---

Before I could react, the door was kicked forcefully from the outside. This time, the already decrepit door finally collapsed with a bang.

Xiao Ce’s smile froze on his face.
“…”

My second brother, who had arrived late, stood at the doorway and suddenly realized, “Oh, so this door opens outward.”

Xiao Ce facepalmed, speechless. “…You really are a family.”

Sitting on Xiao Ce’s waist and abdomen, I waved to my eldest and second brothers.
“Elder brother, second brother, take our younger sister and go.”

The eldest brother, who had caught a cold, lightly coughed twice, looking a bit worried.
“Ze’an, if it doesn’t work out, don’t overdo it.”

“?”

What does he mean by that?

Before I could even defend my honor, Xiao Ce spoke first, his tone calm, “Prime Minister Lu, please head back.”

The eldest brother lowered his gaze.
“Second brother, take our younger sister home.”

However, my second brother, who was excited by the idea of rebellion, completely ignored what the eldest was saying. He cracked his knuckles and enthusiastically said, “Elder brother, I want to stay and beat up the Emperor too.”

Xiao Ce’s eyes suddenly turned cold.
“No, you don’t.”

A terrifyingly oppressive aura surrounded Xiao Ce. Even though I was the one holding him down, I couldn’t help but feel a chill down my spine.

Though weak in body, my eldest brother still possessed an imposing presence. He sternly commanded the second brother, “Go home.”

Second brother, splashed with cold water, had no choice but to take our sister and leave.

Eldest brother glanced at me again.
“Third brother, are you really not coming?”

I shook my head, gritting my teeth as I prepared to bear the consequences.
“Elder brother, I will take full responsibility for my actions.”

“If there are any repercussions, let His Majesty take them out on me.”

Xiao Ce and I locked eyes. His fingers curled around my sash.

“…My imperial scholar, you truly are noble and selfless.”

Without another word, the eldest brother fixed the door on his way out. As soon as the door closed, I didn’t even have a chance to speak before the tables were turned.

This scoundrel Xiao Ce, pretending to be weak, quickly flipped me over and pinned me beneath him.

Something feels off.

I just wanted to beat him up, but this guy clearly wants to do something else to me.

I swallowed nervously and raised my feeble arm.
“Um… Is it too late for me to run now?”

Xiao Ce glanced up, unperturbed.
“What do you think?”

I miscalculated—Xiao Ce doesn’t discriminate, whether it’s men or women. He won’t let anyone off.

With what little strength I had left, I muttered, “You really are insatiable.”

A smug grin spread across Xiao Ce’s face, full of intent.
“Mm, I am. Will young master Lu feed me?”

Feed you what?

How does he know I ate walnut pastry before coming here?

He kissed the crumbs off my lips. I struggled.
“No way, starve for all I care! Mmph…”

If you’re going to take it by force, why even bother asking me?

As the candles flickered warmly, Xiao Ce bit my earlobe.
“Does my imperial scholar surrender?”

I clenched my fists, gritting my teeth.
“Your servant does not yield…”

Then I got done again.

Lying in bed, I stubbornly cried out, “Your servant absolutely refuses!”

And then, I got done again.

“…Alright, I yield.”

Damn it… this man is too sly!

When he finally stopped, I crawled out of bed. Under the slightly flickering candlelight, I shakily grabbed a pen and scribbled in my little notebook:

“Xiao Ce harassed his official. Virtue -10,000.”

Before I could finish the last zero, Xiao Ce wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, his breath warm against my neck.

“Where are you running off to, imperial scholar?”

Then, he dragged me, along with the blanket, back into the imperial bed. The only thing left outside was my defiant hand, weakly struggling while I whimpered in frustration:

“Xiao Ce, you really are a dog.”

---

7

By morning, Xiao Ce seemed content. Meanwhile, I was sulking, buried under the covers, refusing to come out no matter how hard he tried to pull me.

Xiao Ce had no choice but to sweet-talk me, though I suspected this dog of a man was just placating me after getting what he wanted:

“My imperial scholar, I was wrong to tease my official.”

“I’ll allow you to make a request. You can ask for anything.”

Covering my sore backside, I poked my head out of the blanket and mumbled, “Anything?”

Xiao Ce, reading a memorial, casually replied, “Anything.”

I pondered for a moment before tentatively suggesting:
“How about the Emperor’s role rotating? This year, it’s my family’s turn. Your Majesty, or should I say, Father Emperor, what do you think?”

Xiao Ce: “?”

He tossed the memorial at my face.

“Lu Ze’an, can you think of something realistic?”

What’s unrealistic about that?

Wanting to be Emperor is unrealistic?

Xiao Ce sighed, determined to give me an example.

“For instance, you could ask for the Ministry of Hu (Finance)…”

I immediately knelt down in joy.

“Your servant thanks His Majesty for bestowing me the position of Minister of Finance.”

Xiao Ce finally lost his temper and snapped:
“Lu Ze’an, you’re as dense as a log!”

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