Chapter 70: Face Smacking the High Official of the Ministry of Appointments

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Chapter 70: Face Smacking the High Official of the Ministry of Appointments

What was the Emperor thinking? Just what truth did he refer to that he wished to be honest about?

While full of misgivings, Ling Xiao quickly arrived at the entrance of Concubine Xian’s palace.

The maid went in to announce his arrival, and he followed closely after.

Within Concubine Xian’s palace, the Emperor was already sitting in the master seat while Concubine Xian and Hong Ye knelt in front of him in formal attire.

Looking at his current appearance, he did not seem to have any desire to let them get up.

Ling Xiao maintained his composure as he walked to the Emperor’s side. Just when he was about to salute, the latter reached out and tugged him over.

“You’re excused from courtesy.”

While he spoke, he exerted some more force and pulled Ling Xiao into his embrace, making him sit on his thigh.

Ling Xiao froze for a moment, thinking of struggling, until he saw the two women below stealing glances at them, their bodies stiff. They seemed to be complaining and jealous of him.

He paused for a moment and then changed his mind. He relaxed his body and cleverly sat on the Emperor’s thigh, obediently staying in the Emperor’s arms.

The Emperor faintly raised an eyebrow. His penetrating eyes swept past Ling Xiao and then to the kneeling Concubine Xian and Hong Ye. He became aware of Ling Xiao’s intention.

Observing the prideful look on his man, as well as his action of sticking his cheek close to his chest, his entire appearance and attitude was like a protective cat, declaring to his enemies that the Emperor was his.

The Emperor’s mood turned for the better, and he hugged Ling Xiao, gently kissing him under the other’s flabbergasted gaze.

Ling Xiao’s body went still and slowly looked up, only to see the Emperor’s gentle expression. A trace of a matchless smile was on his face, while the aura of power that surrounded him instantly turned soft at his arrival. Like a gust of spring wind in winter, it blew away all the cold.

Ling Xiao’s heart suddenly started to beat faster, a blush spreading across his face. They had obviously done pretty much everything, yet he was still like a novice to love, bashful and shy.

Concubine Xian watched in shock, silently pushing down her reaction. She had been with the Emperor for so long and had never seen him disregard his surroundings this much, nor had she ever seen him so gentle.

This man really did walk into the Emperor’s heart.

No matter who they were, they no longer had a chance.

Concubine Xian came to realize this and lowered her head, saluting Ling Xiao. “I hope you are in good health, King Consort.”

Hong Ye quickly followed her example. “I hope you are in good health, King Consort.”

The two voices quickly called Ling Xiao back to his senses, and his line of sight moved away from the Emperor and fell onto Concubine Xian and Hong Ye.

Concubine Xian’s obedient appearance was plainly visible, while Hong Ye’s unwilling attitude also did not escape Ling Xiao’s eyes.

“You may both rise,” the Emperor finally addressed them.

Ling Xiao pursed his lips, quietly sitting in the Emperor’s embrace, waiting to see what the Emperor wanted to show him.

“Thank you, Master.” Concubine Xian and Hong Ye both replied and then got up elegantly.

Ling Xiao faintly frowned. Hong Ye called the Emperor “Master” because she was one of his secret guards, which he knew. But why did Concubine Xian also call the Emperor “Master” like Hong Ye?

Ling Xiao was not the only one surprised; Hong Ye was too. She turned her confused gaze to Concubine Xian, who faintly smiled when she sensed it and calmly said, “This is Master’s wish. Younger sister does not need to be so shocked.”

When Hong Ye and Ling Xiao heard her statement, they were both stunned. The Emperor narrowed his eyes in satisfaction and said, “You understand what We want best.”

After he said that, he paused, then eased his expression somewhat. “It is because of that that We allowed you to be Concubine Xian and not her.”

The Emperor used his cold eyes to look at Hong Ye, who froze. A layer of sadness appeared on her face, along with some mist in her eyes.

“But… ultimately, it’s younger sister who is Master’s betrothed.”

“When have you seen Us take that fabricated promise seriously?” The Emperor scoffed.

Concubine Xian fell silent, then quietly sighed and changed the subject.

“Master, is it that you want King Consort to know about this subordinate and her younger sister’s situation?”

The Emperor remained silent, and that was enough for Concubine Xian. She smiled. “Then your subordinate asks Master to lend us King Consort for a moment.”

Ling Xiao looked toward the Emperor when he heard that. The Emperor slightly nodded at him.

Understanding his meaning, Ling Xiao frowned but got up and walked in front of Concubine Xian. “Tell me, then.”

Concubine Xian gave a faint smile, moving aside to give way to Ling Xiao. “King Consort, please come with this subordinate for a walk in the imperial garden.”

Ling Xiao turned back to look at the Emperor, who poured himself a cup of wine, then replied to him in a relaxed tone, “Go ahead. We have something to tell Hong Ye.”

Ling Xiao did as he was told, pursing his lips as he led the way. Concubine Xian followed right behind him, neither fast nor slow.

Ling Xiao waited for Concubine Xian to speak the entire time, but she never took the initiative. They walked deep into the imperial garden, yet she still showed no intention of starting.

Ling Xiao couldn’t take it anymore and asked, “This place is far enough. You can reveal it now.”

Concubine Xian lightly smiled when she saw that. “This subordinate was wondering just how long King Consort would be able to keep quiet.”

As she spoke, a trace of teasing appeared on her face, making Ling Xiao frown unhappily.

Concubine Xian hurriedly added, “Please don’t get angry, King Consort. This subordinate merely wanted to know if you care about Master as much as he cares about you.”

Ling Xiao’s lips twitched as he coldly shot her a glance. “And just by walking some distance with me, you think you’ll be able to know that?”

Concubine Xian nodded. “Anyone can tell that you deeply care about Master, seeing how restless and worried you are.”

Ling Xiao was a tiny bit angered. Was he… really that obvious…?

“It’s very obvious, King Consort.” She seemed to have seen through his thoughts and softly said.

Surprised, Ling Xiao raised his eyes to look at her. She confidently said, “Please, do not be surprised. This subordinate’s observation skills have always been pretty good. That was the reason why this one was made Concubine Xian.”

As she spoke, her gaze passed by Ling Xiao and drifted into the distance. “This subordinate is Master’s secret guard. This subordinate believes that King Consort understands why His Majesty has placed this one in the harem. The Master needed a way to have better control of the harem.”

“……” Though he was thinking something along the same lines, hearing her say it personally still left him amazed. The Emperor’s secret guards really were everywhere… Just how had he managed to escape the Emperor’s notice in his past life and do things for Mo Qi…?

