Halfway through March.
On the last day of leaving the Zhai Xing Tower, Xia Qing began to try to mimic Lou Guan Xue’s movements. At first, he felt extremely awkward, feeling like his hands and feet weren’t his own.
Lou Guan Xue watched from the side, earnestly asking, “Are you planning to start by learning how to walk?”
Xia Qing, feeling embarrassed and annoyed, snapped, “Shut up!”
The area around the pagoda was forbidden in the Chu Kingdom. Entertainers passed by regularly, but the constant fixture remained the pagoda across the way.
After observing it for so long, Xia Qing could almost envision its shape with his eyes closed—white walls, black eaves, nine towering levels, surrounded by purple qi and Buddhist light.
One day, an old eunuch, ingratiatingly smiling, said, “Your Majesty, the merman you saved last time has recovered quite well. Would you like me to bring him up to express his gratitude?”
Expressing gratitude wasn’t necessary, but Xia Qing couldn’t help asking, “How’s his leg?”
The old eunuch beamed, “Just a little flesh wound, nothing serious. Hearing Your Majesty’s words, I believe it was worth it even if that wretched merman died.”
Xia Qing forced a smile, thinking that the people around Lou Guan Xue were indeed interesting and quite skilled in conversation.
The old eunuch waited for a response for a while but didn’t get one. He glanced up cautiously and saw Xia Qing’s face had turned ice-cold, his pupils filled with horror. With a thud, he knelt down, beginning to kowtow in panic, “Your Majesty, spare my life, spare my life! It’s my fault for speaking too much. I deserve ten thousand deaths.”
“???”
Xia Qing was more confused than him.
What did he do?!
Why did this person start begging for mercy?!
Xia Qing instinctively looked at the culprit beside him.
Lou Guan Xue smiled ambiguously: “Just get used to it.”
How can I get used to this? Xia Qing was frustrated and waved weakly: “You, step back.”
The old eunuch was overjoyed and tears flowed: “Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing my life! May Your Majesty have great blessings and longevity! This old slave will retreat immediately!”
After the eunuch left, Xia Qing asked, “What’s the name of that old eunuch?”
Lou Guan Xue thought seriously for a moment: “Zhang Shan.”
Xia Qing worriedly asked, “How long has he been serving you? Will he be able to tell that something’s wrong with me at a glance?”
Lou Guan Xue replied, “He won’t.”
Xia Qing: “Hmm?”
Lou Guan Xue’s eyes carried a smile as he said slowly, “There’s nothing wrong. Everything I do is right.”
Xia Qing: “…”
How much must one be capricious and unpredictable in their daily life to say such a thing without fear?
Lou Guan Xue’s soul was indeed weak and tired. Upon entering the bedroom, he collapsed on the desk and fell asleep.
Xia Qing, on the other hand, wrapped himself in a blanket and read opposite him.
After the dispersal of the demonic aura from the pagoda, there was no longer that bone-chilling torment, but this body was not refreshing either. Coldness pervaded the limbs, heavy and cold as if imprisoned in the depths of the sea.
Although he was brought in by the system, that idiot rushed and only gave him a bunch of cliché plotlines.
To understand the specific situation of the Chu Kingdom, Xia Qing had to read it himself.
The Chu Kingdom was the largest country in the world, occupying the sixteen provinces of the Central Plains, dominating the world, and receiving tribute from all corners of the earth.
Its capital, Ling Guang, was the largest city in the world, bustling and prosperous, reaching the peak of its glory.
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.
Olcu Xejcu tjv atgff wjpbg ojwlilfr: atf Tjc, Qfl, jcv Qe ojwlilfr, jii bo ktlmt kfgf jcmlfca jglrabmgjalm ojwlilfr gbbafv lc atf wjpfralm lwqfglji mlas. Ktflg qbkfg kjr mbwqifz jcv lcafgaklcfv, mbwqfalcu jujlcra fjmt batfg, jcv atf qbkfg bo atf jglrabmgjalm ojwlilfr byrmegfv atf rxs ilxf klcur.
