Bao#1 had meticulously ‘written’ a word, yet in the end, he made a mistake. Bao#1 was sulky and unhappy.
Even the peach blossom cookies that fish dad placed to the side while drinking milk didn’t smell so delicious anymore.
Li Yu was very concerned about these kids. It didn’t take long for him to notice Bao#1’s irregularity. Li Yu didn’t know the reason. However, normally when kids are depressed, it’d get better in other people’s company. Therefore, Li Yu gathered all of the fish babies together, hoping that Bao#2, Bao#3, and Bao#4 would help the dispirited Bao#1 recover a bit.
Bao#2, Bao#3, and Bao#4 surrounded Bao#1. Tears in his eyes, Bao#1 turned his little chubby face away.
Bao#2, Bao#3, and Bao#4 thought in unison. Why is big brother unhappy?
Don’t judge them by their infant outer appearance. Internally, they were fish brothers who had lived with each other for a long time, with extremely close relationships.
Why Bao#1 wasn’t happy, Bao#1 didn’t want to say.
However, Bao#4 remembered that when his mood was down, fish dad would always use his mouth to nuzzle him. After being nuzzled, Bao#4 would feel very happy. Fish dad said this was a kissy, and that he can kiss people that he likes. Bao#4 liked the two daddies and also liked big brother. He can use kissy to make big brother happy!
Got it! Bao#4 “ah ah” and called out twice, indicating for Bao#2 and Bao#3 to look at him.
Demonstrating himself, Bao#4 pursed his little mouth and gave a smooch, kissing big brother on the cheek.
Bao#1: “……”
Bao#2 and Bao#3 understood and both pursed their mouths, planning to move over.
Bao#1 was so alarmed his scream can break glass: “Ahhhhhhh!” What are you guys doing?!
Bao#2, Bao#3: smoochie, smoochie!
Bao#1: “ahhh!” Help!
Bao#1 underwent his little brothers’ baptism of love and could endure no longer.
Bao#2 and Bao#3 were actually okay and just kissed blindly. Bao#4 was an oddity. Not only did he kiss big brother, he wanted big brother to kiss back; otherwise, he’d continue kissing.
Covered in saliva all over his face because of Bao#4’s kisses, Bao#1 was at his last straw. Finally, he abandoned all hope: Wasn’t it just kisses? I… I can do it also!
With tears in his eyes, Bao#1 hugged Bao#4 with his little arms and legs and gave him a tiny, little kiss.
Li Yu, who had been observing this entire time: “Hahahahaha! As expected of Bao#4!”
The thing that even Ye QingHuan couldn’t do, the little Bao#4 managed to do it!
Because of this event, Li Yu discovered that Bao#1 became much more animated. Before this, Bao#1 was often by his lonesome. Clearly he was a little infant, yet he always had a serious expression and wasn’t very sociable. Now, as soon as he saw the other Baos, he’d start flailing both arms and legs.
Bao#2, Bao#3, and the joyous Bao#4: Big brother, we come to give kissies!
Bao#1 in disdain: “Ahhhh!” Go away!
Watching his sons being rowdy together, Li Yu said to Jing-wang with a sense of accomplishment: “TianChi, look. Surely, little kids are happier when they’re together.”
The corner of Jing-wang’s mouth twitched. According to what he observed, Bao#1 didn’t really seem happy.
However, Jing-wang wouldn’t expose this truth. Making Xiao Yu happy was the most important.
Over on the 6th Prince, Mu TianXiao’s side.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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For Mu TianXiao(6) to reach his position currently, he had to betray the 3rd Prince. Thus, he subconsciously couldn’t trust the 3rd Prince’s subordinates fully. The number of confidants he considered trustworthy was few and far between. The advantage was that secrets couldn’t be easily leaked, however, the disadvantage was that, with a mere imperial edict from the Emperor, he really didn’t have anyone he could use left.
