Chapter 27: Shock! A Bizarre Fetish Revealed in the Court!

The old emperor watched helplessly as his trusted generals fought.

Marquis of Jian! What’s wrong with you! Since you stopped going to the battlefield, have you not trained your body? Being dragged around by the hair and hat!

[Ah, an old man in his fifties, didn’t sleep all day yesterday, it’s normal to be weak today.]

The old emperor: “…”

[His wife is much smarter…]

The old emperor: “Tsk!” Why did you stop? Say more!

[And also, the Marquis’s elder brother…]

What about the elder brother?

The civil and military officials looked over in confusion. He was the emperor’s real trusted general, wielding a long sword with great vigor, someone who could take on eight!

Xu Yanmiao: [Ugh, not putting in effort! Even secretly tripping the Marquis of Jian!]

The Marquis of Jian’s eyes widened in shock as he looked back at his elder brother, unable to believe: “Brother, you—”

[Oh, I understand now, so he knew that the Marquis of Jian once attempted to seduce his wife!]

The civil and military officials: “!!!”

I’m no longer sleepy! Give us the details!!!

Everyone gathered around the center of the scene.

Ji Sui, who had been left out, looked bewildered: “…?”

It was the Crown Prince who noticed his disorientation and, with great enthusiasm, dragged him in: “Come on! Follow me!”

Ji Sui: “Wait…”

No need to be so eager at a time like this!!!

“Ah! Zai Nian, come on, you’re just too reserved. I’m telling you, for events like this, you have to be in the front row! You’ve never tried it, but once you do, you’ll know how exciting it is!”

The Crown Prince pulled him further in.

Ji Sui tried to move in the opposite direction: “Your Highness! I don’t…”

“Don’t worry, you’re just not used to our current atmosphere yet! Come on, I’ll show you—”

“Hold on, Your Highness!” Ji Sui did not want to experience this! Why is the Crown Prince so skilled at this?

It can’t be…

Ji Sui shut his eyes tightly.

Xu, Yan, Mao!

The Crown Prince, who was brought to the battlefield by his father at the age of twelve, was experienced in these matters, whereas Ji Sui, who disliked sweating and had only mastered the Confucian classics, had no way to match the enthusiastic Crown Prince in a tug-of-war.

When Ji Sui was pulled from the back of the crowd to the front, the commotion hit him like a wave, and he could no longer care about the sweat on his forehead or his wrinkled silk robe.

Desperately closing his eyes:

… It’s over.

Indeed. The next moment, Xu Yanmiao gasped in shock.

[Princess Qinghe… is a regular at Yulong Temple?! Hiss—how could that be! Isn’t she supposed to be in a pure love relationship with Old Ji? Ah, she even specifically requested a performance yesterday in the temple!!!]

Ji Sui: Heh.

Do you have to make it so clear?

The Crown Prince, who was suddenly served a new piece of gossip and nearly choked on it: “…”

He wanted to comfort Ji Sui but couldn’t suppress his shock and curiosity, his face a mix of disbelief and admiration for Ji Sui’s strength, looking quite distorted.

And the old emperor’s expression was one of utter devastation.

“Qinghe?!”

“How could it be Qinghe!”

His face was full of rage: “How dare a child tarnish my daughter’s reputation!”

Qinghe was his only virtuous and gentle daughter!!!

— Fortunately, Xu Yanmiao was far enough away not to hear his outburst.

“It must be a mistake…” The old emperor refused to believe the reality.

His daughter had always been gentle and understanding…

[Let me see, let me see, she’s playing the arrogant noble lady and the prime minister! The prime minister who wields immense power!]

[And arranged a frail top scholar as a backdrop! The prime minister’s beloved son!]

[Ah! This line! This line is classic! “Prime Minister, you wouldn’t want your son to know, would you?”]

Although the Prime Minister Dou, who was near eighty, did not wield immense power, he: “…” Even though he knew Princess Qinghe likely wasn’t interested in him, he couldn’t help but turn green with envy. Mr. Ji! Please hear me out, I have nothing to do with the princess!

The newly crowned top scholar, praised publicly by Xu Yanmiao: “…” He looked down at himself and sighed in relief, glad he wasn’t frail and wouldn’t have to worry about being hated by Mr. Ji… right?

[And also, “Heh, Prime Minister, when you publicly insulted me as ‘arrogant and unworthy of being a wife,’ did you ever think you’d face today?”]

The old emperor’s vision blurred.

Ji Sui pressed his hand to his forehead, swaying slightly.

Whether the top scholar was frail or not was unclear to others, but the officials unanimously agreed that Ji Sui’s swaying and pressing his forehead looked quite frail.

Prime Minister Dou hadn’t changed. He was green-faced before and was still green-faced now.

… Oh, wait.

