Why Harem Intrigue When You Can Just Raise a Dog Instead

There was not only one concubine who had bribed the eunuchs of the Office of Eunuch Affairs.[1]Countless pairs of eyes were focused on the actions of the eunuch who had carried the tray towards Qianqing Palace. All of the concubines were, without exception, praying that they would be selected.[2]Right now, what they needed the most was the Emperors favour. Only with imperial favour would they be able to crawl out of the poisonous pit that Shen Huiru had dug. If they were able to ensnare the Emperor, they would have power and status. They would even have children. In the palace, it was a piece of cake to find someone to be a surrogate for them.

However, very soon, their beautiful delusions were shattered. Not only did the Emperor beat that eunuch half to death, he also burned all the nameplates. What was the Emperor thinking? Was he planning to never visit the Inner Palace again? Many imperial concubines were too scared to think about that possibility, so much so that some had even thought of going to ask the Empress Dowager to seek justice for them.

After Meng Sangyu heard the news, she rolled around laughing on her divan while holding ErBao. Just because others werent aware, did that mean that she wasnt either? How was that a tray of green nameplates? It was clearly a tray of green hats![3]

The Emperor, who was normally busy with government affairs, wouldnt think too much about it, but once he saw the green nameplates, wouldnt it remind him of the fact that his head was covered with so many green hats they reached the sky? It would be stranger if he wasnt mad!

What a pitiful guy!Meng Sangyus mouth curved into a smile as she fondled ErBaos soft little paws. She spoke with interest, It seems like its been a long time since His Majesty was in the mood to summon imperial concubines to attend to him. Lets go and bring ErBao to visit the Imperial Gardens!

Nurse Feng agreed. She helped her master find a silver fox fur cloak and draped it over her shoulders. They left to take a stroll in the Imperial Gardens.

The group enjoyed warm wine and appreciated the plum blossoms. They took ErBao and wandered around. It was dinner time when they finally returned to BiXiao Palace. The green nameplates were burned and the imperial concubines had lost the will to compete for the Emperors affection. Everyone, without exception, hid in their palaces to re-strategize, leaving the Imperial Gardens empty. This made it several times more fun than usual.

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When Meng Sangyu returned, her expression showed that she still had not had enough fun, but upon catching sight of the eunuch who stood by the gate wearing a worried face and Changxi who stood beside him, her excitement immediately settled down.

Eunuch Changxi, did His Majesty come to visit? She walked forward and asked while holding ErBao close to her chest.

This servant greets Your Ladyship. Replying to Your Ladyship, His Majesty arrived an hour ago. Presently, he is waiting for your honoured self in the study. Changxi answered respectfully, waving his horsetail whisk and saluting.

Study? Which study?She glanced at the eunuch behind Changxi. The eunuchs pinky finger pointed at the most hidden corner of Bixiao Palace.

Meng Sangyu really wanted to smack her forehead. She had just thought of how to raise her guard against that man, but in the blink of an eye, she had revealed another secret! This man just had to come and especially disrupt things for her, didnt he?

She unconsciously tightened her hold on ErBao and hurried over to the study while thinking of countermeasures at lightning speed. If she didnt give the man a satisfactory explanation, for him who had just recently been upset by the green nameplates, it was unclear whether he would take out his anger on her. The crime of deceiving the Emperor was no joke!

She paused just as she reached the study. She composed herself and unhurriedly pushed open the doors. He was standing with his arms behind his back, admiring a piece of calligraphy on the wall. Hearing sounds of movement, he turned his head. His handsome face was expressionless. Only his eyes were darker than in the past, resembling two fathomless abysses.

Meng Sangyu was startled with fright. She promptly bowed her head to avoid his sharp gaze. Looking at ErBao, round and plump in her arms, her tense heartstrings slightly relaxed.

She was just about to curtsy in greeting, but unexpectedly, the man spoke first with a heavy voice. Throw it outside!

These words were completely out of the blue. Meng Sangyu stared blankly for a while before she was able to react. She quickly handed ErBao over to Nurse Feng, who was standing by the door, and instructed her to take ErBao a bit further away and not to come over and cause trouble.

Your Majesty, this concubine understands her faults. Closing the door, she knelt on the ground with a loud thump.

Kneeling so rigorously, didnt it hurt?Emperor Zhouwus heart trembled. He walked over with large strides to haul her up, and said with an angry tone, Zhen didnt ask you to kneel. Sit here and reply!

