Chapter 14: The Captured Imperial Prince of the Enemy Country’s Canary 1

The emperor, in his thirties and having battled across the realms, exuded an aura so strong that it left everyone trembling, making it feel as if they were being watched by a fierce beast.

In an instant, the man’s finger was released, yet his expression remained completely indifferent.

“Interesting. If the noble concubine is bored, she can head to the cold palace and eat vegetables.”

The noble concubine immediately felt weak and knelt down, saying, “Your Majesty! This servant knows she was wrong.”

Lin Muqing felt the lingering warmth of the man’s fingertip, her mind gradually becoming hazy.

As she leaned her head down weakly, she noticed the man’s gaze sweeping over the swollen wound on her arm.

However, he did not seem to notice it, taking a step back indifferently.

His broad shoulders, holding a hunting longbow, shimmered under the light.

The noble concubine was in a panic; she completely lacked the courage to call the emperor over to explain, saying, “Your Majesty, this person just stole something, which is why I punished her… This servant did not disturb Your Majesty’s hunting.”

The cold and indifferent emperor did not even turn his head, making it impossible to guess his thoughts.

“It is she! She was the one who called for Your Majesty!” The noble concubine stood up, moving forward, very likely threatening her, fearing the emperor would not return.

Lin Muqing could not speak because of the intense pain; the noble concubine did not dare to act further.

“Take her back to the palace. Do not request the imperial physician!”

“Investigate why Your Majesty rushed back from the hunting grounds!”

The noble concubine was the daughter of the prime minister, who had used her mother’s connections to rise to her position.

Little did she know that her stomach had been silent for a long time, watching the emperor interact with the neighboring concubines, each vying for attention and favors.

No peace would be given to anyone who bore the emperor a child.

…

Lin Muqing was carried back to the concubine’s chambers.

In her fainting state, she absorbed the script of this world.

The man who stood at eight feet was the emperor of Northern Qi, the male protagonist named Yuan Ming, who was now thirty-five years old.

At fifteen, he had been a hostage in Dongliao, enduring the humiliation of the imperial family’s younger siblings.

Upon returning to Northern Qi, he, who was not favored, fought hard for the throne and assumed power at eighteen.

Upon stabilizing the court, he began to lead military campaigns, attacking the surrounding territories.

With deep strategies, he conquered dozens of territories in just fourteen years, wildly expanding Northern Qi’s territory.

He had then turned his eyes to the rival Dongliao, seizing control in two years.

Due to the bullying faced in his youth, he was determined to eliminate Dongliao’s royal family.

The original host was not from Northern Qi; she came from inside the Dongliao emperor’s palace, one of the favored ones.

The original host had bad luck; after entering the palace for five days, Dongliao was defeated.

This was due to the severe corruption in Dongliao and the infighting; the emperor himself was selecting concubines among the common people.

Yuan Ming led his army to capture Dongliao’s imperial city, entering the palace and directly deciding to take the original host, who was renowned for her beauty, back to Northern Qi and bestowing upon her the rank of concubine, filling the palace.

The original host had once been a beggar, remembered by the boyish male protagonist who had given her two steamed buns, believing her to be a noblewoman. She entered the palace to repay him, only to realize that the male protagonist wasn’t from Dongliao.

Thus, the original host recognized Yuan Ming as someone she was willing to follow.

Little did she know that her innocent simplicity lacked palace combat strategies. Isolated in Northern Qi, her looks were superior to other concubines, but just as she was embroiled in the scene set by the noble concubine, Yuan Ming arrived, and the original host was on the verge of losing her life, nearly killed, and without a physician to treat her, she would die from infection.

[The original host could help the male protagonist with one task of gratitude. The others were not to be overly ambitious. Our original task was to have a relationship with the male protagonist and his children, which does not conflict.]

“Does the original host not resent the emperor for bringing her back to the palace?”

[Because the original host originally starved to death at the age of five, receiving two steamed buns allowed her to survive for twenty additional years; she was grateful but not overly so.]

[No, the male protagonist has injuries and requires a restoration potion to recover fully.]

“Isn’t he sharing his favor among his concubines?”

[Does he truly have shared affection? Normally, the world of the children does not require us to maintain it. The male protagonist does not; his temporary favorites are among those conniving ministers who have substitutes.]

[The male protagonist frequently goes to battle; the court is indeed fraught with hidden currents, and unknowingly, there are many who wish for his death; two substitutes have already been killed.]

“Should I approach him first? Earlier, I nearly died.”

[Consider how to act; the physical attributes from the previous world will gradually change the body.]

Lin Muqing needed to think carefully.

Opening the educational fund subsidy group.

Pressing for actual updates, this time the system allowed linking to search for the necessary items.

Restoration Potion Subsidy Price: One pancake  |  Effect: 2 milliliters can restore damaged cells, bringing the body back to an optimal state.

Ordinary Muscle Relaxation Oil Subsidy Price: One copper coin  |  Effect: Anti-inflammatory and hemostatic for wounds.

 Divine Detoxification Pill Subsidy Price: Two roasted chickens | Effect: Removes all poisons.

 …

There was a string of copper coins at hand; she purchased the muscle relaxation oil to treat the wounds, then wrapped the bandage around them.

The pain made her gasp for breath.

The system questioned, [Why not buy the restoration potion? I can help you out with roasted chickens.]

“No, I’ll buy it. Later, I’ll pay back double; for now, let’s not worry about it.”

[Why be so frugal? This isn’t helping with the swelling.]

“It’s just temporary. I’m getting used to it.”

Just as she was considering how to approach the emperor,

suddenly, a palace attendant came to congratulate her, announcing orders that the emperor had summoned her.

She was promoted to Shuyi and moved to a new palace, receiving two personal attendants.

Tonight, the emperor wanted to summon her.

Wasn’t this too sudden?

It felt a bit surreal.

That evening, Lin Muqing moved to her new palace.

The news spread throughout the palace, that the noble concubine was dressed for others, and if it weren’t for the emperor calling her back from the hunting grounds, he might have long forgotten this particular person in the palace.

“Freshen up; the emperor will be here soon.”

The palace attendants came in with reverence and decorum, carefully preparing a bath for her. As they touched her smooth and fair skin, they turned red.