The close-by Minister of Justice seemed extremely uncomfortable, noticing that Prime Minister Dou’s face had turned even greener!

As Xu Yanmiao seemed ready to throw out more explosive news, Ji Sui quickly stepped forward to interrupt: “Xu Yanmiao! You…”

The old emperor was quite pleased.

He looked at Ji Sui’s back as though a simple commoner had just encountered a dazzling gold ingot.

He hadn’t expected Ji Sui to be so deeply devoted to his daughter! Ji Sui was known for his cleanliness and high standards; even when his daughter had an affair with the head monk, Ji Sui didn’t get angry but instead interrupted Xu Yanmiao to protect his daughter’s reputation!

If Ji Sui had stepped in, Xu Yanmiao might have targeted him directly!

The old emperor’s eyes glistened with tears: “Good! Good!” I didn’t choose the wrong person for my daughter.

As for his daughter, he must ensure she breaks off ties with the monk and returns to live a good life with Ji Sui!

Such a fine man, why didn’t he know how to cherish…

[Why didn’t I notice this before!] Xu Yanmiao’s eyes seemed to shine with a strange light, so absorbed in the matter that he paid no attention to Ji Sui standing right in front of him, his face flushed with excitement: [Ji Sui and Princess Qinghe! They haven’t shared a bed from the first night of marriage until now!]

Xu Yanmiao emphasized, with dramatic intonation: [Never, ever, shared a bed!]

Ji Sui truly felt the gaze directed at his back shift from intense heat to icy cold, mixed with a hint of murderous intent.

Ji Sui: “…”

He knew it. Xu Yanmiao was nothing but a troublemaker. It wasn’t enough that he had already caused problems with his literary works; now he was trying to disrupt his personal life.

And the old emperor’s expression was one of fierce anger.

So you’re Ji Sui! You married my daughter and then left her in a state of marital deprivation! I knew it, my daughter, who is so shy, serene, reserved, and gentle, wouldn’t have gone to a monk on her own! It must be because of you!

Thinking of this, the old emperor was almost ready to sharpen his knives.

As for the officials, they didn’t dare make a sound, avoiding eye contact with the old emperor, fearing he might vent his anger on them.

However…

Many officials secretly gave a thumbs-up.

Ji Sui truly deserves his reputation! To act like this towards a princess! He’s a role model for us! Far more impressive than the previous one who wanted to execute the princess!

Ji Sui remained calm.

He looked at the emperor, quickly formulating his defense.

He would say that he and the princess were deeply in love, but due to an accidental encounter without a matchmaker, after their marriage, they lost their daughter and, in the princess’s deep sorrow, she had led a loose lifestyle. Both were so heartbroken they decided not to have more children and slept separately until they found their daughter.

But they didn’t expect it would take over thirty years!

Ji Sui thought this excuse was flawless.

He stepped forward, intentionally looking serious: “Your Majesty, I…”

[Oh! No wonder they haven’t shared a bed! It’s a contractual marriage!]

The prepared words choked in Ji Sui’s throat, nearly making him spit blood in frustration.

Xu Yanmiao, this troublemaker, had just realized this and asked him: “What instructions do you have, Lord Ji?”

Ji Sui stared at Xu Yanmiao expressionlessly.

Xu Yanmiao looked even more confused: “Lord Ji?”

Ji Sui: “Heh.”

Xu Yanmiao: “?”

Ji Sui dropped the pretense of a forced smile and replied flatly: “Nothing.”

“Understood!” Xu Yanmiao respectfully asked no further questions.

And then…

[Hiss! Not only a contractual marriage! Ji Sui has an ex-wife! Could it be that he has deep feelings for his ex-wife?!]

[Eh, not really…]

— Continued to immerse in gossip.

You keep digging!

Ji Sui gritted his teeth.

Xu Yanmiao! Do you have nothing better to do than stir up trouble?

The old emperor suddenly spoke: “Marquis of Jian! Have you caused enough trouble!”

This cut off Xu Yanmiao’s immersive experience.

Xu Yanmiao snapped back to reality, his thoughts interrupted.

“Don’t—” Ah!

The Minister of Justice blurted out in anxiety.

We haven’t finished hearing it yet! It doesn’t matter if Marquis Jian has been cuckolded for decades; we’re still curious!

What about Ji Sui’s ex-wife! We want to know!

And what’s the real story between him and Princess Qinghe! Why is it a contractual marriage? What did they contract!

Your Majesty, you might not want to hear it, but we do!

The old emperor sneered.

No! You don’t want to!

He looked at the chaotic battlefield now quiet, his anger pouring out: “Look at you all! Gathering in public and fighting! Where is the dignity and grace expected of people in high positions!”

The entire scene fell silent.

The two groups of combatants in the field hung their heads, listless, as they accepted the emperor’s reprimand.

