Chapter 42 – The Mad Emperor and His Fairy in the Painting

The Mad Emperor and His Fairy in the Painting (8)

“Father, I am willing to enter the palace!” Song Qinghuan knelt on the ground, her face full of humiliation.

Prime Minister Song sipped his tea slowly. Upon hearing this, he set down his cup. “Qinghuan, what makes you think you are still qualified to enter the palace?”

Song Qinghuan looked as if she had suffered a great insult. But thinking of her goal, a hint of forbearance appeared in her eyes.

“Father, believe me. It’s because Xie Chenyuan loves me!”

Prime Minister Song was so startled by her direct address of His Majesty’s name that he nearly spat out his tea. His eyes were full of scrutiny. This daughter of his from a concubine could only be described as a modest beauty at best.

But seeing the seriousness on her face, Prime Minister Song couldn’t help but think it over. The harem was currently empty. If someone became the first occupant, that person would most likely become the future empress!

He was willing to take that gamble. If it didn’t work out, worst case, he would just discard a concubine’s daughter.

“Fine. I will send you into the palace tomorrow. What happens after that will be up to you.” With that, Prime Minister Song waved his hand and left.

Song Qinghuan stood up from the ground, feeling humiliated. Thinking of Xie Chenyuan, she was still a little scared. But recalling how indulgent he had been with her in her previous life, he must have loved her to madness.

…

Xu Xinghe was sitting on Xie Chenyuan’s lap with his arm around her waist. The officials in court couldn’t believe their eyes. Was His Majesty holding a woman in his arms?

Most of the woman’s body was hidden by His Majesty’s frame, making her features unclear. But the exposed skin was as white as snow. She was surely a great beauty.

Although they were shocked inside, no one dared to speak up. No one wanted to be the one to stick their neck out.

“Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live, ten thousand years!”

Xie Chenyuan played with the soft ends of Xu Xinghe’s hair with his large hand. He simply found everything about her to his liking. Even during court sessions, he couldn’t bear to be apart from her.

Eunuch Li stood to the side. Although his body was bent, his eyes couldn’t help stealing glances. He was too curious about which family’s daughter this was.

“Eunuch Li, do you want your eyes?” Xie Chenyuan’s voice was ice-cold. He didn’t like others looking at Xing’er.

Eunuch Li was so frightened that his legs went weak and he immediately knelt on the ground. “Your Majesty, this servant was wrong. I beg Your Majesty for mercy!”

They said being with an emperor was like being with a tiger. Then the emperor he served must be a fierce tiger guarding its food.

“Ah Yuan, you’re so fierce.”

Eunuch Li could only hear a soft, delicate female voice. It must be the woman in His Majesty’s arms.

Xie Chenyuan tightened his arm and took a deep sniff of Xu Xinghe’s neck. That unique floral scent slightly eased the dull pain in his head.

He said in a low, serious voice, “Don’t be afraid. I’ll never be fierce with you.”

Xie Chenyuan understood that she was pleading for mercy on Eunuch Li’s behalf.

Xie Chenyuan raised his head again. The tenderness in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by pure coldness. “No next time.”

Hearing this, Eunuch Li quickly kowtowed and expressed his thanks. He wasn’t going to die? Normally, once His Majesty’s anger was roused, the court wouldn’t find peace until at least a few people were dead.

“Your Majesty, the Northern Frontier sent a hostage prince a few days ago. He is currently waiting outside the hall.” An official stepped forward and knelt down to remind him.

That Northern Frontier kingdom was truly greedy and afraid of death. First, they sent a treasure, and now they were sending a hostage prince. They did all this to avoid Great Yuan conquering them.

Upon hearing this, Xie Chenyuan shifted slightly. The bead curtain on his crown swayed with the movement. “A hostage prince?”

Receiving His Majesty’s affirmative glance, Eunuch Li immediately shouted at the top of his lungs, “Summon—the hostage prince from the Northern Frontier for an audience!”

The ministers were also curious and craned their necks to see the hostage prince. They heard that the people of the Northern Frontier were as beautiful as celestial beings, with eyes different from theirs—supposedly green.

“Dingling…” A series of clear bell sounds echoed through the hall. Everyone involuntarily turned to look toward the door.