Perhaps it was not that they had escaped the Emperor’s eyes… As a result, the Emperor had dealt with Mo Qi in the end…

Ling Xiao pursed his lips, then heard Concubine Xian change to a more amiable tone. “As this subordinate is a secret guard, the relationship between us is nothing more than that of a Master and servant. The identity of a Concubine is just a tool to deceive other people. Does King Consort understand now?”

“……” Ling Xiao nodded and told her, “I wasn’t actually interested in your situation, but Hong Ye…”

Concubine Xian giggled, interrupting Ling Xiao. “That’s true. Although I am Concubine Xian, Master has never ‘doted on’ me before. King Consort isn’t a petty man either…”

Then Concubine Xian sighed. “Hong Ye is my blood-related younger sister. We sisters used to follow Concubine Xian Hui.”

Concubine Xian then paused. As if afraid Ling Xiao would not understand, she started to explain, “Concubine Xian Hui is Master’s mother. When Hong Ye was young, she once saved Concubine Xian Hui’s life. Back then, Master had yet to ascend to the throne. Concubine Xian Hui had been grateful to Hong Ye and gave her to Master for him to take as a wife. But Master had always done things according to his own plans. So after Concubine Xian Hui passed away, he did not fulfill this promise. Rather, he ‘took’ this subordinate into the harem.”

Ling Xiao frowned slightly after hearing the explanation. After she gave the backstory, it really did clear up why the Emperor let her be the exception time and time again. After all, Hong Ye was the person his mother had set aside for him, and she was also the one who had saved his mother before.

But he was curious. Just how did Hong Ye end up as a secret guard?

“Hong Ye’s nature is simple. She was bent on following the Emperor. When the Emperor had yet to be crowned, he wanted to cultivate power for himself. Hong Ye went straight up to help him. Since Master needed servants at that time, he did not refuse her. That one time became eight years of using Hong Ye.”

Carrying some regret, Concubine Xian gave a bitter smile and sighed. “Master then became the Emperor, but he did not call Hong Ye back. Instead, he sent her even farther away. Although he did not do anything bad to her and continued to support her, he had already pushed her out of his mind. It was clear on the surface. Hong Ye understands this in her heart, and I do as well.”

“After Concubine Xian Hui passed away, Master found me, who was always silently guarding her tomb, and made me enter the palace to become Concubine Xian for him. Whether it was Hong Ye or me, it didn’t matter. We both knew that in Master’s eyes, the concubines he chose weren’t because he liked them; it was either because they were suitable or they weren’t.”

“Because there was no one he liked, Hong Ye did not complain. Even if I entered his harem, even if Concubine Ran, Concubine Li, and many others entered the palace…”

While she spoke, she bitterly smiled. With her wrinkled brows and distant eyes, her sorrow was clear to see.

The intonation of her speech was undoubtedly level, yet the dense sorrow was like a hammer, smashing into Ling Xiao’s heart.

Ling Xiao softly sighed. Concubine Xian heard it and glanced toward him, slowly returning her complexion to normal before gently saying, “Hong Ye once told me that King Consort is a kind person.”

“Hong Ye?” Ling Xiao was astounded.

Concubine Xian smiled and nodded, appearing very dignified and polite. “Hong Ye told me that the time she spent with you was very genuine. She could feel your kindness toward her, and even said your dancing skills were incomparable under the heavens.”

Ling Xiao frowned and looked away. “Even so, she still…”

Concubine Xian’s smile vanished, a frown tugging at her lips as she sullenly said, “Yeah, even so… even though she clearly understood, she still did something bad to you.”

Concubine Xian smiled powerlessly. “A jealous heart is something very hard to control.”

“King Consort.” She called out to him once, then turned to look at him. “Although she did something wrong, she is also aware of it. For Our Master, she threw away eight years of her life in suffering. Master has already punished her. Now I hope that King Consort won’t hold a grudge against her anymore.”

“Punished?” Ling Xiao’s mind was already wavering. Although he felt a bit unhappy, he also admired her at the same time for what she had to pay to help the Emperor. It actually made people pity her, considering all the dedication and emotions she poured into this one person.

But speaking of punishment, Ling Xiao pursed his lips. The Emperor punished her?! Why couldn’t he see it?!

Concubine Xian observed Ling Xiao’s complicated, resentful, and doubtful expression and asked, “King Consort is wondering why Hong Ye is still staying in the palace.”

Without waiting for Ling Xiao’s reply, she continued, “It was not Master’s idea, but my begging. After we sisters became secret guards, we never had the chance to enjoy our youth anymore. I begged Master to let Hong Ye accompany me, and Master agreed to give us one month. Now, there are only a few days left.”

That suddenly cleared up everything for him. So it wasn’t the Emperor’s idea, and it wasn’t the Emperor who was leaving Hong Ye behind…

Concubine Xian secretly peeked at his face. Seeing his expression slowly return to normal, she knew she had said the right thing. She once more added, “Hong Ye’s punishment was suspension from the secret guards. She also cannot stay in the palace, by your or the Master’s side. So, after this month, Hong Ye will leave.”

“…So it was like that…” Ling Xiao’s mind relaxed a lot, the stone in his chest finally gone. He only really missed the Emperor a lot right now.

He wanted to see his face, kiss his eyebrow, and tell him he liked him a bit more now.

Ling Xiao impatiently turned around to leave once those thoughts entered his mind.

Concubine Xian stared at his departing back and then followed him.

By the time they arrived at Concubine Xian’s palace, the Emperor had just walked out, with a dispirited Hong Ye following behind.

Ling Xiao jogged over, giving a quick salute. The gaze he used to look at the Emperor was full of trust, along with a faint adoration.

The Emperor was a bit stunned. He turned to look at Concubine Xian, who was catching up from behind. She silently gave him a salute and nodded her head. The Emperor turned his head back to Ling Xiao, laughing once as he rubbed his hair. “You know everything now?”

Ling Xiao lovably nodded.

With both hands behind his back, the Emperor curved up his lips and walked ahead. “If that’s so, then let’s go back.”

“Hm.” Ling Xiao spiritedly replied and quickly followed behind him. “Your Majesty, I do know everything now, but what did you talk to Hong Ye about?”

“What? Still suspicious?” The Emperor raised an eyebrow, glancing at him from the side with disapproval on his face.

Ling Xiao shook his head. “No, I’m just curious.”

Ling Xiao blinked his moist eyes. With his trusting and adoring gaze, like dawn shining into the Emperor’s heart, his heart warmed, and he reluctantly moved his gaze away. But the Emperor couldn’t ignore the strong curiosity showing on Ling Xiao’s face, causing him to sigh rather helplessly before telling him, “We are making her leave tomorrow.”

