Chapter 89 – The Book Thief

【Old Emperor, here I come.】

The Emperor suddenly sat up in bed, looking around in alarm.

He could have sworn he just heard Mu Nanjin’s voice.

But it was the middle of the night. How could she possibly be in the palace?

He must be imagining things. He had not heard her voice in too long and was starting to miss it.

Sighing, the Emperor lay back down.

【Old Emperor, are you asleep?】

The Emperor jolted upright again.

No, he was not imagining it this time. He definitely heard Mu Nanjin’s voice.

【Huh, still awake?】

【Why are you sweating? Having nightmares? What kind of nightmare makes you sweat like that? Dreaming of being assassinated?】

The Emperor fumed silently. I’m sweating because you scared me half to death!

In the middle of the night, you sneak into the palace. What are you here for? To peep on me while I sleep?

And what about the Imperial Guards outside?

Someone sneaks in, and not one of them checks?

Outside the hall, Commander Gu was in turmoil.

He had not seen Mu Nanjin enter, but should he go in and check anyway?

For the Emperor’s safety, he decided it was best to take a look.

Commander Gu quickly pushed open the doors to the sleeping chamber. “Your Majesty! Are you all right?”

The Emperor snapped, “I was almost scared to death by a ‘nightmare.’”

Eunuch Yuan followed him in, scolding, “Commander Gu, how could you barge into His Majesty’s bedchamber without permission?”

Commander Gu immediately dropped to one knee. “Your Majesty, I caught sight of a dark shadow, so I entered without waiting for approval. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

【Dark shadow?】

【Could he mean me?】

【Impossible.】

【With their pathetic three-legged-cat skills, how could they possibly detect me? Even Tianyuan might not spot me.】

【Eh, maybe it’s someone else. Let’s see who’s bold enough to sneak into the palace, looking for death.】

The Emperor understood Commander Gu’s predicament and sighed. “Rise.”

【There really are several groups of assassins sneaking around tonight, though the guards have already taken care of them.】

【Being an emperor is tough. You cannot even sleep peacefully.】

The Emperor grumbled inwardly, If it weren’t for you, I’d be sleeping just fine.

Commander Gu rose. “Your Majesty, I’ll patrol the surroundings once more and take my leave.”

The Emperor waved him off. “Eunuch Yuan, you may also rest. Leave a young eunuch here to keep watch.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Eunuch Yuan withdrew, and a small eunuch came in. “Your servant greets Your Majesty.”

The Emperor pointed to the corner by the bed. “Stand guard there.”

If he had not been startled by Mu Nanjin, he would not have called anyone in to keep watch at all.

Lying back down, he mused, Mu Nanjin must have returned to the capital today. But why sneak into the palace in the middle of the night? What is she after?

【Are those books on the table and bedside rare originals?】

The Emperor: “…”

So she came for those?

Why would she want rare books? To read?

From what he knew, the little troublemaker was not exactly fond of reading.

【Sigh, I really want to just ask the Emperor if they’re rare originals.】

【Why hasn’t he gone to sleep yet?】

【Was he so frightened he can’t sleep?】

The Emperor shut his eyes, pretending to be asleep, wanting to see what she would do next.

Unfortunately, Mu Nanjin was not an ordinary person. She could tell with one glance that he was faking.

【Two quarters of an hour have passed, and the Emperor still hasn’t fallen asleep.】

The Emperor gritted his teeth. Someone’s staring holes into me, of course I can’t sleep!

【If I weren’t afraid of scaring the old Emperor to death, I’d have already taken the books.】

The Emperor: Already scared, thank you very much.

【Sigh, if the books suddenly vanished, it’d definitely terrify him. Forget it. Such an enlightened emperor doesn’t deserve to die of fright. If he must die, at least let it be of old age.】

At least she had never harbored any malice toward him. That was the Emperor’s only comfort.

