Look at me, being the most filial son to the biggest wretch in the Kingdom. The irony that Li Changyu was doing more than he probably did for his own parents did not escape him. He couldn’t hold off greeting Jin Qiuye in the morning any longer. He’d gotten used to not having to wake so early since leaving the military and not bothering to greet the Empress Dowager. As Emperor, he now had to be up early, especially for morning greetings.
For the past half hour, Li Changyu had been waiting on Jin Qiuye. First it was to help light incense to the Fallen Emperor, then to select the best silk Jin Qiuye wanted Li Changyu to purchase for him. Now it was some small talk, which made his teeth clench. Li Changyu held back a sigh when he poured another cup of tea for the Empress Dowager.
“Royal Mother, Erchen should leave soon,” he said, hoping to deploy an exit strategy. “The Harem should be arriving soon to greet you.”
“There is still some time!” Jin Qiuye smiled brightly at him, taking the cup into his delicate hands. He held it close to inhale the fragrant aroma of the tea. “Besides, I am in no rush to see that sniveling bitch today. Oh!” Jin Qiuye had a sneaky smile as he lightly covered his mouth. “This Mother apologizes, I remember my promise to stop insulting him.”
Li Changyu’s teeth snapped together when he clenched his jaw. Keeping his voice even, he asked, “The Empress, you mean?”
“Hmph!” Jin Qiuye’s nose turned up at the mention of Li Changyu himself. “Why do I care about him? I am talking about Erchen’s Huang Guifei.”
Huh? “Huh?” he said out loud unintentionally.
“Do not get mad at this Mother.” Jin Qiuye set his tea back down without taking a sip, making it feel like a waste that Li Changyu had even poured it to begin with. “Erchen knows how I feel about him. It is my fault for letting it slip, but as I have not had to deal with His insufferable Highness,” – Li Changyu assumed that meant him – “as of late, so the sight of Huang Guifei has caused me some unnecessary headaches.”
Li Changyu arched his brow. Are you sure it’s not the sex all night that is upsetting your meridians? But this was interesting news to Li Changyu. It seemed that Qin Yuze did not have any favor with Jin Qiuye, but perhaps when he came into the fold, there may have been a truce of sorts. That, or Jin Qiuye was as crafty as Li Changyu believed him to be and he wanted to make sure that Li Changyu did not know about any strife that he could potentially exploit.
He decided to fish a little for details, “Erchen thought Royal Mother would have set aside things by now. Why are you still reluctant?”
Jin Qiuye drew their finger around the rim of their porcelain cup. “Qin Yuze is a ladder climbing opportunist. They had the nerve to ask me for the Empress Seal to manage the Harem when you were poisoned.”
Should I hold a mirror up, dearest Mother-in-law? Jin Qiuye acting like he wasn’t similar was laughable to him. However, Li Changyu’s expression darkened. He didn’t care about not having the Empress Seal, because it just meant less work managing servants and budgets. But…in the wrong hands, having that much control and leverage would be catastrophic in the Inner Court. It was bad enough that Jin Qiuye had it, but under Qin Yuze? Li Changyu didn’t want to imagine what could happen.
“The best thing His Majesty The Fallen Emperor did was to decree that he would not be eligible for the title of Empress.” Jin Qiuye sighed, then muttered under his breath. “Even so, it is a shame that the dog has that title.”
Having had enough, Li Changyu snapped. “Would it hurt you to hold your tongue just for once?”
“Jin Xiyan!” Jin Qiuye’s voice pitched, his face stricken. “Why must you always defend those two!?”
He prepared to shoot back another barb, but his Mother-in-Law’s words gave him pause. Always defend those two? Li Changyu narrowed his eyes at Jin Qiuye. Jin Xiyan has defended me before?
Before Li Changyu could reply, and like summoned from Hell itself, the steward cried, “Huang Guifei and the Noble Consorts have arriiiived!”
Li Changyu touched his fingers to his forehead. Oh no.
