The Dog Emperor Has Gained Telepathy - Chapter 05 【5】

Chapter 05 【5】

【5】

The man’s gaze was sharp and clear, as if piercing straight into her heart.

Lu Zhiwan clenched her palms tighter, relying entirely on her actor’s conviction to withstand the scalp-tingling pressure as she nodded earnestly: “Someone as brilliant and mighty as Your Majesty—there likely isn’t a woman in this world who wouldn’t admire you. Naturally, this concubine is no exception. Could it be that Your Majesty doubts this concubine’s sincerity?”

“Your sincerity…”

Xiao Jingting glanced at her tense shoulders and neck, raising a brow: “Seeing how you’ve amused me to laughter, I’ll believe you for now.”

Lu Zhiwan relaxed her shoulders and let out a long breath: “It’s good that Your Majesty believes me.”

Wait—who amused him?! So he really was laughing at her confession earlier?

Before she could ponder further, eunuchs entered carrying the emperor’s court robes and crown.

Lu Zhiwan didn’t remain idle either, fulfilling her duties as a consort by assisting him in dressing. Though her movements were somewhat unpracticed, with the eunuchs helping nearby, the entire process went relatively smoothly.

By the time he was fully dressed, the sky outside had grown brighter. A eunuch stepped forward to remind him that the court officials had already gathered at the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Xiao Jingting lifted a hand to rub his temples, seeming somewhat impatient: “Understood.”

His gaze then shifted to Lu Zhiwan, who was slumped against a pillar yawning discreetly. A flicker passed through his eyes as he crooked a finger at her: “Come here.”

Startled at being suddenly addressed, Lu Zhiwan immediately mustered all her alertness and stepped forward: “What further instructions does Your Majesty have?”

“Hold hands.”

“……?”

Confused though she was, Lu Zhiwan followed instructions and took his hand, just as she had the previous night.

Different from last night’s handholding, this time after she held his hand for a moment, that large palm suddenly grasped back.

Not only did it grasp back, but it also gave a couple of light, playful squeezes, as if discovering some amusing toy.

Lu Zhiwan was utterly stunned, momentarily unsure how to respond to this “teasing” behavior.

It wasn’t until Xiao Jingting released her hand and spoke in a calm tone—”I’m going to court.”—that she snapped out of her daze: “…This concubine respectfully sees Your Majesty off.”

The young emperor, clad in vermilion court robes embroidered with coiled dragons, turned and departed, followed by a crowd of attending eunuchs.

The previously lively bedchamber instantly grew quiet, leaving only Lu Zhiwan touching her strangely warm cheeks, utterly baffled.

What was this emperor’s problem? He wouldn’t sleep with her, but he enjoyed holding hands? Don’t tell me he’s actually a pure love warrior.

Unable to make sense of it, Lu Zhiwan decided not to bother. Taking advantage of the early hour and the fact that no one was around to bother her, she lay back down on the bed, pulled up the covers, and went back to sleep.

However, this extra sleep didn’t last long before she was awakened again.

The one who woke her was a smiling, round-faced senior maid, who stood respectfully by her bedside and bowed: “This humble servant Qiurong pays respects to Lady Lu. May my lady enjoy boundless fortune and peace.”

Lu Zhiwan hugged the quilt, her face full of sleepiness: “At ease, at ease…”

Wait, Lady? Wasn’t she just a Talented Lady?

“Auntie, what did you just call me?” Lu Zhiwan opened her eyes wide, staring fixedly at the person before her.

“Your Ladyship was likely asleep and unaware, but before His Majesty departed for court, he issued an edict. He said that you rendered meritorious service by attending the emperor at bedtime last night and has promoted you to the rank of Lady.” Auntie Qiurong beamed, curtsying again: “This humble servant offers congratulations to Your Ladyship.”

Just by sleeping under the same quilt, she had been promoted from the lowest-rank Talented Lady to a third-rank Lady—how could such good fortune exist in this world!

Lu Zhiwan’s mind spun dizzily, feeling an unreal, dreamlike sensation.

Aunt Qiurong noticed her dazed state and smiled gently, “In all my years serving in the palace, you are the first consort to be promoted two ranks after attending the emperor at bedtime. This truly shows the depth of His Majesty’s favor toward you.”

After a brief pause, she continued, “It’s already Chen hour now. According to palace rules, consorts who have attended the emperor for the first time must pay respects to the Guifei… Shall this servant help you with your makeup?”

Lu Zhiwan snapped out of her joy from the promotion and asked in surprise, “We have to pay respects to the Guifei right now?”

Aunt Qiurong nodded, “Since His Majesty hasn’t established an empress, Gu Guifei holds the highest position among the palace consorts. All consorts of fourth rank and above must visit Yonghe Palace daily to pay respects to the Guifei. Previously, you were a fifth-rank Cairen and didn’t need to pay respects, but now that you hold the rank of Jieyu, you naturally need to present yourself before the Guifei.”

Hearing this, Lu Zhiwan immediately imagined a scene of intense palace drama.

As the first consort to have attended the emperor in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, she was already likely to attract envy. Now that the emperor had directly promoted her two ranks—not that the promotion was bad, but it was too conspicuous—she anticipated a tough battle ahead.

However, heavy is the head that wears the crown. Since she aimed to become a favored consort, she shouldn’t worry about trivial matters and should just charge forward.

Composing herself, Lu Zhiwan offered Aunt Qiurong a polite smile, “Then I’ll trouble you with my makeup.”

