From cute to empress

"Protect the Empress!" That cry was like a thunderclap, instantly shattering the festive atmosphere of the wedding. Before I could react, I was pulled back by a powerful force, falling into a warm and familiar embrace.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here." Zhen Youcai's voice sounded in my ears, steady and powerful, like a lighthouse guiding the direction in the dark night, instantly dispelling the fear in my heart.

I looked up at him, only to see his eyes fixed on the man in black, his hand tightly gripping the sword that symbolized his status. The blade reflected a cold light in the sunlight, foreshadowing the coming of a bloody storm.

"There's an assassin! Protect the Empress!" the guards shouted, quickly gathering around me and surrounding Zhen Youcai. Their faces were filled with tension and worry, their swords flashing coldly, ready for a fierce battle at any moment.

Seeing his assassination attempt had failed, the man in black, instead of retreating, laughed heartily, his laughter filled with madness and despair. "Niu Mengmeng! You killed my entire family. Today, I demand revenge!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he pounced on me like a ferocious leopard. I could even feel the strong murderous aura emanating from him, piercing my skin like a sharp blade.

"You're overestimating yourself!" Zhen Youcai snorted coldly, charging forward without hesitation. His nimble form and sharp swordsmanship clashed with the man in black. Amidst the flashing swords and shadows, I could only see two figures moving swiftly, the sharp sound of weapons clashing filling my ears.

My heart was in my throat as I nervously watched this life-or-death struggle. Although Zhen Youcai was a skilled martial artist, the man in black was clearly also a master, his moves ruthless and deadly.

At this moment, I suddenly noticed a cunning flash in the eyes of the man in black. It seemed that his target was not Zhen Youcai, but... me?

"Youcai, be careful!" I couldn't help but shout a warning, but my voice was drowned out by the chaotic shouting and killing...

My hunch was right! The man in black feinted, forcing Zhen Youcai to retreat. Taking advantage of his retreat, he unexpectedly abandoned his sword and rushed towards me. The guards were so stunned by his sudden move that they forgot to react.

"Mengmeng!" Zhen Youcai exclaimed and wanted to turn around to save me, but the distance was too far and it was too late.

I watched helplessly as the man in black drew closer. The hideous smile on his face, like a demon crawling out of hell, filled me with chills. The shadow of death enveloped me, and I could even smell the strong smell of blood emanating from him.

Am I going to die here?

No! I can't just sit there and wait for death!

At the critical moment, I forced myself to calm down. I noticed that when the man in black rushed towards me, he glanced behind me intentionally or unintentionally, and there seemed to be some conspiracy hidden in his eyes.

Behind me?

I turned around suddenly and found that behind me was a white marble pillar with dragon patterns carved on it! This pillar was one of the important pillars supporting the hall. If it collapsed, the whole hall would collapse!

Oh no! The man in black isn't targeting me at all. He wants to use me to destroy this pillar!

Thinking of this, I immediately understood his plan. What a vicious mind! If this pillar fell, the entire hall would be plunged into chaos. Then, he could take advantage of the chaos to escape, and Zhen Youcai, I, and everyone present would be buried under the rubble!

I gasped, my heart beating so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of my throat.

No! I can't let him succeed!

"Youcai! Be careful of the pillar!" I shouted with all my strength, hoping he could understand what I meant.

Zhen Youcai was a seasoned general. When he heard my shout, he immediately realized something was wrong. He turned quickly and saw the man in black had already rushed behind me, holding the dagger high in his hand and stabbing it fiercely at the white marble pillar.

"Stop!" Zhen Youcai roared and flew towards the man in black.

The man in black obviously didn't expect Zhen Youcai to react so quickly, and a flash of panic flashed in his eyes. But he quickly calmed down and stabbed the dagger in his hand into the eye of the carved dragon on the pillar.

"Hahaha! It's too late!" The man in black laughed wildly, his eyes full of madness and pride.

However, his smile froze on his face the next second.

Because Zhen Youcai did not stop him, but... slapped him on the back!

"Puff!" The man in black spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes widening in disbelief. He never understood until his death why Zhen Youcai didn't stop him from destroying the pillars, but attacked him instead?

Zhen Youcai ignored the doubts of the man in black. He turned his wrist, and a cold light flashed. The man in black covered his throat and fell to the ground unwillingly.

"You..." The man in black used up his last bit of strength to say something, but blood kept gushing out from between his fingers. In the end, he could only close his eyes completely with a heart full of doubts and unwillingness.

"Someone come! Drag the assassin's body away!" Zhen Youcai ordered coldly, his tone full of murderous intent.

The guards finally reacted and hurriedly carried the body of the man in black away.

"Mengmeng, are you okay?" Zhen Youcai walked to my side and asked with concern.

