TVAAMRF Chapter 33

Chapter 33 – Tyrant 5

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The next day, when Su Tang woke up, Xiao Chengyan had already left.

He resumed his daily practice of horseback riding and archery. Sometimes Xiao Chengyan would come to instruct him. Su Tang’s body wasn’t particularly strong, so he needed two days of rest after a few days of training.

One morning, after being served breakfast by the palace attendants, Su Tang felt bored and decided to take a stroll. Having been in the palace for over a month, he still hadn’t seen the legendary Imperial Garden.

Unfortunately, Su Tang wasn’t one to appreciate flowers. After a brief walk, he ended up at the hexagonal pavilion by the lake, watching the fish.

He sprawled lazily on the pavilion’s long bench, boneless and limp, almost reverting to his salted fish state. He seemed to want to join the slow-swimming koi in the water as if they were of the same species. The difference, of course, was that they were live fish, while he was a dead salted fish.

Just then, a palace attendant approached him, bowing respectfully. “Your Highness, would you like to feed the fish?”

Basking in the warm morning sun, Su Tang was so comfortable he was nearly dozing off. Startled by the attendant’s voice, he blinked groggily for a few seconds before registering the question. Still too lazy to move, he merely lifted his eyelids slightly and murmured, “Yes.”

The attendant accidentally met Su Tang’s gaze. Those beautiful eyes shimmered like liquid light, their raven-black lashes fluttering gently. His languid, slightly husky voice, combined with his bewitching appearance, effortlessly stirred the heartstrings of others.

The palace maid blushed, quickly lowered her head, and retreated to fetch fish food.

She returned shortly with the fish food and handed it to Su Tang.

As Su Tang accepted it, he noticed something amiss. Besides the fish food, there was a small folded note.

Startled, Su Tang quickly concealed the note.

Though he hadn’t watched many palace dramas, he knew that passing notes in this setting was far more dangerous than getting scolded by a teacher in modern-day class. It could easily involve him in schemes of poisoning, forced abortions, or other dark conspiracies.

Without even daring to glance at the note, Su Tang unhesitatingly tossed the rolled-up paper and the fish food into the lake. The carp, which had been swimming leisurely moments before, immediately swarmed toward the food, their vibrant red bodies forming a dense mass that bloomed like a flower in the water.

Su Tang watched as one of the carp swallowed the note whole, effectively destroying the evidence. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.

Having dealt with the potential trouble, Su Tang slumped back into his relaxed posture, resuming his role as a contented “Salted Fish.”

After watching the fish and basking in the sun long enough, Su Tang began his walk back. As he thought about the note, he felt grateful for his quick reaction, which had likely saved him from trouble. But after a few more steps, a chilling realization struck him:

Wait a minute! Why did I destroy the evidence?!

He hadn’t done anything wrong, so why should he feel guilty? Destroying the note would only make him look suspicious.

What would Xiao Chengyan do if he found out about this?

He should have taken the note and told Xiao Chengyan everything!

Su Tang regretted his actions so deeply his stomach churned. Palace dramas have misled me! he thought. How could I possibly compete with these courtly schemers? Our backgrounds are worlds apart. My petty schemes are like a child’s compared to their sophisticated machinations.

Su Tang felt like banging his head against a wall.

He lowered his head, sighed, and slowly walked back to his chambers. After entering, he sat on the Imperial Consort’s couch, propping his chin in his hand as he earnestly pondered how to handle the situation.

As he thought, he found the position uncomfortable and lay down. The couch was so comfortable that he couldn’t help but feel drowsy.

Su Tang half-closed his eyes. Forget it. I’ll take a nap and think about it when I wake up.

And then…

He fell asleep.

With his eyes closed, the cheek pressed against the couch puffed out slightly, his lips parted slightly, and he slept soundly, even letting out a soft snore.

After an unknown amount of time, Su Tang groggily opened his eyes and saw a dark shadow beside him. He jumped in fright, his heart nearly stopping.

After calming his nerves, Su Tang finally recognized Xiao Chengyan sitting beside the beauty couch. His face was expressionless, his gaze dark and unfathomable, and Su Tang couldn’t tell how long he had been staring at him like that.