The Chen twins and Qin Yuze entered alone without their adoring suck-ups behind them. Each touched their hip and bowed down to them, their heads hanging low.
“Greetings to His Majesty, His Highness,” they spoke in unison.
Li Changyu motioned for them to rise and moved to stand as well, “Good morning. Zhen will leave fir–ow!”
Jin Qiuye had grabbed his hand, his manicured nails stinging Li Changyu’s flesh. Jin Qiuye had a desperate look about him, pointedly eyeing the trio of Wives.
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.
“Can Erchen not stay for morning greetings? I am sure your Wives are excited to see His Majesty.”
Li Changyu could almost hear Jin Qiuye’s screeching cry in his head through the look he gave him. Jin Qiuye’s pale eyes screamed, If I have to suffer them, you will too!
“Your Majesty…” Qin Yuze stepped forward, his expression soft and gentle as he lifted his head to meet his gaze. His eyes were cast downward ever so slightly, adding to his modest demeanor. Like this, even Li Changyu couldn’t deny his beauty.
Clearing his throat, he replied stiffly, “Huang Guifei…”
Qin Yuze’s frosty lashes fluttered and he looked up through them coquettishly. Li Changyu bit back a groan. Li Wangshu could take a lesson or two from this– His thought was abruptly cut off by another cry.
“His Highness the Empress has arrrriiiived!”
Qin Yuze’s eyes widened in alarm, and Li Changyu had a matching expression. All heads turned to the door where Jin Xiyan stepped in, flanked by Shen Pei and Meimei. Jin Xiyan had Li Changyu’s red robes on, the set with the chrysanthemum pattern elegantly twisting around the short hem of his shirt. His posture was tall and perfect, like one would carry themselves as an Emperor.
I told that buffoon to not leave the Phoenix Palace!
Jin Xiyan came up and like a model noble, knelt to Jin Qiuye, “Greetings to Mother-in-law, may he live long.”
Jin Xiyan was just about to rise when Chen Ziyin huffed, “Hmph! His Highness has a lot of nerve rising before the Royal Mother said you could!”
His “Wife” faltered, caught between lifting up and sitting. Adding insult to injury, Jin Qiuye threw out a barb himself, “And what makes you think you are supposed to be here? You are confined to your quarters, and you dare break His Majesty’s rules so blatantly in front of him!”
Jin Xiyan’s cool, calm expression turned into a frown and his eyes flicked over to Li Changyu. Li Changyu wanted to smack himself in the forehead after giving Jin Xiyan a good whack. He glared at Jin Xiyan, hoping that it would communicate his thoughts. You know how much he hates me, don’t you?
Jin Xiyan dropped his knee and remained kneeling. He bent forward once more, “Answering His Highness, Zh–I was allowed to give morning greetings to Grand Empress Dowager. I wished to greet Royal Mother first. This one will leave first.”
“Pardon His Highness…” Qin Yuze slipped away from Li Changyu and approached Jin Xiyan when he stood. Qin Yuze’s voice was as smooth as silk, “This one heard that you have suffered an accident during your imprisonment. Are you well?”
“I thank Huang Guifei for his concern. I am well, but some memories are still fuzzy.”
“Oh?” Qin Yuze’s tone revealed that he was quite interested in this revelation. Li Changyu pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth in order to keep it at bay. Qin Yuze turned and looked at Jin Qiuye. He cupped his hands to him and bowed, “Your Highness, this Son-in-law would humbly ask Royal Mother to pardon the Empress for any offense.”
Jin Qiuye stiffened. He was obviously backed into a corner by this strange maneuver Huang Guifei did on “his” behalf. Jin Qiuye’s eyes slid to the side, responding dismissively, “As His Majesty is present, I will leave anything pardoning to my Royal Emperor Son.”
Passing the buck off to me? Li Changyu straightened his shoulders and waved a hand, “If it is His Highness’ intention to see Royal Grandmother, go now.”
