The husky was quite young and small in stature, but it’s pulling Chu Lian around in all directions. It seemed really excited, wagging its tail enthusiastically. Meanwhile, a group of palace maids was frantically chasing after Chu Lian, shouting to prevent her from getting knocked down or injured.
Finally, when the dog stopped, Chu Lian leaned against the artificial rock in the garden, breathing heavily from exhaustion. Meanwhile, the husky was scratching at the garden ground, seemingly attempting to dig a hole or unearth one of the peonies planted there.
The scene in the imperial garden was chaotic, and it was too much for Ye Yang to bear.
He had no idea where Feng Luan managed to get this dog from. It seemed he had already seen its demolition plan; Feng Luan’s Imperial Garden probably wouldn’t be preserved.
Chu Lian finally saw Feng Luan and Ye Yang standing nearby. She wiped the fine sweat off her forehead, hastily tidied her disheveled hair, and was about to walk over when the husky plopped down beside the hole it had dug. Despite its face being twisted into a mess by the leash around its neck, it stubbornly refused to leave.
Chu Lian felt somewhat embarrassed.
After all, it was an imperial gift. She couldn’t possibly show disdain for the dog in front of Feng Luan or abandon it. She could only stand there, bowing to Feng Luan, while Ye Yang, unable to bear watching further, quietly said something to Feng Luan, urging him to come along with him quickly.
As Ye Yang walked closer to Chu Lian, he finally got a clear view of the husky. It was still happily digging a hole, flinging mud near Chu Lian’s feet. Its fur was mostly covered in a mix of dirt, making it hard to tell how long it might take for Chu Lian to clean it up after taking it back. However, even one’s pet ferret came with a caretaker, so Chu Lian’s husky…… should also have a dog trainer, right?
Looking at the husky by Chu Lian’s feet, Ye Yang suddenly found his sleeping ferret in his arms exceedingly adorable.
Feng Luan was also somewhat surprised. He looked at his peonies being dug up and ruined, feeling a mix of emotions. After a moment’s silence, he murmured, “Quite…… lively.”
Ye Yang wanted to laugh.
However, he remembered that Chu Lian’s favorability score was about to plummet below -200. He fought hard to suppress his laughter and successfully refrained from bursting out laughing. As he glanced up and saw Chu Lian’s forlorn appearance, he was suddenly taken aback.
「Chu Lian’s current favorability score is -21」
The difference in Chu Lian’s current favorability score from the last time he saw it was too significant. He almost thought he had misread it. Could it be that a long absence would actually increase the score?
He even felt that Chu Lian’s gaze towards him was somewhat different. In the past, whenever Chu Lian looked at him, it was as if she wanted to strangle him. But today, although Chu Lian still seemed to harbor some aversion towards him, it was noticeably calmer than before. Her demeanor appeared serene, and when conversing with Feng Luan, she no longer exhibited the excitement in her eyes as she did previously. Her responses were unhurried, and she seemed to have lost interest in competing for favor.
Ye Yang wasn’t sure what was going on. All he knew was…… the three main leads in the original plot of the palace love struggles hadn’t come together yet, and the storyline was veering off course more and more. It seemed like it had completely lost its way and was probably done for……
Feng Luan unmistakably signaled his intent to personally accompany Ye Yang back to the palace. In former times, Chu Lian would have undoubtedly grown angry, but presently, she couldn’t be bothered to exchange even a single word with them. She bid them farewell with a bow and then focused on pulling the dog by her feet, attempting to get it to leave the hole it had dug.
Ye Yang felt a twinge of sympathy and couldn’t help but ask Feng Luan, “Your Majesty, do you know what breed of dog this is?”
Feng Luan shook his head. “It is a tribute from the Kingdom of Rakshasa, with a rather intricate name that escapes zhen’s memory at the present moment.”
Ye Yang, “……”
Feng Luan had no idea whatsoever about the apocalyptic weapon he had actually presented.
Feng Luan further commented, “The Empress Dowager had given instructions a few days ago to present the concubines with some small animals. When they become engrossed with these companions, their preoccupation will divert them from engaging in unnecessary conflicts.”