Ling Xiao widened his eyes in shock, blurting out his confusion. “But didn’t you promise Concubine Xian to give them a month’s time?”

The Emperor paused, giving Ling Xiao an accusing glance. That glance seemed to say, ‘Just who was it for?’

Ling Xiao drew back his neck, laughing hollowly. He really wanted to say that since there were only a few days left, the Emperor didn’t have to be so impatient. But when he met the Emperor’s gloomy eyes, he kept those words to himself.

The next day, Hong Ye really left. No matter what thoughts she held, Ling Xiao couldn’t possibly hold a grudge against her after she walked out of the palace.

When Hong Ye left, she asked to see the Emperor. But the Emperor was at Ling Xiao’s palace then, so no maids or eunuchs dared to disturb them. In the end, she could only leave without getting anything settled.

In the end, the one to rouse the Emperor wasn’t Ling Xiao, but a eunuch from Concubine Ran’s palace.

He entered in a panic, bringing along some shocking news.

Concubine Ran had hanged herself…

Ling Xiao remained dumbfounded ever since he found out the news.

It was reportedly said that Concubine Ran couldn’t accept her ruined appearance and losing the Emperor’s favor, so she committed suicide by hanging herself.

When the Emperor heard the news, he merely ordered some servants to bury her and did not personally show up, as if he were handling the funeral of an insignificant person.

On the contrary, Ling Xiao felt that Concubine Ran’s schemes ran deep, and she wouldn’t just die so tragically. Given the way she thought, it was unlikely that she would hang herself.

The funeral lasted for three days. Because she was not the Emperor’s favorite concubine, her funeral was simple. After she was buried, the Emperor bestowed some treasures upon the High Official of the Ministry of Appointments. It could be considered his way of showing appreciation to Concubine Ran’s family.

During these three days, the Emperor did not attend the morning assembly, which could be considered his memorial service for Concubine Ran. But in fact, he tangled with Ling Xiao for three days.

However, Ling Xiao kept feeling uneasy during these three days.

The Emperor thought he was blaming himself when he saw how uneasy he was and, in a rare act of comfort, consoled him. “You don’t need to care too much about her. It is not your fault. She needed to go eventually.”

Ling Xiao turned his head to look at the Emperor, whose face was very tranquil, without any change in expression. It was as if he had long foreseen this.

Ling Xiao suddenly trembled, pondering as he looked at him. What did the Emperor mean when he said she needed to go eventually?

Ling Xiao had just wanted to ask the Emperor when the other rubbed his long hair and got up. “Let’s get up and attend the morning court.”

Ling Xiao stared blankly for a moment until he remembered that today was the fourth day, so the Emperor needed to attend the morning assembly, while he had also agreed to attend it with him.

But as Concubine Ran had just passed away, there might be some people protesting his attendance at the morning court…

For example, Concubine Ran’s father, the High Official of the Ministry of Appointments, Ran Shengqiu.

And as the main offender in this matter, he would likely be the main target of impeachment.

Ling Xiao was a bit timid at the thought. “Your Majesty, say, due to this matter, do you think I should lie low until the fuss is over?”

“Do you want to hide?” The Emperor indifferently gave him a meaningful glance, the meaning behind it causing Ling Xiao’s heart to flip, as if the Emperor was hinting at his disdain.

As if he was unwilling to accept such an action, Ling Xiao held his breath and blurted out, “Ling Xiao and Your Majesty will advance and retreat together, so how can this one escape alone?”

“Very good.” The Emperor landed a kiss on Ling Xiao’s forehead in satisfaction, then took the lead out.

“……” Ling Xiao’s lips twitched.

This was the first time he had attended the morning assembly. The Emperor had prepared his court clothes for him. While wearing the attire, Ling Xiao appeared very presentable among the other officials.

But his arrival at the morning assembly was a great upset to some people.

The High Official of the Ministry of Appointments took the lead and started to raise objections.

“Your Majesty, your servant wants to impeach King Consort Ling!”

After saying his piece, he turned to glare at Ling Xiao with a face full of hatred. His expression looked as if he wanted to tear Ling Xiao into pieces and swallow him.

“As the High Official of the Ministry of Appointments in the court, I cannot lead by example if I am someone who has no regard for law or discipline. However, as the King Consort, not only did he not set an example, but he has also embarrassed Concubine Ran, destroyed her appearance, and pushed her to her death! The pitiful Concubine Ran died so tragically! Your Majesty, your old servant asks you for justice!”

Ran Shengqiu, the High Official of the Ministry of Appointments, spoke with tears, his whole face grieving. But there were traces of plotting in his eyes.

Although his daughter died, he could offer another one to the Emperor. However, as long as the Emperor only favored Ling Xiao, he would have no chance at all. So, to prevent Ling Xiao’s favor from continuing, the only way to drag him down was to use his daughter’s death, shifting the blame onto him and causing his image in the Emperor’s heart to decline. If that were to happen, even if he couldn’t pull Ling Xiao down completely, he could at least make him lose the Emperor’s favor.

While he plotted that, the High Official of the Ministry of Appointments cried even more vividly.

Ling Xiao’s heart shook, and he slightly raised his head to look at the Emperor, only to see him smiling yet not smiling as he looked at the High Official. He did not refute it, but he also did not acknowledge it. His lips were slightly tilted, giving him an appearance that was impossible to see through.

That indifferent face of his, paired with his penetrating eyes, appeared omniscient, causing the officials below to become flustered under his gaze, not daring to speak.

At the moment, the only one who had stepped out of the ranks was the High Official of the Ministry of Appointments.

The High Official of the Ministry of Appointments slightly frowned and bent his waist down to hide from the Emperor’s line of sight. He snuck a few glances at a couple of other officials. Those he looked at all went stiff, then, after a while, stepped out by his side.

It looked like it was a schemed impeachment.

Under a situation like this, where one wasn’t sure of the premise, the more one talked, the more mistakes one made. So he stayed quietly in place, trying to get a better understanding of the situation.

“You all think this is the King Consort’s fault?” The Emperor finally spoke, his soft and indifferent words carrying some of his dragon might as they reached everyone’s ears. Everyone there trembled with fear, a cold chill rising from the soles of their feet to the tops of their heads.

No one dared to speak.

The Emperor coldly smiled and was just about to continue speaking when someone walked out, saluted, and said, “Your Majesty, this servant has something to say.”

“The King Consort’s nature is calm. It was Concubine Ran who first disregarded the rules. Please think it over, Your Majesty.”

Was he speaking up for him?

Ling Xiao was a bit surprised and raised his eyes to look at the person ahead. It was Imperial Uncle Mu Xiuning, wearing the Prime Minister’s robes.

