From cute to empress

Chapter 240 Assassination at the Wedding

"If that's the case, then let's make a concerted effort to completely eradicate the Netherworld Cult and restore order to the martial arts world!" As soon as I finished speaking, the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers. Gazing at the faces before me, each excited for justice, I felt an unprecedented surge of pride.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Sect Leader Jianxin was the first to respond, followed by the leaders of the various factions behind him. The atmosphere was electrifying and the momentum was overwhelming. I looked around, my gaze finally landing on Zhen Youcai. He stood tall, his gaze resolute, a satisfied smile on his lips.

My heart warmed. Over the past few months, we've fought side by side, through life and death, and endured countless hardships together. Now, the Netherworld Cult's conspiracy has been shattered, and the martial arts world is about to usher in true peace. And between him and me, we can finally...

"You're talented," I walked up to him and called him softly. He was slightly startled, then reacted, the joy in his eyes undisguised, "Mengmeng..."

"I've thought about it," I took a deep breath and held his hand tightly, "After this is over, we will..." My cheeks flushed slightly and my voice lowered.

He seemed to understand what I hadn't said yet, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he held my hand tightly. "Okay! I'll wait for you!"

The operation to eliminate the Netherworld Cult progressed unexpectedly smoothly. Perhaps it was because good prevailed over evil, or perhaps it was divine providence. Without the Black Robe Man, the Netherworld Cult seemed like a pile of loose sand, vulnerable to any attack. Thanks to the combined efforts of the major righteous factions and the imperial court, the Netherworld Cult was completely wiped out in just over a month, and the martial arts world finally returned to its long-lost peace.

It was a sunny day, with a gentle spring breeze. The palace was festooned with lanterns and colorful decorations, a scene of joy. Outside the palace gates, a constant stream of guests from all corners of the country came to attend my wedding with Zhen Youcai.

"Your Majesty, the auspicious time is approaching," my personal maid Chuntao whispered as she helped me adjust my phoenix crown. I looked at myself in the bronze mirror, dressed in my finery, feeling both excited and nervous.

"I'm coming." I took a deep breath and slowly walked out of the room with Chuntao's support.

As I reached the main hall entrance, I heard enthusiastic cheers coming from outside. I looked up and saw Zhen Youcai, dressed in a red wedding gown, standing tall in the middle of the crowd, smiling at me.

His eyes seemed to hold a thousand words, and my heart beat faster. Step by step, I slowly walked towards him, towards our shared future...

At this moment, a hearty laugh suddenly rang out from the crowd. "Hahaha, what a talented man and beautiful woman, a match made in heaven!" Zhen Youcai and I turned our heads at the same time and saw a familiar figure walking out of the crowd...

"Master Xiaoyao!" I exclaimed in surprise.

He still had that cynical look on his face, waving a folding fan and walking towards us with a smile on his face. "Congratulations! On such a happy occasion, how could I, a man who knows everything about the world, be absent?"

"It's truly an honor to have Young Master Xiaoyao here!" Zhen Youcai also greeted me with a smile. After a few pleasantries, Young Master Xiaoyao turned his gaze to me, looked me up and down, and praised me, "Her Majesty the Empress is truly radiant today, so beautiful!"

I was amused by his exaggerated tone, "Master Xiaoyao is still so smooth-talking."

"Hahaha, I'm telling the truth." Young Master Xiaoyao said, pulling out a red scroll from his bosom. "This is a gift I specially prepared for you two. I wish you a long and happy marriage and a son soon!"

I took the scroll and thanked him with a smile. At this moment, several other Jianghu celebrities came out from the crowd, including the Sword Heart Sect Leader, the Blood Knife Sect Leader, and the Vulture Palace Leader.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, and General Zhen!" Sect Leader Jianxin stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Today, I, an old man, will shamelessly offer you a glass of wine to wish you two eternal love and a long life together!"

"Thank you, Master!" Zhen Youcai and I quickly returned the greeting.

