The Idle Emperor of Sixty-Three

  "You're just a worthless piece of trash, and your existence is an insult to our White family! You're a jinx, a disaster waiting to happen. How dare you show up in front of me, or even in the presence of the Bai family?! Don't you know what kind of person you are? You're just a woman who married into the Cheng Wang's household, what's so great about that?! Men are naturally promiscuous, and Cheng Wang is only temporarily blinded by his infatuation with you. Do you think he'll dote on you for the rest of your life?! Don't be delusional! A woman like you will eventually be discarded, and when that happens, neither the Cheng Wang's household nor our White family will tolerate you. Just wait patiently for your own demise!"

  Listening to those poisonous and cursed words, Bai Xincheng slowly narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing from the bottom of his pupils, sorrow, sympathy, pain...

  What is the most painful thing in the world? Some people may say it's the betrayal between lovers, or the separation of those who are destined to be together.

  But in her eyes, the most painful thing in the world is the indifference and ruthlessness of kinship.

  The closest distance between people is the connection of blood vessels, but as a person from two worlds, she didn't feel even half of the intimacy and happiness brought by this connection.

  The woman in front of me, beautiful as a flower, but her heart is so ugly that it's unbearable to look at, even if she were to dissect it herself, she would feel nauseous, it must be a deformed and twisted heart!

  She and her body came out of the womb together. In the womb, they spent at least ten months together, and in their swaddling clothes, they were cared for and loved by people at the same time.

  Are all these false?

  Fortunately, 'Bai Xinran' is no longer in this world. If she were still alive, how would she react when facing these vicious and nauseating faces?

  She was fortunate that 'Bai Xin Ran' had been freed early on, otherwise... she would have only died in pain!

  "Ha! Well cursed!" Bai Xincheng praised with a smile, but his eyes still rolled with a cold air, which was born from the bottom of his heart - disgust.

  She doesn't have any hatred or resentment towards herself or the Bai family, after all she isn't the real 'Bai Xiner' of the Bai family. What she has is only disgust!

  But however

  If someone bullied her, insulted her, or even wanted to get rid of her, that would be a different story.

  She is not a soft persimmon, nor is she a useless good-for-nothing. She is human, a person with dignity. Why should these inhuman things bully, oppress and even frame her?!

  Because of her mocking laughter, Bai Xin's face turned red with rage, and she almost pounced on Bai Xin to tear her apart.

  Bai Xin laughed and walked away, at the moment when Bai Xin Bi couldn't figure out what she was going to do, suddenly a ruthless kick was aimed at Bai Xin Bi's abdomen.

  "Uhn!" The sound of something heavy hitting the ground, accompanied by a woman's pained grunt.

  As she approached the woman who was lying on her back, Bai Xinzhi grabbed her collar and pulled it violently, leaning down to stare at her painful face. A fierce glint flashed in her eyes: "You stinky women, if I don't show my power, you really think I'm a fool? Let me tell you, this kick is payback for the slap you gave me earlier. Since we share the same surname 'Bai', I won't charge you interest. Today, I'll make it clear to you: if you want to live, behave yourself and don't cause trouble. We'll pretend not to know each other, like water from a well doesn't flow into a river. But if you're looking for death, go ahead and try me out, see who can outplay the other? Believe it or not, I dare to stab you with a knife right now!"

  She dares to be saucy, she dares to be ruthless, she dares to insult viciously, she dares to threaten fiercely, she acts like a venomous woman, she behaves like a female bandit... If we don't show these people some severity, next time, others will dare to shit on her head!

  A fool suddenly turned into a fierce and evil woman, this transformation for Bai Xincheng, can be done in an instant.

  But for outsiders to accept such a drastic change, it's not just that they can't accept it immediately, even if given several months or years to adapt, I'm afraid they still won't be able to accept it.

  At this moment, Bai Xinbi was also one of those who could not accept it.

  She stared with wide eyes, trembling as if she had seen a ghost, her lower lip was bitten by her own teeth and she didn't even notice it. Her pale face showed horror, shock, and incredulity.