Ling Xiao was flabbergasted. The new Prime Minister had only met him once, yet he was willing to believe in him…

“I can clearly tell from King Qin’s words that Your Highness is siding with the King Consort. You said this servant’s daughter disregarded the rules first, but do you have any evidence? How can the King Consort’s calm nature, vouched for by your words, clear this servant’s daughter’s tragic death?”

“Whatever is to happen would be the Emperor’s decision. Lord Ran, this King sympathizes with your grief over the passing of your daughter, but that is not a good enough reason to slander another.”

“Heh… this servant merely wants to obtain justice for his daughter, and you call it slander? This servant’s daughter died! By saying that the King Consort did not do anything wrong, are you taking me for a blind man?!”

Ran Shengqiu pointed at Ling Xiao, completely worked up.

“……” Ling Xiao held himself back from rolling his eyes. As matters stood right now, he couldn’t play dead anymore.

So he stepped out and said, “Lord Ran, Ling Xiao is also saddened by Concubine Ran’s death. However, it is true that she came by and provoked this one first.”

“Came by and provoked you? This servant’s daughter has always been educated and well-behaved since childhood. Until you showed up in the palace, she never had conflicts with the other concubines. Why is it that the moment you entered the palace, she became the one who dropped by and provoked you, disregarding the rules?!” Ran Shengqiu said aggressively.

Ling Xiao frowned and unhappily asked, “What? So Lord Ran firmly believes that Ling Xiao is in the wrong?”

Ling Xiao didn’t give him the chance to respond as he continued, “Then does Lord Ran also know that His Majesty forbade any of the concubines in the harem from disturbing Ling Xiao to allow this one some rest for a few days? Yet, for Concubine Ran to be able to see this one, do you not call it ‘disregarding the rules’?”

“You…” Ran Shengqiu could only grit his teeth while pointing at Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao calmly confronted him and stressed, “This ‘disregarding the rules,’ or disregarding the rule His Majesty set down, is a lot more serious than what Ling Xiao has done.”

“Ling Xiao!” Ran Shengqiu stared at him as if he wanted to swallow him whole, the resentful gaze causing Ling Xiao’s heart to chill.

“You dared to administer punishment without permission and still dare to be so confident. Where do you place the Emperor?!”

“In my heart.” Ling Xiao calmly replied, looking at the Emperor this time. “It was because I place him in my heart that I would be so angered by Concubine Ran’s disregard of His Majesty’s order. To drop by and provoke this one, Ling Xiao wanted to help His Majesty ease his worries and gave her a small lesson.”

“A small lesson? You obviously forced her to death!” Ran Shengqiu casually lied through his teeth.

“Lord Ran, the words you said before, Ling Xiao will return them to you without change. You need evidence when saying such words.”

Then his tone turned darker. “If you continue to slander Ling Xiao again, then Ling Xiao would not mind speaking about the things Concubine Ran did in secret.”

“This servant’s daughter has always been well-educated and well-behaved. In the harem, she kept to her place and has always been His Majesty’s good concubine. What kind of person this servant’s daughter was, His Majesty could see for himself. Yet you dare to spout nonsense here!”

“I think the one who’s spouting nonsense is Lord Ran!” Ling Xiao unflinchingly and coldly retorted. “Ling Xiao never wanted Concubine Ran’s death. Yet you keep pushing Concubine Ran’s death onto Ling Xiao. That Concubine Ran was undisciplined, ignored His Majesty’s orders many times, and had even plotted to drug him. With this kind of deep scheming, you say she knew her place!”

Ling Xiao sneered. “If Lord Ran isn’t speaking without thinking, then what are you? Blind?”

“Ling Xiao! You bastard!” Ran Shengqiu was angered to the point of losing control. Glaring with his eyes wide, he actually walked forward to drag Ling Xiao away despite the setting and raised his fist to hit him.

Ling Xiao hadn’t expected Ran Shengqiu to be so brazen as to do this in front of the Emperor, so he stayed stunned in place, missing the best time to dodge. He watched as the fist was about to smash into his face and began to panic. But then, a hand appeared from the side and powerfully gripped Ran Shengqiu’s fist, saving him just in time.

Ling Xiao heaved a sigh of relief, turned, and finally saw his savior. It was Lan Wei, an old acquaintance.

Ling Xiao smiled at him while Lan Wei pursed his lips and dragged Ran Shengqiu away from Ling Xiao, coldly berating him, “Lord Ran, this is the court.”

Ran Shengqiu suddenly came to his senses, cold sweat filling him as he turned to look at the Emperor.

What he found was the Emperor’s unmoving gaze fixed on him, and he suddenly felt his whole body go cold.

“Beloved Official Ran, you really take Us for a ridgepole.”

His mocking words caused Ran Shengqiu’s whole face to pale. He fell to the ground with a thud and knelt, saying in a mournful voice, “This servant was just too impatient for this servant’s daughter and asks for Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

Ran Shengqiu also did not forget to drag Ling Xiao down the sewer while he spoke. “It’s because Ling Xiao slandered this servant’s daughter, causing this servant to lose control. Not only is he lacking discipline, he dares to take Your Majesty’s place and administer punishment, which is a great disrespect. He has the ambition of wild wolves. Please consider this, Your Majesty.”

Ling Xiao hatefully glared at Ran Shengqiu. This man really liked to try and find weak points. He skipped right over how Ling Xiao was doing it for the Emperor and said he was being disrespectful, saying he had the ambition of wild wolves and therefore could not be trusted. If the Emperor’s love for him really wasn’t high enough, perhaps he really would become suspicious of him.

Ling Xiao also knelt on the ground with a thud, saying to the Emperor before him, “What kind of person Ling Xiao is, Your Majesty knows. Ling Xiao never had thoughts one shouldn’t have. Ling Xiao asks the Emperor to please understand. Ling Xiao is innocent.”

The Emperor’s face was cold as he thoughtfully sat on the Dragon Throne. The surroundings were silent with fear; only the sounds of their thumping heartbeats could be heard.

Beat after beat, each one declared the passage of time.

After a long time, the Emperor finally spoke, and the one he was looking at was Ran Shengqiu.

“We know that Our Beloved Official is grieving for your daughter, but what Ling Xiao has said was not nonsense. Concubine Ran disregarded the rules in the palace and had attempted to drug Us. It is all true.”

After he spoke, the Emperor moved his gaze to the eunuch behind him, who handed the item he was holding to Ran Shengqiu.

“This is the evidence gathered after Concubine Ran’s death. You can take a look yourself.” The Emperor coldly snorted.

Ran Shengqiu raised his head and took the item the eunuch handed to him. The moment he looked at it, his face went white. The item in his hand was—rosemary.

