After I Faked My Death, the Dog Emperor Completely Lost His Mind - Chapter 7

The next day, the threshold of the Hall of Pure Clarity was nearly worn down by people delivering gifts. Within the Imperial Harem, aside from those whom the original owner had deeply offended, most people were eager to curry favor with the Shen family.

Shen Yuheng looked at the piles of congratulatory gifts, his heart filled with dread. The System popped up, sounding very sympathetic: 【Host, it seems everyone knows you and the old Emperor went [Censored] and then [Censored]】

Shen Yuheng snapped: “I didn’t! I wouldn’t! You naughty little System, don’t talk nonsense”

Although it was hard to believe he and the old Emperor were truly innocent. Even though he had “attended the bed,” they hadn’t done anything they were supposed to do. Shen Yuheng felt relieved on one hand, but terrified on the other that the Emperor would summon him again.

Probably not, right? With so many beautiful concubines eager to please him, why would the old Emperor fixate on a single male consort?

Just as he told himself to relax, Zhou Yuan knocked on the door. “Master, Head Eunuch Fang seeks an audience.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuheng’s hanging heart instantly died. It seemed the old Emperor did indeed remember they had done nothing yesterday! He must have sent someone to settle the score for falling asleep before the “good deed” was done!

Shen Yuheng walked out with trepidation. The entrance to the hall was buzzing with curious young maids and eunuchs. When they saw Shen Yuheng, the crowd immediately parted to make a path.

Head Eunuch Fang, seeing Shen Yuheng, beamed with a smile and flicked his whisk, signaling a junior eunuch to present a gift. “This is agate from the Western Regions, a tribute from this year. His Majesty has ordered craftsmen to fashion it into a bracelet. Please accept it, Consort Shen.”

This was the first time Shen Yuheng had received jewelry gifted by the Emperor. The palace servants craned their necks to see, finding it incredibly novel. Only Shen Yuheng felt a secret pang of guilt. He hadn’t actually served the bed; why was the Emperor sending him gifts?

Rewards without merit make one uneasy!

But that wasn’t all. Fang Qing continued, “Furthermore, His Majesty intends to give Consort Shen a grand gift.” He looked around and told the servants, “Please have the Ninth Prince present as well.”

Hearing this, Yundou and Jiaobai immediately ran to fetch Xiao Jin. Shen Yuheng couldn’t figure out what kind of “grand gift” required Xiao Jin’s presence. He had a very bad feeling about this.

Yundou and Jiaobai hurried to Shen Yuheng’s bedchamber to fetch Xiao Jin. However, when they saw the predatory, murderous glint in Xiao Jin’s eyes, the smiles vanished from their faces. They couldn’t help but fear him; rumors said that when the Ninth Prince was found, he was pulled from a pile of corpses, drenched in the scent of death. No one said it aloud, but everyone knew there was only one way to survive in a war-torn, famine-stricken borderland.

Thinking of those hellish images made them tremble with fear. The two maids nudged each other until one finally gathered the courage to step forward.

“Ninth Prince, Consort Shen requests your presence. Eunuch Fang has come to the hall, he says His Majesty has a gift for the Ninth Prince and Consort Shen to accept together.”

At the mention of “His Majesty,” the corners of Xiao Jin’s mouth twitched. Sending gifts so early in the morning? It seems Imperial Father was quite satisfied with Consort Shen.

A flash of memory crossed Xiao Jin’s mind, Shen Yuheng holding his hand and applying the salve. That was one of the few times Xiao Jin had looked closely at the man’s face. That face, those eyes would they also become twisted and hideous with lust, just like his mother-consort?

The mocking arc of Xiao Jin’s smile slowly faded.

Shen Yuheng waited anxiously for a long time until Xiao Jin finally arrived. For some reason, the maids who fetched him were shaking and silent. Shen Yuheng asked a few questions, but they only shook their heads frantically.

What happened? Did they see a ghost?

Seeing they were both present, Fang Qing cleared his throat. “An Imperial Edict: The Ninth Prince’s birth mother passed away early, and he has resided in the Hall of Pure Clarity for some time now. Since the Ninth Prince’s birth mother was of lowly status, henceforth, the Ninth Prince’s Mother-Consort shall be Consort Shen.”

A dead silence fell over the hall. If his mood could be visualized, Shen Yuheng’s head would be covered in question marks. Wait, I understand every word, but why does it make no sense when they’re put together??

The System couldn’t help but burst out laughing: 【Holy crap, hahahaha! Congratulations, Host, on your new son! 】

Shen Yuheng: “…” Holy. Crap. So, Xiao Jin is going to be my son from now on?!!

Fang Qing bowed and departed, leaving behind a bewildered Shen Yuheng. Although making a male consort the mother of a prince sounded absurd, it was a supreme honor for a consort without children. The palace servants were already whispering in excitement.

“His Majesty never bothered with the Ninth Prince before; what happened today?” “It seems the rumors are true… the stars have shifted, and His Majesty is no longer distancing himself from the Ninth Prince.”

Shen Yuheng was utterly baffled. What is the old Emperor thinking? He fell asleep on the night of the summons, woke up and gave me a bracelet, and threw in a son for free??

But he soon looked on the bright side. The Emperor hadn’t summoned him for a second night; perhaps the man had slept so soundly he forgot yesterday’s events. Given the number of concubines, Shen Yuheng likely wouldn’t have to serve again until next year.

