Chapter 415: 12.23

Two months had passed, and Xu Jiansheng kept recruiting more and more volunteers as the effect of Yunyu's death finally started showing up in the Imperial Palace.

Although Huang Shu already ordered the people to hide the fact that Empress Xiuying had passed away, there would always be few people who were bound to spread the rumour to the masses. And when the citizen knew that Empress Xiuying had died, most people were not even saddened.

Because they always thought that Empress Xiuying was a leech that had no use to Emperor Xianliang other than bothering him. He was also a ger man, and ger had an even lower social status than a woman in this traditional society.

Even worse, the late Empress Xiuying was an infertile ger man. He truly had no use to Emperor Xianliang, and his worth had been diminished.

Emperor Xianliang heard this during the morning court. He attended the morning court less and less, and his appearance was haggard.

He had an unkempt beard. He didn't even bother to use proper regal clothing. He was getting thinner and thinner as he didn't want to eat anything served to him. At least he only ate very little compared to usual because he lost his appetite whenever he remembered how his wife suffered from starvation and malnutrition in his hands.

"Y—Your Majesty… this minister had heard about the grieving news through a passing rumour in the capital city that His Majesty Empress Xiuying had passed away. Is this true, Your Majesty? Shouldn't we cremate his remain soon?" One minister asked.

Even the ministers were kept in the dark about the news by Huang Shu. Huang Shu only selected few people he trusted to keep their mouths shut about Bai Yunyu's death. And after knowing that the news had been spread wide to the capital, Huang Shu, who had been lifeless for the whole two months, finally lit up in rage.

He raged as he pointed at the minister who had just spoken about this, "Who told you this!?"

The minister got scared immediately and kowtowed on the ground, "Y—Your Majesty, it's been big news in the capital. T—This minister heard it from my wife, who heard it when she ate in a restaurant. She overheard many people talking about this…"

Emperor Xianliang gritted his teeth. He tried so hard to cover the news because he still foolishly believed that Bai Yunyu, his wife, would come back to life. He even sent few soldiers to find a shaman or witch doctor that could resurrect someone back. He knew it was ridiculous, but he wanted to find it nonetheless.

Because he wouldn't allow his wife to die. He promised that he'd rule this Empire with him together forever.

"Zhen's wife is not dead! He's just sleeping!" Emperor Xianliang yelled. All ministers trembled in fear as they saw the insanity reflected in the Emperor's eyes.

Emperor Xianliang clenched his fist and continued, "Whoever dared to talk about the Empress' death in front of me, Zhen will punish him by beheading! This will be my edict!"

The ministers were shocked by the new Emperor edict. They wanted to refute it because nobody could control gossip and rumours circulating around.

Emperor Xianliang added, "I will patrol the guards around the capital city, whoever dared to talk about Empress Xiuying, slandering him or even told people that the Empress had passed away, shall be beheaded on the spot!"

The ministers gulped. Their Golden Emperor was not in the right mind now, and this was an absolutely ridiculous edict. In fact, the whole thing about Empress Xiuying's death was not logical. He was the one who banished the Empress, but now he was also the one who turned insane because of his wife's death.

Emperor Xianliang returned to the Palace of Serene Harmony to visit his wife again. He was crazy, and he would deny that.

He was going crazy because his beloved wife hadn't awakened yet from his deep slumber.

Huang Shu walked to the glass case and kissed it. He had a twisted but bitter smile on his face, "Wife… people already said that you're dead. How could it be? You're not dead, right? You're a strong warrior. I know that you're just sleeping right now. So wake up soon, okay?" Huang Shu said. He sat on the chair beside the glass coffin and read some books to fill his time.

He refused to read any report and let the minister handled everything. He didn't care about anything as the guilt kept on consuming him.

In two months, the Empire slowly declined. Huang Shu conquered many places before with or without Bai Yunyu by his side. However, he still had to stabilize his position as the ruler of those conquered regions for a while.

And now, since he refused to do anything, many of those newly conquered regions started rebelling again.

And still, Huang Shu didn't care.

Yunyu and Pupa watched everything from the sideline, and Yunyu was the first one to open his mouth,

[You know, it's not as fun anymore after a while. The whole… Guilt Tripping no Justu…]

[I mean, it's very effective, but watching this only makes me uncomfortable. I don't even know what to think about Huang Shu anymore. Does he deserve this? Yeah. But is this the best thing?]

[… not really.]

Pupa kept staring at Yunyu and replied,

[Pupa: I know you love doing that Guilt Tripping thing for drama and your own satisfaction. But it'll be fun in the first few hours, just like revenge, the satisfaction lasts shortly, and the emptiness last forever.]

[Pupa: You haven't learned anything since the last world. You should learn better for the evaluation—]

[Evaluation?]

[Pupa: It's nothing.]

Yunyu was curious, but he was more disturbed by Huang Shu's pitiful condition right now. He was at the edge of insanity. No, in fact, maybe Huang Shu was insane already.

As petty as he could be, he could still sense Master Han Ye's soul inside Huang Shu. And his heart always connected with Master Han Ye. So, no matter how crazy, how toxic it could be, he always had a soft spot for Master Han Ye's soul.

[Xu Jiansheng is also plotting the revolution. He even recruited those defeated nobles and generals who still survived after Huang Shu conquered them. If this continues, the Imperial Palace will be a hell on earth in only a year or two.]

Ghost Yunyu flew around Huang Shu and talked with Huang Shu, although the latter couldn't hear him.

[Huang Shu, I really hate you, you know. I even asked Jiansheng to burn you and your palace to the ground as an act of petty revenge.]

[I should hate you more, but whenever I see you regretting like this, why do I become so soft-hearted that I began to forgive all your neglect to me?]

[Is it because you're part of Master Han Ye's soul? Why do I have to love Master Han Ye anyway? Han Ye in my world treated me like trash. But I still love him nonetheless.]

[Huang Shu… no, Master Han Ye, if our love is this painful, then why do I keep forgiving you? What is the point of loving you if it keeps hurting me?]