TVAAMRF Chapter 35

Chapter 35 – Tyrant 7

Su Tang was stunned. He had originally been wary of the protagonist’s overwhelming Protagonist Halo, fearing he would seize the Imperial Throne and kill Xiao Chengyan. But what was this about stealing men? Shouldn’t the protagonist shou, Su Anjing, be paired with the Main Protagonist Gong? Did he actually like Prince Jin?

The moment Su Tang heard this, he bristled like a small animal whose territory had been invaded, growling defensively. His hand, hidden beneath the table, instinctively reached out and grabbed Xiao Chengyan’s wide sleeve. His fingers then swiftly slid up the fabric, seizing Xiao Chengyan’s hand and locking their fingers together in a possessive grip.

Xiao Chengyan noticed the movement but didn’t resist. Instead, he tilted his head, indulgently amused, and watched to see what Su Tang would do.

Su Tang surreptitiously observed Xiao Chengyan, confirming that his usual expressionless, dead-fish-eyed demeanor had indeed changed. He now appeared relaxed and at ease, his gaze lowered to the audience below.

And who else could be in the audience but the protagonist shou, Su Anjing?

Su Tang’s mood soured. Could the protagonist shou’s Protagonist Halo really be so potent that it had ensnared Xiao Chengyan in a “Man, you’ve caught my attention” scenario?

It wasn’t just Xiao Chengyan; Su Anjing also believed his plan had succeeded exactly as he’d predicted. He likes the scent on me that relieves his headaches. He’ll keep me in the palace, make me a concubine, rely on me, love me, and never let me go.

Su Anjing’s lips curled into a secret smile.

But that smile didn’t last long before it was abruptly shattered.

Xiao Chengyan, his patience exhausted, coldly commanded, “This person’s scent is overwhelming—it stinks! Guards, drag him out of here.”

Su Anjing’s smile froze on his face. He jerked his head up in disbelief.

How could this be?!

Had he misheard?

The Tyrant called him smelly?

This sachet was supposed to alleviate his headaches!

Why was the Tyrant ordering him to leave?

But no matter how many questions and grievances churned in his heart, it was futile. At the Tyrant’s command, palace attendants swiftly appeared, seizing him roughly and dragging him out of the palace banquet.

The Heir of the esteemed An Yuan Marquis, humiliated by the Tyrant’s scorn and branded as “smelly,” was being expelled. Tomorrow’s gossip would undoubtedly be a spectacle.

He absolutely couldn’t leave like this!

Su Anjing’s face turned deathly pale as his mind raced, searching for a solution. He desperately pleaded with the Emperor for mercy while dodging the palace attendants sent to capture him.

He accidentally bumped into a palace attendant carrying wine. The exquisite, ornate wine bottle slipped from her grasp, shattering on the ground with a crisp clink, its expensive contents spilling across the floor like a crimson flower. This was the Emperor’s wine.

The attendant instantly froze in terror, dropping to her knees with a thud, heedless of the shards that might cut her. Trembling, she stammered, “This servant deserves ten thousand deaths.”

Only then did Su Anjing notice the attendant beside him. Infected by her fear, his fingertips began to tremble as well. No, I can’t be like everyone else. If he, too, feared this tyrant, what would set him apart? What special quality would make the tyrant remember him?

In his previous life, what had made Xiao Chengyan treat Su Tang differently, aside from his status as a Medicinal Human?

Su Anjing remembered: his lowly illegitimate younger brother, having spent too much time among the servants, couldn’t bear to see palace attendants executed. Once, when an attendant had failed to care for him properly and was condemned by the tyrant, his brother had pleaded for mercy. The tyrant had smiled and called him too kind, sparing the attendant’s life.

The tyrant favored such people. Su Anjing could imitate that.

Kneeling beside the attendant, Su Anjing lifted his delicate face, adopting an expression of sincere remorse. He insisted the fault lay entirely with him, that he had accidentally bumped into her, and begged the Emperor not to punish the poor attendant.

