Why Harem Intrigue When You Can Just Raise a Dog Instead

Ten days had passed since Qianqing Palace was stolen from. The previous Provincial Commander Luo of the Nine Gates was unable to find any clues, let alone catch the criminals. Being one of the Emperors close confidants, he thought that the Emperor would extend his deadline by a few days. Who knew that the deadline when arrived, the Emperor would demote him, going so far as to put him under house arrest for half a year to reflect on his wrongs.

The Provincial Commander of the Nine Gates was a first-ranked military post responsible for the entire capitals defences. With its high rank and large amount of real power, it was a position that could make anyones eyes burn with jealousy.

After Imperial Tutor Shen and Left Chancellor Lis two factions battled it out using both overt and covert means, this position fell into the hands of the previous Xian Great General, Minister Rong. Minister Rong was a relative of Left Chancellor Li, marrying Chancellor Lis principal wifes full-blooded little sister through the main line [1]. For the matter of the capitals defences, it could be considered that Minister Li had it in the bag, while Imperial Tutor Shens calculations fell short.

Even though Meng Sangyu had not left the palace for some time, the Meng familys connections were not to be sniffed at. Whether it was news from the Imperial Court or the Inner Palace, she was always one of the first to know, even bringing ABao with her to listen.

The capitals defences falling was within his calculations, but Emperor Zhouwu was still angry, his mounting fury multiplying by the minute. At the same time, he secretly congratulated himself. The city defences falling into Chancellor Lis hands was undoubtedly better than it passing to Imperial Tutor Shen. Besides the post of the Commander of the Nine Gates, one still needed to control the imperial guards and forbidden dragon guards to successfully become a figurehead ruler. How many fierce battles did these two still need to fight?

Even though he knew that the two factions still needed to fight it out, Emperor Zhouwu wasnt willing to wait anymore. He must quickly contact Yan Junwei [2] and find a way to get back to his human body, otherwise the situation at Court would be difficult to repair.

That day, taking advantage of the fact that Meng Sangyu was napping, and that Bishui, Yincui, and Nurse Feng were huddling in the side hall chatting away, he deftly entered the study, leapt on top of the stool, and then climbed onto the desk where he took out a sheet of paper and prepared to write Yan Junwei a note.

Thinking about it for some time, he wrote:

Zi Heng,

Send for an esteemed Taoist Monk on Our behalf to summon Our spirit[3], then send people to protect the Virtuous Consort.If We do not regain consciousness,escort the Virtuous Consort safely to Duke of Protection Mengs side.

From,

Hanhai

Zi Heng and Hanhai were names that the Late Emperor bestowed them, respectively. Other than the Late Emperor and themselves, no one else knew about it. Using this form of address, Yan Junwei will definitely take this note seriously once he sees it. He considered this thoughtfully while doing his utmost to control his paws so that the words would come out legibly. Too bad ABaos brain capacity was not enough, nor were his paws any match for a few strokes of a brush pen. The words appeared shapeless and twisted, the parts with complicated strokes almost illegible. Each and every black blob seriously didnt look right.

After writing several drafts, he finally produced one that was half-decent. Emperor Zhouwu swiftly used his paws to fold the letter, putting it into the little pocket on the front of his dog sweater. Thankfully Meng Sangyu treated him like a human, going to the trouble of making him clothes. Otherwise, he would have nowhere to hide the note and would be forced to put it directly in his mouth. His saliva would soak the paper, rendering his writing illegible and wasting his hard work.

After dumping the other papers into the ink water and watching the words blur into unreadable blots of ink, only then did he hop off the desk, feeling comfortable enough to leave the room.

The closest entrance to the secret passage was in the Imperial Garden, a distance of 700m from Bixiao Palace. Since his body was much stronger and the imperially-bestowed dog tag rested on his neck, Emperor Zhouwus trip this time was very smooth. Seeing that there was no one around, he slipped through and entered a fake mountain. The path inside the fake mountain was very long and dark. Walking to the end of the path, he used his paws to move a cobblestone on the ground. Normally, he would only have to lightly step on it to open the mechanism, but today he used his whole body, taking a quarter of an hour to open it. Emperor Zhouwu shook his aching paws and swiftly entered the slowly-opening tunnel.

The temperature inside the tunnel was very low. Every time a breeze blew past him, he felt a bone-piercing chill. A dense white fog spouted from his nose. Emperor Zhouwu shivered, grateful once again that Sangyu made him a close-fitting jacket that could block out the cold. Thinking of Sangyu, his heart warmed and Emperor Zhouwu composed himself. Sticking close to the foot of the tunnels wall, he walked a few steps while searching for the notch the hidden guards used to transmit messages and gather intelligence.

