Why Harem Intrigue When You Can Just Raise a Dog Instead

The fake emperor lifted the brush and dipped it in the ink, his wrist hovering for several seconds above the snowy white paper until he put down the first brush of ink. The thick and heavy black mark on the paper spread out, the five words BiXiao Palace ABao ran across the paper, no different from Emperor Zhouwus handwriting.

Putting down the brush and looking at his work, the fake emperor let out an almost undetectable breath of air. He had copied the emperors characters for three months, practicing tens of thousands of times every day, enough to appear real. Even the Gracious Consort and Grand Preceptor Shen could not differentiate, how could the Virtuous Consort who understands nothing of the sort? He probably passed this challenge smoothly.

Thinking of this, he put down the brush and took the chance to give a questioning glance to ChangXi while the Virtuous Consort picked up the paper to appreciate his work.

ChangXi slightly nodded, expressing that he did well.

The two thought that their interaction left no mark and was perfectly hidden, but actually, Meng Sangyu left a line of sight in the corner of her eyes to watch the twos movement and expression as she was holding and appreciating the paper. Naturally, she didnt miss the eye interaction of the two.

The thought in her heart became clearer, Meng Sangyu slightly furrowed brow and carefully looked at the five words, not speaking for several moments.

The hall was surprisingly quiet, the atmosphere gradually strange. The fake emperors heart slightly tightened. He finally couldnt stop himself from opening his mouth, Does our beloved consort think these five words were written poorly?

ChangXi slightly lifted his head, his eyes intently staring at the Virtuous Consorts face.

How could that be? Its just His Majesty has written it so well, this concubine was in awe looking at it! Meng Sangyu put down the paper, her smile unexplainably toady, and her flattering was even more barefaced. Meng Sangyu acted out an illiterate, simple-minded and thoughtless girl with great skill*.

The fake emperor let out a relaxed smile, the Virtuous Consort really is as ChangXi Gonggong said, not very intelligent nor calculating. But it is exactly this type of woman that is easy to interact with. He couldnt help feeling that he was lucky: if he really is to die, to be able to be close to such a cute person before he dies wouldnt be bad.

Thinking of this, he walked up to hug the Gracious Consorts shoulder, pulling her into his embrace, the doting look on his face apparent.

Ni ma*! [TN: = your mom] This is 100% a fake product! Meng Sangyu was hollering in her heart, but showed nothing on the surface. She naturally got out of the fake emperors arms and pushed him down to sit on the couch, daintily saying, Your Majesty, now its this concubines turn to display her talent. This concubine just learned a method of brewing tea a while back, shall this concubine perform it for Your Majesty today?

Boiling the water, the entire tea brewing process, appreciating the tea, then talk about some poems and songs and life goals, this entire process should take at least an hour. Should be able to drag it out until he leaves. Meng Sangyu silently thought to herself as she herself went to the tea room to pick tea leaves.

Searching amongst the bottles and cans, she finally picked Emperor Zhouwus favorite Junshan Yinzhen*. Then on second thought, she took out another container of Linyun Baihao*, took out a small bit of it and mixed it in with the Junshan Yinzhen.

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White smoke gradually rose from the small kettle, just moments later there was sound of boiling water. Through the puffs of water vapor, the Virtuous Consort could be seen focused on brewing tea. Her face had a gentle smile and her graceful movements once again attracted the fake emperors line of sight. He had originally been hidden guard, never to see the light, fated to be alone. Whence has he ever approached any woman? Not to mention such a beautiful yet simple-minded woman. To say his heart is not moved, that would be fake.

Your Majesty, please drink this tea. Meng Sangyu cradled a cup of hot tea to the side of his hand, interrupting the wandering thoughts in his heart.

The fake emperor quickly retracted the unfocused look in his eyes, took the cup of tea to his lips and blew on it to drink. The skill of appreciating tea he also learned three months. Although not as masterful as the emperor in this talent, he could still list out a few points.

A pale yellow color with a refreshing fragrance and taste, every leaf standing straight up at the bottom of the cup. Beloved consort brewed a good cup of tea! He took a sip and complimented. He took another two sips, after the third, he put the cup down with no further movement. His movement royal and cultured, appearing really knowledgeable.