Thank you, Your Majesty! Seeing anger hidden in the mans expression, Meng Sangyu acted even more cautiously. She secretly pondered how she should word her explanation.

Didnt you say that you didnt understand the literary arts? How come youve turned into a talented girl after not seeing you for just a few days? The man sat opposite her. A masterfully refined piece of calligraphy was grasped in his hand as he asked with raised eyebrows. The inscription and personal seal at the bottom of the calligraphy piece flashed by Meng Sangyus gaze, giving her a headache.

Replying to Your Majesty, the aforementioned not understanding the literary arts was concocted by the outside world. It has nothing to do with this concubine. Scholarly knowledge should be used to enrich and improve oneself and not as a tool to show off.[4]Therefore, this concubine has always remained self-aware, so as to not pollute myself with pretentiousness and lose sight of the true meaning of acquiring knowledge.

Meng Sangyus silver tongue was as amazing as ever. She could distort the truth in the blink of an eye! Emperor Zhouwu snickered inwardly, but his outward expression became even more grim. If it was someone else, then who cares? But why did you never confess to Zhen when Zhen taught you calligraphy several times?

Meng Sanyu bowed her head, and her eyes wandered about, but in a flash, she came up with an answer. Biting her lip with her snow-white teeth, her cheeks slightly reddened, and she spoke while feigning extreme shame, Replying to Your Majesty, it wasnt this concubines intention to fool your honoured self. This concubine just wanted just wanted to get closer to Your Majesty!

Saying thus, her phoenix eyes glistened with tears. She quickly cast a glance at the man before quickly lowering her head again, and said softly, Your Majesty hugged this concubine while writing characters and this concubine felt really happy. It was really hard to resist the temptation to get closer to Your Majesty, so this concubine hid the truth. May Your Majesty please forgive me! These words were so sappy that she almost threw up herself!

Several teardrops stuck to her curled eyelashes without falling. That timid look incited the pity of others to the point where they couldnt bear to criticize her harshly. He knew full well that she was acting and that her words were complete lies, but Emperor Zhouwu was nevertheless entranced. An indescribable sweetness bubbled forth and he unconsciously reached out to wipe her tears. His actions were extremely gentle, as if he were afraid that she would shatter.

Meng Sangyu turned her head to the side to dodge him. She wore a shy, flustered expression, as if she were too ashamed to show her face, but her watery phoenix eyes flashed with cunning. She knew it, no man was capable of resisting a deeply-in-love white lotuss tears and confession![5]

Catching the flash of cunning, Emperor Zhouwu awoke from his happy trance. Bitterness swelled in his heart, but it was still unable to affect his good mood. He enjoyed removing Meng Sangyus mask, layer by layer. He enjoyed watching her wrack her brains to respond to him. He enjoyed watching her focus all her attention on him. He was convinced that when someone thought of another person enough times, they would automatically develop feelings for them.

Moreover, Sangyus energetic appearance when trying to think of ways to outmaneuver him was just too adorable, making him love her even more. He wanted to just hug her and laugh out loud.

Thoughts lead to feelings and feelings lead to actions: he pulled the woman into his arms and chuckled. The sound of his vigorous laughter and the vibrating of his chest made Meng Sangyu uncomfortable to the point that even her earlobes turned red.

Zhen also cannot resist the temptation of getting closer to Sangyu. Holding Sangyu in these arms, Zhen also enjoys it very much!! The man lowered his head next to the womans ear and muttered. The sincerity and deep feelings contained within his words could not be mistaken, making Meng Sangyu feel somewhat guilty.

There was no hate without reason nor was there love without reason. This man was the Emperor, how could he understand what love was? This was just him trying to get in her pants. She strengthened the walls of her heart, so as to not let herself be fully immersed in the mans warm embrace.

Since you like to read and write with Zhen, why did you not say so earlier? Zhen will practice calligraphy by copying books with you. How about this book, [Records of the Grand Historian]?[6]Emperor Zhouwu stood up while still holding the woman, and picked out a thick and heavy book from the desk.

Meng Sangyus phoenix eyes widened and her elegant eyebrows furrowed, Your Majesty, this book is too thick, why dont we choose another?

If we dont finish today, there is still tomorrow. He prepared the pen, ink, paper, and inkstone while kissing the womans fair face and lightly nibbling her jade-like earlobes.

