Chapter Thirty-Two
"I told you long ago, that cold, arrogant young master who likes to frequent brothels and treats Little Eight terribly, I'm not him."
"Since that's the case, why should I go back with you?" With a flick of his sleeve, he sat back down at the tea table, crossing his legs but no longer having the desire to embrace the woman beside him. "Everyone knows that only Little Jing can persuade me to leave the palace. Since Little Jing is no longer Little Jing, I... might as well get drunk in this gentle paradise. What's the point of going back to the palace?"
"Really? Then so be it. Little Eight, let's go." Anyway, the person has been found, and his mission is complete. He still wants to find a place to fulfill his promise as soon as possible.
"Your Majesty, please heed my words." Unlike Li Chenjing's decisiveness, Zhu Bafu had not given up.
Unexpectedly, it was her who raised the objection. Young Master Piao turned his head slightly and said, "Speak."
With a slight bend in her knees, she solemnly knelt on both knees, raised her ceremonial sleeves, looked directly at the Emperor, and clasped her hands in a respectful gesture, saying, "Although many people have surely said these words to Your Majesty, I earnestly request that Your Majesty patiently listen to my repeated ramblings. The affairs of the State Power, the court, and the imperial Imperial Power are not child's play. Your Majesty alone sustains the people, but Your Majesty are, after all, only a Common People. If you have troubles and nowhere to vent them, it is inevitable that you will leave the palace to find relief. All the Empress of the palace and all the ministers have turned a blind eye, hoping that Your Majesty's mood will improve and that you can return to the right path. Although it is very impolite to say this to a woman, after all, even the most magnificent Chunfen Pavilion is not a place without its dangers. Your Majesty's health is of utmost importance. If Your Majesty truly wishes to find someone to soothe your heart, it would be far more legitimate to do so with the Empress of the palace than here—isn't that right?"
"Pig Kid... you weren't like this before you knew who I was... What? Now that you know who I am, you've conjured up this loyal and patriotic face?" A cool laugh crept up his lips, and Young Master Piao curled his lips in mockery, as if ridiculing her clichéd words as utterly worthless.
"This humble subject is not particularly loyal to the emperor or patriotic, but I feel that your actions... are likely to cause trouble for those around you."
Before she could finish speaking, Liu Rongrong snorted coldly, and Xiao Zhang retorted sharply, "Ridiculous! Chen Jing is one thing, but who do you think you are? What gives you the right to speak to the Emperor like that?"
"... Miss Liu, I didn't mean to criticize you, but His Your Majesty's status is special, and doing this for him and for you is the best thing to do."
"How ridiculous. Which palace Empress are you spying for? Your words are not only high-sounding, but also full of the Inner Palace flavor!" Liu Rongrong narrowed her eyes and was about to continue speaking when she saw Li Chenjing glaring at her unhappily, as if she were a domineering and unreasonable woman who spoke without thinking and hurt someone important to him.
It was clearly that Little Scholar who spoke so harshly! Saying it wasn't safe there, right in front of His Your Majesty and him. Not safe? He was obviously implying she was dirty. Brothel is dirty, Brothel women are dirty, bad for His Your Majesty's health, and should be avoided—is that what he meant? Ha... If he wanted to look down on her Brothel background, it wouldn't be up to a mere poor, Little Scholar like him!
"Pig Kid... I've thought of those words before."
"Your Majesty!" How could even His Your Majesty be joining in this Little Scholar's nonsense...?
"So, all this Pig Kid wants to do is take me back with him?" This kid is really stubborn. He thinks he has the guts to willingly take him back in place of Little Jing?
"That's right. Since I've accepted the Empress decree from the empresses, I'll lose my head if I don't take His Your Majesty, and I'll lose my head if I offend His Majesty here. So I might as well take a gamble."
"Oh? What do you want to bet with me on?"
"I bet... His Your Majesty will remember that I offered Your Majesty a couple of sips of Tumo Tea, comforted Your Majesty, and chatted with Your Majesty about many gossips. Your Majesty won't let me lose my head so easily."
"Hahahaha. Pig Kid, you really are extraordinary." Standing up, Young Master Piao's eyes darted around, and suddenly, as if he had just remembered a good idea, he slammed his hand on the table. "Since that's the case, I'll give you a chance."
Seeing that things were taking a turn for the better, Zhu Bafu became energized, kowtowed to express his gratitude, and said, "Please give your Your Majesty."
"I greatly dislike the two characters 'Mortal Realm' inscribed in front of the Chunfen Pavilion. I would like to ask that you, my Pig Kid, to replace them for me."
"..." To change the words the Young Master mentioned earlier? And she's to do it? This... "How does Your Majesty intend for this humble subject to change them?"
"Such a large fan plaque, not even a signboard, just using the two characters 'Mortal Realm' seems a bit too pretentious. I've heard that you can compose a poem in the time it takes for an incense Pig Kid to burn, so... how about you compose a poem?"
"Writing poetry?" Why is it poetry again...?
"Yes. Rhyme and meter don't matter at all, as long as it matches the name of this Chunfen Pavilion, and it has to satisfy me."
"..."
This... isn't this like using "The Brothel" as an exam question with absolutely no rules? Is it good or bad entirely up to his word? Doesn't that mean it's all based on his whim?
Author's Note:
I want to finish revising and start a new story as soon as possible!
Chapter 33, Chapter Thirty-Two
As expected... serving a ruler is like serving a tiger. She should have learned that from her Old Man. This... is not a wise ruler, but a playful and tyrannical one. One moment he is wearing Official Robes, and the next he may turn her into a prisoner... The Zhu Household must not suffer any more misfortune.
Just get through this hurdle, as long as she gets through this hurdle and doesn't get involved with the emperor anymore, everything will be fine. He won't know she's the daughter of a disgraced official, and she has no intention of seeking revenge... Just let her disappear quietly...
"Alright! One incense stick's time. I'll do it!"
The Incense Burner emitted wisps of smoke, and the red silk gauze swayed gently in the breeze outside the window.
The Little Scholar in the blue robe looked deep in thought, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He lowered his brows, twirled his fingers, and muttered to himself.