Qin Yuze lifted himself up and nodded towards Jin Xiyan. Jin Xiyan had the nerve to smile at Qin Yuze. It was soft and tender, with a little glint in his eye that Li Changyu had never seen before since his arrival. It was apparent that the others noticed it as well by the way the Chen twin’s noses scrunched and Jin Qiuye’s eyes narrowed. It was downright disturbing to watch his own body and be forced to eat dog food. Did that dummy tell Qin Yuze he’s inside my body?!
Seeing them side by side, the differences were plain to see. Where Qin Yuze was round and soft, Li Changyu’s frame was awkward and square. In fact, even the twins looked more elegant than he did. Chen Ziwei, a beta male who had no business looking so delicate for his designation, still could look appealing to a discerning alpha’s eye. He had a long, graceful stature and regal looking brow. The trio wore makeup that gave them a glow, but Li Changyu’s face, though clean, was dull and flat. Old, tiny scars and calluses were visible on his hands, making Li Changyu look more like a commoner when compared to the other’s soft, elegant fingers.
Like this, Li Changyu could tell what type of person Jin Xiyan was attracted to. He sighed. They call you ugly for a reason. Perhaps being the only omega in miles during a campaign is what made him attractive in the military. Li Changyu’s chest began to hurt at the thought, so he squashed down that feeling.
He quickly interjected before anyone else could say anything further, “Zhen will escort His Highness, to make sure that he does not get into any needless trouble.”
Li Changyu crossed the rest of the way to Jin Xiyan and grabbed his elbow then jerked him along. Jin Xiyan stumbled at first, but kept up with his stride. When they were finally out of the Empress Dowager’s yard, Li Changyu gestured with his hand to dismiss the creeping Shadow Guards.
“Keep at a distance,” he said out loud. “No one is to interrupt Zhen.”
At that, he let Jin Xiyan go and walked side by side with him. Even though everyone stood far from them, he kept his voice low and whisper-shouted.
“Did you have the nerve to tell Huang Guifei that we switched bodies?!”
Jin Xiyan’s jaw went slack and he glared up at Li Changyu.
“No!” He hissed. “When would I have an opportunity to?!”
Li Changyu’s chest gave a big heave with his sigh, truthfully relieved. “Good, you at least have some sense.”
Louder this time, Jin Xiyan growled, “I have plenty of sense!”
He reached across and pinched Jin Xiyan’s mouth shut with a thumb and forefinger. Jin Xiyan gave him a scathing look and shoved his hand away then put some space between them so he was out of Li Changyu’s reach. Li Changyu wondered if his face really did look that menacing whenever he glared or pouted at the Emperor. Mm, I can see for myself now how fierce I can look.
“If this was a flooding disaster or a negotiation with a foreign country, sure, you have plenty of sense,” he said, keeping his voice low. Li Changyu had to give credit when it was due. He’d seen the piled memorials himself – Jin Xiyan did not lack talent and diligence when it came to state affairs. Sadly, the same couldn’t be said when a pretty set of eyes bat at him. “Forgive this subject, but you have seen the condition of your Harem. You can understand my concern.”
“Did they do that before? Why have you not reported this?” asked Jin Xiyan, his tone affected with something that strangely sounded like guilt, but Li Changyu erred on the side of it being confusion.
Li Changyu grunted to himself. Yeah, why haven’t I?
“They didn’t like me before I was pregnant, and needless to say, what happened afterward gave them enough justification.” Li Changyu wanted to shrug, but he kept his hands behind his back and walked like he’d seen Jin Xiyan do many times. “What good would it have done to complain about it?”
Jin Xiyan stopped, prompting Li Changyu to pause and face him. Jin Xiyan looked up at him, his brow knit together.
“Are you that foolish to let them bully you? You are the Empress, and for them to show such disresp–”
“Your silence allowed them to be so bold,” he reminded Jin Xiyan, effectively cutting him off. Jin Xiyan’s face fell and his eyes went wide. Li Changyu kept his face passive as he continued to explain. “I’m a discarded Empress. Your Mother, the Wives in your yard, and the servants all knew it. What would be the point in saving face?”