  This idiotic trash can actually talk to her like this...

  "Ah——" Suddenly, Bai Xin's sharp voice rang out, and even Bai Xindai hadn't reacted yet. The woman on the ground suddenly went mad, summoning unknown strength to push her away, then pounced forward with a terrified expression, shouting in a shrill voice, "You're a monster! You're not Bai Xindai, you're a monster! I'll kill this monster, how dare it still intimidate me!"

  Bai Xin was really caught off guard, who the hell knows when the other person would suddenly go crazy?

  She was pushed by Bai Xingbi, she didn't steady her body and fell to the ground. Then she saw a woman with sharp teeth and claws pouncing on her. A sharp pain suddenly came from her neck, and she almost instinctively bent her legs to press against Bai Xingbi who was pressing down on her.

  Bai Xinbi may look more mature and have a more luxurious figure than Bai Xinyan, but after all, she is just the young lady who has been embroidering flowers and birds at home since childhood. Compared to Bai Xinyan, who has been carrying water, chopping firewood, and secretly practicing martial arts in the mountains for many years, she can only be considered a delicate flower.

  Bai Xin Die viciously kneed her in the stomach, and Bai Xin Bi's face contorted in pain. She couldn't even muster the strength to scratch him, instead covering her stomach with both hands as she fell to the ground, writhing in agony...

  "Queen——"

  "Queen——"

  Xue Ying and Yin Du's voices came at the same time.

  Before Bai Xing could even get up by herself, Blood Shadow had already reached out and helped her up.

  She was waiting quietly, her slender hand suddenly shook, and a sharp small knife appeared in her hand. It was broad daylight, but the small knife was shining with a gloomy white light...

  "Blood Shadow!" Bai Xin's eyes were momentarily blinded by that white light, and he immediately shouted to stop Blood Shadow.

  Xue Ying's expressionless face stared at her as he said bluntly: "Your Highness, she wants to kill you."

  Yin Du didn't go to help Bai Xincheng, but instead coldly pointed at the ground and said: "Princess, she's got a lot of guts, daring to kill you in 'Fugui Residence'!"

  Both of them used the word "kill", and Yin Du and Xue Ying rushed over because they saw Bai Xinbi move against Bai Xindye, and at this moment, there was a wound on Bai Xindye's neck, with blood beads flowing out, which was caused by Bai Xinbi's injury.

  With this alone, both of them have reason to directly kill the woman on the ground.

  Bai Xin narrowed his eyes and shook his head disdainfully: "With just her, she can't kill me."

  "But you're hurt! If Grandfather finds out, he'll definitely be angry." Yin Du said worriedly. Compared to causing trouble and killing people, he was more afraid of his own grandfather's angry face.

  Bai Xing took a deep breath and was about to leave with his two followers. After all, this place is the emperor's territory, and there have been many people coming here recently. Fortunately, everyone is now in the banquet hall watching the dancers perform, so there aren't many people around here.

  She had just turned around and stopped in her tracks, looking at the newcomer with a surprised expression.

  Only to see a group of men walking towards them, including the eunuch they had seen earlier, De Gonggong, and another man wearing a bright yellow robe with a golden crown on his head, adorned with glittering golden dragons.

  But her own man suddenly quickened his pace, walked in front of her, lowered his head and coldly stared at her neck.

  "What happened?" The cold voice had no warmth at all, and that face was as cold as ice, making one's heart tremble.

  Bai Xin's face turned red as she stuttered, unsure of how to respond. If she wasn't mistaken, the person following behind him should be the Emperor himself. Although she had never interacted with such a big boss before, having watched TV shows, she naturally knew that this kind of national-level boss figure was not easy to get along with.

  Looking at her guilty appearance, Yan Mo Yu's expression softened, and he placed his finger on the injured area near her neck. A hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes. "Does it hurt?"

  This woman doesn't love herself at all.