Relieved that it wasn’t a ghost, Su Tang breathed a sigh of relief and felt less afraid. Still, he couldn’t help but resent Xiao Chengyan for scaring him for no reason. Doesn’t he know that scaring someone can literally scare them to death?

“Your Majesty, what are you doing?” Su Tang asked.

Xiao Chengyan stared at him for a moment before suddenly saying, “Beloved Consort, you slept so soundly. You must be in a good mood?”

Su Tang blinked. “Not bad, I guess.”

The moment he finished speaking, Xiao Chengyan’s expression darkened considerably.

Seeing this, Su Tang couldn’t help but grumble inwardly, What’s the Dog Emperor so angry about? Just because I sleep well? Is he jealous?

Glancing at the dark circles under Xiao Chengyan’s eyes, Su Tang sighed inwardly and grabbed his arm. “It’s still a while until lunch. Why doesn’t Your Majesty rest for a bit?”

Xiao Chengyan’s eyes flickered slightly, and his expression softened noticeably, as if Su Tang’s words had already half-soothed him. Though his mood had improved somewhat, Xiao Chengyan didn’t immediately agree. Instead, he asked, “You’ll only sleep if Gu accompanies you?”

Su Tang: “…???”

Xiao Chengyan clearly had no intention of waiting for an answer. He carried Su Tang to the Dragon Bed, pulled him into his arms, and fell asleep.

Even as Su Tang was being held like a pillow in Xiao Chengyan’s embrace, he was still slightly dazed, cautiously lifting his gaze for a furtive glance.

Xiao Chengyan’s eyes were closed, concealing the sinister coldness within. Against his pale, sickly face, he looked like a purely harmless young noble.

As Su Tang stared, he inadvertently became lost in thought. The Tyrant’s face was simply too beautiful.

Suddenly, the Tyrant’s hand covered Su Tang’s eyes, his voice cold as he commanded, “Sleep.”

Caught red-handed, Su Tang felt a pang of embarrassment. He pressed his lips together, lowered his head, and buried his face in the Tyrant’s chest, playing ostrich.

Feeling the arms tighten around his waist and the weight of the man in his arms, Xiao Chengyan’s mood instantly improved. A faint flush even rose on his sickly pale cheeks.

They slept like this until the Chief Steward arrived to announce mealtime. Xiao Chengyan suffered from chronic headaches and had rarely enjoyed a good night’s sleep in years. But since Su Tang’s arrival, whenever he held the man close, the faint sweet scent emanating from his embrace allowed him to sink into an unusually deep slumber.

The two sentences Su Tang had spoken before they slept had lifted Xiao Chengyan’s spirits, but that didn’t mean he had forgotten about the secret letters and the plot to escape.

Xiao Chengyan was giving Su Tang a chance to come clean, hoping he would confess and admit his wrongdoing.

During the meal, Xiao Chengyan once again stared at Su Tang with an expressionless gaze.

Unfortunately, Su Tang, ravenously hungry, could only focus on the food before him. After a nap, he had completely forgotten about the note incident.

As Su Tang savored the delicious imperial cuisine, he noticed Xiao Chengyan’s unusual silence and wondered what was wrong. Does he need someone to coax him to eat? he thought.

After a moment’s consideration, Su Tang picked up a piece of venison and held it to Xiao Chengyan’s lips, coaxing him in a tone one might use with a child, “Your Majesty, this venison is exceptionally tender and juicy today. Why don’t you try a bite?”

Xiao Chengyan remained silent, his dark eyes fixed on Su Tang for a long moment before glancing down at the venison. Finally, he opened his mouth and took the bite, chewing slowly while maintaining his intense gaze on Su Tang, sending an inexplicable chill down Su Tang’s spine.

That evening, Su Tang tilted his head, puzzling over the feeling that he had forgotten something important. But when he couldn’t recall it, he simply went to sleep.

Xiao Chengyan, however, stared at him all night, too furious to sleep.

Sometimes, the harder you try to remember something, the more elusive it becomes. But if you let it go, it often resurfaces on its own, sooner or later.

A few days later, Su Tang did indeed remember, but not through his own efforts—rather, due to external circumstances.

During Xiao Chengyan’s absence, Su Tang went to the Military Training Ground to practice riding and archery. He could now ride a horse independently, circling the grounds at a controlled pace without issue. However, mastering mounted archery still required considerable practice. The moving targets, combined with the horse’s motion, demanded exceptional dynamic vision and predictive skills.