Ye Yang, “……”
So Feng Luan sent the husky for that purpose?
The husky doesn’t seem to keep her busy, does it? It’s more like she’s close to passing out because of it.
Besides, in Feng Luan’s harem, is there really any interest left for such petty competition? Apart from Chu Lian, who else would bother vying for favor? And now, it seems Chu Lian isn’t even interested anymore. Maybe this dog emperor has overestimated his appeal.
In a few days, the fall hunt would commence, and the thought occurred to Feng Luan. He couldn’t refrain from inquiring once more, “How is your horsemanship progressing?”
Here it is!
Ye Yang felt a surge of excitement, sensing that he had found an excellent opportunity to lower Feng Luan’s overly high favorability score.
He cleared his throat lightly and hastily replied, “But of course, it’s going well!”
Surprisingly, Feng Luan hadn’t anticipated such confidence in Ye Yang. Upon hearing Ye Yang’s words, he couldn’t help but smile, saying, “Zhen is greatly anticipating it.”
“That’s indeed the case,” Ye Yang deliberately remarked, “For me, the student, to surpass the teacher is only natural.”
At the outset, it was Feng Luan who taught him horseback riding. Saying this was likely to irk Feng Luan. After making this statement, Ye Yang looked towards Feng Luan expectantly, waiting for a possible change in his favorability score. However, after a while of observing, Feng Luan only slightly furrowed his brow, showing no change in his score.
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.
Ye Yang felt that perhaps he had been too gentle in his approach. He should be a bit more aggressive, displaying his arrogance and pride to make Feng Luan dislike him.
“I am the rising tide that follows the current,” Ye Yang spoke seriously. “The former tide shall perish on the beach!”
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Tf Tjcu, “……”
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They eventually arrived back at Ye Yang’s palace as the evening sky dimmed. However, Feng Luan, with later engagements with the ministers, had no leisure time and bid Ye Yang farewell once more, heading back to his study. Observing Feng Luan’s fatigued countenance, Ye Yang subtly recalled the conversation during their nap earlier in the day. He had something to tell Feng Luan but hesitated, apprehensive that expressing himself might further increase Feng Luan’s favorability score. After much contemplation, just before Feng Luan prepared to depart, Ye Yang murmured, “Take care of yourself, and don’t die.”
Feng Luan seemed not to have heard clearly and turned back to look at him. “What did you say?”
Ye Yang hesitated for a moment.
“It’s nothing. Get some rest soon,” Ye Yang earnestly said. “Take care of your health; it’s important.”
Feng Luan, “……”
……
After a few days, the autumn hunt finally began.
Ye Yang had long prepared himself for the galloping ride. The book had previously described the plot of the autumn hunt, yet it wasn’t a pivotal event. The only thing he remembered was an assassin appearing during the autumn hunt, a tense moment resolved smoothly by the imperial guards. It was also during this time that Feng Luan discovered Chu Lian’s pregnancy, and there was even a bit of romantic tension described in a tent scene.
However, now……
Chu Lian has yet to gain any favor, let alone being pregnant. Over the past few days, she only had her dog in her heart. In the midst of the solemn autumn hunt, she brought along the husky. The dog joyfully sprinted back and forth inside the camp, pulling Chu Lian along as she chased after it incessantly.
Standing in front of his own tent, Ye Yang watched her gradually receding figure, his emotions complex for a moment. He couldn’t discern whether it was his imagination or not, but today, Chu Lian wore casual attire; as she dashed around, her robes lifted to reveal her calves encased in boots, and they seemed noticeably more robust compared to when she danced during the Qixi Festival.
This is too difficult.
Ye Yang sighed inwardly, feeling a sense of melancholy.
Raising a husky is truly challenging.
He gazed out at the vast hunting grounds, longing to immediately mount a horse and gallop around. However, today they were just temporarily setting up camp here; the autumn hunt was scheduled for tomorrow. He could only sit outside the tent and watch Chu Lian playing with the dog.
Ming Yan’s tent was adjacent to his own. Upon hearing the noise outside, driven by curiosity, he joined Ye Yang and commented, “It appears that Imperial Concubine Chu has been notably happier as of late.”