Finding an outlet for his frustration, the old emperor felt much better.

Suddenly, a voice: [Huh? But didn’t this person seem to enjoy it earlier? Why the sudden change?]

[Is this what they mean by serving the emperor is like serving a tiger? Hmm! Indeed, being an official is tough! The boss’s temper changes so quickly, from enjoying a show one moment to raging the next, more changeable than a chameleon.]

The old emperor’s mood plummeted again.

He was fuming with frustration.

He especially wanted to grab Xu Yanmiao by the collar and shake him: Why is my temper so unpredictable? Can’t you make it easier for me?

The old emperor glared fiercely at Xu Yanmiao, who looked baffled, trying to figure out who in his vicinity had offended the emperor to cause such a look.

The old emperor took a deep breath.

This matter couldn’t be moved.

He turned to look at the Marquis of Jian.

The Marquis of Jian: “?!” His expression turned very fearful.

The old emperor: “I will judge this case today.”

He stared at the Marquis of Jian and the beautiful woman: “Since you’re so clearly mismatched, you might as well divorce.”

The beautiful woman agreed very readily.

The Marquis of Jian suspected she was eager to be with the dashing monk and didn’t want her wish fulfilled so easily, but with the emperor watching… The Marquis of Jian’s face twitched, not daring to show too much displeasure, and said, “As you command!”

The old emperor continued: “Since you signed a contract…” Speaking of the contract, the old emperor recalled Xu Yanmiao’s mention of a contractual marriage and felt even more frustrated, his tone growing colder: “This matter was breached by you first, so this lady cannot be charged with collusion. Do you understand?”

The beautiful woman immediately understood and knelt to thank the emperor for his grace.

The Marquis of Jian could only reluctantly accept this.

“As for the Yulong Temple…” The old emperor paused, grinding his teeth, and moved on: “You monks concubineing with women, shamelessly, according to the law—”

[Eh? Is he going to kill them directly? Or what?]

[The daughter of the Right Inspector of the Censorate… Ever since she brought home a scumbag with his hands cut off, she’s been full of murderous intent, hunting frequently and killing a cartload every few days! Later, she accidentally went to the Yulong Temple and was surrounded by a bunch of charming scholars to cheer her up.]

The Right Inspector’s eyes became moist instantly.

No wonder my daughter has become so cheerful; it turns out she’s been tempered into gentle steel!

The 69-year-old old inspector shakily stood up: “Your Majesty! The old minister… the old minister…” He wracked his brain for an excuse, recalling: “The old minister has close relations with the Wen family… the Wen family… Ah! The one who is seventy-five and still has young companions, we have a deep friendship! The old minister often goes to the Yulong Temple with him! This… once married, the affection remains, the old minister asks for a favor…”

The officials looked at him with solemn respect.

This was sacrificing oneself for the sake of his daughter’s reputation, truly a case of not preserving one’s late years!

Wen family’s head, the 75-year-old retired prince’s attendant, responded: “Ah-choo!”

Later, this news reached his ears…

Wen family’s head: “???”

You’re so high-minded! You’re so amazing! To drag me out for your daughter? Everyone had already forgotten that I was seventy-five and still had those affairs!

[And then there’s the Minister of War, whose wife enjoys these monks, often sitting with a pot of tea in the Yulong Temple for an afternoon, doing nothing but enjoying their sweet talk and performances.]

[Recently, they’ve stopped caring about the Minister of War’s hygiene.]

Minister of War: “!!!”

“Your Majesty!!!”

His loud cry almost ripped the air!

The Minister of War said loudly: “Your Majesty! I believe it’s a mutual affair, all of them were paid! It’s a transaction! Since Nanfeng Pavilion and Baihua Building haven’t been punished, isn’t this false Buddhist temple the same as Nanfeng Pavilion?”

“And! People go there not only for illicit affairs! There’s also music and performances!”

The old emperor: “…”

He really wanted to ask, is it so hard for you to take a bath?

[And…]

Xu Yanmiao hadn’t finished speaking when suddenly a scholar from the Huagai Hall jumped out, speaking earnestly: “Your Majesty! The Minister of War is right, these monks are also running their business honestly. If nothing else, just give them each twenty lashes and shut down the Yulong Temple.”

The old emperor was puzzled: “You have no sisters or daughters at home, what’s your concern?”

“This…”

[Wow!]

[Hahaha!]

Xu Yanmiao’s burst of laughter suddenly rang out.

[What a character! Strange tastes, every time his wife and concubines meet lovers, he opens the door wide for them!]

[Every time he knows they’re with outsiders, he’s especially happy!]

[Hiss—choosing wives and concubines specifically for those they are infatuated with, how unusual! No wonder he doesn’t want these monks to get into trouble, so that’s it!]