This kind of notch was mounted in between the bricks on the wall. As long as one puts the gathered information or message to be transmitted inside the notch, the air currents would carry the rolled up paper and deposit it into the small box at the end of the mechanism. The only one who has the key to the box is Yan Junwei. Every day he would open the box and sort through the intelligence at a designated time, selecting important news to report to Us.

Now that We are in a coma, We can only hope that Yan Junwei still retains this habit. Lost in his thoughts, Emperor Zhouwus squishy paws probed about for the hidden notch at the base of the wall. A faint cold breeze passed through the notch, its powerful force scraping painfully against his fleshy paws. Its here!

Emperor Zhouwus eyes lit up. He pushed the slip of paper out of the pocket in his jacket, stepping on it to shape it into a thin roll of paper before stuffing it into the hidden notch. Once he put it in, he could hear the whistling sound of a strong wind as it carried the note away.

And who knows if he ripped the note? Not having hands is really inconvenient! Emperor Zhouwu stood in place shaking his head before returning along the path he came. People usually only notice things at their eye level. Above their head and under their feet are the two easiest places to overlook. Since he took this into account, the secret passages mechanisms were mostly installed overhead or underfoot. They would be easy to overlook if one did not search carefully. Previously Emperor Zhouwu even felt like it was a bother. Now, he rejoiced that the mechanism was set up this way. If the mechanism was installed at the level of an average persons height, he would definitely be unable to reach it in his current form as ABao.

Pressing down with the weight of his entire body on a particular stone brick, he waited for the tunnel entrance to open and deftly passed through. Once outside, he pressed the mechanism again to seal the tunnel. Making sure that there was no one around the fake mountain, he swiftly darted out of the path, sprinting toward Bixiao Palace.

All of his actions took about an hour. Sanyu will wake up soon. If she wakes up and doesnt see Us, she will be worried. Emperor Zhouwu was anxious to return.

Rushing into Bixiao Palace, Bishuis group was still chatting away in the side room. Surprisingly, no one noticed his disappearance. Emperor Zhouwu let out a sigh of relief as he hastened towards Meng Sangyus bedroom. Crossing the threshold, he ran to the side of the divan in two or three steps. Seeing Meng Sangyus tranquil features and inhaling her sleeping scent, he faintly smiled, his little paws reaching up to clamber into her embrace.

Catching sight of his dirty paws on the deep purple sheets, he froze, quickly ceasing all movement. Too bad it was already too late. The pristine sheet already had two black plum blossom stamps[paw prints]. They were extremely unsightly.

Emperor Zhouwu hung his head and growled, promptly deciding to head to the side hall. He remembered that there was a pot of water [4] on top of the Eight Immortals table [5] inside the side hall that was perfect for him to use to tidy himself up. Using the stool, he climbed onto the Eight Immortals table. He used his paws to remove the lid of the teapot, moistened his paws, and began to wash off the ink and dust that covered them. Afterwards, he used his tongue to lick his fur and made sure that his appearance was neat and tidy to avoid Sangyus distaste.(TL: lol just like a cat!)

Finished with his grooming, he realized what he had done. Heavens! An awe-inspiring Emperor like himself was grooming himself?! Just to please his master? He really became a pet! His heart was very torn but his licking didnt stop in the slightest. Sangyu was still sleeping. When she wakes up and doesnt see Us, she will be so worried!

Here you are, ABao. Youre playing with water, I see. Quick, go inform her Ladyship so that she doesnt worry. Outside the chamber, Yincui peered in to see ABao sitting on the table. He gently hopped down with a nervous expression as she called to Bishui on the opposite side of the room.

Bishui made a sound of acknowledgement and rushed back to report the situation. It looks like Meng Sangyu was already awake.

What are you doing, ABao? inquired Yincui as she walked to the table smiling. Seeing ABaos tea-stained fur and disorderly state, her eyebrows lifted in surprise. ABao, you naughty thing. You snuck out to play again! Look how filthy you are! The little jacket we just put on for you is all gray! Come, Ill take you to clean up before sending you to see Her Ladyship!