A light flashed in Meng Sangyus eyes, she covered her mouth and laughed, What a compliment Your Majesty!

Seeing her phoenix eyes move, her smile as if a blooming flower, the fake emperors heart moved. Seeing the darkening skies outside the window, he said, Its getting late, beloved consort lets rest.

Yes, this concubine will help Your Majesty wash and change. Meng Sangyu was about to get up, then sat down again as if she thought of something, carefully looking at the fake emperor.

The fake emperor gently said, Beloved consort can speak as you like. Do not worry.

Your Majesty, this concubines mother wishes for brother to wed the vice minister of the Ministry of Ceremonies, Fu Guang Das eldest daughter born to his first wife. She begs Your Majesty to bestow a decree of marriage. Could Your Majesty grant this wish? Her eyes were full of expectation as she looked over.

This Having to do with the Meng family, he couldnt decide on his own. The fake emperor looked unnoticeably towards ChangXi. ChangXi moved his pinky. He immediately followed, Let us consider it.

Emperor Zhouwu is a decisive person. You could even consider him a little forceful. For a small matter like this, if he agreed he would agree, if he didnt agree, he would immediately reject it on site. Never had he said anything like, considering. Meng Sangyu heeded on the surface, but in her heart she was even more sure of her guess. Although this guess was a little too unheard of, an unimaginable thought for the common person, but having gone through two lives, Meng Sangyu was not a common person. She had seen a lot, so naturally she thinks of a lot. Anything is possible, this is a phrase she had always believed in.

Keeping down her furiously beating heart, she stood up. She ordered BiShui and Nurse Feng to prepare hot water as she hugged the fake emperors arm.

Ah! BiShui, who was just about to leave, suddenly shouted in surprise, making everyone look toward her.

You dumb servant, what are you yelling for? ChangXi immediately scolded angrily.

This servant has been disrespectful, this servant begs Your Majesty for forgiveness! But, its just that BiShui hesitantly stuttered, just looking terrified at the cushion the Virtuous Consort was sitting on.

Nurse Feng followed her line of sight and looked over, immediately painfully shouting, Oh no, Your Ladyships period has come! Now, the cushion that has been painted with a few spots of blood was undeniably exposed to everyones eyes.

Meng Sangyus face immediately turned red. She quickly let go of the emperor and kneeled down with a thud, This concubine has tainted Your Majestys eyes and ruined Your Majestys mood. This concubine begs Your Majesty for forgiveness. At the end of her words, she bit her red lips, sneaking a peak at the emperor with watery eyes. Her expression was embarrassed and shy, her little look unspeakably pitiful and cute.

The fake emperors heart itched from her little look. Along with the blood on the cushion, his chest filled with a tender love. Hiding the slight disappointment in his heart, he hurriedly reached out his hand to lift the Virtuous Consort, gently answering, For your period to arrive suddenly is a natural occurrence, what fault does my beloved consort have? Hurry and get up, its cold on the ground.

This consort wont rise! Meng Sangyu wouldnt get up no matter what, seeing the fake emperor furrow his brow, she hurriedly shyly explained, How could this concubine get up in this embarrassing condition? This concubine can only get up after Your Majesty leaves. At the end of her words, she even hastily put her handkerchief on top of the tainted cushion.

Hahahaha the fake emperor started laughing loudly, laughing until he couldnt stand straight. It was his first time seeing a straightforward and adorable woman like this. One really couldnt avoid falling for her! Why couldnt his Majesty just fall fall the Virtuous Consort? One really couldnt come to understand!

Alright then, we will leave now. Beloved consort doesnt need to see us off, do get up quickly. See the Virtuous Consort furrow her brows and pout her lips, her expression very adamant, the fake emperor could only wave his hand and walk away laughing.

When he walked far, Meng Sangyu immediately got up, the pampered look on her face slowly replaced by a solemn one.

Other than BiShui and Nurse Feng, everyone else leave. She heavily ordered. She washed off a bit with the already prepared hot water, changed into clean clothes, then walked next to the square table and sat down. She picked up the paper and took another careful look. After, she called BiShui again to take out the previous ink treasures* of the emperor, putting the two works together on the table to compare.