Su Tang’s performance fluctuated wildly, like a rollercoaster. Colonel Zhao was baffled. One moment he marveled at Su Tang’s quick comprehension and precise archery; the next day, the Imperial Consort would suddenly regress, becoming utterly unremarkable—even downright terrible, missing the target repeatedly.

Colonel Zhao couldn’t resist subtly suggesting that Lady Su might be unwell, perhaps experiencing vision problems.

Su Tang: “……”

Thank you so much for your concern. I’m neither sick nor blind—it’s just that my vampire abilities are unstable. Maybe a few sips of your blood would stabilize them.

Colonel Zhao noticed the peerlessly beautiful Imperial Consort suddenly curve his lips into a radiant smile, his sharp, snow-white canines gleaming. A sudden chill ran down his spine, and he scratched his head in confusion. It must be my imagination, he thought.

Colonel Zhao needn’t worry. Su Tang disliked the taste of others’ blood and only planned to savor a few more mouthfuls of his own “emergency rations” tonight.

As Su Tang left the Military Training Ground and walked back to the palace, he glanced at the two eunuchs accompanying him and suddenly remembered that he used to have several palace attendants, not just two. He had once found the entourage excessive, their footsteps eerily silent, yet when he turned around, he would see a mass of dark, shadowy heads—a rather unsettling sight.

It seemed the number of attendants had dwindled over the past few days.

Lost in thought, Su Tang belatedly realized the palace attendants were taking a different route than usual.

His heart leaped with a sudden premonition of danger.

Sensing something amiss, Su Tang turned to change course, but the palace attendant immediately grabbed him forcefully, dragging him forward while whispering urgently, “Sixth Young Master Su, I was sent by Prince Wei to rescue you from the palace. Everything is arranged. Come with me now!”

Hearing this, Su Tang struggled even harder. He had come to this world specifically to stop the Tyrant from turning evil. If he left the palace, how could he prevent the villain’s corruption? More importantly, Xiao Chengyan was Luo Yuan—his beloved! He’d be insane to follow a stranger.

Su Tang tried to run, but two Palace Attendants grabbed him, and he couldn’t overpower them. They dragged him a considerable distance. Struggling fiercely, he panicked and shoved one of them with all his might. The Little Eunuch cried out in pain as if struck by a heavy blow, staggering backward.

The other Eunuch was shocked, but his immediate priority was to escape quietly without causing a commotion. Gritting his teeth, he secretly pulled a handkerchief from his robe, intending to use knockout drug to weaken Su Tang’s limbs, dress him in eunuch robes, and then escort him away.

Having just dealt with one Eunuch, Su Tang didn’t notice the other’s movements or understand his intentions. Yet his instincts screamed danger. As the Eunuch approached, Su Tang kicked out sharply and turned to flee.

Betrayed by the two Palace Attendants, Su Tang dared not trust anyone. He ran relentlessly until he reached the wide palace road and saw the Chief Steward’s familiar face. His eyes lit up. Chief Steward Li Zhongshun was fiercely loyal to Xiao Chengyan and could never be bribed.

Panting from his escape, Su Tang said, “Eunuch Li, would you accompany Ben Gong back to Chaoyang Palace? Someone just tried to forcibly take me out of the palace!”

Chief Steward Li Zhongshun was surprised, but not because someone had dared to kidnap someone within the palace walls. On the contrary, he knew everything perfectly well—and so did the Emperor.

The Emperor had deliberately ordered a reduction in the number of palace attendants accompanying Su Tang, creating an opportunity for him to escape and observing how he would react.

Li Zhongshun was certain the Imperial Consort would flee. He had been drugged and sent to the palace by the Marquis’s Estate to serve as the Tyrant’s Medicinal Human. Living under the Tyrant’s shadow, he endured daily terror, never knowing when death might strike. Humans act in their own self-interest; those who enter the palace as consorts do so for wealth, glory, and their family’s advancement.

But with Lady Su’s wretched family, what benefit could remaining in the palace possibly offer? Anyone in his position would seize the chance to escape this abyss.

Though Xiao Chengyan knew everything. If Su Tang dared to flee, he would confine him to Chaoyang Palace, never allowing him to set foot outside its walls again.