And this was all because of his big wedding. He was desperate to win over the Yue family’s Marquis DingBei, Marquis DingBei was similar to ChengEn Gong. They were both old aristocratic families that survived for generations. It was actually extremely hard to curry favor with Marquis DingBei; he didn’t even soften for relatives and only loved his daughter dearly. Therefore, Mu TianXiao(6) wanted to make sure this marriage was secure. Marquis DingBei and his daughter were both genuine nobility and had plenty of experience with everything in this world. The 6th Prince couldn’t count on some paltry little tricks to persuade Marquis DingBei to help him and can only take a risk out of desperation.
Originally exploiting the assignment of renovating the palace wasn’t something easily exposed. As long as the palace was constructed and re-painted, who would specifically take it apart to take a look at the wood? Therefore, when the wood selling merchant contacted him, wanting to do business with him, he knew the opportunity to become rich had arrived.
In addition to this, he also had some offerings from his subordinates. This marriage wasn’t an easy thing to obtain. Who would have expected that such an inconspicuous thing would still be discovered by Zheng Jing. Not to mention, Zheng Jing even complained to the Emperor and accused him of misconduct. Was the guy not worried about offending him?!
Mu TianXiao(6) recalled when he renovated ZhongCui Palace on imperial orders, Zheng Jing also guided him the same way as he guided Jing-wang, treating him in a friendly manner with plenty of care. It made him feel like this person had a good sense of judgment. Who would have imagined that this person was actually vicious enough to stab him in the back. Mu TianXiao(6) wanted to counterattack and obtain Zheng Jing’s weakness. However, first, he really didn’t have anyone to do this task; second, Zheng Jing was really an upright and moral person. The 6th Prince had no way of taking a bite out of this iron block.
However, no matter how vicious Zheng Jing was, he couldn’t compare to the Emperor. The Emperor’s imperial edict looked like he was giving the 6th Prince leniency, the 6th Prince wasn’t really implicated here and also didn’t receive any punishment, however; the subordinates that he had arduously gathered were all gone in an instant.
Mu TianXiao(6) really hated, hated the Emperor, and hated Zheng Jing even more. However, this hatred was just like the circumstances of his birth, weak and powerless.
He’d prefer it if the Emperor gave him a few paddles instead.
“TianXiao(6), it’s only a few servants. No need to feel distressed. Mother can give you a few more maids, how does that sound?” Mu TianXiao(6)’s birth mother– Concubine Zhang consoled gently.
Because Mu TianXiao(6)’s current status was not the same anymore, Concubine Zhang also had plenty of people fawning over her now. Naturally, she gained more confidence when speaking with her own son.
However, her words almost made Mu TianXiao(6) laugh.
Mu TianXiao trembled uncontrollably. How hilarious. His mother was only able to wear gold and silver because of him, yet she didn’t even know what he needed the most. Meanwhile, Empress Xiao Hui has died more than 20 years ago, yet she can still protect Jing-wang. Empress Xiao Hui’s maternal family, ChengEn Palace Estate, supported Jing-wang so much. This was the difference between an Empress and a palace maid!
In the end, Mu TianXiao(6) didn’t speak his words of criticism out loud. He only made Concubine Zhang exercise restraint in the near future. He can’t let the Emperor seize any more of his weakness.
Concubine Zhang agreed in the end. With the 3rd Prince and the 2nd Prince as examples of the consequences of misconduct, she only acted imposingly behind closed doors. In front of the Emperor, she was still an honest quail. However, after hearing Mu TianXiao(6)’s words, other than agreeing, Concubine Zhang felt somewhat bewildered. With the current situation, other than choosing her son as inheritor, who else can the Emperor pick?
Without any assistance, Mu TianXiao(6) couldn’t act blindly without thinking. Plus, he still suspected that there was something wrong with Jing-wang’s offspring; Jing-wangfei also had a lot of questionable areas. Mu TianXiao(6) had sent his most loyal subordinate to investigate in the West Frontier. This person told him that he can set up a scheme to catch Jing-wangfei. However, afterwards, the person lost contact.
Mu TianXiao(6) was afraid this person had died. At the same time, he was also hoping that this person could really find Jing-wang’s weakness. Therefore, he continued waiting everyday.
