Beauty Portraits: I Build a Harem in Another World

Page 42

Do you think I'm a cargo ship?

So he waved his hand and sent several warships with the previously captured airships to make it look like they were about to land in front of Kyoto Harbor to hold back the Inazuma army. In reality, the main force turned around and forced a landing on the flank. Once all the troops were ashore, they immediately launched a full-scale attack on Kyoto Harbor from the rear. Caught in a pincer movement, the Inazuma army was completely overwhelmed and unable to defend itself, and was utterly routed.

Of course, while the war raged outside, Qin Feng was also enjoying the spectacle, and he was incredibly relaxed...

As a prince, especially with two princesses accompanying him, even if Bai Hao were foolish, he would never allow him to get close to the battlefield. So from beginning to end, Qin Feng stayed on the flagship and watched the changes in the battlefield from afar. Even Bai Zhiwei was unable to use her expertise.

Because Bai Hao's only task for her was to keep the prince company, Qin Feng was sitting on the flagship's deck, basking in the sun and watching the show. He was surrounded by various fruits and had beautiful women massaging his shoulders and back. It was something to be envied!

Perhaps even the heavens couldn't bear to watch, because a group of 'water ghosts' suddenly appeared beneath Qin Feng's flagship. They were the most famous ninja legion of Inazuma, specializing in 'decapitation operations,' a method that the Inazuma people always believed in: capture the leader first...

Although they were at a complete disadvantage on the main battlefield, there were still some clever people among those politicians, so they came up with this idea: what use would it be if they could capture the leader of the Qin Empire?

Then, the flagship where Qin Feng is now is too conspicuous. Not only is it left alone at sea, but Qin Feng is also surrounded by a group of beautiful women. He is lying so ostentatiously on the deck, as if he is afraid that people will not see him.

So the ninja army appeared, and their target was... Qin Feng! (The last part is a nonsensical string of characters and doesn't translate directly.)

But this time they're likely to be disappointed!

Faced with the sizable ninja army that swiftly climbed onto the flagship's deck, Qin Feng's expression remained completely unchanged. He simply waved his hand casually, "Kill the men and throw them into the sea. Keep the women for me to play with... Oh, and only the pretty ones!"

"..."

Bai Hao only learned about Inazuma's dispatch of a ninja army to snipe the Third Prince later. He immediately rushed back with his men to provide support. After all, the outcome of the landing battle was basically decided. If anything happened to the Third Prince, all their previous efforts would be in vain!

What surprised him, yet not entirely, was that the assassination operation here had ended long ago, and the Third Prince was still leisurely lying there eating fruit and enjoying a massage from a beautiful woman. As for the two princesses, they were even more outrageous; they were even doing face masks on the deck...

Well, Qin Feng told them this: applying cucumber slices to your face can moisturize, whiten, control oil, and reduce fine lines. It's practically a natural super skincare product!

So Bai Hao breathed a huge sigh of relief on the spot, of course there was nothing wrong with the situation in front of him!

But the problem is... wasn't it said that Inazuma sent out a ninja army?

How come there's no sign of a battle here?

What about those ninjas?

Chapter 110: The First Meeting with Empress Inazuma

Then General Bai Hao quickly saw a group of people floating on the sea, a total of fifty or sixty people, which was not a small number. But wasn't it said that a total of over a hundred ninjas had reached the flagship?

What? The men were all killed and thrown overboard, and the women... His Highness the Third Prince said he wanted to keep them as pawns?

Do you want to give me two?

Uh... I didn't hear anything!

However, despite this small mishap, the landing operation went quite smoothly. And most importantly, no one expected that Inazuma would be so foolish as to deploy troops from several nearby cities to defend Kyoto Port in advance, which had a very serious consequence!

These new recruits lacked sufficient combat experience and psychological preparation. As a result, faced with the Qin Empire's army attacking from both sides and without proper command, they completely collapsed on the spot. When the first recruit broke down under immense pressure and chose to surrender, it triggered... everyone else!

