Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

Chang Le Palace, the Empress's temporary palace...

"Shen Lang, you figured out what that poem meant, right?"

"If I'm not mistaken, that poem was given to you by Empress Wu Li of Wu, isn't it?"

Does it matter?

"If so, then we can basically confirm what she was trying to convey, since we all saw it with our own eyes, didn't we?"

Seated in the elegant interior, Jiang Mengxuan and Shen Lang reviewed everything that had happened that evening.

Finally, without realizing it, the topic returned to that poem.

"That year, the flowers bloomed on the south bank of the Yangtze River, and the soldiers from beyond the Great Wall returned wrapped in their burial clothes."

"These two lines of poetry are easy to understand literally, referring to the cruelty of war and the heavy casualties suffered by soldiers who defend their country in the process of resisting invaders."

"The evil wind blows into Yumen Pass, and the whole world is devastated."

"It can be understood as the enemy army breaking through the border defense line, the invaders burning, killing, looting and committing all kinds of atrocities, countless people being displaced, and a desolate scene of ruins everywhere."

Jiang Mengxuan nodded; indeed, the first half of the poem was easy to understand.

The country was destroyed, the land was ravaged, and corpses littered the fields—what a tragic scene!

"What about the second half? What is it trying to express?"

Jiang Mengxuan pressed for more information.

Shen Lang remained silent for a long while before saying, "I have never heard of a chivalrous woman or a sword immortal, who vanquishes demons and restores order to the world."

Literally, it refers to those martial arts forces that should possess a chivalrous spirit.

However, they failed to appear on the battlefield as the people had expected, to stop the enemy's invasion of the country.

The problem is that the poem describes a female knight-errant and a sword immortal; logically, it's not enough for the involvement of martial arts forces alone.

It would be more appropriate to use "heroes and martyrs" instead, but the fact that it's described as "female knight-errant and sword immortal" is quite intriguing.

Your Majesty should know that in the martial arts world, those with extraordinary strength are respectively called male saints and female immortals.

Considering the phrase "female knight-errant," the first sentence of the second half generally refers to female warriors, meaning that female warriors collectively failed to appear on the battlefield as expected to resist the invasion of the enemy.

So the question is, where did they go, and why did they just disappear?

Jiang Mengxuan pondered for a moment, then suddenly realized something and said incredulously, "You mean, they all turned into..."

He then couldn't help but cover his lips, his face full of shock.

Shen Lang nodded: "Judging from Wu Li's performance, it's most likely that His Majesty is thinking the same thing."

"How could this happen? Why is this happening..."

Jiang Mengxuan still couldn't accept this fact. If it was really as Shen Lang thought, then the martial world was so dirty that you couldn't see your own hand in front of your face.

Shen Lang took a sip of water and began to analyze the last two lines of the poem: "But I see the phoenix wings spread across the imperial city, soaring alone to the ninth heaven to embrace the vastness of the universe. The phoenix appearing in the imperial city indicates that the one who holds great power is the empress."

The analysis suggests that, amidst the siege of the capital by an enemy state and widespread fear among the citizens, the Empress stepped forward, displaying an invincible demeanor as she single-handedly confronted the vast army.

Ultimately, they successfully repelled the enemy invasion and averted the risk of national annihilation—of course, this is only the literal meaning.

Analyzing the poem in context, does Your Majesty still believe that some things cannot be reversed by personal force alone?

This is called "showing off in public, but suffering in private..."

Shen Lang didn't say the last word.

He believed that by speaking to this point, the Empress should understand what he meant.

Jiang Mengxuan closed her eyes, carefully considering Shen Lang's analysis and explanation, and recalled the words she had spoken when welcoming Wu Li on the first day:

It may seem impressive to show off in public, but what are the consequences behind the scenes?

After a long while, Jiang Mengxuan slowly opened her eyes, shook her head and said, "I seem to understand all of this, but I still can't accept that Empress Wu would turn into that kind of person."

The thought of Wu Li being violated by Shu Yingwen, who had given her large doses of aphrodisiacs, like a dog, while uttering those filthy words, made her involuntarily wrap her arms around herself.

Wu Li's situation at that time was exactly the same as that recorded in "The Secret History of the Empress".

"Shen Lang..."

Suddenly, she called out.

"What's your majesty's order?"

"Do you... also like Wu Li's appearance?"

Her ears burned after she asked that question.

Jiang Mengxuan had only a superficial understanding of matters between men and women.

Although there were imperial bedroom arts available in the palace for beginners, Jiang Mengxuan found them too shameful and never looked at them.

She believes that sexual intercourse between men and women should be proper and respectful. Jiang Mengxuan felt that the sexual positions that Wu Li was as difficult to talk about were the greatest trampling on one's own dignity.

If I were to have sex with my partner like Wu Li did, I really don't know how I would face the world afterwards, or how I would have the face to look at so many people and things.

