novelraw Chapter 17
Chapter 17
17~ Reform~
Having come to Scarlet Phoenix Nation for almost a month now, aside from that one outing, life here had been relatively comfortable. Of course, also aside from the Empress using her as a body pillow.
The brand new noble inheritance system was perfected and completed by the Empress and the little Princess in an extremely short time, already reaching a level where it could be implemented.
"You really are a little genius."
The Empress excitedly locked the little Princess in place and gave her a thorough rua.
The proposal of this system and its perfection in just three short days absolutely couldn't be separated from the little Princess's contribution. Whether it was the proposal of the theory or the formulation of the internal structure, most was completed by her, while she, the Empress, only supplemented on the side.
Ling served up a full plate of pastries and placed it on the table, all made according to the little Princess's favorite flavors, as a reward for the little Princess.
"Open up~"
The Empress pinched a piece of pastry and stuffed it into the little Princess's mouth.
"Give this system a name."
The little Princess swallowed the pastry, thought for a moment, then:
"Favor Promotion Decree."
"Good. We'll call it the Favor Promotion Decree."
The Empress said with narrowed eyes and a smile.
Whatever the little Princess named it, she could readily accept.
This system could be called a stroke of genius. It could both continuously weaken the power of those nobles serving as lords, and transfer the conflict between the royal family and nobles to the maximum degree into the internal noble families. It could be called killing two birds with one stone.
Aside from the time required being slightly long, the "Favor Promotion Decree" could be called a perfect open stratagem. Under the banner of fairly distributing to descendants, it would weaken the noble lords' power. At that time, even if the nobles could see through it, they'd have no way to deal with it, because aside from the already designated heir, their other offspring would all be eyeing this massive family fortune.
She wasn't worried about the time issue. As long as she was still in office, these nobles couldn't truly threaten the royal family. She just needed the "Favor Promotion Decree" to slowly weaken these nobles into mascots.
"What reward does Mo want?"
The Empress asked her with narrowed eyes.
"Mm..."
The little Princess propped her cheek and thought about it. Wanting freedom was impossible, unless one day the Empress had brain problems. But if it was a small portion of freedom, perhaps there was a chance?
"I want to leave the Imperial City."
The Empress's face froze slightly, then dark lines appeared. She refused Mo's request.
"That won't do."
"Why?"
"No reason why."
Unable to get an answer from the Empress, she could only attribute everything to the Empress's desire for control being too strong. But she still wanted to fight for it a bit more.
"You can have Ling watch me..."
"I said no means no. No matter what, you cannot leave the Imperial City right now. Everything you need, I will provide for you. Understood?"
The Empress forcefully gripped her shoulders.
"Fei! It hurts..."
Tears squeezed out from the corners of the little Princess's eyes.
"..."
After releasing the little Princess, the Empress said sorry then handed her to Ling, going off to the side to calm down herself.
"Is Fei always like this?"
"Her Majesty is only like this toward you."
"So that means she's targeting me specifically?"
"Her Majesty values you, that's why she got angry."
"This so-called valuing is imprisoning me by her side, to obediently be a pet for the rest of my life?"
Nameless fury rose in Mo's heart.
Seeing this, Ling also didn't know what else to say. She silently withdrew, leaving her to violently beat pillows in the bedchamber to vent her emotions.
Indeed, from the first day of being placed under house arrest after arriving here, a seed had been planted in her heart. Now it was just the seed growing and sprouting.
So annoying... What right did a mere hentai Empress have to restrict her freedom? Not even giving this kind of freedom to go out!
With the contract's guarantee, she fundamentally couldn't run away with a single command. Ling could also follow by her side. If anything seemed wrong, she could be brought back. With such guarantees, the Empress still wouldn't allow her to go out?
After violently beating the pillow the Empress had used, she collapsed on the bed from lack of stamina and fell asleep again.
...
"How is Mo?"
"Your Highness is very angry. She vented on yours several times."
Ling answered truthfully.
"Watch Mo carefully. Don't let her run around. Be vigilant toward everyone you see."
"Understood."
After Ling left, the Empress took a deep breath.
Hopefully that little wildcat wouldn't stay angry for many days because of this. Although her possessiveness was mixed in, this could also be considered a helpless measure.
Picking up the pen to write on paper, folding it and stuffing it into a small bamboo tube, condensing magic power in her hand to conjure a carrier pigeon, after tying the bamboo tube to the pigeon's foot and whispering a sentence, she released it.
...
...
"Your Highness, time for dinner."
The little Princess curled up in bed, unmoved. No matter how Ling called, there was no reaction. Obviously sulking and deliberately ignoring people.
Since that was the case, then there was no helping it. Her Majesty the Empress had said Mo's body was weak. Normally, she must maintain good rest and eating habits to ensure health. Since the little Princess was unwilling to get up to eat dinner, she could only forcibly bring her over.
"Mm, put me down!"
The little Princess struggled, trying to break free from Ling. But she obviously overestimated her own strength and stamina. Just like a skinny little wildcat, she had completely no ability to resist.
"Your Highness, even if angry, you shouldn't joke with your own body. Her Majesty is very worried about your health."
"Tch..."
Hearing this, she turned her head away, no longer continuing to struggle.
Not because of the Empress, but because she felt what Ling said indeed made sense. Even if angry, she shouldn't joke with her own body. Getting angry over a mere hentai Empress and ruining her own body, that really wasn't worth it...
Right! That's what she thought!
Being carried by Ling into the dining room, the Empress was already sitting in position, just waiting for her to start the meal.
"Hmph..."
Just seeing the Empress's face made her angry!
Fantasizing about stepping on the Empress beneath her feet, she calmed down a bit and picked up utensils to start eating.
Both were silent at the dining table until after finishing the meal, when the Empress commanded the little Princess to sit on her lap.
"Wait a bit longer, then I can let you go out for walks. Before that, endure it a bit."
The little Princess's pupils dilated. She hadn't expected the Empress would actually say this kind of thing. Hadn't she refused very firmly this morning?
This was a bit strange. But she couldn't figure out why, so she just considered it the Empress appeasing her.
Then fine. She'd reluctantly forgive her.
After noticing the little Princess's anger had dissipated quite a bit, the Empress teasingly played with her leg.
As expected, no matter how mature and steady she looked, she was actually just a loli. So easily coaxed, also saving her from having to think of methods later.
Returning to the bedchamber, the Empress took out the "Favor Promotion Decree" planning document and discussed it again with the little Princess, confirming its perfection once more, ensuring no omissions.
Because she planned to start implementing the "Favor Promotion Decree" in a few days. This would be a huge reform. Imperial power would be strengthened, noble power would be weakened. At that time, she would be a true autocratic ruler, becoming a true emperor for the ages...
Even though the time for this reform would be very long for her, she never lacked time in this aspect.