The Birth of a Villainess

Inside the palace, Qu Xing Xu leisurely made his way towards the Monarch's study. No one stopped him as they recognized him as the Little Duke of Xin as well as the God of War. However, it didn't stop the eunuchs and servants from sneaking a glance at him.

The Duke of Xin was rumoured to have a devastating appearance that many scholars and poets would write about in their poems and manuscripts. There were also young misses in the Four Kingdoms that praises his glorious victory and extremely good-looking appearance. And even though everyone heard of the name Qu Xing Xu, not everyone believed the rumours. On the contrary, they only half believed it.

However, it still didn't stop anyone from dreaming about the young lord who has been in everyone's mouth and mind.

Qu Xing Xu kept walking as if he didn't notice the secret glance he was receiving. If it were anybody else, they would have felt arrogant and proud of themselves for getting everyone's attention just by passing through. Unfortunately, he was already used to this type of heated gaze as well as he didn't mind it.

In his eyes, they were just plants and flowers that were on the field, nothing else.

This kind of narcissistic mind could never be seen in anyone, but him. However, it was justified that Qu Xing Xu had all the right reasons to feel this way. After all, he was no ordinary man.

Head eunuch Li saw him from a distance. And out of respect for the young Duke, he stepped down the stairs and bowed his head politely before saying, "His Majesty is with the Imperial Concubine. Please, Your Lordship, wait here as I will announce your presence to His Majesty."

Qu Xing Xu didn't mind it either. He wanted to know what the Emperor was thinking about generously rewarding him. Knowing that old man, he would rather burn his treasury than give anything to him out of his heart.

That could only mean that the Emperor needed something from him.

After a while, the eunuch finally returned to his side and said, "His Majesty and Her Ladyship are now ready to have you inside the study."

Qu Xing Xu nodded his head and went inside the Imperial Study.

The interior of the Imperial Study was remarkably luxurious and expensive. A lot of chairs and tables as well as shelves where books were being displayed were crafted by master artisans. At a glance, one could see how great of an effort was done to make this place presentable to anyone.

But compared to the majestic interior design of the Imperial Study, Qu Xing Xu's handsome face made the place look a little bit dull and unnatural.

Qu Xing Xu confidently walked to the center. His eyes inadvertently noticed that aside from the Imperial Concubine, there were also other important figures in the Imperial Study.

Qu Xing Xu recognized these faces. They are the officials of the Zhao Empire and the envoys sent by the Chu Empire.

At a glance, Qu Xing Xu guessed that this gathering was not an unplanned one. Rather, it was a premeditated one and he was the only one that didn't get the invitation ahead of time.

As soon as Qu Xing Xu entered the Imperial Study, no one spoke nor create any fuss or sounds. They were observing and watching him in silence. Nevertheless, they could still sense the powerful presence that only the man who could be called the God of War coming off from Qu Xing Xu.

As the only female in the Imperial Study, Imperial Concubine Han knew instinctively that she had to do something to break the ice. Since the Empress was already thrown to the Cold Palace and nobody was yet to be promoted or taken back to the Eastern Palace as Empress, as the highest-ranked concubine, she could have the authority to control the Harem with the seal.

This important position could have never been hers if the Empress hadn't been discovered giving the Emperor a green hat. That matter has been censored and not a lot of people knew about it. Still, as the woman who was one rank below the Empress, she heard about it.

Naturally, she also heard about the young Duke's fearlessness towards the monarch.

However, she thought she could not allow Qu Xing Xu to continue disrespecting Emperor Yun. If Qu Xing Xu goes along with her plans, she might end up getting the Empress position.

Imperial Concubine Han smiled through the high-tension room and said, "You just came at the right time, Duke Qu. His Majesty and these lords over here were talking about how you came back to the Zhao Empire with a victorious feat. Why don't you thank His Majesty for his generous reward?"

By saying this, she praised Emperor Yun and boosted his reputation for being a magnanimous ruler. She also reminded Qu Xing Xu to not show any disrespect and disregard the rules of the Empire. He should know better than to show discourtesy towards Emperor Yun in front of all these lords and envoys of the Chu Empire.

By the rule of the Empire, Qu Xing Xu should kneel and bow down before the Emperor and greet him. Even the envoys of other Kingdoms have to show the same reverence and courtesy to the Emperor.

But who was Qu Xing Xu?

Had he ever shown any fear or respect for the rules that the Empire established? He was lawless and fearless. Being shameless is just his trademark and everyone in the Four Kingdoms had already heard about it.

Qu Xing Xu expressionlessly moved his eyes towards Imperial Concubine Han and smiled. However, no warmth or trace of gentleness that a smile would have could be seen on his lips.

Despite feeling a sudden coldness in her skin Imperial Concubine Han was weak against this handsome face. Even other women would have stood no chance if they were faced against it, much less see that lips being upturned into a sardonic smirk.

"Insolent! Where do you think are you looking at?!" Emperor Yun has long been traumatized after being cuckolded by the Empress, and seeing his favourite Imperial Concubine Han acting like a young blushing girl from just one look of Qu Xing Xu, he felt that his face was stepped and trampled on in front of everybody.

Qu Xing Xu glanced at Emperor Yun and shrugged, "I'm looking at her."

They didn't expect him to respond like this.

Even Imperial Concubine Han and Emperor Yun were stumped out of words.

But before anyone could say anything to reprimand his honesty, Qu Xing Xu's deep and cold voice echoed inside the Imperial Study.

"Forgive me if I stared at you too much, Your Ladyship," said Qu Xing Xu without changing expression. "I'm just wondering where did Imperial Concubine Han get that dress. I feel like I've seen a village woman in Henzhou City wearing the same dress so I was slightly distracted."

Imperial Concubine Han: "..."

Chu Envoys and the noble lords: "..."

Qu Xing Xu was not disturbed by their strange silence and continued, "Besides, His Majesty hurt my feelings just now. I even sent you a basket of poppy flowers to show my great appreciation for your devotion to the people yet you're calling insolent in front of everyone. This subject might think that you're dissatisfied with just one basket."

Emperor Yun shuddered upon remembering the 'gift' he received from Qu Xing Xu: "..."