【Your Majesty, are you lonely tonight?】

The Emperor: “…”

【You have so many concubines. Why aren’t you sleeping with any of them?】

【Honestly, I shouldn’t be the one saying this, but if you can’t sleep, go keep the Empress company. As the main consort, she works hard managing the entire harem while watching you bring in concubine after concubine. How tough that must be. So spend more time with her. While you’re still young and vigorous, make sure to fulfill your… marital duties.】

The Emperor nearly choked. You impudent, unmarried little girl, since when do you meddle in my harem affairs?

【If you don’t sleep soon, I’ll have to drug you.】

The Emperor: I’d love to sleep, but you won’t stop talking in my ear!

He tossed and turned restlessly, then finally sat up. “Prepare the carriage. To the Changchun Palace.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” The young eunuch hurried to fetch his dragon robe.

【Finally! You’re leaving. Took you long enough!】

The Emperor snorted inwardly and deliberately said, pointing to the books on the table and bedside, “Bring those to the Changchun Palace.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The eunuch stacked the books neatly.

【Huh? You’re bringing books when you’re going to sleep with the Empress?】

【Old Emperor, are you that diligent?】

【Isn’t the Empress more… appealing than a pile of books?】

【If you start reading the moment you get to her chambers, she’ll think you’re not respecting her, or worse, that you’re… incapable.】

Who says I’m incapable?!

I’ll prove to you right now that I’m more than capable!

The Emperor’s beard practically curled with rage. “Leave the books where they are!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

And with that, the Emperor and his eunuch left the chamber.

Mu Nanjin immediately leapt inside, gathered all the books, and vanished, planning to have Si Yuhuan examine them later.

Meanwhile, in Changchun Palace, the Empress, already asleep, hurriedly rose when she saw the Emperor enter.

Supporting him gently, she asked, “Your Majesty, what brings you here at this hour? Did something happen?”

Normally, everyone in the palace would be asleep by now.

The Emperor sighed heavily. “Ah, it’s that little girl Mu Nanjin again, chattering away in my chamber until I couldn’t get a wink of sleep.”

“Ah?” The Empress blinked in surprise. “Mu Nanjin was in Your Majesty’s chamber?”

“Don’t misunderstand. She snuck in. I don’t even know where she was hiding, spying on me from the shadows…”

He recounted the whole incident.

The Empress could not help but laugh behind her hand. “That girl really is amusing.”

The Emperor snorted. “You wouldn’t think so if she were hiding in your bedchamber watching you.”

The Empress thought about it and had to admit he was right.

The Emperor took her hand. “But she did make one good point. You are the Empress, yet I’ve neglected you. I’ve been a poor husband. From now on, whenever I can, I’ll come and spend time with you.”

The Empress smiled warmly. “Just hearing that makes me happy.”

The Emperor led her toward the inner chambers. “It’s late. Let’s get some rest.”

Outside, the palace maids saw the Empress enter with a shy, blushing face. Delighted for her, they quickly stationed themselves by the doors to keep anyone from interrupting.

The Next Morning – Imperial Court Hall

Right Chancellor frowned deeply. “There was a thief in my residence last night.”

Left Chancellor raised an eyebrow. “Mine too.”

Right Chancellor glared. “I’m not joking.”

“Neither am I,” said Left Chancellor dryly. “The thief didn’t take anything else, just several of my books.”

Right Chancellor froze. “Mine too! Several books gone!”

Losing a few books was not a big deal. He could always buy more.

But the problem was that the stolen books were spring palace illustrations. To avoid suspicion, he had disguised them with ordinary book covers. He never imagined someone would steal them.

If word got out that the Right Chancellor of the imperial court read erotic picture books, how could he show his face again?

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

Damn it! Who dared steal from me?

Have the guts to show yourself!

As the other officials overheard, several also reported missing books. Soon, word reached the Emperor’s ears.

He could not help thinking, Could it be that Mu Nanjin stole all of them?