He naturally knew what this was. He had actually given this to Concubine Ran himself so she could drug the Emperor. It would not harm the Emperor’s life; it would only raise his interest. But it would harm the Emperor’s body to a certain degree.

As long as it could harm the Emperor’s body, then it was a murder attempt involving the Son of Heaven!

Ran Shengqiu’s face turned deathly pale, and he endlessly regretted it as he knelt on the ground. “Have mercy, Your Majesty!”

The Emperor stayed silent, his dragon might bearing down on Ran Shengqiu, who trembled without pause. The amount of sweat dripping from him was enough to make a small puddle.

“Your Majesty, Lord Ran has dedicated much to the court and labored much. This servant asks Your Majesty to please forgive him.” Suddenly, a man also started to plead on Ran Shengqiu’s behalf, and soon, nearly half of the officials knelt and pleaded for him.

Ling Xiao fell silent. He had long heard that the power of the court was trending toward Ran Shengqiu, and from the looks of it today, it was true.

He was afraid that even the Emperor couldn’t move Ran Shengqiu.

“Everyone’s words are not wrong. Beloved Official Ran has indeed labored much. But We had once said before that the King Consort in front of you all is equal to Us. Beloved Official Ran was so disrespectful toward Our King Consort while in court, being so disrespectful toward this court. How can We forgive him?”

After he said that, the Emperor’s dark face and powerful pressure bore down on all of those officials. Those who pleaded for leniency could only shudder and accept it; they could no longer say another word.

Ling Xiao only now understood the reason why the Emperor had brought him to the morning assembly today.

He wanted him to infuriate Ran Shengqiu so that the other would get angry at him, and then he would have a reason to punish him…

The moment the Emperor said that, coupled with Ran Shengqiu’s actions just before, even if more than half of the officials pleaded for leniency, the Emperor could punish Ran Shengqiu without a problem.

Ling Xiao restrained himself from rolling his eyes.

“Servants, take the High Official of the Ministry of Appointments to the prison and await the hearing.”

The Emperor then turned to him, his face relaxed. “Ling Xiao, although you said everything was for Us, it was as the minister said. For acting against Concubine Ran, you also need to accept a punishment. Do you object?”

Didn’t the Emperor already punish him? Don’t tell him it was because that punishment from before was just for the concubines in the harem to see, and now that he was sitting in his official position in court, he had to be punished again?

Ling Xiao gloomily thought about it but did not dare to show it on his face in front of the Emperor. He lowered his head and respectfully answered, “Ling Xiao has no objections.”

“Very good.” The Emperor narrowed his eyes in satisfaction. “Then We punish you by not allowing you to attend morning court. The former High Official of the Ministry of Works will take your place.”

“…..” This punishment and no punishment were no different.

He didn’t go to morning assembly much in the first place, especially after spending the night with the Emperor. That too-embarrassing-to-mention place would simply not allow him to get up.

Ling Xiao saluted. “Ling Xiao thanks Your Majesty for your kindness.”

“You may rise.” The Emperor told him, then made a signal to the small eunuch behind him with his eyes. He quickly walked forward and announced, “Morning assembly dismissed.”

Everyone loudly shouted, “Long live Your Majesty.”

The Emperor did not pull Ling Xiao along to walk with him, but after this event, everyone was clear on Ling Xiao’s position in his heart.

For a moment, no one dared to provoke Ling Xiao.

After Lan Wei watched everyone leave, he unhappily went up to him and glared.

“You really are in quite the limelight, King Consort,” he mockingly said, but his tone implied his concern for him.

“Have you heard of the term ‘a famous person attracts criticism’?” Lan Wei shot him a glance and asked.

Ling Xiao’s lips twitched, and he looked back at him. “If you want to remind me to be careful, then just say so. Don’t say it in such a strange way.”

Ling Xiao then walked out, and Lan Wei hurriedly ran up to catch up. “Hey, I say, can you at least say something when someone helps you? If it weren’t for me stopping Ran Shengqiu, then your face would be the same as that dead Concubine Ran’s.”

“Are you cursing me?”

Ling Xiao stopped in his tracks. At this point, he was going to separate from Lan Wei. He was headed for the harem, while Lan Wei was heading out.

Lan Wei also stopped and became rather silent. “You are fully aware that I am worried about you.”

Ling Xiao sneered. “Your concern is always so awkward.”

Lan Wei turned his head away. “I didn’t think I would see you today.”

“Miss me?” Ling Xiao teased.

Lan Wei’s uneasy face carried a slight blush as he complained, “Who was missing you, moron?!”

Ling Xiao’s lips twitched. “I’m a moron? Heh…”

Ling Xiao suddenly raised his leg and kicked him. “I dare you to say it again?”

“…You…” Taking the pain, Lan Wei held his leg and glared at him. Ling Xiao arrogantly looked at him like a cat that had stolen something, his expression both annoying and endearing.

Lan Wei pursed his lips. His heart couldn’t help but speed up, and he silently turned his face away, a hard-to-endure sour feeling in his heart.

“What’s wrong?” Ling Xiao tilted his head at him. “Why are you suddenly so quiet?”

Lan Wei hid from Ling Xiao’s sight. “Alright, you should quickly go back. The Emperor should be worried.”

“Then I’ll leave?” Ling Xiao observed his expression, noticing that he had stiffened when he said that, as if he didn’t want him to leave. He shifted a little in his direction but stopped after a step, then once again silently lowered his head. He did not ask him to stay.

Ling Xiao frowned. He felt that Lan Wei was a bit strange, but he wasn’t able to pinpoint why. He sighed and pulled Lan Wei down to sit with him on the steps. “Alright, if you have something to say, say it. Don’t dawdle so much. I can tell you don’t want me to leave, so you must have something you want to say. So say it.”

Lan Wei forced a smile. “I don’t really have anything to say.”

“Really?” Ling Xiao asked.

Lan Wei nodded, and Ling Xiao’s lips curled. “That’s good, then I’ll leave now.”

Ling Xiao stood up and turned around, no longer reluctant to leave.

Lan Wei watched his back and couldn’t help but pull at his sleeve.

“?” Ling Xiao turned back, looking at him in confusion.

Lan Wei quickly released his grip and said as if he were covering something up, “Concubine Ran’s death is odd. You should be more careful.”

“You also think the way Concubine Ran died was odd?” Ling Xiao looked at Lan Wei in surprise.

Lan Wei frowned. “She did not appear like someone who would commit suicide, but the Emperor didn’t choose to investigate it, so you can just take it as her committing suicide.”

“What do you mean?” Ling Xiao frowned.

