I, the Treacherous Minister, Fell in Love with Someone Else—What’s It Got to Do with You, Empress? - Chapter 2:

Chapter 2: You’re Telling Me I Get Stronger by Angering the Empress?

Back when Lin Ming was still the heir apparent, his treacherous father, Lin Ba, had arranged a childhood engagement between him and the then-little Empress Ye Qinghuan. Originally, it was a scheme Lin Ba devised to control the future ruler.

But unexpectedly, one night, due to excessive use of tonics, Lin Ba kicked the bucket. Lin Ming then muddled his way into inheriting his position—now even holding the title of fiancé to the Empress.

“Why didn’t anyone tell me sooner?!”

As soon as Lin Ming heard this, his vision went black, and he nearly dropped dead on the spot.

Oh my god! The Empress’s fiancé!

Since ancient times, serving beside the ruler was like living with a tiger. Just look at the tragic fates of those imperial concubines. Now he was the man of the Empress? What kind of good ending could that possibly have?

His dreams of chasing beauties, indulging in luxury, and being a carefree young master now felt miles away…

And what if this Empress turned out to be some heavyweight bruiser trying to devour a younger man? What then?

No way! A real man stands tall under the heavens. How could he be content being under someone else forever?

“Her Majesty has arrived!”

A shrill voice shattered his wild thoughts. Lin Ming could only brace himself and walk out to greet her.

At that moment, a tall and stunningly beautiful woman in a dragon robe and phoenix crown walked toward him. Her graceful posture and cold, refined features made her look like a goddess stepped out of a painting, untouched by worldly dust.

She exuded elegance, yet there was a distinct aura of imperial might.

Luo Feng and the others all immediately dropped to one knee, “Greetings to Her Majesty! Long live the Empress!”

This was the current Empress, Ye Qinghuan!

She had ascended to the throne at the age of eighteen. Her reign, titled Zhenming, had lasted for over two years now.

Lin Ming’s eyes lit up instantly. Actually… being kept by her didn’t sound so bad!

A real man knows when to bend and when to rise—wasn’t that the true path?

As he stared at her in a daze, his gaze locked directly onto Ye Qinghuan’s face. The officials behind him instantly turned pale!

He actually dared to look directly at the Empress’s face! The newly appointed Duke Commander had some nerve!

Even Ye Qinghuan’s beautiful face showed a trace of awkwardness. She coughed lightly and said, “Minister Lin, is there something on my face?”

Lin Ming finally snapped back to his senses and chuckled as he prepared to kneel, “Your subject Lin Ming greets Her Majesty!”

Ye Qinghuan suddenly spoke, “No need. The late Emperor issued a decree granting Duke Commander the honor of not kneeling before the throne.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for the favor!”

“Minister Lin, you’ve worked hard during this mourning period. Is your health well?” Ye Qinghuan asked as her eyes scanned him, confirming that Lin Ming looked perfectly fine.

A trace of icy light flashed through her beautiful eyes.

He was still alive?!

According to her plan, this new Duke Commander was supposed to have such a frail body that after indulging for three days straight, he should’ve died by today!

Lin Ming grinned, “The sacred Empire governs by filial piety. Fulfilling one’s duty to a father is every son’s responsibility. I’m doing very well. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty!”

“Very good. I shall personally offer sacrifices to the late Duke Commander to honor his immense contributions to the Great Duan Empire.”

Ye Qinghuan flicked her sleeve and led the group into the ancestral hall.

Lin Ming kept smiling, but his heart was uneasy.

He had completely forgotten—this Empress before him was the one who got his body killed in the first place!

Now she came personally, under the guise of paying respects, but it was probably just to confirm whether he was truly dead.

Otherwise, why hadn’t she mentioned the engagement even once? It was as if the fiancé didn’t exist at all!

“Women really are the most dangerous… Fine, a woman this beautiful isn’t someone I can handle. Better keep my distance.”

Lin Ming sighed internally.

But just then—

[Ding! All host data has been successfully loaded. Total time: twelve minutes. System is now activating at full speed!]

An electronic voice exploded in his mind like a prehistoric force!

He stiffened—

His waist suddenly felt stronger!

His golden finger—his golden daddy—had arrived!

