Today, at the beginning of the Shen hour, Song Ying was allowed to leave duty early.
But she couldn’t bring herself to feel happy.
That damned emperor was far too wary of her, with more schemes in his head than holes in a honeycomb briquette.
Having her accompany him to morning court was definitely going to be another life-threatening assignment.
Having to remain constantly on high alert, continually guess at the emperor’s intentions, and deal with his unpredictable moods—
For Song Ying, it was an enormous drain on her mental energy.
Serving an emperor really was like keeping company with a tiger.
A lingering fear ran through Song Ying, and she nearly stumbled.
No. She had to survive!
She needed to conserve her energy, sleep early, wake up early, and then hurry to find an opportunity to escape home!
But as a mere background cannon-fodder character, how was she supposed to escape?
Song Ying thought of this mouthwatering restricted novel.
—Ninety percent of the original novel consisted of “cooking” scenes. The remaining ten percent existed only to add seasoning and make the cooking even more fragrant and exciting.
What she was currently experiencing was merely a side plot involving the villain, Emperor Yongzhao.
It was like this: on a certain day in a certain year, the heroine went to a flatbread stall and bought a flatbread.
Then, on that day, the stall owner would definitely set up his stall, and he would definitely sell that flatbread to the heroine.
—This was what could be called a “plot anchor.”
But the author wouldn’t write out the flatbread seller’s entire life in exhaustive detail.
Therefore, outside those plot anchors, a background character like her possessed enormous stretches of “blank plot space” in which her movements weren’t predetermined.
And she could use those blank periods in the plot to carve out a path to survival for herself!
According to the original novel’s timeline, the story should currently have progressed to this point:
Through dual cultivation, Li Jingrong had absorbed part of the male lead’s internal energy. Not only had she barely suffered any lasting injuries, but her cultivation had actually increased considerably.
After that came a repetitive cycle of pure “cooking”: Tender Affection Sword → dual cultivation and absorption → Tender Affection Sword → dual cultivation and absorption, over and over again.
As a result, Li Jingrong’s internal energy advanced by leaps and bounds.
And Song Ying only needed to hold out until the next time Li Jingrong came to seek revenge against Emperor Yongzhao!
Then, borrowing the heroine’s halo, she could escape before the main plot fully unfolded!
The problem was that Emperor Yongzhao was currently far more wary of her than anything else.
Although he couldn’t do without the soothing effect of the fragrance surrounding her, even the occasional moments when he softened toward her were based entirely on his own needs.
Utterly hypocritical.
Hadn’t that damned emperor avoided morning court for years precisely because he was afraid the court officials would discover his secret?
Now that he intended to bring her along, Song Ying estimated—
Things had probably reached a point where he had no choice but to appear personally.
Bringing her to morning court would allow her to soothe him and help him reclaim control over political affairs, while also giving him the opportunity to test her relationship with Li Jingrong.
What a brilliant scheme—three birds with one stone!
Song Ying thought through gritted teeth.
There were plenty of things she couldn’t do, but switching herself into energy-saving mode and making him clutch at his hair a little more?
That, Song Ying could certainly manage!
Emperor Yongzhao’s dragon robe trailed across the floor as he cast a sidelong glance at Song Ying, who stood with her head respectfully lowered.
Today, she was indeed far more obedient than usual.
A faint snort sounded from his nose.
Had she learned her lesson?
Now that she knew he was testing her, had she simply decided to act completely submissive so he couldn’t catch the slightest fault?
Emperor Yongzhao narrowed his eyes slightly.
He disliked this feeling of something slipping beyond his control, especially when it involved a woman he had originally thought would be easy to manipulate.
Song Ying could practically feel the weight of his gaze pressing down on the top of her head.
It made her feel as though thorns were pricking her back and needles lay beneath her feet.
She clasped her hands together inside her sleeves and lowered her head even further, wishing she could disappear from the imperial court entirely.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, although the Kingdom of Yan was destroyed several decades ago, its surviving followers remain unrepentant. Forces seeking to restore Yan have also shown signs of resurgence, repeatedly causing unrest throughout the realm.”
At the head of the officials stood an elderly minister dressed in the deep purple court robes of a first-rank official.
Holding a jade court tablet, he continued:
“This old minister has heard that Your Majesty used decisive and thunderous methods to eliminate a group of surviving Yan rebels. I have come especially to congratulate Your Majesty—and to congratulate Great Jing!”