"I'm fine." I shook my head. Although I survived the disaster, I couldn't be happy at all, because I had a vague feeling that this matter was not that simple.

"I'm glad you're okay." Zhen Youcai saw that I looked pale and thought I was frightened, so he comforted me softly, "Don't be afraid, everything is over."

Is everything over?

I looked at Zhen Youcai, wanting to say something but stopping myself...

Seeing that I was hesitant to speak, Zhen Youcai asked softly, "Mengmeng, did you discover something?"

I hesitated for a moment, but decided to tell him my doubts. "Youcai, don't you find it strange? The assassin's target was clearly Zhuzi, so why didn't you stop him? Instead, why did you kill him?"

Zhen Youcai smiled faintly and explained, "If I had stopped him then, he would have been desperate and would have destroyed the pillar at all costs. By then, even if we killed him, we wouldn't have been able to recover the damage. Besides, since he dared to assassinate us, he must have been prepared to die. Rather than let him succeed, it's better to play along with him, let him think he succeeded, and let his guard down. That way, we can get more useful information from him."

It suddenly dawned on me! Zhen Youcai is truly thoughtful and meticulous. I'm ashamed of myself.

"What should we do now? We have caught the assassin, but he is just a small-time figure. There must be someone else behind this." I asked worriedly.

A cold light flashed in Zhen Youcai's eyes, and he said in a deep voice: "Don't worry, I have sent people to interrogate him, and I believe there will be results soon."

As Zhen Youcai had anticipated, it wasn't long before the interrogators returned with news. The assassin had confessed, and the mastermind behind the assassination was actually the remnants of the rebel leader! Unwilling to accept defeat, they planned to take advantage of the coronation ceremony to create chaos and fish in troubled waters.

"It's so cruel! They don't even think about what they can get even if they succeed? They will only plunge the people into dire straits!" I said indignantly.

"They've been blinded by hatred and don't care about this at all," Zhen Youcai said coldly, "Since they won't repent, don't blame us for being rude!"

Zhen Youcai and I acted decisively and decided to strike while the iron was hot to completely eliminate the remaining rebels and lay the foundation for national stability.

"Come here!" Zhen Youcai ordered...

"Pass the order down, immediately surround the mass grave on the outskirts of the city!" Zhen Youcai's eyes were cold and sharp, like a sword drawn from its sheath.

I stood beside him, feeling the fierce aura emanating from him, yet my heart was filled with warmth. This crisis had made me see more clearly his calmness and wisdom, and it also made me realize that my feelings for him were no longer just simple dependence and admiration.

"Youcai, thank you for your hard work." I held his hand, and he could feel the warmth and slight trembling of my palm.

Zhen Youcai held my hand tightly with his backhand, a gentle smile on his face: "Silly boy, what nonsense are you talking about? For you and this country, anything I do is worth it."

Looking at this towering man before me, a warm feeling welled up in my heart. "Youcai, after the coronation ceremony, we'll..." I was a little shy, unable to speak.

"Just what?" Zhen Youcai raised his eyebrows, a hint of teasing flashing in his eyes.

My cheeks flushed, I lowered my head and whispered softly, "Let's get married."

Zhen Youcai was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, his laughter filled with joy and doting. "I thought it was something big, but it turns out you just can't wait," he joked, still holding my hand tightly, as if afraid I would disappear.

"Who...who can't wait!" I glared at him coquettishly, but my heart was full of sweetness.

Over the next few days, we prepared for the coronation ceremony while simultaneously eliminating the remaining rebels. Everything proceeded smoothly, like the calm before the storm.

Finally, the day of the coronation ceremony arrived. Dressed in a magnificent phoenix robe and crowned with a heavy phoenix crown, I walked, under the gaze of the multitude, step by step toward the throne, a symbol of supreme power and glory. My heart pounded, and beads of sweat formed on my palms.

At this moment, I felt a warm and dry big hand holding mine, and the familiar warmth and strength instantly spread throughout my body. I looked up and met Zhen Youcai's eyes full of love and encouragement.

"Don't be afraid, I'm always with you." He said in a voice that only I could hear.

I took a deep breath, held his hand tightly with my backhand, and a confident smile appeared on the corner of my mouth.

At this moment, I knew that I was no longer the time-traveling girl who had just arrived, nor was I the little girl who hid behind Zhen Youcai for shelter. I was the queen of this country, the emperor who fought alongside him to protect this land!

After the coronation ceremony, we began to prepare for the wedding. Zhen Youcai said that he wanted to give me the most grand wedding, so that the whole world would know that I was the woman he loved most.

I agreed with a smile, my heart filled with happiness and anticipation.

On the wedding day, the palace was decorated with lights and colorful ornaments, and it was bustling with activity...