The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 543 Seeking Instructions
Sunlight streamed through the high windows, casting bright patches of light on the ground. As the sun moved further down, the light became more slanted, softly illuminating the figure inside the hall who had finally begun to dance. The timing and atmosphere were just right.

Shi Yao's steps were very light, almost inaudible. When she started dancing, she initially only moved her feet and turned around, and the raising and lowering of her arms were slightly stiff.

However, due to the emperor's inexplicable perverse sense of humor, her outer robe, no longer bound by a leather belt, inevitably opened slightly with her movements, revealing her dark inner garment clinging to her skin, thus clearly outlining her voluptuous and mature figure.

Shi Yao's neck was a little red as she tried to control her breathing, making her movements look more like a demeanor than a dance to please.

But with each raise of her arm and each turn, the loose robe slipped completely out of her control. With each clumsy step and turn, the hem of her robe spread out more and more, so that with each rise and fall of the neckline, one could vaguely glimpse the full outline of her body, half-hidden and half-revealed in the swaying, hazy light and shadow.

Shi Yao's face was initially bloodless, but quickly turned crimson. Her lips were pressed together until they were white, and she dared not look at the figure behind the imperial desk.

This was not her area of ​​expertise.

Whether she used various identities to navigate between different forces, using her beauty as a weapon, or later in Bianjing and Jiangnan, she always found a way to control the situation.

But here, before this young emperor, all the tricks and schemes seemed to have lost their effect.

The emperor, in the simplest and most direct way, easily peeled away all the shells she relied on to maintain her composure, revealing the dazzling white beneath.

However, Shi Yao is Shi Yao after all. Even though the dance carries a sense of awkwardness and humiliation, it does not diminish her charm that moves freely in all directions. In particular, this forced and unwilling submission does not diminish her posture, but rather adds a touch of indescribable allure to her.

Her figure was as supple as a willow, her clothes half-undone and slightly open, revealing her mature and graceful charm.

After an unknown amount of time—perhaps just a fleeting moment, or perhaps an eternity—a voice suddenly came from behind the imperial desk, interrupting Shi Yao's dance.

"enough."

Shi Yao froze instantly, as if all her strength had been drained away. She stood there, slightly out of breath. Her loose robes made her look somewhat disheveled, and there were still some faint blushes on her cheeks, indicating a deep sense of humiliation.

Xiao Yan then got up, walked around the imperial desk, picked up Zhong Xiao Kui's sword that had been placed on the table, and calmly walked to Shi Yao.

The latter pursed her lips and lowered her head slightly.

Xiao Yan's expression was indifferent, but he raised his hand and gently pressed the tip of his sword against Shi Yao's chin.

Shi Yao trembled again, forced to raise her head by the slight force exerted by the sword tip.

Xiao Yan remained expressionless, his eyes showing neither anger nor desire towards her; he simply said indifferently:

"I hope you will remember this day, and remember your identity after today. I can give the Bad People a new life, and I can take it back. I don't ask if you still have Yuan Tiangang in your heart, I only ask if you can be loyal to me in your future actions."

Xiao Yan paused briefly, giving Shi Yao a moment to process his words, then slightly adjusted the angle of his sword tip, forcing Shi Yao to maintain her upward gaze. He then resumed his statement, as if stating a given fact:

"You wouldn't want me to dislike all the other bad guys just because of you, would you?"

Shi Yao seemed to have her psychological defenses completely shattered by those words. She froze for a moment, looking at Xiao Yan's expressionless face, but then she leaned back slightly following the force of the sword tip, and her knees buckled, and she knelt down.

The hem of the flying fish robe spread out like an ink lotus, and looking through the slightly open neckline, the deep part seemed to be empty.

"Shi Yao, I will obey Your Majesty's decree. I will follow Your Majesty's orders for the rest of my life and have no other intentions."

Xiao Yan lowered his eyes to look at Shi Yao, who lay motionless on the ground. He casually twirled his longsword before returning it to its sheath at Zhong Xiao Kui's waist. His face remained expressionless; he simply waved his hand listlessly.

