Chapter 8: 8. Chapter 8: Calm down, dear!

Chapter 8: Stay Calm, Dear!

Hearing Chu Chengye’s words, Cheng Jin assumed he was talking about her and lowered her head even further.

Out of the corner of her eye, Cheng Jin caught a glimpse of Qu Wanxin still standing there, straight as a rod.

She was a modern person born with a halo in the book. Her character setting was that she didn't have the habit of bowing like the people of this dynasty. These behaviors, which were different from ordinary people, made the men in the book bow down to her.

Cheng Jin was different from Qu Wanxin. She knew she was just a small cannon fodder in this world. Her life or death had no impact on the plot of this novel, which was exactly why she wanted to live.

Since she was just an insignificant person, why did she have to die?

That was why she didn't dare to stand out, even though she didn't have those habits of bowing either, and even though she also didn't want to say those flattering and hypocritical words.

When the Emperor was angry, according to the rules, one had to kneel. Yet, Qu Wanxin stood straight, looking at Chu Chengye without even blinking, while pleading for Cheng Jin.

"Your Majesty, please don't blame the Consort."

She thought to herself that although this Emperor would die young, he was quite good-looking.

Qu Wanxin tilted her head to look at Chu Chengye, her eyes full of clarity.

*["You are quite different from others. This vicious woman harmed you, yet you are pleading for her. You are truly kind and magnanimous."]*

Cheng Jin stole a glance and saw Chu Chengye also looking at Qu Wanxin. She couldn't help but mock him in her heart, mimicking the attitude written in the book.

*["No, if you two are going to flirt with your eyes, at least let me leave first."]*

*["As expected, you can't escape that line: 'You are different from others.' Tonight, if you listen to Qu Wanxin chat and recite poetry, you'll think she's even more unique. After all, the five thousand years of Chinese cultural heritage is no joke."]*

"I am asking you, why do you not bow? Why do you not kneel?"

Chu Chengye stood in the room with his hands behind his back. As the Son of Heaven, his anger was naturally intimidating.

He knew he wouldn't get any real answers from Cheng Jin, and he couldn't be bothered to watch Qu Wanxin’s hypocritical posturing any longer.

Qu Wanxin pointed at herself with some surprise. "Me? I didn't do anything. Why should I kneel?"

Hearing this, Chu Chengye didn't react, his expression remaining unchanged, but the two young eunuchs behind him were quite observant and pressed Qu Wanxin down onto her knees.

"Why you should kneel? This servant fears that you have become confused living in this palace. The Emperor is the Son of Heaven. In the entire Southern Qi, except for the Empress Dowager, everyone must kowtow and bow when they see the Emperor."

Things hadn't developed the way she imagined. Cheng Jin looked up at Chu Chengye, met his gaze, and the corners of her mouth lifted imperceptibly.

*["Did I see that wrong? What is this tyrant smiling at? Could it be that he really finds Qu Wanxin’s thoughts interesting? Sure enough, the protagonist group's way of thinking is truly unique."]*

*["Since that's the case, if you two think of me later, don't blame me for anything. I haven't even said a word. As long as this dog Emperor dies, just don't ask me to be buried with him."]*

Mentioning being buried with him again.

Chu Chengye’s face turned black instantly. He had previously thought that compared to Cheng Jin, this Qu Wanxin wasn't interesting, but stupidly rude.

Now it seemed that Cheng Jin’s courage was much greater than Qu Wanxin’s; she thought about how she and he would die a hundred times a day in her heart.

Chu Chengye looked at Qu Wanxin impatiently. "Since you are causing trouble in this palace, I think you should spend two days in the Department of Corrections. Keep yourself busy and let the palace servants there teach you the rules."

Cheng Jin’s eyes widened instantly, and she looked at Chu Chengye in disbelief.

"Your Majesty, you cannot! Although Noble Lady Hui has committed a minor offense, the crime does not warrant this."

Didn't he find her interesting? Was this some kind of special fetish?

*["You can't! In the book, the Fifth Prince launches a rebellion early precisely because he heard that Chu Chengye was treating Qu Wanxin poorly in the palace. Sending her to the Department of Corrections now isn't that just asking for death?"]*

*["If you want to die, I still want to live."]*

*["This tyrant just ascended the throne and has no idea how many people at court are dissatisfied with him, or how many are under the Fifth Prince’s faction. The throne wasn't obtained legitimately to begin with. Isn't this just handing them an opportunity to help the Fifth Prince push him off the throne?"]*

*["If you really think Qu Wanxin is rude and damages the royal dignity, and you want to punish her, you have to consider that she is the only daughter of the Censor-in-Chief. How can she go to a place like the Department of Corrections? Her father is also an expert at helping you get kicked off the throne. If you don't avoid this, and you really do it, they might be able to storm the palace gates by tomorrow."]*

*["Stay calm, dear!"]*

Listening to Cheng Jin’s inner voice, Chu Chengye slowly clenched his fists.

Good!

Very good indeed!

They are all hoping the Fifth Prince can overthrow me, all hoping I die.

Chu Chengye was furious, wishing he could go and behead the Fifth Prince and the sycophantic officials led by the Censor-in-Chief and hang their heads on the city gates right now.

On second thought, there was no evidence now. Arresting and killing people would only make the common people panic, and wouldn't that leave even greater hidden dangers? He didn't even know who exactly was plotting treason right now.

Just as Cheng Jin said, he needed to be calm.

Chu Chengye took a deep breath and looked back at Cheng Jin and Qu Wanxin, who was still kneeling there, neither humble nor pushy.

"Noble Consort Rong is right, the crime does not warrant this. Noble Consort Rong is generous and kind; you should thank her."

Cheng Jin: "!!!"

*["Fine, so you were waiting for me here? Praising me is fake; damn it, you're really trying to make me a target of hatred."]*

"Your Majesty is too kind." Cheng Jin gritted her teeth while keeping a smile on her face. "Noble Lady Hui is still young and new to the palace, so it is normal for her not to understand the palace rules."

"Very well, Lady Qu will reflect in the palace and learn the rules properly. Without my order, you are not allowed to step out of the palace gate."

When Qu Wanxin was led away and passed by Cheng Jin, Cheng Jin saw Qu Wanxin glare at her fiercely.

It’s over.

Seeing Chu Chengye flick his sleeves as if he intended to leave, Cheng Jin finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.

*["Finally sending these two kings of hell away. Later, I’ll have Cuizhu invite two good-looking imperial physicians to give me a thorough check-up. I’m so young, I don't want to be scared to death in the end."]*

Chu Chengye, who was just about to step out, paused.

Calling him a king of hell?

And wanting to find good-looking imperial physicians?

He turned around unexpectedly, and his expression softened slightly when he saw Cheng Jin’s stunned look.

"I am going to the Imperial Study to review memorials later. The little palace maid who grinds the ink has fallen ill and cannot get up. Consort Rong, why don't you accompany me?"

"Your Majesty is reviewing memorials; it wouldn't be appropriate for a woman of the harem to go."

*["Ahhhhhhh!!!!"]*

*["Am I the only one in the palace with hands? I see you, you dog tyrant, you are definitely trying to mess with me!"]*

"I say you can go, so you can go."

Cheng Jin had no choice but to change her clothes and follow Chu Chengye.

While changing, Cuizhu looked exceptionally happy, putting all sorts of precious hairpins and gorgeous clothes on Cheng Jin.

"Cuizhu, are you trying to dress me up as a peacock?"