It wasn’t until the Emperor visited the Imperial Study himself and started to treat the 7th Prince and 8th Prince differently that Mu TianXiao(6) suddenly realized, right now was not the time for him to relax.
Other than Jing-wang, the Emperor still had two little sons. They also had the possibility of ascending the throne.
Mu TianXiao(6) wanted to make the two princes lose the Emperor’s favor without anyone realizing. However, his loyal subordinates were all gone and he couldn’t find any suitable person to help him at the moment. He definitely wouldn’t do it himself, even if dealing with kids of this young was very easy.
He was just frustrating over his worries when someone found him instead.
“Your highness, I can help you resolve your problems.”
From behind a bamboo hat covered by a cloth veil, Chu YanYu revealed his hazy eyes, staring at the 6th Prince unblinkingly.
Seeing him, Mu TianXiao(6) was extremely shocked.
Ever since Jing-wang left the Imperial City and went to the West Frontier, the people from the QingXi Courtyard of the Jing Estate were pulled out one by one and questioned about their future plans. If they wanted to leave, they were free to leave.
This was when Chu YanYu left the Jing Estate.
Chu YanYu had followed Mu TianXiao(6) since childhood. He had no other place to go. Therefore, he returned to the 6th Prince’s estate to find Mu TianXiao(6).
Mu TianXiao(6) had allowed him to stay. However, at that time, the 6th Prince already knew that the Emperor would be appointing him a marriage. Even though Chu YanYu was right in front of him, he didn’t actually increase the closeness of their relationship. Chu YanYu also acted like he didn’t exist. It was only on Mu TianXiao(6)’s big wedding, before he went to greet the bride, that Chu YanYu ran in front of him and asked, if he were really about to get married.
Mu TianXiao(6) had nothing to hide, thinking: Back then when he forcibly handed Chu YanYu to the Jing Estate, Chu YanYu should have known already that before he obtained the throne, it’d be impossible for the two of them to be together publicly.
The 6th Prince once promised Chu YanYu that he’d save a spot for Chu YanYu by his side. However, it definitely wouldn’t be the main wife. The position of main wife was occupied now. However, even if it wasn’t, it wouldn’t belong to Chu YanYu. Mu TianXiao(6) also needed offspring himself.
Mu TianXiao(6) was worried that Chu YanYu would do something excessive, however, Chu YanYu only stood there in a daze for a while and then walked away soullessly.
Even now, with the 6th Prince’s main wife already married into the family, she still didn’t know that there was this Chu-gongzi inside the estate.
“You…… Yu-er, what are you saying? How do you plan to help me?” Somewhat hopeful, Mu TianXiao(6) asked carefully. Chu YanYu was smart and had the 6th Prince in his heart ever since he was little. Mu TianXiao(6) was very much aware of this and felt pretty confident in Chu YanYu. Before, he didn’t make any progress in the Jing Estate; it was only because Jing-wang’s personality was way too eccentric. Therefore, there’s no need to blame Chu YanYu because of that.
Chu YanYu paused briefly and said: “You are currently lacking manpower, your highness. I can become your eyes and a helping hand in the palace.”
Really?!
Mu TianXiao(6) was ecstatic internally. His birth mother was slow-witted and not favored by the Emperor. If there were someone else in the Emperor’s harem helping him, it’d make up for plenty of his deficiencies.
“However, you just returned from Jing-wang, uh… is this okay?” Mu TianXiao(6) asked cautiously.
“Your highness, you know that I didn’t have any relationship with Jing-wang.” Chu YanYu’s voice was soft and gentle, even containing a faint kind of sulking that would only appear between two lovers.
When he was in the Jing Estate, he was malnourished and sickly in appearance, not looking very good. In these last few days at the 6th Prince’s estate, he had already recovered, regaining his appearance as a stunning and gorgeous youth.
Excited, Mu TianXiao(6) grabbed one of his hands: “What I mean is you’ve entered the Jing Estate before and now need to become the Emperor’s concubine. Would you feel that this is unfair? Yu-er, if you aren’t willing, please let me know. You know I really do hate to part with you.”