  "It doesn't hurt." Bai Xincheng shook her head. She wasn't so delicate that she would wail for a small injury.

  Several men behind them had already walked up to their side.

  De Quan stepped forward with a dustpan and called out in a low voice to Bai Xincheng, "Princess Cheng, the Emperor has arrived."

  That means letting her go and pay respects.

  Bai Xin's face turned slightly wooden. Although Xue Ying had taught her some etiquette, when it came to actually putting it into practice, she suddenly felt awkward. It wasn't fear, just awkwardness.

  "Lonely fear." Seeing her unease, Yan Mo took her hand and turned to walk towards the few people behind them, taking the opportunity to whisper a few words in her ear, telling her their identities.

  Bai Xin straightened his back and walked in front of several people, giving them a standard bow.

  "My wife and I pay our respects to Your Majesty, may you live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, and ten thousand more."

  "Your Highness the Crown Prince, His Majesty King Pongdeok."

  "Fall in." A majestic voice came from the bright yellow figure.

  "Thank you, Your Majesty." Bai Xincheng stood up with a humble expression and downcast eyes.

  Xue Ying and Yin Du also stepped forward and knelt down on one knee in front of several people.

  Xia Gaolifted his hand and let the two of them stand aside, while he himself wore a standard emperor's face, looking at Bai Xindye with a serious expression.

  "What happened?"

  At this time, Bai Xingbi had also crawled up from the ground. The several people in front of her made her forget the pain on her body, and she hurriedly came to kneel in front of them: "Your servant girl pays respects to Your Majesty, pays respects to Crown Prince, pays respects to Gongde King, pays respects to Cheng Wang."

  Looking at the woman in front of her with wrinkled clothes and disheveled hair, and then looking at those two similar faces, several men were shocked at the same time, and they seemed to understand something.

  "Is she Princess Wang's daughter, your sister Bai Xingbi?" Xia Gaoyang raised an eyebrow and asked Bai Xingran.

  "Your Majesty, it is indeed."

  "What are you two sisters doing here? Why did you end up in such a sorry state?"

  "We haven't seen each other for many days, my sister and I. We were excited to see each other and ended up sparring a bit. I didn't expect Your Majesty to arrive, and now you, the Crown Prince, and Prince Gongde have witnessed our foolishness. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me." Bai Xinyan said with her head bowed, her voice soft and calm.

  This is something that even a ghost wouldn't believe, yet she said it with such calmness and composure, as if the fight they had was actually a manifestation of their deep sisterly love.

  Several people turned their heads to one side and imperceptibly twitched at the corners of their mouths.

  Especially in summer, although wearing a dragon robe and having an overbearing aura, his eyes still had three points of smiling intention.

  I've heard a lot about this woman from Blood Shadow, and I've been thinking of meeting this 'daughter-in-law' for a long time. Unexpectedly, today I saw her, and indeed she has a few points that are different from the others.

  If it were someone else, they would have been scared to death by now, but she not only didn't show a hint of nervousness or awkwardness, instead, she was saying things that even ghosts wouldn't believe in front of them.

  Looking at the obviously nervous and trembling Bai Jia's second miss again, Xia Gao suddenly felt a little fortunate. Fortunately, he didn't arrange her marriage to Cheng Wang back then, otherwise it would have really lost face for their royal family.

  "White heart jade, get up." After all, she was the daughter of a university scholar's mansion and also the daughter-in-law of the Minister's mansion. Xia Gao didn't give her too much cold shoulder either.

  "Thank you, Your Majesty." Bai Xin stood up with a quiver, her pale and smooth forehead covered in fine sweat at this moment. It was unclear whether it was due to the tension of seeing so many people at once or the pain in her abdomen. Her face always looked a bit bloodless, pale to an abnormal degree.

  If it were an ordinary day, her makeup and dress would have been slightly better, but at this moment, the two sisters stood together, no matter how you looked at it, she was not as dazzling as Bai Xintian beside her.

  At least on the surface, his expression makes people dislike him.

