The Cannon Fodder Was Pampered By The Tyrant - Chapter 1

Why is my body getting hotter and hotter?

“Her Majesty is in a foul mood today. Everyone, stay alert and keep your wits about you. Do you understand?”

In the courtyard outside the palace, the head maid gave a stern warning to the rows of young palace maids standing before her with their heads bowed.

Hearing her words, everyone’s expressions became exceptionally serious and solemn: “Understood. Thank you for the reminder, Matron.”

Only one small maid in the crowd, who looked clean and well-behaved, suddenly allowed a flicker of an imperceptible smile to cross her lips. Her eyes were filled with an irrepressible joy..Great, the time to seek death has finally come.

Lin Yutian had transmigrated here half a day ago.

She was just an ordinary person from a mundane world. Her parents had died in a car accident when she was young, and for some reason, she was the only one who had miraculously survived.

From then on, with no one to rely on, she began the arduous task of raising herself.

On the day she successfully got into university, she didn’t know how to celebrate. Seeing a sign by a doorway listing lottery winners, she followed a sudden whim and used the ten bucks in her pocket to buy a ticket.

Who would have thought she would actually win ten million!

To Lin Yutian, ten million meant her standard of living could jump from one vegetable bun a day to two meat buns! From then on, she would never have to live frugally again. She could wear two sets of pajamas in the summer and buy two padded coats for the winter!

But apparently, God didn’t want her to enjoy the good life so easily.

Before Lin Yutian could even go to redeem her ten million, disaster struck.

She woke up to find she had transmigrated into a web novel that had been dropped by its author.

Transmigrating was one thing, but why did others get to be powerful heroines or legendary regents, while she ended up as an obscure little palace maid serving a tyrant?

Lin Yutian mocked herself As expected, an NPC is an NPC no matter where they go.

However, she managed to recall some of the original plot based on the lingering memories in her mind.

The protagonist of this book was a tyrant named Si Yan.

She had ascended the throne at a young age and was decisive, cold-blooded, and ruthless. Her personality was unpredictable, rumors said that if a serving maid so much as blinked one too many times, she would be dragged away for public execution…

The tyrant’s personality only softened slightly after her “White Moonlight” (first love) returned to the palace.

The book had stopped updating right when the White Moonlight returned, but Lin Yutian could guess the rest of the plot. It would surely be a cliche Happy Ending where the White Moonlight reforms the tyrant, and the two of them rule the world hand in hand.

“Of course, none of that has anything to do with you,” a sudden System voice told her. “You just need to play your part as an NPC. Once you die, you can return to your original world.”

Before Lin Yutian could ask more, the damn System vanished from her mind and wouldn’t respond no matter how much she shouted.

But its words were deeply engraved in her mind, As long as she died, she would go back to her original world.

And so, Lin Yutian began her journey of seeking death.

At first, she planned to drown.

Lin Yutian couldn’t swim; falling in would mean certain death. It was definitely the fastest and most effective way. For the sake of her ten million, she decided to overcome her inner fear.

However, after jumping in place over a hundred times, she still couldn’t find the courage to step forward.

Instead, a passing maid kindly reminded her: “Don’t exercise here; it’s dangerous.”

Lin Yutian froze mid-hop, her face flushing with embarrassment: “Thank you, I’ll be careful.”

The maid smiled at her: “No problem.”

After they left, Lin Yutian felt a bit conflicted. This was a public area. If she drowned, what if she scared someone? Thinking from the perspective of the other maids, working a job is already annoying enough without being traumatized by a colleague’s corpse. It would be too pitiful for them.

So, she gave up on that method.

Soon, she thought of a second way, starving herself to death. That wouldn’t be scary, and it should be easy enough…

Lin Yutian went without dinner for a whole day, her stomach growling. Rubbing her empty belly, she thought tearfully: Starving to death is too painful. When she got back to her world, she’d reward herself with a feast.

At dinner time, Lin Yutian stayed outside alone, planning to live off the “northwest wind” while looking for any poisonous weeds she could eat to die on the spot.

However, the weather was too cold. After crouching for a short while, her legs went numb.

Before she could stand up, a gentle voice asked, “Yutian, why aren’t you eating?”

Lin Yutian turned around to see several maids looking at her with concern. She scratched her face and said shyly, “I… I’m not hungry.”

“Really?” a maid tempted her. “We saved a chicken leg for you. Are you sure you don’t want it?”

Lin Yutian swallowed hard.

