After being reborn, I went on a killing spree in the imperial court.

Xiao Shengxi's casual remark struck the ears of those guilty old women who already harbored ulterior motives like a thunderclap.

Their faces turned deathly pale instantly, their bodies trembled uncontrollably, and then they all knelt down with a thud, banging their heads against the ground like pestles, crying out, "Your Majesty, have mercy! Your Majesty, have mercy! It was all our fault for not taking good care of you, please forgive us!"

One of the old women was terrified, kowtowing and crying as she pleaded, "Your Majesty, please investigate! We really didn't mean to skip collecting the charcoal! It's just that the Imperial Household Department reduced our rations without our consent as soon as they heard we were a lady coming for a marriage alliance. It has nothing to do with us! Please, Your Majesty, spare our lives!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Shengxi narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze deep and sharp, and he murmured thoughtfully, "The Imperial Household Department..."

His tone was so low it sent a chill down one's spine.

The next instant, he suddenly raised his hand and swung it, sending the neatly arranged, exquisite teacups on the tea table beside him swept away by a powerful force, crashing to the ground with a series of shattering sounds. The beautiful teacups instantly broke into pieces, producing a series of crisp, ear-piercing cracking sounds.

In an instant, the entire palace fell silent. Everyone was so frightened that they dared not breathe, and even their breathing became cautious, for fear of offending the emperor in the slightest.

Xiao Shengxi slowly stood up, his tall figure casting a shadow before everyone. He surveyed his surroundings, his eyes as cold as ice, and questioned, word by word, "Since when did I become unaware that this palace had come under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Household Department?"

Xiao Shengxi looked at Eunuch Liu beside him. Eunuch Liu waved his whisk, and the guards outside disappeared. After a while, a large amount of gold, silver, coal and other items were found in the residence of these old women.

Jinzhu and Cao Yuan were also surprised to find that they had hidden so much money. It seems they had been doing a lot of petty theft on a regular basis.

"Your Majesty, have mercy! Your Majesty, have mercy! This servant dares not do it again!"

"This servant wouldn't dare!"

"Guards! Have these palace servants and the steward of the Imperial Household Department beaten to death! Thoroughly investigate the Imperial Household Department!"

"Your Majesty, spare your life! Your Majesty, spare your life!"

Xiao Shengxi waved his hand at them without showing any mercy.

"and many more!"

Cao Yuan called out to them.

"Your Majesty, I have only just arrived in Shu. If I were to have a palace servant beaten to death, it would likely incur the wrath of the court and the harem. It would be better to treat him leniently, as I still need manpower in my palace."

"These traitors treated your elder sister the same way before. Your elder sister isn't as strong-willed as you. Are you sure you want to forgive them?"

Cao Yuan hesitated.

"Princess, spare us! Princess, spare us! We will never do it again!"

Cao Yuan took a deep breath. "Then punish them."

Xiao Shengxi nodded.

Eunuch Liu gestured for them to release the old women.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Princess!"

"You may be spared the death penalty, but each of you may go and receive fifty strokes of the cane! All your property will be confiscated," said Eunuch Liu.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Majesty."

"If you lack anything or want anything, just tell me, and I will do my best to satisfy you."

Cao Yuan lowered her head, a question rising in her mind: Wasn't Xiao Shengxi supposed to be a debauched and tyrannical emperor?

It looks pretty good.

Cao Yuan cupped her hands and said, "I grew up on the border with my maternal grandfather since I was a child, and I am not particular about food, clothing and daily necessities."

"There's just one thing..."

"Say it!"

"I want to see my elder sister. She is my only family here."

Upon hearing the mention of Zhaoyang, Xiao Shengxi's expression froze, and the atmosphere became somber.

After a long silence, Xiao Shengxi finally spoke, "Tomorrow! Have a palace servant take you there!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Suddenly, silence fell again. Cao Yuan cleared her throat. "Your Majesty, it's getting late. You should go back and rest."

Xiao Shengxi raised his eyelids and knew what she was thinking. He guessed that apart from that person, no one in the harem had ever dared to send him back to the palace.

He beckoned to her, then patted the seat next to him, gesturing for Cao Yuan to sit down. "Sit next to me. I didn't get a good look at your face last time."

Cao Yuan clutched the hem of her dress, hesitating to step forward.

"What? Are you scared?"

"Weren't you quite formidable on the battlefield? I heard you even gave my general a hard time."

"You're still a bit reserved, all of you... may you all step aside!"

"Yes!"

Jinzhu looked at Cao Yuan with reluctance, but Eunuch Liu pushed her away, warning, "What are you doing! Don't ruin His Majesty's good deed!"

There were only two of them left in the hall.

"Sit! Or do you want me to take action?"

Cao Yuan obediently sat down next to him.

In the candlelight, Xiao Shengxi stared straight at her. He reached out and lifted her face, scrutinizing her closely.

"Your Majesty! I am not feeling well."

Cao Yuan's eyes darted away, and her body trembled involuntarily.

“You don’t want to serve me in bed.” Xiao Shengxi saw through her thoughts.

Before Cao Yuan could reply, Xiao Shengxi pushed her onto the bed.

Their eyes met, and Cao Yuan trembled all over, frozen on the bed, unable to even move her fingers. Her chest heaving violently alerted Xiao Shengxi, "You're scared already!"

Xiao Shengxi loosened her belt, and Cao Yuan suddenly opened her eyes, grabbing his hand and pushing him away with all her might, "Your Majesty, I may not be ready yet. No..."

"It's really, really not possible." Tears welled up in Cao Yuan's eyes.

"What a disappointment!"

Xiao Shengxi got off her. "You're like a block of wood! Are you the same way in bed with other men?"

Cao Yuan sat up in bed, “…”

"Was that the maid you brought just now?"

Cao Yuan immediately became wary and said, "Your Majesty, I am the one who came for the marriage alliance. She doesn't understand anything, she knows nothing..."

"what!"

Suddenly, without warning, Xiao Shengxi pounced on her with lightning speed, like a ferocious wild beast. His movements were so fast that she had no time to react.

He roughly and forcefully ripped off her thin clothing, instantly exposing her silky smooth shoulders to the air. This sudden action terrified her, leaving her mind blank.

"What are you doing? Let go of me! No..."

She struggled desperately, trying to break free from Xiao Shengxi's hold, but it was all in vain. Her voice was filled with fear and despair, but this did nothing to stop Xiao Shengxi's frenzied actions.

Without any mercy, he opened his mouth and bit down hard on her bare shoulder. The moment his teeth pierced her skin, excruciating pain instantly spread throughout her body.

"Ah!" She let out a shrill scream, tears streaming down her face.

The excruciating pain nearly made her faint, but she still used the last bit of strength she had left to continue fighting.

Jinzhu heard Cao Yuan's screams from outside the door.

Just as we were about to go in, the palace doors were opened.

"Your Majesty! Let's go!" Jinzhu said, bowing her head and backing away step by step.

"Return to the palace!" Xiao Shengxi said.

"Yes!"

"Let's go!"

As soon as Xiao Shengxi stepped out of the palace gate, he felt a tightness in his chest and spat out a mouthful of black blood.