  Xia Gao didn't look at her again, and once more shifted his gaze to Bai Xinyan: "I suppose you two sisters have already made up. Princess Cheng, follow Prince Cheng with me."

  After finishing speaking, he turned around with his hands behind him and walked away with a majestic air.

  "......?!" Bai Xin blinked her eyes. Was this an invitation to 'drink tea'?

  She turned to look at her own man, wanting an explanation. But Yan Mo Yu just nodded and didn't say anything, holding her hand as they followed Xia Gao around the Crown Prince and Duke Feng De.

  Erdengquan also hurriedly followed up.

  The masters have all left, and Blood Shadow and Yin Du did not dare to stay for long either. After the Crown Prince and King Feng De paid their respects and bid farewell, they also hurriedly followed suit.

  Bai Xinbi also paid respects and bid farewell to Crown Prince Zhao and King Feng of Song.

  The crown prince Xia Yunhao barely gave her a glance and directly waved his hand for her to leave quickly.

  Her gaze fell on the fleeting figure, her narrow phoenix eyes slightly narrowed into a thin slit, her pupils flashing, her expression unclear.

  While Feng De Wang Xia Lixuan watched Bai Xinbi leave, a sneer rose to the corner of his mouth.

  "Second Brother, didn't they all say that Cheng Wang married a deaf and mute woman as his consort? In my opinion, this Consort of Cheng Wang is vastly different from the rumors." Xia Yunhao suddenly sighed.

  Xia Lixun slightly raised his chin, following Xia Yunhao's line of sight to look over, and the corners of his mouth curled up as he asked with a hint of playful teasing: "What, has imperial brother's taste also become similar to Cheng Wang's?"

  Xia Yunhao withdrew his gaze, his eyes somewhat cold: "Second Brother, the relationship between this palace and the Crown Prince is still good, don't take advantage of the opportunity to stir up discord between us."

  Upon hearing this, Xia Lixuan lightly pursed her lips, chewing on a certain kind of smile that was hard to fathom, and proudly straightened her back, taking large strides as she left the pavilion.

  Xia Yunhao was left standing alone on the spot. After seeing everyone leave, he let out a cold 'humph', but it was unclear who it was directed at.

  That handsome face with a hint of femininity was now dull and gloomy, as if shrouded in dark clouds.

  ……

  In the spacious and magnificent hall

  Bai Xin was too busy to notice the magnificent decorations around him and looked up at the middle-aged emperor with a puzzled expression.

  She thought she was calling the couple over for something, but instead they drove her husband out to the outer room and left her alone in here facing the emperor's strange gaze.

  What does this middle-aged man want to do?

  "Dequan, give the princess a seat." Xia Gao sat on the high platform and instructed Dequan in a soft voice. His gaze at Bai Xiner also slightly converged, revealing a few degrees of gentleness.

  "Thank you, Your Majesty." Bai Xincheng gave him a bow and didn't stand on ceremony. When Dequan brought over a stool, he sat down very straightforwardly.

  Xia Gao fell silent for a moment, before speaking again: "Bai Shi, I am already fully aware of your situation. As for your previous feigning of ignorance, I'd like to know what was the reason behind it?"

  "......?!" Bai Xin was shocked. How could this emperor be trying to dig up her secrets?

  The question is what does she have to do with him when they are not related at all?

  "Your Majesty." She suddenly called out in a cold face, and only then did she realize that she had called out somewhat rudely. She quickly stood up and bowed respectfully to Xia Gao, saying, "I, your subject, grew up in the mountains since childhood and do not understand etiquette. If I have been rude to Your Majesty, please forgive me."

  "It doesn't matter, I summoned you today just to have a chat with you. I know you don't understand the rules, so just behave as you normally do and I will pardon your offense."

  Upon hearing this, Bai Xin let out a sigh of relief. With this reassurance, she also felt less constrained.