Ultimately, she returned to the warm room and ate the chicken leg and rice they had set aside for her. Even though the tyrant in the book was evil, the older maid sisters here were so kind.

Lin Yutian decided she couldn’t scare them. At the very least, she couldn’t die right in front of them.

So how exactly am I supposed to die? Lin Yutian wondered gloomily while eating.

She realized that people are strange, back when life was hard, she had countless thoughts of dying and imagined many ways to do it. But now that she actually had to die, she didn’t know how to go about it.

As she was fretting, she suddenly thought of someone: the tyrant, Si Yan.

Wasn’t she a character who loved killing people? Since Lin Yutian couldn’t bring herself to do it and didn’t want to scare her friends, she could just let the tyrant handle it!

As long as she made some casual mistake, she could be executed and return to her world to enjoy her ten million! Besides, the book said the tyrant would execute someone just for blinking when she was in a bad mood. Adding one more to the count shouldn’t be a problem.

The more Lin Yutian thought about it, the happier she became.

“What are you smiling about?”

The head maid was suddenly standing in front of her.

Lin Yutian snapped back to reality, lowered her head, and whispered, “Sorry, Matron.”

The head maid glanced at her. She had already taken a dislike to this new, quiet, “dull as a gourd” maid. She wasn’t quick-witted or industrious.

Her eyes narrowed as she said coldly, “Since Zhiqiux is gone, you will be the one to light Her Majesty’s incense tonight.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the other senior maids exchanged glances.

Everyone knew Si Yan had a severe sleep disorder and often suffered from insomnia. The consequence was taking her anger out on the maids who lit the incense, sending them to the Punishment Department to be tortured.

Lighting incense was the job the maids hated most. Moreover, Her Majesty had just killed a maid who did the incense yesterday.

This was essentially sending Lin Yutian to her death.

The head maid waited to see the look of terror on the honest little maid’s face. Instead, not only did she not see fear, but Lin Yutian’s eyes actually lit up.

Lin Yutian said in a sweet voice, “Thank you, Matron!”

She had just been worrying about how to become the one to light the incense.

For a moment, the room was silent. Many people sighed in relief. The head maid never expected anyone to be so happy about walking to their death.

So stupid. Living is just a waste of space anyway, she thought.

She waved her sleeve: “Then do a good job.”

Do it, and then you can go die.

Lin Yutian was overjoyed at the thought of getting her ten million immediately. Her meat buns, her big padded coat… her happy life.

After the matron left, the senior maids who usually lit the incense pulled her into a secluded corner and whispered, “Yutian, don’t be afraid. Even though you just arrived, lighting the incense isn’t as hard as you think.”

They thought she was just putting on a brave face earlier, so they comforted her patiently.

“Her Majesty’s incense consists of the few types the Matron usually has us learn. Half a spoonful is enough; don’t add more, or Her Majesty will become irritable,” one maid said softly. “Don’t worry, just keep it under control.”

Though they said “don’t worry,” their brows were full of concern, as if tonight were a great catastrophe.

Lin Yutian felt a bit guilty about her excitement for a quick death, but she was mostly moved. Since her parents died, few people had cared for her like this. It was surprising that while Si Yan was so evil, the maids under her were so wonderful.

“I understand,” she choked out, answering obediently.

Lin Yutian had long eyelashes, when she blinked, it made people feel protective of her. The nearest senior maid couldn’t help but pinch her cheek and sighed: “Just don’t be nervous. Remember, the incense must only be those few scents, don’t add too much, and leave as soon as you’re done. Her Majesty doesn’t like anyone staying in her bedchamber.”

“Right, and don’t touch any of the furnishings in the chamber. Don’t leave any footprints on the floor either; Her Majesty loves cleanliness.”

“And also…”

Lin Yutian felt like a student about to take the imperial examinations, with her elders hovering and giving every possible instruction for fear of a mishap.

And Lin Yutian took it all to heart:

1. Mess up the incense, the more suffocatingly strong, the better.
2. Linger as long as possible, preferably bumping into Si Yan face to face.
3. Mess up the bedchamber and leave muddy footprints on the floor.

That way, it would be impossible not to die.

Lin Yutian said with great confidence, “I understand!”

Seeing her so determined and confident, the maids were relieved and went about their business.

Lighting the incense usually happened around 11:00 PM. Lin Yutian practically counted the minutes as they went by. During dinner, the other maids compassionately piled several large chicken legs into her bowl. This was all they could do for her.