Su Anjing’s words elicited no gratitude from the palace maid; instead, her face paled further, and she trembled more violently, suspecting he was deliberately trying to harm her. Everyone knew the Tyrant loathed being disturbed when enraged—wasn’t this just hastening her death?

An Yuan Marquis, Su Anjing’s father, nearly suffered a heart attack from anger. He had always considered his eldest legitimate son reasonably intelligent, so why was he acting so suicidal at this critical moment? Had a donkey kicked his brain?

Su Tang was equally stunned.

This Tyrant’s mind is clearly deranged. Can you reason with a madman? I salute you for your courage.

As expected, Xiao Chengyan’s fury only intensified at Su Anjing’s words.

An Yuan Marquis, fearing his entire family would be implicated by his son’s folly, hastily stepped forward to beg forgiveness, cursing his son and forcing him to kowtow. He promised to discipline him severely upon their return home.

Normally, such a plea would have earned some leniency, especially for a minor offense. But they were dealing with the Emperor, a capricious and tyrannical ruler.

Xiao Chengyan had never been one for compromise. He coldly surveyed the crowd below the dais and said in a chilling tone, “An Yuan Marquis, how tactless of you. Your son has already admitted his fault and offered to atone for the palace maid’s offense. Shouldn’t Gu grant him this small request?”

The An Yuan Marquis’s heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding washing over him.

“Gu commands that the palace maid who spilled Gu’s fine wine should have her hands severed. However, since the Crown Prince of the An Yuan Marquis’s Estate collided with her, and the Crown Prince, feeling remorseful, insists on taking her punishment, let the Crown Prince’s hands be severed instead.”

With these few words, the Tyrant casually decreed the loss of the Marquis’s heir’s hands.

Every person present trembled with fear.

Su Anjing was stunned, unable to comprehend why his actions, identical to Su Tang’s, had yielded such drastically different consequences. He lay prostrate on the ground, his entire body shaking uncontrollably with terror.

No, this can’t be happening! he thought desperately. I’m reborn, Heaven’s favored son, destined for greatness. How can I lose my hands here before I’ve even begun to rise to power?

He looked imploringly at his father beside him, hoping for rescue, only to see the An Yuan Marquis clench his jaw and lower his head in acceptance of the punishment. After all, the Marquis reasoned, if the Heir is lost, another heir can be appointed. He doesn’t have only one son. The Tyrant sparing his life by merely severing his hands is already a mercy. By venting his wrath on Su Anjing, the Tyrant will likely cease targeting the Su Family. This trouble was Su Anjing’s own making; he should bear the consequences himself.

Su Anjing’s heart turned to ice. In his panic, he desperately sought help from Prince Jin, hoping their superficial alliance would compel him to intervene. But Prince Jin refused to even glance at him, making it clear he wouldn’t lift a finger.

Su Anjing felt as if he had fallen into an icy abyss, sinking into a dazed despair. If anyone here still cared about him, it was likely only his mother, but what could she possibly do?

The only person who might save him now was Su Tang.

Su Anjing raised his head, his gaze complex as he looked at Su Tang. Clenching his fists in bitter resignation, he bowed deeply. “Your Highness the Imperial Consort, you are known for your benevolence. I beg you to say a word on my behalf. I do not wish to lose my hands.”

Su Tang, already tense in the oppressive atmosphere, was stunned to be suddenly addressed, especially to plead for his rival—the man who had tried to steal his husband!

Before he could react, Xiao Chengyan interrupted.

Xiao Chengyan’s eyes turned glacial as he seized a crystal goblet from the table and hurled it at Su Anjing. The goblet shattered at his feet, the sudden crash making everyone flinch.

Su Tang couldn’t help but tremble, instinctively trying to pull his hand free from Xiao Chengyan’s grip. But the moment he moved, Xiao Chengyan’s grip tightened like an iron shackle, trapping him immovably.