  She composed herself and calmly met the Emperor's inscrutable gaze, saying: "Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking bluntly. Earlier, pretending to be deaf and dumb was not my intention, but rather a circumstance forced upon me by my situation. My husband, the King, can vouch for this; it was not that I intentionally hid from the world."

  "Oh?" Xia raised an eyebrow, seemingly very interested, "So you're saying that you weren't born with a disability, but have been pretending to be deaf and dumb all along?"

  Bai Xin shook his head: "Replying to Your Majesty, it's not like that."

  "Why is that? You have been disabled since childhood, how can you hear and speak?"

  "......?!" A black line flowed down from Bai Xin's darkened face. Was this the legendary "breaking the pot to get to the bottom of things"?

  Is this emperor so idle with nothing better to do that he likes to pry into other people's private affairs?

  The most important thing is how she should answer?

  Her family's men didn't believe in soul transmigration at first, if she told the emperor the truth, would he say she was spreading rumors and misleading the people? Or would he directly drag her out and behead her, saying she was playing tricks on the king?

  This lifetime, I really haven't encountered such a troublesome thing!

  "What? Is there something that can't be known during this period?" Xia Gao suddenly spoke up, breaking White Xindi's entanglement.

  Bai Xing let out a sigh and raised his head. A pair of eyes looked up at the top with utmost seriousness: "Your Majesty, to be honest, there is indeed something hidden during this period."

  "Let's hear it."

  "Your Majesty, it is true that my wife was deaf and mute in her early years. Just two years ago, she suddenly had a strange dream, and after waking up from the dream, she suddenly found herself able to hear and speak."

  "Is there really such a strange thing?" Xia Gao straightened his back, his majestic eyes with a hint of curiosity, "Can you tell me what this strange dream is all about?"

  Bai Xin's heart sank as she stroked her forehead. She knew that ancient people were generally superstitious, so she didn't dare say that she was possessed by a spirit, fearing that others would be frightened and think of her as a monster. Unexpectedly, the emperor was also a stubborn person, and upon hearing about strange dreams, he became interested...

  "Your Majesty, it's like this: my wife had a dream where an old man with a white beard said many things to her and then blew a breath at her. When she woke up, she became normal again."

  "What did that old man with a white beard say to you?"

  Bai Xin furrowed her brow, shaking her head with a look of regret: "Your Majesty, I was just dreaming at the time and forgot many things after waking up. I only remember an old man appearing in my dream. I really can't recall anything else."

  Upon hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed across Xia Gao's eyes. Seeing Bai Xincheng looking somewhat disheartened, he spoke up to console him: "Since you have the help of a divine being, it's only natural that such a heavenly secret cannot be easily revealed, which is why you can't remember it."

  Bai Xin nodded as if suddenly enlightened: "Your Majesty is right."

  As for why Bai Xindye could hear and speak, perhaps it was because he was worried that his questions had touched upon the heavenly secrets, so Xia Gao didn't continue to ask further. However, his gaze towards Bai Xindye inexplicably held a few more hints of satisfaction.

  "Is it true that you saved Chong Wang's life when he was injured in Mao Shan village?" Xia Gao suddenly asked again.

  Bai Xin nodded with a smiling face: "Your Majesty, it's said that good deeds should be done without seeking fame. Since the matter has already passed, let's not mention it again."

  "Oh? Why?"

  "Bai Xin's face turned red as she stood up straight and replied solemnly, 'Your Majesty, saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda. At that time, Cheng Wang was seriously injured and his life was hanging by a thread. As a flesh-and-blood citizen of Shu Xia Kingdom, how could I bear to watch him die? However, if this matter is constantly brought up, others might think that I only helped because I had my eyes on Cheng Wang's status. I just want to quietly do good deeds and not be criticized by others for doing so.'"

  Look at her, she's so righteous! It's moving to the point of being tear-jerking, isn't it?

  As expected, Xia Gao's eyes showed a hint of appreciation, and his expression became even more gentle.

  "Ba Shi, in view of your good deeds, I am very pleased. You not only saved a senior minister of my Shu Xia State, but also spread good deeds and good morals for my Shu Xia State, which is truly rare and precious. Tell me, how should I reward you?"

