left the tent.】

【The terrifying pressure also vanished.】

【Huangfu Baizhi knelt on the ground, trembling uncontrollably.】

【What money-sprinkling emperor? A ruler without cultivation?】

【It was all false, all of it!】

【Ye Yu’s cultivation level was definitely above the peak of the Tribulation Crossing Realm.】

【He might even be at the legendary Ascension Realm.】

【It was terrifying!】

【Everyone in the Great Yong Dynasty thought Ye Yu was an emperor who didn’t practice cultivation and only knew how to squander money.】

【In contrast, he was actually the most hidden figure on this continent.】

【No wonder he dared to come alone.】

【With such cultivation, even if the rebel forces were ten times more in number, they wouldn’t pose a threat to him.】

【But what did his words mean?】

【Kept for future use?】

【Huangfu Baizhi didn’t believe that a mere Integration Realm cultivator could be of any use to someone at the Ascension Realm.】

【Could it be that His Majesty was interested in her?】

【Huangfu Baizhi shook her head slightly, a blush appearing on her face.】

【She picked up the veil from the ground and put it back on.】

【As the Emperor of a Great Dynasty, what kind of woman couldn’t he have? How could he be interested in her?】

【Huangfu Baizhi dismissed this unrealistic thought.】

【She then picked up the storage ring, infused a trace of spiritual energy into it, and began to examine it.】

【But just one glance made her expression priceless.】

【That night, Ye Yu returned to the palace.】

【He found Sun Longhai still kneeling at the entrance of the Yangxin Hall.】

【Ye Yu asked him what he was doing.】

【Sun Longhai immediately replied that he also bore responsibility for Huangfu Baizhi’s rebellion.】

【You insisted on negotiating alone with the rebels, which made him very worried.】

【So he planned to kneel here until His Majesty returned, and if His Majesty did not come, he would kneel until death!】

【Listening to these extremely nauseating words, Ye Yu stepped forward and gently kicked him over.】

【He then prepared to go back and rest.】

【Sun Longhai struggled to get up and hurriedly asked: Your Majesty, how was the handling of the rebels?】

【Ye Yu had already walked far and waved his hand, saying: Treacherous ministers and rebels, I alone suppressed them!】

【Upon hearing this, Sun Longhai furrowed his brow slightly and murmured to himself: Treacherous ministers and rebels, I alone what?】

【Wait, could it be “marry”?】 (¹)

【”Treacherous ministers and rebels, I alone marry them.” That flows well!】

【For the peace of the nation and people, His Majesty actually took on all the burdens alone.】

【But who did he marry?】

【Huangfu Baizhi!】

【The leader of the rebels!】

【Your Majesty, your sacrifice is so great!】

【Sun Longhai wiped away the invisible tears on his face.】

【He recalled the scene from a hundred years ago, when Ye Yu often looked at Huangfu Baizhi.】

【Wait, perhaps His Majesty wasn’t making a sacrifice, but had planned this for a long time!】

【Whatever it is!】

【As long as His Majesty can marry, it’s a great blessing for the Great Yong Dynasty.】

【The Ye family’s legitimate line would finally have descendants!】

【After a moment of silence, Sun Longhai quickly left the palace.】

【He summoned his trusted aides for a meeting.】

【The ministers gathered at the Sun residence.】

【Someone anxiously asked: Prime Minister, why did you call us here in such a hurry? Is something major happening?】

【Is it related to the rebel Huangfu Baizhi?】

【Upon hearing this, Sun Longhai slapped him across the face.】

【To hell with the rebels, that’s the Empress!】

(T/N: (¹)In the original text, Ye Yu says “平” (píng), which means “to pacify” or “to suppress.” Sun Longhai mishears this as “娶” (qǔ), which means “to marry.” These two words sound similar, especially when spoken quickly.)