Killer Queen: Tyrant, prepare to die!

The third day of the third month in the fifth year of Jinghe.

An urgent report came from Xiling, delivered by express courier over 800 li (approximately 400 kilometers), heading straight for the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

"Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress! The old king of Xiling is critically ill, and the princes are vying for the throne, causing internal strife!"

The third prince, Uvi, secretly dispatched an envoy to infiltrate the Central Plains—the target was suspected to be His Highness the Crown Prince!

The court was in uproar.

"What?! They're going to kidnap the Crown Prince?"

"How dare you barbarians from Xiling!"

"Your Majesty! I request permission to send troops to raze the Western Ridge!"

Nangong Ye's face turned ashen as he gripped the armrests of the dragon throne tightly.

Shen Qingci remained calm, though her brows furrowed slightly.

"Is the information reliable?" she asked.

The messenger kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, this is a secret report personally written by General Xiao Jue!"

He has captured a spy sent by Uwe, and after interrogation, it has been confirmed that he was there to kidnap the prince!

"Uwei claims that His Highness the Crown Prince possesses 'psychic abilities,' and if he could be kidnapped from Xiling, he could use this ability to control the sacred beast of Xiling and help him seize the throne!"

The hall was deathly silent.

All eyes were on the three-year-old child sitting on the small stool.

Bao'er was engrossed in playing with the cloth tiger in her hands when she noticed everyone's gaze. She looked up and blinked.

"Why are you looking at Bao'er?"

That innocent little face melted the hearts of many ministers.

"Your Highness, do not be afraid!" someone immediately said. "We will risk our lives to protect Your Highness!"

Bao'er tilted her head: "Bao'er isn't afraid. With Father and Mother here, Bao'er isn't afraid of anything."

Shen Qingci looked at him, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes.

Then, she stood up.

"deliver an imperial order."

All the officials knelt down.

"Prepare the carriage, muster the imperial guards, three days later—"

She paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately:

"Your Majesty and I will personally go to Xiling."

boom--

The imperial court was in an uproar!

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

"Your Majesty is of inestimable worth; how can you personally venture into such a dangerous place!"

"The Western Ridge is a wild and desolate place, what if..."

"That's enough," Nangong Ye said in a deep voice, suppressing all other sounds.

He stood up, walked to Shen Qingci's side, and stood beside her.

"What the Empress says is what I have already decided."

"The matter of Xiling will always be a hidden danger if we don't go there ourselves."

"Besides—" he looked at Bao'er, "they want to harm my son, I'll go and see who has the guts."

-

Three days later.

A large group of three thousand people left the capital in a grand procession.

On the surface, it was an "imperial and empress inspecting the frontier."

In fact, they headed straight for Xiling.

In the group, besides the three thousand elite Imperial Guards, there were several special figures—

Eunuch Li, with his back hunched, sat in the carriage with his eyes closed, resting.

Xuan Ying, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, rode a horse to protect the emperor and empress's carriage.

There was also a small figure, pressed against the car window, excitedly watching the scenery outside.

"Mother, Mother! What is that?"

"Mountain."

"What about that one?"

"Tree."

"Um, um!"

"……cloud."

Bao'er didn't think of this as dealing with any "hidden dangers" at all; he just treated it as a spring outing.

Shen Qingci looked at his excited little face, but secretly remained vigilant.

Xiling...

She had heard Xiao Jue mention that place countless times.

Poisonous insects roam the land, miasma pervades, and tribes stand in clusters, each with its own agenda.

This trip will not be peaceful.

But she had to go.

because--

That was the land where Xiao Jue's mother was born.

That was the frontier that Xiao Jue risked his life to defend.

That was the last restless corner of this land.

-

Ten days later.

Xiling, Black Stone City.

Xiao Jue led his troops out of the city for thirty miles to greet them.

Upon seeing the procession in the distance, he dismounted and knelt on one knee.

"Your subject, Xiao Jue, respectfully welcomes Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress!"

Nangong Ye dismounted and personally helped him up.

"General Xiao, you've worked hard."

Xiao Jue looked up, his gaze passing over Nangong Ye and landing on the carriage behind him.

The curtain of the carriage was lifted slightly.

Shen Qingci sat inside and nodded slightly to him.

Xiao Jue felt a warmth in his heart and clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, saying, "Your Majesty, you must have had a long journey."

"General Xiao, you've kept us waiting." Shen Qingci's voice came through the door. "Let's talk inside the city."

-

Blackrock City, Council Chamber.

Intelligence gathered from all parties.

