Wen Qitian and Nan Fengyao were chatting animatedly. Once, an envoy from a vassal state had presented a portrait of a beauty to the tyrannical Emperor. The beauty in the painting had a slender figure, an exquisite appearance—both enchanting and alluring—capable of captivating many men with just a glance. Yet, Nan Leli had flown into a rage and ordered the envoy’s hands and feet severed before sending him back to the vassal state.
Listening to this, Wen Qitian felt a chill and couldn’t help but mutter a few complaints.
As someone raised in a lawful society, she couldn’t quite accept such brutality.
Nan Fengyao thought for a moment and added, “Tiantian, don’t be afraid. My imperial brother had a reason for that. At the time, that person had added a slow-acting poison to the painting materials. It was only after my imperial brother discovered it that he had him killed. As long as you don’t anger my imperial brother, he won’t do anything to you.”
Anger him?
Wen Qitian thought to herself, she had already angered him long ago.
But she couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched by something.
Wen Qitian glanced back but saw nothing. Silently rubbing her chilled arms, she continued chatting with Nan Fengyao.
These past few days in the palace had nearly suffocated her. Although Bai Zhi occasionally spoke with her, there was still a boundary between them.
Nan Fengyao was different. Aside from being a bit arrogant at first, once they clicked, her personality was straightforward and cheerful, completely devoid of the cautiousness typical of ancient girls. Wen Qitian chatted happily, momentarily forgetting all about Nan Leli.
It wasn’t until the sky grew dark that Nan Fengyao left. Before departing, she mentioned that in a few days, she would be hosting her Birthday Banquet in the palace, inviting young ladies to join the festivities, and asked Wen Qitian to attend as well.
Wen Qitian had no objections and readily agreed. She had never attended an ancient palace banquet before, and it would be nice to enjoy some food and drinks. After all, she had nothing better to do…
Hmm?
Had she forgotten someone?
The System remarked sarcastically: 【You finally remembered? The Darkening value just increased by 1% again. The Gift pack you unlocked earlier still has Rumeng left. It’s up to you. If it doesn’t drop back below 80, you won’t be able to use Rumeng.】
Wen Qitian was shocked. “I haven’t provoked that man at all. What’s wrong with him? Is he going through menopause?”
The System remained silent, likely sulking again.
Wen Qitian sighed, glancing outside to see that the sky had darkened. She decided to have dinner first. After all, what could be more satisfying than a meal, especially when dealing with a villain?
However, not long after, Yue E returned, looking somewhat helpless. “The Imperial Kitchen received an order from His Majesty, saying that from now on… they won’t be summoning the meal for you…”
Wen Qitian: “…Again?”
Seeing the young lady’s crestfallen expression, Yue E’s heart softened, and she couldn’t help but add, “Today… while you were chatting with the princess, His Majesty seemed to have come by, but he left before entering.”
At the time, they hadn’t been able to stop him before the Emperor had already left…
Wen Qitian: “……”
…
Meanwhile, on the other side, Nan Fengyao strode back to her Yuyao Palace with an unbothered gait, feeling quite pleased. A cold wind blew past, and she and the palace maids behind her froze in place.
“Im… Imperial Brother, why are you here?”
The man sitting in the main hall of Yuyao Palace wore a Dark Black Dragon Robe, his Jet-black Hair neatly tied up, making his face appear even more unapproachable. His brows were tightly furrowed, and his Hawk-like Eyes gleamed with a chilling light, as if brewing an icy storm. If Wen Qitian were here, she would have been astonished—the princess who claimed to fear nothing in front of her now seemed like a mouse seeing a cat, shrinking back in an almost unbelievable manner.
Nan Leli sneered coldly. “You finally remember to return?”
“……” Nan Fengyao didn’t dare utter a word. She dropped to her knees in an instant, trembling. “Imperial Brother, you never said anything about restricting my freedom.”
She muttered to herself, well then where else can I go?
Nan Leli was currently furious at the sight of her, giving her a cold glance: “Now it’s restricted. If I ever see you go to Nanli Palace again, I’ll break your legs.”
Nan Fengyao felt a phantom pain in her legs and protested unhappily: “Wasn’t I just going to see the little beauty Tiantian?”
“Tiantian?” Nan Leli felt his teeth ache, squeezing out the words through gritted teeth: “Do you not want your teeth anymore?”
“…” So fierce, so terrifying!
Nan Fengyao had a sudden inspiration, “Ah, I misspoke. Wasn’t I just going to bond with my sister-in-law? We’ll be family from now on, Your Majesty, don’t be stingy. I promise to put in more good words for sister-in-law in the future.”
Nan Leli raised his eyebrows: “What sister-in-law? Nothing’s settled yet.”
“So you haven’t won her over yet!” Nan Fengyao suddenly understood, and the price was half a month of confinement, not to be released until her birthday, with the added punishment of copying Buddhist Sutras a hundred times every day.
Why Buddhist Sutras?
Because although Buddhist Sutras cultivate one’s character, for someone as restless as Nan Fengyao, it was absolutely worse than death. After Nan Leli left, she stomped her feet where she stood.
“Look at him, is that any way to behave? When he can’t handle things himself, he just takes it out on his sister. I’m going to cut ties with him!!! Curse him to never have a wife in this lifetime!” She imitated Wen Qitian’s tone and cursed: “Serves him right!”
Her maids were long accustomed to her temperament, slightly helpless at the princess’s speed of changing expressions: “Your Highness, you’d better say less. Don’t let His Majesty hear, or your birthday…”
You might not even get to attend your own Birthday Banquet.
Nan Fengyao instantly shut her mouth…
Leaving Yuyao Palace, Nan Leli finally vented half his anger.