Although the Blood Blade Sect Master still had that cold look on his face, there was a rare hint of smile in his tone, "I wish you both happiness."

Even the usually aloof Lord of the Vulture Palace spoke up, "Amitabha, well done, well done. Your marriage is destined by heaven. I hope you will cherish each other and create a peaceful and prosperous world together."

Amidst the blessings of the crowd, Zhen Youcai and I walked up the jade steps to the center of the hall. The master of ceremonies sang a loud "yes," and the solemn ceremony began.

My heart was pounding, and beads of sweat formed on my palms. I stole a glance at Zhen Youcai. He remained calm, a gentle smile on his face, as if telling me not to be nervous, because he would take care of everything.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my excitement. The emcee's voice came clearly to my ears:

"Worship the heavens and the earth-"

We turned to face outside the hall and bowed deeply to the vast sky and earth.

"Second worship high hall-"

I turned around and bowed deeply again to my father and mother who were sitting high up in the hall.

"Husband and wife pay homage——"

I raised my head and met Zhen Youcai's eyes. His eyes were filled with tenderness and love.

At this moment, my heart is filled with happiness and emotion. I know that I have found the person I can entrust my life to. We will face the ups and downs of the future together and never be separated.

I slowly bent down and was about to salute, when suddenly,

"and many more!"

A sharp voice shattered the festive atmosphere. Zhen Youcai and I were both startled and looked up suddenly. We saw a figure in a black cloak appear in the center of the hall...

A sharp voice pierced the joyful atmosphere like an ice cone. Zhen Youcai and I froze, looking up toward the center of the hall. A figure shrouded in a black cloak, its face indistinct, its eyes gleaming faintly beneath the cloak, like the flames of hell, chilling to the bone.

There was an uproar in the hall, and the guests were talking about it. Sect Leader Jianxin and others immediately stood up alertly, their hands on the hilts of their swords, staring at the uninvited guests vigilantly.

"Who are you and how dare you trespass into the palace!" Zhen Youcai stepped forward, protected me behind him, and asked sternly.

The black-robed figure let out a sinister laugh, like the cry of an owl, chilling to the bone. "Today is the Empress's wedding, and I've come to congratulate her," he said, slowly raising a hand. In it, he grasped a dagger emitting a chilling aura!

"Congratulations? What do you mean?" I was startled and an ominous premonition came to my mind.

The man in black robe didn't answer. Instead, he pointed the dagger at me and said in a cold voice, "Today, I will turn your wedding into a funeral!"

Before he could finish his words, he flashed and lunged at me like a ghost. In a split second, Zhen Youcai reacted incredibly quickly, drawing his sword and blocking me. With a clang, sparks flew, and the black-robed man was knocked back several steps.

"You bold lunatic, stop being so presumptuous!" Zhen Youcai shouted angrily, brandishing his sword and engaging in a fierce battle with the man in black robes. Both were martial arts masters, and the flashing of their swords and the dazzling display of blades and sabers were dazzling.

I watched the battle anxiously, my heart filled with worry. Young Master Xiaoyao approached me and whispered, "Your Majesty, this man is highly skilled in martial arts and has ill intentions. Please follow me and leave this place."

I shook my head and looked at Zhen Youcai's back with a firm gaze. "No, I want to stay here. I believe in him."

Young Master Xiaoyao tried to persuade me again, but I ignored him, completely focused on the battle. The hall was in chaos, with guests panicking and dodging. Sect Leader Jianxin and his men also joined the fray, fighting alongside the guards against the black-robed men.

During the fierce battle, Zhen Youcai seized a flaw in the black-robed man and stabbed him in the shoulder with a sword. The black-robed man groaned, but did not fall down. Instead, he attacked more frantically, each move ruthless, aiming directly at Zhen Youcai's vital points.

My heart was in my throat, I was so nervous I could barely breathe. Finally, under the combined force of the crowd, the black-robed man was defeated and fell to the ground, but he still struggled to get up, his eyes filled with hatred and unwillingness.