Old Wang of Xiling is terminally ill and has not eaten or drunk anything for three days.

The eldest prince, Wuchi, held military power, but he was cruel and unpopular.

The second prince, Zhalu, was weak and incompetent, and relied on the eldest prince.

The third prince, Uwei, is treacherous and cunning. He secretly colludes with the wizards of Xiling, plotting to seize the throne through witchcraft.

The fourth prince...died young.

The fifth prince, Batur, is seventeen years old and the youngest son of the old king. He is kind-hearted and, moreover—

He is Xiao Jue's mother's nephew.

"Batur?" Shen Qingci raised an eyebrow. "The 'pro-establishment' one you mentioned?"

Xiao Jue nodded: "His mother and my mother are sisters. He was taught by my mother from a young age to be friendly towards the Central Plains. If we can help him ascend to the throne, the Western Ridge and the Central Plains can be kept at peace for thirty years."

"But—" he paused, "he's too young, has no power, and the eldest prince sees him as a thorn in his side. If I hadn't sent troops to protect him, he would have already…"

Shen Qingci understood.

"So the key is to put Batur in power."

"Yes."

"How do you control it?"

Xiao Jue smiled wryly: "According to the rules of Xiling, the new king must obtain the 'approval of the sacred beast'."

The sacred beast is the snow leopard of Xiling Snow Mountain, which has always obeyed only the king with the "Mandate of Heaven".

Without the approval of a sacred beast, even if one ascends the throne, no one will submit.

"Recognized by the sacred beast?"

"Yes. The sacred beast usually lives in seclusion deep in the snowy mountains, and only appears when a new king ascends the throne."

If it approves, it will bow before the new king; if it does not approve, it will turn and leave.

Shen Qingci looked at Bao'er.

Bao'er was leaning against the window, watching a stray cat sunbathing outside, meowing. The stray cat actually came over and rubbed against his hand.

"Bao'er," Shen Qingci called to him.

"Hmm?" Bao'er turned around.

"Would you like to see a snow leopard?"

Bao'er's eyes lit up: "A giant snow leopard? Bigger than Aunt Jinshu's cat?"

"Much, much bigger."

"I want to see it! I want to see it!"

Shen Qingci smiled.

She looked at Xiao Jue: "Leave the matter of the sacred beast to him."

Xiao Jue was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized.

"Your Majesty means..."

"Didn't Uvi want to kidnap Bao'er and use his abilities?" Shen Qingci sneered. "Then I'll show them—"

What does true 'psychic ability' look like?

-

Three days later.

Xiling Royal Court.

After the death of the old king, the princes vied for the throne.

The eldest prince, Wuchi, led his troops to surround the royal court, followed by the second prince, Zhalu, while the third prince, Uwei, led a group of shamans, watching from the other side.

Xiao Jue protected Batur, standing in the center of the royal court.

The three parties are locked in a standoff, with tensions running high.

Just then—

"The Emperor and Empress of the Central Plains have arrived!"

Everyone was stunned.

Emperor of the Central Plains? Empress?

Why are they here?

Three thousand imperial guards filed in, their armor impeccable, their weapons like a forest.

Nangong Ye, dressed in a black dragon robe, rode ahead on horseback.

Behind them was a bright yellow car.

The carriage curtain was lifted.

Shen Qingci, dressed in a crimson phoenix robe, slowly stepped down from the carriage.

She was holding the hand of a child who was a little over three years old.

The child was wearing a small brocade robe, was fair-skinned and clean, and had big, curious eyes looking around.

The entire room fell silent.

The eldest prince, Wuchi, was the first to react, shouting sternly, "Emperor of the Central Plains! This is an internal affair of my Western Ridge, what are you doing here?!"

Nangong Ye looked at him and said calmly, "I have come to select a suitable king for Xiling."

"What?!"

"Before your death, the old King of Xiling sent a letter to my Central Plains, requesting that I and the Empress witness the new king's ascension to the throne." Nangong Ye took out a scroll of documents. "This is the old king's own handwriting. Would you like to take a look?"

Wu Chi's face turned ashen.

Is that document... real?

He didn't know that the document was forged by Xiao Jue—but the handwriting and seal were all genuine.

Because Old Wang did have this idea before he passed away, but he just didn't have time to write it down.

Now, Xiao Jue has written it for him.

"This...this is impossible!" Wuchi roared, "How could my father...?"

"Believe it or not," Shen Qingci said, her voice clear and melodious, "I've come today for only one thing—"

She looked at Batur:

"This fifth prince is the one the old king intends to succeed."

