The Crybaby Always Wants to Redeem the Villainess - Chapter 20

“What are you gawking at? Get over here.”

Xiao Yi led the four men to the kitchen and instructed them to bring out the leftover scraps meant for the pigs. She then rummaged through her pockets for a long time before finally pulling out several paper-wrapped packets, which she dumped into the bucket.

“B-B-B-Big Boss, what’s this?” Is this female tyrant planning to poison the pigs?

If they eat the pork later, we’ll be poisoned too! What a cruel scheme! If that’s her plan, we have to tell our boss immediately.

“Just adding a little something to make the pigs eat better. If you don’t understand, don’t ask.”

“Yes, ma’am!” The men agreed readily, relieved it wasn’t something targeting them.

“Remember, feed the side with the added ingredients to the sows, and the plain feed to the boars.

Feed the boars first, then the sows. And watch the sows until they finish eating!”

Though puzzled by the order to watch the sows eat, the men dutifully agreed, “Yes, ma’am!”

After Xiao Yi left, the men patted their chests in relief. “That was close! I almost thought she was going to mess with us again.”

“I was terrified too. I couldn’t even speak.”

“Who wasn’t? Still, it could have been worse—at least we’re just feeding the pigs. I’ll be avoiding her from now on. If she’s in a bad mood one day, our lives could be in her hands. She’s ruthless!”

“Exactly! Me too. Just look at the ways she tortures people—it makes my hair stand on end!”

As they spoke, the men headed toward the pigsty.

After returning to her room, Xiao Yi tidied up and calculated the time. Heh heh, the aphrodisiac should be kicking in now. Time for some entertainment.

She stepped outside and headed to the front courtyard. As soon as she arrived, she saw the four men being chased by a sow. One of them was pinned to the ground, the sow relentlessly butting him.

The Bandit Leader initially ordered his men to restrain the pig, but when he saw Xiao Yi’s sinister smile, he understood. This is her doing! If I interfere, I might be the one getting chased by the pig next!

So the bandits watched as the four men ran frantically from the sow, only to be butted down every few steps. The scene was both hilarious and terrifying.

Meanwhile, the Emperor was leading his troops toward Clearwind Stronghold, accompanied by Prince Jin, Crown Prince Luo Lingchen of Jin, Grand Tutor Gu, and several key court officials.

Xiao Yi was truly audacious. If they didn’t put an end to this madness now, none of them would ever find peace. This was the unanimous sentiment among the group.

The imposing procession arrived at Clearwind Stronghold, only to be greeted by raucous laughter and the squealing of pigs. The stronghold’s lackeys, engrossed in the once-in-a-century spectacle, failed to notice their approach.

It wasn’t until the Emperor’s forces stormed the stronghold that the bandits finally reacted.

Luo Anche’s face twitched as he saw Xiao Yi standing on a high platform, watching four men mate with four sows below. He couldn’t reconcile this image with the spirited and dignified junior sister he remembered. Who was this shameless, hooligan-like wretch?

Not only is this morally reprehensible, it’s an insult to culture and decency! It’s an eyesore!

“How can Xiao Yi, a young woman, be so utterly shameless?”

“What kind of question is that, Your Excellency? If she had any shame, she wouldn’t be a bandit in the first place.”

“Ah, it’s truly baffling. How could General Xiao, the legendary hero whose name echoes across the land, have spawned such a degenerate?”

“Exactly! If she were my daughter, I’d die of anger on the spot.”

The Chief Eunuch, observing the Emperor’s darkening expression, quickly stepped forward and called out, “Your Majesty has arrived! You audacious bandits! Kneel and pay your respects at once!”

Xiao Yi, having gotten carried away, stood on the high platform, pointed at Luo Anche, and declared arrogantly, “This Grandma is the Big Boss of Clearwind Stronghold! If you’ve got the guts, come at me!”

Luo Anche’s first thought was, This little rascal must be drunk. How else could she be talking such nonsense?

The crowd thought, Xiao Yi, you’re finished! How dare you speak to His Majesty like that? Do you think you’ve lived too long already?!

The bandits, who had been about to kneel, straightened up behind Xiao Yi as one. If she wasn’t afraid, why should they be? Even if things went south, they had this female tyrant to take the fall!

Xiao Yi was speechless. She didn’t mind not kneeling herself, but these brainless fools were refusing to kneel too!

Crown Prince Luo Lingchen of Jin watched Xiao Yi with malicious glee. “Audacious! Xiao Yi, how dare you address His Majesty like that? This is contempt for imperial authority! You’ll be thrown into the dungeon! Kneel and pay your respects at once!”

Xiao Yi…

The bandit leader whispered in Xiao Yi’s ear, “Boss, what do we do now? Should we perform the ceremony or not?”

“You guys can do it, but Grandma’s not bowing to anyone!”

Luo Anche… With so many people watching, at least give me some face! Does the Emperor really have so little authority in Xiao Yi’s eyes?

Luo Anche blinked, hoping Xiao Yi would understand his silent plea and quickly perform the ceremony.

But Xiao Yi was never one to follow orders.

Though she weighed less than a hundred pounds, her rebellious spirit weighed three hundred.

