After lunch, Wen Qitian sat by the window, where sunlight filtered through the gaps in the wooden frame. She held a brush, sketching and doodling on rice paper, occasionally frowning in deep thought as she tried to recall the man’s appearance.
The System urged her to complete the mission. She wanted to return home as soon as possible, and since Nan Leli was avoiding her, she couldn’t just sit idly by.
Everyone said Nan Leli was a ruthless killer, devoid of humanity, but after spending some time with him, Wen Qitian hadn’t sensed that—at most, he was just a little bit more irritable.
Actually, he was quite easy to placate… Well, the image of his scowling, abusive face flashed through her mind, and she silently retracted that thought.
Bai Zhi had suggested catering to his interests, but for a moment, Wen Qitian couldn’t think of what Nan Leli liked. Rumors in the palace said he enjoyed playing with targets—the kind where living people served as targets.
All the women who had ever tried to seduce him were sent to be targets. Nan Leli’s aim was precise; few actually died, but they were all terrified out of their wits.
She couldn’t possibly seek out such abuse and become his target, could she?
As for giving gifts, everything she owned now belonged to the palace. Given that man’s rotten temperament, he’d likely twist the facts again.
So she decided to take matters into her own hands.
Her grandfather usually liked ancient styles—not only did he live in a residence with classical decor, but he also enjoyed traditional calligraphy and paintings. His painting skills were so refined that he served as the vice-chairman of the City B Artists Association.
When she was young, her grandfather doted on her the most and had taught her a lot in this regard.
However, she usually painted landscapes; this was her first time painting a person.
The brush in the palace was made of high-quality wolf hair, with a stiffer tip that was surprisingly easy to control.
She spent the entire day immersed in her work and finally completed a rough draft before lunch the next day. Looking at the tall, heroic figure on the paper, she felt something was missing…
Oh, the abusive face wasn’t punchable enough.
Her fingertip twitched slightly, and the wolf-hair brush added a rather sinister, sneering grin to the corner of his mouth…
Wen Qitian’s pupils trembled in shock.
Uh-oh…
This was bad—she’d accidentally turned him into the Crooked-Mouth War God…
She pursed her lips in dissatisfaction and was about to lower her head to see if she could salvage it when hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door.
“Your Highness, you cannot enter. This is His Majesty’s bedchamber. He will be furious if he finds out.”
It was Bai Zhi’s voice, her anxious tone betraying her unease.
“Step aside! I want to see what beauty my imperial brother has hidden in Nanli Palace. Move aside now!”
The voice was haughty and willful. As soon as the words fell, the inner chamber door was kicked open with a loud bang.
Whether it was an illusion or not, Wen Qitian felt as if the roof beams shook three times. Her gaze fell on the newcomer.
The visitor wore a pink-purple cloak, seemingly unafraid of the winter cold. Beneath the cloak, her ankles were exposed, as were her wrists, adorned only with what appeared to be wrist guards. In her hand, she held a long, thin red whip, cracking it loudly—as if she were practically announcing her ill intentions.
The System, which had been dormant for two days, finally found its purpose and quickly provided a brief introduction to this person’s identity and character.
【Nan Fengyao, one of the villainous tyrant’s imperial sisters, born to Consort Wan. Consort Wan once helped the villain, which is why the tyrant never harbored murderous intentions toward some of the princesses in the rear palace. Later, Nan Fengyao fell in love with a male supporting character who was infatuated with the female lead, Wen Jiyue, and became enemies with the female lead. She was eventually killed by the male lead, intensifying the conflict with the villain.】
The System’s meaning was clear: this princess was merely a slightly better-off cannon fodder than the original host.
The statement was delivered without any emotional inflection, but in Wen Qitian’s eyes, this princess had a vibrant and striking personality. If she wasn’t mistaken, Nan Fengyao’s eyes had lit up upon seeing her, unable to suppress a delight akin to that of a child spotting a fluffy doll.
Yet the other party said, “I thought it was some seductive enchantress.”
Wen Qitian curled the corner of her lips.
Perfect, the Nan family’s hereditary trait of saying one thing while meaning another.
Still unaware that her disguise had been seen through, Her Highness the Princess lifted her chin, pointed her whip at Wen Qitian, and taunted, “You? What skills do you have to stay by my imperial brother’s side? He’s fierce, arrogant, and despises weakness. The only reason he hasn’t killed you yet is to fatten you up first. Don’t get complacent thinking you’re safe. If you want to survive, you must learn to read the situation. I am the only one in this palace who can speak up in front of my imperial brother.”
So, little cutie, hurry into big sister’s embrace. I’ll protect you.
Although Nan Fengyao was no longer young, she had adored cute things since childhood.
Her mother had done Nan Leli a favor, and as a child, instead of playing with other princes and princesses, she insisted on trailing behind Nan Leli. Back then, Nan Leli was only seven or eight years old, not yet so cruel, just a delicate-looking boy.
Annoyed by her pestering, he would occasionally threaten her: “You’re such a weak crybaby. Stop following me, or I’ll tell your mother where you hide your candy.”
At that time, Nan Fengyao was still young and truly frightened by him, but what hurt even more was that he actually looked down on her for being a crybaby?
Later, to avoid being scorned by her adorable imperial brother, the pampered little princess turned rebellious, mastering everything from brawling to fighting.
However… as they grew up, her cute imperial brother lost his charm. Not only was he no longer adorable, but he also became incredibly fierce. Her fantasy had crumbled.
Crumbled as it was, she couldn’t let some seductive vixen from outside become her sister-in-law.
Life was always full of absurd twists. Nan Fengyao had arrived full of bravado, kicking down the door in a moment of thrill, only to find herself heading straight for a disaster in pursuit of a little cutie.
