Villain: Manipulating the Heroines into hating the Protagonist

Chapter 568 Queen Xiulan's Seed Of Ambition Blooms

The grand gates of the Royal Palace creaked open, heralding the return of King Mo Tianyang. After a month of overseeing the Eastern Territory campaigns, he finally stood before his Queen. Queen Xiulan, having spent the past few weeks entangled in the web of Wang Jian's music and manipulations, felt a strange mix of apprehension and anticipation.

"My King," she announced, her voice regal, as she greeted him in the grand hall.

King Mo Tianyang, a imposing figure with fiery red hair and a booming voice, swept her into a brief embrace. "Xiulan," he greeted, his smile as warm as ever. "It's good to be back."

They settled in the throne room, maps and reports spread before them. Queen Xiulan began to discuss matters of the Blue Moon Eclipse Devil Tribe, detailing concerns about trade routes and recent skirmishes with neighboring settlements.

King Mo Tianyang, however, seemed preoccupied. He skimmed through the reports with a distracted air, his mind seemingly far away. "Leave it to me," he finally declared, waving a dismissive hand. "I'll handle it."

Queen Xiulan frowned. "There were some ideas I had—" she began, only to be interrupted.

"Later, Xiulan," he said, his voice curt. "The journey was long and arduous. I need to rest and strategize."

His words struck a chord within Queen Xiulan. It wasn't the first time he'd dismissed her suggestions. But this time, the echo of Wang Jian's words resonated in her mind – "You are the Queen… you shouldn't need permission from anyone."

A flicker of resentment ignited within her, a spark fueled by weeks of carefully placed whispers and manipulated emotions. She pushed back, her voice steely. "But Your Majesty, I believe my perspective—"

King Mo Tianyang slammed his fist on the table, making the scrolls and reports dance. "Enough, Xiulan!" he roared. "I, as King, will make the decisions! You need not concern yourself with these matters."

The room hung heavy with tension. Queen Xiulan, in all her years as Queen, had never witnessed such a display of anger from her husband. Normally, she would have brushed it off, attributing it to his usual gruffness. But now, his authoritarian tone felt more like control than concern.

Memories of the past month flooded her mind – Wang Jian's soft words praising her power, his subtle criticisms of the King's perceived limitations. As she looked at her husband, his anger morphed into something different – a man who didn't trust her, who believed her incapable of ruling by his side.

The revelation was a punch to the gut. Was this truly how he viewed her? Despite her years of service, her loyalty, her strategic mind? A wave of anger, cold and potent, washed over her.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of strained interactions. Every condescending remark, every dismissive gesture, felt like an attack. Her once familiar husband now seemed like a stranger, a man who kept her on a leash, preventing her from exercising her true power.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the palace walls, Queen Xiulan found herself alone in her chambers. Tears, fueled by anger and a newfound sense of ambition, welled up in her eyes.

"No more," she whispered, her voice trembling with a newfound resolve. "No more will I be a passive participant in my own life."

The seeds of rebellion, planted by Wang Jian's words and nurtured by her own growing resentment, had begun to blossom. The once loyal Queen now harbored a secret desire – to break free from the perceived shackles imposed on her and claim the true power that rightfully belonged to her.

As the moon bathed the Moonlit Gardens in its ethereal glow, Queen Xiulan emerged from the palace walls, a steely glint in her eyes. She found Wang Jian waiting for her, his figure shrouded in shadows.

"Wang Jian," she announced, her voice firm, "I have come to a decision."

He bowed, a hint of a smile playing on his lips hidden by his hood. "And what decision is that, Your Majesty?" he inquired, his voice smooth as silk.

Queen Xiulan took a deep breath, her voice leaving no room for doubt. "I want the power. I want to be the true ruler of the Blue Moon Eclipse Devil Tribe."

A flicker of surprise crossed Wang Jian's eyes, masked by a respectful bow. "A bold wish, Your Majesty," he said, his voice barely a whisper.

"And I want your help," she continued, her gaze unwavering. "Tell me, Wang Jian, how can I make it happen?"

