When the conversation reached this point, the vast hall fell silent. Lu Xiao, acting as if she didn’t notice, picked up the tea the old female had prepared for her and sipped it slowly.

She knew her previous words had been blunt. These females were probably only just now realizing what it truly meant for the Male Beastmen’s Spirit Sea disorder to no longer be a problem.

It meant the end of the era of female superiority and male inferiority. Perhaps the scarcity of females would still grant them certain advantages, but they would no longer be a mandatory choice for Male Beastmen.

After all, if they could live good, painless lives, finding a partner would become optional. One could live a perfectly decent life by oneself, just by working hard.

Lu Xiao had never intended to change the Empire’s worldview. She simply hoped that the insular and arrogant females would change a little and face reality.

Blind exploitation was not the answer.

"Her Majesty the Queen, are you really going to just let things continue like this?" After a long silence, the female in the pink dress finally broke, turning to Her Majesty the Queen for help.

After hearing what Lu Xiao said, she knew perfectly well that with their current status and abilities, they couldn’t stop the development of the potion that cured the S-Class Male Beastmen’s Spirit Sea disorder. They simply didn’t have that kind of power. If anyone did, it could only be Her Majesty the Queen.

In fact, a single word from her could change the plight of every female in the Empire.

That was why she pleaded with Her Majesty the Queen. Deep down, she was certain the Queen would agree. ’After all, Her Majesty is a female too, isn’t she?’

’Everything Lu Xiao just said would affect Her Majesty as well.’

Her Majesty the Queen lifted her gaze and glanced coolly at her. Of course she could discern the demand underlying the female’s words. It was precisely because she could that she felt a surge of impatience.

’It seems the females are in need of a thorough shake-up.’

She ignored the female in the pink dress, turning her gaze to Lu Xiao instead. "Is the development of the potion proceeding smoothly?"

"So far, it’s going very smoothly. Seeing results is just a matter of time. Everyone is working hard to make this happen, since it’s a great benefit to the Empire and its people." Lu Xiao wasn’t worried that Her Majesty the Queen would terminate the research. She believed that since the Queen had returned to the Royal Palace and was vigorously promoting Release Therapy, she was determined to see this through. After all, this would be a great achievement for Her Majesty. If the Spirit Sea disorder that had plagued males for so many years could be eradicated in this era, it would be an accomplishment worthy of the history books.

No ruler could ever refuse such a legacy.

Unless they were indifferent to historical progress and their place in it.

"Mm. If you encounter any difficulties, do not hesitate to ask. The sooner we have results on this matter, the better." The Queen’s words were, without a doubt, her answer to the question the female in pink had just asked.

Her expression instantly turned ugly.

She understood exactly what Her Majesty the Queen meant.

"Her Majesty the Queen, are you truly going to watch the females decline until we can no longer control the males?" The female in pink grew agitated, even glancing at her companions. "Hurry up and say something!"

This time, Her Majesty the Queen finally turned her gaze upon her. "Control the males? You certainly have some nerve."

Those words made the female’s heart clench. ’Her Majesty the Queen, for all her power, has never spoken of controlling males. But I just said it out loud... what does that imply?’

At this realization, she was filled with dread and hurriedly stammered, "I—I didn’t mean that! I was just anxious and spoke without thinking. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"Hmph. Anxious about what? That your partner will divorce you? Useless. If you were truly capable, you could live perfectly well without a male. Lu Xiao is right. You all need to do some serious self-reflection. You think you’re in control of the males, but in reality, you’re the ones who are more dependent on them. You’ve all been coddled into uselessness, yet you still think you’re the puppet masters!" Her Majesty the Queen had clearly understood the true meaning behind Lu Xiao’s words.

Lu Xiao couldn’t help but admire the Queen’s wisdom. Even though Her Majesty hadn’t actively managed political affairs in years, she still had the Empire’s situation grasped firmly in her hand.

’She grasped the situation so profoundly from just a few words.’

"The era will not grind to a halt because of your foolishness. The problem of the male Spirit Sea disorder will be solved, one way or another. Should we stop all this progress just for your selfish interests? You think far too highly of yourselves." Her Majesty the Queen snorted, then continued, "If you had possessed any foresight, you wouldn’t be so worried about this happening."

"Your Majesty, we know we were wrong, but it’s all happening so suddenly, so quickly... we just can’t accept it." The female in pink’s eyes welled with tears, her expression full of grievance. She was clearly trying a softer approach.

Unfortunately, Her Majesty the Queen seemed to have made up her mind and was completely unmoved by this emotional blackmail. "Let me be frank with you. This coming Monday, a new law will be decreed. In the future, males will no longer face physical punishment for initiating a divorce. Furthermore, their assets will be reapportioned after liquidation based on the value of each party’s contribution to the household during the marriage. The days of using divorce to seize a male’s assets are over. The females of the Empire must change."

They never imagined that the Queen had already had this in mind, let alone that she had already amended the law. There was no longer any hope of persuading her.

Lu Xiao was also taken by surprise to hear this.

She had not expected the Queen to have already made such a firm decision.

In her view, the marriage laws targeting males had always been inherently unfair.

But it wasn’t a matter she could interfere in. She never expected Her Majesty the Queen to go and change it on her own.

When she looked over at the trio who had come today to persuade the Queen, she saw they were all in a state of shock. Lu Xiao couldn’t resist lifting her teacup and taking a sip to hide her smile.

The female in pink was utterly dumbfounded, sitting there for a long moment without reacting. Not only had her concerns been ignored, but the situation had become even worse. ’This isn’t how it was supposed to go at all!’

’Does this mean I’ll really have to bow my head to males from now on?’

Her Majesty the Queen looked down at the guests. "Is there anything else?"

Duke Green, who had been silent ever since Lu Xiao’s arrival, rose to his feet. "There is nothing else. We shall not disturb Your Majesty’s rest any longer."

With the Queen’s permission, he turned and was the first to leave the Royal Palace.

After the trio had departed, Her Majesty the Queen turned to Lu Xiao, her eyes filled with approval. "What you said today was very well put."

Lu Xiao smiled. "I was only speaking the truth."

"And it is because it’s the truth that they refuse to listen. Over the years, these females have grown increasingly unruly. It’s high time they had a wake-up call."

Clearly, despite having spent the last few years living at Sofie Manor, Her Majesty the Queen was far from ignorant about the state of affairs.

’As expected of a true ruler. They can never truly let go of their power.’