"Go down."

"My minister retire."

Shi Yao kowtowed deeply before struggling to her feet. She dared not raise her head once more, keeping it bowed as she retreated step by step toward the palace door. Just as she turned to leave and the door was about to close, one could vaguely glimpse her raising her hand and forcefully tightening her slightly open robe.

Xiao Yan turned around and sat down on the throne, squinting at the spot where Shi Yao had just been kneeling, remaining silent for a moment.

It must be said that he does have a penchant for humiliating others, as evidenced by his treatment of women like Shuliduo. However, he would not humiliate a woman like Shi Yao, who is both loyal and knowledgeable, without cause.

But now that the Bad People, once a sharp blade hanging over the world, has been sheathed and incorporated into the Embroidered Uniform Guard system, its original sharpness must be completely worn away to ensure that the hilt is firmly held in one's own hand.

Although Yuan Tiangang has vanished into thin air, his accumulated power and schemes over three hundred years cannot be erased overnight.
As a member of the Heavenly Star, Shi Yao wields considerable influence among the Bad Guys. If she dares to act arrogantly and unruly, how can Xiao Yan be convinced that she will not cause trouble in the future?
Today's seemingly absurd humiliation is meant to make her clearly realize that from now on, whether it's her or the Bad Guys, they can only truly recognize one person.

This has nothing to do with personal desires.

Xiao Yan sat quietly for a moment, then turned to look at Zhong Xiao Kui, who was standing to the side with her head still bowed and her ears flushed.

"Xiao Kui," he said, his voice much gentler than before.

Zhong Xiaokui's shoulders trembled slightly. She quickly raised her eyes, then immediately lowered them again. She stepped forward, bowed, and replied, "Everyone... what are your orders?"

Looking at her appearance, so different from her usual cold and aloof demeanor, Xiao Yan found it rather amusing. He pondered for a moment and said, "Just now, I lost my temper and acted somewhat rashly without considering your feelings. I'm afraid I frightened you."

Zhong Xiao Kui was surprised that the Emperor would apologize to her for such a trivial matter, and she was at a loss for words. She quickly shook her head and said, "Everyone is too kind. This servant... is fine."

Xiao Yan looked at her still flushed ears and smiled: "You've been by my side for two years now, and you've always been reliable and capable. If you find it inconvenient to serve by my side, I can send you to the Embroidered Uniform Guard and give you a real position. With your abilities, you're more than capable of handling things on your own."

His words were not a test, but a genuine offer of a choice.

Zhong Xiao Kui has followed him since the Bianjing period, and he has witnessed her transformation from initial wariness to current loyalty.

Thinking back on what had just happened, he felt somewhat ashamed. Although he was the emperor, he did not want to force those around him to suffer unnecessarily.

To everyone's surprise, Zhong Xiaokui suddenly looked up, her face drained of color, and a hint of panic flashed in her eyes. She cried out urgently, "Everyone! This servant... this servant does not want to go to the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

Then, seemingly realizing she had overreacted, she quickly lowered her head and clutched the hem of her dress tightly with both hands. "This servant only wants to stay in the palace, stay by everyone's side, and serve everyone forever."

Xiao Yan looked at her, slightly taken aback.

He originally thought that Zhong Xiao Kui was aloof and capable, and perhaps longed for freedom outside the palace or a position of real power, but he never expected her to make such a choice.

But after a moment, as he gazed at that lowered, still flushed profile, he suddenly understood something.

He chuckled knowingly, leaned back, beckoned to her, and casually said, "Come here."

Zhong Xiao Kui did as she was told, took a few steps forward, and stopped in front of the imperial desk, still somewhat afraid to look him in the eye.

Xiao Yan looked her over. Today she was wearing a well-fitting flying fish dress, which accentuated her slender waist and petite figure. He reached out his hand, but did not touch her. He merely gestured vaguely, his tone tinged with a hint of amusement: "I think you've lost some weight these days because you've been so busy. Come closer, let me take a good look."