As a result, the Qin army effortlessly wiped out all the defensive forces in the capital!

This was something no one had anticipated...

Most importantly, once these soldiers surrender, then neither Kyoto nor the surrounding cities will have any ability to defend themselves!

As mentioned earlier, Inazuma's terrain is long and narrow, so it has no strategic depth. In particular, Kyoto Port is only a short distance from Kyoto City, so if the Qin army marches at full speed, it can arrive directly in one or two hours at most. What can Inazuma's new cabinet do in those two hours? Escape?

Well... what happened next was truly outrageous, because Inazuma's new cabinet actually surrendered!

Yes, you read that right, the Inazuma Empire has surrendered!

Once it was confirmed that Kyoto was completely unable to withstand the Qin army's strong attack, the new cabinet immediately held an emergency meeting. They then unanimously passed a resolution to surrender and attempted to shift all the blame onto Queen Inazuma, whom they had imprisoned.

So when General Bai Hao arrived at the capital city with the Qin army and the Third Prince Qin Feng, who was there for a 'tourist' trip, what he saw was not a city on full alert and ready to fight to the death, but a city with its gates wide open and a city full of kneeling citizens.

But this is not surprising. Because the people of Inatsuma were born on an island nation, and the four islands were often in war, with frequent changes of government, there was even a time when the rulers changed three times in one month, the people of Inatsuma have learned to follow the strongest. Whoever is stronger, they will follow.

This time, there is no doubt that Kyoto is completely incapable of resisting the Qin Empire's army. So rather than fighting to the death and completely destroying Kyoto, it would be better to surrender first, preserve strength, and then plan something else once they have recovered or have the strength in private!

Of course, a scapegoat was necessary, since surrendering meant the fall of the country. So, in order to give the people an explanation and to save face for herself, Empress Inazuma, who had been imprisoned, was forcibly brought out.

Then, Qin Feng's first meeting with his empress mother-in-law was a bit awkward.

The once high and mighty Empress Inazuma, Haruko Yoda, is now not only bound hand and foot, but also dressed in rags, her face filthy, and covered in rotten eggs and something resembling feces... Mei is thinking of you, Lin Kong, Lin Zai Zai, are you there yet...?

Because on the way to the Qin army, the new cabinet had already publicly listed many of the Empress's crimes, not only pushing all the responsibility onto her, but also inciting the people to humiliate her, with the aim of creating a fait accompli and making the people of the Qin Empire believe that all the blame lay with Empress Yoda Haruko!

However... these people are probably going to be disappointed, because Bai Hao's army did not stop immediately after arriving, but quickly took control of everyone present!

The reason is simple: after following Qin Feng down from the carriage, seeing her mother in such a state, Kaori Yoda, who was standing next to Qin Feng, immediately fainted in his arms from crying!

Then Qin Feng immediately ordered, "Arrest all the Inazuma officials present!"

So, to the utter disbelief of the crowd of Inazuma citizens, this ridiculously young 'commander' from the Great Qin Empire walked straight towards the former Empress. He not only personally untied her but also took off his coat to cover her disheveled appearance. Then, he stepped back and bowed, saying, "The Third Prince of the Great Qin Empire has led his army to support Your Majesty..."

"..." Haruko Yoda's previously bewildered gaze finally focused again, and then she looked up at Qin Feng, "You are... the Third Prince of Qin? Kaori's... husband?"

"Mother!" Kaori Yoda finally came to her senses and quickly got up and ran over, though two tear streaks still clung to her face. She even knelt on the ground before she arrived, saying, "Your daughter is late in coming to your rescue, causing you, Mother, to suffer!!"

"Whoa!!!" Everyone was immediately in an uproar. It turned out that the Great Qin Empire hadn't come to invade at all; they had come to rescue the emperor!

But wait, didn't the officials in the new cabinet say that the Qin Empire retaliated because Her Majesty the Empress offended it?

So they were the scammers all along?

