Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The emperor and I made our way to a rockery.

The danmu comments immediately started buzzing.

[Go on, a few more steps. At the entrance of that rockery you’ll catch Prince An and Consort Gui in the act.]

[I thought we’d only get a kissing scene today, but the production team is actually generous enough to give us a classic catching-the-cheaters moment.]

[Fight! Hurry up and fight!]

They were destined to be disappointed.

I suddenly asked His Majesty, “Your Majesty, why do you like Consort Gui?”

The emperor paused, then said with haughty pride, “Why should I tell you?”

“…”

This lousy job-I don’t want it at all.

Fine. Let this dog emperor be usurped.

A smile tugged at the emperor’s lips again.

“It won’t hurt to tell you. Consort Gui once saved me. In my heart, she is the finest woman in the world.”

[The emperor lost his mother when he was young and drifted through life in a haze. Once, when eunuchs were bullying him, Consort Gui, after paying respects to the Empress Dowager, came out and scolded those maids and eunuchs. She told the emperor a man must be strong and self-reliant. From then on, he pulled himself together.]

[Consort Gui is the emperor’s white moonlight, but unfortunately that white moonlight was drawn to Prince An.]

[If Prince An hadn’t brainwashed her, Consort Gui is actually a good girl.]

I smiled. “This servant always knew Consort Gui was the best girl in the world-innocent, kind, noble in character, saving people in distress. But Your Majesty, if you like Consort Gui, why did you bring her into the palace?”

I knew I was pushing it.

But I was afraid Consort Gui would make a grave mistake, so I had to take a risk.

The emperor’s face sank.

“What do you know? I’m repaying a debt of gratitude.”

Repaying a debt of gratitude, my foot.

She saved you, and you made her your concubine-and call that repayment?

If you helped me and I dragged you home as my male concubine, would you be happy?

“But this servant believes repayment should fulfill the other party’s wishes, not your own preferences. Did Consort Gui want to enter the palace?”

The emperor’s expression went completely cold.

“Xiao Xi, I’ve indulged you too much lately, which is why you’ve grown so insolent. Search for the jade pendant here properly. If you don’t find it, don’t come back.”

I breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Thank goodness he didn’t kill me.

A muffled grunt came from inside the cave.

[The plot’s off. Why didn’t Consort Gui let Prince An kiss her? She actually pushed him away and slapped him?]

[Prince An licked his lips all wickedly. Does he think that’s cool? It’s beyond tacky.]

I let out a tiny breath and lowered my head to search for the jade pendant nearby.

I had deliberately loosened the jade pendant when I dressed the emperor today so I’d have an excuse to bring him to the imperial garden-let Consort Gui hear the emperor’s lovesick talk and stop herself from straying. Even if she wanted to stray, she should at least wait until she’s single again. Thank goodness, mission accomplished. Consort Gui really hit the brakes in time.

Before long, a pair of delicate embroidered shoes stopped in front of me.

I looked up and saw Consort Gui, her small face pale.

She studied me, emotions complicated.

“Are you looking for this?”

She was holding the emperor’s dragon-patterned jade pendant.

I took it with both hands, relieved.

No need to search all night. I could go back and sleep soundly.

“Thank you, Your Highness. This servant was looking for exactly this.”

“Your name is Xiao Xi? Would you be willing to follow me and work for me?”

I was a little surprised, and my heart stirred with temptation.

Consort Gui was rich-and generous.

If I followed her, my pay would multiply several times over.

But after thinking it through, I turned her down.

“Thank you for your favor, Your Highness, but this servant wishes to remain by His Majesty’s side. Though His Majesty is stingy and petty, he is a good emperor, so this servant is willing to follow him.”

“His Majesty knows kesi silk is very expensive, so when his dragon robes tear, he has the embroiderers mend them and keeps wearing them. His clothes through the four seasons strictly follow established regulations. He is never extravagant.”

“His Majesty knows the common people live in hardship, so he is pragmatic. As long as it benefits the people, he’s willing to do it-even if it empties the national treasury.”

“When His Majesty heard about the floods in Jiangnan, he took silver from his private treasury for disaster relief, which is why he had no money to reward this servant. Though I complain out loud, in truth I am very proud of His Majesty.”

“This servant knows Your Highness is benevolent and kind, and if I followed you I would certainly live well. But I would rather follow His Majesty and take good care of his food and clothing. That way, the people can live better lives.”

The danmu comments went wild.

[Wow, Xiao Xi, the emperor heard you call him stingy. You’re done. Hahaha.]

[Your flattery hit the mark. The emperor never left-he’s hiding behind the rockery, listening in secret. Now he’s moved to tears, boohoo.]

[Oh my god, she’s such a bootlicker. She just finished licking the rich lady’s boots and now she’s licking the richest man’s. Boundless wealth is about to land on you.]

Consort Gui looked at me in silence, her feelings clearly complicated.

“Xiao Xi, you’re very good. If you ever run into trouble, you may come to the Jade Blessing Palace to find me.”

She handed me a jade token.

I quickly accepted it.

These were my life-saving charms.

I thanked Consort Gui and turned to leave.

I could’ve just taken the main road, but the danmu comments said the emperor was up ahead. So I turned down a side path-and ran straight into Prince An, who was hiding there.

Startled, I let out a piercing scream.

“A ghost! No-an assassin! Someone come quickly, catch the assassin!”