Rbkjvjsr, atf Tjc ojwlis tjv j cfk Heffc Zbatfg, rtbklcu rlucr bo ecgfra; atf Qfl ojwlis’r jaalaevf kjr jwylueber jcv ecmifjg; bcis atf Qe ojwlis tjv yffc ibsji obg ufcfgjalbcr, yflcu atf wbra tbcfra qgb-lwqfglji ojmalbc.
Time was pressing, Xia Qing only had a rough understanding of the three individuals.
The Queen Mother, the Regent, and High Priest.
The first person to understand must be the Queen Mother, Yan Lan Yu, the “crazy woman” mentioned by Lou Guan Xue.
Xia Qing flipped through a few pages of the book.
Yan Lan Yu, as the eldest legitimate daughter of the Yan family, holds an incredibly prestigious status, being appointed as the crown princess since birth, enjoying unparalleled glory.
The person recording this was probably a die-hard fan of Yan Lan Yu, praising her excessively throughout the passage, elevating her to the heavens.
It was said that before she married into the imperial family, she was already famous in the capital, proficient in various arts such as music, chess, calligraphy, poetry, and painting. After entering the Dong Palace, she became even more renowned for her virtuous and gentle nature.
Yan Lan Yu came from a prestigious family, had a good temperament, and was exceptionally beautiful, without any jealousy or fuss. The only regret was that she had no offspring.
She miscarried once, and since then, she hadn’t been able to conceive again.
As for the Regent, it was relatively simple. Yan Lan Yu’s elder brother, from a military background, was sinister and hot-tempered, stubborn and self-centered.
There was almost no record about the High Priest. It is only mentioned that the High Priest resides outside the Ling Guang City in the Jingshi Hall. There was a vast river separating him from the imperial city. Apart from the annual ancestral worship ceremony of the Chu royal family, he rarely appeared.
When Lou Guan Xue woke up, Xia Qing immediately asked eagerly.
“What kind of person is Yan Lan Yu exactly?”
Lou Guan Xue, just opening his eyes, looked lazy. Upon hearing the question, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips, and his voice was hoarse as he said, “Her? You’ll know when you see her.”
Seeing her would make it clear.
The day Xia Qing left the Zhai Xing Tower, the breeze was refreshing, and there was not a cloud in sight.
Xia Qing got up early in the morning and was assisted by maids in dressing.
The imperial carriage couldn’t enter the forbidden area, so he had to walk out of the Xiao Xiang bamboo forest. Outside the bamboo forest, a girl in a pink palace dress stood gracefully, gently bowing and smiling brightly, her voice gentle, “Congratulations, Your Majesty, on coming out of seclusion. The Queen Mother has been waiting for you in the Jing Xin Hall for a long time.”
She added, “During Your Majesty’s stay in the Zhai Xing Tower, the Queen Mother has been so worried that she couldn’t even eat or sleep properly.”
Xia Qing felt uneasy, unsure of what to say.
Lou Guan Xue stood beside him, dressed in white like snow, with a faint smile. “You don’t have to respond to her. If you don’t want to engage, you don’t have to pay attention to anyone.”
Xia Qing: “…Oh.”
The palace buildings were majestic, displaying the wealth of the world. As the imperial carriage traversed the palace roads, every corner was adorned with scenes of prosperity.
The Jing Xin Hall was situated in a secluded part of the imperial garden.
Inside, the fragrance of incense lingered in the air, like a calming sandalwood scent.
Before even entering, Xia Qing heard the gentle voice of a woman conversing softly with a young eunuch nearby.
“In the past few days, the royal kitchen said they had developed a new dish, um, what was it called?”
“Replying to the Queen Mother, the servants heard it’s called ‘Quan Ke Danggui‘”
“‘Quan Ke Danggui’? That name is quite interesting.”
Her voice was very soft, with a delicate tone, and her laughter was gentle, like that of a refined lady.
A palace maid raised her voice: “Report to the Queen Mother, His Majesty has arrived.”
“Hmm, Lou Guan Xue is here?”
Upon hearing this, the woman sitting on the phoenix throne immediately sat up straight, having been previously leaning over to speak with the eunuch.
She was twenty years younger than the late emperor, still in her prime, but perhaps feeling that her age was too young to be solemn, so the Queen Mother dressed quite simply.