Xiao Chengyan glared at Su Anjing, his voice icy. “Did Gu grant you permission to speak to Gu’s Beloved Consort?”

Su Anjing was so terrified he forgot to breathe, his body as stiff as stone. His fingers, cut by shards on the ground, bled without him feeling any pain.

He wasn’t alone. Everyone present was suffocated by the Tyrant’s terrifying aura, their pores feeling as if they were wrapped in tangible fear, unable to draw breath.

Su Tang, witnessing Xiao Chengyan’s state, felt a pang of fear. His eyelashes trembled as he desperately tried to calm the raging emperor, but he didn’t know how. In a moment of desperation, he scooped up a spoonful of steamed sweet cheese and stuffed it into Xiao Chengyan’s mouth, whispering, “Is it good?”

Xiao Chengyan, his mind ablaze with fury and his head throbbing violently, was abruptly interrupted by this sweet, cloying substance. He frowned deeply, turned his expressionless gaze to Su Tang, and swallowed the cheese.

Sensing the danger in his eyes, Su Tang smiled sweetly, his eyes curving into crescents, projecting an air of docile reassurance.

Just when everyone expected the Tyrant to execute the audacious Imperial Consort, Xiao Chengyan inexplicably chuckled, picked up a piece of celery, and offered it to Su Tang’s lips.

Su Tang: “……” He absolutely loathed celery.

But with so many eyes watching, he could only force a smile, accept the offering, and murmur, “Thank you.”

Then, Xiao Chengyan stroked Su Tang’s face and said, “My beloved consort is far too delicate. Even a little blood frightens him. Very well, drag him out and give him fifty lashes, then banish him from the palace.”

Su Anjing thus narrowly escaped disaster. As palace attendants dragged him away, he cast a venomous glare back at Su Tang, his eyes burning with resentment.

The banquet continued without much disruption after Su Anjing’s departure, quickly regaining its festive atmosphere.

However, the incident made everyone realize that the Imperial Consort held an unusually high position in the Tyrant’s heart.

Meanwhile, Su Tang sat on the high dais, inwardly seething with the urge to punch someone.

Xiao Chengyan was holding his hand, his fingertips lightly scratching Su Tang’s palm, making him itch and desperately want to laugh. But in such a formal setting, laughing like a madman would be utterly humiliating. So he forced himself to suppress it, his face flushing crimson, which others mistook for bashfulness.

To make matters worse, the Dog Emperor was pretending to feed him, saying, “My beloved consort is so delicate, he insists on being fed by Gu himself.”

Su Tang’s face wore a sweet smile, but inwardly he was screaming:

Let go of my hand! Then I can feed myself!

No matter how frustrated Su Tang felt inwardly, to onlookers, it appeared as if the Emperor and Imperial Consort were deeply in love.

Prince Jin smiled charmingly, occasionally glancing at the high seat with an inscrutable expression.

The palace banquet finally came to an end.

Su Tang had never enjoyed such grand occasions. While lively, they were filled with awkwardness and restraint, as he wasn’t close to most of the attendees. The forced smiles were exhausting.

That night, Su Tang returned to his quarters and fell asleep almost immediately.

However, just a few days after the banquet, those who had witnessed the scene seemed to believe the Tyrant had developed an appreciation for beautiful people. They began secretly testing the waters, sending beauties to the Tyrant.

Even Prince Jin, the original Main Protagonist Gong, was no exception.

But the beauties he sent were different—a pair of siblings.

Prince Jin had always cultivated the persona of a half-genuine, half-feigned libertine prince, naturally frequenting brothels and keeping numerous concubines and male courtesans in his residence. The beauties he sent this time were specially selected: a renowned brother-sister pair from the Jiangnan water towns. The sister was delicate and alluring, her voice sweet and honeyed, her smile capable of melting a man’s heart. The brother, with his rosy lips, pearly teeth, and otherworldly beauty, possessed a tear mole at the corner of his eye, poised to fall, adding a touch of seductive charm.

