Song Yun Chu actually dared to address him like that!
Yet he clearly hadn’t seen Song Yun Chu’s lips move.
He had only drunk two or three cups of fruit wine – he could confirm he was completely sober and definitely not hallucinating.
As their eyes met, he saw Song Yun Chu call out to him again with a puzzled expression, “Your Majesty?”
[That damn emperor’s glance just now was so sharp. Is he plotting against me? That shouldn’t be right. According to the original timeline, we haven’t reached the point of breaking relations yet.]
Jun Li Luo: “……!”
Snapping out of his shock, he had confirmed one fact.
Song Yun Chu had only spoken the words “Your Majesty,” and no one around had shown any particular reaction. Those disrespectful words he heard afterward were Song Yun Chu’s inner thoughts!
Song Yun Chu was still waiting for his response. Suppressing the storm in his heart, he spoke with his usual composure: “We noticed you’ve been staring at the singer in front. Do you fancy that woman? If you like her, We shall bestow her upon you.”
“Your Majesty, this humble official was merely lost in thought earlier, not interested in that young lady,” Song Yun Chu quickly declined. “I thank Your Majesty for your kindness. With your heavy workload managing state affairs, you needn’t trouble yourself with such trivial matters.”
[The damn emperor has privately trained many spies placed in various palace departments as his eyes and ears. Could this singing girl be one of them? Tch, anyway, refusing is the right move.]
Jun Li Luo once again heard Song Yun Chu’s inner thoughts. His hand holding the wine cup paused briefly before he smiled faintly. “We were merely asking casually. Since Yun Chu isn’t interested, We naturally won’t insist.”
Song Yun Chu responded with a fake smile, and as he turned back, more internal complaints followed.
[The damn emperor’s acting skills are really impressive. With his refined and handsome appearance, no one can tell he’s brewing trouble.]
[What exactly did that look in his eyes mean?]
[Forget it, I’ll take it one step at a time and find a way to prevent him from turning dark. I refuse to believe I can’t change the ending.]
Naturally, Song Yun Chu didn’t know that Jun Li Luo behind him was watching his back, filled with doubts.
Some words in Song Yun Chu’s inner thoughts were difficult for him to understand. Though curious, he couldn’t ask aloud.
Song Yun Chu knew he had been putting on an act all along and knew he was waiting for the right moment to eliminate him. Since Song Yun Chu wasn’t exposing him, he was naturally happy to continue performing the play of harmonious ruler-minister relations.
Song Yun Chu, oh Song Yun Chu, relying on your merit in supporting my ascension, you behave improperly, showing neither respect nor loyalty toward me. Now that I can hear your inner thoughts, if you dare to rebel, I will certainly have countermeasures. You will never prevail over me!
Someone who cannot conceal their thoughts is destined to fail completely!
In the following days, Jun Li Luo continued to value and trust Song Yun Chu as before, often summoning him to the Imperial Study after court sessions to accompany him in handling government affairs.
Naturally, this was to hear more of Song Yun Chu’s inner thoughts.
Initially, he worried that this suddenly acquired ability might disappear quickly. But ten days passed in the blink of an eye, and every time he was with Song Yun Chu, he could hear the other’s inner thoughts, so he stopped worrying.
Song Yun Chu truly held no respect for him, always referring to him internally as – the damn emperor.
But currently, Song Yun Chu didn’t seem to have any rebellious intentions.
Moreover, this fellow had become somewhat more negligent and lazy than before.
For instance, while reviewing official documents, he maintained a perfectly solemn expression but was inwardly calculating what to have for lunch.
Another example: when discussing political affairs with Song Yun Chu, she no longer took the initiative as she used to, instead deferring every decision to him, all the while thinking—
[If only I could have transmigrated into a carefree local tycoon! Why did I have to end up as a powerful minister with countless enemies? I wake up earlier than the roosters every day, and after court, I still have to work overtime in the Imperial Study.]
[Finally, a day off arrives, and that damned emperor still summons me to practice archery with him. Damn it, waking up early for ten consecutive days is utterly miserable. Tomorrow, I must catch up on sleep.]
[Speaking of which, tomorrow is the middle of the month—the Courtesan of Flowers at Myriad Flowers House will debut a new song. They say her voice is melodious and deeply moving. As someone who loves music, I can’t miss it.]
Jun Li Luo listened further, feeling somewhat scornful.
The “transmigration” in Song Yun Chu’s words likely referred to a personal longing. So, this scoundrel was also worried about having too many enemies. Now, tired of life, he no longer wanted to be a powerful minister but aspired to be a wealthy magnate.