Xiao Chengyan’s eyes turned icy, a sinister smile creeping across his face.

Beloved Consort, you’d best run. Give Gu a reason to completely control you.

Yet Su Tang showed no intention of escaping. Instead, he shoved aside the palace attendant without hesitation, fleeing back as if from a ghost, panting heavily.

When Xiao Chengyan received the report from his hidden guards, he suddenly laughed. His handsome, pale face, when smiling, radiated no warmth whatsoever, instead exuding a chilling, deranged aura.

Xiao Chengyan abruptly rose, his magnificent brocade robes embroidered with golden threads billowing like ocean waves, stirring a gust of wind.

His tall, imposing figure strode purposefully toward Chaoyang Palace.

When he arrived, Su Tang was seated at a jade table, enjoying pastries.

Xiao Chengyan paused at the entrance, his foot hovering mid-step, before continuing into the hall.

He sat beside Su Tang, a chilling smile twisting his lips. “Beloved Consort, you had a chance to escape this tyrant. Why didn’t you flee?”

Su Tang, still savoring the pastries, licked the crumbs from his fingertips and replied without hesitation, “I didn’t want to leave.”

This time, Su Tang remembered to mention the note he’d found by the lake.

Xiao Chengyan’s smile grew even more unsettling, his expression inscrutable. “You mean you forgot about it after sleeping, so you didn’t tell Gu?”

Su Tang nodded.

Xiao Chengyan stared at him, then let out a cold laugh. “With such an opportunity, why didn’t you escape? Aren’t you afraid of Gu?”

Su Tang glanced at him, gauging what answer he wanted, then decided to be honest. Who wouldn’t be afraid of a madman? He blurted out, “I am.”

Hearing this, Xiao Chengyan actually smiled again, a sinister, serpentine grin. “Good. If you ever betray Gu, I will kill you.”

Su Tang wasn’t particularly frightened; instead, he nodded with a relaxed air.

Oh, so as long as I don’t betray him, I won’t die.

Of course, Su Tang had no intention of betraying Xiao Chengyan. To him, this wasn’t a threat but rather a golden ticket to survival.

That night, as they prepared for bed, Palace Attendants brought in two steaming basins of hot water for the Emperor and Imperial Consort to soak their feet.

After testing the water temperature and deeming it suitable, the Attendants bowed their heads and announced, “Your Majesty, Your Highness, the water is ready.”

Su Tang and Xiao Chengyan each slipped their bare feet into the wooden basins, relishing the comforting warmth enveloping their skin.

Fifteen minutes later, the water began to cool.

Su Tang lifted his foot, allowing an Attendant to dry it before placing it on the bed. He planned to roll into the covers immediately—soaking his feet before sleep was the most relaxing thing in the world.

But just as he was about to tuck himself in, a hand seized his foot.

Xiao Chengyan stared intently at Su Tang’s foot for no apparent reason.

He had never paid much attention before, but soaking their feet together now revealed something striking: Su Tang’s feet were exceptionally beautiful. Their shape was graceful, the flesh and bone perfectly balanced, like flawless white jade. Freshly warmed by the water, they now glowed with a delicate pink blush. Even the toenails resembled smooth, rounded seashells, tinted a charming rosy hue.

Xiao Chengyan remained silent, his gaze deep and scrutinizing as he studied Su Tang for a long moment, leaving Su Tang feeling uneasy and a little nervous.

This guy… isn’t thinking of chopping off my foot, is he?

Holy shit, that’s unacceptable! Without my foot, how am I supposed to soak my feet in the future?

Fortunately, Xiao Chengyan wasn’t that deranged. He took Su Tang’s foot, placed it on his knee, and removed the jade bead bracelet from his wrist. He slipped it onto Su Tang’s ankle, the fiery red jade beads, crystal-clear and translucent, making his skin appear even fairer. The bracelet circled his ankle like a distinctive mark.

The Chief Steward glanced at it once before hastily lowering his head, his heart pounding with shock.

Those beads had been specially obtained by the late Empress from a temple when the Emperor was a child, during one of his illnesses. He had worn them constantly ever since. Now, the Emperor was casually gifting the bracelet to the Imperial Consort!

How could the Chief Steward not be stunned? A tempest of shock raged within him.