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang didn't think much of it and said directly, "Your Majesty may be focusing on the wrong thing. There's nothing shameful about adding some romance to your intimate moments with your loved one."

What's shameful is that they're promiscuous and even proud of it; this is no different from selling oneself in a brothel, and even more shameless.

Jiang Mengxuan was taken aback: "You mean, if we get married, you'll treat me the same way?"

Shen Lang nearly choked on his water and quickly said, "Your Majesty, let's get serious. Your status is vastly different from mine..."

Forcing ourselves to stay together is doomed to failure; it's better to stop here and let things take their course.

"How can I change my mind so easily? Shen Lang, you are destined to be the Emperor of Great Chu."

"Oh...why."

Shen Lang sighed helplessly, feeling a sharp pain in his head.

Jiang Mengxuan regained her cool demeanor: "You don't need to overthink it. Use this time to prepare. I want to hold a grand and magnificent wedding for you."

But you can't treat me like that after we're married. What I saw today was truly unacceptable to me.

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang also lost his temper: "Your Majesty, since we've already spoken frankly, then this humble servant will also dare to discuss some serious matters with you."

"explain."

"When will you give me the five thousand taels of gold you promised me, as well as the 20% of the profits from the textile factory that I've received over the past few months?"

Jiang Mengxuan stared intently at Shen Lang with her phoenix eyes.

I thought this guy would make some unspeakable demands regarding housing, but this is what happened?

After a long silence, she smiled gently: "You've already given me fourteen million taels of gold, and now you're asking me for these paltry sums?"

Shen Lang, I understand you less and less. What are you thinking?

Shen Lang replied, "Your Majesty, please don't be offended. I am a person with principles; money that doesn't belong to me..."

I won't take a single penny, but I will certainly try my best to get what belongs to me.

But in his heart he thought: Regret, damn it, huge regret.

"Hmm, very good. He's a man of principle, and I'm quite pleased with him."

"Alright, I'll send you the money in a few days after I've finished what I'm doing."

"Your Majesty, it's getting late. You should rest early. I'll head home now."

"and many more."

Jiang Mengxuan thought for a moment, then mustered her courage and turned around to take out the book "The Secret History of the Empress" from a dark corner of a bookshelf.

"This is a forbidden book in our imperial court. It records many absurd things about the seven empresses of my Chu Kingdom. Can you analyze the reasons behind it for me?"

As she spoke, she handed the book "The Secret History of the Empress" to Shen Lang with trembling hands.

Since it was a forbidden book in the palace, Shen Lang originally wanted to refuse, but seeing the almost pleading look in Jiang Mengxuan's eyes, he did not refuse.

Inside the room, the sound of Shen Lang turning the pages of a book could be heard.

Jiang Mengxuan sat at the table, gently sliding the tea lid, trying to appear calm.

Time passed by, and about half an hour later, Shen Lang closed the book and then rubbed it back and forth in his palm.

Jiang Mengxuan: "Tell me, why did it turn out like this?"

Shen Lang: "Your Majesty, may I speak a few words of truth?"

Jiang Mengxuan nodded slightly, which was taken as agreement.

Shen Lang said, "The contents of this book cannot withstand any scrutiny, Your Majesty need not worry about it at all."

"What do you mean?" Jiang Mengxuan was taken aback. "You mean the contents of this book are fake?"

"Putting aside the authenticity of the content, doesn't Your Majesty think that many things are completely illogical?"

First, let's set aside all psychological suggestions and take a rational view of the entire Chu historical perspective.

May I ask, the State of Chu existed for over eight hundred years; what else is difficult to record?

The reason they insisted on recording the empress's licentious private affairs in a separate book was because they felt such matters were not suitable for public display.

Or did the emperors, aside from the empress, live quite comfortably?

"As far as I know, Emperor Yuanzong of this dynasty reigned for twenty-two years. During that time, he was considered to have worked hard to govern the country. What was his final fate?"

Hanged by eunuchs in a side palace, all three princes who were destined for the throne died mysteriously.

The officials who thoroughly investigated the case all perished in what was allegedly a fire from heaven.

This led to a rift between the royal family and the aristocratic clans, and the Great Chu almost faced a lack of successors.

Isn't this even more serious, absurd, cruel, and obscure than what is recorded in "The Secret History"?

But such events were directly recorded in history for people to judge. Why do you think that is?

"Furthermore, Emperor Xuanzong reigned for eighteen years, and the government was always honest and compassionate towards the people."

However, in the last three years of his reign, he embarked on extravagant construction projects, became a devout believer in alchemy, and lavishly took in concubines, causing widespread resentment and sparking uprisings across the country.

He died suddenly, leaving behind a mess of devastation, because he had not left a will.

This further triggered a power struggle among the three successive princes, nearly destroying the Chu state.