"You're talking nonsense!" Wuchi roared in fury. "I command a large army, what right does this brat have to compete with me?!"

"On what grounds?" Shen Qingci smiled. "On this grounds."

She looked down at Bao'er.

"Bao'er".

"Um?"

"Go, call out that big snow leopard."

Bao'er blinked, released her hand, and walked to the center of the royal court.

The small figure stood under the gaze of countless eyes, yet showed no fear.

He tilted his little face up towards the distant snow-capped mountains and let out a soft "meow".

The voice was soft and childlike.

Everyone was stunned.

What... what is this?

Wuchi was about to laugh—

suddenly.

A deep roar came from afar.

The roar grew louder and louder as it approached.

The vibrations made people's eardrums vibrate.

Everyone's expression changed drastically!

"It's...it's a sacred beast!"

"The sacred beast has descended the mountain!"

The crowd panicked and scattered to avoid the danger.

On the snow-capped mountain, a white figure sped down like lightning!

It was a huge snow leopard.

It was pure white, with silver fur, and a pair of deep blue eyes that were as cold as ice.

It rushed straight toward the royal court—

Then, to everyone's horror, he stopped in front of Bao'er.

Bao'er looked up at it.

It looked down at Bao'er.

A man and a leopard stared at each other.

Bao'er suddenly smiled.

He reached out his little hand and gently touched the snow leopard's nose.

"Hello," he said. "You're very beautiful."

A low growl came from the snow leopard's throat.

Then--

It slowly knelt down.

The forelimbs are bent and the head is lowered.

Submission.

He knelt before Bao'er.

The entire venue was deathly silent.

Everyone stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what they were seeing.

Sacred Beasts...

The sacred beast of Xiling, a divine creature that has guarded this land for three hundred years...

Kneeling before a young child from the Central Plains?

"Heaven...the will of Heaven..."

An old minister from Xiling murmured, his legs went weak, and he knelt down.

"The sacred beast submits...this is the will of Heaven..."

One after another, the nobles of Xiling knelt down.

Finally, even the soldiers behind Wuchi knelt down.

Wu Chi's face turned pale, and he staggered backward.

"No...it's impossible...this can't be..."

Bao'er turned around and looked at Shen Qingci:

"Mother, the snow leopard said it doesn't like that fierce big guy."

He pointed at Wuchi:

"It said that person killed a lot of small animals and smelled bad."

He then pointed to Batur:

"It likes that young man, saying he has a pure heart."

Shen Qingci smiled.

She looked at Batur: "Fifth Prince, please step forward."

Batur walked forward in a daze.

The snow leopard looked up and glanced at him.

Then, he nodded slightly.

Although they didn't kneel down like they did with BoA, this was already a form of recognition.

The veteran officials of Xiling, with tears streaming down their faces, kowtowed in unison:

"Greetings to the new king!"

"Greetings to the new king!"

Batur was at a loss and looked at Xiao Jue.

Xiao Jue nodded to him.

Batur took a deep breath and stood up straight.

-

What followed was a natural progression.

Wu Chi was captured on the spot and executed for "patricide and usurpation" (Xiao Jue had already collected evidence).

The second prince, Zhalu, surrendered and was placed under house arrest.

The third prince, Uvi, and his wizard followers were ambushed and killed by Xuan Ying and his men when they tried to escape. Not a single one was spared.

Batur officially ascended the throne, becoming the new king of Xiling.

On the day of his ascension to the throne, he signed an agreement with the Central Plains—

Jinghe Alliance

"The Western Ridge and the Central Plains will forever be brotherly nations, never invading each other, engaging in trade, and jointly safeguarding the peace of the border."

"Every year, Xiling sends a thousand fine horses and a quantity of medicinal herbs to the Central Plains; every year, the Central Plains sends silk, tea, ironware and other goods to Xiling."

"People of the two countries may freely marry and travel between them, and the government shall not obstruct them."

"In case of border disputes, both sides shall discuss the matter together and refrain from resorting to force."

"This covenant is witnessed by Heaven and Earth, and known to all spirits and gods. If it is violated, may it be forsaken by both humans and gods."

On the day the alliance was signed, a bonfire was lit at the Xiling Royal Court.

Batur personally toasted Nangong Ye and Shen Qingci.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty," his young face was full of sincerity, "We of Xiling are willing to guard the western gate of the Central Plains for generations."

Nangong Ye took the wine and drank it all in one gulp.

"I believe you."