Zhong Xiaokui's heart suddenly raced, almost bursting out of her chest. She did as she was told and took another small step forward, getting closer to the imperial desk, so that she could clearly feel the oppressive aura emanating from Xiao Yan and his faint masculine scent.

Unexpectedly, just as she passed by and glanced up at him, she saw Xiao Yan suddenly reach out and grab Zhong Xiao Kui's slender waist, pulling her petite body into his embrace with a slight effort.

"ah!"

Zhong Xiaokui subconsciously gasped softly, only realizing her mistake as soon as the sound left her mouth, and quickly bit her lower lip. Looking up, she met Xiao Yan's gaze, which was inches away from hers. His eyes held a hint of a smile, and a deeper meaning that she couldn't quite make out, yet it made her heart skip a beat.

In an instant, her eyes glistened with tears, and her cheeks turned so red they looked like they were about to bleed.

Then, she felt as if tiny electric currents were coursing through the places Xiao Yan had touched, bringing a tingling sensation. Immediately, she involuntarily let out a soft, trembling cry: "Everyone..."

……

After a long while, Xiao Yan finally emerged from the imperial study, refreshed, and strolled towards the inner palace. Having finished dealing with state affairs and experiencing the commotion just now, all he wanted to do was see his two sons. Ten-month-old Mingzhao was at a lively and active age, and six-month-old Li Dai should be waking up soon.

Passing through several palace gates and arriving at the covered walkway connecting the front court and the inner palace, before even approaching the garden, one could hear faint laughter. Turning through the moon gate, the scene before one's eyes was indeed lively.

A group of people walked in from the other end of the corridor, each with their own unique style and colorful appearance.

The first person was a surrendered official. Today, she was dressed in a crimson palace gown with a matching light gauze over it. She was holding a chess manual in her hand, walking and looking at it. Her brows were slightly furrowed, and she seemed to be immersed in the game, completely unaware of the commotion around her.

Half a step behind her, Bago held two badminton rackets woven from soft bamboo. As he talked with Li Cunren, he looked eager to try.

A little further away, Qianwu and Yelü Zhiwu walked side by side, each with a racket, talking in hushed tones, the latter with a serious expression.

At the end of the line, you could see Chi Meng proudly showing off a new Gu worm to her older sister, holding up an exquisite little bamboo cage. The older sister exaggeratedly exclaimed in surprise, gesturing wildly and chattering incessantly, making Chi Meng giggle.

When the women saw Xiao Yan walking from the other end of the corridor, they were also startled. They immediately stopped walking or talking and curtsied.

The sounds of warbling birds and warbling swallows intertwined, creating a melodious and captivating symphony.

Qianwu shook the badminton racket in her hand and invited with a smile, "Your Majesty, are you finished with your official duties? We are just about to go to the garden to play badminton. Would Your Majesty like to join us? The weather is perfect today."

Xiao Yan slowly scanned their bright faces, and finally smiled and waved his hand: "You guys have fun. I just finished my work and I'm a little tired. I want to go see Mingzhao and Adai."

Hearing this, the women were somewhat disappointed, but they knew better and were about to take their leave and head to the garden. At this moment, the eldest sister suddenly jumped out from beside Chi Meng, ran to Xiao Yan, tilted her head back, and her playful expression was gone, replaced by a deliberately serious one.

"Your Majesty, you've come at the perfect time! My sister was just about to tell you something, but she has to go now!"

Xiao Yan was somewhat surprised. He raised his hand to signal, and Qianwu, Bago, and Li Cunren bowed to Xiao Yan again before heading towards the garden.

Yelü Zhiwu followed Qianwu. When she passed by Xiao Yan, she paused slightly, her gaze quickly sweeping over his profile before lowering it again and quietly following.

Xiao Yan didn't notice this detail. He just looked down at his older sister and asked, "Leaving? Didn't you insist on coming to play with Chi Meng? It seems like only a few days have passed. Why are you leaving again?"

At this moment, the surrendered minister also closed the chess manual and walked over leisurely. He glanced sideways at his elder sister, who seemed a little embarrassed, and explained, "It was Lord Hou who sent a letter a few days ago. He said that Hanba is getting married in Taiyuan. Elder sister is in a hurry to go to Taiyuan to join in the fun."

