Imperial Edict of Self-Reproach

A look of astonishment appeared on Ren Tianye's face.

From Xiao Mingzhao's words, he clearly caught on to the fact that...

Xiao Mingzhao had long known she wasn't Xiao Jingyuan's daughter, and... she didn't care at all!

This left Ren Tianye dumbfounded once again.

Holy crap!

This is the f*cking succession of the throne.

Royal private matters are public affairs.

Xiao Jingyuan didn't care, you don't care, so... it just doesn't matter?

Wow, just wow!

Absolutely incredible!

This entire Xiao family is f*cking unbelievable!

Speechless for a long while, Ren Tianye grew increasingly impatient, looking at Xiao Mingzhao with a hint of disgust.

You, Xiao Jingyuan, and the whore empress playing this kind of game, treating the whole world as a part of your roleplay, and feeling so justified about it—it's simply absurd!

Thus, Ren Tianye reached out, grabbing Xiao Mingzhao by the collar, his gaze fierce, eyes flashing like lightning.

"I don't give a damn whether you care or not! But since you aren't of the Xiao family's bloodline, you aren't fit to be this empress; you should be a slave!"

"Now..."

"Get the hell down."

"I have something for you to do!"

This sudden change in Ren Tianye made Xiao Mingzhao turn pale with fright.

In her impression, even if Ren Tianye was somewhat indifferent to her, he had never dared to be so fierce!

This sudden shift in attitude.

Like a bolt of lightning, it instantly shattered Xiao Mingzhao's psychological defenses.

Moreover, it was even fiercer than when Tuoba Xiangtai had broken her defenses back then.

After all, no matter what Tuoba Xiangtai did to her, it was out of love for her; she could feel it.

But Ren Tianye's attitude...

Alienated, cold, ferocious, completely dismissing her!

Xiao Mingzhao felt as if her chest was instantly stuffed with cotton, and she immediately understood.

"It must be that I wasn't good enough to Tianye before. He's lost his patience with me and started to loathe me."

"He... doesn't like me anymore."

As soon as this thought arose, it swept over all of Xiao Mingzhao's emotions like a turbulent sea, filling her with panic. She hurriedly said, "Tianye, don't, don't treat me like this, okay?"

"I'm scared!"

"I know..."

"You don't know shit!" Ren Tianye yanked Xiao Mingzhao off the bed, dragged her to the desk, and pinned her down.

He brought out a brush and ink for her: "Now, write an edict for me, exactly as I demand..."

Ren Tianye originally wanted to dictate it, but the little he had learned in the modern era couldn't compare to the pedantic phrasing of ancient times, so he directly handed this task over to Xiao Mingzhao.

"You think of it, you write it, you stamp it!"

"All according to my demands!"

"Write an apology letter to Lin Zixiao, saying you shouldn't have killed his father."

"Write it quickly!"

"Lin Zixiao? Tianye, you mean Lin Yi's son? You clearly know that I did all that for my love. I wasn't wrong..."

Xiao Mingzhao hadn't even finished speaking.

However, this time it wasn't Ren Tianye who interrupted her, but a sudden flash of inspiration that made her instantly understand why his attitude towards her had changed so drastically.

Because of Lin Zixiao!

Because Lin Zixiao made him think of Lin Yi.

And Lin Yi was the one she had ordered to be executed.

For love.

For her love with Tuoba Xiangtai.

"So, Tianye is actually jealous of Xiangtai, which is why he's treating me like this. I..."

"I really shouldn't have!"

She added, "Tianye, before, it was my fault."

"I was truly wrong."

"Please, don't use this attitude with me, okay?"

"I'll change!"

"Just f*cking write it!" Ren Tianye was exasperated. Damn it, another one who couldn't understand human speech. It felt like talking to a brick wall, utterly exhausting.

"I will not write it."

"I am not wrong!"

"Slap!"

A slap landed on Xiao Mingzhao's face.

"Hurry up and write!"

"Tianye, you, you hit me?" Xiao Mingzhao covered her face. "It seems you are truly completely disappointed in me. I know I hurt your heart too much before, and you hold resentment towards me."

"But I... only figured it out during these days I was unconscious."

"The person I care about the most has always been you!"

"Oh for f*ck's sake, just f*cking write it!"

Ren Tianye almost ground his back teeth to dust.

"Fine, I will write."

Xiao Mingzhao's gaze suddenly focused as she said, "Tianye, for you, I'll write. I just beg you not to look at me with those eyes. I, I'm scared!"

"Right now, immediately, write!" Ren Tianye's words seemed to squeeze through his gritted teeth: "Hurry the f*ck up and write it, write it for me!"

Feeling Ren Tianye's thunderous rage, Xiao Mingzhao grew even more panicked in her heart, but this time she didn't dare say anything else.

In order to win back Ren Tianye's heart, even if she wasn't wrong in this matter, she was willing to admit fault this time for his sake.

Thus, under Ren Tianye's guidance, she wielded her brush and completed it.

"I have inherited the great lineage, but have failed in governing the state, wrongfully executing the loyal and good."

"The Commander of the Northern Frontier, Lin Yi, guarded the territory with a devoted heart, leading seventy thousand elites of Chifeng, rendering great merits to the nation."

"Due to my momentary lapse, he died with a grievance."

"The fault lies solely with me."

"Now Lin Zixiao has marched his army to the capital. With the city on the verge of falling, he willingly withdrew his troops. I recognize his loyalty and also understand his father's unjust treatment."

"I hereby issue this edict to proclaim to the world."

"I was wrong. I hereby clear Lin Yi's name and grant a lavish burial to his clan, to comfort his loyal soul."

"I have understood Lin Zixiao's requests and approve them all!"

After Xiao Mingzhao stamped the royal seal, Ren Tianye quickly picked it up, blew it dry, and immediately called for his personal guards.

"Deliver this to Lin Zixiao immediately."

"Remember, it must be delivered directly into Lin Zixiao's hands."

"Yes, sir!"

The guard took the order and left.

Ren Tianye, however, did not intend to stop there.

A single edict of self-blame was not enough to show sincerity.

He needed a few more.

So, an idea formed in Ren Tianye's mind.

He turned back to look at Xiao Mingzhao.

"Tian, Tianye, please, don't look at me with those eyes, okay? I'm truly scared."

"It's a good thing you know how to be scared. If you don't want to be scared, then obediently do as I say. Come on, keep writing!"

...

The Lin Army Encampment.

The various troops were pitching their tents and making camp.

Although the siege had been going smoothly, the sudden withdrawal of troops left countless people in the army confused about what was happening; many were completely dumbfounded.

However, aside from the core circle like the Seven Righteous of Chifeng, the rest of the soldiers remained calm.

After all, they had witnessed Commander Lin's leadership skills too many times. There had been many instances before where they didn't understand what was going on, yet still managed to win.

Thus, with Lin Zixiao's prestige suppressing any unrest, the Lin Army remained peaceful.

Only within the main command tent was it chaotic and noisy, with endless chatter.

But all of this did not shake Lin Zixiao's determination in the slightest.

He was waiting for Xiao Mingzhao's edict of self-blame!

He believed he would definitely get it.

Facts proved that his guess was absolutely correct!

Not long after, a scout came to report: "Commander, Commander! Someone from the palace has arrived, claiming to be sent by Her Majesty the Empress, an envoy of the Empress!"

"Oh? Invite them in quickly! Quickly!"

...