Of course, things quickly became clear. Thanks to Princess Kaori Yoda's on-the-spot explanation, everyone learned that Her Majesty the Empress had long wanted to end the war, but due to pressure from certain forces within the country, she had no choice but to continue sending her subjects to fight and shed blood abroad. However, after the defeat, she reached some agreements with the Qin Empire through Kaori Yoda's marriage, intending to allow the Inazuma Empire to recuperate properly. But this decision once again aroused the dissatisfaction of these people!

Because these powerful shogunate groups resolutely opposed the new agreement for their own interests, they even went so far as to stage a coup and imprison Her Majesty the Empress. Then they formed a new cabinet and attempted to continue their previous extreme war strategy, and continue to use the people as cannon fodder...

It's now very clear whose fault it is this time!

Amidst the angry shouts of the Kyoto citizens, Qin Feng gave an order, and all the members of the new cabinet were not only tied up on the spot, but also had their heads chopped off with a decisive swing of the swords by the Qin soldiers!

But things certainly won't end so easily. The families of the new cabinet and the powerful clans behind them will also be dealt with. However, this has little to do with Qin Feng, because he is the Third Prince and doesn't need to personally worry about these trivial matters. So, he can leave everything to his father-in-law, Bai Hao.

Besides, as everyone knows, there's a lot of extra money to be made from confiscating property. If they don't benefit their own people, who will benefit at this time?

Bai Hao, as a dignified marshal of the empire, accompanied his third prince on a long expedition, not only for his hard work and great achievements, but also for not getting any merit in return. It would be unreasonable not to give him this little bit of reward!

Oh, by the way, father-in-law, if you see any young and pretty women when you search our house, remember to save them for me...

Uh, father-in-law, why are you looking at me like that?

Or should I give you two later?

Don't worry, she'll definitely be young and beautiful, and I absolutely won't tell Zhiwei about this. We're all men... you know what I mean, hehe!

We won't go into General Bai Hao's bewildered expression here, because it's pointless. Qin Feng has already accompanied Empress Inazuma Haruko back to her Imperial Palace. However, compared to its former bustling state, the Imperial Palace is now not only quiet and deserted, but also desolate, even giving off a somewhat dilapidated feeling...

Since the new cabinet came to power, it not only completely sealed off the Imperial Palace but also dismissed everyone inside. As a result, Empress Haruko Yoda and the two princesses, who were still under house arrest in the Imperial Palace, had to do everything themselves every day. Although the new cabinet was over and Her Majesty the Empress had completely regained her 'freedom' and even regained her real power, the Imperial Palace could not regain its former popularity in the short term!

After all, it will take time to find everyone...

Chapter 111: Xiangli and Xiangju are also twins.

So the Queen's Palace is really clean now. Even if Haruko Yoda wanted someone to pour Qin Feng a glass of water, she could only ask her twin daughters to do so!

Yes, Kaori Yoda's younger sister is also a pair of twins, only sixteen years old this year. Their names are Kari Yoda and Kaori Yoda. Their appearance is similar to Kaori Yoda at the beginning, only slightly more immature and cuter. However, the sisters look quite different now.

Therefore, upon seeing their older sister, the twins immediately rushed over and pestered her with questions. After all, Kaori Yoda had changed quite a bit, and girls inevitably pay attention to such things. So, Haruko Yoda called out several times, but the two sisters simply didn't hear her!

Fortunately, Qin Feng had many palace maids around him who were used to doing these kinds of chores. So when Qin Feng saw the Empress's predicament, he simply waved his hand and said, "Your Majesty, let my palace maids do these chores. Why trouble the princess?"

Since Qin Feng had spoken, Qiu Xiang and the others immediately took over everything in the Imperial Palace. Soon, hot tea was served, along with some fresh fruit and pastries.

However, the most important and necessary thing to do right now is not these things, because in Haruko Yoda's somewhat surprised and bewildered gaze, a group of palace maids who had changed their clothes suddenly walked directly to her side, picked her up, and took her away!

