I, Am a Living Yama; Empress Advises Me to Stay Calm

As the evening banquet unfolded within the grand hall of the imperial palace, Wu Mingyue instinctively glanced at Yang Yi, then blinked and smiled playfully.
“Elder Sister, what if I never get married and just stay by your side forever? Wouldn’t that be nice?”
Wu Zhao regarded her with an unreadable expression. Wu Mingyue immediately felt uneasy.
She muttered, “All those spoiled brats out there are fat and greasy, like pigs. Useless and arrogant, throwing their weight around just because of their family names. I don’t even want to look at them.”
Wu Zhao cast a thoughtful glance at Yang Yi, who was quietly eating, before turning back to Wu Mingyue.
“Are there no worthy men in Great Zhou that catch your eye? Or is it that you already have someone in your heart?”
Wu Mingyue pursed her lips.
She furrowed her brows and thought hard.
After a long moment, no name came to mind. Great Zhou had many talented men, but none of them seemed to measure up to this annoying scoundrel.
She instinctively stole a glance at Yang Yi. Suddenly, she realized she had never met a man more capable or more handsome than him.
That scoundrel doesn’t seem so bad after all. Her heart suddenly skipped a beat.
She quickly lowered her head, her fair cheeks growing hot.
Wu Zhao observed her reaction in silence, then sighed inwardly. So, my third sister truly does have feelings for Yang Yi. A strange sense of irritation flickered through her heart.
Half an hour later, the banquet came to an end. Yang Yi and Wu Mingyue left the palace, stepping into the cool night air.
Deep in thought, Wu Mingyue spoke first. “Hey, do you think Elder Sister asked me that because she wants to marry me off?”
Yang Yi gave her a sidelong glance. “Why ask me? How would I know what Her Majesty is thinking?”
Wu Mingyue’s almond-shaped eyes widened. “Aren’t you the most cunning strategist in Great Zhou? Since you’re so brilliant, of course I should ask you.”
Yang Yi curled his lips and replied lazily, “Maybe it’s because you’re getting older. An elder sister is like a mother—naturally, she would worry about your marriage. Isn’t that normal? Why should you be concerned?”
Wu Mingyue frowned, the corners of her rosy lips tilting upward in mild defiance.
“But I don’t want to get married… It’s hard to find a good match. If I married the wrong person, wouldn’t that ruin my life? Instead of settling, I’d rather focus on living well on my own.”
Yang Yi raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. Her way of thinking was quite out of place in this era. She must have been reading those newspapers.
Wu Mingyue pouted, then suddenly blinked at him with an intense gaze.
“If Elder Sister really tries to arrange a marriage for me, you have to help me!”
Yang Yi smirked. “And how exactly am I supposed to help you?”
Wu Mingyue crossed her arms, her slender neck arching slightly.
“I don’t care. You’re the most cunning strategist in the land. Coming up with a solution should be easy for you.”
“If you don’t help me, I’ll tell Elder Sister that you were staring at my chest.”
Yang Yi’s expression stiffened. This girl is still as bold as ever. He glanced at Wu Mingyue. Her delicate ears had turned red, their blush deepening under the soft glow of the moon. Clearly, even she needed a bit of courage to say such a thing.
Stroking his chin, he finally responded. “Since the princess seeks counsel, the solution is actually quite simple.”
Wu Mingyue’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
Yang Yi grinned at her. “A strategist sometimes has to personally enter the fray. I suppose I’ll make a small sacrifice. All you need to do is claim that we have already… consummated our marriage. Her Majesty would certainly never arrange another match for you.”
He fully expected her to erupt in embarrassment or punch him in the chest. Instead, Wu Mingyue fell silent, lowering her head and absentmindedly twisting the hem of her robe. Under the hazy moonlight, the blush on her neck grew even deeper.
Yang Yi’s eyelid twitched. This reaction… isn’t right. He wasn’t some naïve boy—he could tell when something was off. Don’t tell me… she actually has feelings for me? But he was a man destined to defy the emperor! Was he about to unlock the achievement:
Just as he was trying to process the situation, Wu Mingyue suddenly glared at him, her face burning with shame and fury. “Scoundrel!”
With that, she turned on her heel and stomped away, long legs striding quickly, her skirts billowing in the wind.
…
Inside the banquet hall, only Wu Zhao and Shangguan Wan’er remained.
Wu Zhao broke the silence. “I plan to betroth Mingyue to Minister Yang, binding him completely to our Great Zhou royal family. What do you think?” Her tone carried a weight of finality—this time, she was serious.
Shangguan Wan’er understood the reasoning but blinked curiously.
“Your Majesty, aren’t you the one who wants to marry Minister Yang? Why give him to the Third Princess instead?”
Wu Zhao stiffened, then narrowed her eyes in irritation.
“What nonsense are you spouting? I should tear that mouth of yours apart.”
Shangguan Wan’er remained unfazed. Her large, innocent eyes carried a sharp edge.
“Is it because Your Majesty believes the princess has feelings for Minister Yang? So you intend to step aside?”
“How could one not fight for the person they love, and instead hand them over to another?”
Wu Zhao fell silent. A long moment passed before she finally murmured, “Mingyue and I have always been close. Our mother died early, and I practically raised her myself. I can’t take something from her… I already have an empire—must I also steal her beloved?”
Shangguan Wan’er pressed her lips together.
“Your Majesty, you misunderstand. The princess simply admires Minister Yang, nothing more. There are countless women in Great Zhou who feel the same way. But Your Majesty is the one who stands shoulder to shoulder with him. Besides, a man like Minister Yang should be kept close—where he belongs.
“If Your Majesty were to marry him, it would benefit both the empire and the court. The princess understands the importance of that.”
Wu Zhao’s expression remained unreadable, but her fingers tapped lightly against the lacquered table.
Shangguan Wan’er’s voice softened. “Besides, I believe Minister Yang has feelings for Your Majesty as well. His gaze often lingers on your legs… and your chest.” She lowered her voice slightly at the last part.
Wu Zhao’s cheeks burned instantly. “You wicked girl, spouting nonsense again.”
Shangguan Wan’er chuckled. “I saw it clearly. No nonsense at all.”
Wu Zhao’s face turned even redder. She clenched her lips. “You’ve been speaking far too favorably about him. Did he bribe you?”
Shangguan Wan’er blinked innocently. “Your Majesty has already sacrificed so much for the empire. I only hope that you can be with the one you love.”
Silently, she added in her heart—
Wu Zhao, unaware of Shangguan Wan’er’s private thoughts, fell into deep contemplation.