Lan Wei hesitated for a while before speaking. “The High Official of the Ministry of Appointments’ power has been constantly expanding. This is not something the Emperor would allow. And to the High Official of the Ministry of Appointments, Concubine Ran’s death is a great loss. Then who do you think wishes for her death the most?”

“His…” Ling Xiao widened his eyes.

Lan Wei quickly covered his mouth. “Don’t randomly talk about it. Since the Emperor did not choose to pursue it, then you can just think of it as the truth.”

Ling Xiao nodded.

Lan Wei was reluctant to release his hand from those soft, warm, rosy cheeks. He dimly said, “The way the Emperor handled the High Official of the Ministry of Appointments isn’t a sensible way, but he still did so because he was afraid the other would offend you. The way the Emperor cares for you is excellent, so…”

I would also be at ease.

Lan Wei silently said in his heart. Ling Xiao looked at him strangely and asked, “So what?”

“Nothing.” Lan Wei shook his head and turned around. “You’re not going back, but I’ll be leaving.”

He quickly walked away after he spoke, as if someone were pursuing him. In a moment, his figure was gone.

Ling Xiao was speechless. This Lan Wei was also so hot-tempered.

It’s just that, did Concubine Ran commit suicide on the Emperor’s orders…?

Ling Xiao agreed; the Emperor did have that kind of intention.

The matters of the court were much more complicated than he had originally thought.

On the way back, Ling Xiao met someone.

It was also someone he was familiar with, one of the Emperor’s harem concubines, Concubine Li.

She was followed by a maid who had run out from the direction of his palace in a panic. Ling Xiao’s intuition told him there was something fishy, so he followed behind.

“Master, why are you running away?” Her maid caught up to her and asked from behind.

Concubine Li gasped for breath, holding her chest as she tremblingly said, “His… His… His Majesty is there…”

“Isn’t it even better that the Emperor is at the King Consort’s place? While you pay a visit to the King Consort, you can also see the Emperor. Isn’t this a two-birds-with-one-stone opportunity? Why are you running away?” Ying’er felt resentful toward her for not taking such a great opportunity.

“I…” Concubine Li tightly furrowed her brows and shook her head. “Ying’er, let’s go back.”

“Master, you aren’t going to see the King Consort anymore?” Ying’er looked dumbfounded. “Nowadays, the King Consort is the favored one. If you don’t pay him a visit and are seen as being discourteous toward the Emperor, what will happen to you?”

“But, Ying’er, the Emperor gave the order before that we’re not allowed to go disturb the King Consort.”

“That was before.” The maid frowned. “Who doesn’t know that things are different now? Master, that King Consort first showed his might to Concubine Xian, having her see off Hong Ye. After that, he had Concubine Ran hang herself. He is already a difficult person to deal with! You can’t not visit him!”

“But…”

“There is no but, Master. Let’s go. Luckily, the Emperor is still there. Perhaps when he sees you, he may be affectionate.”

“Ying’er,” Concubine Li berated her, her face awkward. “You know that I am not good at spending time alone with the Emperor. I didn’t strive for favor among my sisters, and usually Concubine Xian was fine. Concubine Ran back then was also fine when she saw that I didn’t fight for his favor. Wasn’t I fine all that time? I believe that this King Consort would also…”

“This isn’t a matter where, if you don’t contend with him, then you’ll be fine.” Ying’er interrupted Concubine Li. “This King Consort is different from the one before. If you don’t contend against him, then he will come for you sooner or later. If you fight for some of the Emperor’s love, then you might be able to defend yourself a little. If the Emperor doesn’t favor you at all, then your situation will be dangerous.”

“……” Ling Xiao clearly heard their entire conversation, and his lips twitched. Was he really as scary as Ying’er said?

Ling Xiao feigned a cough.

Ying’er instantly went on guard and hid Concubine Li behind her. “Who?!”

Ling Xiao walked out into the open, indifferently watching the two.

Today, Concubine Li wore a pink cotton skirt, a pink hairpin, and light makeup. She appeared very charming and adorable. The servant girl beside her wore a maid’s attire and kept Concubine Li closely behind her, her face very grave. It was clear she was a devoted servant.

Ling Xiao faintly smiled. “You two don’t need to be so nervous. I…”

Ling Xiao’s eyes flickered. He was afraid he would scare the two if he said he was the King Consort, so he claimed, “I am Lan Wei, who had just gotten out of the morning assembly and was called here by the Emperor. I pay my respects to Your Highness.”

Ling Xiao assumed the role and saluted to her, but he was inwardly scolding himself.

There were holes all over his lie. First of all, if he had been called by the Emperor, then after court, he should have gone straight to the imperial study. How could he be at the imperial garden…? Next, Concubine Li and Lan Wei had never met before, yet he knew who she was and even saluted to her right now. It simply did not make sense.

If they could see through it, then that would be strange.

However, Concubine Li stared at him with wide, innocent eyes and answered, “So it’s the greatly famous General Lan. Please get up quickly. The Emperor is in the King Consort’s palace. You should go.”

“……” Ling Xiao stared at her with wide eyes, disbelief slowly spreading through his heart.

Concubine Li actually believed him?

Ling Xiao raised his head, only to see the servant girl pulling at Concubine Li’s sleeve. She seemed to be trying to remind the concubine of something, but the latter turned a deaf ear and only looked at him innocently before pointing toward the path…

The servant girl was more intelligent than her master. Her contributions could not go unnoticed after they had stayed in the harem for so long.

It seemed that the Concubine Li he knew in his past life had been nothing more than a completely fake appearance she had assumed.

Ling Xiao formed his opinion in his heart and did not bother getting involved with her again. He turned around and left.

“Master!” Even after they had walked farther away, he could still hear the servant girl gnashing her teeth as she called out.

This was an interesting servant. Ling Xiao faintly smiled.

With a smile across his face, he saw the Emperor sitting at the desk, working on the memorials. When he noticed Ling Xiao approaching, he asked absentmindedly,

“What matter made you so happy?”

“I met two interesting people.” In private, Ling Xiao was already used to not saluting the Emperor and simply walked to his side. He did not plan to hide it from him and frankly told him, “Your Majesty is quite familiar with one of them.”

The Emperor did not stop working on the matter at hand and asked, “Who?”

“Concubine Li.” Ling Xiao smiled.

The Emperor’s brush stopped. He raised his eyes to look at him. “Did she irritate you?”

Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow and smiled. “She didn’t. Why are you asking?”

The Emperor lowered his head again at his answer. “It’s good if she hasn’t.”

Ling Xiao paused, his heart warming at his concern. Gathering his courage, he leaned over to land a kiss on the Emperor’s cheek, then hurriedly stood back up, his eyes darting away as he said, “I’ll go take a look at Your Majesty’s morning meal.”