Observing Chu Lian running with sweat streaming down her face, her once neatly arranged hair now coming undone from its previous coiffed bun, and shouting words, perhaps the dog’s name, Ye Yang couldn’t help but question Ming Yan’s earlier comment. He asked, “Really……? Is she?”
“At first, entering the palace wasn’t her desire; it was her parents’ wish for her. So, she had no other option but to enter,” Ming Yan murmured softly. “His Majesty aimed to control his concubines, and her parents hoped she would gain favor. Within the depths of this palace, beyond these factors, she had little autonomy.”
Chu Lian finally managed to catch the runaway husky, but before she could utter a reprimand, the overexcited young dog leaped back into her arms, causing her to stagger and almost fall. Relentlessly nuzzling and licking her face, the husky’s antics prompted laughter from Chu Lian, despite her somewhat embarrassed state.
Ye Yang felt like he was starting to understand something.
“Having spent more than a year within the palace, it appears the Chu family is inclined to relinquish this route,” Ming Yan mused, resting his chin on his hand. “Now, with alternative paths available to her, how could she not find joy?”
Shen Xiangning delicately held a handful of melon seeds, cracking them joyfully. She appeared beside Ming Yan unnoticed, watching the show. “This concubine believes that upon our return to the palace, it would be appropriate to summon Imperial Concubine Chu for a gathering. Juan’er card-playing skills are truly abysmal.”
Ye Yang, “……”
Yo, wait a moment.
What’s going on?
Former enemies turned card-playing companions, even playing mahjong in his palace. How do you think the dog emperor feels about this?
As he was about to speak, he turned his head towards Shen Xiangning’s direction. He then beheld Shen Xiangning, adorned in a vibrant crimson attire, exuding a poised and gallant aura entirely distinct from her usual languid and alluring presence in the palace. Meanwhile, Ming Yan remained clad in her customary palace attire. Ye Yang couldn’t help but feel a sense of hesitation as he inquired, “Does Imperial Concubine Shen also know how to ride a horse?”
Shen Xiangning answered, “Yun shijun, this concubine has told you many times before. Considering that we are all part of the same family and you’re nearly as close in age as my younger brother, you should address me as ‘elder sister’.”
Ye Yang, “……”
The relationships are too harmonious. Is this really the harem? He couldn’t believe it.
……
During the conversation among the three, he observed from a distance as Feng Luan, accompanied by Shen Shaoheng’s attendants, approached their location. Feng Luan seemed to be in high spirits today. Seeing it was still early in the day, he inquired if they would like to stroll around the hunting grounds beforehand.
Ye Yang was eager and almost nodded in agreement right away. Ming Yan, unfamiliar with horse riding, intended to remain in the camp. Meanwhile, Shen Xiangning, resting her chin delicately on her hand, winked at them and said, “Alas, this concubine is not adept at horseback riding.”
Shen Shaoheng cleared his throat, about to speak.
Shen Xiangning added, “I suppose I wouldn’t be worse than Shaoheng.”
Shen Shaoheng, “……”
Shen Xiang Ning smoothed her clothing and then called someone to fetch the horses. She remarked, “You tremble while copying books. I’m afraid you won’t be able to hold the reins properly.”
Ye Yang grew increasingly curious and followed behind Feng Luan. Taking a step closer, he couldn’t help but ask, “Is Imperial Concubine Shen skilled in horseback riding?”
“Zhen is not entirely certain,” Feng Luan responded. “However, given her aristocratic lineage, zhen presumes her skills shouldn’t be lacking.”
The horses of the group were stationed outside the camp, with the imperial guards following along at a distance. Ye Yang, considering himself to have had some experience in horseback riding, mounted the horse effortlessly, no longer prone to halfway falls. However, as he looked back after mounting, he saw Shen Xiangning, clad in a red robe, elegantly mounting her horse with a swift and decisive movement, appearing far more impressive than he did.
Ye Yang felt that…… in the imperial harem, there were hidden dragons and crouching tigers. He thought he might have encountered a formidable individual.
