Chapter 172: Yao Ye: So You're the Villain!
The searing pain on her face abruptly silenced Yao Ye, her anger giving way to a fierce gaze fixed on Chen Feng, resentment glimmering in her beautiful eyes.
"Chen Feng, how dare you strike this princess!"
Yao Ye's voice simmered with grievance. Until now, he was the first to dare lay hands on her.
"Heh, seems like you haven't grasped the situation. Do you still think you're the high and mighty eldest princess?"
Chen Feng retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm in response to Yao Ye's anger.
"You..."
Chen Feng's mockery caused Yao Ye's expression to turn cold, and she said, "If my grandfather knew how you treated me, he would never let you inherit the throne, he might even kill you!"
At Chen Feng's scornful expression, disdain flashed across his face as he calmly spoke, "Jia Xingtian? Think he'd dare act against me now? I spared him once; he should thank me!"
"I see... My grandfather didn't stop caring for me, he was coerced by you!"
Yao Ye's face registered a sudden realization. Her previously held resentment toward Jia Xingtian lessened as she understood his predicament.
The realization brought her relief and a touch of pity for her grandfather, assuming he felt more sorrow than her when making that decision.
After a while, Yao Ye's moment of realization faded. She confronted Chen Feng, asking, "With your power, why didn't you just seize control of the Gama Empire directly? Why force me into this marriage?"
"Had it not been for our child, I wouldn't have married you!" Chen Feng disclosed the truth without hesitation, making Yao Ye gasp.
"What?"
"Our child?"
"So, you're the villain!"
Yao Ye's incredulous expression surpassed her previous reactions.
Her deepest secret was the result of an encounter with the 'villain' months ago, leading to her pregnancy. She had desired to eliminate the villain but ended up marrying the very person she had intended to kill.
"Villain, I'll kill you!"
Provoked by a slew of revelations, Yao Ye lost composure once more. She fiercely attempted to snatch the dagger from Chen Feng's grasp with her right hand, but his grip remained unyielding.
Unable to retrieve the dagger, Yao Ye raised her left hand, summoning her resolve to strike at Chen Feng.
"Enough!"
"Slap!"
Without hesitation, Chen Feng's hand met her face, knocking her onto the bed, and effortlessly taking the dagger and her storage ring.
"Yao Ye, behave yourself, and everything will be fine. Continue causing trouble, and Jia Xingtian, that girl, and your entire royal family will suffer!"
Unperturbed by Yao Ye's fiery gaze, Chen Feng coldly spoke, his back turned to her.
"What... do you want me to do?"
Yielding to Chen Feng's threat, Yao Ye's demeanor changed instantly, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Behave and bear our child! If any harm befalls the child, don't blame me for my ruthlessness!"
Chen Feng's words were stern.
He turned away, quickly performed a series of hand seals, and a golden light shot from his palm into Yao Ye's body.
Instantly, all of Yao Ye's cultivation was sealed, rendering her incapable of using any fighting spirit.
"My cultivation!"
Helpless on the bed, Yao Ye felt despair flood her heart, rendered speechless and silent.
Devoid of her cultivation, she couldn't even subdue the ordinary maids of the Miter family, let alone act on her thoughts.
"Stay put. After today, the Gama Empire will be under the Miter family's rule!" Unperturbed by Yao Ye's reaction, Chen Feng concluded, exiting her room and heading to another bride's room, Yafei.
...
The following morning, the streets of the imperial capital bustled with activity.
For the citizens of the Gama Empire, today held significant importance.
The empire would undergo a transition in power as the prince ascended the throne for the first time in history.
Under the gaze of numerous onlookers, Chen Feng, accompanied by a group from the Miter family, made a grand entrance into the palace riding a horse.
Soon, within the grandest hall, an assembly of empire dignitaries convened. Outside, thousands of royal forbidden troops stood guard in armor.
Chen Feng's ascension to the Gama Empire's throne proceeded smoothly.
The three most influential families - the Miter family, backing Chen Feng; the Nalan family, now kin through marriage, supported him eagerly and the Mu family, acknowledging the situation, pledged allegiance under Mu Chen's leadership.
The combined power of these three families accounted for half the might of the assembly. The remainder comprised former royal family direct loyalists, restrained by Jia Xingtian's presence, and fence-sitters, unconcerned about the shift in power.
"Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live the Emperor!"
Atop the dragon seat in the grand hall's highest point, Chen Feng claimed the Gama Empire's throne amidst reverential salutes, overlooking the entire realm.
"Rise, everyone!"
Chen Feng commanded, his raised hand signaling the assembly to stand.
For the first time, Chen Feng experienced the exhilarating sensation of commanding from a lofty position, no longer obligated to conceal his true self.
In the subsequent proceedings, Chen Feng issued decrees reducing taxes and rearranged personnel, appointing individuals from the Miter family to significant positions.
The news of the new emperor's ascent was disseminated in documents swiftly dispatched across the empire. It was only a matter of time before every citizen of the Gama Empire learned of their new ruler.
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