Why is the Dog Emperor Like That? - Chapter 5

I was right. The fact that I met Yin Shu yesterday was discovered by Yin Xiao after all.

Actually, it was not that I had failed to consider this possibility. As soon as I returned yesterday, I prepared several explanations and excuses so that I would not be nervous or guilty if Yin Xiao asked.

However, I never expected Yin Xiao’s reaction to be so extreme. He truly is the villain of a BL novel; even his way of threatening his teacher seemed like he was about to start some dark dungeon imprisonment roleplay.

Fortunately, Yin Xiao is just a child after all, and I truly had not betrayed him. I used every ounce of my eloquence to explain the whole situation clearly and quickly.

I softened my voice: “Your Highness, the First Prince possesses a heart that appreciates talent, but my heart remains here with Your Highness.”

Yin Xiao froze and remained silent for a long time.

“How, how could you say something like,” he began, but trailed off.

“Me?” I was utterly confused.

He gritted his teeth and said nothing for a while. Ultimately, the young boy only swept a light glance toward me with the corners of his eyes, retracted the knife and chains, and left.

Before leaving, he threw back a single sentence: “Consider yourself sensible!”

Through this incident, I realized something. The original book mentioned that Yin Xiao’s mother was entirely focused on palace intrigue, and the Emperor was obsessed with harem affairs, constantly thinking about bringing new beauties into the palace. Consequently, little Yin Xiao had lacked discipline since childhood and behaved aggressively toward everyone. He could even pull out things like chains and knives on a whim.

To prevent Yin Xiao from straying down the wrong path and becoming that terrifying villain who kills anyone in his way, I decided to take responsibility. I must not only teach him academics but also nurture his character and conduct some quality education. After all, I am the teacher of Yin Xiao.

Good grief. I cannot teach him; I simply cannot teach him!

A half month passed.

There is good news. Through my unremitting efforts, Yin Xiao’s manners have finally improved a tiny bit.

There is also bad news. The way Yin Xiao looks at me now carries a strong feeling of “you are dead once I ascend the throne.”

My back felt cold as I suddenly realized a very important thing. If Yin Xiao’s favorability toward me is too low, I will likely be finished even if he does become Emperor. Therefore, should I start trying to increase Yin Xiao’s favorability?

Good grief. I cannot do it; I simply cannot do it!

This kid, Yin Xiao, is as hard as a rock in every aspect.

When I tried to show him some concern, he said his ears had recently gone deaf and he could not hear nonsense. When I gave him small pastries as gifts, he said he preferred salty snacks if I gave him sweet ones, and sweet snacks if I gave him salty ones. I tried to inquire about his preferences, but none of the palace maids or eunuchs serving him knew anything.

While I was working hard to increase Yin Xiao’s favorability, Yin Xiao approached me first.

“Ji Zijin, stop wasting your efforts trying to please this Prince. It is unnecessary.”

He looked at me coldly and no longer even called me teacher.

“Or do you have some other motive?”

I felt quite helpless: “Your Highness, I truly wish to assist you and absolutely have no other motives. Furthermore, I am your teacher, so it is normal for me to care about you, is it not?”

Yin Xiao stared at me.

“Care?”

He gave a light snort as if he had heard the most ridiculous words in the world. I watched Yin Xiao open his mouth, guessing that in the next second, I would hear him say something very, very unpleasant. I was prepared.

However, his lips wavered for a long time before finally turning into a short “Tsk” sound.

I do not know if it was my imagination, but Yin Xiao’s attitude toward me became less cold.

Every time he saw me, he no longer ignored me entirely but would nod as a greeting. He stopped testing the pastries and gifts I sent for poison every single time; however, whether he ate them depended on his mood.

To someone unfamiliar with Yin Xiao, it would surely seem that our relationship was poor. But in the eyes of the palace maids and eunuchs who knew him well, I had already become the most favored person around him. Many of them were afraid of direct contact with Yin Xiao, so whenever something came up, they would ask me to report to him on their behalf.

This was especially true for the two young palace maids who usually delivered meals, Cuiping and Chuju. Every time a meal was served, Cuiping and Chuju would stand at the door trembling, waiting eagerly for me to help them. They did not dare speak to Yin Xiao and could only beg me to lend a hand.

They were simply too young. At first glance, they looked to be only six or seven years old, mere children.

Once, I asked Jinlan if Cuiping and Chuju were the children of another palace maid and why they were so young. Jinlan looked around hesitantly, and seeing no one was nearby, she whispered: “Actually, they are not palace maids.”

“What?”

Jinlan swallowed and told me: “Those two should be considered the bedchamber attendants of Your Highness.”

My eyes nearly popped out of my head. These two little girls were only six or seven, and Yin Xiao was only twelve. They?

Jinlan quickly explained: “Of course, Your Highness has never touched them. This matter was actually the intention of the Emperor.”

Jinlan quietly told me that last year, the old Emperor traveled among the common people and brought back a beautiful, charming woman named Lady Wan. The old Emperor claimed that Lady Wan was originally a widow, but everyone knew that she had cried incessantly since entering the palace; she had clearly been taken by force. To threaten Lady Wan, the old Emperor ordered her two young daughters to be brought into the palace and thrown to Yin Xiao, intending to use his own son to torment the little girls.

He truly is a beast among beasts.

Yet Jinlan said: “Although Your Highness has a temper, he has never mistreated these children. Perhaps when they grow older, they might truly be fortunate enough to serve Your Highness.”

Based on Jinlan’s tone, “serving Yin Xiao” seemed to be a very fortunate and grand thing. I sighed.

After staying with Yin Xiao for a long time, I discovered that the old Emperor was very frequent in sending women to him. According to the muddled thinking of the old Emperor, it was probably to let Yin Xiao “pick one he likes and settle down early.” Sometimes, a beautiful woman was sent directly to Yin Xiao. At other times, it would be more subtle, sending a woman to seduce Yin Xiao under the guise of “assigning a palace maid.”

Yin Xiao found it a headache, and I also felt troubled for him. Old Emperor, your son is only twelve years old! He is still a child!

This morning, as soon as I entered the gates of the Lanyue Palace, I noticed an unusual atmosphere. The palace maids and eunuchs who usually cleaned the area were nowhere to be found, and the large courtyard felt suddenly empty and desolate.

Yin Xiao was still waiting for me in the study. However, throughout the entire day, his face was dark as if someone owed him two hundred taels of silver.

After class, I asked Jinlan about the situation.

Jinlan replied hesitantly: “Yesterday, a palace maid tried to climb into the bed of Your Highness. She was given ten lashes and thrown out.”