The siblings were pawns trained by Prince Jin. They had been sent to the Tyrant’s side with the hope that one of them would win his favor, gather intelligence, and even secretly poison him.

Prince Jin had never resorted to such methods before, but recent events had disrupted his plans. The Tyrant, who had once been known for his bloodlust and indifference to beauty, now seemed to show a particular interest in Su Tang. Prince Jin reasoned that training even more alluring beauties to win the Tyrant’s favor might succeed. If that failed, the beauties’ deaths would further tarnish the Tyrant’s already tarnished reputation.

Prince Jin brought his entourage into the palace, presenting the siblings dressed in exquisitely alluring attire—a sight that would leave any man breathless.

Yet Xiao Chengyan, seated on the throne, remained utterly unmoved, his expression bordering on impatience.

Presenting beauties required subtlety, not directness. Prince Jin began with flowery words, praising his imperial brother’s tireless dedication to state affairs and urging him to safeguard his imperial health. He then introduced the two “intimate attendants” he had brought to serve the emperor.

Xiao Chengyan’s face remained cold and indifferent.

Prince Jin continued his elaborate speech, as if performing a one-man show. The awkwardness grew so palpable that he nearly lost his composure, desperate to abandon the charade and leave.

Xiao Chengyan’s gaze remained detached as he lazily rested his cheek in his hand. “You’re offering them as servants?” he drawled. “Very well.”

Prince Jin’s eyes lit up, having prepared a whole litany of persuasive arguments, only to be met with such swift agreement.

But then Xiao Chengyan glanced at Chief Li and said, “Take them to the Imperial Consort. Serve her well. If they make even the slightest mistake, kill them.”

Prince Jin froze. “This…”

Xiao Chengyan smirked. “What, Imperial Brother? Are you having second thoughts?”

Prince Jin quickly lowered his head. “Of course not. Serving Your Highness the Noble Consort is their honor.”

Xiao Chengyan’s lips curled into a sardonic smile. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed Prince Jin.

The siblings, though trained, were facing this terrifying tyrant’s overwhelming aura for the first time. Recalling the blood on his hands and his recent threat to kill them, their hearts nearly stopped. They trembled, utterly terrified.

At that moment, Prince Jin shot them a menacing glare, subtly reminding them of their families. Their faces instantly changed. Gritting their teeth, they suppressed their fear and followed the Chief Steward’s men with graceful composure, even their retreating figures radiating meticulously crafted beauty.

Alas, the man they were trying so hard to seduce didn’t even bother to glance at them.

Xiao Chengyan rubbed his temples, his eyes bloodshot and his complexion pale. He hadn’t killed anyone in a long time, fearing he might frighten the timid Imperial Consort. His pent-up frustration had nowhere to go, and the sight of those people arriving with their hidden agendas and fake smiles only disgusted him further.

Only by the Imperial Consort’s side could he truly relax and sleep soundly.

After reviewing a few memorials, Xiao Chengyan finally snapped. He threw the documents to the ground, turned on his heel, and strode out, heading straight for Chaoyang Palace.

Su Tang had just learned that two more palace attendants had been assigned to serve him. Xiaoxi, the Chief Eunuch’s adopted son, had brought them over, claiming they were sent by the Emperor for Su Tang’s personal use. He was free to command them as he pleased, and Xiaoxi warned him not to hesitate to punish them if they disobeyed.

Having served under his adoptive father, the Chief Eunuch, for years, Xiaoxi had learned to discern the Emperor’s intentions.

Though the Emperor hadn’t rejected these two beauties, he clearly had no intention of adding them to his harem. Why else would he send them to the Imperial Consort for his personal use? It was a blatant display of the Emperor’s favor toward Su Tang, showing that no one else could compare.

