The Dog Emperor Has Gained Telepathy - Chapter 02 【2】

Chapter 02 【2】

【2】

Zhen? (Imperial “I”)

Despite her disheveled state from falling into the water, Lu Zhiwan clearly caught that keyword.

What the hell? This man is the emperor?

How absurd, how ridiculous—why would the emperor appear in this remote, deserted palace area!

Once again, there was no time to think. Her survival instinct made her struggle to maintain balance while mustering the energy to pull the sinking man beside her.

Staying afloat wasn’t difficult; the challenge was dragging a non-swimmer ashore.

After choking on several mouthfuls of water and enduring the pain of a cramping leg, Lu Zhiwan finally managed to push the tall man toward the riverbank.

By the time she crawled ashore, drenched and exhausted, her limbs felt weak and limp. She lay on her back, gasping for air.

What did this man eat growing up? He’s so heavy!

As her breathing steadied, she suddenly realized there had been no movement beside her. Her brow furrowed with worry, and she quickly looked down.

The large-framed man was completely soaked, his thin black robes clinging tightly to his body. The bright afternoon sunlight clearly outlined the muscular contours of his chest and abdomen.

Her gaze traveled up his long torso and settled on his face.

She had to admit—he possessed an exceptionally handsome face. Thick eyebrows, a high nose bridge, and narrow, upturned eyes with long, dense lashes glistening with water droplets, adding an unexpected touch of fragility.

A flicker of admiration crossed Lu Zhiwan’s eyes. Who knew the damned emperor was this good-looking? He’d definitely be top-tier in the entertainment industry.

But now wasn’t the time to appreciate male beauty. Remembering his “exterminate nine generations” threat before falling into the water, a chill ran down her neck. She quickly shook his arm. “Your Majesty? Are you alright? Wake up!”

After several shakes, the emperor remained unresponsive.

Lu Zhiwan’s temples throbbed. Could he have drowned?

Damn, if the emperor died here, her life would be over too.

“Your Majesty, you mustn’t die!” she cried out anxiously, patting his cold cheeks repeatedly.

When he still showed no reaction, Lu Zhiwan could hesitate no longer. Taking a deep breath, she pried open his mouth and leaned down to cover it with her own.

A gentle breeze rippled across the river’s surface, the shimmering waves glittering under the sunlight.

As Xiao Jingting regained consciousness, he felt two soft, warm lips pressed against his, delivering fresh, faintly fragrant air into his mouth.

“Why hasn’t he woken up yet?”

“Ugh, react already! Don’t really die on me!”

“If you die like this, it’d be such a pointless way to go.”

The warmth left his lips as the woman’s voice, slightly breathless, spoke. The next moment, two soft hands pressed against his chest and abdomen, applying continuous compressions.

Even through his soaked robes, he could clearly feel the warmth and strength transmitted from her palms.

The one touching him now was a woman.

The same crazy woman who, chased by hornets, had knocked him into the river.

Strangely, while he usually detested being touched by others, this madwoman’s kissing and groping didn’t… disgust him?

Before this strong, crazy woman could break his ribs, Xiao Jingting let out a low groan and slowly opened his eyes. “Cough…”

“You’re awake!” Lu Zhiwan stared at him with unconcealed relief. “Thank goodness! You weren’t responding earlier—you really scared me.”

Xiao Jingting lay on his back, narrowing his dark eyes as he finally got a clear look at the madwoman’s face.

Her jet-black hair was disheveled and clung to her slender figure along with her light-colored dress. A few stray strands at her forehead dripped with water, the crystalline droplets accentuating her strikingly beautiful yet pale face—like a water ghost from supernatural tales that lured souls to their doom.

Yet this water ghost’s gaze held a brightness and fervor entirely at odds with her appearance.

A strange woman indeed.

His calm eyes drifted downward, settling on the two hands still pressed against his chest. Xiao Jingting’s thick brows furrowed. “Remove them.”

Lu Zhiwan blinked, meeting the man’s narrow, inscrutable dark eyes. A chill ran through her.

She had nearly forgotten—this was no ordinary handsome stranger, but a feudal emperor who held power over life and death, capable of ordering her sliced into mutton rolls with a single command.

“Yes, yes, right away.” She hastily withdrew her hands, offering a sheepish explanation: “Your Majesty, please don’t misunderstand. I would never dare offend you intentionally. You were drowning and unconscious just now—I was saving you.”

Saving someone requires mouth-to-mouth?

