CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 16: DANCING PRINCESS (16)

When the Emperor arrived, he had already inquired about the situation. He directly embarrassed the Empress: "Empress, both I and the Empress Dowager are still here. You have just taken over the responsibilities of the harem, yet you dare to bully the Imperial Sister so. Do you have any respect for us? Does your Wang family’s etiquette teach you to disrespect the Empress Dowager?"

The Empress was terrified. Marrying into the Royal Family was supposed to be a glorious affair, but before her marriage, she had heard many unpleasant rumors.

The Empress straightened her back and kneeled down on the ground: "Your Majesty, please forgive my candor, Princess An Ping is already of such age yet does not care about her reputation, mingling with the common people. There are even rumors of an affair between the Princess and Your Majesty. As Empress, it is my duty to correct the Princess’s behavior to prevent disgracing the Imperial Family. How am I at fault?"

Although Li Shuning had become a princess, some matters remained undisclosed, being Royal secrets.

The Empress Dowager was very disappointed. She looked at the Empress: "Emperor, it is the fault of this mother for choosing such an unjust Empress for you. Today I will speak only once. An Ping is my biological daughter. If the Empress has questions, she should ask her father, who knows the entire situation clearly. If her father instructs her to mistreat An Ping and tarnish the Emperor and An Ping, then I will have no choice but to depose you as Empress myself."

"Isn’t it because of An Ping’s efforts that you became Empress and are securely seated in this position today? Back when the Emperor was about to personally go to battle, I forbade it, and it was An Ping who wanted to ease the Emperor’s worries. Despite being a woman, she went to the Wounded Soldier Camp, and now you insult her like this, Wang family, splendid indeed."

Subsequently, neither the Empress Dowager nor the Emperor paid any attention to the Empress. Although the Empress felt some unrest in her heart, she did not think much of it. In her heart, she still believed that Li Shuning was nothing but a Dancing Girl, favored by the Empress Dowager to become a princess. The Emperor’s concern for this Dancing Princess suggested to her that there might indeed be an affair between them. Thinking of this made the Empress gnash her teeth in anger.

However, when she summoned her mother and explained the matter, her mother’s expression changed.

The Empress was dumbfounded when she learned the truth of the matter.

Back then, a household sister incited her, and she did not expect herself to be so foolish to have been deceived.

But when she went to apologize to Li Shuning, Li Shuning refused to meet her.

Some people always think of themselves as the center, but how can the world be so convenient? Just because you were forgiven, doesn’t mean it’s all over. Furthermore, the Empress’s apology was probably insincere.

Every time she went to the Empress Dowager’s Palace to pay respects, the Empress Dowager would not summon the Empress, and the Emperor never again set foot in the Empress Palace.

In fact, the Empress Dowager investigated afterward and found that it was indeed the Empress’s household sister’s instigation that led to the subsequent events.

However, an Empress must be a mother of the world. Falling for such shallow instigation: how can she fulfill the duties of an Empress?

Moreover, the Empress’s father favored his concubine’s daughter, causing her to have unrealistic fantasies. Is this not wrong? The legitimate daughter is to marry into the Royal Family. Should she not be well-educated?

For this reason, both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor did not want to indulge the Empress. As for the future, it would depend on the Empress’s performance.

Although the Empress still managed the harem affairs, she had already lost favor.

Yet the Empress was clearly unwilling to resign and frequently made foolish moves, causing the Empress Dowager and the Emperor to be increasingly disgusted with her.

From then on, no one dared show Li Shuning any attitude. The Empress lost favor because of Princess An Ping, her status unmatched by her name; who would dare to offend Li Shuning?

Under the Empress Dowager’s tearful persuasion, Li Shuning stayed in the palace, though she never managed any affairs. Every day she accompanied the Empress Dowager, read miscellaneous books, danced, and when she had time, cultivated the Spiritual Cultivation Method she had practiced on Nadis Planet. The effect was not significant, but having nothing else to do, Li Shuning did not give up.

Li Shuning once inquired and found that the former Prince Yu and Gu Youran had passed away. The struggles of poor couples, constant quarrels, and the severe miasma of Southern Wilderness took a toll on the health of both Prince Yu and Gu Youran, and they passed away within a few years.

As for Lou Ge from back then, after Prince Yu was imprisoned, the people of Yu Wang Mansion, including Lou Ge, had long been sold off.

Though Prince Rui escaped back then, when he was found, he was already a filthy beggar.

Twenty years later, the Empress Dowager passed away. But the Emperor still treated Li Shuning exceedingly well, listening to her words.

Two years after the Empress Dowager’s death, Li Shuning fell ill, inexplicably ill. Her beauty remained unchanged, as if time favored her, leaving no traces.

Seeing Li Shuning lying there becoming increasingly thin, the Emperor cried uncontrollably.

He always felt that everything he had was due to his Imperial Sister, yet he did not do his best. His Imperial Sister lived a lonely life, unmarried, even bullied by his Empress, yet he had to consider various implications and could not de-pose the Empress, feeling guilt towards his Imperial Sister.

Princess An Ping passed away and was given a grand burial. On the day of Princess An Ping’s death, the Emperor directly deposed the Empress, and there was no opposition within the court.

The deeds Princess An Ping did for the Great Dynasty were witnessed by all, and the actions of the Empress were well-known. Now that Princess An Ping is gone, this deposition serves as an explanation for the Princess.

Despite this, the Great Dynasty had never before deposed an Empress.

Among the people, Princess An Ping was a legendary figure in their words.

In the Imperial Palace, Princess An Ping was the most admired elder among Princes and Grandsons.

Though she remained unmarried throughout her life, Princess An Ping’s life was always envied and coveted by others.

"Congratulations to the host, you have completed the mission. This mission had a difficulty rating of two stars, earning you four Space-Time Energy Points. Your total energy points are now ten. The host can choose items from this world."

Li Shuning considered and asked: "006, if I want to obtain the dancing skill of this world, is that not possible?"

"No, host."

Li Shuning sighed and said, "There doesn’t seem to be anything worthwhile to take from this world. How about I just take my most beautiful dance dress with me?"

Li Shuning had never thought of taking antiques and such. What would she do with them? How could she explain their origin if she sold them in her world? Too troublesome.

fell silent for a moment, then said: "The items you requested are too inexpensive, so all the beautiful dance dresses worn by the host have been taken and stored in the Space Button."

When Li Shuning woke up, she found herself still on the subway, but the station was approaching.

After wrapping things up, she quickly returned home.

In the Space Button, there were indeed many dance dresses stored, but that was not Li Shuning’s main concern.

Li Shuning rushed home because she had discovered something very interesting.

Previously, while handling matters, she noticed that her reaction speed seemed to have increased, and her memory had also improved significantly. What was the reason?

She recalled that during her time in the ancient world, she had practiced the Spiritual Power Cultivation Method, even though there had been little result over those twenty years.

"Congratulations to the host. Has the host already discovered that cultivation in other worlds indeed affects the host’s real world? During the first mission, it was the original host’s physical reflex, but in the second mission, since the host practiced the Spiritual Power Cultivation Method of the Future World, it is beneficial for the host. We are looking forward to the host’s future performance."

Li Shuning seemed to understand somewhat. It meant that if she learned again the things of other worlds, she could also gain benefits.