So what if I have a few billion concubines while I'm cultivating immortality?

That's enough.

Yu Qingyi coldly stopped her, "What kind of behavior is this, crying and sobbing here?"

"Yu Fengling, remember today. Remember your tears today, remember what your foolishness has brought to me and the Yu Kingdom."

"From now on, put away your unrealistic fantasies and self-righteousness."

"Your life was given to you by me, and how I use it is up to me."

After saying that, she suddenly stood up and walked straight out of the hall.

Outside the main hall, the ceremonial guards were already prepared.

For Yu Qingyi, the complicated wedding process was a long and arduous ordeal.

From offering sacrifices to Heaven and ancestors, to receiving congratulations from officials, and then ascending the high platform to receive the worship of the people.

In every step, she was like a puppet on a string, wearing a proper smile, cooperating with Qin Xiao beside her, performing a play called "A Match Made in Heaven".

She could feel the complex emotions in the officials' eyes—sympathy, helplessness, and humiliation.

You can also hear the thunderous shouts of "Congratulations, Your Majesty!" from the masses.

It's just unknown how much of that voice is genuine and how much is blind obedience.

Qin Xiao behaved appropriately throughout, displaying an imperial demeanor in every gesture.

Even when facing the subjects of the Yu Kingdom, he was mild-mannered.

But the more Qin Xiao acted this way, the colder Yu Qingyi's heart became...

As night fell, the grand wedding banquet finally came to an end.

Yu Qingyi was sent back to Fengming Palace.

The dragon and phoenix wedding candles burned quietly, their flickering flames casting an ambiguous and enchanting glow on the red hues of the room.

Chunhe and Qiuyue removed her heavy phoenix crown.

His face beamed with genuine joy.

"Your Majesty, you and Emperor Yong are truly a match made in heaven!"

"With His Majesty Emperor Yong protecting the Yu Kingdom, we will never be bullied again!"

Hearing the naive words of her two trusted palace maids, Yu Qingyi felt utterly ironic. "You may both leave."

"Yes."

The palace maids bowed and took their leave.

She was the only one left in the hall.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the flickering candlelight.

After an unknown amount of time, the palace door was pushed open, and Qin Xiao walked in.

Then, he closed the door and walked towards her step by step.

Upon seeing this, Yu Qingyi tensed up.

Qin Xiao stopped in front of Yu Qingyi, reached out and took off the ornament on his head, and his jet-black hair cascaded down like a waterfall.

"Qin Xiao".

Suddenly, Yu Qingyi raised her head, looked directly into Qin Xiao's eyes, and said in an icy voice, "I've finished playing my part with you. We both know very well what this marriage means. I hope you remember your promise and treat the Yu Kingdom well."

"Of course I will remember that we are now husband and wife."

Qin Xiao calmly replied, "Husbands and wives should consummate their marriage."

Yu Qingyi's delicate body trembled.

What is destined to come will eventually come.

"We just can't help but..."

Yu Qingyi tried to struggle.

Qin Xiao didn't give her a chance to speak and leaned down to kiss her.

The candlelight flickered, and the red bed curtains slowly fell, obscuring the spring light that filled the room.

The next morning.

Yu Qingyi woke up with a soreness.

The seat beside me was empty.

Only a faint warmth and Qin Xiao's scent remained.

She stared blankly at the bright yellow bed curtains above her head, her eyes wide open.

Humiliation, pain, numbness...

A mix of emotions.

Last night, she was utterly defeated and had no chance of fighting back.

"Squeak!"

The palace doors were gently pushed open.

Chunhe and Qiuyue came in carrying toiletries. When they saw that Yu Qingyi had already woken up, their faces immediately lit up with smiles.

"Your Majesty, you're awake! His Majesty the Emperor of Dayong instructed us not to disturb you and to let you sleep a little longer."

Chunhe said with a charming laugh.

Qiu Yue chimed in, "Yes, Your Majesty, Emperor Yong is so good to you! You look much better than you did a few days ago; it's true that good fortune makes one's spirits soar!"

They chattered away, completely unaware of Yu Qingyi's unusual behavior.

Or rather, in their distorted perception, everything before them is the most beautiful version of themselves.

Yu Qingyi slowly sat up, the soreness in her body making her pause, her delicate brows furrowing slightly.

Ignoring the two palace maids, he threw off the covers and prepared to get out of bed.

However, her body stiffened when her gaze fell on the glaring crimson stain on the bed sheet.

"This servant will assist Your Majesty in changing your clothes."

Chunhe stepped forward diligently and picked up a brand-new palace dress.

Yu Qingyi did not refuse and let them do as they pleased.

After changing my clothes and combing my hair, I put it in a bun.

She transformed once again into the high and mighty Empress of the Yu Kingdom.

Upon entering the outer hall, Qin Xiao was sitting in the main seat, leisurely sipping tea.

Seeing Yu Qingyi come out, he raised his eyelids slightly: "Awake?"

As she spoke, her eyes narrowed, and a panel appeared in front of Yu Qingyi.

Name: Yu Qingyi

Gender: Female

[Qualification]: Water Spirit Root

[Status]: The primordial yin has been lost to the host.

Sure enough, it's a celestial spiritual root!

Yu Qingyi did not answer, but walked straight to the seat opposite Qin Xiao and sat down.

A sumptuous breakfast has been laid out on the table.

Qin Xiao put down his teacup, picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of crystal cake, and placed it on the plate in front of Yu Qingyi. "Try it, it tastes good."

Yu Qingyi looked at the pastries on the plate but didn't touch them.

Qin Xiao wasn't annoyed and continued eating, saying as he ate, "I attended the morning court for you and proposed that the 30,000 border troops of Yu be combined with the Longxiang Army of Dayong for joint training, exchanging supplies to improve relations between the two countries. The ministers of Yu had no objections."

Yu Qingyi's beautiful eyes narrowed.

Border troops!

That was the most elite force in the Yu Kingdom!

The so-called joint training is nothing more than a disguised form of annexation and control!

Qin Xiao had just married her, and the very next day, he began to ruthlessly dismantle her military power!

Yet, not a single official in the entire court objected!

"you……"

She raised her head, and a flame of anger finally ignited in her eyes.

Qin Xiao calmly said to Shangyu Qingyi, "The integration of the armies is the beginning of deep mutual trust between the two countries. I am doing this for the good of Yu Kingdom. Rest assured, I guarantee that your Yu Kingdom will be more stable and prosperous than before."

Yu Qingyi's chest heaved violently, her fingernails digging deeply into her palms.

You're still not satisfied.

Qin Xiao shook his head.

"What, do you really want me to force a smile?"

Yu Qingyi could no longer contain her emotions and questioned, "I gave you my body and my title, yet you broke your promise and still want to..."

"Why."

Suddenly, Qin Xiao sighed and shook his head. "You're assuming I'm a tyrant."

Yu Qingyi questioned, "Aren't you the same?"

Qin Xiao said, "Everything I've said and everything I'm doing now is true, and I don't care about your little piece of land in Yu Kingdom!"

"hehe……"

Yu Qingyi sneered, taking Qin Xiao's words as mere pretense.

Qin Xiao sighed softly, "This is indeed my fault..."

Yu Qingyi was taken aback and looked at Qin Xiao warily.

Is this guy apologizing?

What's the real secret behind this?

"It seems you lack understanding of cultivators."

Qin Xiao spoke again, his gaze sharp as he looked at Yu Qingyi, and asked, "Do you think that if a person could live for a thousand years, or even ten thousand years, would they still care about anything in this mundane world?"

Yu Qingyi was stunned again: "Are you kidding me? How is this possible!"