Ridiculous. Having offended so many in the court and beyond, once stripped of his title as Right Prime Minister, he would be hunted down everywhere, facing endless calamities for the rest of his life.
Moreover, this scoundrel enjoyed the fame, wealth, and status bestowed upon him yet secretly resented him. What did it matter to work without rest for ten days straight? Others didn’t even have the privilege to enter this Imperial Study.
If not for his formidable martial skills and numerous allies, Jun Li Luo would have overturned the table long ago, had him publicly disgraced and executed in the streets!
Previously, since Song Yun Chu had no wives or concubines, he had assumed the man was indifferent to romantic affairs, focusing entirely on consolidating political power like himself. Little did he know this scoundrel was a wolf in sheep’s clothing—physically in the Imperial Study but mentally drifting off to the Courtesan of Flowers at Myriad Flowers House.
Disrespecting imperial authority, indulging in extravagance and debauchery—truly despicable to the extreme.
“Yun Chu, help me handle some of the remaining official documents.”
Song Yun Chu was lost in thought when the emperor’s voice suddenly reached her ears. The next moment, the chief eunuch presented a stack of documents to her.
Song Yun Chu acknowledged the emperor with a respectful “Yes,” her expression unchanged as she casually picked one up and opened it.
She had inherited the original owner’s skills—not only possessing exceptional martial arts but also retaining the memories of Minister Song when handling political affairs, allowing her to make judgments with minimal errors on minor matters. For major issues, the emperor would naturally convene all ministers for discussion.
Though initially unaccustomed, Song Yun Chu had gradually adapted. She understood the principle of fulfilling one’s duties in one’s position.
[Once I finish these, I should be able to leave, right? I need to sleep early tonight and go out to relax tomorrow. I hope that damned emperor doesn’t make me work overtime again.]
A few feet away, Jun Li Luo glanced at her, a cold smile flickering in his eyes.
So, you plan to go out tomorrow to eat, drink, and indulge in pleasure, do you? I’ll make sure you don’t get your way.
After a long while, Song Yun Chu set down the last document and stood up.
“Your Majesty, if there’s nothing else urgent, I shall take my leave now. You’ve been reviewing documents for quite some time today and should rest well.”
Jun Li Luo nodded and smiled at her. “Mm.”
Just as Song Yun Chu was about to reach the door, he spoke again, “Yun Chu, the weather has been pleasant these past couple of days, and I feel much more energetic. I shouldn’t stay indoors all the time. Tomorrow, accompany me to the Martial Arts Field to practice archery again, will you?”
Song Yun Chu: “…!”
【Your Majesty, do you truly not regard your officials as human? You have it easy traveling from your bedchamber to the Martial Arts Field, but I have to waste so much time traveling back and forth from my home! On my day off, you won’t even let me sleep and still insist I accompany you for archery practice? With so many imperial guards at your disposal, must you specifically choose me?】
Though inwardly seething with rage, Song Yun Chu still had to maintain a faint, appropriate smile on her face. “Your Majesty, this humble official…”
“What, do you have plans with someone else tomorrow?” Jun Li Luo coughed lightly. “If that’s truly the case, you can tell that person that I, your emperor, am rarely in such good spirits and wish to practice horseback riding and archery, requiring your company and guidance. She will surely understand. Throughout the court, who doesn’t know how highly I regard you?”
With things put this way, Song Yun Chu had no choice but to agree.
Since the emperor had spoken of her with such esteem, if she were to say she just wanted to sleep in, wouldn’t that make her seem both ungrateful and lacking in ambition?
This long-awaited day off was ruined once again.
…
The next day, the sun shone brightly, its warm rays filtering through layers of overlapping leaves, casting dappled shadows all around the Martial Arts Field.
Song Yun Chu reluctantly accompanied Jun Li Luo in shooting at targets for an hour, until Jun Li Luo took a break, and she also sat down to have a sip of tea.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed someone approaching. Turning her head, she saw it was Shen Yue, the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards and one of the emperor’s close confidants.
“Your Majesty, there has been some progress regarding the matter you asked this humble official to investigate a few days ago.”
Because there were others present, Shen Yue stopped there.
Jun Li Luo had no intention of keeping it from Song Yun Chu and continued, “Speak freely.”
“Yes, the Phoenix Woman you asked me to find…”
Hearing the words “Phoenix Woman,” Song Yun Chu’s eye twitched.
Phoenix Woman? Wasn’t that the crazy female protagonist?!
Sure enough, what was meant to come could never be avoided.