Memories of the PalaceCh27 - Angry Little Tigers

The ground beneath Jin Xiyan vibrated, and a rush of air that fluttered across his face pulled him from his sleep. As his consciousness sifted through his foggy brain, he felt his whole body ached and his throat hurt. He also noticed another thing: the rumbling wasn’t from the ground, but was on him.

His eyelids, which were so heavy that it felt exhausting just to move them, opened. An orange mass was in front of his face, blurred until he blinked the cloudy vision away. Light drops of rain sprinkled on his face, but upon the next blink, he realized that the “rain” was actually the drool that dripped down from the exposed tiger fangs that hovered dangerously close to him. v4WdGT

Frozen in fear, Jin Xiyan watched in horror as the tiger’s ears swiveled back and his lips curled to expose more of his fangs. The monster was above him, its legs on either side of his body and towering over him. The rumbling was its growl, and to their left was another, a white one, in a similar state of anger.

“Heh…” The weak rasp from his throat burned, and fear made it even harder to push the words from his mouth, “He-help!”

Read more BL at chrysanthemumgarden (dot) com

The sound of rushing feet pounding against the floor was just out of his line of sight. He prayed that it was someone other than Su Ao, because the poor man would not be able to best any tiger, let alone two. A large hand came into his view and it covered the angry tiger’s face, shoving the head away.

“Jianxian! Bad!” The feminine voice fearlessly scolded the tigers, who cowered slightly and their growling ceased. The orange tiger made a small wawu like it was protesting this treatment and leapt away. The hand came down to cup his face and his head was forcibly turned, and Jin Xiyan was shocked to see it was Shen Pei. k7A1Ti

Her eyes were red and puffy, with fresh tears cropping up along the edges now, “Yanhe, oh heavens, you are really awake.”

Shen Pei dropped her head into his chest and sobbed. Confusion muzzled him again, and his sore arms rose to lightly pat her on the back.

Suddenly, she jerked back up and grabbed him by the robes, her voice frantic. “Yanhe, tell me – is everything in the note true? Tell me honestly, so I know how to help you!”

The jostling annoyed him, mostly because it aggravating the ache that persisted throughout his entire body. Her confusing words just topped off his growing ire. Jin Xiyan covered her hands with his, surprised at how small they were compared to them. The woman was large, but only by a few inches to his own.

“Unhand Zhen and start making sense,” croaked Jin Xiyan. He struggled for a minute to sit up, but Shen Pei kindly placed a hand at his back and assisted him. Jin Xiyan coughed into a fist and was surprised to find small droplets of blood on his jade white hand —

A hand that wasn’t his own. His mind whirled, and Shen Pei’s words added to the wave of foreboding that rose in the back of his mind.

“I am asking if you really did kill the Emperor and tried to commit suicide, Yanhe!”

Kill the Emperor? He turned his head to look up at Shen Pei, eyes wide in fright. Why is she talking to me like I am not the Emperor? Vj6lmr

Shaking his head, he tried to clear the confusion muddling his brain and twisted his body to hang his legs off the edge of the bed. The tips of his toes barely brushed against the floor, which…Jin Xiyan looked around – he wasn’t in the Dragon Chamber.

He looked to Shen Pei, making the frustration in his tone clear despite the scrape of his voice, “Zhen demands answers. What nonsense are you speaking about? Who dares to try and murder Zhen? And who is Yanhe?!”

Shen Pei’s pale eyes looked hurt and sympathetic, and after she wiped the tears from her eyes, she crouched down in front of him. She spoke to him like one would a child.

“You were out for so long…are you suffering memory loss?” UEfWvl

There was a crazy sense of deja vu going on, which made him angrier. “And what of it?!”

“Yan–” Shen Pei caught herself and sighed. “This one failed to protect you, Li Changyu.”

Li Changyu? She reached over for something and grabbed a folded note to hand to him.

