Xiao Cha and Consort Li were sitting in a sedan chair, heading towards the Imperial Garden.
“Gege, this Consort Rider has been favored so much recently, the Emperor hasn’t come to my palace for three days.” Consort Li complained with a hint of bitterness.
He knew very well that the Emperor hadn’t visited Xiao Cha’s palace for half a year, so he intentionally provoked him.
However, Xiao Cha smiled and said, “The Emperor’s favor is widespread like rain and dew, which is a fortunate matter.”
Consort Li: “Gege really isn’t flustered at all?”
Xiao Cha remained composed, “Why should we worry? Even if the Emperor goes to find ten Consort Rider tomorrow, we still wouldn’t have reason to be flustered.”
The implication was clear: He is the revered ruler, and we have no say in the matter.
Consort Li realized he had made a slip of the tongue, so he stopped talking.
Xiao Cha had discovered early on that this Consort Li had ambitions but lacked scheming, so he didn’t take this younger brother seriously.
But this Consort Rider…
#
In the Imperial Garden, the flowers were in full bloom, and the oleanders were particularly lush.
Consort Li: “Gege, the oleander branches are lush and the flowers are blooming abundantly. Why not pluck one and adorn it near your ear? It would truly add a unique charm to your attire today.”
Saying this, he plucked a flower and walked towards Xiao Cha.
Xiao Cha: …
Don’t bring this poisonous thing near my ear!!
Xiao Cha smiled, “The oleander’s colors are delicate, but I’m already past my prime. It suits my younger brother better.”
Seeing that Xiao Cha wasn’t falling for his ploy, Consort Li was disappointed, “…Gege, you’re just jesting. The green clothes I’m wearing today don’t really match with this flower. Gege, I’ve heard that the Emperor has taken a strong liking to these oleanders recently, so maybe you…”
Xiao Cha interrupted, “If it’s the Emperor’s favorite, we should refrain from plucking the flowers. Wouldn’t leaving them on the branches be even more beautiful?”
Consort Li: “…”
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.
Jbcrbga Ol: “Xfuf, sbe’gf gluta…”
“Xlvvs-eq! Xlvvs-eq!…”
Mgbw yftlcv atf akb, atf rbecv bo tbbnfr gjqlvis jqqgbjmtfv, obiibkfv ys atf rtjgq mgjmx bo j glvlcu ktlq.
“Zs ibgv! Tbe werac’a! Elvlcu tbgrfr lr cba jiibkfv lc atf Pwqfglji Xjgvfc!”
C wjc lc jgwbg kjr wbecafv bc j tbgrf, ygjcvlrtlcu j glvlcu ktlq, mbcolvfcais qjrrlcu bnfg atf oibkfg yglvuf.
His horse, however, seemed to pay no heed to the surroundings, charging directly towards Xiao Cha and Consort Li.
A shiver ran down Xiao Cha’s spine.
According to the plot of the previous life, Consort Rider rode the horse just to provoke the Empress. He abruptly pulled the reins as he approached, causing the horse to stop just in time before Xiao Cha and Consort Li. Consort Li, feeling indignant, engaged in a dispute with the rider.
Amidst the pushing and shoving, to help her brother, the Empress accidentally pushed Consort Rider into the lotus pond.
Coincidentally, the Emperor witnessed this scene, and as a result, he severely punished the Empress.
……
Xiao Cha had a flash of inspiration.
At the critical moment, he pushed Consort Li aside and pretended to slip, falling directly into the nearby lotus pond.
As expected, just as Xiao Cha climbed out of the water, he heard the distant voice of Eunuch Li, “The Emperor has arrived—”
The Emperor was indeed the revered ruler, exuding an impressive demeanor. His arched eyebrows and bright eyes emanated a powerful aura. The dragon robe he wore added to his majestic presence.
Observing the chaotic scene before him, the Emperor questioned, “What is going on here?”
Consort Rider led the horse and looked at the Emperor with a dumbstruck expression, “Your servant was riding the horse you gifted me to enjoy the flowers, and happened to bump into the Empress and Consort Li. They were startled by the horse, and the Empress accidentally fell into the pond.”
Consort Li emerged from the bushes, his hair and clothes covered in leaves, looking disheveled. He accused, “Your Majesty! It was Consort Rider who rode the horse and collided into both me and the Empress. If we hadn’t moved quickly, I’m afraid we would have been killed by his charging horse!”
Xiao Cha thought, Why is the horse named “Benz” though?
Xiao Cha had just been fished up from the water by an imperial guard. His long hair was damp with water droplets clinging to his eyelashes, but his “scheming makeup” remained intact. He looked both fragile and beautiful.