The older sister nodded vigorously, her little face scrunched up, and she sighed with feigned maturity, patting her chest and saying, "That's right! That Hanba kid, he's not getting any younger, and he's finally done this important life event! As the eldest sister, how could I not go and support him?"

Her demeanor, though that of a young girl, was so condescending that it was impossible not to laugh.

Xiao Yan was taken aback at first, then instantly remembered that he seemed to have heard a surrendered official mention that when Hanba was in charge of supervising coal mining in Taiyuan, he had become quite close to a woman from a local miner's family. It was said that when they went to Hedong to search for the treasure, Hou Qing and his sister had gone to investigate the matter.

I never imagined that just over half a year later, they would be getting married.

He pondered for a moment, then said, "It's a good thing that the drought demon is getting married. I should at least do something to show my support."

He then seemed to realize something and sat down on a nearby bench with Chi Meng, saying, "However, Hanba's status is different now. He manages the Hedong coal mines and holds a position equivalent to a high-ranking craftsman in the court. This marriage... is that woman truly sincere, or..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was already clear.

It's not that the drought demon can't find true love, but the drought demon is in a high position now. If someone takes the opportunity to curry favor with her, a little money is fine, but if it's not true love, it will inevitably be another regret in the future. It would be troublesome if this caused the drought demon to develop a knot in her heart.

Hearing this, Chi Meng also became inexplicably nervous, grabbing her older sister and asking her all sorts of questions, but her older sister, with her muddled mind, couldn't understand any of it.

Fortunately, the surrendered official seemed to have anticipated this question, and calmly replied:
"Hou Qing mentioned this matter in his letter, and he has investigated it carefully. The woman's surname is Chen. Her family was originally local farmers. Her father and elder brother served in the Jin army in their early years and were left disabled. After returning home, they struggled to make a living. Later, because her father was familiar with the local mines, he was recruited as a minor official in the mining area, and the family's situation improved. The woman heard that the mines could use gunpowder to mine and provide a livelihood for the villagers, all thanks to the drought demon. She admired it and that's how they gradually came into contact with each other."

She paused, glanced at Xiao Yan's expression, and seeing that he was actually listening attentively to such a matter, her heart warmed, and she continued:
"At first, the woman was indeed afraid of the drought demon's appearance, but after spending time with him, she realized that the drought demon was kind-hearted and sincere, and that he was kind despite his fierce appearance. That's when she truly fell in love with him. Hou Qing said that judging from his words and actions, he was not a superficial or opportunistic person. Although Hou Qing is usually unreliable, he has a keen eye. For him to give such a high evaluation, the two of them must truly be in love."

After listening carefully, Xiao Yan finally understood and nodded, "So that's the reason. In that case, it's a good thing."

Having said that, his guilt over causing some things to deviate from their intended course due to the alteration of time and space eased slightly, and he waved his hand in a rather cheerful mood, "In that case, elder sister, when you go this time, please take a congratulatory gift on behalf of me and everyone in the palace. Order the Imperial Treasury to allocate one hundred bolts of palace silk, ten bushels of pearls, and one hundred taels of gold as my wedding congratulatory gift to Hanba."

He thought for a moment, then added to the palace servant beside him, "In addition, convey my oral decree to the local government to make proper arrangements and ensure that the wedding is held in a grand and respectable manner. Also, tell Minister Hou that the 'person' I summoned earlier, since he has matters to attend to there, does not need to be brought to Jinling in a hurry. We can discuss it after the drought demon's wedding is over."

Upon hearing that there were generous gifts to bring and that it would be a grand and exciting occasion, the elder sister immediately beamed with joy and readily agreed: "Alright! Your Majesty, rest assured! I will definitely deliver the gifts, enjoy the excitement to my heart's content, and then tell Chi Meng all about it when I get back!"

Although Chi Meng was a little reluctant to see her older sister leave, she was relieved to hear that she would be coming back. She then started laughing and joking with her older sister, discussing the stakes for who would win and who would lose when they played badminton later.

