I, Am a Living Yama, Empress Advises Me to Stay Calm-Chapter 222

Chapter 222

Morning sunlight poured through the high windows of the imperial palace, bathing the throne room in a warm glow.

Facing the Empress’s curious gaze, Yang Yi let a faint smile lift the corners of his lips. He straightened slightly where he sat, his upright posture resembling a pine tree standing tall against the wind.

Broad shoulders glinted under the light, and his eyes—clear, deep, and brimming with captivating intensity—locked unflinchingly on Wu Zhao.

“The woman I seek must be the most beautiful in the world.”

The Empress felt his stare land on her with a heat that prickled at her skin, making her face flush with warmth. She turned her eyes away, maintaining her poise despite the sudden spike in her pulse.

“That shouldn’t be too difficult for you.”

Yang Yi’s gaze softened with amusement. “In addition to beauty, she must be intelligent. She must understand how to govern, how to manage the affairs of state…”

Wu Zhao’s refined brows drew together. She cast him a sidelong glance and scoffed.

“There are plenty of noble ladies and highborn daughters who excel in the arts—music, calligraphy, painting, even chess. But you expect them to handle state matters as well?”

He arched an eyebrow, his voice utterly sincere. “I am a Chancellor of Great Zhou and a titled Duke. Are these few requirements truly excessive?”

Wu Zhao paused, then sighed. “No… not excessive.”

“Is that all?” she asked after a moment.

Yang Yi’s smile widened, and his eyes shimmered with a hint of mischief. “Of course not. Beyond all that, she must also have a fine figure… and a noble status.”

Her expression shifted as she gave him a skeptical look. “And what exactly do you mean by ‘noble status’?”

Yang Yi grew serious. “At the very least, she should be a monarch.”

The air in the throne room turned still.

Wu Zhao’s bright, piercing eyes widened as her pupils contracted. Color surged across her pale, elegant face, rising all the way to her neck. Her heart skipped a beat. She could feel her cheeks burning like fire.

This scoundrel—was he implying what she thought he was?

A monarch? Among all the sovereigns in the Central Plains, who else but her—the reigning Empress—was a woman?

She grew quiet, her pale fingers tightening into a fist within the wide sleeves of her robe. Drawing a deep breath, she struggled to calm the storm inside her chest. This man… this shameless man dared flirt so boldly with her?

After a moment of tense silence, Wu Zhao spoke, her tone slightly unnatural.

“Your standards… are rather high.”

Yang Yi’s expression remained playful, though there was purpose behind his words.

“That’s why I’ll have to trouble Your Majesty for help.”

Her silence deepened. Her delicate ears flushed red, her heart caught between fury and shame.

This rogue is blatantly toying with me.

Forcing a calm demeanor, she exhaled. “That kind of help… might prove difficult. However, finding you a princess for a wife wouldn’t be so hard.”

Yang Yi’s mouth twitched. So the Empress was going to push the Third Princess onto him?

Still, come to think of it, marrying the princess first and then trying to woo the Empress would be a challenge. But if he secured the Empress first, the princess would naturally follow—after all, a sister-in-law is a sister-in-law.

With a straight face, he replied, “Your Majesty, if a man keeps changing his goal, then it’s no longer a goal.”

Wu Zhao’s expression soured, her brows knotting tightly as she glared at him. When did this man become so brazen?

After a brief silence, she waved her hand. “You may leave. I am tired.”

Yang Yi gave a shallow bow, a faint smile lingering on his lips, and exited the hall.

Once the heavy doors closed behind him, Wu Zhao remained seated, her fair cheeks steadily turning crimson as though dusted with rouge. Her long lashes trembled. Slender fingers tightened on the dragon throne’s armrest.

It took her a while to compose herself.

That shameless man—he definitely said all that on purpose.

Just then, Shangguan Wan’er entered with a respectful bow. “Your Majesty, Chancellor Xu Jingzong seeks an audience.”

Wu Zhao took another deep breath, burying the last of her agitation. Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Why has Xu Jingzong come?”

“Shall I show him in?”

“Let him in.”

Moments later, Xu Jingzong stepped into the hall and bowed deeply. “Your humble servant greets Your Majesty.”

Wu Zhao glanced at him coolly. “What is it?”

“Your Majesty,” he began formally, “many officials from the Ministry of Rites have submitted a joint petition. Now that Great Zhou holds vast territories and possesses unmatched strength across the Central Plains, your rule has been magnificent.

“However—though Your Majesty is wise and virtuous—until today, you remain unmarried. With no heir to the throne, the future of the nation weighs heavily on all our hearts. As Chancellor, I come on behalf of the Ministry of Rites to present the collective will of the court and the people…”

Wu Zhao’s eye twitched. Her expression remained blank as she asked, “Are you suggesting I’m old?”

Sweat broke across Xu Jingzong’s brow, a chill running down his spine. “Your Majesty, I would never dare—”

“Enough.” She waved her hand, visibly irritated. “You may leave.”

Xu Jingzong coughed nervously. “Yes, Your Majesty.” With that, he bowed again and hurried out of the hall, drenched in cold sweat.

Only Wu Zhao and Shangguan Wan’er remained.

The Empress let out a long sigh and rubbed her temple. Her brows furrowed tightly. “These ministers… instead of doing their actual jobs, they’ve taken it upon themselves to meddle in my affairs.”

Wan’er couldn’t help but speak. “Your Majesty’s marriage is also a matter of state.”

“As a matter of state, I suppose it does fall under their responsibilities,” Wu Zhao muttered, momentarily caught off guard.

She shot Wan’er a glare. “What, do you think I’m an old maid now too?”

Wan’er pressed her lips together. Truthfully, the Empress was nearly twenty-five and still unmarried—wasn’t that exactly what she was?

Softly, she murmured, “Wan’er wouldn’t dare.”

Wu Zhao exhaled sharply. Her mind buzzed as she rubbed at her brow again.

“I don’t know what all of you are rushing for… I’m still in my prime. Isn’t this the time to accomplish great things. And yet, you are all urging me to marry. Given my status, who would be a suitable consort?”