Xiao Jingting stared at this shameless woman. “So, I should thank you?”

Lu Zhiwan waved her hands frantically. “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.”

She was the one who had knocked him into the pond in the first place. If he didn’t hold her accountable, that would be magnanimous enough—thanks to heaven and earth. How could she possibly claim credit?

“A swarm of hornets was chasing me earlier. I was fleeing in panic and didn’t notice you here. My foot slipped, and I accidentally pushed you into the pond. Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. I beg for your merciful forgiveness…”

“Which palace do you belong to, that you dare address yourself as ‘I’ before me?”

Xiao Jingting pushed himself up, wringing water from his sleeves. “Did no one teach you etiquette before you entered the palace?”

Lu Zhiwan inwardly cursed her carelessness and hurriedly corrected herself: “This humble… this concubine is Talented Lady Lu of Liuxia Pavilion. I learned the rules before entering the palace, but having just fallen into the water, my mind is still muddled, and I forgot my manners. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

“Talented Lady Lu?”

Xiao Jingting shot her a thoughtful glance. “I hadn’t realized my harem contained such… talent.”

Lu Zhiwan: “…”

Was that a compliment or an insult?

“This concubine also hadn’t expected to encounter Your Majesty here. Had I known, even if those hornets stung me until my head was covered in bumps, I would never have bumped into you and caused you to fall into the river, frightening Your Majesty…”

As she spoke, her eyes seemed to glisten with tears, her tone filled with self-reproach and remorse. “Fortunately, Your Majesty is the true dragon son of heaven, protected by the heavens, safe and sound. Had anything happened to you, this concubine could never atone even with ten thousand deaths. How are you feeling now, Your Majesty? Is there anywhere you still feel unwell?”

Xiao Jingting narrowed his eyes, watching the shimmering tears in her dark, luminous eyes.

Just as he was about to speak, a gust of wind blew.

Though it was already April, the wet clothes clinging to his skin were deeply uncomfortable.

Lu Zhiwan also shivered from the chill but dared not show it too openly. Instead, she addressed the emperor with utmost consideration: “Your Majesty, the wind is picking up. Wearing wet clothes easily leads to catching a chill. Perhaps you should return to the palace, change into dry robes, and summon an Imperial Physician for an examination?”

Xiao Jingting disliked his disheveled state as well and moved to stand. A pair of hands extended toward him: “Take care, Your Majesty. This concubine will assist you.”

Xiao Jingting instinctively leaned aside, deftly avoiding her.

Lu Zhiwan, who had hoped to curry favor with the powerful, froze with her hands awkwardly suspended in mid-air. Noting the emperor’s furrowed brows, she grumbled inwardly: I offer to help you up, and you’re not pleased? Who wants to touch you anyway?

But why was he so averse to others touching him? Was it fastidiousness? Or did he truly dislike women—was he a cut-sleeve?

While lost in her wild thoughts, Xiao Jingting had already brushed off his sleeves and risen to his feet.

Lu Zhiwan also scrambled up from the ground. Once standing straight, she truly realized that the man before her was not only robust in build but also exceptionally tall.

Just look at his height—at least 185 cm? No wonder he’s the emperor, with such excellent nutrition.

As she silently marveled, the man before her suddenly lowered his gaze, his eyes fixed directly on her face: “What happened today must not be spoken of outside. If a third person finds out, you will bear the consequences.”

His tone, neither light nor heavy, carried a chilling authority that brooked no argument.

Lu Zhiwan’s scalp tingled with fear, and she quickly assured him, “Your Majesty, rest assured, this humble consort will keep my lips sealed and not utter a single word.”

She desperately wished he would forget today’s incident. After all, pushing the emperor into the river was a crime punishable by beheading.

Seeing that Lu Zhiwan was sensible, Xiao Jingting did not linger any longer and turned to leave.

Lu Zhiwan stood rooted to the spot, still somewhat dazed. He’s… leaving just like that?

Another cold gust of wind swept by, making her shiver. Rubbing her arms, she snapped back to reality.

It’s just as well that he left. I never expected this emperor to be so tolerant and magnanimous… So what if he’s into men? He’s a decent young man.

By the time Lu Zhiwan returned to Liuxia Pavilion, shivering, the sun hanging high in the sky had already begun to wane.

“You’re finally back!” Xia He hurried forward to greet her, but when she saw her mistress’s disheveled state, she exclaimed in shock, “What happened to you?”

“Ah, it’s a long story.”

Lu Zhiwan shook her head and stepped into the courtyard. “First, fetch some hot water for me to bathe.”

