After I Faked My Death, the Dog Emperor Completely Lost His Mind - Chapter 9

The lights in the palace did not dim all night. Anxiety gripped the Imperial City as rumors spread that the Sixteenth Prince had fallen victim to the struggle for the throne. While no one dared speak it aloud, the Second Prince, Xiao Qi, was undoubtedly the prime suspect.

Shen Yuheng also felt that the culprit was likely Xiao Qi. Over the years, countless princes had met untimely deaths; the moment one showed a hint of brilliance, an “accident” would surely follow. Xiao Qi was naturally cruel and had inherited the old Emperor’s paranoia, maintaining a “strike them down the moment they appear” attitude toward his siblings. Now that the Sixteenth Prince had just turned twelve and was preparing for the autumn hunt with the Emperor and the court, he had met his end before even setting out.

While Shen Yuheng was still pondering how to deal with Xiao Qi, Zhou Yuan suddenly came running in a panic. “Consort Shen, the Second Prince demands to enter the hall to visit the Ninth Prince! He is already waiting outside!”

Shen Yuheng: “…” Speak of the devil and he shall appear!!

Shen Yuheng glanced at the still-unconscious Xiao Jin on the bed and tucked the corners of his quilt. “Invite them in.”

A moment later, a flurry of footsteps entered the bedchamber. As Shen Yuheng greeted the prince, he used his peripheral vision to observe Xiao Qi. This vigorous Second Prince was now in his thirties; beneath his powerful aura lurked a fanatical undercurrent, scrutinizing every potential rival.

“We meet again, Consort Shen.” Xiao Qi took a step forward and asked nonchalantly, “How is Little Nine’s injury?”

Damn it, he’s trying to bait me with his first sentence!

“What injury?” Shen Yuheng lazily raised an eyebrow, feigning impatience. “The Ninth Prince is ill, not injured. The Second Prince must have misremembered.”

“Is that so?” Xiao Qi looked at the youth on the sickbed. The boy’s cheeks were flushed with fever, yet his hands and feet were deathly pale and cold. It didn’t look like an act.

Xiao Qi sneered inwardly. So Old Ninth truly is a sickly waste; it seems my previous caution was unnecessary.

He shifted his gaze, staring at the slender back of Shen Yuheng, who was leaning carelessly by the bedside. Xiao Qi had heard that the old Emperor had not only favored a male consort but had also made him the Ninth Prince’s “stepmother.” In the past, people wouldn’t have believed it. The Emperor was superstitious and had only brought male consorts into the palace to “ward off evil.” While he had favored many in the past, his habit of “loving the new and loathing the old” was well-known. Besides, a male consort was still a man, how could he compare to the thousand charms of a woman?

The Emperor had long since grown tired and hadn’t touched another male consort for years. Yet now, he was actively summoning this Consort Shen, appearing quite taken with him.

Looking at Shen Yuheng again, he was different from the rumors of a garishly dressed consort dripping in gold and silver. The man before him wore a simple, loose light-green robe, held together by a moon-white belt inlaid with jade. Though he seemed covered up, a section of his snowy-white forearm was subtly exposed, inviting wild imagination.

After finding a random excuse to leave the hall, a subordinate asked Xiao Qi, “Did Your Highness notice anything about Consort Shen?”

Xiao Qi shook his head. Currently, his enemies had all been cleared away, and while the position of Crown Prince remained undecided, the old Emperor refused to relinquish power, focusing instead on his search for immortality. In his irritation, he recalled that sliver of Shen Yuheng’s fair arm under the sunlight; it was so bright it made one’s eyes ache.

“He’s just a pretty plaything.” Xiao Qi raised a hand. “Since His Majesty likes him, make sure to send him over more often.”

Xiao Jin remained unconscious for two consecutive days. While taking care of him, Shen Yuheng realized the boy’s nightmares were truly severe. Sometimes he murmured indistinguishable words; other times, he broke out in a shivering cold sweat, as if being chased in a dream, his body trembling uncontrollably.

When he tried to feed him medicine, the boy’s teeth remained tightly clenched, never letting down his guard even in a dream. Shen Yuheng was fretting when the System crawled over in its usual shady manner: 【Host, in this situation. I usually suggest you feed him medicine mouth-to-mouth…】

Shen Yuheng: “…” Where did this pervert come from?!

Physician Xu visited once in the interim but also had no way to feed him. They could only leave it and wait for him to wake. Physician Xu said, “Do not worry, Consort Shen. The Ninth Prince’s fever has subsided somewhat. He should wake later today.”

Shen Yuheng nodded. As he was seeing Physician Xu out, Zhou Yuan came scurrying over again, a beaming smile on his face as he delivered a message: “Consort Shen, Eunuch Fang has come with word!”