Chu YanYu gently shook his head, saying: “My only wish right now is to help you achieve your dream, your highness. Please permit me to do this.”
As Chu YanYu spoke, he actually started kneeling. Mu TianXiao(6) hastily pulled him up.
He didn’t doubt Chu YanYu’s devotion towards him. Otherwise, why would Chu YanYu accept being arranged to enter the Jing estate back then?
If Chu YanYu can really enter the palace……
Mu TianXiao(6) quickly thought about it. According to Chu YanYu’s appearance, even many beautiful women couldn’t compare. Inside the Emperor’s harem, he’d still be an outstanding figure. If Chu YanYu was willing to step forth, Mu TianXiao(6) was pretty confident in making this come true.
Mu TianXiao(6) made his decision. Helping Chu YanYu up, he said tenderly: “Please get up. I’ll be relying on you in the future then.”
Chu YanYu nodded his head. Through the veil, Mu TianXiao couldn’t see the extremely faint, ambiguous smile that bloomed across his face.
“To be able to help your highness is my duty.” Chu YanYu has already waited for a very long time. This was exactly what he was hoping for.
Mu TianXiao(6) was actually pretty resourceful in his method of setting up Chu YanYu. First, he made Chu YanYu into his own personal bodyguard and brought him into the palace. Concubine Zhang, a palace maid who was able to climb into the Emperor’s bed after he became inebriated, also had her own unique methods.
Not long after the Lunar Festival, the Emperor drank a bit much and ended up resting at Concubine Zhang’s YongFu Palace, which was nearby. The next day, there was the addition of a new beauty in the palace, the stunningly gorgeous Chu-Guireng.
This Chu-Guireng, however, was actually a man.
“Chu…Chu YanYu– he became the Emperor’s male wife??” When Wang Xi casually reported this news, Li Yu was extremely astonished. Was there anything more fantastical than this? The gong-shou pair from the original novel– he had married the gong and gave birth to a bunch of small fish baby sons; meanwhile, the shou ran off and got together with the gong’s dad, and successfully became the gong’s…… stepdad?
Wait, a male wife counted as concubine, but he shouldn’t also count as Jing-wang’s stepdad.
Ai. Li Yu didn’t even know how to address him anymore.
“Didn’t he remain in the estate? How did he run off to the imperial palace?” After being stunned for quite a while, Li Yu finally remembered to ask this.
Li Yu had actually thought about this before. After they returned, Chu YanYu would have stayed in the Jing Estate for an entire year already. Jing-wang’s ire must have dissipated by that point. Li Yu can ask Jing-wang to let Chu YanYu leave. However, what he never imagined was that Chu Yan Yu had managed to become a palace concubine. How did he do this?
Wang Xi glanced at Jing-wang’s expression and then said: “When his highness and wangfei left the Imperial City, plenty of people were permitted to leave the estate.”
So it was like this. Jing-wang had released him a long time ago; Chu YanYu didn’t secretly run off himself.
Li Yu finally understood. Chu YanYu didn’t manage to achieve anything inside the Jing Estate. After he was released, he definitely returned to his dream lover, the 6th Prince. If this were the case, then how did he end up in the palace?
Wang Xi said vaguely: “The Emperor got drunk at a banquet. The 6th Prince and his accompanying bodyguard just happened to be visiting Concubine Zhang…… this old servant heard that Chu-Guireng received his title inside YongFu Palace.”
Wang Xi spoke vaguely, but Li Yu can interpret it himself. Didn’t this mean…… The 6th prince gave Chu YanYu to the Emperor himself?
After a time span of more than a year, Mu TianXiao(6) was still the same scumbag. How can Chu YanYu be happy with this!
…… oh. He probably would be happy. After all, Chu YanYu’s thought process was different from normal people. The guy entered the Jing Estate back then also for the sake of the 6th Prince.
Who knows, perhaps to Chu YanYu, belonging to Jing-wang and belonging to the Emperor, didn’t have that much of a difference.
