Volume One, Chapter 1: Conqueror of Ten Maidens in a Single Night, the Peerless Legend Through the Ages

"My God! Someone fought ten women in one night at the Qingliu Pavilion..."

"What? That’s insane! This feat is verifiable throughout the entire Great Cheng Empire. Whose subordinate is this, to be so valiant?"

"It’s Shen Yi, the good-for-nothing heir sent to the capital by the Prince of Zhenmu!"

"I heard he’s already dead from exhaustion. Retribution, that is!"

"Rumor has it he was married to Princess Changyang last night, but was kicked out of the bridal chamber! In a fit of rage, he took a few noble sons out to vent his frustrations..."

...

This was an absolute laughingstock. The son of a majestic Prince of Zhenmu, a Great General, with four generations of ancestors holding the titles of Prince or Duke, and four among the Nine Ministers!

Looking back over the three hundred-year history of the Great Cheng Empire, with such an illustrious lineage, from princes and dukes down to refugees and bandits, no one had ever done such a thing. It was unprecedented!

"No! Throughout two thousand years of history, you are the absolute worst! You have truly brought shame upon all our Shen ancestors! Ah! You'll be the death of me!"

Shen Yi woke up.

From his initial cold, vigilant gaze to his current dazed, bitter smile, he perfectly embodied the transformation of an elite undercover agent who had transmigrated into the body of an heir disguised as a debauched waste.

He hadn't expected that just after avenging his father, he would transmigrate into such a pathetic laughingstock.

He was going to be nailed to the pillar of shame!

He dared not talk back, only bowing his head in admission of his guilt.

Because the man scolding him was none other than the second uncle of the first generation of the Mu Province family sent as a hostage to the capital—the man enfeoffed as the Duke of Jianguo, the consort who married the eldest princess—Shen Jianren!

But as the memories of the deceased surged back, a cold glint flashed in his eyes. He looked up and asked anxiously, "Second Uncle, where are those ten courtesans?"

Shen Jianren’s refined face flushed with anger, his mustache twitching. "What? Are you proud of yourself? Your father spent so much effort honing your martial arts, and this is what you use them for? Or do you want to show off your prowess right in front of me?"

"That’s not what I meant." Shen Yi gave a dry laugh, his expression turning grave. "Second Uncle, I didn't summon ten women last night. I lost consciousness the moment I entered the room."

Shen Jianren pondered, his expression suddenly shifting in alarm. "Are you saying someone drugged you? Those ten courtesans were executed by the Imperial Guards. Oh no, was this to silence them?"

It was indeed drugged.

And it was poison!

Shen Yi didn't say it out loud because he couldn't explain how he had survived drinking the poison.

"Those bastards! To summon ten for you! They clearly wanted you dead!" Shen Jianren’s face darkened. "Nephew, don't worry about this! If His Majesty blames you, I will explain it for you!"

Looking at his sincere uncle, Shen Yi asked with a mix of fear and gratitude, "Uncle, who do you think wants me dead? Will His Majesty sentence me to death? Uncle, I’m so scared..."

"Now you know fear? Who told you to go to a brothel on your wedding night? Even if you wanted to avoid suspicion, you didn't have to be so debauched! Even I wasn't this much of a wastrel back in my day!"

Shen Jianren glanced at him and said in a deep voice, "But this matter isn't that simple. You don't need to worry too much. Ultimately, it depends on what your father decides."

At these words, Shen Yi remembered something.

Two months ago, rebels had risen in Guanzhong, claiming that the Great Cheng Empire was dominated by eunuchs and maternal relatives, that wealthy clans were exploiting the people, and that the Emperor was incompetent, leading to heaven’s wrath and public grievance.

Natural disasters and plagues had appeared, leaving the people in dire straits. It could be said that white bones were strewn across the fields, and the sound of roosters was no longer heard.

Within a single month, hundreds of thousands of bandits had gathered to form the Fengtian Army.

At that time, the Hu people were invading from the northwest in Mu Province, the Xiongnu were in the northern Qing Province, and the enemy state of Great Jin was in the northeast Lia Province. The border troops of other provinces were already tasked with defense, and their strength and leadership were far inferior to the three northern border armies.