She wore a long blue skirt with silver embroidered edges, her black hair tied up in a simple bun with a few pearls adorning it.
With light makeup, she had a gentle and dignified appearance.
Xia Qing was a bit flustered: “What should I say? How should I greet her?”
Lou Guan Xue: “No need.”
Xia Qing: “???” Aren’t you royals supposed to be all about formalities and protocols?
As a result, this Queen Mother was indeed extraordinary.
“Let’s skip all those formalities between us, mother and son.” Her smile was like that of a radiant young girl as she waved her hand gently. “Quick, Lou Guan Xue, sit down quickly and let me have a good look at you.”
The Queen Mother carefully examined him, showing concern: “It’s been a few days since we last met. Have you gotten used to your stay in the Zhai Xing Tower, hmm? Ai Jia noticed that you’ve slimmed down quite a bit. Is the food not to your taste?” She turned to the young eunuch standing beside her and asked, “He’s lost quite a bit of weight, hasn’t he?”
The young eunuch nodded repeatedly, “Yes.”
Lou Guan Xue chuckled and casually sat down next to Xia Qing. He seemed genuinely weak, with tired eyes, and was already leaning on his hand, ready to sleep.
Xia Qing, left alone to face Yan Lan Yu’s gentle inquiries, was bewildered—How can you sleep like that?! Do you really trust me that much?!
But Yan Lan Yu didn’t give him a chance to stiffen up. She continued gently, “Guan Xue?”
Xia Qing immediately snapped back to reality, “Um, I have no appetite.” This was Lou Guan Xue’s exact words, so it shouldn’t be wrong. He didn’t need to pretend. Lou Guan Xue’s voice was naturally cold and distinctive, so he just needed to speak calmly.
However, deep down, Xia Qing felt a sense of guilt. After saying this, he added, “Thank you for your concern, Queen Mother.”
After speaking, he heard Lou Guan Xue chuckle meaningfully beside him.
“…” Xia Qing clenched his fists.
If you think you can do it better, then go ahead and do it!
Yan Lan Yu’s eyes showed a pitying look. “You’ve suffered.”
Xia Qing stiffly replied, “Not suffering.”
Yan Lan Yu’s expression turned slightly sorrowful. “If it weren’t for the fact that the blood flowing in Ai Jia’s body is not from the Lou family, Ai Jia would have wanted to bear what you’ve been through for you.” She turned to the young eunuch and asked, “Before Lou Guan Xue, who entered the Zhai Xing Tower?”
The young eunuch replied, “Replying to the Queen Mother, it was the late Third Prince.”
Yan Lan Yu responded with an “Oh,” furrowing her brows and sighing gently, “Poor heir of the Chu Kingdom, fate has been so harsh. There have been premature deaths and deaths from illness. The late emperor passed away suddenly, leaving you without a brother of your own blood. Your health has always been delicate, extremely sensitive to cold and pain. The demon in the pagoda are getting more violent every year. Ai Jia really doesn’t know what to do next year.”
Xia Qing pursed his lips, remaining silent.
As Yan Lan Yu spoke, a hint of blush appeared at the corners of her eyes. She lifted her sleeve to gently wipe the corners of her eyes and continued, “However, some days ago, the High Priest sent a message, finally bringing some good news. Ai Jia pleaded with the Jingshi Hall for three years about this matter. The High Priest searched through ancient texts and found a method to completely subdue the demon. Now, he is searching for clues in Dongzhou. If we can destroy it, you won’t have to endure this torment every year.”
…What should he say in this script of filial piety?
After some thought, Xia Qing still said stiffly, “Thank you, Queen Mother, for your concern.”
The Queen Mother sighed and lowered her hand, the jewels on her temples shining with a cold light. “But this matter of subduing the demon is still uncertain. If you truly care about me, your mother, and are concerned about my efforts, then be obedient for once and put the matter of selecting a consort on the agenda.”
Selecting a consort?! Xia Qing exerted great self-control to resist turning his head to look at Lou Guan Xue.
Yan Lan Yu’s eyes were still slightly red, and she spoke softly, “Our Lou family’s descendants are thin, and now only you are left. Ai Jia lives in fear every day, afraid that you might encounter any mishaps. If even you cannot be preserved, and the imperial bloodline ends in this generation, Ai Jia would be too ashamed to face the late emperor in the underworld.”