The system didn’t come early, but it never missed the show. This was thrilling!

[System activation complete!]

[Loading protagonist panel!]

[This product is officially named “Strategist Infiltration System.” Codename: “Get Stronger by Angering the Empress”!]

[As the name suggests, the more you anger Empress Ye Qinghuan, the more rage points and rage count you accumulate—the greater the rewards you receive!]

[Kind reminder: Each reward only lasts three seconds. Based on the Empress’s strength, she only needs half a second to slice the host in two.]

Lin Ming took thirty seconds to digest all this information.

Damn it! What kind of absurd system was this? Just going after Ye Qinghuan like that?

Angering the Empress? That’s no different from robbing a bank in the real world!

No—robbing a bank is even safer. At least the police take a few minutes to take you down. This Empress could cut you in half in half a second!

Lin Ming took a deep breath. He was ready to say no.

Screw the system! If he really used it, he’d die sooner or later.

Just then, a system panel popped up:

[Host: Lin Ming]

Okay, that was his name.

[Combat Power: Below average]

Expected. As a spoiled young master, how strong could he be?

[Intelligence: Slightly below average]

What the hell? Just say average! Why bother with “slightly below”?

But for a rich heir, as long as he could tell genders apart and recite the multiplication table and basic arithmetic, that was enough.

Then came the real kicker—

[Remaining lifespan: 3 hours 20 minutes (Note: Newbie transmigration bonus includes 4 hours of life)]

Lin Ming’s mouth twitched. So he’d transmigrated into a body that was already on the brink of death?

Oh golden daddy, your tricks run deep!

So basically, if he didn’t take on the system missions, he’d really die?

Thinking of this, he looked toward Ye Qinghuan, who had already passed by him, and inhaled sharply.

Gamble big, win big!

“Your Majesty!” he suddenly called out, quickly stepping forward to block her path.

“What is it? Does Duke Commander have something to say?” Ye Qinghuan asked with a cold expression. Even without anger, her presence was overwhelming. She wondered what this pampered noble brat was trying to do.

Lin Ming said with a forced grin, “I just wanted to ask Your Majesty—as your fiancé, when exactly are we getting married and spending our wedding night? My mother—oh no, I mean Princess Qinghe, your aunt—has been waiting to have grandchildren!”

The entire courtyard instantly fell into dead silence! Everyone stared at Lin Ming in utter shock!

Everyone knew that the Empress was ambitious and determined to purge traitors and restore order. The one thing she hated most was the topic of that childhood engagement!

Ye Qinghuan’s gaze darkened. For the first time, genuine anger flickered in her eyes as she stared coldly at Lin Ming.

But moments later, she composed herself and said frostily, “Is Duke Commander trying to remind me not to forget that childhood betrothal?”

“I am the ruler of a nation. Naturally, I won’t forget the late Emperor’s decree. But don’t you think it’s a bit impatient to bring it up now—at your father’s funeral?”

[Ding! Empress’s rage +1. Host’s lifespan extended by 100 minutes!]

[First Blood Mission complete! Newbie reward triggered! Acquired talent: “Sweetheart Stud”—Stamina +100%! Physical toughness +200%!]

Hearing the system’s rewards echo in his mind, Lin Ming was elated!

He had made the right bet!

And this was just from 1 rage point? The rewards were already this generous?

Then what if…

Looking at Ye Qinghuan, whose eyes still held a trace of anger, Lin Ming had a bold idea—if you’re going to play, go big!

A bright smile appeared on his face. He casually picked up a banana peel from the ground and tossed it toward Ye Qinghuan’s feet.

“Your Majesty!” he suddenly shouted.

“Hmm?”

Ye Qinghuan turned, her cold eyes locked onto him, “Minister, do you still have something to say?”

At that moment, her jade-like foot landed squarely on the banana peel. She slipped!

Her body lost balance, arms flailing as she tumbled forward, face down!

“Your Majesty!” The people around her shouted in panic.

Ye Qinghuan’s eyes widened in shock as she twisted mid-air to recover her posture, trying to stabilize herself and fall in another direction.

However, she landed perfectly…

Right into Lin Ming’s arms.

Their faces were barely 5 millimeters apart.