Women disguised as men went to the battlefield and the emperor bowed down in submission.

The eunuch announced, "If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court may adjourn."

"My esteemed ministers, today I shall reward those who have rendered meritorious service," the emperor, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, spoke first in the solemn and majestic court.

The court officials looked at each other in bewilderment. Left Chancellor Li Binglin asked curiously, "Your Majesty, may I ask what brings you to reward those who have rendered meritorious service?"

"What I wish to reward is the Xuanyuan Army, which has distinguished itself in battle."

Over the past six years, under the leadership of General Xuanyuan, they have repelled 35 invading enemy forces, annihilated hundreds of thousands of enemy soldiers, and captured nine enemy cities.

Their kindness towards prisoners of war and foreign people won me the hearts of the people.

The Xuanyuan Army has meritorious service in protecting the country, achievements in expanding territory, and a heart that loves the people like its own children.

Today, I will bestow upon the Xuanyuan Army all the rewards and honors accumulated over the past six years in this very hall.

There was no response from the emperor; all the court officials looked as if they had seen a ghost.

After listening, Lin Ruoshui's eyes darted around as she quickly searched her memory for anything about the emperor.

Lin Ruoshui discovered that Xuanyuan Yu joined the army at the age of 12 and had never met the emperor.

He started as a common soldier, and only after winning countless battles was the emperor forced to promote him to the rank of general.

Xuanyuan Yu and the young, handsome emperor on the dragon throne had been exchanging letters.

The content always revolves around Xuanyuan Yu demanding military pay and requesting official titles for the Xuanyuan Army.

However, this stingy emperor always refused to reward his soldiers with various excuses.

Thinking of this, Lin Ruoshui glanced at the young emperor on the dragon throne and felt that something was amiss about what had happened today.

After hearing the emperor's words, the Minister of Revenue stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, last year there were continuous floods in Jiangnan, causing people to be displaced and suffer greatly."

After the national treasury distributed disaster relief funds, the money was only enough to cover this year's fiscal expenditures. If it were used to cover six years' worth of military salaries and rewards, it could lead to an empty treasury.

After the Minister of Revenue finished his patriotic and poverty-stricken speech, he glanced sideways at Xuan Yuan Yu's expression.

He only saw Xuanyuan Yu's expressionless and indifferent demeanor.

The emperor slammed his fist on the table and rose to his feet, emanating a chilling aura that seemed to freeze the entire imperial palace.

"Lord Qian, did I appoint you to head the Ministry of Revenue so that you could complain about being poor to me?"

What you need to think about is how to make Chishui a prosperous and strong nation; how to ensure that our border soldiers are well-fed and clothed.

You and I both know perfectly well how much silver is in the national treasury. If you claim you have no money, I will confiscate your property and use the proceeds to replenish the treasury.

Minister of Revenue Qian shuddered, knelt down with a thud, and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I deserve to die ten thousand times over."

Lord Qian knelt down and kowtowed, thinking to himself, "What's wrong with the Emperor today? Is he really going to bestow a reward upon me?"

"No way! The emperor's real expert at feigning poverty. What's wrong with him today?"

The Emperor looked at the bewildered Lord Qian, and his eyes darkened.

The officials were even more puzzled: "Lord Qian is the Emperor's confidant. In the past, the two of them would speak in unison. Why did they lose their chemistry today?"

"His Majesty hasn't bestowed any rewards upon the Xuanyuan Army in recent years, so why is he being so generous today? Something's definitely amiss!"

The ministers, who were all adept at discerning the emperor's intentions, were at a loss for what to do, and none of them dared to step forward and speak.

After glaring angrily at Lord Qian, the Emperor turned his gaze to Xuan Yuan Yu, his eyes deepening.

He looked Xuan Yuan Yu up and down, then revealed an expression of admiration.

The unruly emperor was 18 years old this year, and he had never looked at any of his courtiers with such eyes.

He always looked at people with a disdainful and contemptuous expression.

What's with that admiring and fond look in your eyes today?

The Emperor gave Lin Ruoshui a rare smile.

Then he said, "Xuanyuan Yu, step forward to receive your title. I hereby bestow upon you the title of King, with the title 'Chu'. From now on, you will be the War God King of Chishui Kingdom—King Chu."

"These are the memorials you have written to me over the past two years. All the requests for official appointments, big and small, have been made according to your requirements."

Lord Qian, take these memorials back and reward those who have rendered meritorious service according to the King of Chu's request.

Furthermore, the soldiers' pay must be fully paid within three months; if there is any delay, Lord Qian will be brought before me with his head.

Lin Ruoshui was overjoyed to receive the throne and prepared to kneel down to thank the emperor for his grace.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor hurriedly said, "From now on, the Prince of Chu will not have to kneel when he sees me."

"Tonight, I will host a banquet for the Prince of Chu in the palace. Officials of the third rank and above, as well as their families, are welcome to attend the banquet."

"Alright, dismissed. See you tonight, ministers." The Emperor said arrogantly, then turned and left with his hands behind his back.

The opportunistic courtiers surrounded Lin Ruoshui, showering her with congratulations.

Lin Ruoshui looked at the ministers, whom she didn't recognize 99% of the time, and felt a little uncomfortable.