  "......?!" Bai Xin's mouth twitched at the corner. This emperor was really good at deceiving people...

  She fell silent for a moment, then opened her mouth with a knot on her face: "Your Majesty, I don't want any reward. I only have one thing to ask of Your Majesty, and I hope you will grant it."

  "What is it that you want? Speak freely."

  "Your Majesty, can you recall your previous order and let Blood Shadow return to your side?"

  Upon hearing this, Xia Gaofei furrowed his dragon-like eyebrows and his expression turned serious once again: "What's going on? Is it that Blood Shadow didn't do a good job, making you and Cheng Wang dissatisfied?"

  "No, Your Majesty." Bai Xincheng hastily waved his hand and spoke cautiously, "Your Majesty, Blood Shadow is your person, but you arranged her in the Crown Prince's mansion. Forgive me for speaking bluntly, Your Majesty, isn't this a bit...?"

  This is too immoral! This is blatant surveillance! The Blood Shadow can be said to be an ancient monitor, and the two of them almost have no privacy in front of her.

  In fact, she didn't dislike Blood Shadow at all. On the contrary, she liked him very much. Not only was he diligent, but also hardworking and never complained. He was truly a high-efficiency robot who couldn't be defeated or refuted.

  But no matter how good it is, with the emperor's eyes and ears everywhere, nothing they do can escape his notice; worse still, others may even know how many times they make love in one night.

  The mere thought of it was unbearable for her.

  This emperor is too unscrupulous, isn't he?

  Can't you be a bit more discreet when snooping into other people's private matters?

  "Bai Shi." Xia Gaolong's face turned somewhat cold. "Are you rebuking me for interfering in trivial matters?"

  “……？！” The cold voice made Bai Xiner's heart skip a beat, and she quickly shook her head. "Your Majesty, you have misunderstood my meaning. Your Majesty leaving Blood Shadow by the side of Cheng Wang is your benevolent intention, and it also shows your importance to Cheng Wang. But, Your Majesty, have you ever thought that if this good intention of yours is misunderstood by Cheng Wang, what would happen?”

  Xia Gaolong's eyebrows furrowed, clearly displeased: "I am the guardian personally chosen by the Emperor, how could the Emperor misunderstand my good intentions?"

  "Bai Xin Dye intentionally let out a sigh: 'Your Majesty, can we switch positions and think about it? If the Crown Prince were to send someone to be by your side, would you truly believe in that person?'"

  "Uh..." Xia Gao suddenly furrowed his brow. It had been several years since he sent the Blood Shadow to serve in the Imperial Palace, and yet there hadn't been much important news from them.

  It can be seen that Cheng Wang has some reservations about Xue Ying.

  Will this affect Cheng Wang and his relationship?

  Looking at Xia Gao's face with a knot, Bai Xinzhi also didn't make a sound to disturb him. From today's conversation, she could also see that this emperor was a reasonable person. It is said that the Emperor of Shu Xia loves his people like children and governs the country with benevolence and righteousness, it seems that the rumors are not unfounded.

  However, people of this identity are mostly arrogant, and she worries that the emperor is too stubborn and will not listen to advice.

  In the hall, it suddenly became quiet, and no one spoke. After a long time, Xia Gao raised his eyelids, and his gaze at Bai Xinzhi suddenly added a hint of appreciative smile: "Bai Shi, I will give Blood Shadow to you, is that okay?"

  "What?!" White Heart's jaw dropped.

  ……

  When leaving the hall, Bai Xinzhi touched a golden waist card at his waist and shook his head with a smile as he walked.

  Is she making money or what?

  The Emperor actually gave Blood Shadow to her and made Blood Shadow acknowledge her as the master, from now on no longer listening to the Emperor's orders, only listening to her.

  Such a wonderful thing, to be honest, she had never thought of it before.

