A vicious female is trapped in a beastly hell.

Chapter 283 Eating what's in your bowl while eyeing what's in the pot—disgusting! (Bonus chapter for donations)

The emperor and empress were certainly protected by guards at all times, but when the country was destroyed and the family was destroyed, how many of those guards were truly loyal?

The emperor himself is on the verge of losing his power, so how can he expect these guards to be loyal?

It would be incredibly easy to bribe them with a little money, or even to tempt the guards to commit murder and robbery.

After regaining her senses, Shen Tang stepped forward and pulled Shen Xu up, whispering, "Come with me alone."

Shen Xu looked at her with a surprised expression, seemingly flattered, "Sister Tangtang..."

Xue Yinzhou and the others looked at Shen Tang with even more disapproval, not understanding why she suddenly called this idiot over.
Shen Tang glanced at the scene, a mixed crowd, and comforted the beastman, "I have some things to ask the Crown Prince privately. Don't worry, I'm nearby, not far away, and will be back soon."

After saying that, she pulled Shen Xu through the crowd and came to a relatively secluded corner behind a wall, making sure that no outsiders were eavesdropping.

Shen Tang released her grip, her gaze towards Shen Xu filled with cold scrutiny as she questioned, "Tell me the truth, what exactly happened to Father and Mother?"

Shen Xu pursed his lips and said sadly, "They...are dead."

After two days of secret searching with his most loyal men, he finally found the two half-rotten corpses in a remote mountain ravine.

The emperor's gold and silver treasures were all divided up by the refugees who murdered him.

Those bandits and refugees had long since fled.

Shen Xu was devastated, but it was too late.

If word got out that the emperor and empress were killed by refugees on their escape route, it would not only damage the dignity of the imperial family but also destabilize the morale of the army.

If public morale collapses, it's hard to imagine what will happen.

Shen Xu could only keep it a secret for now, saying they had gone missing. He didn't even dare to bring the emperor and empress's bodies back for a proper burial, and could only hastily bury them on the spot.

But now that the emperor and empress have not been found yet, after so many days of fermentation, rumors have spread all over the place, and Shen Xu is about to lose his temper.

Shen Xu looked intently at Shen Tang, as if he had finally been relieved of a heavy burden, and said sincerely, "I'm so glad you're back!"

"The empire is currently leaderless and a new ruler must be selected as soon as possible. However, the successor has not yet been formally determined, and we can only discuss it after you return."

The old emperor had originally designated Shen Qingli as his successor, but after Shen Tang returned to the capital and caused trouble, the matter came to an end.

Later, it was agreed that the two princesses would compete in a contest on governing the country and serving the people, for a period of one year.

It's too long.

A country cannot be without a leader for a single day; a leader must be appointed as soon as possible.

Shen Tang asked, "What are the conditions for establishing an heir?"

"First, we must win the hearts of the people of the empire. Otherwise, if the people are dissatisfied and rebel after we come to power, it will be a loss... In addition, the most important thing is to obtain a majority of the votes."

Imperial nobles and prominent families all had the right to vote, and the biggest obstacle for a new ruler before ascending the throne was obtaining at least half of the votes from these noble families.

This led many monarchs and princes and princesses who had not yet ascended the throne to engage in various power-for-sex transactions in order to win over powerful families.

This was also a major reason why the empire gradually became corrupt and declined.

This is how the empire's foundation was built over hundreds of years, and this kind of thing cannot be changed overnight. What Shen Tang needs to consider now is how to get half of the votes.

Shen Xu said anxiously, "Fortunately, you're back safe and sound now. This matter can't be delayed any longer. The sooner it's settled, the better. Tomorrow morning, I'll contact all the major noble families with voting rights to conduct a fair vote in the meeting hall... Sister Shen Tang, what do you think? Are there any other arrangements?"

Shen Xu's strength and talent were mediocre, and he was not qualified to inherit the throne. However, he was, after all, a prince who grew up in the royal family, and he still had the ability in this regard. Shen Tang also approved of his considerations and arrangements, so she didn't say much and agreed. The two quickly returned.

Only a few minutes had passed.

Xiao Jin and the others breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Shen Tang return.

Yun Han wanted to step forward and pester her, "Shen Tang, I have something I want to say to you."

Before he could even touch anyone, the silvery-white snake tail swept past, forcing him back several meters.

