Princess Fuyao: Are you willing to be my subordinate?

Eldest Princess Fuyao!

She was not Emperor Xia's daughter, but his youngest sister. Because they were born of the same mother and she was exceptionally intelligent, she was deeply trusted and doted upon by Emperor Xia.

In recent years, Emperor Xia had been focused on cultivating immortality and had no time for court affairs, so he handed over the administration of the empire to two confidants.

One was Eunuch Cao, the "Ninth Grand Duke" of the Eastern Depot!

The other was Eldest Princess Fuyao!

A princess holding power was unprecedented in the eight-hundred-year history of Great Xia.

And Princess Fuyao was only twenty-five years old this year, unmarried, yet she still governed the vast empire and held the power of life and death.

It was said she was stunningly beautiful, one of the "Four Great Beauties of the Imperial City," and coupled with her unparalleled intelligence, she should have had an excellent reputation.

However, after she took power, she used thunderous methods to eliminate her rivals and suppress all opposition.

Within a month, hundreds of civil officials were dismissed, and some were even exiled to the desolate borderlands.

Furthermore, Princess Fuyao also controlled Great Xia's foremost intelligence agency—the Dragon Guard Pavilion!

What was the Dragon Guard Pavilion?

Simply put, she handled what the Eastern Depot dared not.

She killed who the Eastern Depot dared not.

Imperial decree granted, execute first, report later!

Those who follow me prosper, those who oppose me perish!!!

Therefore, Princess Fuyao, relying on her thunderous methods and the power of the Dragon Guard Pavilion, instilled fear throughout the court. Now, no one dared to oppose her, making her the undisputed "second only to one."

In addition, there were some rumors about Princess Fuyao.

It was said that although she was extremely beautiful, she was dissolute and had countless male consorts, with many scholars and talents in the capital falling at her feet.

Of course, these were just rumors with no conclusive evidence.

"Young Master! Princess Fuyao arrived this morning and is already staying at the mansion. She even sent someone to inform us that she wants to meet you early!" Huangli said.

"Understood!"

Xiao Yang nodded, but he felt a bit troubled.

He had originally thought that His Majesty would send a member of the imperial family as the imperial envoy.

He hadn't expected Princess Fuyao to neglect state affairs and condescend to personally come to the Northern Territory to attend the engagement banquet!

"Is it because of Father King?"

"Father King commands the eighty thousand strong army of the Northern Territory after all, and he is ambitious and not to be underestimated!"

"Or is it for Ning Hongye?"

"Could the news of her rebellion have leaked, and Princess Fuyao found out?"

Xiao Yang pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

He truly couldn't guess her intentions.

But since she was coming with ill intent, he had to handle it carefully!

A moment later.

Xiao Yang arrived at the second largest palace in the Prince's Estate, named Phoenix Dwelling Hall, second only to the residence of King Zhenbei.

However, as he approached, he heard a displeased female voice from within.

"This tea is too astringent! I only drink Da Hong Pao from the Mother Tree of Wuyi Mountain, paired with dew from the Summit of Tianshan Mountain..."

"This incense is too faint! I want Ambergris from the North Sea, burned in a Nine-Coiled Bronze Furnace..."

"I don't like the decoration of this room! The bed is too hard, the lighting is too dim, and the maids are too ugly..."

Her voice was very calm.

She wasn't deliberately finding fault, as if describing something that was naturally right.

It wasn't that she was wrong!

It was that King Zhenbei's Mansion was wrong!

Without seeing her, only hearing her voice, Xiao Yang had a preliminary understanding of this legendary Eldest Princess.

Arrogant!

Picky!

Uncompromising!

With such a personality, and being a woman of noble status, she was even more someone he couldn't afford to offend.

"Your Highness, Eldest Princess, I am the Ninth Young Master of King Zhenbei's Mansion, Xiao Yang, seeking an audience!" he said, bowing respectfully.

"Come in!"

The female voice from inside the room rang out again.

"Bang!"

Xiao Yang pushed the door open and entered. He saw a young woman reclining on a soft couch in the main hall.

She was wearing the Crimson and Gold Brocade Robe, embroidered with nine Black Phoenixes in peacock feather thread along the hem. A magnificent Phoenix Crown adorned her head, exuding unparalleled nobility.

Her figure was exceptionally full, like a ripe peach, possessing perfect curves unattainable by maidens.

His gaze moved up. She wore a white veil, obscuring her face.

Only a pair of clear, distinct phoenix eyes were visible, yet they held an air of authority.