Her defiance was embarrassing for the Emperor, but bowing would be a slap in her own face!

Just as she was wondering how to resolve the situation, her eyes lit up when she spotted the wine placed nearby. She began swaying unsteadily, stumbling toward Luo Lingchen. Pointing a finger at him, she slurred, “Oh, you’re the Emperor? You’re quite handsome, aren’t you? Grandma hasn’t had any meat in a while… How about… Heh heh heh~” She reached out and playfully lifted Luo Lingchen’s chin.

Luo Lingchen was furious. He slapped Xiao Yi’s hand away. How dare she, a mere woman, flirt with the Crown Prince himself? Suppressing his anger, he snapped, “Xiao Yi, open your dog eyes and look carefully! Your Majesty is right here!” He pointed to his side.

Xiao Yi swayed deliberately and pointed to Grand Tutor Gu, who stood to Luo Anche’s right.

Pointing at Grand Tutor Gu’s beard, she exclaimed, “Ew, Emperor, what happened to you? You’ve turned into an old geezer! So ugly! Grandma can’t bring herself to kiss that! Change him! Change him!”

“Get lost, Grandma! I’m not interested in old geezers!”

Luo Anche watched Xiao Yi infuriate the group. Realizing she was pushing too far, he grabbed her arm and pulled her close. “Xiao Yi, look carefully! I am the Emperor!”

He then ordered his guards, “Seize Xiao Yi and lock her in the dungeon. She is not to be released without my express permission.”

Xiao Yi looked up at Luo Anche, muttered a quick apology, and before he could react, punched him squarely in the stomach. Luo Anche doubled over in pain.

Seizing the moment, Xiao Yi whispered in his ear, “Arrest me and leave immediately. Clearwind Stronghold can’t withstand your investigation. We have tons of secrets!”

Luo Anche endured the pain. Although he didn’t understand what Xiao Yi meant by “machine ton,” he could sense that she had uncovered something important.

He shoved her away, his face contorted with disgust, and brushed off his robes.

“What are you standing around for?” he roared at the guards nearby. “Take her away immediately!”

Several guards stepped forward to bind Xiao Yi. She cursed and struggled, but when she noticed the handsome guard captain, she began rambling incoherently.

Luo Anche pressed his hand to his forehead, utterly incredulous. How could this girl have become so depraved and shameless?

“Prepare the imperial carriage! We’re returning to the palace!”

At that moment, Prince Jin stepped forward. “Your Majesty, Clearwind Stronghold has committed countless atrocities, oppressing the local populace for years. The people’s grievances echo to the heavens. Shouldn’t we eradicate them today?”

Luo Anche stared intently at Prince Jin for a long moment, as if trying to penetrate his deepest motives. Then he slowly turned to address the bandits. “These are merely unarmed villagers, likely homeless souls who settled here. There’s no need for a massacre. I’ve heard Clearwind Stronghold robs the rich to aid the poor. I’ll spare them this time.”

“Your Majesty, these are mere rumors! They can’t be trusted!”

“Royal Uncle, do you intend to undermine my authority in front of all these people? Even if we were to eliminate Clearwind Stronghold, that falls under the jurisdiction of the military officers, not your purview!”

“Your Majesty, if you’re tired, you should return to the palace. This prince can lead these military officers to clear out Clearwind Stronghold!”

“Royal Uncle, are you deliberately ignoring my words? I address you as ‘Royal Uncle’ because you are my father’s brother, but you must remember that while I am your nephew, I am ultimately the sovereign, and you are merely a subject. Royal Uncle, do not confuse the roles of ruler and subject!”

After delivering this pointed remark, Luo Anche turned to the assembled bandits and declared:

“Regardless of who governs Clearwind Stronghold in the future, continue to uphold justice, protect the common people, and rob the rich to aid the poor. If you ever oppress the common folk, I will personally raze this stronghold to the ground!”

The Bandit Leader immediately knelt with his followers. “Yes, Your Majesty! We humble subjects will obey your decree!”

Grand Tutor Gu still sought to defend Prince Jin. “Your Majesty, are you truly letting Clearwind Stronghold off so easily? They kidnapped my daughter! Perhaps my daughter has already been…” He trailed off, leaving the implication unspoken but clear.

“Grand Tutor, what more do you want? You claim Xiao Yi abducted your daughter, and I have already ordered her imprisoned. Are you still not satisfied?”

Having spoken these words, the Emperor turned his back on the group. “Prepare the imperial carriage for the return to the palace!”

The Chief Eunuch beside him called out, “By His Majesty’s decree, all officials shall accompany the imperial carriage back to the palace!”

The officials… were stunned. Was that all? They had expected a fierce battle against these bandits!

But it seemed there was no need. With their leader Xiao Yi captured for her crimes, the bandits had lost their arrogance, requiring no further action from the officials.

Moreover, even if the bandits needed to be apprehended, it shouldn’t be the officials’ responsibility. As the Emperor had said, this was the duty of military officers. For the Imperial Guards to handle such a task would be like a cat chasing a mouse—an unnecessary overreach of authority.

Xiao Yi, having exhausted herself throughout the journey, immediately “fell into a deep slumber” upon returning to the Capital. In the end, she had to be carried to the prison.