All her life, she had thought that someone as adorable as her imperial brother would be a boy. Who would have imagined there could be such an exquisite girl?
Look at that face, like a sugar figurine doll—she wanted to pinch it.
Look at those big eyes, like a little animal—she wanted to stroke them.
Look at that small mouth, like a cherry—she wanted to…
How could her fierce imperial brother deserve such treatment?
By now, Her Highness the Princess had completely forgotten her original purpose. After viciously slandering her imperial brother, she was about to say more when the young girl widened her eyes, her thick lashes fluttering, and whispered, “Is what you said true?”
Nan Fengyao nodded, tossed her little whip to the maid who had followed her, and rushed to Wen Qitian’s side. Just as she was about to continue badmouthing Nan Leli, her gaze inadvertently fell on the painting on the desk.
She exclaimed in shock, “Why would you draw such an ugly thing?”
Wen Qitian: “…”
If she hadn’t called it ugly, they could still have been friends.
Realizing she had misspoken again, Nan Fengyao quickly added, “I mean this person is ugly. Look at him, he looks just like my imperial brother—not cute at all, just plain unlucky.”
“…”
Wen Qitian suddenly found common ground and nodded in agreement. “You’re right.”
Feeling a bit nervous around the little cutie, Nan Fengyao glanced around, searching for a topic. “By the way, why are you drawing this?”
“…to give to the Emperor.” Wen Qitian realized this might be a useful NPC. Since she was the villain’s sister, she should know him well. She lowered her head. “He’s angry with me. I’m worried he’ll never speak to me again, so I want to make it up to him.”
“What? He’s such a beast! How could he be angry with someone as adorable as you?”
“Exactly. Do you know what His Majesty usually likes?”
“Definitely not portraits. The last one who painted a portrait already…”
The two women, who had just been in a tense standoff moments ago, were now huddled together whispering. The maids at the door: “…”
…
For the past few days, Nan Leli had been leaving early and returning late, staying in Junlin Palace the whole time. Yet his temper was worse than before. Many eunuchs around him couldn’t withstand his oppressive mood and went to fetch Zhang Defu from Anle Palace.
Along the way, Eunuch Zhang laughed and scolded, “Useless! I’ve only been gone a few days, and you’re already in such a panic?”
Little Li looked miserable, recounting everything that had happened these past few days, his face full of hope. “Chief Eunuch, now that you’re back, things will be easier to handle.”
“…No!” Eunuch Zhang’s expression turned grave. “Things are going to be difficult.”
Little Li: “…”
Eunuch Zhang sighed. “You’re not a man. You don’t understand a man’s frustration when he’s unsatisfied, nor the pain of a man who can’t perform and isn’t understood by his beloved.”
Little Li: “!!!” How can you go so far as to insult yourself when you’re being crazy?
Eunuch Zhang, looking utterly defeated, went to Junlin Palace. Before he could even enter, a memorial came flying at him.
“Get out. Don’t disturb me.”
He took the hit squarely, then hurriedly knelt on the ground.
“Your Majesty, Miss Wen asked this servant to relay a message. She misses you. These days, she hasn’t been eating or drinking properly, just waiting for you to visit.”
Nan Leli: “…”
His back stiffened. He withdrew his hand, which had been about to throw something else, and elegantly flicked nonexistent dust from his sleeve, speaking nonchalantly, “Is that really missing me?”
She just lusts after my body.
Nan Leli had finally seen the truth. That day, the woman’s skillful technique in tearing his clothes—even he, a martial artist, couldn’t dodge in time. Who knows how long she’d been harboring improper intentions toward him.
But then he thought again, what was her fault?
She was just a helpless, weak, pitiful, and defenseless young woman.
In this deep palace, who else could she rely on if not him?
Actually, he had thought about it that very night after returning. But he was the Emperor, after all. Shouldn’t he maintain some dignity?
As long as she came to find him, for the sake of their previous agreement, he would reluctantly overlook the clothes-tearing incident.
He waited and waited, and several days passed. The Emperor’s face was dark, his voice cold as an ice cellar. “Tell me, how else has she been missing me?”
How would Eunuch Zhang know? He was just speculating about the problem, and indeed, it was because of that Miss Wen.
Sweating nervously, he spoke with emotion and reason. “Your Majesty, the young lady cries every day. In just a short time, she’s lost weight, and her eyes are swollen like peaches. This servant presumptuously asked her why she doesn’t seek out Your Majesty. She said you were angry, and she was worried about your health, afraid to come and provoke your anger again.”
In Nan Leli’s mind, he automatically pictured the image of the young girl weeping silently. Suddenly, he felt this truly matched her character.
Prone to tears, and timid.
“Fine. I’ll go see her.”
He gave a slight nod and stood up. At that moment, Eunuch Zhang felt as if he could see the Emperor’s entire being, even his Dragon Robe, floating with lightness.
He couldn’t help but sigh in relief and quickly followed.
He soon realized he had relaxed too soon.
Upon arriving at the Southern Li Side Hall, he heard a loud complaint: “Ah, so he doesn’t like gifts from others and even cut off someone’s hand. I’d better hide this quickly. Your imperial brother is utterly heartless—no wonder everyone calls him a tyrant. Serves him right.”
Zhang Defu: “…”
Sweat dripped from his forehead as he watched the emperor’s figure stiffen on the spot, then turn back with a sinister glare: “Bathing in tears?”
Eunuch Zhang: “…” How was he supposed to explain that Miss Wen had cursed so loudly…
[Author’s Note]
The female lead’s good friend has appeared, and from now on, they’ll walk together on the path of tormenting the tyrant.