As they rode swiftly through the hunting grounds, the gentle breeze brushed against their faces, and in the distance, they could see the crimson hues of the sky, resembling fire. The trees along the path gradually thinned. Feng Luan halted his reins and turned to address them, saying, “We shouldn’t return empty-handed, shall we?”
Ye Yang wasn’t familiar with this activity. He reined in his horse and fell behind the others, observing their progress leisurely. Seeing him lagging behind, Feng Luan directed his horse to move alongside Ye Yang, turning his head with a smile and remarking, “Your progress is quite commendable.”
Ye Yang understood that Feng Luan was referring to horse riding. He nodded in acknowledgment but felt embarrassed, fearing any further increase in Feng Luan’s favorability score. Consequently, he found himself unable to utter a word for the moment.
Up ahead, Shen Shaoheng spotted the silhouette of a deer among the trees. He bent his bow and nocked an arrow. Ye Yang, unable to resist, also held his breath and concentrated, observing closely. The next moment, he saw the arrow released, but it missed by half an inch, startling the deer into a panicked escape. However, before it could run more than a few steps, Shen Xiangning’s arrow flew from her hand, striking the target right in the mark. Her poised and confident demeanor hardly resembled that of a pampered imperial concubine.
If he weren’t on horseback, Ye Yang would have genuinely applauded Shen Xiangning’s skill.
So impressive! Elder sister is so impressive!
Shen Xiangning, however, chuckled softly and remarked, “Quite the luck.”
Ye Yang hurriedly said, “Elder sister is invincible.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Feng Luan furrowed his brow slightly, seemingly displeased with Ye Yang’s comment. He even narrowed his eyes to look at Ye Yang, deliberately interrupting the conversation between Shen Xiang Ning and Ye Yang. Turning his attention to Ye Yang, he asked, “You seem to handle your horse quite well. Would you care for a little competition?”
Ye Yang, “……Huh?”
Feng Luan continued, “zhen recalls you previously stating that the student could surpass the teacher.”
Ye Yang, “……”
Having only recently learned horseback riding, he couldn’t possibly compete with an experienced rider like Feng Luan. He felt Feng Luan was merely teasing him. While he was still contemplating, Feng Luan continued, “Are you afraid?”
Ye Yang arched an eyebrow. “Afraid of what?”
Feng Luan continued, “So you dare not compete with zhen—”
“Let’s compete then!” Ye Yang exclaimed loudly. “Who’s afraid of whom?”
Shen Shaoheng turned awkwardly to Shen Xiangning, saying, “Sister, those two……”
Shen Xiangning chucked softly and replied, “Men, they all possess a bit of competitiveness.”
Shen Shaoheng interjected, “But it’s getting dark soon. Shouldn’t we……”
“These are mere dalliances of young lovers,” Shen Xiangning remarked. “If you desire to have His Majesty command you to a round of copying books as penance once more, you might consider attempting to intervene.”
Shen Shaoheng, “……”
Shen Shaoheng fell silent.
Ye Yang’s determination flared. Despite knowing he might lose, he was eager to charge forward and compete with Feng Luan.
In a competition, it’s all about the momentum. He had been discontent with this dog emperor for a while now. Today, even if he had to stake everything, he was determined to show this dog emperor what he was made of.
The hunting ground was vast, so they agreed to a race back to the camp with Feng Luan. The first one to reach the tents would be deemed the victor.
As the horse race commenced, Feng Luan quickly surged ahead, leaving Ye Yang significantly behind. It was evident that Feng Luan intentionally slowed down to wait for him. Feeling frustrated, Ye Yang exerted all his effort to catch up with Feng Luan. Yet, as he approached, Feng Luan slowed down to let him take the lead for a while.
Ye Yang didn’t appreciate the way Feng Luan acted towards him; he felt a tad vexed, abruptly halting his horse, turning to Feng Luan, and querying, “What are you doing!”
Feng Luan innocently gazed back.
He arrived at Ye Yang’s side, without answering Ye Yang’s question; instead, he asked in response, “Are you feeling cold?”
As the day gradually darkened and the night breeze grew cooler, the wind on the horseback became stronger. Ye Yang’s fingers were already numbed from the cold, yet in his annoyance, he refused to respond. He continued ahead for a while with his head lowered, urging the horse forward, until suddenly sensing something amiss.