As Xiao Chengyan watched the jade beads—which had accompanied him for so many years—encircling Su Tang’s ankle, a faint smile curved his lips, as if his mood had suddenly brightened.

After this gesture, Xiao Chengyan noticed Su Tang staring at him, his eyes fixed solely on him. Pleased by this undivided attention, he gently stroked Su Tang’s head.

Su Tang’s expression was complex, his eyes widening as he instinctively slapped Xiao Chengyan’s hand away.

Holy shit! The Dog Emperor is touching my head with the hand he just used to touch my foot! How disgusting!

Xiao Chengyan immediately saw through Su Tang’s thoughts. His lips curled into a genuine, unrestrained laugh—not a cold sneer, but a hearty roar that nearly made the palace attendants think the Emperor had suddenly gone mad.

“Beloved Consort, these are your own feet, freshly washed. Do you find them so repulsive?”

Su Tang watched Xiao Chengyan’s manic display with a mix of helplessness and indignation. Defiantly, he brazenly draped both legs across Xiao Chengyan’s lap, smiling sweetly as he said, “Since Your Majesty doesn’t mind, I certainly don’t.”

Xiao Chengyan glanced down at the slender, pale legs and asked lazily, “What is Beloved Consort implying?”

Su Tang lifted his chin. “Today, someone tried to forcibly take me away. I had to run for ages to return to Your Majesty’s side. I’m exhausted.”

Xiao Chengyan raised an eyebrow. “So, Beloved Consort wants Gu to massage your legs?”

Su Tang nodded without the slightest hesitation.

Though the palace attendants tried their best to restrain themselves, they couldn’t help but gasp audibly in the silent hall.

Su Tang suddenly remembered the palace attendants standing in the corner, feeling instantly awkward. He instinctively tried to pull his leg back.

But Xiao Chengyan firmly pressed down on his leg, preventing him from moving.

Then, Xiao Chengyan commanded in a cold voice, “All of you, withdraw.”

The palace attendants lowered their heads and filed out one by one.

Among them were several who had been serving Su Tang recently and had grown fond of their kind-hearted master. They worried deeply that the Imperial Consort might be punished for provoking the Tyrant.

As she stepped out the door, one attendant secretly glanced back and saw the Imperial Consort nestled in the Tyrant’s arms. The Tyrant’s face showed no sign of anger; his posture even seemed indulgent.

The palace attendant found this utterly astonishing but breathed a sigh of relief for the Imperial Consort.

Su Tang tried to withdraw his leg again, but it remained firmly pinned. Helpless, he could only watch as Xiao Chengyan smiled with mock seriousness and said, “Didn’t Beloved Consort want Gu to massage your leg? We haven’t even started yet. Why are you trying to leave?”

Su Tang tilted his head and stole a sideways glance at him. “You’d really massage my leg? You’re not angry? You don’t think it would undermine your imperial dignity or anything?”

Xiao Chengyan chuckled. “Didn’t Beloved Consort say you ran until your leg ached all for Gu’s sake?”

Hearing this, Su Tang pouted slightly but took him at his word. He grabbed a soft pillow, propped it behind his back, and leaned lazily against the bedpost, calmly waiting for Xiao Chengyan to serve him.

Initially, Su Tang had asked Xiao Chengyan to massage his legs just to tease him. But after a while, he realized the massage was surprisingly comfortable, leaving his legs pleasantly numb and tingling. He completely relaxed and began to enjoy it.

The Dog Emperor’s own dragon claws are personally massaging my legs! he thought. I’m truly honored.

After enjoying the massage for quite some time, Su Tang had slumped sideways, his head nodding drowsily as he drifted toward sleep.

But Xiao Chengyan had no intention of letting him doze off. Leaning closer, he whispered, “Gu has served Beloved Consort well. Now it’s your turn to make Gu comfortable, isn’t it?”

Su Tang jolted awake at these words, his mind clearing instantly. He tried to bolt upright and flee, but he’d forgotten that Xiao Chengyan still had a firm grip on his foot. There was nowhere to run.

Struggling fiercely like a kitten forced into a bath, Su Tang protested, “M-my back still aches!”

Xiao Chengyan smiled almost gently. “No matter. Gu will massage it for you.”