Li Yu imagined a whole bunch of random stuff and then noticed that the Baos were all listening. Bao#4, especially, was blinking a pair of shiny bright eyes. Li Yu knew they could understand and hastily covered their ears.
Bestowing titles after a drunken night or whatever, grandpa seemed a bit unreliable here. Hopefully the kids won’t be misguided.
Li Yu was somewhat worried about Jing-wang at the same time.
It wasn’t because he was afraid Jing-wang had feelings towards Chu YanYu– this was definitely impossible– instead, he was afraid this would affect Jing-wang’s opinion of the Emperor.
In Jing-wang and many people’s hearts, the Emperor had extremely deep feelings towards Empress Xiao Hui. Would Jing-wang feel like the Emperor had forsaken the previous Empress?
When he thought about this, Li Yu stopped worrying about covering the kid’s ears and went to hold Jing-wang’s hand, saying: “TianChi, don’t feel sad.”
Jing-wang: “……”
The Emperor had three palaces and six courtyards, why would Jing-wang care? He also didn’t want to comment on the Emperor’s decision here. Seeing Li Yu wanting to comfort him, however, Jing-wang frowned accordingly; but his eyes were full of deep love.
Li Yu wrapped his arm around Jing-wang’s elbow and said in a low debatable tone: “Please don’t take it to heart. How about we bring out the mermaid tonight?”
Li Yu wanted to give his highness a change in activity so his mood would get better.
With a smile, Jing-wang nodded his head in agreement: Okay.
After the Lunar Festival, the weather became somewhat cold in the West Frontier. They can heat the room up a bit and prepare a huge tub……
If he didn’t presume wrong, perhaps their whole family will be heading out on a journey soon.
GanQing Palace, where the Emperor was.
In the Emperor’s eyes, to bestow someone a title after a drunken night at his age, and while in another imperial concubine’s palace too, was a very humiliating thing. Not to mention the other person was a man, and a prince’s personal bodyguard. The Emperor had to take responsibility for his fault and had no choice but to accept the person into his harem.
The Emperor was very ashamed. This kind of frustration, he had felt before when he granted Concubine Zhang, who was still a palace maid of ChangChun Palace back then, her title after a drunken night. Now he was experiencing it once again.
In order to make himself less upset, the Emperor started thinking about Jing-wang.
Ordering Jing-wang to leave the Imperial City took the Emperor several hours of back and forth consideration. However, the following decision he made was very swift, because this decision had been ruminating in his mind already in the last few days.
“Luo RuiSheng, draft an imperial edict for me. Summon Jing-wang back.”
More! We get more! We are spoiled… Thanks for the update 😁
Is that how concubines work? Are you required to take everyone you sleep with, even just once, as a concubine? Is this only a rule for Royalty & the Emperor or all nobility in general? Or is it more like a social thing, like: ‘You don’t have to, but it’s inappropriate not to.’
I don’t ready many historical novels so I’m really curious about this!
I’m not sure either, but imagine if someone is out there bragging about bedding the same woman that the Emperor had sex with. That would be awkward xD
And what if she got pregnant too
Thank You for the chapter (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤
thanks for the chapter!
Aren’t thise women inside the palace already unofficially belong to the emperor and if they’re lucky enough to be bedded they will officially be part of the harem…? That’s what I get after all those watching tv series about palace intrigues and reading novels..LOL Though this one is a bodyguard… Didn’t the emperor mentioned he had once a male companion before but seriously he should be suspecting his concubine after all she had climbed in his harem because of a drunken escapade..🤣
initially I wanted to feel sad for chu yanyu… first his lover threw him at jingwang, then his lover rejected him when he wanted help, then his lover went away to marry someone else in front of his eyes, then his lover wanted to throw him at his dad…. then I thought…. nah! he pretty much consented it all.
So Bao#4 has the lowest IQ but the highest EQ? That’s adorable!
And the 6th prince is such a heartless b@$+@&#, I hope CYY betrays him in the end for exploiting his love like that.