When 11:00 PM arrived, Lin Yutian set out on her mission. She walked into the tyrant’s bedchamber with a light, joyous step.

Ten million. Here I come.

She heard the tyrant would be back in about half an hour, so she had plenty of time.

Lin Yutian walked to the incense burner. Using the tiny bit of the original host’s memory she had left, she found where the spices were kept. She observed for a moment, took out a small spoon, and started layering different aromatic pastes together.

The smell was cloyingly sweet and greasy. Lin Yutian just threw a bit of everything in. As she finished, she noticed a small bundle of incense wrapped in cloth off to the side. It looked special, clearly expensive. Otherwise, Si Yan wouldn’t have wrapped it up so carefully.

“I’ll add some of this too.”

Lin Yutian’s hand slipped, and she accidentally scooped out too much. She instinctively thought about putting some back, but then she remembered: she was here to cause trouble. The messier, the better. It had to be a “fast cut through the tangle” situation, the kind that would make Si Yan kill her in a fit of rage.

Lin Yutian decided to commit to this act of mischief. After all, she didn’t know if time in this world was synced with her original world. If it was, what if her lottery ticket expired? She had to get back quickly.

Lin Yutian used a fire starter to light the incense and placed it in the burner. She clapped her hands and took a deep breath, very satisfied with her masterpiece.

Having finished that, she turned her gaze toward the rest of the chamber. She thought to herself: a tyrant is indeed a tyrant even the dressing table is inlaid with gold.

“Rich enough to build a vanity out of gold, but too poor to give to the commoners.”

Si Yan was exactly as the book described: extravagant, dissipated, and decadent.

Lin Yutian touched it cautiously a few times, and for a split second, she even thought about prying a piece off… but she quickly dismissed the idea. Not only could she not take it with her, but even if she could, she didn’t want it. If something didn’t belong to her, she wouldn’t touch it, no matter how much she liked it.

Perhaps the room lacked ventilation; it felt a bit hot. Lin Yutian tugged at her collar and continued to study the dressing mirror. When her gaze shifted to the glass, she was stunned to find that this little palace maid looked almost identical to her original self. They were virtually the same person, though the maid had a slightly healthier complexion.

Lin Yutian tilted her head.

O.o?

How could it be such a coincidence?

Depressed, she touched her face and scrutinized herself in the mirror. Suddenly, her vision blurred. She felt herself swaying, nearly collapsing to the ground. As she reached out for support, she accidentally swept the items off Si Yan’s desk. They hit the floor with a series of sharp, crisp crashes!

Lin Yutian watched helplessly as one piece of pottery after another, items so expensive that she couldn’t afford to replace them in the modern world even if she won a hundred million shattered before her eyes.

The guards outside immediately heard the noise. Just as they were about to draw their swords and break down the door, a voice rang out from the entrance: “Halt.”

The guards looked back instantly. The palace maids in the courtyard were already kneeling in rows. The only person standing in the courtyard wore a black robe embroidered with dragon motifs, a golden sash at the waist, and dark hair pulled into a high bun. Her eyes were as calm as a deep pool. Despite her young face, one look was enough to inspire a bone-chilling awe.

The guards spoke in unison: “Your Majesty.”

Si Yan stepped forward. A guard cautioned, “Your Majesty, there is an intruder in the hall!”

At those words, everyone nearby broke into a cold sweat. It was common knowledge that Si Yan was eccentric and made no distinction between good and evil. If she was displeased, she would kill anyone. Moreover, word had it she had already executed several ministers in court today.

Si Yan didn’t stop. Her voice was flat: “I know.”

Inside the hall, Lin Yutian shook her head vigorously, trying to clear her mind. What was happening? She felt as though her entire body was being soaked in boiling water. Not only that, but her breathing had become rapid and shallow.

Why is my body getting hotter and hotter…

Did the original owner have some kind of disease? The sensation was utterly foreign and miserable. Gritting her teeth, Lin Yutian steadied herself and staggered toward the exit.

Just as she opened the door, she crashed into a cold, fragrant embrace that smelled of fresh air. Submissively, Lin Yutian wrapped her arms around the person’s waist, greedily absorbing the coolness. She didn’t know what was wrong with her; she only knew she wanted to hold onto something cold. This person felt just right, soft and fragrant.

Lin Yutian nuzzled into the embrace, completely unaware of whom she was holding.

Si Yan was in a terrible mood. Those old fogies in court had been speaking to her with hidden barbs, and the piles of petitions were filled with commoners’ complaints against local officials. She had executed a few to “kill the chicken to warn the monkey,” but the irritability in her heart remained.