Meanwhile, a Hu army had plundered a county in Mu Province in October, just before winter, slaughtering tens of thousands. The Prince of Zhenmu had led his troops personally, engaging in a swift, decisive strike deep into enemy territory!

He had terrified the Hu people into immediately sending envoys to the palace to beg for peace.

The palace, however, had no money to spare for fighting on the borders, and most of the civil and military officials were in favor of peace. The Emperor had no choice but to accept the tribute and order the Prince of Zhenmu to withdraw and guard the borders strictly.

They would just have to make it through the winter first.

The most urgent priority remained the rebels of the Fengtian Army.

The command and authority over the 100,000 Southern Imperial Capital troops, the 100,000 Northern Wei-Cheng troops, and the hundreds of thousands of local troops had become the objective of the noble generals and wealthy clans in the capital.

However, the Emperor had wanted to hand this military power to the Prince of Zhenmu, which was not only blocked by all the officials but also politely declined by the Prince himself.

The reason was simple: the border defense was strained, and he had to prevent the Hu people from playing dirty and taking advantage of the situation. He couldn't leave.

In the current Great Cheng Empire, there were only two kings with different surnames. Aside from the Prince of Zhenmu, there was the Prince of Pingqing in Qing Province, who had kept the Xiongnu from moving south for ten years!

The Emperor trusted both men deeply, which was why he had married his two most beloved daughters, Princess Changyang and Princess Nanyang, to Shen Yi and Lin Fengxuan respectively!

Alas, the Prince of Pingqing truly could not leave his post.

Only the Prince of Zhenmu, having just won a great victory, was the most qualified and the one the Emperor felt most at ease with. After all, the Prince of Zhenmu was the only one whom the officials resisted.

As for the reason, Shen Yi did not know.

"Second Uncle, do you mean... His Majesty?" Shen Yi asked in a low voice.

Shen Jianren trembled. "Don't speak nonsense! Why would His Majesty want you dead? I think the old scoundrel Yuwen is the most likely..."

He let out a long sigh. "The old scoundrel Yuwen's eldest son, Yuwen Rongyi, is known as the greatest warrior among the youth of Great Cheng and has always craved an opportunity to distinguish himself. This time, the call for him to take the post of Great General is the loudest."

Shen Yi sighed inwardly. He hated these power struggles more than anything. As an undercover agent, he had lived every day in fear, constantly having to consider the big picture. Now that he had transmigrated, he still had to live so exhaustingly.

Fortunately, this body was indeed strong; even after being neglected for over a year, it was still stronger than he had been in his previous life. Clearly, his foundation was solid.

No wonder no one doubted the authenticity of his "feat" of taking on ten women...

Shen Yi calculated that his self-defense capability was not bad at all. He might not be able to lift a thousand catties, but he certainly had the strength of three or four hundred.

However, compared to the greatest warrior of Great Cheng, Yuwen Rongyi, who was said to have a punch of a thousand catties, he was far behind.

"Nephew, don't mess around anymore. Stop being a wastrel, staying alive is what matters," Shen Jianren said, patting him in comfort.

"The situation in Great Cheng is turbulent, and His Majesty no longer has absolute authority. So, whether you are a wastrel or not doesn't matter; if the court's powerful clans really want to plot against you, even the Emperor can't protect you. Once this matter is over, just honestly stay by the Princess's side."

"Oh no!"

At this, Shen Jianren’s face was full of helplessness.

Shen Yi was confused.

"Princess Changyang has arrived!"

"Nephew, don't talk back, and don't resist," Shen Jianren said, looking at Shen Yi with pity. "Your behavior last night is among the top three most serious offenses in the Consort Code!"

"Second Uncle, what kind of punishment is that?" Shen Yi was stunned.

Shen Jianren seemed to recall something, his eyes trembling with fear. "Cold snow on bare skin, kneeling on ice to kowtow, and the wet whip..."