Eunuch Zhang trembled as he followed behind, deeply afraid that His Majesty would beat him to death at the slightest disagreement.
After all, he had committed the crime of deceiving the emperor.
Fortunately, Nan Leli currently had no mind to trouble him. Having dealt with one, there was still the other culprit to handle.
He snorted coldly and ordered the carriage back to Nanli Palace. As soon as he entered the Dragon Bedchamber, he narrowed his eyes: “Where is Wei Chang? It’s been ten days, and his injuries still aren’t healed?”
His bedchamber was brightly lit, and beside the Imperial Bed, a little girl lay in wait like a hunter stalking a dragon.
Except for the 25th of each month, his bedchamber was usually heavily guarded. He didn’t believe Wen Qitian could easily enter. It seemed Wei Chang was itching for trouble, repeatedly causing him problems.
Eunuch Zhang wiped his sweat: “This… perhaps he thought you tacitly permitted it.”
Nan Leli: “…”
Eunuch Zhang didn’t dare say it, but how could he not mention that you cut off her meals precisely because the girl hadn’t come to apologize, eagerly forcing her to come?
Wen Qitian saw the man’s sour expression and low pressure, tiptoeing over like a cat. Unlike others who knelt in greeting, she stopped directly in front of him, looking up at him.
Given their height difference, she barely reached his neck. So, from Nan Leli’s perspective, the little girl seemed petite and adorable, like an animal.
His eyes were dark and gloomy as he snapped irritably: “What are you looking at?”
Perhaps even Nan Leli himself didn’t realize that his attitude toward Wen Qitian was completely different from how he treated Nan Fengyao.
Eunuch Zhang, standing nearby, saw and heard everything clearly.
He lowered his head and rubbed his nose, thinking, oh my, how aggrieved His Majesty sounds.
Wen Qitian scratched her head, imitating a modern Jiazi Voice, speaking in a sweet, coquettish tone: “Big boss, food, hungry!”
System: [Are you an idiot? What grand scenes hasn’t the Emperor seen before? Didn’t Nan Fengyao say the last woman who tried to seduce the villain had her tongue cut out and fed to the dogs… Huh? Darkening value -5%?]
His Majesty the Emperor was in a state of shock, frozen in place. Although he didn’t understand what “big shot” meant, he could vaguely grasp that it was about being hungry.
If anyone else dared to beg for food in front of him, the Emperor, he would absolutely make them regret being born into this world.
But…
How could someone sound so pleasant?
Nan Leli felt this girl must be using some kind of sorcery—not only could she weaken him physically, but her voice also made his ears go soft.
He turned his head away and took two steps back, reprimanding in a low voice, “Speak properly. If you keep this up, I…”
His wrist tightened as the little girl tugged at his sleeve, her eyes filled with his reflection. She had almond-shaped eyes that, when focused on someone, were as round and bright as a cat’s—unbelievably beautiful.
Nan Leli’s throat moved slightly, feeling as though he had fallen under another spell. He forced himself to shake off her grip and pull his sleeve back.
“Guards! Take her away and don’t let me see her again!”
The guards outside were momentarily stunned but prepared to enter the room as ordered.
Wen Qitian herself was also taken aback, not expecting this tactic to fail. What a strange man—his Darkening value had already dropped.
She couldn’t figure it out.
But since he was already angry, would it be wise to confront him over some food?
Wen Qitian sighed inwardly, planning to retreat for now. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed something fall from the Emperor’s sleeve. Sharp-eyed, she bent down just as the guards were about to seize her and snatched up a piece of gold paper and a few pieces of candy wrapped inside.
Nan Leli’s pupils contracted.
Like a slippery eel, Wen Qitian repeated her earlier move, burying her head in his chest, one arm tightly wrapped around his waist, while the other hand opened to reveal…
“What’s this?”
Nan Leli: “…”
“You’re such a grown man, how can you still… wuwuwu…”
Nan Leli expertly covered her mouth and ordered the others to leave.
Only then did he warn her, “Think carefully about what you should and shouldn’t say.”
Wen Qitian’s eyes darted around as she obediently nodded.
He released his hand.
She loudly accused, “How can such a grown man still hide candy?”
Nan Leli: “…”
Just as he was about to cover her mouth again, she slapped him and quickly ran away.
Weak… he felt weak.
“Wen Qitian!” Nan Leli grabbed onto something nearby to steady himself, the feeling of powerlessness throughout his body making his eyes blaze with anger. “Do you think I can’t deal with you like this?”
It was true that she could alleviate his headaches, but that didn’t mean he would let himself be manipulated indefinitely. At most, he couldn’t use his martial arts when weakened, but after some adaptation, although he couldn’t move quickly, dealing with a little girl was more than enough.
Wen Qitian watched from three meters away, her stomach growling as she shamelessly stole a piece of his candy. The familiar sweetness bloomed on her taste buds, even more fragrant without the bitter taste of medicine. She was momentarily lost in thought.
All these days of medicine…
She had always thought it was Bai Zhi and the other careful maids who added the sugar. She never expected…
A dark shadow flashed before her eyes. Wen Qitian snapped back to reality just in time to be caught. The man’s overwhelming presence enveloped her, his grip on her wrist painfully tight. She cried out in pain and quickly tried to pull back.
Malt Sugar Candy scattered across the floor, trampled in the chaos. She grabbed Nan Leli by the collar, and the two of them tumbled to the ground.
The candlelight flickered faintly, and under the cover of night, their two figures seemed to reenact that day, overlapping once more. Wen Qitian’s eyelashes brushed lightly against the man’s face, sending a shiver across his skin.
Nan Leli had no energy to notice such things—all his attention was focused on his lips…
[Author’s Note]
From then on, the tyrant emperor tasted sweetness (not really).