Chapter 35 – The Mad Emperor and His Fairy in the Painting

The Mad Emperor and His Fairy in the Painting (1)

“Xie Chenyuan, you are nothing but a tyrant!”

“Even if you kill Ma Er, I will never love you! You’re a madman. No one will ever love you!”

…

Song Qinghuan could still vaguely feel a stinging pain in her neck. She slowly opened her eyes. Was she at home?

Her father’s voice came to her ears. “Qinghuan, are you willing to enter the palace?”

To Song Qinghuan’s ears, these words were like the whispers of a demon. In her previous life, she had refused her father. The one she loved was the family’s horse servant, Ma Er.

When her father didn’t say anything in response, Song Qinghuan thought he agreed.

She never expected that her father would knock her unconscious that very night. When she woke up again, she was inside the palace. Thinking of Xie Chenyuan, Song Qinghuan couldn’t help but tremble.

It was only because she was so heartbroken over Ma Er’s death that she had cursed Xie Chenyuan a few times, yet Xie Chenyuan actually slit her throat with a single move.

Song Qinghuan snapped back to the present. Meeting her father’s questioning gaze, she nodded in agreement. She received a look of approval and praise from her father, but Song Qinghuan only found it hypocritical.

This time, she definitely had to escape Xie Chenyuan. Let him spend the rest of his life wallowing in the pain of losing her!

That very afternoon, Song Qinghuan went back to her room to pack her belongings. She took everything valuable. Looking at these shabby jewelries, Song Qinghuan couldn’t help feeling disdainful.

In her previous life, everything she wore was priceless jewelry. She ate and drank only the finest things. She hadn’t realized just how poor she actually was.

Song Qinghuan sneaked into the stables, terrified of being discovered. Before long, she found the person she was looking for.

“Ma Er!” Song Qinghuan waved her hands excitedly. She finally found the man who loved her to the core.

Ma Er had a horsewhip in his hand and a blade of grass dangling from his mouth. He looked over in confusion. “Miss Song?”

Song Qinghuan looked at him with longing in his eyes. As expected of the man she had set her sights on. He was tall, sturdy, and strong. She thought about how in her previous life he had been killed by Xie Chenyuan just for trying to come see her.

Song Qinghuan’s eyes were filled with tears. She threw herself into Ma Er’s arms. “Ma Er, I know you love me. My father wants me to enter the palace, but my heart only belongs to you…”

Ma Er looked a little confused. It was true that he had thought about trying to hook a rich young lady, but he didn’t expect his charm to be this powerful?

“Qing’er, are you really willing to leave with me?”

Hearing this, Song Qinghuan was even more moved. He truly loved her too much. He couldn’t bear to see her suffer.

“Mm!” Song Qinghuan nodded without hesitation. In this life, she would be with Ma Er!

Song Qinghuan’s face was full of happiness. Soon, she and Ma Er would escape this place and escape from Xie Chenyuan.

…

“Speak if you have a memorial. If not, dismiss court!”

Sharp voices echoed through the silent hall. Officials in court robes knelt everywhere.

Seated at the very top was a man in a black-gold dragon robe, embroidered with golden thread depicting a giant dragon with open teeth and dancing claws. He also wore a nine-dragon crown on his head. The crown hung down like a curtain, covering half his face and obscuring his expression.

“Your Majesty! This subject has a memorial to present.” An old minister in a red official uniform stepped forward and knelt down.

Xie Chenyuan raised his eyebrow slightly, his eyes cold as ice as they swept over the speaking minister. “Speak.”

The old minister could barely lift his head under that gaze. He forced himself to continue, “Your Majesty is now twenty-three years old, but the harem remains completely empty. This subject dares to implore Your Majesty to widely select consorts for the harem!”

As these words fell, the entire court became so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

This old minister really had a death wish. Was he really daring to pressure the emperor into selecting consorts right there in court?

Everyone couldn’t help but suck in a breath, mentally guessing how much longer this old minister would live.

Xie Chenyuan raised his hand and strode forward with steady steps. Each step seemed to land directly on the ministers’ hearts.

This young emperor was only twenty-three years old, yet his posture was as straight and tall as a sturdy pine. His face was stern and cold, his eyes like cold stars in the night sky.