“What does this have to do with Li Changyu?” demanded Jin Xiyan before opening the note. He glanced down to skim over it as she spoke. The words on the page coupled with hers made the blood drain from his face. isKJnv

I, Li Changyu, have committed the ultimate sin against the Empire. I have killed the Emperor, and therefore, the only ones to judge me are those in the Underworld.

“Changyu…I found you hanging from the rafters of the Cold Palace.”

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

But…but I am alive! The words on the page did not bode well for Li Changyu, however. Is he taking his own life?! Jin Xiyan dropped the note and tried to stand, but his legs wobbled when trying to support his frame. Shen Pei shot up to her feet and helped steady him, but Jin Xiyan pushed away her help.

“What are we doing here?!” He yelled as loud as he could, fear and anxiety ratcheting up his voice. “Your Empress could be dead right now! Guards!” Jin Xiyan called out, “Su Ao!” Q7Bjnx

The tigers let out a matching cry, and Shen Pei grabbed him by the shoulders when he tried to go towards the door. It was then he noticed their significant size difference – What!?

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.

“Li Changyu!” she gave him a shake, “You’re speaking nonsense! You need to lay down, now. I will go fetch your Mother, we can be back and then leave together before the sun rises and people find the Emperor’s body.”

While struggling against Shen Pei’s hold, that very body in question came through the bedroom window. Jin Xiyan – no, his body – swung one leg through the window and hopped over the sill, but struck his head at the top of the window.

“Ow!” His body said, hissing in pain and rubbing the top of his head. His violet eyes squinted at Jin Xiyan, his own face screwed up in an accusatory glare. “I keep second guessing how giant you are, asshole.” j7Iry0

Shen Pei looked equally shocked, and on instinct Jin Xiyan pointed at the Fake Him and yelled, “Imposter!”

Startled by his yell, Shen Pei’s hands squeezed a little tighter before she turned to the side and pushed Jin Xiyan into a bow towards the Imposter. She bent forward as well and rambled.

“Y-Your Majesty! What–I mean, this subject means – there is an explanation,” Shen Pei struggled for words, “…for why His Highness isn’t…in the Cold Palace…”

He didn’t remain bowing, because why would he bow? Even if the imposter was in front of him, it was quite clear who the real one was. The Imposter had his long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail – something he hadn’t worn since he was the Crowned Prince – and his robes — BKymnW

Those are my clothes…His thoughts trailed off when the Imposter Emperor covered a snort with his hand, shoulders shaking. His annoyed face melted into a strained one that tried to contain his laughter. Jin Xiyan surged forward, and it threw him off to find himself not at eye level. His forehead just about reached the Imposter’s mouth, making Jin Xiyan the perfect height to see the mole on his neck, which was identical to his own.

What…what is going on?! He must have said this outloud, because the Imposter responded.

“Exactly what I’m asking myself,” The Imposter laughed again and brushed past him while he stood there trying to understand how the Imposter could possibly know such a small detail about him. With a perfect impersonation of his voice, spoke, “Shen Pei, get up. It’s me, Yanhe.”

Shen Pei lifted her head, her brows furrowed, and she looked over at Jin Xiyan. “Answering His Majesty, yes…that is Li Changyu. Please, it is this one’s fault for the Empress not being in the Cold Palace. I beg you to not punish–” mRX5Q4

“Shen Pei!” The Imposter cut her off with a raised voice, then sighed. “Shen Pei, that is His Majesty.”

He turned, pointing at Jin Xiyan. Successfully kicked out of his daze, Jin Xiyan’s righteous anger came up again. He stepped closer and pointed back at the Imposter.

“And who are you?!”

An eerily familiar arched brow expression met his gaze and the Imposter rolled his eyes, “I am Li Changyu, and you are in my body.” The Imposter rubbed two fingers against their temple, “Thank goodness I found you, I was worried that something worse happened.” 8KJRmi

Jin Xiyan ignored the deranged rambling and marched back up to the Imposter. Again, the man was awkwardly tall, but it didn’t deter Jin Xiyan from grabbing a hold of his robes.