About an hour later, Qin Feng had already teased Kaori Yoda's two younger sisters to the point of exhaustion when Empress Haruko Yoda reappeared. Not only had she finished bathing, but she had also changed back into her original empress attire, making her look much more dignified and completely shedding her previous disheveled appearance!

Therefore, Haruko Yoda's gaze towards Qin Feng was quite complex. Although Qin Feng had never mentioned it, Haruko Yoda still remembered that she had once sent someone to assassinate him. However, Qin Feng not only did not hold a grudge, but also led his troops across the ocean to rescue her when she was in trouble. This kindness... was truly invaluable!

The mother-in-law already liked her son-in-law more and more the more she looked at him, and now, because of this act of saving her, Haruko Yoda felt even more grateful and fond of Qin Feng.

Especially when her daughter confirmed that Qin Feng was not only not the useless person rumored to be, but also very outstanding, and even the next heir to the throne designated by the Great Qin Empire, her eyes were filled with guilt and gratitude. Her attitude towards Qin Feng became even better. She not only readily agreed to her daughter Kaori Yoda's request for her sister to go and "help", but even broke the precedent of never allowing men to stay overnight in the Imperial Palace, allowing Qin Feng to stay in the Imperial Palace for this period of time!

Anyway, all three of her daughters are going to live with this man, so why bother arguing so much...

But actually, it doesn't matter where Qin Feng lives. This Imperial Palace might not be more comfortable than his military tent. However, since it's Kaori Yoda's home, and most importantly, he can play all sorts of passionate games with her in her boudoir, the experience is still excellent!

Unfortunately, starting from the second day, Kaori Yoda never had any free time again.

After reclaiming Kyoto, and especially with the collapse of the new cabinet's power, Empress Haruko Inazuma would definitely need to reclaim her imperial power as soon as possible, otherwise the country would quickly fall into turmoil...

There was no way around it. When the new cabinet came to power, it announced the abolition of the monarchy, which further indicated that the era of Empress's rule over Inazuma had come to an end. Although the new cabinet is collapsing even faster now, the start they set was very bad. It's inevitable that people below will have some thoughts, especially since the longer it drags on, the more difficult it will be to deal with the situation!

Moreover, it is certain that the opposition who support the new cabinet will not give in so easily. As long as they have a little military strength, they will think about taking another chance, and they are also inciting more people to join the ranks of resisting the Empress and the Qin Empire. Therefore, Kaori Yoda will be very busy in the coming period. She needs to go out and explain the causes and consequences of the Qin Empire's military intervention, and she also needs to persuade the major powers of the empire to eventually return to Her Majesty the Empress's command...

However, this matter has little to do with Qin Feng, because his main agenda for the next period of time is to travel and enjoy the scenery!

It's a rare opportunity to come to Inazuma, and there's a chance we might never come back after we go back, so why not take advantage of this chance to have a good time?

Most importantly, the second princess Qin Lan and the fifth princess Qin Ling are also in the midst of their playful mood. So, the next step is that once Kaori Yoda tells Qin Feng that the city is difficult to conquer and that they are determined not to return to the empire, then it will be simple: Qin Feng can immediately set off for a trip there!

Of course, he couldn't go alone; Situ Yang would definitely accompany him with the Imperial Guards...

Speaking of this, Situ Yang's skills in raiding homes are becoming increasingly proficient. Last time, Qin Feng found a pearl necklace that hadn't been properly hidden in his pocket!

To add a point, although the Inazuma Empire has always been headed by the Empress, in reality, women in this country have a very low status!

It's somewhat ironic, but that's the truth.

Especially after marriage, a woman's status drops to an unbelievable level. As a husband, a man can do whatever he wants to a woman, and she can only silently endure it, unable to resist or talk back. She must serve him wholeheartedly, kneeling to see him off when he leaves and kneeling to greet him when he enters. Even the man's entire life, including food, clothing, shelter, and transportation, is the major responsibility that a woman must take care of.