The Emperor could still see the blush that had spread from Ling Xiao’s face to his ears. He stood up with a smile, pulling him back and preventing him from fleeing. He pulled him straight into his embrace.

“We do not wish to eat anything else but the one before Us.”

As he said that, he turned Ling Xiao over and pressed him against his body, scenting Ling Xiao as if he were inspecting the fragrance of the food before his meal.

Ling Xiao’s face instantly burned bright red, his heartbeat speeding up. He felt as if there were a lump in his throat, making him a little uncomfortable.

Ling Xiao swallowed, calling out with difficulty, “Your… Your Majesty… doing such things in the daytime… isn’t… isn’t sensible of… of a monarch… ah~”

The last of his words were cut off by his moan when the Emperor teased him through his clothes. Ling Xiao’s eyes turned moist, and he used the last of his rationality to try to admonish the Emperor.

But his body gave the most honest reaction.

He trembled in pleasure beneath the Emperor’s hands, burning with shame and growing weak from the sensations. No matter how Ling Xiao tried to hold on to his rationality, he could not control his body from seeking the pleasure.

Ling Xiao clenched his teeth, forcing his eyes open to look at the Emperor. But the tears in his eyes blurred the scene before him.

Very hazily, appearing almost like a dream, the Emperor before him seemed to take shape, appearing especially beautiful.

Ling Xiao’s heart consequently shook, his body becoming even more sensitive because of his blurred sight.

Just a little teasing could make him tremble despite himself, and moans continued to spill out…

His consciousness floated away bit by bit as the pleasure became stronger and stronger, and his desire grew stronger as well. Finally, Ling Xiao reached out with both hands, but he had already lost the ability to tell whether he was trying to refuse or surrender to the pleasure.

The Emperor quietly laughed as he looked down at Ling Xiao, who had become despondent, and gently licked the traces lingering at the corner of his lips.

After licking his soft lips, he traveled down bit by bit, as if he were tasting something delicious, thoroughly tasting the body beneath him.

“Ahhh… Your… Your Majesty… hnnn…”

With Ling Xiao’s brows knitted, eyes closed, and a despondent expression, it was as if he were wavering between pain and pleasure, his voice continuously spilling out like a song that rose and fell, clearly expressing the sensations he felt.

His appearance made it seem as though he were deliberately trying to seduce the Emperor. The Emperor’s gaze darkened, and suddenly, he was already buried within Ling Xiao’s body.

Ahhh…

…………

When Ling Xiao woke up blearily, the Emperor was already no longer by his side. Instead, two maids were there.

Ling Xiao moved slightly, and a burst of pain came from behind.

His face reddened, and he carefully sat up. The two maids immediately helped him put on his clothes.

“Where’s the Emperor?” Ling Xiao asked them.

One of the maids respectfully replied, “The Emperor went to the imperial study to handle governmental affairs. He will return for the evening meal and wanted King Consort to rest well.”

“Hm…” Ling Xiao responded softly. He thought back to everything that had just happened, and he couldn’t help the blush that appeared as his heartbeat quickened.

“Young Master.” A call came from the entrance. Ling Xiao raised his head to look over. It was An Xiang. He stared blankly for a moment, then hurriedly let her in. “Come in.”

“Young Master, Concubine Li and her maid want to see you.” An Xiang awkwardly told him, “Master wanted you to rest well, but Concubine Li insisted on seeing you. This subordinate…”

Ling Xiao was speechless. He thought back to that master-and-servant pair and quietly laughed.

That Ying’er maid had probably persuaded Concubine Li to come.

As he thought about it, he asked her, “How long have they been here?”

“They arrived when the Emperor left,” An Xiang replied.

So accurate?

Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow. It looked like they had been waiting right by the entrance for the Emperor to leave…

“How long have I been asleep?”

“Young Master has been asleep for four hours.”

Then he had slept for quite a while, yet this master-and-servant pair had been waiting by the door the entire time?

Ling Xiao took a look outside. Under such a bright sun, he had certainly made things difficult for the two of them.

A rare feeling of compassion rose in his heart, and he ordered, “An Xiang, have someone lead them to the pavilion in the courtyard to wait. I’ll be there in a moment.”

“Young Master, if it is inconvenient for you, you can decline to see them.” An Xiang observed Ling Xiao’s worn-out appearance and advised him.

Ling Xiao shook his head. “It’s rare for them to be so considerate. I’ll go take a look.”

“Yes.” Seeing that Ling Xiao wasn’t forcing himself, An Xiang answered and left.

When Ling Xiao saw Concubine Li, her face was somewhat pale from being out in the sun for so long. He had someone prepare two bowls of pickled plum soup before sending them away, then appeared alone in front of the two.

When Concubine Li saw Ling Xiao, she blurted out, “General Lan, why are you still here? The Emperor already left…”

“Master, can you not tell? This ‘General Lan’ walked into the palace and never walked out. Furthermore, he wears informal clothing every day and walks around unobstructed. He is also rather familiar with the palace. He simply doesn’t look like someone from outside the palace. Plus, the only person besides the Emperor who can wear informal clothing, in this servant’s view, is this ‘General Lan.’ I’m afraid this person is the King Consort we have been trying to meet.”

Ying’er pulled on Concubine Li’s sleeve and whispered to her.

Concubine Li stared at him with wide eyes. She was clearly frightened by him.

Ying’er quickly told her, “Quickly salute and ask for forgiveness.”

Concubine Li immediately knelt on the ground. “Please forgive this lady, King Consort. This lady didn’t mean to offend you.”

From watching Ying’er whisper to Concubine Li, Ling Xiao could guess what they were saying.

Concubine Li’s appearance as she asked for forgiveness was somewhat similar to that of the Concubine Li from his past life, who had been content with her own place. As expected, her appearance back then had been a false one taught to her by her servant.

Ling Xiao slowly walked over and said to them, “Stand up. I have no intention of blaming you.”

Ling Xiao smiled amiably and sat down at the pavilion. But when the movement aggravated the injury to his backside, his face stiffened slightly.

Concubine Li cautiously stood to the side, swallowing nervously. Ying’er handed a box to her, and she flusteredly took it before smiling at him and saying, “Previously, this lady’s health wasn’t very good, so I was unable to pay a visit to the King Consort. Please do not blame me. This is a millennium-old ginseng as this lady’s gift. Please accept it, King Consort.”

Concubine Li placed the box in front of Ling Xiao. He opened it with a smile and took a look. Compared to the things the Emperor had bestowed upon him, it was far inferior, but this was probably the best thing Concubine Li could offer. After all, compared to the other two, she was not particularly favored in the first place.

Ling Xiao accepted it with a smile and indicated to them, “Sit.”