Seeing the joyous smiles on Zhou Yuan and the maids behind him, Shen Yuheng’s heart skipped a beat. No. way? Surely not?!

He struggled to remain calm and asked, “What is it?”

The smiles grew even wider. Zhou Yuan told him, “His Majesty has flipped your nameplate again tonight! The Carriage of Grace will come for you as soon as it gets dark.”

Forget the sky getting dark, Shen Yuheng’s vision was already going dark. Seriously?! Again??

Shen Yuheng nearly lost his balance. Zhou Yuan quickly supported him, thinking he was simply overcome with excitement. Once he recovered slightly, Zhou Yuan added, “Consort Shen, His Majesty has also bestowed many more fine robes and jewelry.”

Shen Yuheng closed his eyes. The servants were full of joy; none of them understood his current state of mind. Last time, he had escaped by luck because the Emperor fell asleep. But what about this time? Surely the Emperor couldn’t fall asleep twice in a row?

The System was still speculating: 【To summon you again after such an ’embarrassing’ incident last time perhaps he truly likes you, Host. 】

Shen Yuheng: “…”

He recalled the Emperor’s appearance. He wasn’t ugly in fact, he was quite handsome for his age, and his skin was well-maintained, but he looked far too much like a ghost. Specifically, a white-clad male ghost wandering through a mist-shrouded mountain. The mere thought made Shen Yuheng shiver.

When Xiao Jin woke up, his whole body ached as if he had been run over by carriage wheels; his bones felt as though they were shattered. He forced himself to sit up, and before even opening his eyes, he instinctively reached under the sheets for his hidden knife.

Beneath his palm, however, there was only the sensation of soft bedding. Realizing his poisoned blade was gone, Xiao Jin’s gaze darkened. The only things left for him were a bowl of dark, viscous medicinal soup by the bed and a piece of slightly rough stationary with a few elegant, clear characters written on it: “Remember to take your medicine.”

During the time he was unconscious, it seemed Shen Yuheng had been the one taking care of him. Xiao Jin could vaguely remember the sensation of a hand stroking his forehead. The Shen Yuheng he had always known was absolutely incapable of such things. No matter how foolish Shen Yuheng was, he surely wouldn’t truly believe that a man like him could be someone’s mother-consort.

Leaving the medicine bowl on the table, Xiao Jin gave it one last look and walked straight out of the room. The sky was already dark, and many servants in the hall had gone to rest, leaving only a few people keeping watch with lanterns.

Seeing Xiao Jin suddenly appear in a black inner robe, Yundou and Jiaobai were startled. The other eunuchs nearby also quickly fell silent, hiding to the side.

Xiao Jin didn’t spare them a glance and simply asked, “Where is Consort Shen?”

“The Consort’s nameplate was flipped today. He has already departed for the Hall of Mental Cultivation on the Carriage of Grace.”

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Shen Yuheng sat in a crimson silk robe, shivering as he waited for the old Emperor to appear. This robe, as vibrant as a wedding dress, had been bestowed upon him by the Emperor with instructions to wear it tonight. Aside from Shen Yuheng himself, everyone likely thought the Emperor was quite fond of him. After all, the old ruler was debauched and impulsive, never remaining devoted to any one concubine. A beauty held in his arms one day could be forgotten the next.

Only Shen Yuheng was terrified. Rewards without merit must eventually be paid for. At the thought, he couldn’t help but shiver, scurrying a bit further into the corner of the bed. There was no one else in the hall, and even the System was dormant; he couldn’t even go back to his original world to die.

Ten minutes ago, the System had finished skim-reading the entire book for him. Aside from the fact that the Emperor’s name was “Xiao Huai,” it couldn’t help him with anything else. The System had kindly informed him: 【According to the original timeline, Xiao Huai only has one year left before he bites the dust. You just have to endure for this one year, Host 】

Shen Yuheng: “…” He wished he couldn’t understand the language right now.

Shen Yuheng waited in despair, praying that Xiao Huai would spontaneously pass out again. However, he had been waiting a very long time tonight. So long that he was starting to get drowsy. He forced himself to stay awake, his head nodding.

After accidentally drifting off for a few seconds, he opened his eyes to see a face at point-blank range. It was pale, bloodless, and exuded a ghostly aura the sight nearly made him scream his lungs out.

Seeing Shen Yuheng so terrified, Xiao Huai pulled him into his arms, his voice ambiguous and low: “Is Consort Shen afraid of me?”

If he didn’t value his life so much, Shen Yuheng really would have nodded frantically. Your Majesty, you really do look like a male ghost.