And now, some suicidal fool dared to approach her.

Her hearing had always been excellent, she had heard the commotion inside while still at the gate. In that instant, Si Yan’s phoenix eyes flared with icy murderous intent. Her fingers curled slightly, she had already chosen a way for the intruder to die.

But when she saw who it was, her entire body froze. Her eyes filled with utter disbelief.

Si Yan’s usually sharp mind blanked for a moment, leaving her unable to do anything but let the red-faced girl run into her arms.

“Protect the Emperor!”

Shadow guards instantly appeared by Si Yan’s side, their swords drawn.

“…”

Regaining her senses, Si Yan raised a hand sharply, forcing her voice to maintain its usual authority: “All of you, withdraw.”

The shadow guards glanced between Si Yan and the little maid for a moment before retreating into the shadows, merging once more with the night.

Si Yan forced herself to stabilize her emotions. She carried the person in her arms into the room and closed the door.

“I’m hot…” Lin Yutian mumbled, clinging to Si Yan.

Si Yan immediately detected the abnormality. Simultaneously, her keen senses picked up a strange scent in the air, aphrodisiac incense. The girl in her arms still smelled of the smoke, there was no doubt who had done this.

“Why are you here?” Si Yan whispered, her eyes full of hesitation.

Reason told her she should extinguish the incense first, but her hands, which had found their way to the girl’s slender waist, found it difficult to let go.

Lin Yutian’s head was buzzing, she couldn’t hear a word. Si Yan gently stroked Lin Yutian’s flushed face. She barely dared to blink, terrified that this was just a dream. But the guards’ intervention and the scorching heat of the person in her arms were too real to be a lie.

“It really is you…” Si Yan stared at her intensely. “Five years,” she murmured. “I have finally found you.”

Lin Yutian heard nothing. She felt so hot she could hardly breathe. Just as she tried to pull away, her hands were seized, and she stumbled back into that burning embrace.

“Is your body hot?” Si Yan’s voice was exceptionally gentle. If those ministers heard it, they would think she had been possessed.

Lin Yutian felt a surge of grievance: “I… I feel bad…”

This was an instinctive response. Because Lin Yutian was always alone when she was sick, she had developed a habit of only saying “I feel bad” to herself when the suffering became unbearable.

Si Yan noticed her own body reacting, but she was accustomed to the scent, and since Lin Yutian had used a small dose, the effect on Si Yan was minimal, mostly just a slight rise in body temperature.

Lin Yutian, however, was in a much worse state. She was drenched in sweat, strands of hair sticking to her pale face, her lips unnaturally red. Her apricot-shaped eyes looked like those of a newborn puppy, glazed with a misty film.

“Do you still remember who I am?” Si Yan asked, struggling to keep her own breathing steady.

Lin Yutian’s gaze was vacant. She whimpered and shook her head. Si Yan’s expression darkened slightly. She cupped Lin Yutian’s face, speaking with a final shred of hope: “I am Si Yan.”

Lin Yutian gave no reaction.

Si Yan pressed her lips together. “Call my name, and I will help you.”

One of her words must have triggered something in Lin Yutian. She opened her dry, rosy lips: “Si… Yan.”

“Si Yan, please help…mmph.”

All remaining words were fiercely smothered between their lips and tongues by Si Yan.

Lin Yutian felt the world spin. She was swept up into someone’s arms and placed onto a very soft surface. She had never slept on such a comfortable bed. Dazed, she rolled over and wrapped herself in the quilt, leaving only her snowy white face exposed. But soon she felt too hot again and kicked the covers away.

She had no idea that a woman was still standing by the bed.

Si Yan’s breathing was somewhat ragged, yet she still took her time to wash her hands thoroughly before removing her dark blue outer robe. From beginning to end, her eyes remained fixed on Lin Yutian like a wolf eyeing its prey.

She’s grown up so much. Even more beautiful than before.

She is mine.

Si Yan bent her left knee on the edge of the bed, bracing her hands on either side of Lin Yutian’s shoulders. Her gaze finally landed on the girl’s collar, which had been loosened in her struggling, revealing a sliver of white skin.

Her pupils contracted sharply.

The bed curtains fell layer by layer, cutting off all sound. Only occasionally could a fair, slender hand be seen reaching out from within, as if seeking help, or perhaps caught in the height of pleasure.

Soon, another pale hand would slowly cover it, drawing it back into the depths of the curtains.