From cute to empress

Princess Zhou's voice resounded like thunder in the silent prison cell. My heart instantly sank to the bottom, a chill running from my feet to my head. Her sinister smile, like a sharp blade, pierced my heart, making it nearly impossible to breathe.

"Princess Zhou, what exactly do you want?" I asked through gritted teeth, suppressing the fear and anger in my heart.

"What do I want? Humph, Niu Mengmeng, stop playing dumb!" Princess Zhou approached, her eyes filled with resentment. "You stole my man, my honor, and you even wanted to take my life! Tell me, what should I do with you?"

"I didn't!" I retorted loudly, "I never thought of taking anything from you! This is all your own fault!"

"You brought this upon yourself? Haha..." Princess Zhou suddenly burst into laughter, her voice filled with mockery and disdain. "Niu Mengmeng, who do you think you are? You're just a lowly commoner. What qualifications do you have to fight me?"

I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my flesh, yet I felt no pain. Facing Princess Zhou's humiliation, the rage in my heart erupted like a volcano.

"Princess Zhou, don't be too complacent!" At this moment, Minister Liu, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up. "Do you think that what you did was really flawless? Do you really think you can cover up everything with one hand?"

Princess Zhou's expression changed, and she shouted sternly, "Minister Liu, what do you mean?"

"My point is very simple," Minister Liu met Princess Zhou's gaze fearlessly. "I already have evidence that you are colluding with foreign enemies and plotting rebellion!"

"You're talking nonsense!" Princess Zhou panicked, but quickly regained her composure. "Minister Liu, please stop slandering me! What evidence do you have to prove I'm colluding with foreign enemies?"

"The evidence is conclusive!" A clear voice came from outside the cell.

I looked in the direction of the voice and saw Zhen Youcai, dressed in a guard's uniform and holding a scroll, striding in.

"Brother Zhen!" I exclaimed in surprise.

"Mengmeng, you've suffered." Zhen Youcai walked up to me, gave me a gentle look, then turned to face Princess Zhou and raised the scroll in his hand high. "Princess Zhou, look at what this is?"

Princess Zhou's face was pale, her lips trembled slightly, but she couldn't utter a word.

"This is the correspondence between you and the barbarians of the Northern Frontier. It bears your signature and seal," Zhen Youcai said coldly. "Excuse me, Princess Zhou, do you have anything else to say?"

Princess Zhou's body shook, as if all her strength had been drained away, and she collapsed limply to the ground.

I know, I have finally waited for this day, justice has finally defeated evil, and light has finally broken through darkness!

As I watched Princess Zhou's distraught state, I felt no joy of revenge, only endless sorrow. Who could have imagined that the once high-ranking princess would now be reduced to a prisoner? Brother Zhen helped me up. His hand was warm and strong, like a ray of light in the darkness, dispelling all the gloom in my heart.

"The Emperor has arrived!" The eunuch's shrill voice echoed outside the cell. I looked up and saw His Majesty, dressed in a dragon robe, walking in, surrounded by a crowd. His gaze was majestic and sharp, sweeping across the people in the cell before finally landing on me.

I quickly knelt and saluted: "I, the humble Niu Mengmeng, pay my respects to the Emperor."

"Get up." The emperor's voice was unrecognizable, "Niu Mengmeng, do you admit your guilt?"

I raised my head, met the Emperor's gaze, and said calmly, "Your Majesty, I am innocent! Princess Zhou is colluding with foreign enemies and plotting rebellion. The evidence is irrefutable. I am only doing my best to expose her crimes and restore peace to the world!"

"What a great achievement! Peace for the world!" The emperor nodded approvingly. "Niu Mengmeng, you are so young, yet you possess such courage and spirit. This is truly rare. I believe you are a woman who is loyal to the emperor and patriotic."

I was delighted and quickly said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your trust!"

"I have decided to confer upon you the title of Lady of the First Rank, bestow upon you the title of 'Lady Protector of the Nation,' and grant you the power to participate in state affairs. Are you willing?" The emperor's voice was loud and firm, echoing in the prison.

I was stunned. This sudden grace caught me off guard. I never expected that the emperor would trust me so much and grant me such great power.

"Why, you don't want to?" The emperor frowned slightly when he saw that I didn't answer for a long time.

"No, I am willing! Thank you, Your Majesty!" I quickly knelt down to express my gratitude, feeling extremely excited.

"Good!" The emperor nodded with satisfaction. "Minister Liu, General Li, and Prime Minister Zhang, the three of you must assist Madam Protector of the Nation and work together to govern the country well!"

"We obey your order!" Minister Liu, General Li and Prime Minister Zhang responded in unison.

"Madam Wu, please stand up too." The emperor looked at Madam Wu, who had been kneeling beside him. "You have taught our daughter well, and I am very pleased."

Mrs. Wu was so moved that her eyes filled with tears, and she kowtowed repeatedly to thank the emperor for his grace.

I looked gratefully at Minister Liu, General Li, Prime Minister Zhang, and Madam Wu. They all gave me looks of encouragement and support. I know that I couldn't have come this far without their help and support.