Even Her Majesty the Queen was no exception. Although she was a radiant and dazzling leader of a nation in public, in private she was just an ordinary woman who had to kneel and serve her husband, and had no human rights whatsoever...

This is not surprising.

Despite being an empress, she was still a woman and therefore had to abide by the social rules of Inazuma.

Even after her husband passed away from illness more than ten years ago, Her Majesty the Empress was left all alone, because women in Inazuma were not allowed to remarry. Once she married, she was considered to have married into her husband's family and thus became their private property!

Therefore, there is a very strange and perverse custom in Inatsuma. For example, if a husband dies and he has a brother who is not yet married, then his wife will be 'inherited'!

But this is actually not so bad, because if the husband has no brothers and his father is still alive and single, then... yes, the daughter-in-law becomes the father-in-law's property!

Does that mean it's better for a woman to find a man who has no brothers or father-in-law?

All I can say is, you wish...

Because a woman's greatest responsibility is to reproduce, the same applies to women in Inazuma. Besides taking good care of men, a woman's greatest value lies in childbirth, and only after giving birth will her status improve slightly. Therefore, for women in Inazuma, bearing children is the primary task they must do after marriage, and nothing is more important than this. If she has not conceived within two years of marriage, her husband can not only divorce her and remarry, but also give her away at will!

Isn't that terrible?

But what's even more tragic is that even after giving birth, women have absolutely no autonomy!

Now let's return to our earlier question: if the husband dies, and he has no brothers or father-in-law, is the woman free? Mei is thinking of you, you're empty-handed, Lin is here...

Of course this is impossible!

Because if a woman hasn't given birth by this time, everyone will think she's a jinx, having caused her husband's death, so she'll be buried with him...

If she has given birth to children, it's even simpler; she will become the private property of her son or daughter, who can dispose of her as they please!

Chapter 112: The hot spring culture of mixed bathing for men and women

To put it bluntly, women in Inazuma are treated like objects. Once married, it's no different from being sold. They lose all autonomy and can be used by anyone in the buyer's household. What's most terrifying is that this rule has been passed down since ancient times, so no one thinks there's anything wrong with it. Even Empress Haruko Yoda has never thought of changing anything...

What? You're asking me why Kaori Yoda shares the same surname as Haruko Yoda?

Since women in Inazuma have no rights, how can a daughter have the same surname as her mother?

Well... Kaori Yoda naturally shares her mother's surname, because women from Inatsuma usually change their surname to their husband's after marrying into his family!

So Haruko Yoda was actually called Haruko Chiba before.

This name looks familiar?

That's right. The female assassin who came to assassinate Qin Feng earlier was named Chiba Runa. Like Yoda Haruko, she was a member of the Chiba family. In other words, Yoda Haruko had the support of her maternal family. However, this support was actually tied to interests, since Yoda Haruko was the empress.

Moreover, this kind of bondage is extremely cruel. Just like when Haruko Yoda's husband died of illness, the Chiba family immediately slaughtered all the members of the Yoda family, except for Haruko Yoda and her three daughters. No one else in the Yoda family was spared!

Even more cruelly, after the new cabinet came to power through a coup and then abolished and imprisoned Haruko Yoda, the Chiba family completely abandoned Haruko Yoda's family... because they were no longer of any use!

This further proves that women have absolutely no status in Inazuma, because even Empress Haruko Yoda is like this, let alone other ordinary women!

So, to put it bluntly, if it weren't for the arrival of the Qin Empire's army, and if it weren't for Qin Feng, the third prince of Qin, fully supporting Yoda Haruko, it would have been almost impossible for her, the deposed empress, to make a comeback. That's how it is in Inazuma; once something happens, there's no going back. Everyone habitually follows the strong, and the law of the jungle is an absolute truth here!

Haruko Yoda understood this perfectly well, so when Qin Feng finally returned from his "sightseeing trip," she immediately dragged her daughter over to find him...