  She saw the emperor's face this time and was quite pleased, so she plucked up her courage to speak out what she had in mind. She thought that at most, the emperor would take back his order and let Blood Shadow go, but unexpectedly, the emperor was so generous that he directly gave her...

  "Stained child?" Looking at the woman smiling foolishly all along, Yan Mo Yu was somewhat puzzled. "How did the Emperor agree to send Blood Shadow to you?"

  Bai Xin didn't hide it either, pulling his hand to quickly walk a distance, shaking off the two followers behind him by a distance before lowering his voice to recount his conversation with Xia Gao just now.

  I was left crying and laughing at the same time after hearing it all.

  He grasped the woman's hand and said with a mix of anger and amusement, "You speak such nonsense, aren't you afraid that when the Emperor finds out the truth, he will punish you?"

  "Bai Xin looked at him with a serious expression: 'These things, you know and I know, heaven knows and earth knows. How could the Emperor possibly know? Unless you betray me and tell the Emperor the truth, how could he possibly know the true situation?'"

  Looking at her serious and solemn appearance, Yan Mo couldn't help but feel amused in his heart. It turned out that she had such great faith in herself... a unique and unparalleled trust!

  The woman's charming face was right in front of him, those tempting red lips kept enticing him, his mind wandering, but hindered by the presence of others following them, he didn't dare to take action. With a flash of deep eyes, he suddenly bent down and scooped up the woman horizontally.

  "Hey, what's wrong with you?" Bai Xinzhen couldn't help but struggle on his arm, she hadn't forgotten the wound on his arm had just scabbed over and hadn't fully healed.

  "As your husband, I'll take you to see the imperial physician and get some medicine for your injuries."

  "What's with the hug? My legs aren't even hurt!"

  He lowered his head and raised the corner of his mouth, ignoring her.

  For many days, she didn't let him get close to her, not to mention the things between husband and wife. She wouldn't even let him kiss her. This petty woman, she wouldn't give him meat to eat, could she at least give him some soup?

  ……

  In the luxurious and bright grand hall

  Xia Gao was sipping on a cup of Osmanthus tea made by Dequan, his eyebrows and eyes curved high, making it clear that he was in an exceptionally good mood at this moment.

  "Your Majesty, are you satisfied with Princess Cheng?" Dequan couldn't help but ask, infected by the good mood.

  Xia Gao put down his cup and nodded repeatedly: "Not bad, Cheng Wang's vision is good."

  Upon hearing this, Dequan secretly smiled to himself and had a few playful thoughts: "Your Majesty, please forgive your humble servant for speaking bluntly, but what's so good about Princess Cheng?"

  As soon as he heard this, Xia Gao suddenly turned cold and glared at Dequan, with a hint of thin anger on his dragon-like face: "How, can't the daughter-in-law personally chosen by me enter your eyes?"

  Dequan's mouth twitched. He sighed inwardly, Your Majesty, this is not the one you chose, but rather the one that Crown Prince Gong himself had chosen as his daughter-in-law.

  "Your Majesty's anger has subsided."

  "Hmm!" Xia Gao snorted out a mouthful of air through his nose.

  For decades as a master and servant, he certainly knew that Dequan was joking with him. But he really thought that the girl was quite good. Seemingly weak and vulnerable, but actually bold and clever. Looking gentle and kind, but actually cunning and cunning. Moreover, she is quick-witted and eloquent, indeed having a unique place.

  No wonder Cheng Wang's heart is all on her...

  ……

  The Crown Prince's birthday banquet was grand to say the least, although the Emperor did not appear in front of everyone, he was still with them at the Dreamy Abode.

  With the emperor present, regardless of whether the ministers were part of the crown prince's faction or not, words of blessing were not spared at this banquet.

  From noon till night, the sound of silk and bamboo never stopped in the Dream Abode.

  Until the banquet was over, the ministers took their families and left one after another. However, several of the more prestigious ministers in the court were detained overnight at Gu Meng Ju.

  Among them, there is naturally no lack of King's followers.