Moreover, while the newcomers were undeniably beautiful, their allure paled in comparison to the Imperial Consort’s transcendent beauty, which made him appear like an immortal being.

If it were him, he would have chosen the Imperial Consort without hesitation. The Imperial Consort’s beauty transcended gender, seeming otherworldly, driving people to madness and ruin.

However, Xiaoxi had completely misjudged the Tyrant’s intentions this time. The Tyrant simply thought his Beloved Consort was too timid and a bit foolish. He wanted to throw these two people at him to show him the depths of human cunning, to teach him that only he himself could be trusted—everyone else’s hearts were filthy.

If Su Tang had known his thoughts, he would have spat back, “Your heart is the filthiest! All you ever think about is bleep bleep bleep!”

Before the newcomers arrived, Su Tang had been hiding in his room, playing with the smartphone he’d won from the System’s lottery. He only had an hour—just enough time for two games or two episodes of a drama!

Su Tang couldn’t get enough. His heart itched so badly that he rolled around on the bed in a childish, undignified manner. But when a palace maid announced that Xiaoxi had brought new palace attendants, he immediately sat up straight, quickly regaining his cool, noble demeanor, and went out to greet them.

The siblings stepped forward, knelt, and bowed low, prostrating themselves on the ground. “Greetings, Your Highness the Noble Consort.”

Every time someone performed such a grand bow, Su Tang felt like he was losing years off his life. Utterly uncomfortable, he quickly said, “Rise.”

The two rose gracefully, their movements refined by rigorous training. At all times, their posture remained elegant, their delicate features perfectly framed. Yet they kept their eyes lowered, maintaining an air of submissive gentleness.

Su Tang’s first impression was that they looked like celebrities—strikingly beautiful, without a hint of malice. He regarded them with genuine admiration. The Palace Attendants serving the Imperial Consort, however, immediately sounded the highest alert: Enemy attack! Enemy attack! Everyone prepare to drive away these vixen spirits for our master!

Su Tang, completely oblivious to such suspicions, smiled warmly. “What are your names?”

The girl’s voice was gentle and sweet. “This servant is Yan Ran.”

The boy’s voice was androgynous, a perfect blend of masculine and feminine qualities—soft, slightly husky, and utterly captivating. “This servant is Yan Nian.”

As they spoke their names, they slowly raised their eyes, finally meeting the gaze of the Imperial Consort seated before them.

Both froze instantly, nearly forgetting to breathe.

They had never seen anyone as breathtakingly beautiful as the Imperial Consort. To call him an otherworldly immortal would not be an exaggeration.

A woman must maintain her composure. Yan Ran, recovering first, immediately blushed and lowered her gaze, unable to meet the Imperial Consort’s eyes.

Yan Nian, on the other hand, reacted in stark contrast. The moment he saw the Imperial Consort’s true face, his eyes lit up as if he had discovered a priceless treasure. He smiled radiantly, the dazzling grin making the beauty mark beneath his eye appear even more bewitching.

Su Tang was so captivated by Yan Nian’s beauty that he momentarily lost his composure, genuinely feeling as if he were facing a succubus capable of enthralling minds.

Yan Nian fixed his gaze intently on Su Tang and said slowly and earnestly, “This servant has never seen such peerless beauty as Your Highness the Noble Consort. The sun, moon, and stars pale in comparison to your radiance. I was so mesmerized that I forgot myself. Please forgive my impudence, Your Highness.”

Su Tang’s skin crawled at the overly effusive flattery, yet Yan Nian’s sincerity was undeniable—this was no insincere praise. Su Tang could only force an awkward smile and instruct Mammy to assign them tasks.

Upon hearing they were to leave, Yan Nian’s expression immediately darkened with disappointment. His lashes lowered, his red lips pursed slightly, creating a look of heartbreaking beauty.

Humans are naturally drawn to beauty. Su Tang, who enjoyed watching dramas with handsome leads, couldn’t help but linger his gaze on this ancient beauty.