Xia He snapped out of her astonishment and was about to speak when Lu Zhiwan had already entered the courtyard, coming face to face with a group of gaudily dressed junior consorts gathered around the stone table, staring at her wide-eyed.

“Sister Lu, you’ve kept us waiting for so long.”

Beauty Zhao, clad in a bean-green satin gown embroidered with floral patterns, was the first to speak. Her eyes swept over Lu Zhiwan twice before she covered her mouth with a mocking laugh: “Weren’t you supposed to be admiring flowers? How did you end up in such a sorry state? Did your mother’s hairpin fall into the pond again?”

Lu Zhiwan remained silent, her gaze sweeping over the group in the courtyard. Memories of how they had bullied the original host flashed through her mind like a revolving lantern.

Leading the group was Consort Hu, a third-rank consort and the highest-ranking member of this bullying clique. A native noblewoman of the capital, her father served as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, also holding the third rank.

During the imperial selection, the original host had worn a lavender dress with butterfly patterns similar to hers, and from that moment on, Consort Hu had held a grudge. After all, how dare the daughter of a minor county magistrate from the countryside outshine a noblewoman from the capital?

As for the one who spoke first, Beauty Zhao, Zhao Yue’e, held the fourth rank and was the original host’s fellow townsfolk, the daughter of the prefect of Yuezhou.

Though fellow townsfolk might usually share a bond, back in their hometown, Zhao Yue’e had always been overshadowed by the original host’s renowned beauty. To make matters worse, the young man she admired had also fallen for the original host, sparking a lasting enmity. After entering the palace, she had targeted the original host at every turn.

The other junior consorts were merely followers of Consort Hu and Beauty Zhao—blind accomplices in their misdeeds, like malevolent spirits.

Lu Zhiwan did not wish to assume the worst of others, but sometimes, people’s malice arose inexplicably and without reason.

Just like these junior consorts before her—each as beautiful as a flower, yet they had repeatedly tormented the original host, driving an innocent life to the brink of despair.

Since enduring in silence had proven useless, Lu Zhiwan clenched her fingers. If that’s the case, then let the battle begin!*

At worst, she could stake her life and take one down with her—that wouldn’t be a loss, and taking two would be a profit.

Steadying her mind, she stepped forward and bowed to the women before her. “May I ask what brings my elder sisters here today?”

Consort Hu said, “We’ve been deeply concerned since your fall into the water left you unwell. Taking advantage of today’s fine weather, we came to visit.”

Lu Zhiwan offered a hollow smile. “Thank you for your concern. This humble consort has largely recovered.”

Hearing her neither submissive nor arrogant tone, Consort Hu narrowed her eyes.

This woman who used to be delicate and timid, trembling like a mouse before cats whenever she saw them, seemed to have transformed. Though she still observed proper etiquette, the fear in her eyes was gone.

After studying Lu Zhiwan for a long moment, Consort Hu finally asked leisurely, “How did you get so soaked? Don’t tell me you really went diving for your hairpin in the pond?”

Detecting the probing tone, Lu Zhiwan’s mind raced and suddenly inspiration struck. She sighed toward Consort Hu: “I’m not afraid you’ll laugh at me, Sister Hu, but when I fell into the water last time, I nearly died. I actually reached the gates of the underworld where the Ox-Head and Horse-Face guards tried to chain me. Seeing those thick chains, my legs went weak with fear. I knelt on the ground crying about my injustice—”

“The King of Hell saw how pitifully I was weeping and asked what grievance I had. I told him everything. Though he looked terrifying, he was actually fair and discerning. When he checked the Book of Life and Death, he found my allotted lifespan hadn’t yet expired—it wasn’t my time to die. With a wave of his hand, he sent me back. These past two nights I’ve been dreaming that Ox-Head and Horse-Face are scolding me for being ungrateful—the King of Hell spared my life, yet I didn’t even thank him. Now that I’ve recovered enough to get out of bed today, I went to the pondside to kowtow and express my gratitude to the King of Hell.”

At this point, Lu Zhiwan even solemnly took out a handkerchief to dab the corners of her eyes. “Perhaps the King of Hell found my sincerity insufficient, for a sudden gust of wind blew me into the river, giving me a proper lesson. I’ll never dare neglect His Majesty again.”

She said all this in one breath. Whether Consort Hu and the others believed her or not, their expressions had all turned unpleasant.