“Now you listen he–” Jin Xiyan cut himself off when he saw the hand grabbing the man’s robes. He was reminded that this was definitely not his hand – it was pale, whiter than his own, with slender, calloused fingers, evidence of old scars and fresh cuts, and distinctive bruising around the wrist. He let go of the fabric and turned the palm towards himself, gawking at it. “What…”

Please visit chrysanthemumgarden (dot) com

The Imposter chuckled and snatched his thin wrist then yanked him around to the side. Jin Xiyan had never been manhandled like this before, and a wave of panic came up before outrage. Using the other hand, he clawed at the offender’s hold on him.

“Unhand Zhen this instant!” vkoxDa

“Your Majesty!” Shen Pei cried, “Please, let His Highness go!”

The Imposter laughed and tossed Jin Xiyan towards a dresser with a large circular bronze mirror on a stand. Jin Xiyan caught the edge of the furniture when he stumbled, rattling the pieces. He was just about to whip his head around and yell at the man when the mirror’s image caught him by surprise.

Instead of him, it was Li Changyu looking back. Or, rather, a ghost of something that looked like Li Changyu. His hair was tangled and mussed, and lacked its normal sleek shine. His eyes were puffy and a purpling bruise was around the right one. Around his slender neck was the garish looking twisted bruise that was obviously rope. Touching his – Li Changyu’s – face, Shen Pei’s words echoed in his head. Changyu…I found you hanging from the rafters of the Cold Palace.

Jin Xiyan kept staring at the mirror while the Imposter — Li Changyu? — carried on with Shen Pei. QJWrME

“Shen Pei, I don’t know how it happened, but we switched bodies.”

“…Your Majesty, I–”

“SheeeEEN PEI!” Li Changyu whined, pitching Jin Xiyan’s real voice higher than normal. “Listen to me. If I wasn’t Li Changyu, how would I know that when you were nineteen you accidentally stabbed me in the arm during a training drill? Or that you are allergic to moss. Or that you are afraid of spiders.”

“I can understand Your Majesty may be disturbed–” 3TV2yS

“You once saved me from an alpha who tried to steal my heat suppressants. You beat him up so bad that you were flogged. We haven’t separated since. If I wasn’t Li Changyu,” Though whispered, Jin Xiyan could hear Li Changyu say, “Then how do I unfortunately know that my Brother likes it when you eat out his ass.”

That made him turn around, and Shen Pei was glowing bright red from the bottom of her neck to the top of her ears. The two tigers were circling Li Changyu, sniffing the air tentatively.

“LI CHANGYU!”

Li Changyu clapped his hands together triumphantly. “Ha! See, it is me!” Then, turning to Jin Xiyan, he smirked, “And that indignant little scowl is all Jin Xiyan.” SThjIA

Breathing felt like a laborious job, but Jin Xiyan managed to gasp out, “Explain yourself.”

The corner of Li Changyu’s lips turned up, “Well, in order to explain it to everyone, I have to ask Your Majesty a few questions.” He glanced at Shen Pei from the corner of his eye, “Alone.”

“Yes, Yanhe.” Shen Pei, like the loyal guard she obviously was, cupped her hands to Li Changyu before she left.

Jin Xiyan barely opened his mouth before Li Changyu cast a dark look his way. He was shocked into snapping his jaw shut, and his Wife, in his body, stalked towards him. Even when they were inches away, Li Changyu did not stop, and it forced Jin Xiyan to stumble backwards until his lower back hit the dresser. j42TGK

He jumped at the contact. The bronze mirror clattered against the dresser and rolled off, landing on the floor with a crash like a cymbal. Li Changyu trapped Jin Xiyan by grabbing the edge of the dresser on either side of him. Jin Xiyan was suddenly overcome with a feeling of vulnerability that he hadn’t experienced since he was very young. Li Changyu stared him down with his own set of eyes, and it was disturbing to see his body strung along like a puppet that he wasn’t the one holding the strings to.