As Yan Nian and Yan Ran retreated, Yan Nian turned back at the doorway, his eyes meeting Su Tang’s, who was still admiring his beauty. Yan Nian’s face lit up with surprise, and his lips curved into a wickedly alluring smile.

Su Tang froze for a moment, then snapped back to reality. By then, that handsome face had already vanished behind the door.

Su Tang sighed, “Tongtong, I’ve finally seen what they mean by ‘a single glance that captivates a hundred hearts.’ If a historical drama had a scene like that, the fangirls would go wild and start switching sides.”

The System replied, “But I think the Host is even more beautiful than him.”

Su Tang chuckled, “Tongtong, you’re so cute.”

The System’s childlike voice turned serious. “I’m being serious.”

Su Tang’s smile widened. “Even cuter now.”

The System let out a soft huff and fell silent, as if it had retreated to a corner in embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Yan Ran and Yan Nian, the siblings, had been assigned a mountain of menial tasks after Mammy’s thinly veiled threats and warnings. None of these tasks offered any chance to approach Your Majesty. How could they let a vixen steal Your Majesty from their master? Your Majesty was truly foolish—if he disliked these two, he should have dismissed them outright. What was the point of sending them to Chaoyang Palace? Was he planning to take them into the harem?

Mammy’s dissatisfaction simmered, and she remained fiercely vigilant.

As night fell and they prepared to return to the Palace Attendants’ quarters, Yan Ran approached her brother. After checking that no one was nearby, she whispered, “A-Nian, this is the imperial palace. You can’t act as recklessly as you used to. We have a mission to complete.”

Yan Nian tilted his head, flashing his sister a charming smile. “How am I being willful?”

Yan Ran furrowed her delicate brows, her voice tinged with helplessness. “I’ve watched you grow up. Don’t you think I know you? You’ve always been drawn to beautiful people. Back in Jiangnan, you used to cling to the most handsome elders, showering them with affection while ignoring the rest. Today, weren’t you just staring at the Imperial Consort…?”

She trailed off, but her meaning was clear.

Her brother had taken a fancy to the Imperial Consort.

Daring to steal from the Tyrant—was he mad?

Yan Nian laughed freely, the beauty mark at the corner of his eye trembling slightly. “A-Jie, don’t you find the Imperial Consort beautiful?”

Yan Ran immediately recalled the earlier breathtaking sight. Her eyes gleamed with admiration as she nodded demurely. “Of course. He’s otherworldly beautiful, like a celestial being.”

Yan Nian’s mood brightened, as if his own preferences had been validated. But then, as if remembering something unpleasant, his smile vanished, replaced by a cold sneer. “A-Jie, rest assured, I haven’t forgotten our mission. It’s just that the Prince is utterly foolish. He’s using our family to blackmail us into seducing the Emperor and becoming his lapdogs, yet he doesn’t even understand what kind of parents we have. They’ve treated us like commodities since childhood. Why should I risk my life for them?”

Yan Ran’s expression darkened as she recalled the hardships at home. “…But they’re still our parents.”

Yan Nian shot her a cold glance. “A-Jie, how many times have I told you? You never learn from your mistakes. You’ll only get hurt.”

Yan Ran opened her mouth to speak, but lowered her gaze and remained silent.

Yan Nian gripped her shoulder. “A-Jie, just do as I say. Look for opportunities to make a show of yourself before the Emperor. If it’s too difficult, forget it. Don’t listen to that Prince. Getting close to someone like the Emperor is suicide. It’s not worth sacrificing yourself for our parents.”

“As for the Imperial Consort,” Yan Nian tilted his head, gazing at the bright moon overhead. Its soft, watery light bathed his face, making the smile playing on his lips seem impossibly alluring. “I know what I’m doing.”

Yan Ran watched him, sighing softly. She didn’t believe him for a moment. But her younger brother had always been headstrong, and she couldn’t control him.