The Zhangtai Palace stood empty and desolate, devoid of any presence. The original palace maids and eunuchs of Xianyang Palace had long been dismissed, and now only the Chu army was stationed there.
"Report!! The Qin prince Ziying and all members of the Qin royal family have been executed!"
"I understand. You may leave!"
"Yes!"
The Chu soldier exited, and the Zhangtai Palace fell into silence once more.
"I've done all I can to help you. The rest is up to you now."
Roy murmured softly to himself.
It wasn't that he was particularly cruel or bloodthirsty, intent on exterminating the lineage of the First Emperor. Everything he had done was for Liu Ji's sake.
Keeping the former dynasty's royal family alive was inherently dangerous. If the Han dynasty had been established for decades or even a century, it might have been acceptable. But now, with the Qin dynasty having just fallen, the Qin royal family still held some prestige. Especially since Prince Ziying had inherited his father Fusu's benevolence—his initial surrender of Xianyang had been out of fear that resistance would bring calamity upon its citizens.
This puppet emperor, installed by Zhao Gao, had managed to turn the tables and kill Zhao Gao, proving he was no ordinary man. Just look at how the seemingly all-powerful Second Emperor, Huhai, had been eliminated by Zhao Gao.
"If this were a historical novel, transmigrating into Prince Ziying might actually make for a great premise."
Roy's thoughts wandered. Imagining himself as Prince Ziying, the novel would revolve around eliminating Liu Bang and Xiang Yu to establish an eternal Qin dynasty. And with the famous beauty Yu Ji from Chinese history present in this era, she could be captured for the harem as the female lead. Considering the characters and historical backdrop, it really would make for a compelling story.
This strange notion quickly faded, bringing Roy back to reality.
Prince Ziying was a formidable and dangerous figure. With Zhang Han still around, if the two joined forces, they could indeed pose a threat to Liu Ji.
In truth, Liu Ji had long wanted to kill the Qin prince, but her persona was one of benevolence, making such actions difficult. Roy, on the other hand, embodied ruthlessness and tyranny, making him the perfect candidate to clean up these loose ends.
"First Emperor, you were a man of great talent and bold vision, your name as the Ancestral Dragon shaking the world. Yet you could never have imagined that just a few years after your death, your entire lineage would be wiped out."
Roy sighed, then turned his gaze downward.
The Zhangtai Palace was empty except for Yu Ji, who sat on a cushion below, her head slightly bowed. Her lustrous hair cascaded like clouds, and her delicate features resembled an exquisite painting. But at this moment, the famed beauty Yu Ji wore a melancholic expression, her eyes tinged with sorrow, reminiscent of the legendary Xi Shi clutching her heart in distress.
Noticing her distraction, Roy asked, "...Why haven't I seen Xiao Yu around lately?"
Startled out of her reverie, Yu Ji looked up at Roy and hurriedly replied, "...Xiao Yu... she hasn't been in good spirits lately."
Tamamo-no-Mae had indeed been feeling down recently due to the issue of polygamy.
After answering, Yu Ji lowered her head again, her heart growing even more troubled. She wondered why Roy had mentioned Tamamo-no-Mae first instead of her.
Could it be that the king finds that fox more attractive than me? Or is it because of Liu Ji...
A woman in the throes of love often indulges in wild fancies, and even Yu Meiren was no exception. A whirlwind of emotions churned in her mind, leaving her heart heavy with sorrow.
Seeing Yu Ji's expression, Roy sighed inwardly, thinking how adorably foolish his wife was. Deciding not to tease her further, he spoke, "...Has someone upset my Yu Meiren? Why such a gloomy face? Let this king take a closer look."
'It was you, my king, who caused it.'
Yu Ji muttered under her breath, yet an involuntary smile crept onto her face. So the king had noticed after all—he cared for her. She had feared he wouldn't perceive her melancholy.
As these thoughts crossed her mind, Roy descended from the former First Emperor's throne and approached Yu Meiren. Tenderly cupping her delicate, moonlit face in his hands, he studied her blushing features intently before remarking, "...Yu Meiren has grown thinner."
Of course, it was a lie. Even if Yu Ji starved herself and wallowed in sorrow day after day, her elven constitution would never allow her to truly waste away.
Yet the words delighted her. Cheeks flushed, she bit her lip and cooed, "...My king!" in a tone so sweet it rivaled Tamamo-no-Mae's charms.
Hearing the usually fiery Yu Ji address him with such girlish affection left Roy momentarily stunned.
Bold by nature, Yu Ji had only become hesitant in love's confusion. Gathering courage, she sighed mournfully, "...My king hasn't kept me company these past days."
Though she treasured solitude and shunned crowds... she longed solely for Roy's constant presence.
"Does my inability to bear children displease my king?"
The question finally escaped her lips.
As an elf akin to True Ancestors, Yu Ji couldn't reproduce like humans—a race obsessed with lineage and progeny. This difference made her suspect Roy's neglect stemmed from her barrenness.
Roy chuckled, pinching her pert nose playfully. "...Silly girl, when did you become such a brooding overthinker?"
"Then why... has my king never touched me?"
Yu Ji pressed, lips pursed.
This era predated Confucian orthodoxy and Neo-Confucian prudishness. Being an elf rather than human, Yu Ji felt no shame—only puzzlement at Roy's uncharacteristic restraint for a human man.
If he acknowledged her as his concubine, why this distance?
"Because I refuse to treat this casually."
Roy answered simply.
Then he took Yu Meiren's fair wrist and pulled her up from her seat, leading her back to the former First Emperor's throne.
....
Beside the cushion was a box covered with a red cloth—something that had been delivered to Zhangtai Palace earlier.
Roy didn't let Yu Ji guess any longer and directly lifted the red cloth, revealing what lay beneath.
"This is…"
Yu Ji lightly covered her lips with her hand, letting out a soft gasp.
Inside the wooden box was a set of black-and-red ceremonial robes—precisely the wedding attire of the Qin and Han dynasties!
Though Yu Ji seldom walked among humans, she was still experienced. Every time she appeared in the human world during a new dynasty, she would familiarize herself with the customs of the time. Naturally, she recognized the significance of this set of garments.
"The Classic of Law states: 'If a man takes two wives, he shall be executed; if a wife takes another man, she shall be castrated!' Though I have always referred to Yu Meiren as my favored concubine in public, how could I bear to truly make her a concubine? Before, I felt the atmosphere was wrong, the location unsuitable, so I endured without speaking. But now, in this Xianyang Palace—isn't this the perfect place for Yu Meiren and I to swear our vows as husband and wife?"
"…I hereby make a solemn oath: in this Xianyang Palace, I take 'Yu' as my lawful wife, my queen!"
In truth, China had always practiced a system of one husband, one wife, and multiple concubines. The lawful wife held the highest status, and there was only one. Even if the first wife passed away, the second wife who took her place could never surpass the first in status. All others besides the lawful wife were called concubines and naturally held no real standing.
As for the so-called "three wives and four concubines," the term "wife" here did not refer to the lawful wife.
Thus, Tamamo-no-Mae's so-called "Polygamy Castration Fist" was utterly meaningless—because aside from the one lawful wife, all other women were called concubines, not wives!
Yu Meiren simply stared blankly at Roy, then at the wedding robes, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.