***

The morning was bright with a gentle breeze, yet Yonghe Palace was filled with a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.

Gu Guifei hadn’t appeared yet. In the main hall, other consorts paying respects gathered in small groups, whispering behind their handkerchiefs, with Lu Zhiwan being the central topic of their gossip.

“Didn’t they say she fell into the water last time and was too ill to get up? How did she catch His Majesty’s eye?”

“His Majesty has never summoned any consort before—not even Guifei has entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation. How does someone from Yuezhou deserve this…”

Most consorts in the palace were noble ladies from the capital, possessing a natural sense of superiority and looking down on selected beauties from other provinces. Yet, it was this insignificant Cairen from the countryside who made the emperor, known for keeping women at a distance, break his rule and start summoning consorts!

The consorts felt both envy and jealousy, mixed with a hint of anticipation—

Previously, when the emperor didn’t summon any consorts, they had secretly wondered if he had some hidden ailment. Now that Lu Zhiwan had emerged as a variable, didn’t that mean the emperor actually liked women? If they worked hard and aligned themselves with what the emperor preferred, perhaps they too might have a chance to be summoned!

Thinking this, several consorts from the capital proactively approached Consort Hu and Beauty Zhao.

Consort Hu initially thought they were coming to speak with her and put on a fake smile to greet them, only to find them all looking at Beauty Zhao beside her: “Sister Zhao, if we recall correctly, you and Consort Lu are from the same hometown and came to the capital together for the selection. You must be quite close. Do you know what method she used to please His Majesty?”

Beauty Zhao’s expression was complicated. These capital consorts had previously ignored her, but today they approached her because of that little vixen Lu Zhiwan.

How would she know what tricks that seductress used! If she knew, she would have used them herself long ago, rather than having her rank surpassed by Lu Zhiwan today! How infuriating!

“My apologies, elder sisters. Although we’re from the same hometown, our temperaments differ, and we rarely interacted…” Beauty Zhao replied with a strained smile.

Those noble consorts from the capital exchanged glances, offered a few lukewarm and perfunctory words, then turned and left.

Beauty Zhao’s expression grew increasingly awkward as she twisted her handkerchief and muttered under her breath.

Consort Hu glanced sideways at her. “Enough of your whining. I know you’re upset, but you’re just not as skilled as others. No matter how aggrieved you feel, you’ll have to swallow it.”

Beauty Zhao bit her lip, thinking to herself, Are you any happier? Now Lu Zhiwan holds the same rank as you as a Consort. You must resent her even more than I do.

Even before everyone had arrived, the Yonghe Palace flower hall had already become a storm center, dark clouds pressing down on the city.

When Lu Zhiwan’s Sedan Chair stopped before the gates of Yonghe Palace, an intense chill washed over her, raising goosebumps all over her body. The magnificent building before her eyes no longer seemed like an imperial consort’s palace, but rather a dragon’s den and tiger’s lair of unpredictable fortune.

“Consort, do not be afraid. You are a Consort personally appointed by His Majesty. As long as you follow the rules and avoid mistakes, anyone who wishes to find fault with you will have to carefully consider their actions first.” Qiurong Gugu reached out to support her as she descended from the Sedan, her gentle and steady reassurance calming Lu Zhiwan’s nerves considerably.

“It’s fortunate to have you with me, Gugu. Otherwise, my heart would be panicking to death.”

“Your words humble this servant, Consort. Since His Majesty has assigned me to serve by your side, it is only natural that I devote myself to your well-being.”

Qiurong Gugu observed this exquisitely beautiful yet simple-natured Consort Lu, her mind already making calculations, though none showed on her face. With a respectful tone, she reminded, “You may disregard the other consorts in the rear palace, but Gu Guifei is the Empress Dowager’s own niece. In her presence, you must still act with caution…”

Regarding this Gu Guifei, Lu Zhiwan’s only memory was from the day she fell into the water—that noble figure in resplendent purple, surrounded by admirers.

The Empress Dowager’s niece—so she’s the Emperor’s cousin? That background is indeed not to be underestimated.

“Qiurong Gugu, what is the Noble Consort’s temperament like? What are her preferences and dislikes?” Lu Zhiwan asked as they walked toward Yonghe Palace, cramming for information at the last moment. “Tell me so I can be prepared.”

Qiurong Gugu pondered for a moment before speaking quietly, “The Noble Consort is the legitimate daughter of the Gu family. Her aunt is the current Empress Dowager, her father is the current Chief Grand Secretary, and her elder brother Gu Rongyu is an exceptionally talented young man who, despite his youth, already holds the third-rank position of Vice Minister of Justice. A noble lady raised in such a family naturally possesses a certain degree of pride and temper…”

Though phrased tactfully, Lu Zhiwan understood the underlying meaning—Gu Guifei had a willful and arrogant temper and must not be provoked.

However, Lu Zhiwan could understand. If she had such an impressive background, she’d probably swagger around with her hands on her hips too.

But the name Gu Rongyu, Vice Minister of Justice—why did it sound somewhat familiar?

Lu Zhiwan frowned in thought, but before she could recall, they had already reached the entrance of the flower hall.

The previously buzzing hall, filled with whispers and discussions, suddenly fell silent. The gazes of all the consorts simultaneously turned toward the beautiful yet detestable slender figure standing outside the door.

Lu Zhiwan, just about to step across the threshold: “…”

Help, this overwhelming murderous aura shooting straight to the crown of my head—is it too late to run now?