Initially, during their competition, there were imperial guards following them. Looking back, they could still see sporadic glimmers of fire in the distance. But now, behind them lay utter darkness. They relied solely on the faint moonlight to discern the path. However, there were no proper paths in this hunting ground. Despite running for so long, they couldn’t spot any glimmering lights from the camp ahead. In hindsight…… perhaps there could only be one outcome.
Ye Yang turned to look at Feng Luan and asked, “……Have we taken the wrong path?”
Feng Luan was momentarily startled. He had been so engrossed in watching Ye Yang, admiring the captivating elegance that seemed to emanate from him, that he hadn’t even realized the situation until Ye Yang spoke up.
Although he had visited this hunting ground numerous times, its vast expanse made it challenging. If they had indeed veered off course, he wasn’t entirely certain he could recall the way back. Yet, if they stayed put, the imperial guards would soon come searching. Moreover, with the autumn hunt underway, there were heavy patrols stationed outside the hunting grounds, minimizing any potential risks. He instructed Ye Yang to dismount, suggesting they create a fire at their current location, making it easier for the imperial guards to locate them.
Ye Yang asked him, “Can you start a fire?”
Feng Luan furrowed his brow and shook his head. “How could zhen possibly know how to?”
Ye Yang sighed. “……I don’t know how to either.”
Feng Luan, “……”
Ye Yang inquired, “Do you have any fire flints?”
Confident in his adeptness at practical tasks, he believed that even if he didn’t know how to start a fire, after fiddling around for a while, he should eventually figure it out. Besides, the night was exceedingly cold, and a blazing fire would offer some comfort. He had dismounted, scanning the ground under the moonlight for twigs and dried leaves. Feng Luan followed behind him, appearing utterly awkward, and remarked, “How could zhen possibly have……”
Ye Yang, “……”
Then why bother starting a fire at all! Am I supposed to rub sticks together to ignite it?
Fuming with frustration, he hugged his arms tightly around himself, feeling the temperature drop further. He grew increasingly cold, especially not knowing how long they might have to wait in the wilderness. Though there was still some moonlight, the sky was veiled with numerous drifting clouds. If the clouds obscured the moon, in a while, they might not even see the ground beneath their feet.
Feng Luan had already taken off his outer robe and draped it over Ye Yang’s shoulders. Simultaneously, he reassured, “You needn’t worry. At least tonight, the weather is still fair. It shouldn’t be long before Shen Shaoheng finds us.”
Before his words could settle, a thunderous crack pierced the sky, startling Ye Yang. He looked wordlessly at Feng Luan.
Feng Luan felt somewhat aggrieved. “……Zhen……Zhen spoke without thinking.”
Another clap of thunder echoed through the air.
Feng Luan, “……”
Ye Yang, “……”
Ye Yang let out a deep sigh.
“Mount up,” Ye Yang said, “Let’s first find a place to take shelter from the rain.”
T/N
woah almost 4k words *wipes sweat off forehead*
also thank you for the ko-fi!! here is the bonus chapter, albeit posted a bit later unfortunately </3
Oh wow, what a very unprecedented coincidence. Luck is on your side, Dog Emperor 😏
Thanks for the chapter!
thanks for reading!! ♡ (˘▽˘>ԅ( ˘⌣˘)
Haha the harem ladies are happy having the freedom to do their own thing while Ye Yang keeps the emperor busy 😄. They can just watch the boys like a play!
So many things happening at once! And mostly goes according to the emperor’s wishes (￢‿￢ )
Thank You for the new chapter (๑ơ ₃ ơ)♥
Thanks for update 💖💖
When ye yang tries his best to let the original novel flow but the plot has already deviated to him and the emperor as the final CP lol. And hiding from the rain in the wilderness sounds so romantic rn ☺
i love the women in this story :,)) i really hate historical novels portraying concubines as evil for trying to gain favour when at the time it was the only way women could gain any power and was quite literally life or death, like yes have the two go off on their gay romance and leave the women to perssue their own life