Just as Lin Ruoshui was about to leave, she was stopped by a soft, feminine voice.

"Greetings, Prince Chu. I am Zhang Quan, the emperor's personal eunuch. His Majesty requests that you proceed to the Imperial Study, as he has important matters to discuss with you."

Left Chancellor Li Binglin bowed to Lin Ruoshui and said, "Since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has never summoned anyone to the Imperial Study to discuss matters, which shows how much he values ​​the Prince of Chu."

In a soft, feminine voice, Eunuch Zhang said, "Indeed, this is the first time. The Prince of Chu has caught the Emperor's eye. Please, come on in."

Lin Ruoshui didn't think much of it at the time and followed Zhang Quan away.

As Lin Ruoshui walked, she admired the beautiful scenery of the palace.

She couldn't help but marvel at the exquisite craftsmanship of the ancients, who had built such a magnificent palace with its intricate carvings and painted beams.

Overjoyed, Lin Ruoshui followed Zhang Quan to a palace, which she assumed was the emperor's study.

Actually, this was the Emperor's sleeping quarters, Longxi Palace. Zhang Quan opened the palace door and let Lin Ruoshui walk in by herself.

Lin Ruoshui, still marveling at the magnificence of the palace, did not sense anything unusual.

As soon as she entered the hall, she felt a sharp pain in her back, as if someone had pressed all the major acupoints on her body, rendering her unable to move.

She thought to herself, "Could this be the ancient method of acupressure?"

Her heart started pounding uncontrollably.

She thought to herself, "I didn't expect the emperor to change his mind so quickly. He just made me a king, and then he turned around and attacked me."

I wasn't vigilant enough; I need to be more cautious in the future.

"If there's a future, being stuck here like this, won't we just get wiped out?"

The emperor, dressed in a dragon robe, walked up to her with a sinister look in his eyes and asked coldly, "Who are you?"

"Have I been exposed? Has this little emperor gained some kind of divine eye? Can he see that I am a lonely soul?" Lin Ruoshui frowned as she thought.

"That's ridiculous, I don't know what you're talking about!" Lin Ruoshui said stiffly.

"Who are you? What have you done to me? What is going on?" The emperor grabbed her neck, making it impossible for her to breathe.

"What is this damned emperor saying? I can't understand a word he says," Lin Ruoshui thought, looking at the little emperor whose head barely reached her shoulder.

The emperor revealed a ferocious expression, his entire body radiating a dark aura.

His fingers tightened, and suddenly, the emperor noticed that Xuan Yuan Yu's neck was bruised and purple from being choked, and he quickly let go.

"Zhang Quan, go and fetch some medicine to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis," the Emperor called out to the outside of the palace.

"Yes, this old servant will go right away," Zhang Quan agreed, turning around to fetch the medicine.

The Emperor received the ointment, squeezed a little onto his fingertip, and carefully applied the medicine to Xuan Yuan Yu's neck.

Lin Ruoshui gently ran her fingertips across Xuan Yuan Yu's neck, and felt the pain disappear, a cool sensation spreading across her skin.

Before Lin Ruoshui could even think, she was struck by a jolt of electricity through her body.

The Emperor looked at Xuan Yuan Yu's neck with affection, and after applying the ointment, he gently blew on it.

It was this gust of wind that seemed to electrify Xuanyuan Yu's body.

Lin Ruoshui, her face full of black lines, was utterly speechless.

The Emperor's gaze left Xuan Yuan Yu's neck and looked into Lin Ruo Shui's eyes, but the tender look in his eyes disappeared again.

He stared coldly into Lin Ruoshui's eyes, as if he were seeing the real Lin Ruoshui through Xuan Yuan Yu's eyes.

Lin Ruoshui recited the Heart-Cleansing Mantra, suppressing the restlessness that had been stirred in her body.

The Emperor stared at Lin Ruoshui for a long time, hesitating on how to ask the question.

After regaining his composure, Lin Ruoping, still completely bewildered, asked, "Your Majesty, I don't know what I did wrong?"

The Emperor's face was as cold as frost as he coldly asked, "You know nothing?"

"What should I know?" Lin Ruoshui asked, puzzled.

"Your body isn't your own, is it?" The Emperor steeled himself and asked directly.

"You..." Lin Ruoshui felt a little guilty, unsure whether she should tell the whole story.

If I tell the emperor about this possession, I wonder if he'll think I'm a monster and arrest me.

"Are you Emperor Yongle, Chu Xiao?" The Emperor stared intently at Lin Ruoshui.

"I'm not...you are, aren't you?" Lin Ruoshui looked at the emperor who asked this strange question.

"My physical body is indeed Chu Xiao, but my soul is Xuan Yuan Yu, the owner of your current body," the Emperor said coldly.

"No way, the God of War Xuanyuan Yu and Emperor Chu Xiao of Chishui Kingdom swapped souls?"

Chu Xiao was drugged, fell into the water, and drowned. Then, he was resurrected in Xuan Yuan Yu's body, and, of all things, ended up inside Xuan Yuan Yu's body?

Lin Ruoshui stared wide-eyed in disbelief. Wasn't this plot a bit too complicated?

She shook her head, feeling that her guess was truly fantastical.