Su Tang howled and clawed in resistance. With a sudden surge of strength, he accidentally kicked the Tyrant off the bed.

A thunderous crash echoed through the chamber.

The Tyrant was stunned. “…???”

Had he just been kicked by the Imperial Consort?

By the Imperial Consort?

Kicked?

The Tyrant began to question his entire existence.

Su Tang hadn’t expected his casual kick to send the man tumbling off the bed.

I hope I didn’t break anything, he thought, considering his unnatural strength. Feeling guilty, Su Tang leaned over the edge of the bed, peering down at the Dog Emperor sprawled inelegantly on the floor. Hmm, doesn’t look broken.

After two seconds of guilt, Su Tang quickly rationalized his actions.

It’s not like I did it on purpose. The Tyrant was being mean to me, and I didn’t even lose my temper.

With that, Su Tang hopped off the bed, grabbed the Tyrant—who was just struggling to his feet—and shoved him forcefully out of the chamber. He slammed the door shut with a bang, declaring rudely, “I’m going to sleep now. If Your Majesty isn’t sleeping, go somewhere else!”

The palace attendants on night duty witnessed this scene, their jaws dropping in shock.

Xiao Chengyan was equally bewildered. What’s wrong with my Beloved Consort? He’s always been so obedient and docile. Why is he suddenly so fierce, kicking me and kicking me out of his own bedchamber? Who’s the master of Chaoyang Palace here? This is utter rebellion!

If the Chief Steward knew what the Emperor was thinking, he would surely retort, “Nonsense! The moment he entered the palace, he dared to snatch food from Your Majesty’s plate, brazenly enjoyed Your Majesty’s personal service, and even addressed you by your given name! If that is considered obedient, then the entire world must be full of docile and compliant people.”

Xiao Chengyan stepped forward, pounded on the palace gate, and said coldly, “Don’t make Gu repeat himself. Open the door.”

Su Tang made it clear he had no intention of humoring him, letting out a cold snort in response.

Xiao Chengyan’s face darkened. “Does Beloved Consort wish Gu to punish you?”

Su Tang, still seething with anger, grew even more incensed at this threat. “Punish me then! Didn’t you threaten to flog me last time? And now you want to chop off my feet? Do you think I have no temper? I’d rather like a piece of char siu than like you! At least char siu is edible!”

Xiao Chengyan’s face twitched. Char siu? What the hell is char siu? How dare he compare the dignified Emperor to a piece of char siu?

He had indeed threatened to flog Su Tang before, but that was merely to scare him and warn him not to run away—he had no intention of actually doing it. And what was this about chopping off feet? Even though he was known as the Tyrant, that didn’t mean he’d accept any baseless accusation.

“When did Gu ever say he would chop off your feet? Stop slandering me.”

Behind the palace gate, Su Tang let out another cold snort, making his stance clear.

Xiao Chengyan glanced at the surrounding palace attendants. They had clearly sided with Su Tang.

The Tyrant is going to chop off the Imperial Consort’s feet! As cruel as ever! Poor Imperial Consort, forced to live with such a madman. At the same time, they deeply admired the Imperial Consort’s courage—daring to shout at the Tyrant and even kick him out, leaving him to eat humble pie.

Xiao Chengyan instantly understood the Palace Attendants’ thoughts, his expression darkening further.

There was also something the Palace Attendants didn’t know: the Emperor, the supreme ruler, had been kicked off the bed by the Imperial Consort. If this became common knowledge, what would be left of his dignity as the Tyrant? Though, truth be told, his dignity was already in tatters.

Xiao Chengyan reiterated, “Gu never considered such a thing.”

Su Tang ignored him, while the surrounding Palace Attendants wore expressions that said, Your Majesty, you’re right, of course, but their eyes screamed, Yeah, right!

Seeing that Su Tang had no intention of opening the door, Xiao Chengyan stood at the threshold for a long moment, his frustration and humiliation simmering. Finally, he spoke in a cold voice, desperately trying to salvage his imperial dignity. “Lady Su, for your insolence and defiance of imperial authority, Gu commands you to reflect on your actions within Chaoyang Palace. You are forbidden from taking a single step beyond its gates.”

Without waiting for a response—or rather, knowing full well there wouldn’t be one—he turned and strode away.

He would spend the night in the study, claiming to be working through the night on state affairs.

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