This time, he did shrug. Jin Xiyan’s shoulders slumped down and he worried his lower lip between his teeth. Jin Xiyan opened his mouth, and there was a hesitation that kept him silent, but the beginnings of the words Li Changyu absolutely did not want to hear spilled out.
“I am sor–”
Li Changyu’s voice pitched as he interrupted him, “Well! Look where we are!” He made a sweeping gesture with his arm, indicating the entrance to the Grand Empress Dowager’s palace that was a few feet from them.
“Zhen knows that Royal Grandmother is very eager to see our Family’s Empress, so you best be on your way!”
Jin Xiyan’s frown deepened, “Li Changyu, I–”
“Now, now,” Li Changyu grabbed Jin Xiyan by the shoulders and forcibly turned him around to march him in the direction of the moon gate. “This will be one of the few times Zhen lets you out, so do not spend your time frivolously!”
Huffing, Jin Xiyan dug his heels in, but Li Changyu had the advantage that Jin Xiyan had not perfected how to use his trained body. In this alpha body, he could easily overpower Jin Xiyan, which made Li Changyu shudder to think that all along Jin Xiyan was capable of doing that. After experiencing it first hand, how Jin Xiyan held back his strength was a mystery. Alphas bodies are weird and truly terrifying!
Li Changyu lowered his head to Jin Xiyan’s ear and whispered, “Don’t forget to ask her about the necklace!”
He unceremoniously shoved Jin Xiyan through the large circular archway and bid a quick farewell in order to escape. He stopped by Shen Pei, and looked down at Meimei. She politely kept her head down, typical of her polite nature. It was difficult for him to be reserved and hide his own smile.
“You run along to your Master. Zhen needs to discuss a secret mission with Miss Pei.” When she lifted her head to acknowledge his words, he put a finger to his lips and winked. The young girl’s bright, round face broke out into a wide grin that she quickly smothered with her hand.
Behind her hand, she muffled out an I’m sorry, Your Majesty! and quickly bowed. She hurried after Jin Xiyan, who looked dejected. When Meimei stopped at Jin Xiyan’s side, she looped her arm through his and coaxed him along like a sullen friend. Jin Xiyan, though tugged along, complied with her. Li Changyu let out yet another sigh for the day. He was relieved that Jin Xiyan hadn’t squandered Li Changyu’s relationship with the girl by acting like his usual stuffy, cold self.
Shen Pei stepped into his line of sight, her face worried, “You needed me?”
“En,” he nodded. “Has Mother-in-law found a physician for the palace?”
“Answering Your Majesty, Madame Li was initially reluctant to answer your request.”
Li Changyu’s eyes rolled up to the sky, “Of course she was.”
“But after talking to her a bit more, she finally agreed. She is sending three physicians, and I believe they should be here tomorrow.”
“Three? Aiya, she will not make it easy, will she?” Forgetting himself, Li Changyu blew out a frustrated breath through his lips, sounding like a horse.
Shen Pei shook her head, but she was grinning ear to ear. “Answering Your Majesty, I don’t know much about the ones she picked, but from what I heard from Jiuxing, Your Majesty is in for a treat.”
Li Changyu pressed two fingers to his temple. “Alright. Zhen will deal with this later–”
“Your Majesty!”
Li Changyu stiffened immediately, the cry all too familiar. He grabbed Shen Pei’s shoulder and gave her a quick command. “Try to make sure nothing like yesterday happens again!”
“Your–ah!–Majesty!”
Su Ao rushed towards him, his gait unsteady as he struggled to balance the large sack of leeks from the Royal Kitchen. Li Changyu had insisted that he needed to inspect the vegetables himself, and that Su Ao was the only man trusted to deliver them. Of course, it was all a ruse to get Su Ao out of his hair.