A sly smile finally broke free across his face. "There are two key ingredients, Your Majesty," he began, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "Two challenges that must be overcome."

Queen Xiulan leaned closer, anticipation hanging heavy in the air. "What are they?"

He held her gaze for a moment, his eyes glinting in the moonlight. "The first," he said, his voice low and chilling, "is the removal of the current obstacle."

Queen Xiulan understood him instantly. A cold shiver ran down her spine, but the seeds of ambition had taken root. "You mean…" she started, her voice barely a whisper.

"King Mo Tianyang," he finished, his voice devoid of emotion. "His presence… well, it would be a significant impediment to your aspirations, wouldn't you agree?"

Queen Xiulan clenched her fists. The thought of killing her husband filled her with a mix of revulsion and grim resolve. Yet, the seductive voice of power whispered promises in her ear.

"And the second?" she asked, her voice hardened with determination.

"The second," Wang Jian continued, leaning closer, his voice barely a whisper that sent a shiver down her spine, "is legitimacy. The tribe needs proof of your right to rule. A declaration from your predecessor, perhaps?"

His words hung heavy in the air, the implication clear. Queen Xiulan's breath hitched. "You mean…" she started, the words catching in her throat.

Wang Jian nodded, his eyes boring into hers. "A document, signed with the King's blood essence, stating his… abdication."

The Queen's eyes narrowed. Murder. It wasn't a path she had ever considered before, but the seed planted by Wang Jian had sprouted and bloomed into a poisonous flower of ambition.

"And how do we acquire this… decree?" she asked, her voice laced with a newfound determination.

"Through a slight… manipulation of circumstances," he chuckled, the sound devoid of humor. "We need to create a situation where King Mo Tianyang feels compelled to relinquish control, to publicly acknowledge your capabilities."

He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a seductive murmur, the heat of his breath tickling her ear. "Perhaps," he said, his hand brushing against hers, sending a jolt through her, "an elaborate trap, where his leadership skills are demonstrably… lacking."

Queen Xiulan couldn't help but shiver at the touch, her anger towards her husband momentarily overshadowed by the unexpected contact. She quickly withdrew her hand, the heat of his touch lingering on her skin.

"And which ambitious devil families or sects do you suggest we… involve?" she inquired, focusing on the matter at hand.

Wang Jian smiled, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. "There are several possibilities, Your Majesty," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. "The Crimson Claw Devils… their matriarch has ambitions for expansion, and perhaps a strategic partnership could benefit both parties."

He continued to propose different factions, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. As they strategized, he subtly maneuvered himself closer to Queen Xiulan, his voice dropping to a seductive murmur as he analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of each alliance.

The night deepened, filled with whispered plans and dangerous scheming. Yet, amidst the conversation, Queen Xiulan couldn't help but notice the way his eyes lingered on her, the way his voice lowered to a husky timbre whenever he leaned close. His touch, although fleeting, had left a lingering warmth on her skin.

She found herself responding to his subtle advances, drawn in by an intoxicating mix of intrigue, forbidden desire, and the seductive promise of power. By the time the first rays of dawn painted the sky, a dangerous agreement had been forged. Queen Xiulan, fueled by ambition and the subtle manipulations of a cunning musician, was ready to seize the throne.

And Wang Jian, his true motives shrouded in darkness, watched with a satisfied grin. He was just one step closer to achieving his endgame.

The days that followed were a whirlwind of secret meetings and treacherous scheming. Wang Jian, casting off his previous facade of a humble musician, took on the role of a shrewd negotiator. He slipped through the shadows, a silent messenger flitting between the opulent palaces of ambitious devil families and the hidden lairs of disgruntled sects.

His target? The growing discontent within the Blue Moon Eclipse Devil Tribe. He fanned the flames of resentment, whispering tales of King Mo Tianyang's waning leadership, his alleged arrogance, and his perceived favoritism towards certain factions.

"The King is blind!" he hissed to the fiery Matriarch of the Crimson Claw Devils, a woman known for her ruthless ambition. "He squanders our strength by focusing on petty squabbles! Under your leadership, we could forge a glorious empire!"