Finally, Beauty Zhao spoke up, frowning as she scolded, “Have you gone mad? Spouting such nonsense about gods and ghosts in broad daylight?”

“Oh dear, Sister Zhao, please lower your voice.” Lu Zhiwan quickly glanced skyward, advising Beauty Zhao with a frightened expression. “You may think I’m crazy, but I truly went to the underworld that day. If you don’t believe me, I can’t prove it. But as the old saying goes, regarding matters of gods and ghosts, it’s better to believe they exist than not…”

Leaving her words unfinished made them even more thought-provoking.

Especially since Lu Zhiwan’s drenched, bedraggled appearance couldn’t possibly be from jumping into the river herself?

Having guilty consciences, Consort Hu and the others felt an indescribable eeriness seeing Lu Zhiwan’s unusual, mystical demeanor.

That day when Lu Zhiwan was struggling in the water, there had indeed been a brief moment when she sank and stopped moving…

Could she have really gone to plead her case in the underworld during that time?

“If you sisters still don’t believe me, perhaps tonight I can try to dream of Ox-Head and Horse-Face. If I succeed, I’ll ask them if they can manifest before you to prove my words are true?”

Lu Zhiwan wore the earnest expression of an honest person, so sincere that even Consort Hu’s face changed color. She snapped irritably, “I think you’ve lost your mind from illness, spouting such absurd nonsense! Since you’re not well, you should rest properly indoors instead of running around recklessly.”

With that, she didn’t linger any longer, clutching her handkerchief as she hurriedly rose. “It’s getting late, let’s head back.”

The other minor consorts quickly followed suit.

It wasn’t until they had walked a fair distance from Liuxia Pavilion that Consort Hu stopped, glanced back at the desolate and remote building, and felt that the overgrown weeds and barren branches gave it a somewhat eerie, ghostly aura.

Beauty Zhao cautiously asked, “Sister Hu, what that little wretch said earlier… is it true or false?”

Consort Hu retorted, “How should I know!”

Beauty Zhao choked back her words, thinking to herself, Well, it’s precisely the ghosts who would know.

Consort Hu also realized her words were somewhat inappropriate, and her face darkened further. “Let’s not mention her again these next few days. She’s nothing but bad luck!”

Beauty Zhao and the other minor consorts nearby quickly agreed.

Back inside Liuxia Pavilion, after seeing off the bullying clique, Lu Zhiwan hurriedly changed out of her wet clothes and wrapped herself tightly in her thin quilt.

The pavilion housed three palace maids and two eunuchs. Serving a mistress who had neither the emperor’s favor nor wealth or influence, the two maids and eunuchs were far from diligent in their duties, doing only the bare minimum.

When Xia He instructed them to fetch hot water, they dragged their feet and took their time.

It wasn’t until sunset that Lu Zhiwan finally managed to take a hot bath.

“Don’t worry, I only said those things to scare them,” Lu Zhiwan explained leisurely to Xia He from within the steam-filled bathtub, her fair skin tinged with a soft peach blush. “I slipped and fell into the river earlier today.”

Xia He gasped in shock. “Your constitution is already weak. If you keep falling into the water like this, what if it leaves you with some lasting ailment?”

“The sun was strong at noon, so the river wasn’t too cold.”

“Even so…” Our mistress has been terribly unlucky lately.

Xia He pondered to herself that she ought to find some pomelo leaves tomorrow to help dispel her mistress’s bad luck.

Just as she was lost in thought, a commotion arose outside the room.

“What’s going on?” Lu Zhiwan opened her eyes.

“It’s probably Xiao Shunzi and the others gambling with dice again. I’ll go check.”

Xia He hurried out the door.

Lu Zhiwan leaned lazily against the side of the bathtub, her thoughts drifting between the incident by the river that afternoon and Consort Hu and her companions.

I managed to scare them off this time, but as time passes, this trick probably won’t work anymore. How should I deal with them if they come to cause trouble again?

As she worried, the sound of the door creaking open came from beyond the curtain, followed by hurried footsteps.

“Are they really gambling with dice?”

Lu Zhiwan asked offhandedly, but when she looked up and saw Xia He’s face flushed bright red, she grew puzzled. “What happened? Did they start fighting?”

“No, no, it’s wonderful news!”

Gazing at her beautiful mistress, whose skin was as fair as snow and features as delicate as flowers, Xia He was so excited her voice cracked. “Eunuch Yu from the Hall of Mental Cultivation is here! He says he’s following His Majesty’s orders to escort you for attending the emperor at bedtime tonight!”