I Faked My Death, Only to Be Dragged Back to the Palace by the Enemy Empress

For three years, Xiao Yan assisted the Great Li Empress Jiang Qingshu, using modern technology and a thousand years of military strategy to propel her to the throne of an emperor for the ages.

But once the birds are gone, the bow is put away. The very first thing she did after ascending the throne was strip Xiao Yan of his military power for the sake of her good-for-nothing former love, even trying to seize the life-saving medicine he guarded.

“Your achievements threaten the throne. Sparing your life is already an act of imperial grace.”

Faced with an utterly heartless ruler, Xiao Yan smiled. That night, a great fire destroyed the chancellor's residence. The brilliant Chancellor Xiao vanished for good, leaving no trace of his body.

When word got out, Jiang Qingshu thought she could rest easy. But in less than three months, the treasury was empty, the borders were collapsing, and her former love's useless nature was laid bare. Watching her crumbling empire, she went completely mad!

By then, Xiao Yan had fled to the enemy nation of Beiyong. He had planned to live a carefree life as a wealthy man, but instead he rescued Yan Rushuang, Beiyong's ruthless empress, who was gravely wounded.

Worse still, the empress saw through his disguise at a glance. She surrounded the city with her army and forcibly took him back to the imperial palace!

Xiao Yan protested helplessly, “Your Majesty, I'm really just a cook. I only want to earn a little money.”

Yan Rushuang sneered and tossed the Imperial Seal into his arms. “Keep pretending! That blind fool in Great Li doesn't want you, but I do! Want to run? Fine. I'll conquer all nine provinces and ten kingdoms. Let's see where you can escape to!”

Not long afterward, Great Li was on the brink of collapse. Jiang Qingshu arrived at the city gates with red-rimmed eyes, humbly begging Xiao Yan to return.

But Yan Rushuang drew the Emperor's Sword and shielded Xiao Yan behind her, smiling with imperious confidence. “You want to steal my imperial consort? Ask my three hundred thousand cavalry if they'll let you!”