Zhong Ling and Liu Yan were holding back their laughter with great difficulty, desperately wanting to laugh but unable to expose Xiao Tian.

They could only endure it, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

King of Hell!

"Whether this King of Hell is a friend or foe is still unclear, but he seems to benefit our Great Yan more," Zhong Yangming chimed in at this moment.

Everyone turned their gaze towards him.

"Whether it's the Black Soul Hall or this Bloodcloud Pavilion, they've always had inexplicable intentions towards the Great Yan Dynasty over the years. Although their purpose is unknown, it's certainly malicious."

"Now that this King of Hell has acted, destroying the Bloodcloud Pavilion and killing the Poison Swamp Elder of the Black Soul Hall."

"At least to outsiders, this mysterious strong King of Hell seems to have countless ties with the Great Yan Dynasty."

"Being cautious, it actually gives the Great Yan Dynasty a period of peace."

Zhong Yangming's words made Zi Ruoyan and Zhong Lishuang nod in agreement.

Liu Yan and Zhong Ling, after a moment of surprise, quickly echoed their agreement.

However, in their hearts, they thought, "It's not just countless ties; it's inseparable."

Thinking of this, they sneaked a glance at Xiao Tian.

At this moment, Xiao Tian was carefreely eating and drinking, completely at ease.

After all, Zi Ruoyan had already made her stance clear, she would definitely protect him.

Xiao Tian decided to just relax and enjoy life.

"But Your Majesty, since you have returned, will you attend court the day after tomorrow?" Zhong Yangming asked again, looking at Zi Ruoyan.

Zi Ruoyan glanced at Zhong Yangming and nodded gently, "Naturally."

"Then Your Majesty must protect the Prince," Zhong Yangming said, turning to look at Xiao Tian, "After all, the Northern Frontier war has concluded, and Your Majesty has no excuse to delay any longer."

"According to protocol, on that day in court, Your Majesty must have the Prince meet the ministers."

Zi Ruoyan frowned and was about to speak, but Zhong Yangming stopped her, "Your Majesty, when you got married, you acted swiftly and broke the rules."

"You know, without rules, nothing can be accomplished."

"The fortune of the Great Yan is already unstable, and breaking the rules further would be unwise."

Zi Ruoyan fell silent, knowing that Zhong Yangming was right.

Meanwhile, Xiao Tian, who was savoring the delicious food, suddenly looked up, "What do you mean, meet the ministers?"

"Prince, marrying the Emperor means you should meet the ministers, to put it simply, it's like meeting the in-laws," Zhong Yangming explained to Xiao Tian, "In fact, it should have happened long ago, but the Emperor has been protecting you, using the instability of the Northern Frontier as an excuse to avoid discussing personal matters in court."

"Now that the Northern Frontier war has ended, the Emperor can no longer delay."

Xiao Tian fell silent, and after a while, he spoke, "There will be trouble, won't there?"

If it were just an ordinary meeting with the ministers, Zhong Yangming wouldn't have brought it up at this time.

"Your Majesty, perhaps you should explain the reason to the Prince?" Zhong Yangming suggested, looking at Zi Ruoyan for her opinion.

Zi Ruoyan spoke, "Let me explain it myself."

With that, she turned to face Xiao Tian.

Seeing her serious expression, Xiao Tian put down his chopsticks, ready to listen carefully.

"I didn't mention this before because I was worried you might be unhappy and misunderstand," Zi Ruoyan began, explaining rather than stating the matter, "Marrying you was a decision for myself, not just using you as a shield."

"I hope what I'm about to say won't upset you."

Xiao Tian's expression turned serious, sitting upright, "Alright, I understand!"

He was serious because Zi Ruoyan had shown him enough respect.

"The Prime Minister of the Great Yan Dynasty is named Liu Aotian. He was in this position even before my father disappeared," Zi Ruoyan slowly explained to Xiao Tian, "He is also my mentor and father figure."

"..." Xiao Tian didn't speak, his face twitching slightly.

Liu Aotian?

Is this name for real?

However, from Zi Ruoyan's words, this Liu Aotian had many titles and positions.

"The year my father disappeared, my eldest brother ascended the throne. When the barbarian nation invaded from the south, he personally led the army and died in battle in the north."

"My second brother then took the throne, but when the Black Soul Hall in the Southern Frontier erupted in chaos, affecting the Great Yan, he went south to quell the unrest, expanding the territory, but ultimately died in battle."

"After that, with Liu Aotian's help, I ascended the throne."

"I was sixteen that year."

Zi Ruoyan's tone was calm as she recounted the history of the Great Yan Dynasty's past struggles.

It seemed she had come to terms with it, but Xiao Tian could hear it.

When she mentioned her two brothers, Zi Ruoyan's heartbeat noticeably quickened.

No wonder Xiao Tian hadn't heard of any royal relatives; this was the reason.

"Liu Aotian promised to return power to me when I turned eighteen, but secretly he formed factions and wielded immense power."

"If it weren't for my secret planning and decent cultivation talent, advancing to the Seventh Tier Awakening Realm in two years, it would have been difficult to reclaim the throne."

Xiao Tian's eyebrows twitched; the Empress truly lived up to her title.

Reaching the Seventh Tier in just two years?

What an incredible talent!

Moreover, Zi Ruoyan spoke lightly, but Xiao Tian could imagine that the process of reclaiming power was anything but easy.

"Liu Aotian is a man of rules and knows how to use them."

"He claimed, in the name of my father figure, that my father had discussed a marriage contract with him, and I was to marry his son."

"I delayed and delayed until I accidentally found this Summoning Talisman in the treasury, bringing you to the Great Yan Dynasty."

To access the premium content, go to [ ℙawℝead.com ].

"Compared to Liu Aotian, I preferred to marry you, and thus we have the current situation."

Zi Ruoyan looked at Xiao Tian, "I broke Liu Aotian's plans, and he will certainly make things difficult for you in court."

"That is the cause and effect."

Xiao Tian understood and realized why Zi Ruoyan had explained beforehand.

As she said, she wasn't using him as a shield.

Otherwise, she would have pushed him into the court long ago, instead of protecting him.

She chose to marry him to free herself from Liu Aotian's schemes.

"I have some apprehensions about Liu Aotian; his cultivation level is unknown, and his secret plans are unclear, but he adheres to rules, always staying within their bounds."

"Logically, I should follow the rules, but..."

At this point, Zi Ruoyan's tone suddenly became assertive again, looking at Xiao Tian, "If you're unwilling, I'll shield you."

"If I can't even protect you, how can I protect the Great Yan left by my father and two brothers?"

Xiao Tian remained silent, seeing the Empress in a different light.

In front of him wasn't the Great Yan Empress.

Just a lonely girl, gritting her teeth, fiercely guarding the legacy left by her father, striving to uphold the treasures her brothers sacrificed their lives for.

This is the Great Yan!

"No need, I'll go!" Xiao Tian shook his head, playing with the wine cup in his hand, "With the Emperor's protection, what can Liu Aotian do to me in court?"