I took a deep breath, suppressed my excitement, and said respectfully to the emperor, "Your Majesty, I will definitely live up to your expectations and do my best to serve the country!"

The emperor nodded with satisfaction, then turned and left the cell. "I know this is just the beginning, and there are many more challenges ahead. But I believe that as long as I hold justice in my heart and move forward courageously, I will be able to overcome all difficulties and create my own glory!"

I knelt on the ground, watching the emperor's departure, unable to calm down for a long time. "Madam Protector of the Country, please get up quickly." Madam Wu helped me up, tears still welling in her eyes. "Mengmeng, you are truly amazing!"

I smiled at her gratefully, but deep down I knew that the title "Lady Protector of the Nation" wasn't just an honor for me; it also carried a heavy responsibility. I turned to look at Brother Zhen. He was standing outside the crowd, quietly watching me, his eyes filled with relief and pride. Our eyes met, and a thousand words melted into tenderness in each other's eyes.

Back at the mansion, I still felt like I was dreaming. "Mengmeng, do you really want to get involved in government affairs?" Madam Wu asked worriedly. "The harem cannot interfere in government affairs. It has been like this since ancient times. What's more..."

"Mother, I know what you're worried about." I held her hand, my tone firm. "But since the emperor has given me this opportunity, I must seize it. I want to prove to the world that women can achieve great things and defend our country just like men!"

Mrs. Wu looked at my determined eyes, finally sighed, and said nothing more.

In the days that followed, I began to learn how to handle government affairs. Minister Liu, General Li, and Prime Minister Zhang were all veterans of the court, rich in experience. They patiently taught me and answered my questions. Like a sponge, I greedily absorbed knowledge, learning how to govern the country, how to interact with court officials, how to balance various forces...

Brother Zhen has always been by my side. Although he doesn't say it, I can feel that he has been silently protecting me and supporting me. We have experienced ups and downs together and faced challenges together, and our relationship has become deeper and more firm.

One evening, after I finished processing a mountain of memorials, I rubbed my brows with fatigue. Brother Zhen came over to me with a cup of hot tea and said softly, "You must be tired. Have some tea and rest."

I took the teacup, and the warmth spread from my fingertips to my heart, dispelling my fatigue. "Brother Zhen, thank you for always being by my side." I looked up at him and said sincerely.

Brother Zhen smiled slightly, his eyes full of tenderness: "Silly boy, we are the closest people to each other. If I don't accompany you, who will?"

I lowered my head, my cheeks slightly flushed. Brother Zhen was right. We are the closest people to each other. We will always be together and face the future together.

I put down the teacup, walked to the window, opened it, and looked at the twinkling stars in the night sky. I took a deep breath, my heart filled with anticipation and confidence for the future.

I know this is just the beginning, and there are many more challenges waiting for me in the future. But I believe that as long as Brother Zhen and I are together, as long as we uphold justice and move forward courageously, we will be able to overcome all difficulties and create our own glory!

At this moment, I stand high above the palace, overlooking the entire imperial palace, my heart filled with anticipation and confidence for the future...

Standing high above this palace, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, I can take in the entirety of the imperial palace. The glazed tiles gleam golden in the sunlight, as if foreshadowing the arrival of a prosperous era. My heart, like this golden sunlight, is filled with anticipation and confidence for the future.

After becoming the "Lady Protector of the Nation," I had my own residence and was no longer the orphan living under someone else's roof. But more importantly, I could feel the burden on my shoulders grow heavier. The Emperor's trust in me and the people's expectations of me became an invisible force, propelling me forward.

"Mengmeng, what are you thinking about?" Brother Zhen's voice came from behind me, with his usual gentleness, pulling me back to reality from my thoughts.

I turned around and gave him a bright smile. "I was thinking, we still have a lot of work to do!"

Brother Zhen walked over to me, followed my gaze into the distance, and said softly, "Yes, everything has just begun."

"Brother Zhen, do you think we can really change this country?" I suddenly felt a little confused. Although my heart was full of lofty ambitions, I still felt a little powerless in the face of this huge imperial machine.

Brother Zhen held my hand. His hand was warm and strong, instantly dispelling the uneasiness in my heart: "Mengmeng, I believe in you, and I believe in us. You are not fighting alone, I will always be by your side."

I shook his hand, a warm feeling welling up in my heart. Yes, I still have Brother Zhen, Mrs. Wu, and those who support me. I am not fighting alone.

"Let's go, let's go for a walk in the Imperial Garden." I took Brother Zhen's arm and walked towards the Imperial Garden.

In the Imperial Garden, flowers bloomed in profusion, birds chirped, and the air was vibrant. I took a deep breath, savoring this rare tranquility.

"Look, what kind of flower is that?" I asked, pointing to a bunch of blooming flowers in the distance.

"That is..." Brother Zhen was about to answer, but suddenly his face changed and he pulled me to hide behind a big tree.

"What's wrong?" I asked confusedly.

"Shh!" Brother Zhen signaled me to be quiet, then pointed to a pavilion not far away.

I looked in the direction he was pointing and saw Minister Liu and General Li talking in low voices in the pavilion with serious expressions on their faces.

Driven by curiosity, I pricked up my ears, wanting to hear what they were saying...