ED: Yzrahc ï¼¼(â§â½â¦ )ï¼*
Hmm, I donât feel very satisfied with this chapter. I guess Iâll reTL it later.
Incidentally, å°å¼å¼ can mean little boy, little brother, or dick.
And all the places mentioned in the story are actually real locations in the Forbidden City, except for the Hall of Capturing Fragrance, which was built over by Qianlong in 1746 into the Southern Three Places, the residence of the Crown Prince. I couldnât find an English name for it, so Paul suggested one. Thanks, Paul!
She hadnât even ran two steps yet before she was caught by the collar. Xia Yuqing pumped her short little legs futilely, before reluctantly turning to meet that sinisterly smiling devil. She forced a laugh... Gotta play dumb!
"Tell me, my dear, what is it that you need to do and let me help you." Feng Tingye eyed her with deceptive mildness.
And to think heâd been concerned about her scare in the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility. Who knew heâd find his significant other so soon in the Imperial Gardens, enticing his subjects! Hmph, you adulterer!
Xia Yuqing retracted her neck into her shell as the ire ablaze in Feng Tingyeâs eyes grew. She felt greatly wronged. Sob, Seme-sama, believe me! I truly wasnât dallying, only attempting to help you. Let the heavens be witness to my integrity with all your ukes. Please donât repay kindness with evil!
Yan Ran whistled recklessly at Feng Tingyeâs rare loss of control. "Your Majesty, seems like your ladyâs frustrated. Itâs all very well for us to know about these indecent invitations, but if those old mules catch wind of this, youâll be in for quite a lecture."
Xia Yuqing began to understand as Feng Tingyeâs smile turned even more menacing. The Inner Palace was their romping grounds, their breeding den of vice. This was also why none but the emperor and the eunuchs could enter.
And she, the only concubine in the harem, had carelessly invited external officials to her palace. That did seem like...poaching!
Xia Yuqingâs suddenly perked up. She knew sheâd die unjustly if she didnât say something now. "Your Majesty, I didnât have any intentions. I only wanted to help the Chief Strategist and the beautiâno, the Grand Tutor. They seemed lost, so I was just going to invite them to my palace to stay for a while until they could meet Your Majesty. Thatâs really all."
"Lost? I know the Imperial Gardens like the back of my hand." Yan Ran smiled innocuously. "Milady says that you had no intentions towards me, but did you not just call me beautiful? Or have my ears failed me with my old age?"
Xia Yuqing was gobsmacked by their twists of the knife and distortions of the truth. She felt aggrieved.
Iâve never seen cock-and-bull on this level. You double-crossers! Even if you fear Seme-sama discovering your tryst with another uke, you still shouldnât slander me to cover for yourselves! "This year will be an unlucky one, be wary of judases," indeed!
Yan Ran broke out in goosebumps at Xia Yuqingâs gratuitously grief-stricken gaze. He coughed lightly and looked away in silence. He didnât see anything. He didnât see the kittenâs provocative gaze, didnât see the smiling snake pondering away next to him, and definitely didnât see the emperorâs inky-black expression. Uh oh, I think Iâve played with the fire too much!
"Enough. You two leave first, weâll discuss this tomorrow. As for you..." Feng Tingye slitted his eyes at Xia Yuqing, "Weâll work this out at home."
He dumped the duo and strode off with Xia Yuqing, frightening a bevy of maids and eunuchs in his way.
Shao Zitang was the first to recover. "He left just like that? How could Tingye put hoes before bros when we havenât seen each other in months?" His mouth twisted as he said to their backs. His eyes shone coldly.
"Spring nights are short / The sun hangs high / The king henceforth / Shall skip morning court. Looks like weâre going to be stood up more in the future."
"Standing me up on my first day back, how can I not return the favor?" Shao Zitang narrowed his eyes and snorting coldly, turned and left.
He didnât get far before he heard mocking laughter. "Little Tangtang, that wayâs the Cold Palace. Youâre supposed to go this way if you want to leave."
Shao Zitang froze. He whipped around and glared at Yan Ran. "Of course I know which wayâs out. I was just testing if you knew. Hmph."
He didnât wait for a reply and rushed past Yan Ran towards the exit. No matter how you looked at it, that was fleeing the scene.
Yan Ran watched Shao Zitangâs hurriedly retreating back and shook his head helplessly, "This guy..."
On the other hand, Xia Yuqing was being carried like a chick back to the Hall of Capturing Fragrance. She geared up for the fight.