Is your zodiac a dog? You kiss, lick, and bite people?Blue veins pulsed on Meng Sangyus forehead, but she still obediently snuggled into the mans arms with a shy smile on her face.You bastard! This is called bringing about your own downfall!

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The man was very pleased with her obedience and carefully folded up her oversized sleeves to prevent ink splatters. Holding her fair and tender small hand, he took up the brush to start copying [Records of the Grand Historian] from the first chapter. Picturesque characters appeared on the silk paper, combining both masculinity and femininity into one, appearing very brilliant.

The mans pitch-black eyes slightly narrowed as he truly savoured this feeling of hearts connecting. Wrapping his arm tighter around the womans waist, he tilted his head to kiss her cheek and said in a low voice, In the future, Zhen will make some time every day to study characters and practice calligraphy with you. Would you like this?

Meng Sangyu turned around to face the mans eyes that were as deep as the ocean. The tip of her heart slightly trembled and she forced the corners of her mouth up to answer, I like it! Saying this, she turned her head to face the silk paper and immediately put away her stiff smile. She opened her mouth wide and soundlessly shrieked with a sinister expression.Damn it! Coming over every day? Im going to go crazy!

The inkstone was so full of ink that it shined like a mirror, perfectly reflecting her sinister look to the man behind her. At first he stared blankly, and then gave a muffled laugh. Sangyus contradictory manner[7]was just too cute!

Seeing the man stop writing, as he hugged her and laughed without end, Meng Sangyus mood soured even more. She didnt know how she had provoked him.The men of ancient times had such a low threshold for humor!She inwardly cursed.

Only after laughing for a long time did Emperor Zhouwu finally calm down. He continued to hold Sangyu and copy the text. From time to time, he would drop a kiss on her cheek. Seeing her ears redden and her powdered lips slightly pout, he would feel extremely delighted. He finally understood why she always loved to tease ABao in the past. Sure enough, it was quite amusing!

After copying about half of a chapter, Changxi called from outside, Your Majesty, its time to eat dinner.

Mm, Emperor Zhouwu replied. He put down the brush and kissed the corner of Sangyus mouth, softly saying, Lets go, well continue this tomorrow.

Yes, Meng Sangyu agreed, and secretly sighed. Being encircled by the mans masculine aroma, she really felt a bit out of control, especially when the man was purposefully teasing her.

Walking out of the room and meeting the whistling cold wind, her feverishly hot earlobes finally reduced in redness. The man smilingly gazed at her expression of being relieved of a burden, took the silver cloak offered by Changxi and draped it over her shoulders, and attentively helped her fasten it securely.

The two people walked hand-in-hand along the cobblestone-paved path. The mood around them was very quiet and comfortable. Seeing that they were almost at the main hall, Yincui, Bishui, and ErBaos sounds of amusement could be heard in the distance. They sounded very cheerful and lively. Earlier, they had witnessed the harmonious scene between the Emperor and their master through the window of the study and understood that their master was in no danger, so they naturally relaxed.

Seeing ErBao who was holding a ball with his mouth as he eagerly ran over once he caught sight of her, Meng Sangyu immediately let go of the mans hand and ran forward to greet him.

ErBao what are you doing? Playing fetch? Hugging ErBao close and giving him a kiss, Meng Sangyu took the ball from his mouth and asked with a smile.

Woof woof woof!ErBao barked and nodded. His little figure seemed very earnest.

Meng Sangyu gave a gentle smile and threw the ball. The master and pet pair played fetch together, having an awful lot of fun,[8]leaving Emperor Zhouwu alone on the side. Emperor Zhouwu face wore a smile but his gaze towards ErBao was utterly cold. If he had known earlier that this little beast would compete for favor this much, at that time he ought to have just banished it to the Cold Palace!

Let Zhen also play with it. Walking up, he took the ball from Sangyus hand and said with a faint smile.

Sure, Meng Sangyu let him do what he wanted without suspicion.

The mans pitch-black eyes narrowed as applied inner strength to the ball in hand and threw it several hundred meters away right over the BiXiao Palaces walls into the Imperial Gardens.

Take it out to search. If it doesnt find the ball then it is not allowed to come back. The man smiled, but his gaze was chillingly cold. Yincui and Bishui trembled and promptly carried Erbao to the Imperial Gardens.

Meng Sangyu was stunned. Changxi secretly held his head, thinking:He actually wanted to compete with a dog for favour, this Emperor was really too much!