  In a luxurious pavilion, several young and handsome men sat together, with beautiful dancing girls in their arms, chatting and laughing merrily.

  "Your Highness, I'd like to toast you a glass. Today is your birthday, and the Emperor himself has prepared a grand feast for you, which shows how much he dotes on you. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you an early ascension to the throne." He Guangyuan was already flushed from drinking, but his words were clear and articulate.

  Xia Yunhao's face was filled with joy and complacency, seemingly very satisfied with He Ming's words of blessing, and he decisively downed the wine in front of him.

  "He Ming, this palace indeed did not misjudge you, your loyalty to this palace is very satisfying."

  Upon hearing this, He Ming put down the dancer in his arms and stood up to pour another cup of wine for Xia Yunhao.

  "It's my good fortune to have been recognized by Your Highness, the Crown Prince." Holding his wine cup, He Ming suddenly let out a deep sigh. "Unfortunately, I'm not talented and until now, I'm still just a compiler in the Hanlin Academy with no real power. Even though I want to serve the Crown Prince, I can't do much to help. Alas, I'm really useless!"

  Xia Yunhao furrowed his brow, somewhat disapprovingly saying: "You're being so self-destructive, I don't like it. You and the Minister are so loyal to me, how can I bear to let you suffer? Don't worry, when there's an opportunity, I'll definitely recommend you to the Emperor."

  He Ming was overjoyed, put down his wine cup and hurriedly bowed to Xia Yunhao: "He Ming thanks the Crown Prince for his recognition! He Ming swore that as long as he had usable power in his hands, he would do his best to serve the Crown Prince and clear the way for him!"

  "Alright, I know you're loyal. Get up." Xia Yunhao raised his hand slightly, and suddenly, a hint of killing intent flashed in his narrow, long phoenix eyes. "The biggest obstacle for me right now is Cheng Wang!"

  He couldn't understand why Cheng Wang, who was just a hereditary king from another surname, could receive such favor from the emperor.

  The extent of his favoritism is such that none of the other princes and princesses can compare, not to mention that even he, the Eastern Palace Crown Prince and future ruler, must yield to him... It's truly infuriating!

  "Crown Prince, please calm down." He Ming comforted, "That Cheng Wang is just an outsider king, no matter how high his status is, he can't be higher than Your Highness the Crown Prince? He wants to compete with you for favor and power, it's simply a case of hitting a stone with an egg, self-inflicted weakness! This world will soon belong to Your Highness, when that time comes, getting rid of him would just take one word from you."

  "Hmph!" Xia Yunhao let out a heavy, disgruntled snort.

  He recalled the man he loathed, and suddenly, a woman's face emerged in his mind - the one standing beside Cheng Wang!

  "He Ming, I heard that your wife and Princess Cheng Wang are sisters?" he suddenly asked He Ming.

  He Ming was startled, and immediately knelt down in tension: "Your Highness, the Crown Prince, although I am a sister of Princess Cheng Wang, but I have no relationship or dealings with King Cheng. Your Highness, my loyalty to you can be guaranteed by the entire He family, you must not suspect me!"

  "Hmph!" Looking at his tense appearance, Xia Yunhao suddenly burst out laughing, "What's wrong with you? I didn't suspect you. I was just asking."

  "Your Highness, I, He Ming, am at your service. Whatever you command, even if it means going through boiling water and walking through fire, I will not bat an eyelid!" He Ming expressed his unwavering loyalty.

  Upon hearing this, Xia Yunhao nodded his head in satisfaction.

  He seemed to think of something, and his eyes gradually narrowed, a hint of evil spirit flashed through the half-narrowed phoenix pupils, and his thin lips, more delicate than a woman's, slightly curled up as he suddenly said: "That Princess Cheng Wang is quite interesting..."

  Digression

  Everyone take a look first, and I'll catch the bugs and correct the typos later. I've been up all night, my eyes are blurry~ Today I'm updating 9,000 words, and tomorrow I'll continue with another 10,000 words. All you girls, group hug~