Xia Qing: “…”
He began to drift away in thought.
In reality, Xia Qing wasn’t afraid of Yan Lan Yu; he was just afraid that any mistake in his performance would implicate Lou Guan Xue.
However, his stiff response didn’t arouse Yan Lan Yu’s suspicion, so he decided to let himself be and remained silent.
Fortunately, Yan Lan Yu didn’t need his response.
She and her young eunuch could smoothly complete everything.
Leaning back, she asked softly to the young eunuch next to her, “Is Your Majesty fifteen ?”
The young eunuch replied respectfully, “Yes, Your Majesty, just last month.”
The woman on the phoenix throne nodded, her brows furrowed like autumn water, and sighed, “Guan Xue, now that you’re fifteen, it’s not proper for the harem to remain empty.”
“Tomorrow, Ai Jia will have someone report the eligible candidates and draft a list for your selection. Next month’s Spring Banquet, make sure to meet them properly.”
Then, she remembered something else and casually remarked, “It seems like several emperors and empresses of our Chu Kingdom fell in love at first sight during the Spring Banquet.”
The young eunuch affirmed, “Yes.”
Yan Lan Yu smiled slightly, satisfied, but then asked with gentle concern, “What do you think, Guan Xue?”
Xia Qing: “…”
Before coming here, he had imagined countless scenarios facing this top-ranking boss of the harem. He thought she might be arrogant and flamboyant due to her noble birth, or perhaps strict and stern due to her excellent upbringing, or maybe gentle and kind-hearted like a white lotus?
But the reality was far beyond his imagination. A woman who could be described as “crazy” by Lou Guan Xue was truly incomprehensible to ordinary people.
As he silently analyzed Yan Lan Yu in his mind…
Lou Guan Xue’s cold voice came through, “Agree with her.”
Xia Qing was stunned.
Coincidentally, Yan Lan Yu’s inquiring gaze fell on him.
Xia Qing immediately came to his senses, his fingers curling slightly, and he lowered his gaze as he spoke hesitantly, “The son relies entirely on the Queen Mother’s decision…”
Yan Lan Yu appeared to smile and release a long sigh, yet her true feelings remained uncertain.
Her beauty was like that of a young girl, and her eyes sparkled with brightness.
“That’s wonderful. With you agreeing to this matter, Ai Jia can also rest assured.”
She sat upright, speaking softly and gently, “Guan Xue must be tired after just coming out of the Zhai Xing Tower. Hurry, go to the bathhouse to dispel any lingering negative energy, have a good sleep, and rest.”
Xia Qing couldn’t wait to leave, getting up, “The son takes his leave.”
As he left, separated by a folding screen,
Xia Qing saw Yan Lan Yu looking relieved, in a very good mood, lazily leaning on the phoenix couch, her lips so red they could drip blood. She whispered to the young eunuch in the delicate and silent sandalwood scent, “Tell the imperial kitchen to change the name. ‘Quan Ke Danggui’ doesn’t sound good, Ai Jia doesn’t like it.”
Her voice was actually very gentle, but when she said this sentence, it seemed loose and cold like the shadows of a sword in the afternoon sun.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Xia Qing, curious after leaving, asked, “What exactly is ‘Quan Ke Danggui’?”
Luo Guan Xue rubbed his temples with his fingers and smiled, “Guess what ‘Quan Ke’ means.”
Xia Qing: “What does it mean?”
Luo Guan Xue smirked, “Quan Ke is another name for merfolk.”
Author’s note: The “Zhai Xing Tower” part is complete, and now we’re starting the “Ling Guang” part! Ah, I’m struggling with the blurb. This blurb was hastily written based on the first chapter after I posted the story = =, probably completed in less than ten minutes. Any genius blurb writers out there, please give me some ideas.
This queen mother is a dangerous one… Also naming a dish after merfolk is downright disgusting.. Don’t tell me the main ingredient is merfolk fr-
Thank you for the chapter 😍 ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Thank you for your translation 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙
I still think he will turn into merfolk at 16. Hehe.