He first weakly saluted and then spoke softly: “Your Majesty, this concubine and younger brother were admiring the lotus flowers by the pond and didn’t notice Consort Rider riding his horse, so I accidentally fell into the pond. If there’s punishment to be meted out, let it be on me.”
Consort Rider chimed in: “I had already stopped, but the Empress and Consort Li still tried their best to evade…”
The Emperor cast a cold glance at him. “Are you suggesting, Consort Rider, that the Empress jumped into the water by herself?”
Consort Rider had no defense, “Your Majesty! This concubine…really didn’t bump into the Empress or Consort Li!”
Looking at himself covered in weeds, Consort Li fumed in anger and retorted: “Don’t you really want to kill me and the Empress? You venomous man!”
With his prominent nose and deep-set eyes, Consort Rider had an exotic charm. Now, he furrowed his brows slightly, adopting a pitiable demeanor. “Your servant merely wished to enjoy the flowers while riding with you.”
Observing Consort Rider, Xiao Cha thought: This 6.3 ft. big guy posing as green tea still lacks some charm.
So he closed his eyes, tilted his head, and swooned.
The next moment, he found himself in a warm embrace.
“Your majesty…” Xiao Cha looked at the Emperor, feeling a bit strange.
Logically speaking, the Emperor should be Zhong Chai, but his eyes were incredibly cold, devoid of any concern.
Could it be… Zhong Chai’s role is another concubine? Or perhaps a prince? …Could he be an imperial physician??
While Xiao Cha was rapidly contemplating, the Emperor had already released his hold on him and instructed, “Take the Empress back to rest first.”
Xiao Cha knew that this was the Emperor’s display of leniency, so he nodded. “Your Majesty, I have prepared your favorite Fu Ling soup.”
The Emperor nodded in acknowledgment, without responding further, and stated seriously, “Consort Rider recklessly rode the horse, endangering the consorts. He is to be confined for three days.”
Consort Rider let out a sigh of relief.
After all, the Emperor’s mood was unpredictable, and it was difficult for a consort to remain in favor for long. Being deposed was also just a casual order away.
Having caused harm to the Empress and Consort Li, yet only receiving a three-day confinement, showed the Emperor’s favoritism towards him.
Consort Li exclaimed in frustration: “Consort Rider has such audacity! Today, he dares to collide with us while riding a horse, and tomorrow, he might dare to…”
Xiao Cha cut him off, “Consort Li, don’t talk nonsense!”
As expected, the Emperor’s expression turned cold, “Consort Li will be confined for three days for being discourteous in the Emperor’s presence.”
With that, the Emperor turned and left.
Watching the Emperor’s departing figure, Xiao Cha grew increasingly suspicious that this was an NPC.
After all, the Emperor’s personality and the Emperor depicted in the storyline were strikingly similar.
He didn’t think Xiao Chai could act so well.
#
After returning to his palace, Xiao Cha carefully reviewed the storyline once again and discovered some clues.
Rather than being captivated by the beauty of the imperial concubines, it seemed like the Emperor was deliberately treating the Empress coldly.
But why would the Emperor do such a thing?
Xiao Cha looked at the words describing his perspective and contemplated for a long while.
Intuition told him that this game was not as simple as it seemed!
#
At this moment, a tall figure approached from outside the door. Xiao Cha heard a servant announce, “Empress, Feng Guifei requests an audience.”
This Feng Guifei was also a formidable character. He was initially the side wife who married into the prince’s mansion alongside Xiao Cha, and he was also the eldest son of the renowned General Feng.
Feng Guifei had practiced martial arts since he was a child, possessed elegance, and had a reputation for righteousness.
Only Xiao Cha knew Feng Guifei had a secret!
He had erectile dysfunction!
Thus, while appearing to be an upright gentleman on the surface, Feng Guifei, who couldn’t have a normal sex life, harbored a sinister heart. He repeatedly harmed the imperial heirs.
His first child with the Emperor was poisoned to death by Feng Guifei!
Mindful of this, Xiao Cha hurriedly braced himself to deal with this venomous man.
Jahahahaha cant wait to see from ChaiChai’s POV again
Thank You for the chapter (∩˃w˂∩)♡
When reading Chinese novels using MTL, I often find that ferghana horse (an ancient rare breed of horse that’s of high quality only royals, nobles, and great generals can have them) often translated into ‘sweaty BMW’…. I always wonder how can this happened 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
And it’s not just from one novels, btw. I sincerely want to know what is the Chinese term for this horse that the machine translator always translate it into ‘sweaty BMW’