Li Changyu spoke low and deadly, “I will only ask this once. Did you order for me to be killed?”

Please support our translators at chrysanthemumgarden (dot) com

“W-what?” He sputtered, blinking several times. Of all the things he thought Li Changyu might say, this wasn’t one of them he expected. “Kill you? No! There has not been an execution issued, there is still –”

“That’s not what I am asking. I died tonight, and I am asking you if it was from your order.” Li Changyu lowered his head so they were eye to eye, his stare menacing. “And I would like to remind His Majesty that I have an uncanny ability to tell when someone is lying.” 4JgjPM

The tigers, perhaps sensing their real Master’s anger that permeated the room, grew agitated. Their low rumbling growls returned, and a quick check left and right showed them hovering nearby, one at each respective side. Again, Jin Xiyan denied it, because it was the truth.

“Zhen did not issue any such command.” Jin Xiyan touched his throat, remembering the noose-like marks. “Are you saying…”

His voice trailed off, unable to form the words.

Li Changyu pushed off the dresser and turned, walking away. With some distance between them, Jin Xiyan breathed a sigh of relief, but the tigers sat nearby with wide, watching eyes. He couldn’t relax just yet. SJ3Cvw

“Then it was not you. How did Shen Pei act when you woke up?”

Li Changyu had his back to him, and it was strange to speak to someone who was not facing him. Not many people ever turned their back to him, except Li Changyu.

“She…she said she found Zhen – you – hanging in the Cold Palace. Ah!” he exclaimed, remembering an important detail. “She mentioned a note. It said that you killed Zhen and committed suicide.”

“They moved my body…” A dark laugh rumbled out of Li Changyu. He tilted his head, which meant he was probably smiling. “So that is their ploy…” CkU 7c

His brown hair swayed with the shake of his head and he turned back to Jin Xiyan. He fished a bundle wrapped in his handkerchief out of his sleeve. He unfolded it, and inside was a broken teacup. Li Changyu held it out towards him.

“It seems we both died tonight. In this cup there’s residue that looks like the poison given to me before. I also noticed the rash on your wrist,” he lifted the hand and exposed it, showing the rash that he had in fact had since this morning. “What is it that you remember?”

Jin Xiyan was stunned into silence. He stood there, trying to process Li Changyu’s words, and it wasn’t until Li Changyu’s well? that he remembered to answer. He dropped all formality, “I…I was upset today. I stayed in my room most of the day, and some of the other Wives brought me snacks and things to enjoy. I…” He blushed, unsure how much he should share, but given the emergency they were in… He sighed, “Song Rushen serviced me, and then they left and I had my first tea. Then I was notified of your betrayal…”

He frowned, now questioning it even more. When he first heard of it, he didn’t believe it, but it was the scouts that he sent that came back to report this. He was sick to his stomach from the news, quite literally. E3AKaU

“The rash appeared shortly after…then you came back, and was questioned. Do you…” Jin Xiyan swallowed, knowing how sick he felt during it. “Do you suspect I was poisoned before you even came back?”

“Yes, and again tonight, which finished you off.” Li Changyu was his characteristically blunt self and wrapped the cup back up before placing it on a side table next to an incense burner. “I was…”

Li Changyu pressed his lips together and he gave Jin Xiyan an indiscernible look. His expression shuttered, keeping him out, and he turned away towards the window. “I was attacked, and some poison was given to me. It stands to reason that whoever plotted this needed a scapegoat, and that would be me. However…”

Li Changyu smirked over his shoulder at him, “As strange as this is, we bested them. I have already issued an edict that the investigation is to continue, and my judgement is suspended for now.” JnX3io

“You!” Anger flushed Jin Xiyan’s face, “You dared to break the rules and issue a false edict?! Impersonating Zhen–”

Li Changyu raised his voice, cutting him off. “I am sorry! Did you want to be executed!?” Turning to him, Li Changyu shrugged. “If you are so desperate to follow protocol, perhaps we should go to morning court and you announce we switched bodies. I am so sure that your diligent, loyal officials will ab-so-lutely believe you.”