"You are Xiao Yang. Raise your head and let this Princess get a good look at you!" Princess Fuyao spoke, her voice crisp and cold.

If you like this book, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.

Only then did Xiao Yang dare to look up and meet her gaze.

"Hmm, just as this Princess imagined. Dignified and heroic, dashing and elegant, living up to your reputation!"

Princess Fuyao nodded, not sparing any praise.

"Eldest Princess, you've heard of my reputation?" Xiao Yang was somewhat puzzled.

He had been a nobody in the Prince's Estate before...

"A few days ago, you downed wine and composed a hundred poems at the Lanting Poetry Gathering! Those verses spread throughout the imperial city, causing a stir in the literary world. This Princess has naturally read them!" Princess Fuyao said.

So that's how it is!

Xiao Yang finally understood.

At that time, he had shown off in front of everyone, writing countless timeless verses from his past life, bringing shock to this world.

"Xiao Jiu Lang, I've summoned you today because I wish to ask you to write a poem for this Princess. What do you say?"

Although Princess Fuyao's tone was a question, it allowed no room for refusal.

"Alright."

Xiao Yang, though possessing pride, was not foolish.

He couldn't discern Princess Fuyao's cultivation level, but she, who managed the Dragon Guard Pavilion organization, was clearly no ordinary person. She must have powerful protectors by her side.

If he angered her, it would likely bring great trouble.

"However..."

Xiao Yang frowned again.

"However, what?" Princess Fuyao immediately asked.

"Reporting to the Eldest Princess, I haven't seen your phoenix-like face, so I fear I cannot write a fitting poem!" Xiao Yang explained.

"You want to see my face?"

Princess Fuyao raised an eyebrow. "Do you know that ever since I took charge of state affairs, those pedantic scholars have called me a femme fatale who brings ruin to the nation? That's when I started wearing this veil, and I even swore--"

"From this day forward, only my husband shall see my true face!"

"I was unaware of this matter. Please forgive me, Eldest Princess!"

Xiao Yang quickly bowed and clasped his hands. He hadn't expected to step on a landmine so carelessly.

Unexpectedly, Princess Fuyao said, "Never mind, I'll make an exception today!"

Then, she waved to the maids in the hall. "You all withdraw! Do not disturb me without my command!"

"Yes."

Over a dozen maids left the hall, closing the doors behind them.

"Xiao Jiu Lang, come closer!"

Princess Fuyao beckoned him.

Xiao Yang stepped forward, but he was still seven or eight paces away from the couch where she sat.

"Come a bit closer... This Princess isn't some ferocious beast! If you don't come closer, how can you see my face clearly and compose a poem for me?" Princess Fuyao added.

"Alright."

Xiao Yang could only brace himself and move closer, stopping when only one step remained.

"Open your eyes wide and look carefully!"

The next moment, Princess Fuyao reached out her jade-like hand and removed the white veil.

A peerless face appeared in Xiao Yang's sight.

A delicate oval face, skin like ice and bones like jade. Her lips were red without rouge, her eyebrows green without paint.

Her features were perfect, and combined, they were like exquisite, precious porcelain, making one feel ashamed and dare not to profane.

In his heart, Xiao Yang couldn't help but compare her to Ning Hongye and Yan Ruyu.

Ning Hongye was like a snow lotus on Mount Tian, pure and chaste, blooming in the wind.

Yan Ruyu was like a narcissus, about to bloom, exuding a natural fragrance.

But the Princess Fuyao before him was like a peony, graceful and noble, the undisputed queen of flowers!

"Xiao Jiu Lang, why aren't you speaking? Could it be that my appearance has disappointed you?"

Princess Fuyao's lips curved slightly upwards, a faint smile gracing them.

The charm of her lowered gaze was enough to make all other flowers lose their color.

Xiao Yang was instantly mesmerized, and blurted out subconsciously, "A backward glance and a hundred charms arise, the six palaces' beauties are rendered colorless!"

What a poem!

Princess Fuyao's eyes lit up.

She was exceptionally intelligent and profoundly talented, naturally recognizing this as another timeless masterpiece.

Although it was meant to describe a concubine, it was perfectly fitting to describe her, the Eldest Princess.

The next moment, Princess Fuyao stared at Xiao Yang, casually extending her jade-like foot and wiggling it slightly.

Then, she parted her moist, red lips and uttered a shocking question—

"Jiu Lang, this Princess greatly admires you. Are you willing to become my subject, kneeling at my feet?!"