When two children get together, they always have endless things to talk about and countless funny stories to share.

Having received the assurance, Chi Meng didn't bother to talk to Xiao Yan any longer. She immediately dragged her chattering older sister to the garden to start their badminton game.

Xiao Yan smiled at their lively demeanor, then turned to the surrendered minister and asked, "It's the drought demon's wedding, and it's rare for all of you corpse ancestors to gather together. Would you like to come and witness the ceremony?"

Upon hearing this, the surrendered official slightly pursed her lips, reached out and tugged at Xiao Yan's sleeve, shaking it gently, and said coquettishly, "Alas, without His Majesty's permission, how dare I leave the palace without authorization?"

Xiao Yan was amused by her words. Knowing the nature of the surrendered minister, she didn't necessarily have to go and support him. However, if the surrendered minister could resolve his inner conflict, it wouldn't be a bad thing to take the opportunity to leave the palace for a trip. So she smiled and said, "I grant your permission. You should go too. It can be considered as representing me, Yun Ji, Xue Er, and the others, and also fulfilling the friendship between you Corpse Ancestors."

The surrendered official's face immediately broke into a smile, and he gave a perfunctory curtsy: "Then this concubine thanks Your Majesty..."

However, after she got up, she suddenly twitched her nostrils slightly like a keen cat, and took another step closer, almost touching Xiao Yan.

She raised her head, her peach blossom eyes slightly narrowed, staring into Xiao Yan's eyes, and said in a low voice, "The scent on Your Excellency seems... rather peculiar."

Xiao Yan's expression remained unchanged: "Oh? I spend all day in the Imperial Study, surrounded by the scents of ink and sandalwood. What's so special about that?"

“No, no,” the surrendered minister shook his head, glanced at Xiao Yan, and deliberately tapped his chin with his fingertip as if he were thinking.

"This scent has a woman's fragrance, and also..."

As she spoke, she raised her slender finger and gently tapped Xiao Yan's chest, her eyes mischievous: "Tell me honestly, just now in the Imperial Study, besides handling state affairs, were you out flirting with other women again? Hmm?"

Xiao Yan's heart stirred slightly. He knew that she had a keen sense of smell and probably noticed the lingering scent of perfume or the fragrance of Zhong Xiao Kui when Shi Yao approached earlier... Of course, it couldn't be that kind of scent, as Xiao Kui had already cleaned it up.

So he remained outwardly calm, put on a stern face and said in a pretentious manner, "How dare you presume to know my whereabouts?"

If it were anyone else, they might have been so frightened that they would have knelt down and begged for mercy.

But the surrendered minister didn't care at all. Instead, he chuckled and, instead of withdrawing his fingertips, gently traced them along Xiao Yan's clothes.

"Is Your Majesty enraged?" She leaned closer, her warm breath almost brushing against Xiao Yan's ear, her voice low and laced with a hint of coquettishness and provocation. "I don't care about that. All I know is that this woman, Shuliduo, has good news..."

She paused, her eyes sparkling with allure. Before Xiao Yan could answer, she leaned close to his ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, her words brimming with seductive charm: "I don't care, tonight I'm going to have a good lesson with Your Majesty. If I don't squeeze Your Majesty dry, I'll change my mind about who I am."

After saying that, she didn't wait for Xiao Yan's response, but let out a clear, bell-like laugh, and turned to leave with the chess manual in her hand.

Her crimson skirt drew a graceful arc in the air, carrying a fragrant breeze, as she swayed gracefully toward Chi Meng and her elder sister.

Xiao Yan watched her departing figure, raised his hand to rub his temples, and showed a helpless yet indulgent bitter smile on his face.

However, recalling her earlier words about "draining" him, Xiao Yan found it somewhat amusing. He then shook his head dismissively, straightened his sleeves, took a careful sniff, frowned slightly, and then leisurely walked towards the palace where the Empress resided.

As dusk settled, the shadows under the palace eaves lengthened, signaling the approaching end of another day.

(End of this chapter)