I, Am a Living Yama, Empress Advises Me to Stay Calm-Chapter 223

Chapter 223

In the quiet of the palace hall, Shangguan Wan’er’s eyes gleamed as she caught the subtle implication in the Empress’s tone. It wasn’t rejection that lingered in her words—it was hesitation, perhaps a lack of a suitable candidate.

She leaned forward slightly and suggested with conviction, “Prime Minister Yang seems quite suitable to me, Your Majesty.”

Wu Zhao’s breath caught. Her expression darkened as Shangguan Wan’er’s words dredged up the memory of that brazen man’s outrageous comment from earlier.

“That man is nothing but a shameless scoundrel,” she snapped.

Shangguan Wan’er blinked, startled, her curiosity now thoroughly piqued. Just what had Prime Minister Yang done to provoke such a reaction from the Empress?

Meanwhile, far to the southeast in the heart of the Ming capital, Ying Tian Prefecture, the headquarters of The Great Ming News buzzed with tension.

Inside the editorial office, a thin, middle-aged man stood frozen in disbelief before Prince Yan—Zhu Di—whose face wore a look of unyielding arrogance.

“What’s the problem? Is it not allowed?” Zhu Di raised an eyebrow. “I’m simply asking for a small article in the entertainment section. What’s so difficult about that?”

The editor gave a bitter smile. “This isn’t just a puff piece, Your Highness… this is slandering the monarch of another country.”

Zhu Di didn’t even lift his eyes. “And? Back when The Great Zhou Daily ran stories mocking Qianlong, nobody raised a fuss. Why can’t The Great Ming News write about the Zhou Empress?”

The editor was dumbfounded. How could that comparison even be made? Back then, Zhou and Qing had been at war. Though relations between Ming and Zhou were far from cordial now, to deliberately defame another sovereign was no small matter.

He hesitated, visibly uneasy.

Zhu Di’s expression soured. “It’s just a news article, damn it. Why all the whining? Are you refusing my command?”

Sweat began to bead on the editor’s forehead. He forced a grim smile. “I wouldn’t dare, Your Highness.”

“Then publish it,” Zhu Di said with a dismissive wave. “Whatever happens, I’ll take full responsibility.”

“Understood, Prince Yan,” the man replied helplessly.

A satisfied smirk crept across Zhu Di’s face. Zhou had humiliated Ming time and again. It was time to return the favor—and do so with venom.

Ten days later, the new issue of The Great Ming News hit the streets. Though The Great Zhou Daily was widely acknowledged as the premier newspaper across the lands, The Great Ming News remained more popular within Ming’s own borders. And this edition ignited a wildfire.

In taverns throughout the capital, voices rang out over cups of wine.

“Damn! This article says the Empress of Zhou hasn’t married because she likes women. You think that’s true?”

“Tsk, who knows? But it’s possible. I heard she’s already twenty-five.”

“Hiss… among all the realms, she’s the only female sovereign. If she’s into women, that’s a real scandal.”

“Heh, just a rumor. Doesn’t concern us common folk.”

“True, but she’s been riding high these past years. If it’s true, then it goes against nature—against propriety. She’d be condemned by all.”

Laughter and chatter filled the air. Since it wasn’t their own ruler being gossiped about, people felt free to speculate without a care.

Another half-month passed. With careful orchestration by unseen hands, the rumor spread like wildfire.

…

Back in the Great Zhou capital of Luoyang, Shangguan Wan’er burst into the imperial study, breathless, clutching a freshly printed copy of the newspaper.

“Your Majesty!”

Wu Zhao looked up, brows already beginning to knit. “What is it?”

Wan’er hesitated, then pressed the paper into her hands. “It’s from The Great Ming News, Your Majesty… I think you should see it.”

Wu Zhao blinked in surprise, puzzled by the urgency. Why would Shangguan Wan’er bring a Ming newspaper to her now?

She unfolded the pages and scanned them briefly. Her expression stiffened. Then her brows drew together into a scowl, and her face darkened.

“They dare smear me with such filth? When have I ever shown interest in women?” She slammed the paper down. “Scoundrels. Utterly shameless.”

Wan’er bit her lip. “Shall we send word to the Ming Emperor? Demand the edition be recalled?”

Wu Zhao shot her a sharp look. “And what should I say? Should I dispatch envoys to Zhu Yuanzhang to declare I don’t like women, and demand he cancel the newspaper?” 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

“That would make me look guilty, wouldn’t it? A monarch lowering herself to bicker over a mere tabloid—how pathetic.”

Wan’er fell silent. The logic was undeniable. To protest such drivel would be undignified.

Wu Zhao pressed her fingers to her temples, her frustration mounting. “Whoever devised this ploy knew I wouldn’t respond to such nonsense. That’s why they dared to go this far.”

“Vile. Absolutely vile.”

Just then, a palace maid entered the room.

“Your Majesty, Prime Minister Yang requests an audience.”

Wu Zhao blinked. Her brows furrowed again. “Let him in.”

A moment later, Yang Yi stepped into the chamber, bowed deeply, and said, “Your Majesty.”

Wu Zhao inhaled deeply, then hurled the newspaper toward him. “Come up with a solution.”

Yang Yi froze, then calmly picked up the paper and studied it. As his eyes moved across the page, his expression slowly turned odd.

When had The Great Ming News stooped to such a dirty trick? It wasn’t a fierce blow—but it was disgusting, the sort of attack that lingered like filth.

Wu Zhao’s chest rose and fell in agitation. “Now that they’ve stirred up this mess, people are saying I remain unmarried because I favor women. This is an assault on my name, on my reign! Do you have a countermeasure?”

Yang Yi blinked slowly, then straightened his back and spoke with grave solemnity.

“Your Majesty’s reputation is of the utmost importance. As your humble strategist, I shall step forward and take action. If I were to… impregnate Your Majesty, the rumor would collapse on its own.”