Three Kingdoms: Wolong's brother-in-law, tricking Liu Bei into seizing Jingzhou

"Royal Aunt, Prime Minister Xiao is praising you highly. With such high praise, why don't you quickly express your gratitude..."

Ushas leaned slightly closer to Vinnu's ear and whispered a reminder in a very soft but clearly audible voice.

Vinu then seemed to awaken from a hazy dream, and suddenly came to his senses.

She quickly lowered her head, her posture extremely humble, and her voice, carrying just the right amount of humility and respect, slowly said:
"Your subject, Pi Nu, is truly humbled and grateful for Prime Minister Xiao's praise; I am unworthy of it."

Xiao Fang nodded slightly, his expression revealing an undeniable authority, as if everything was under his control.

He spoke softly, his voice deep and powerful:
"Alright, come with me to tour your palace. I want to see what's so special about this Yuezhi palace."

After speaking, Xiao Fang gently pulled the reins, his movements skillful and elegant, and lifted Pi Nu onto the horse's back.

Pinu cried out in surprise, his body swaying slightly, but he quickly regained his balance, though a trace of panic and helplessness remained on his face.

When Pi Nu finally came to her senses from this sudden turn of events, she found herself tightly embraced by Xiao Fang, unable to move.

Vinu's body stiffened slightly, an unnatural blush appeared on his face, and a complex emotion that was hard to describe welled up in his heart.

"Prime Minister Xiao..."

Vinu's expression changed drastically, and he cried out in alarm, his voice trembling with panic.

Although she was an empress with an extremely noble status, she was still unmarried and had never had such intimate contact with any man before.

What's more, this man is Xiao Fang, the prime minister from the East and her mortal enemy, which fills her with contradictions and struggles.

Although an indescribable sense of shame and indignation welled up in his heart, as if countless ants were gnawing at his heart, Vinu dared not resist in the slightest.

At this moment, I am like a fish on a chopping board, at the mercy of others, and can only silently endure it all.

Xiao Fang rode his horse, the hooves clattering as he trod a road paved with blood, the glaring red seeming to tell of endless cruelty.

He ascended the magnificent golden palace, whose towering buildings and exquisite decorations exuded imperial majesty and luxury.

Xiao Fang surveyed everything below, as if the whole world was beneath his feet.

Vinu stood respectfully to the side, but a hint of helplessness was in his eyes.

She waited quietly for Xiao Fang's final verdict, her heart filled with trepidation and unease, unsure of what her fate would hold.

"Pass on my command."

Xiao Fang spoke coldly, as if every word he uttered was an imperial edict, inviolable.

"All the young women of the Yuezhi people in Blue Moon City are given as a reward to the soldiers of the three armies to boost morale!"

"Young men were punished by being enslaved and sent to build roads!"

"As for the rest of the Yuezhi people, they shall all be buried alive as a warning to others! Let the whole world know the consequences of opposing our Great Han!"

Xiao Fang's voice was cold and cruel, like a judgment from hell.

Upon hearing this, Vinu was shocked, as if struck by lightning, and almost collapsed to his knees.

She understood that Xiao Fang intended to enslave all the Yuezhi people, ensuring they would never rise again and would struggle to survive in endless suffering.

This prime minister from the East is truly cruel and ruthless; his methods are chilling.

"What, you're not satisfied with my ruling?"

Xiao Fang suddenly turned to Pi Nu, his gaze piercing as if he wanted to see through her heart.

His voice was defiant and disdainful, awaiting Vinnu's retaliation.

Vinu immediately knelt on the ground, lowering his posture even further, his voice trembling with respect:
"Your Majesty, I dare not! It is already a great favor that Prime Minister Xiao has allowed us Yuezhi people to live. I only beg Prime Minister Xiao to show leniency and spare our lives. I will be eternally grateful."

"On behalf of the Yuezhi people, I would like to express my gratitude to Prime Minister Xiao for sparing our lives. We Yuezhi people will always remember Prime Minister Xiao's kindness and never forget it."

Pinu knew that this was the only way to save the lives of the Yuezhi people.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Fang's lips curled into a cold smile.

He did indeed show mercy, not out of kindness, but because he had his own considerations. His original plan was to exterminate the Yuezhi people completely, leaving no one alive.

He wanted everyone who dared to oppose him to know that the only outcome of opposing him was death.

However, given that the Parthian army was already advancing and the situation had become complicated, he made a slight change, replacing the slaughter with enslavement.

After all, the vast Gobi Desert separated the Han Dynasty from the Yuezhi, making transportation extremely inconvenient.

By enslaving Yuezhi men to build roads, the problem of laborers was solved, and the power of the Yuezhi was weakened, achieving two goals at once.

Moreover, keeping these Yuezhi people around might play some unexpected roles in the future.

Pinu was already content as long as he could save the Yuezhi people from extermination.

She secretly vowed to find an opportunity to help the Yuezhi people rise again.

"Prime Minister Xiao, I have successfully captured Cao Rui alive. Please grant me your judgment, Your Majesty!"

Deng Ai stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and respectfully reported.

Upon hearing this, a glint of excitement flashed in Xiao Fang's eyes.

He suddenly stood up and said loudly:

"Bring him up immediately! I want to interrogate this traitor myself!"

"promise!"

Deng Ai accepted the order and left.

In a short while, a man covered in blood was dragged into the main hall.

His hair was disheveled, his face was covered in blood, and his clothes were tattered and unrecognizable.

"boom!"

With a loud bang, he was thrown heavily in front of the hall, lost his footing, and fell to his knees.

He struggled to raise his head, his eyes filled with anger and resentment, only to meet Xiao Fang's sharp, sword-like gaze.

Cao Rui was momentarily stunned, and froze on the spot.

Xiao Fang, Cao family's mortal enemy, was sitting at the head of the table, exuding immense authority.

He, however, knelt on the ground, looking utterly pathetic, like a stray dog.

At that moment, anger and humiliation surged into his heart like a tidal wave, almost causing him to collapse.

"Xiao Fang!"

He uttered the name with fury, as if he wanted to tear it to pieces.

Xiao Fang merely smiled coldly, as if watching a clown perform. He spoke slowly, his voice icy and cruel:
"You little traitor Cao, now that you're kneeling at my feet, what are your thoughts?"

The moment the sarcastic remark left his mouth, Cao Rui felt a surge of blood rushing to his head, as if a fire were burning in his chest.

He couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of blood, which sprayed onto the ground.

"I am a descendant of the Cao family, how could I kneel before you, a traitor!"

Cao Rui struggled to stand up, bracing himself against the ground, but his legs trembled uncontrollably.

Xiao Fangjian frowned, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes, as if he had been angered by Cao Rui's resistance.

He gave Deng Ai a wink, and Deng Ai understood. He immediately stepped forward and gently pressed Cao Rui down to his knees again.

Cao Rui knelt at Xiao Fang's feet once more, his humiliation and anger driving him to the brink of madness.

His body trembled uncontrollably, and he let out low growls, like a wounded wild beast. (End of Chapter)