Seeing their master with a heavy expression and without a word, as if facing the biggest difficulty in the world, BiShui and Nurse Feng all became a bit nervous. Just at this time, YinCui walked in with a troubled and depressed face. In her arms was a quietly barking ABao who seemed extremely weak.

What happened? Meng Sangyu immediately came back to herself, carrying over ABao who barely had a breath left, pointing to a thread of blood at the corner of his mouth, shocked. Its just been an hour, how is there blood?

Your Ladyship, ABao for some reason started barking nonstop since you left, as if hes gone mad. This servant was afraid that he would disturb you and His Majesty and brought him to the most east room, not expecting that he only barked even more viciously. He wouldnt stop even after there was blood in his throat. This servant wanted to comfort him but even got bit! YinCui raised her wrist and showed the bloody teeth mark on it.

Emperor Zhouwu stopped shouting, only using his nose to whimper weakly. He used his paws to desperately grasp onto Meng Sangyus arm and refused to let go. God knows how terrified and despaired his heart was after Sangyu left. It was like being burriedly deeply into the ground alive. His heartbeat and breath all stopped, only wishing for his barking to lead Meng Sangyu to save him from that dying pain.

He definitely did not see wrongly the appreciation and adoration in that fakes eyes. If that person stole Sangyu from his side, he wouldnt have anything left, not even the will to live! Sangyu has been his mental pillar that supported him down this road, the only color of his black and white world, his everything at the moment! He cant lose Sangyu! Not even if he died!

A warm moisture suddenly overflowed in his eyes. Emperor Zhouwu quickly burried his face in Meng Sangyus embrace to take a deep breath of the scent that gave him incomparably comfort.

Good ABao, dont cry. Im here! I will always be with you, dont be scared! Meng Sangyu lifted his chin, her heart hurt seeing his eyes filled with tears. She quickly said to YinCui, We havent been apart since hes been hurt. Once he leaves my side he would fall into the memories of when he was hurt and become frightened again. Quickly go to the imperial clinic to find Imperial Physician Wen to come take a look.

YinCui quickly heeded and left in a hurry. Meng Sangyu lost her interest in comparing the handwriting and carried ABao to the couch. She rubbed and kissed until she finally cooed the shaking ABao out from her arms. ABao whimpered as he used his little paws to hold on to her neck, just focused on licking her lips, his movement desperate like never before.

On the other end, the fake emperor and ChangXi walked far away when ChangXi suddenly furrowed his brows and stopped. He said in a low voice, *Sigh~* I remember that the Virtuous Consorts period shouldnt be at this time, it should be at the end of the month! There still should be seventeen, eighteen days until then!

Gongong, did she see through something? The fake emperors expression tightened.

Just with her brains, she shouldnt be able to see through anything. But, we should still find an imperial physician to take a look just in case. ChangXi said deeply and sent a little eunuch to the imperial clinic to call for Imperial Physician Lin who often served the Gracious Consort as he continued to bring the fake emperor back to Qianqing palace to report.

*with great skill

Original: (Ru Mu San Fen)

Exact Translation: Three parts into the wood

Explanation: Wang Xizhi is a famous calligrapher/poet of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. He practiced calligraphy diligently since young. It is said that when he once wrote on wood for an engraver to carve, the engraver found that the ink had entered three chi (Chinese foot) into the wood. Its used to describe that a person has well researched and really understood a concept or how to perform a process/action.

*Ni ma

Original: (Ni2 Ma3) [internet slang form] = (Ni3 Ma1)

Explanation: Means your mom, a slang/swear in Chinese. Considering people dont just use your mom as an exclamation, I just put the pinyin.

*Junshan Yinzhen

Original:

Explanation: Its a famous tea from Junshan island in the province of Hunan.

*Linyun Baihao

Original:

Explanation: Another famous tea from the province of Guangxi.

*ink treasures

Original: (Mo Bao)

Explanation: Ink treasures refer to calligraphy and paintings typically. In this case, the emperors ink treasures would be his works.