Upon the dragon throne, a faint smile appeared on Emperor Yongzhao’s face.
Yet that smile only made the sinister darkness in his eyes seem even stronger.
He had mobilized the shadow guards in secret.
How had Gao Boshen learned about it?
His gaze swept across the assembled officials below.
Just how many pairs of eyes in this court served as Gao Boshen’s informants?
Emperor Yongzhao smiled.
“My esteemed minister certainly receives news quickly.”
Gao Boshen replied, “With the selected maidens from the twelve provinces entering the capital, the local governments naturally kept a closer watch on the influential clans within their jurisdictions in order to preserve peace and prevent trouble before it arose. Such vigilance is merely part of their duty.”
“Who would have thought that the Zhu family of Yanzhou was secretly colluding with the Yan rebels? They are truly parasites upon the nation and should be severely punished as a warning to others!”
“Oh?”
Emperor Yongzhao gave Gao Boshen a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.
“The entire Zhu family of Yanzhou has already been sentenced to execution. In Grand Secretary Gao’s opinion, is that still not enough of a warning?”
The moment those words were spoken, quite a few officials quietly drew in sharp breaths.
Could Grand Secretary Gao possibly be suggesting…
Gao Boshen raised his head and lifted his voice.
“Toward the surviving Yan rebels and their accomplices, we must never tolerate evil or show misplaced mercy!”
“They should—have—their—nine—clans—exterminated!”
The final four words struck straight down on Song Ying’s head.
She froze instantly.
Her clasped hands loosened, her fingertips turning ice-cold as her entire body began trembling violently beyond her control.
Wasn’t this supposed to have been the fate of the Song family of Liaozhou?!
Because of her interference, that fate had now been transferred onto someone else!
“Good! Hahahaha! Very good! What an excellent ‘exterminate their nine clans’!”
Emperor Yongzhao clapped his hands and laughed loudly.
“Grand Secretary Gao’s words are exactly to my liking! Every gentleman of this court should take Grand Secretary Gao as an example—learn from his loyalty and emulate his uprightness!”
Once the emperor spoke, the matter was settled.
How was this any different from hearing the sentence pronounced upon her own family?!
Song Ying dug her nails fiercely into the flesh between her thumb and forefinger.
Shock, fear, lingering terror, relief.
She couldn’t even tell which emotion was strongest.
All she knew was that her chest felt unbearably tight, and she could barely breathe!
She had transmigrated here sixteen years ago.
She should have been used to this by now!
She already was used to it!
Yet when she personally heard the words “exterminate the nine clans,” she realized she had still underestimated the cruelty of a feudal dynasty—and overestimated her own ability to endure it.
Despite the storm raging inside her, Song Ying desperately restrained the emotions that were on the verge of collapsing completely.
She had no idea how much time passed before the court session finally ended.
The officials filed out one after another.
Song Ying forced her trembling legs to hold her upright and followed behind Emperor Yongzhao, preparing to return to Wanchun Hall.
The instant her foot crossed the threshold, her vision suddenly went black.
Her entire body collapsed—
The bright yellow dragon robe ahead of her abruptly stopped.
Emperor Yongzhao turned to look at Song Ying lying on the ground.
His phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, filled with scrutiny.
What trick was she playing now?
Another cheap attempt to win his sympathy?
During court today, when Gao Boshen proposed “exterminating the nine clans,” he had clearly seen this woman flinch.
She had been afraid.
Yet she had concealed it flawlessly, her eyes lowered in complete obedience, revealing nothing that could be seized upon.
Emperor Yongzhao’s gaze settled on her.
Her hairstyle was slightly disheveled, with several strands of dark hair clinging to her cheeks.
Her eyes were tightly closed, and her feathery lashes trembled faintly.
Looking like this, she actually seemed somewhat…
Pitiful.
Yes.
Pitiful.
The word surfaced in his mind without warning.
It was so absurd that even Emperor Yongzhao gave a derisive laugh.
This woman had repeatedly pretended to be weak in front of him to gain sympathy.
And yet he actually… thought she looked pitiful?
How ridiculous.
At his side, Eunuch Runde bowed and said,
“Your Majesty, this servant will have someone carry Miss Song back to Wanchun Hall immediately and then summon an imperial physician—”
“No need.”
Emperor Yongzhao interrupted coldly.
Who could say this wasn’t another self-injury scheme, with someone on the inside working together with someone outside?
Eunuch Runde assumed His Majesty intended to simply walk away.
