The Dog Emperor Has Gained Telepathy - Chapter 12

Chapter 12

【12】

Before long, Beauty Zhao slowly entered the hall, dressed in a Xiang-colored palace gown.

Lu Zhiwan sat upright in the main seat of the central hall. Seeing her enter, she didn’t even lift her eyes, pretending instead to sip her tea.

Beauty Zhao stood in the hall for quite some time before realizing that Lu Zhiwan was deliberately putting on airs—if she didn’t speak up, Lu Zhiwan intended to keep ignoring her like this. Though seething with resentment inside, Beauty Zhao clenched her palm and curtsied to the person in the seat of honor: Beauty Zhao Shi pays respects to Consort Lu. May the Consort enjoy eternal peace.

Oh my, Sister Zhao is here. Lu Zhiwan instantly slipped into character, first feigning surprise, then smiling politely: Look at me, these past couple of days I’ve been so busy attending to His Majesty that I’m completely drained. I was just lost in thought and didn’t even notice you’d arrived, sister. Please don’t take it to heart.

Watching the woman in the seat of honor affectedly calling her sister over and over, Beauty Zhao gritted her teeth in silent fury. Wasn’t it just because she had the face of a seductress? But no one stays fortunate forever, just as no flower stays in bloom. She wanted to see how long this little slut could remain arrogant after offending Gu Guifei.

However, her visit today wasn’t meant to antagonize Lu Zhiwan—on the contrary, she came to extend an olive branch.

Thinking this, Beauty Zhao put on a smiling face, first presenting congratulatory gifts for the new residence, then making small talk for a while. When the atmosphere seemed adequately prepared, she began her performance.

First, she took out a handkerchief to dab the corners of her eyes, wearing a face full of remorse: I know I’ve done many wrong things that hurt you in the past, but I never wanted to. You know I was assigned to Consort Hu’s palace—as the primary consort there, I had to live under her thumb. Whenever she gave you trouble before, I actually tried to dissuade her in private… but her rank is higher than mine, and her father holds office in the capital—why would she ever listen to me?

After shedding a couple of crocodile tears, Beauty Zhao slowly rose, slipping off a high-quality emerald bracelet from her wrist and pressing it into Lu Zhiwan’s hand: Wanwan, we’re both from Yuezhou, and your father serves under mine. The bond between us is something others can’t compare to. Most women in the rear palace are from the capital and look down on us Yuezhou natives—we should support each other instead.

Support each other? Lu Zhiwan looked at the valuable bracelet and found it laughable. Did she think she could resolve their enmity with just a bracelet? Dream on.

Still, a bracelet delivered to her doorstep was too good to refuse—she’d take it as a tiny compensation for the original host’s emotional damages.

Sister Zhao, you’re too kind—bringing all those congratulatory gifts, and now this bracelet too. Since you’re so generous, I can’t possibly refuse your goodwill. Lu Zhiwan curved her eyes as she accepted the bracelet, then looked at Beauty Zhao: As for supporting each other, let’s speak frankly between honest people—how exactly do you want me to help?

Her directness caught Beauty Zhao off guard.
Under Lu Zhiwan’s straightforward gaze, Beauty Zhao hesitated awkwardly for a moment before whispering her true intention: His Majesty never used to favor women before. What method did you use to win his favor, Wanwan? If you could teach me even a little, I promise I won’t forget your contribution when I gain his favor in the future.

Lu Zhiwan’s lips twitched: …

She hadn’t even slept with the emperor herself—what could she possibly teach?

But come to think of it, she still hadn’t figured out why the emperor had taken a liking to her in the first place.

Wanwan? Seeing her remain silent for a long while, Beauty Zhao assumed she was unwilling and immediately raised her hand as if swearing an oath, earnestly spouting a stream of clichéd phrases about sisterly bonds, mutual support, and shared glory and disgrace.

Seeing how worked up she was, Lu Zhiwan knew she wouldn’t leave today without some tidbit of information. So, putting on a mysterious air, she told her about the emperor being a cat lover: His Majesty adores cats above all. If you also like cats, you’ll never run out of things to talk about when you meet him in the future.

Beauty Zhao was easily fooled. Delighted with this information, her face lit up with joy. After exchanging a few more words with Lu Zhiwan, she left in high spirits.

Back at Changchun Palace, she reported the matter to Consort Hu as if boasting of a great achievement, quite pleased with herself: That Lu Zhiwan merely got lucky, stumbling into His Majesty’s favor by chance. But she’s a shallow fool—a few small gifts and some sweet talk were enough to win her over. Does she really think I consider her a sister? Hah, as if she’s worthy.

Hearing this, Consort Hu couldn’t help but rub her throbbing temples and snapped irritably, I think you’re the fool! His Majesty’s fondness for cats is something anyone could find out with a little inquiry. Is that really worth getting so excited about? That Lu Zhiwan was clearly brushing you off, and you have the nerve to call her a fool?

Beauty Zhao was stunned. When she met Consort Hu’s mocking gaze, the realization dawned on her, and her pretty face flushed bright red. Clenching her handkerchief in fury, she gritted her teeth. That damned little wretch! How dare she trick me!