Concubine Li stiffly sat down, her face filled with fear.

Ling Xiao gazed at her, a faint smile on his lips, and asked, “Am I really that scary?”

“…No…” Concubine Li was just about to reply, but Ling Xiao interrupted her, pretending to be angry. “The truth!”

“Scary,” Concubine Li bitterly admitted, but Ying’er nudged her from behind, and she quickly corrected herself. “King Consort, you are very trustworthy.”

“Heh…” Ling Xiao burst out laughing. This master-and-servant pair’s changing expressions were too interesting.

“Young Master, your pickled plum soup.” An Xiang brought the beverage over.

Ling Xiao indicated to her, “Give some to the two of them.”

“……” An Xiang paused, glancing at Concubine Li and her servant, Ying’er. This was the first time Young Master had been so friendly toward any of Master’s concubines…

An Xiang silently placed the beverages down, then respectfully left.

“Taste the pickled plum soup from my palace. It’s good for relieving the heat and quenching thirst.”

“Okay.” Concubine Li eagerly swallowed. She was obviously very thirsty and was quite interested in the pickled plum soup.

However, Ying’er nudged her slightly, so she could only push the bowl away and force a smile. “This lady isn’t thirsty. King Consort can drink it.”

“……” Ling Xiao fell silent, turning his gaze toward Ying’er behind Concubine Li. She had kept her head down from the beginning, so he could not see her expression. However, he could tell from her attitude that she was on guard, her entire body taut.

Ling Xiao was somewhat displeased and coldly smiled. He had many ways to force the two of them to drink the soup, whether through an order or coercion, but he did not want to use any of those methods right now.

He reached out, picked up the bowl Concubine Li had pushed away, and drank from it before setting it back down in front of her. “If you were afraid I poisoned it, you should believe me now, right?”

“……” Concubine Li was stunned. Even Ying’er raised her head in disbelief. Neither of them knew how to react.

Ling Xiao looked at Ying’er, annoyed. “What? Do you need this one to test the poison for you?”

Ying’er jumped slightly, quickly shook her head, and picked up the pickled plum soup, draining it. Then, she knelt in front of Ling Xiao and begged for forgiveness. “Please forgive me, King Consort.”

“You may rise.” Ling Xiao frowned. “I don’t like people always kneeling in front of me.”

“Thank you, King Consort.” Ying’er got up somewhat fearfully, only to find her master drinking that bowl of pickled plum soup. She drank it sip by sip, her expression very satisfied.

And she was drinking from the very spot where Ling Xiao had just drunk.

Ying’er was greatly alarmed and cried out, “Master!”

“Eh?” Concubine Li simply turned to look at her servant.

Ying’er’s mouth twitched. “You… you… you… can’t drink it…”

Concubine Li blinked, not understanding why she wasn’t allowed to. Still, she did as she was told and set down the bowl, though her expression was very reluctant.

The depression Ling Xiao had been feeling was instantly swept away by the sight, and he laughed heartily.

“It really is too interesting.” Ling Xiao laughed despite his image. “Your servant is apologizing for you, yet you’re drinking pickled-plum soup… Aren’t you being a little too insincere as her master?”

Concubine Li’s face reddened. “You won’t hurt her, King Consort, and I was really thirsty.”

“Why didn’t you say so earlier? Weren’t you not thirsty?” Ling Xiao asked teasingly.

Concubine Li’s face turned even redder. “It… it was my mistake.”

“We have wronged the King Consort. You are different from what is said outside,” Concubine Li said simply.

“Master…” Ying’er was a little worried.

Ling Xiao smiled and said, “Alright, Ying’er, you don’t need to be on guard against me. I don’t hold any malice toward you two.”

“You’re smart, so you should know that if I held any malice, you two would have been dragged away long ago.” Ling Xiao pointed at them.

Ying’er finally understood and bowed. “Thank you, King Consort, for your kindness.”

Ling Xiao waved his hand and looked at her. “With how foolish you are, just how have you managed to survive this long in the palace?”

“I…” This was probably the first time Concubine Li had been so bluntly called foolish. Her whole face turned red with embarrassment.

Then she quietly retorted, “I’m not foolish…”

Ling Xiao smiled faintly. Concubine Li asked, “I will not contend with you, King Consort. I will not vie with you for the Emperor, so can you allow Ying’er and me to live our days peacefully?”

Concubine Li suddenly asked him so frankly and rose to kneel before him.

Ling Xiao paused, his gaze becoming slightly suspicious. “You really won’t vie with me for him?”

Concubine Li raised her head and nodded. Her expression was calm, and her eyes utterly sincere. No matter how he looked at her, she did not seem to be lying, so he relaxed and helped her up.

“Alright, I promise you. As long as you don’t vie with me for him, I won’t do anything to you.”

“Hm.” Concubine Li relaxed and smiled.

Suddenly feeling dizzy, she leaned against the pillar beside her. Ling Xiao paused, then helped steady her. “What’s wrong?”

Ying’er also stepped forward. Seeing the scene, she frowned. “King Consort, Master is suffering from heatstroke…”

“Then hurry and bring the imperial physician!” Ling Xiao waved his hand and ordered.

An Xiang frowned slightly at the scene and stepped forward. “Young Master, it is already late. Even if you summon the physician, you should also let Concubine Li return first. The Emperor is about to return. After all, you and Concubine Li are of different genders.”

Ling Xiao paused. An Xiang’s words had certainly cleared his head, reminding him of his own identity. Although he could not do anything, neither could Concubine Li. Their identities were special, so this really was somewhat improper.

After thinking it over for a while, Ling Xiao withdrew his hand and sighed. “Ying’er, send Concubine Li back first and wait there. I’ll go find someone to summon the imperial physician.”

“Yes.” Ying’er accepted the order, helping Concubine Li as they left.

“An Xiang, go summon the imperial physician for them. Tell him to come quickly.”

After Concubine Li left, Ling Xiao turned around and instructed An Xiang.

An Xiang frowned but silently left.

Within the Imperial Study, the Emperor looked at a respectful An Yong, his expression cold as he asked, “You said that the King Consort saw Concubine Li today?”

“Yes, Master.” An Yong replied with her head lowered.

“He was even chatting happily with her, and they were very intimate?”

The pressure in the room rapidly dropped, and An Yong trembled as she replied, “Yes, Master.”

“They drank from the same bowl of iced pickled-plum soup?”

The Emperor’s words were like ice sinking into An Yong’s heart. Feeling an unbearable chill, she still forced herself to reply, “Yes, Master.”

“Hmph!”

With a cold snort, the Emperor exerted his inner force and snapped the brush in his hand in two. He then flicked his sleeve, stood up, and walked out.

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