Why was such a public act not concealed in "The Secret History," but instead openly written in the history books?

"Throughout the history of the Chu state, more than twenty emperors were branded as tyrannical and licentious, and each of them ended up with their families destroyed, their families wiped out, and their thrones overthrown."

Logically speaking, their situation should be a hundred times more serious than those recorded in these secret histories of empresses.

Logically, these should have been recorded in a separate, private "Secret History," so why were they all recorded in historical annals?

But why would the seven empresses of this dynasty want to write a separate "Secret History of Empresses"? What is their intention in doing so?

After listening to Shen Lang's explanation, Jiang Mengxuan fell into deep thought.

After a moment, she seemed to realize something: "You mean to say that this forbidden book in the palace was really fabricated?"

But if it were fake, how could Father Emperor, with his wisdom, not have seen through it? And why did the late Emperor entrust it to me?

Shen Lang nodded: "This humble servant believes that the late Emperor's true intention in entrusting Your Majesty with this secret history of the Empress was to tell Your Majesty..."

When the interests of the imperial power clash with those of powerful families and imperial relatives, what tragic consequences will ensue? I hope Your Majesty understands the risks involved in ascending the throne.

Adjust policies and guidelines in the most rational way possible, and if necessary, choose compromise to avoid getting caught in unnecessary turmoil.

As for the contents of the book, it's blatantly fake, as if it were all fabricated.

For example, if we look at Di Yao's affair with another man in front of her deceased husband's spirit tablet from a rational perspective...

Even if Di Yao herself is shameless, aren't those men who had affairs with her afraid of death?

The emperor's son-in-law's mourning hall was heavily guarded, and hundreds of officials came to pay their respects.

What man would be so stupid as to have sex with Di Yao in a situation like this? Does he have a death wish?

Actually, there was something Shen Lang didn't say: this secret history was actually compiled by someone hired by your father, Jiang Yan.

After all, the handwriting on it doesn't look like it's over a hundred years old.

"Moreover, even if one is poisoned by Gu, one will only lose consciousness when the poison takes effect; most of the time, one will be fully conscious."

How could the lewdness described in the book be so absurd? Therefore, I believe that the book's cautionary purpose far outweighs the veracity of its content.

Moreover, His Majesty possesses a profound foundation in innate cultivation; even if he were accidentally bewitched,

The poison wouldn't so easily erode one's consciousness; suppressing it with cultivation level shouldn't be a problem.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan felt an unprecedented sense of relief from her suppressed emotions.

But soon, she narrowed her eyes: "Shen Lang, how did you know that my cultivation level is in the Innate Realm?"

Shen Lang coughed and said, "I didn't know before, but since Your Majesty could hear that faint sound outside Tianxiang Tower, I already knew that Your Majesty was quite powerful."

Jiang Mengxuan: "Never mind, we'll be family sooner or later. I originally planned to tell you this secret after our wedding, but it's good that you know now."

Shen Lang stood up and placed "The Secret History of the Empress" back on the table: "Your Majesty, if there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

"Yes, you've had a long day too. Go back and rest early. I grant you two days off for your triumphant return."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I shall take my leave now."

Shen Lang finished his greetings and left Chang Le Palace.

Suddenly, he added, "By the way, Your Majesty, I feel it's necessary to remind you that Wu Li may not be as simple as she appears on the surface."

"What do you mean?"

"It's unclear at the moment, but the calculation in her eyes far outweighs any so-called lust."

Her actions tonight may have been deliberate, and her true motives are not pure; please be extremely careful.

"Yes, I believe you."

"Then I shall take my leave."

Jiang Mengxuan watched Shen Lang's retreating figure as if he were fleeing, and her mood instantly improved.

Then came a deep shout.

"Jiang Qianhu".

"My subordinate is here."

"Send Shuyue a cup of poisoned wine. Considering the many years she has been with me, let her have a complete body and give her a proper burial."

"I obey my orders."

Jiang Chaoyun accepted the order and quickly disappeared into the darkness.

The Empress picked up the secret history book, and after Shen Lang's analysis and explanation, the gloom in her heart was completely swept away.

“Father, thank you for your guidance. I understand your intention, but I no longer need its warning.”

After speaking, the book "The Secret History of the Empress" in her hand slowly turned into dust and drifted out the window with the wind.

In an instant, the gloom in the Empress's heart was completely swept away, and she felt an unprecedented sense of ease.

……

That night, Shen Lang walked back to the street where he had returned to his villa.

It was past midnight, and the streets were deserted.

Suddenly, Shen Lang's earlobe twitched, and he gripped the dagger at his waist with his other hand.

The next moment, seven figures appeared on the eaves of the houses opposite.

"Shen Lang?"

"Of course."

"kill."

After confirming their identities, the assassins didn't waste any words and immediately launched a fierce attack on Shen Lang.