Shen Qingci looked at him and said softly:

"I will cherish this heart of yours."

"Your mother will be proud of you."

Batur's eyes reddened, and he bowed deeply.

-

late at night.

The campfire gradually died down.

Shen Qingci stood outside the royal court, gazing at the majestic snow-capped mountains in the distance.

The moonlight shone on the snow-capped mountains, giving them a silvery edge.

Xiao Jue walked up to her without her noticing, and also looked at the snow-capped mountain.

"Your Majesty," he said softly.

"Um?"

"Thanks."

Shen Qingci turned to look at him.

Under the moonlight, his profile remained handsome, but there was a hint of relief in his eyes.

"What are you thanking me for?"

"Thank you for giving Xiling an explanation," he said. "Thank you... for giving my mother an explanation."

Shen Qingci remained silent for a moment.

"What kind of person is your mother?" she asked softly.

Xiao Jue's lips curved into a smile.

"She's beautiful," he said. "She's very gentle. She can sing songs from Xiling and cook dishes from Central China."

"She told me that the luckiest thing in her life was marrying my father."

"The most regrettable thing is that I haven't been able to go back to Xiling to see it again."

He looked at the snow-capped mountains, his eyes welling up with tears.

"Now, she can rest easy."

Shen Qingci remained silent.

I just stood quietly beside him.

Behind me, Bao'er's voice came:

"Uncle Xiao!"

Xiao Jue turned around.

Bao'er ran over, holding a snow lotus in his hands—it was brought to him by the snow leopard.

"Uncle Xiao, this is for you!"

Xiao Jue was stunned for a moment: "Give...to me?"

"Mmm!" Bao'er placed the snow lotus in his hand. "The snow leopard said this flower represents 'peace.' Bao'er hopes Uncle Xiao will be safe and sound!"

Xiao Jue lowered his head and looked at the snow lotus.

She looked up again, gazing into Bao'er's bright, sparkling eyes.

Suddenly, she knelt down and gently pulled Bao'er into her arms.

"Okay." His voice was a little hoarse. "Uncle Xiao accepts it."

"Thank you, Bao'er."

Bao'er patted his back, like a little adult.

"Uncle Xiao, don't cry. Bao'er will come to see you often!"

Xiao Jue smiled.

As she laughed, her eyes welled up with tears.

-

far away.

Nangong Ye stood at the entrance of the royal court, watching this scene unfold.

Shen Qingci walked back to his side.

"Jealous?" She raised an eyebrow.

Nangong Ye shook his head.

"No," he said softly, "I just feel..."

"What do you think?"

"I think Xiao Jue, looking at the back of the person holding Bao'er, has had a tough life."

Shen Qingci also looked over.

Under the moonlight, Xiao Jue had already put Bao'er down and was smiling as he rubbed his head.

"Yes," she said, "it's not easy."

"So—" Nangong Ye grasped her hand, "we have to live well."

"Live longer."

"Protect this empire for him."

Shen Qingci turned to look at him.

He was looking at her, his eyes filled with tenderness.

She smiled.

She grasped his hand in return.

"it is good."

-

Three days later.

The emperor and empress set off to return to the capital.

Batur led his men to escort them for thirty li.

Xiao Jue rode his horse to see him off all the way to the border.

When parting, he clasped his hands in a gesture of respect:

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please take care on your journey."

Nangong Ye nodded: "General Xiao, I entrust the Northern Border and the Western Ridge to you."

"Your subject would gladly die ten thousand deaths."

Shen Qingci looked at him and said softly:

"Xiao Jue".

"Your subject is here."

"Live," she said. "Live well."

Xiao Jue was taken aback.

Then, I laughed.

That smile was clean and serene.

"My lord, I obey your order."

The group gradually moved further and further away.

Xiao Jue stopped his horse at the border and watched the troop disappear into the horizon.

a long time.

Until the lieutenant said softly, "General, it's time to go back."

He then looked away.

"Okay," he said. "Let's go back."

The sound of horses' hooves rose and faded into the distance.

On the snow-capped mountain, a snow leopard watched this scene from afar and let out a low growl.

The roar echoed through the valley.

For a long time.

[End of this episode]

Next episode preview: On the way back to the capital, Bao'er suddenly develops a fever and mumbles incoherently while unconscious. Shen Qingci is extremely anxious. After examining her, Imperial Physician Chen's expression turns grave: "Your Highness is... suffering from spiritual exhaustion." Meanwhile, an urgent report arrives from the capital—floods have struck Jiangnan, and hundreds of thousands of people urgently need rescue!