Xue Yinzhou pulled Shen Tang into his arms with an extremely possessive posture. His silver-purple snake eyes stared coldly at Yun Han, exuding a dangerous aura, as if he would launch an attack instantly if Yun Han dared to take another step forward!
Xiao Jin and Lu Xiao quickly stepped in front of Shen Tang, their auras sharp and dangerous, full of the intention to drive him away.

Shen Li stepped forward with his arms crossed, swaying his fluffy, soft fox tail. He narrowed his long, shimmering fox eyes and looked at Yun Han, whose face was unpleasant, with a half-smile. "In public, the young master of the Yun family, a married man, still wants to make advances on other females. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at by outsiders?"

"I seem to recall hearing somewhere before that wolves are always the most loyal and devoted to their mates? It seems that rumor is ridiculously false." Another clear, cold, and sharp voice rang out. Who else could it be but Jia Lan?

He swept his cold, unfriendly gaze at Yun Han, a sneer playing on his lips, his aggression at its peak, "Some people are clearly eating what's in their bowl while eyeing what's in the pot, how disgusting!"

They were still looking at what was in his pot.

It's absolutely disgusting, it's disgusting to the core.

Yun Han's face turned pale and then red as he was scolded. He clenched his fists and said in a cold, deep voice, "As a subject, it's not like you're meddling too much in my conversation with His Highness."

Jialan sneered, "You keep talking about being a subject, but do you have any self-awareness as a subject? What kind of subject would dare to grope and pull at a princess in broad daylight?"

Yun Han's appearance and figure are indeed impeccable, and his strength and talent are also strong. He was also Shen Tang's former white moonlight. Jia Lan was indeed a little wary of him. Her words were like poison, showing no mercy at all. "You know very well what filthy things you are thinking. If you really have something important to say, say it to my face. Is it necessary to drag things out like this?"

"Besides, the young master of the Yun family is used to being high and mighty. He really doesn't know how to read people's faces. He can't see how annoyed Tangtang is with you. She doesn't even want to hear a single word from you!"

"If you're truly a good minister who wants to share the princess's burdens, then you'd better be sensible and leave quickly, instead of staying here and getting in the way."

Shen Tang looked at Jia Lan, who was still chattering away, with surprise, thinking to herself that this mermaid princess's mouth was as venomous as ever! It was like killing someone by attacking their spirit!
Yun Han's face was extremely ugly. He was, after all, the young master of the Yun family. How could he tolerate being insulted like this!

His fists clenched so tightly they cracked, but he couldn't move them. Frustrated, he turned and left.

Shen Qingli had just finished bandaging her wounds when she looked out the window at what was happening below. She was both angry and heartbroken, and her hatred for Shen Tang was at its peak!
Fortunately, Yun Han returned soon.

When Yun Han saw the bandage on Shen Qingli's palm, a hint of guilt flashed in his eyes. He handed her the ointment he had bought downstairs, saying, "I heard that it won't leave a scar."

"Thank you, Brother Yunhan." Shen Qingli pulled him to sit on the sofa and asked, "It was so noisy downstairs just now, what happened?"

Yun Han encountered Shen Xu on the way and learned about tomorrow's events from him. He explained, "The late emperor passed away during the war. Tomorrow, Shen Xu will unite the major nobles to hold a vote for a new ruler. Shen Xu asked me to tell you in advance."

Shen Qingli had no feelings for the old emperor, and she felt no emotional reaction upon hearing of his death. However, she still pretended to be sad and tearful, throwing herself into Yun Han's arms and crying bitterly.

"It's all my fault. I failed to fulfill my filial duties to my father and mother, and I didn't even get to see them one last time."

Yun Han felt the dampness on her chest and felt extremely distressed. She hugged her tightly and whispered to comfort her, "It's not your fault. You're a victim too."

After calming Shen Qingli down, Shen Xu brought his men over to discuss the specific arrangements for tomorrow.

Shen Qingli wasn't nervous at all; she was the future heir to the empire, a fact that was already a foregone conclusion.

Having cultivated her influence in the empire for so long, she had many nobles and ministers as her supporters, especially after marrying Yun Han, when the Yun family became her biggest backer.

Winning half the votes will be a piece of cake!
　Thank you to "Rose at the End of the Mist" for supporting Shushu and giving a bonus chapter!
　　good night~

　　
　
(End of this chapter)