Saying thus, she reached out her hands preparing to hug ABao who was sitting on the table.(TL: Authors mistake? They wrote that he hopped off the table earlier, but now hes on the table again. -shrug-)

Emperor Zhouwu was not used to being hugged by a woman for a long time. That would be hurt his dignity as an Emperor. Of course, Sangyu was an exception. He avoided Yincuis hands, hopping off the table himself and ran to the doorway to wait for her.

Yincui laughed while shaking her head, taking ABao to go wash up.

Inside the bedchamber, upon hearing Yincuis message sent by a maid, Meng Sangyu laughed heartily while pointing at her bedsheet, ABao, this little rascal! He still thinks that I dont know that he secretly ran outside. Look, this is evidence! And I dont even know what he was up to. These paw prints are so dark

Bishui looked at the two black paw prints and covered her mouth to hide her smile.

Nurse Feng couldnt help but find the whole situation ridiculous. She called out for a few maids to come and help their master change the sheets.

Meng Sangyu turned to sit on the soft divan by the window. Seeing the flowers soaking up the sun in the garden, a warm feeling washed over her, making her body feel hot and soft [6]*. She removed her hairpins, loosened her hair and took off her robe. Pointing to a crystal bottle on her dressing table, she sluggishly said, Its been a long time since I last relaxed my muscles. Bishui, come give me a massage. Use pressure.

Yes. Bishui smiled as she agreed. She carefully washed both hands, unscrewed the crystal bottle cap, and poured some rose essential oil into the palm of one hand, pressing both together to warm it up. Seeing that her master had already stripped bare, she walked over and began to massage her white flesh.

Nurse Feng quickly walked over to the window and shut it tightly so that the cold air would not disturb her master.

An hour later, ABao was neat and tidy. The fur on his body was wiped dry with a handkerchief and he was changed into a new outfit. He eagerly ran towards the bedroom followed by a panting Yincui. Arriving nearby, he saw that the windows were closed and became suspicious. Hearing the moans coming from inside, his whole body stiffened.Nng~ Aah~

These sounds were too ambiguous, too alluring, inviting one to fantasize. He couldnt stop his thoughts from heading in that direction. Just who is inside? Who is making Sangyu let out such sensual moans? His black eyes filled with an icy killing intent, his nose wrinkled as he prepared to malevolently howl.

Your Ladyship, is this enough pressure? Bishui asked in a low voice.

Use more force!Mmm,Nng Just like that. Its so comfortable! Meng Sangyus low and rough voice was filled with hard to conceal pleasure.

Sangyu and Bishui? Lesbians? [7] No wonder she doesnt spare a glance for Us. No wonder she treats Bishui and Yincui with such favour. So thats how it is! We didnt expect that Our love rival was actually women! Burning jealousy raged in his heart. Emperor Zhouwu practically lost all reason. Furiously barking, he rushed towards the door, scratching at it in a frenzy with his paws.

Ah, Im on my way. Stop barking, my little ancestor! Your throat isnt fully healed yet! Nurse Feng heard the noise and hurriedly opened the chamber doors. ABao was like a cannonball as he sped inside, charging straight for the divan. Seeing the situation inside, he was stunned into a daze.

Catching sight of the womans naked body lying on her stomach on the divan, her perfectly round half-moon shaped mounds pressed against the cotton mattress into exquisitely captivating shapes, the graceful curve of her back, her perky, plump and smooth buttocks, her perfectly straight and slender legs every part was as if Heaven took all of a womans soft, graceful, and charming features and thoroughly combined them into the most elaborate masterpiece.

Bishui stood beside the divan, exerting pressure to massage that perfect body. A strong flowery scent assaulted his nostrils, causing a dizzy spell. Its pure white skin was covered in a layer of oil that glistened and glimmered, attracting ones attention like it was a magnet.

This tableau was indeed erotic, though not like what We imagined. Emperor Zhouwus frenetic raging jealousy extinguished. His mouth was agape as he stood beside the divan in a daze. Saliva dripped from the corners of his mouth to form a small puddle on the floor.

Meng Sangyu smiled as she reached out to scratch under ABaos jaw. She jokingly asked, What are you staring at? Stuck in a daze, are we? Your saliva is even dripping out! You perverted puppy!

His cheeks instantly turned red. If he stayed any longer, even his fur would burn up! Emperor Zhouwu whimpered, turning tail and rushing out of the chamber. Meng Sangyus pealing laughter could be heard behind him, urging him to hastily disappear. Too shameful! Watching his own woman to the point of drooling! Heavenly Deity! We beg you to return Our soul to Our body! Let Us properly hug Sangyu!