Shen Yi looked at the snowflakes outside and shivered, his expression turning cold. "I remember that’s not Great Cheng law; it's a private punishment. Besides, I've only just recovered."

"The imperial physician said you were as strong as an ox..."

*Click.*

The door opened.

A woman dressed in a red cloak with sable fur looked in with icy eyes. Her dignified and elegant makeup made her look stunning, and even the heavy, luxurious robes could not hide her graceful figure.

Especially those bright, watery eyes, like stars and the moon!

With red lips and white teeth, surrounded by a faint fragrance, she was truly like a noble lotus—white with a hint of red, absolutely beautiful!

"Duke of Jianguo, greetings," Princess Changyang said, bowing her head with gentle, humble politeness.

Shen Jianren immediately felt awkward and quickly bowed in return. "Princess, you are too kind. I am humbled."

Princess Changyang smiled. "Duke of Jianguo, my aunt asked me to come in and call for you."

"Right, right. I’ve finished seeing Yi'er, I’ll leave now." Shen Jianren retreated respectfully, signaling with his eyes for Shen Yi to endure it.

This made Shen Yi frown deeply. Being stripped bare and whipped with a wet whip in such cold weather was one thing.

But to make him kneel and kowtow?

He was a prince consort, not a beast of burden!

As soon as Shen Jianren left, Princess Changyang’s expression immediately turned as cold as ice, her disgust and indifference undisguised!

Beside her, a middle-aged nanny looked at him with contempt and anger. "Men!"

*Whoosh!*

Four Imperial Guards rushed in aggressively. "Princess! Please give your orders!"

The middle-aged nanny waved her hand. "The Princess commands! Drag the consort out! Strip him! Make him kneel on the ground, and for every kowtow he makes, give him a lash! Stop only when he has reached fifty!"

"Yes!"

Seeing the four men hesitate, Shen Yi shouted angrily, "Nanny Wang! This is the illegal use of private punishment! Let's see who dares!"

Nanny Wang sneered. "Consort, you brought this on yourself! As a consort, you do not follow the rules for men, you are deviant, and you deserve death! For what happened last night, dying ten thousand times would not be enough to atone for your sins!"

Shen Yi sneered, "Who was it that kicked me out of the bridal chamber, Liu Zhaoqin? If there is fault, it is her fault first! Furthermore, I was drugged and nearly died!"

"Bullshit! How bold!" Nanny Wang scolded. "You dare address the Princess by her given name! Another crime! Who in the capital doesn't know you're a piece of trash? Who would bother drugging you? You are truly shameless! Take him away!"

"Wait!"

Suddenly, Princess Changyang said with an indifferent expression, "You say you were poisoned? Then what qualifications do you think you have to be worth poisoning? Besides, you are a debauched, filthy, pathetic waste! How dare you talk back to me? My father married me to you; my mere presence in your mansion is an honor to the Shen family! And you want to push your luck? The bridal chamber? Heh! Do you think a piece of trash like you is worthy? Hmph! Look at your beastly behavior last night! It is simply shameless! Disgusting! Today, I shall execute you on my father's behalf for bringing shame to the royal family! Imperial Guards, hear my command: execute Shen Yi immediately!"

Shen Yi couldn't help but laugh, his icy gaze sweeping over the guards who were stepping forward.

"You are the Imperial Guards! Your duty is to escort the Princess to the mansion, not to be her private army! The Emperor hasn't issued a decree, how dare you carry out an execution? Take one more step, and don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Nanny Wang laughed mockingly, "Shen Yi, you, ruthless? Have you forgotten how you were beaten by the seven scholars of the capital and had to crawl through a dog hole to escape?"

Hearing this, the guards showed disdain and sarcasm. A piece of trash who had disgraced the royal family, yet he dared to look down on them?

Let's finish him!

Princess Changyang was even more furious and humiliated.

Shen Yi’s dark history was like a poisoned thorn; every time it was mentioned, it cut her heart like a knife!

She would be a laughingstock and a disgrace to the entire royal family and in the history books!

To wipe it away!

There was only one way.

"Kill him!"