As for being Xiao Jin’s mother-consort it was Xiao Jin who had to be the son, not him. Being a “stepmother” to Xiao Jin meant he actually gained a level in seniority.

He nearly amused himself with the thought. “Yundou,” he called a maid. “Go to the Internal Affairs Bureau and fetch more supplies. The Ninth Prince is my son now; don’t let him be mistreated.”

The maids obeyed immediately. No one thought the request was strange. Shen Yuheng found this new title quite convenient. The original owner hated Xiao Jin, but now that he was the “mother-consort,” helping the boy wouldn’t arouse suspicion.

But where was Xiao Jin? Shen Yuheng looked around and couldn’t see a trace of him. The System poked its head out and said weakly: 【Host, don’t bother, Xiao Jin just left with a terrifying expression on his face…】

The System then lit a few more digital candles for him. Shen Yuheng, suddenly remembering a crucial plot point: “…”

Holy crap. I think I’m going to die??

In the original plot, before Xiao Jin entered the struggle for the throne, no one expected him to even have a chance. After all, his birth mother, Lady Lin, was of lowly status the daughter of a disgraced official. It was said she went mad in the Cold Palace and attacked the Second Prince when he visited, leading the Emperor to order her suicide by white silk.

However, that wasn’t the truth. The reason she was ordered to die, was because she and the Second Prince, Xiao Qi, had “crossed the line.” Shen Yuheng didn’t know the exact details, but he knew for certain that Lady Lin had been forced by Xiao Qi.

A young Xiao Jin had lived in the Cold Palace with his mother; at an age of innocent ignorance, he was forced to witness those violations of human ethics. Reading that part of the novel had made Shen Yuheng feel sick. Xiao Jin was only five or six years old back then…

He guessed that was why Xiao Jin, after ascending the throne, slaughtered the Second Prince’s entire faction, sparing no one.

And now… because of the plot change, Shen Yuheng had become Xiao Jin’s nominal “Mother-Consort.” If he didn’t play his cards right, this crazy kid might think he was “defiling” the title and slaughter him too?

The System encouraged him: 【Keep going, Host! Don’t give up! A redemption expert never surrenders!!】

“Fine, fine.” Shen Yuheng remained optimistic. “Besides, in the worst-case scenario, being slaughtered is a better death than being torn apart by five horses.”

【Host, don’t take so many steps back!! (Screams)】

The System didn’t understand, but Shen Yuheng was truly optimistic. He decided to focus on the present. At the very least, he would tidy up Xiao Jin’s bed. Though he no longer slept in a leaky storehouse, Xiao Jin’s bed was still very meager cold and hard, the kind only used for night-shift servants.

Shen Yuheng ordered a brand-new bed set and quilts. He tested the bed; the softness was no less than his own.

Hmm?

Shen Yuheng frowned. He dismissed the maids and began searching the bed Xiao Jin had only slept in twice. The “cubs” he taught in kindergarten often hid things in their beds—usually lollipops or Ultraman toys.

Shen Yuheng quickly found Xiao Jin’s “toy” a sharp blade. The tip was dark, as if coated in poison. He suddenly remembered the night Xiao Jin had stood behind him sharpening a knife.

Shen Yuheng: “…”

The thought terrified him. He quickly hid the blade and ordered someone to secretly dispose of it or burn it. It absolutely couldn’t stay. Not just for his own safety, but if Xiao Jin caused trouble in the future, it wouldn’t be linked to his hall. If Xiao Jin asked, he’d just say he threw out the boy’s old, “filthy” things.

He had his excuse ready, but Xiao Jin didn’t return. Time passed until it was time for dinner. Shen Yuheng had the maids prepare a meal for two, but the food grew cold and there was still no sign of the boy. He paced the room, his mind racing.

Had Xiao Jin become so disgusted with his new “mother-consort” that he decided to leave and never return? If so, what about the redemption plan?!

Just as he was spiraling into anxiety, there was a loud BANG. A figure slammed into the door and stumbled inside.

Shen Yuheng jumped back in fright. Smelling the heavy scent of blood on the person, he instantly cried out: “Zhou Yuan!! Someone—”

“Shut up!” The person slammed him onto the floor, a hand clamped tightly over his mouth, leaving not even a sliver for air.

Shen Yuheng couldn’t breathe. He pounded on the person’s arm until he caught a familiar scent… the fragrance of the salve.

His heart skipped a beat.

Almost a second later, Zhou Yuan’s voice came from the door: “Master? Master! Is someone else in there?”

Shen Yuheng pulled back slightly, looking in disbelief at the blood-soaked Xiao Jin before him. Outside, getting no response, Zhou Yuan’s knocking grew more frantic. “Master?!”

After a long pause, Shen Yuheng’s voice finally came from inside: “Don’t come in. I’m fine.”

Zhou Yuan, unconvinced: “That sound just now?” “I just tripped; it’s nothing.” “That is good.” Zhou Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. “Master, the palace is restless tonight. Please be extremely careful. I will send more men to stand guard shortly.”

“What happened in the palace?”

Separated by the door, Zhou Yuan sighed and lowered his voice: “Just now, the Sixteenth Prince was harmed in his own bedchamber! His Majesty is furious. The palace gates have been locked; the culprit must be caught tonight!”

As if to confirm his words, a squad of soldiers hurried past the hall, their movements thunderous.

Shen Yuheng: “…” He looked at the youth before him, drenched in the crimson scent of blood.

Oh boy. I’m doomed.