Please support our translators at chrysanthemumgarden (dot) com

Li Changyu crossed his arms and arched his brow. When put it like that, Jin Xiyan could concede that it would be a foolish idea. He didn’t like the idea of Li Changyu using the Emperor’s Seal in such a way, but this stay of execution would buy them time.

If…If Li Changyu did want to betray me, he looked at him, trying to search his eyes in the dim light. He could easily kill me right now. l4mJqF

But he wasn’t. Jin Xiyan did not know if he should be relieved or not. The soreness in his body and nausea was enough to make him sag back against the dresser for support.

“This…this situation…how do we change back?” Could we switch back?

Li Changyu’s normal bluster faltered, and he frowned. “I’m not sure, but for now, we should be careful. You are expected to remain here, in the Phoenix Palace. Meimei and Bowen, my servants, will return in the morning. Do not tell them. The less people who know–”

“–the better, yes.” Jin Xiyan waved a hand, “Then why tell Shen Pei?” erautl

Li Changyu blinked, “Because I tell Shen Pei everything.”

That made him roll his eyes, “Oh, of course. That is such a rational answer.”

“Shen Pei is a good ally, and you will need someone to help you keep up the act that you are me.”

“That will not be too hard,” scoffed Jin Xiyan. Li Changyu narrowed his eyes. E5AbDH

“Fine then. You will act poisoned and attacked, because I plan on going back and making a dramatic rendition of Crimes Against the Emperor to your eunuch.”

“Why go so far as to do that? Should we not just carry on?”

“Your enemy, or rather, our enemy, knows we were supposed to die. If we make the case that you were poisoned, and I attacked and poisoned, it will create an emergency. They will know that they failed and appear that we are none the wiser as to how it happened. If we went about our business, it would appear suspicious and that we are onto them. If they think that, they may act out dangerously as a last ditch effort.”

This logic was sound. Jin Xiyan rubbed his chin and said, “Then you want to ferret out who they were.” MDwZJC

“And their accomplices. This is obviously too elaborate of a scheme to be limited to just a few people.” Li Changyu moved towards the window, looking prepared to leave just like he came in. “Your job is to sit tight and look sick. Tell Shen Pei to get my Mother.”

“Wait! Why do I have to remain here?” Jin Xiyan forced himself to stand up fully and approached Li Changyu. “Should we not work together?”

Li Changyu barked out a laugh, “Us? I’m sorry, did getting poisoned make you forget about what just happened? As far as the Palace is concerned, you hate me and I hate you–”

Jin Xiyan flinched. But…I don’t hate you… DpMS e

“–and we need to keep that appearance up. Zhen will return to the Dragon Chambers, and my Wife,” Li Changyu smirked, and even with it being Jin Xiyan’s face, he could see Li Changyu in the expression. “Will be a good little omega and stay here.”

Irritation cropped up again, and through clenched teeth, “Since when have you ever behaved like a good little omega?”

Chrysanthemum Garden.

“Hm, you’re right about that.” Li Changyu grinned, “But I bet you can’t either. Bye!”

With a little hop, Li Changyu disappeared through the window. When Jin Xiyan poked his head out, Li Changyu was nowhere to be seen. Kpm3 9

“How did he…” Sighing, Jin Xiyan shook his head. “Nevermind.”

When he turned around, he was greeted by the sight of the two tigers once more. He froze, watching as their noses twitched when they sniffed the air. The orange one rumbled then let out a loud, but squeaky roar. Jin Xiyan ran to the bed, not bothering to look back in case he was met with a set of sharp teeth. He whipped the covers off and dove in, only to wrap himself up in them. This childish logic made sense in his panicked state, and he shut his eyes tight.

“Please let this all be a dream!”