"Tell me, who sent you? Why do you want to harm me?" Zhen Youcai pointed the sword at his throat and asked sternly.

The man in black robe just sneered, "Want to know? Wait for your next life!" After that, he bit the poison hidden in his teeth and died instantly.

The storm finally subsided, the hall in ruins, the air thick with the smell of blood, but none of this could stop Zhen Youcai and I from wanting to be together. Supporting each other, we vowed to be together forever, surrounded by the blessings of the crowd. Our love story has become a legend in the martial arts world.

After the wedding, I took off my heavy phoenix crown and bridal bridal gown, put on a light dress, and walked hand in hand with Zhen Youcai among the mountains and rivers outside the palace, enjoying the hard-earned tranquility and happiness.

"Youcai, thank you." I snuggled up to him and whispered, "Thank you for always staying by my side."

Zhen Youcai gently put his arm around my shoulders, lowered his head and placed a kiss on my forehead. "Silly girl, you are my wife, and it is my duty to protect you."

We smiled at each other, and everything was said without words. The setting sun stretched our shadows very long...

"Mengmeng, look, what is that?" Zhen Youcai suddenly pointed to the distant horizon and shouted in surprise.

I followed his gaze and saw… I followed his gaze and saw the setting sun on the horizon, dyed into a dreamlike rainbow of colors! Thousands of rays of rosy light and auspicious auras filled the entire sky with a dreamlike, breathtaking beauty.

"It's so beautiful..." I couldn't help but exclaim, this is really the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen.

Zhen Youcai smiled and squeezed my hand. The warmth from his palm flowed into my heart, dispelling the fatigue and anxiety of the past few days. "Yes, it's beautiful." He looked at me affectionately, his eyes as gentle as water. "Just like our future."

My heart moved, and I took his hand back, interlocking our fingers, as if we would walk together forever. After going through so many ups and downs, we finally welcomed our own happiness. This joy is indescribable.

We snuggled together quietly, admiring this rare beauty until night fell and the stars twinkled.

"Mengmeng," Zhen Youcai suddenly broke the silence, his tone tinged with worry. "Although the martial arts world has temporarily returned to peace, the grudges between those sects have been accumulating for a long time. I'm afraid..."

I understand his concerns. Although the murderer of the assassination at the wedding is dead, the mastermind is still at large. It's like a time bomb that may explode again at any time.

"You're right," I said, putting away my smile and turning serious. "We can't let our guard down. We must get to the bottom of this as soon as possible and thoroughly resolve these hidden dangers. Only then can we truly achieve lasting peace."

"I've already sent people to investigate the identity of the man in black robes. I'm sure there will be results soon," Zhen Youcai said. "It's just that..." He paused, frowning slightly. "The grudges and entanglements between the martial arts sects are long-standing. I'm afraid it won't be easy to completely resolve them."

I pondered for a moment, and the figures of those martial arts masters at the wedding emerged in my mind: the righteousness of the Sword Heart Sect Leader, the viciousness of the Blood Knife Sect Leader, and the unfathomable depth of the Spirit Vulture Palace Leader... Each sect has its own stance and interests. How easy is it to ask them to put aside their prejudices?

"I know this is difficult," I clenched my fists and spoke firmly, "but we must do it. Now that I have become the empress, I must shoulder the responsibility of protecting this land and must not let the flames of war ignite again!"

Zhen Youcai looked at me with admiration, his eyes full of love and trust. "Okay! I support you! What do you want to do?"

"I plan to..." I paused, my eyes becoming penetrating. "I'll start with the largest sects, understand the root causes of their conflicts, and then prescribe the right remedies to resolve their grievances."

Zhen Youcai nodded in agreement.

I took a deep breath and looked up at the night sky. The stars were twinkling, as if guiding the direction we should go.

"Let's go, let's go back." I took Zhen Youcai's hand and turned to walk towards the palace...