***

At Lihfeng Palace, after seeing off Beauty Zhao, Lu Zhiwan didn’t idle around. Having just moved into a new residence, there was a pile of trivial matters to attend to.

She was busy until dusk, when the palace attendants began lighting the lanterns. It was only then that Lu Zhiwan remembered something—it was already this late, and there was still no summons. Could it be that the emperor wouldn’t be seeing her tonight?

Then it occurred to her that the emperor summoning his consorts wasn’t like a romantic relationship where couples met every day. This was actually the norm. So she didn’t dwell on it further. After finishing her evening meal, she took a couple of strolls in the courtyard before returning to her room to sleep.

Since the emperor had graciously exempted her from morning greetings to Gu Guifei, Lu Zhiwan happily slept in until she woke naturally. After rising, she spent her time reading, admiring flowers, and drinking tea—leisurely and content.

But after three consecutive days of such tranquility, with no further word from the emperor, Lu Zhiwan began to grow anxious.

Had she already fallen out of favor?

Could it be that her proactive advances that night were too obvious, making that dog emperor resentful? But that didn’t make sense. If he hadn’t liked it, why would he have held her all night, exempted her from morning greetings the next day, and bestowed a new palace upon her, as if showering her with deep favor?

The more Lu Zhiwan thought about it, the more confused she became. If men’s hearts were as elusive as needles in the sea, then this dog emperor’s heart was a needle in the Pacific Ocean—utterly unfathomable.

While she was replaying the details of their last encounter in her mind, others in the palace were waiting to see her become a laughingstock.

By noon on the fourth day, as she looked at the noticeably plainer lunch spread, Lu Zhiwan thought, …

She knew the palace was a place where people stepped on those who were down and flattered those on the rise, but this shift in attitude was far too swift!

Xia He was also growing increasingly anxious. Seizing a moment when they were alone, she quietly asked Lu Zhiwan what they should do. Lu Zhiwan thought to herself, What can we do? Nothing, but outwardly she maintained a calm demeanor and comforted her, Let’s wait a little longer.

However, before any news came from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, an unexpected incident occurred on her end—

The cosmetics she used daily had been tampered with by a mole, causing her originally smooth and delicate face to suddenly break out in numerous red rashes. The bright red patches looked quite alarming.

Xia He was so startled that she immediately rushed to fetch the Imperial Physician. Lu Zhiwan, enduring the itching on her face, stopped her: Don’t call for the Imperial Physician just yet.

Under Xia He’s puzzled gaze, Lu Zhiwan found a veil to cover her face and hurried straight to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Such a perfect opportunity to play the victim—if she didn’t make the most of it, she’d be letting down these red rashes on her face.

Xiao Jingting had been deeply troubled lately by the implementation of new policies. The court officials were divided into two factions, and every morning court session was like a flock of squabbling roosters—they hurled insults and accusations at each other, arguing incessantly.

Sitting on the dragon throne, he watched them preach benevolence, righteousness, and morality for the sake of the nation and its people, while in reality, they were only protecting their own narrow interests from being encroached upon. He found it laughable. But after the amusement faded, he felt utterly bored—if his father hadn’t been so devoted and left him as the only heir, he would have preferred being a leisurely prince, spending his days amusing himself with cats and tigers, rather than sitting on this high platform watching the court officials bicker.

He dozed off listlessly through the entire morning, and the court session finally adjourned.

Returning to the palace by sedan, he thought he could finally enjoy some peace and quiet. But as soon as he reached the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, a figure in twilight-purple robes rushed toward him, accompanied by a dramatic, tearful cry: Your Majesty, you must uphold justice for your humble consort!

Xiao Jingting frowned, about to call for the guards, but upon closer look, he saw a petite woman wearing a veil, revealing only a pair of glistening dark eyes filled with tears, gazing pitifully at him.

Her expression was one of adoration and dependence, as if he were her only lifeline.

What scheme is this woman up to now?

Seeing his stern face and furrowed brow, clearly in a foul mood, Lu Zhiwan inwardly groaned—seems like her timing for playing the victim wasn’t ideal?

But she was already here, and it was too late to back out now. She could only adjust her sobs while cautiously observing the man’s expression: Your humble consort did not mean to disturb Your Majesty, but I have been harmed by someone and am terribly frightened. I had no choice but to seek Your Majesty’s justice.

Xiao Jingting cast a casual glance at the thin veil covering her face and guessed most of the story. His long fingers, clasped behind his back, twitched slightly as he stepped into the hall: Come inside and speak.

Lu Zhiwan was taken aback for a moment, then secretly breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly followed.

Outside the hall, Xia He, who had accompanied her, was stunned. Had her mistress’s tactic actually worked? Then it occurred to her—it seemed the Emperor still cared for her mistress. When he saw the red rashes on her face, he would surely be heartbroken and might even hold her in his arms, comforting her tenderly…

As the young maid fantasized about such sweet scenes of mutual affection, inside the resplendent hall, Xiao Jingting looked at Lu Zhiwan’s face—now as red as Guan Yu’s after she removed her veil—and couldn’t hold back his first genuine laugh in days.

Lu Zhiwan, who had been mustering tears and preparing to sob pitifully: …?

Is he even human!