He was just about to bow when he caught sight of—
The dragon robe shifting.
Emperor Yongzhao bent down.
He stretched out both arms and lifted Song Ying’s slender body horizontally from the ground.
Song Ying’s body was soft and light, almost weightless.
His arms tightened instinctively around her.
Just beneath his chin was her dark, fragrant hair.
Strand after strand carried a faint, sweet fragrance that disturbed the still waters of his heart.
“…Summon the imperial physician.”
Emperor Yongzhao’s voice was unexpectedly hoarser than before.
Eunuch Runde quickly lowered his head, hiding the shock in his eyes before tactfully withdrawing.
Emperor Yongzhao carried Song Ying all the way back to Wanchun Hall before placing her upon the brocade bedding.
He stared at Song Ying at such close range.
Her neck was slender and pale, faint blue veins barely visible beneath the skin, giving off an alluring sheen.
He couldn’t allow himself to become like he had that night, ruled entirely by desire and reduced to the level of a beast.
His reason remained intact.
Yet deep within him, there was an even stronger, more primitive impulse—
Tempting him to sink into it.
Urging him to surrender.
Enticing him to fall.
Struggle.
Hesitation.
Then, in the next instant—
As though bewitched,
His face slowly, uncontrollably, moved closer.
A strange tremor passed through him.
His heart had been shaken to this extent.
After the court session ended, the officials gradually filed out of the Golden Throne Hall.
Gao Boshen walked at an unhurried pace.
Beside him, the Vice Minister of Personnel followed closely behind.
When they reached a secluded area, the Vice Minister of Personnel lowered his voice.
“Grand Secretary, that… palace maid beside His Majesty today—did you happen to notice her?”
Gao Boshen continued walking.
“Lord Fu noticed her as well? His Majesty is in the prime of his life. There’s nothing particularly unusual about that. But since Lord Fu has specifically brought her up, what exactly are you suggesting?”
After speaking, Gao Boshen abruptly stopped.
He turned sideways and looked directly at the other man.
The Vice Minister of Personnel’s heart skipped a beat beneath that stare, and he hurriedly bowed.
“This subordinate would never dare harbor any particular intentions. It’s just that… ever since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has rarely attended court. The imperial harem has also remained empty for a long time, much less has he shown any interest in women.”
Gao Boshen looked him up and down for a moment before giving a quiet, drawn-out “Mm.”
Then he resumed walking.
“That palace maid was originally one of the selected maidens from the twelve provinces this year. Perhaps His Majesty’s heart was stirred for once. Her features are indeed rather delicate.”
The Vice Minister of Personnel sighed.
“But she’s only a palace maid. In the end…”
Gao Boshen gave him a meaningful glance.
“Of this year’s selected maidens from the twelve provinces, all were implicated in the matter involving the surviving Yan rebels. Less than ten days after entering the palace, every single one of them died.”
“She alone survived.”
Gao Boshen changed the subject and asked in an almost conversational tone,
“Come to think of it, Lord Fu, your daughter… what was her given name again? This old man seems to have forgotten. How old is she now?”
The Vice Minister of Personnel answered respectfully,
“Reporting to Grand Secretary, my daughter’s humble name is Lanyue. She has already reached the age of her hairpin ceremony and is ordinarily… ordinarily considered quiet and well-mannered.”
“Reaching the age of the hairpin ceremony is good.”
Gao Boshen nodded.
“The very age when a young woman is as beautiful as a flower and as precious as jade.”
“His Majesty has only one palace maid attending him. I’m afraid that may be insufficient. It is indeed time for the palace to bring in a few more clever and perceptive young women to share the burden.”
“Grand Secretary means… that my daughter should also… also enter the palace as a servant?”
The Vice Minister’s question already carried a trace of reluctance and wounded pride.
“Lord Fu, the word ‘servant’ is inappropriate.”
“To enter the palace and attend His Majesty is to share the sovereign’s burdens and bring honor to one’s family.”
Gao Boshen patted Vice Minister Fu on the shoulder and smiled.
“Lord Fu is an intelligent man. Some opportunities, once missed, may never come again.”
The Vice Minister of Personnel no longer dared hesitate.
He bowed deeply all the way to the waist.
“Grand Secretary, I… my daughter and I will never forget your kindness in giving us this opportunity! Everything… everything shall be arranged according to Grand Secretary’s wishes!”
Only then did Gao Boshen give a slight nod before flicking his sleeve and walking away.