Shen Pei snorted as he rushed past, easily out-walking the stumbling beta. Li Changyu glanced over his shoulder to see that Su Ao was still heading his way. Su Ao tried to quicken his step, but a stray leek that fell from the bag caught the bottom of his shoe. His legs tangled up and he fell forward, his face landing in the sack that he had in his arms and spilling out all the vegetables on the ground. Su Ao lifted his head, a leek protruding from his mouth and another stuck on the edge of his rounded black hat.
Li Changyu almost tripped himself, but he caught his footing and covered his mouth to stifle a laugh. Clearing his throat, he called out to the eunuch.
“Zhen trusts his loyal eunuch to clean his mess up! Zhen will leave first!”
As Li Changyu hurried off, Su Ao spat out the leek with a loud pthew! Then let out a plaintive whine.
“Your Majestyyy!”
Jin Xiyan doesn’t appear to even know why he’s been treating Li Changyu so badly. Did anyone else feel queasy at the look he gave Qin Yuze with Li Changyu’s face?
Last couple chapters have been both painful and very entertaining. I feel bruised and satisfied – well done, Domino ❤️
It is an author’s joy I mean privilege to make their readers cry
🏆 And to succeed where so many others failed!
Our perception on how we see ourselves vs. how others see our actions is a harsh reality check sometimes.
Thank you for the deja vue, DomDom 🙂
You are most welcome, and of course, our Empress does not know what really lies in JXY’s heart who thinks he’s a fine ass bitch
And Shen Pei!! <swoons>
It’s really a nice slap to JX also to LC it’s a blessing in disguise to be able able to see other was facing..
I think JXY is getting a big wake up call
Yes and im soo happy for that.. Hope your finals is going well
Finals are kicking my butt cry
LoL poor eunuch he’s in for it ..
Thanks for the chapter ♥️♥️
Su Ao is very bullied, and there is a small fanclub for him.
Su ao is so pitiful it’s funny 😂 Thanks for the chapter❤️
Qin Yuze es omega hombre o mujer? Con el traductor de google salió como yerno; yo pensaba que era una mujer. Espero que la abuela de pistas sobre el intercambio de cuerpos! Gracias por el capítulo!!🥰🥰
los omegas en el harén de JXY son todos hombres. Los omegas masculinos reciben sustantivos masculinos cuando se trata de una relación hijo / padre / hermano, pero sustantivo femenino con su esposo.
Gracias por la aclaración!! Cambia la manera de ver todo lo que sucede en el harén.😊
Honestly I’m more convinced that ever that the Emperor has been put under a love spell🤧
gives tissue box
Im glad that JXY was seeing how awful LCY was treated. I just hope he wont do stupid things when in LCY’s body.
Thanks for the chapter!!
Of course!! <3 thank you for reading!
Green tea bitch’s movement was to look good in front of “Jxy” or is he suspecting something, that witch scares me a little🧐
Nessy is on the case! 🔍🕵️♀️
Triggered
This makes me realise that Empress Dowager is the most most hatefull bitch!! God why can’t she just mind her own business.
The best part of the chapter was Su Ao!! 🤣🤣🤣 The plaintive whine of Your majesty!! Just cracked me up! I am still laughing!! I feel little bad for him. Poor Su Ao 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Su Ao is bullied by me the author but he has a fan club
🤣🤣🤣 who let you make Su Ao so adorable! Obviously we have to make a fanclub to just appreciate his cuteness!! 😋😋😋
Meanwhile I will keep bullying him
I light a candle for Su Ao then! 😂😂😂
Hmm hmm hmmm bitch is suuuuuus af,, come spill the teaaa quick
(ಠ_ಠ)>⌐■-■
This poor Su Ao truly is suffering and it’d be so funny if he’s not a traitor but a genuine subject to the emperor and LCY made him suffer so much for no reason 😂
Poor Su Ao – he doesn’t deserve this, although it’s about time Changyu had a few laughs. 😄
🕯🕯 for our poor boys-JCY and Su Ao