Chapter XI

"Your Lordship, please see reason. If I may speak plainly, Grand Secretary Li flicked his sleeves and left in such a manner because he must have felt deeply humiliated within. Just think how he labors both inside and out to select talented and worthy individuals for you, seeking excellence, yet you did not even offer him a single word of appreciation or patience. You only worried about your Imperial Noble Consort, indulging so obsessively in a mere cat. If I were in his shoes, I would undoubtedly harbor deep resentment as well. In my humble opinion, you ought to untie the knots in Grand Secretary Li's heart right now and have a thorough, heart-to-heart communication with him." "So he threw a tantrum because he didn't get to have a private, heart-to-heart communication with Us? Minister of Rites makes a valid point. Well, just you wait while I properly soothe his wounded little soul." "Xiaoyang, why are you staring at me like that?" Minister of Rites Long Ang blinked with an air of absolute innocence. "...Brother, the one surnamed Li probably isn't going to be happy about this." "Why is that?" Minister of Rites Long Ang tilted his head in utter bewilderment. "...Having to spend time alone with the Holy Emperor, wouldn't it be rather ball-crushing?" Shameless, despicable, vindictive, and capricious—such words were practically tailor-made for the Holy Emperor! "How could you say that? His Lordship is a wonderful person. Being with him is a feast for the eyes, refreshing as a spring breeze, and entirely invigorating. That is why I have taught you ever since you were young—you must give your all for Your Lordship, be loyal to Your Lordship, adore Your Lordship, and cherish Your Lordship!" "...I don't have that function!" Author has something to say:

The veteran driver says if I wag my tail and act cute, lots and lots of fresh, lovely little comments will fall from the sky. Is that really true? Looking at you with innocent eyes ~~= 3=

Chapter XI ### In the pond of the Imperial Garden, the water was crystal clear, and a few clusters of pink lotus flowers adorned the emerald pool. Koi fish darted about, as if catching the scent of dragon Qi, and flicking their bright, crimson-red tails, they gathered near the pavilion, leaping out of the water to snap up the Imperial Grace fish feed falling in tiny fragments from above. Inside the pavilion, the Imperial Noble Consort puffed out her plump little belly and curled up with a deeply maternal air right beside the man's luxurious, gold-threaded brocade boots, lazily opening her mouth to yawn. The man lovingly bent down to smooth the soft fur all over her body, then, exerting just a slight pressure with his palm, gathered her entire small body into his arms, affectionately bringing her close to his lips for a light nibble. "Imperial Noble Consort, once I've fed them, I'll let them feed you." "Imperial Noble Consort", a Persian cat presented as tribute by foreign envoys. She was currently the sole imperial favorite who, with her heavily pregnant posture, commanded the emperor's exclusive affection and reigned supreme over the inner palace. It was said that to make her grow up beautiful and tender, and to nourish her with whatever resembled what she lacked, the emperor commanded the imperial chef to feed her an entire koi fish at every single meal. It was said that to choose a comfortable palace for her to stay in, the emperor even let her pick for him every night when flipping the bamboo tallies; wherever her little cat paw landed, the emperor would spend that night in that imperial concubine's bedchamber. It was said that this finicky cat was fickle enough never to choose a concubine's palace more than three times, and she always loved slipping outside the palace walls, leading the emperor on a merry chase to scatter affection everywhere. No wonder every imperial concubine, desperate to win favor with the only man who mattered, clutched a meticulously groomed tomcat in her arms every day, wandering the Imperial Garden not to seek the emperor, but solely to find this "Imperial Noble Consort". Whether by luring her or coaxing her, as long as they could trap her heart in their own bedchamber and make her endlessly attached to their tomcat, wouldn't the emperor's heart naturally fall entirely into their grasp? Did the Imperial Noble Consort have any favorite tomcats? Yes, and no. To be precise, much like her master, she had no fixed preferences and even held no requirements for tomcats whatsoever. She turned no one away, proved fickle and inconstant, sowed affection everywhere, and trotted around the imperial palace on arrogant little paws, meowing as she built up her very own tiny harem. However... She... liked men. Despite being a female cat, she liked... men of supreme appearance. "...Your Majesty. Could you please prevail upon your Imperial Noble Consort to get down from this humble official." Before he knew it, she had bounded right out of her master's arms and onto him. The emperor waved his gold-threaded sleeve and chuckled indulgently, "Little Jing, my Imperial Noble Consort is always so fond of you." The sour undertone made it sound as though he were genuinely facilitating a peerless and wondrous illicit romance, causing Li Chenjing's mouth to twitch. "This humble official is terrified. I must trouble Your Majesty to teach your Imperial Noble Consort about self-respect." "Heh, what does it matter? Even I don't mind her flirting and entangling herself with you, and I guarantee I won't get jealous. Don't be so stiff and pedantic; just submit to her." "...He wanted him, a strapping man of seven feet, to submit to a female cat?" "Little Jing, do you have any idea how many men wish to cradle her in their arms and cherish her? The Imperial Noble Consort's willingness to linger on your chest and rub against you is a mark of imperial grace; you ought to be proud." Indeed. This lawless cat in heat, who monopolized three thousand favors, was exceptionally picky about men... The men she liked had hair like silk, cold frost-colored pupils, and an air of aloof indifference in their every gesture. He had to possess a stern face with absolute presence, lips that curved with noble grandiosity, long eyelashes that fluttered slightly with every blink, and eyes that shifted with a thousand graceful expressions. He possessed the steady restraint of a mature man, the jade-smooth complexion of a youthful gentleman, a calm manly gaze, and yet a slight smile that radiated the brilliant charm of a maiden... "That doesn't sound like you're describing this humble official, but rather some reincarnated demon." "The Imperial Noble Consort simply has exceptionally high standards." "...Even with high standards, there's a limit to being outrageous." It was one thing for her to linger in his arms, but what was the meaning of sticking her tongue out at him? She was already pregnant yet still refused to behave herself! He truly wanted to flick a sleeve and send this country-ruining little pest flying straight into the pond to feed the fish! Taking a deep breath and mustering all his self-control, Li Chenjing picked up the cat in heat and tossed her back into her master's arms. "Humans and cats belong to different worlds, Empress, show some self-respect! Your Majesty, if you have any instructions for summoning this subject alone, please state them at once!" "I have already reviewed the list of newly promoted Academy Students, Grand Secretary Li has worked hard." "And then?" "And then... I know you wish to have a proper, private, heart-to-heart communication with me alone, isn't that right?" Ranking List | Historical Romance Woman Dressed as a Man