Why is the Dog Emperor Like That? - Chapter 6

I was both shocked and filled with complicated emotions regarding the incident where someone tried to sneak into Yin Xiao’s bed. While teaching him his lessons, I looked up and gave him a look of profound sympathy. Although he appeared the same as usual, attending lectures and practicing his calligraphy, his mind was clearly in turmoil. His brushstrokes frequently faltered, and he had already torn up several sheets of paper in a single morning.

I did not blame him. I silently ground the ink by his side, intending to wait until his heart settled before resuming the lesson. Any other man in ancient times might have accepted such an event as a romantic affair, but Yin Xiao was different. Because he had once walked in on his mother with a palace eunuch, he felt an extreme loathing toward matters between men and women. In the original book, Yin Xiao never married and never loved anyone until the day he died.

After class ended, I was in no hurry to leave. Instead, I asked Jin Lan to help me prepare a set of bedding. Yin Xiao stared at me as if he wanted to speak. He watched me for a long time, appearing curious about what I was doing, but he ultimately refrained from asking.

I told him directly, “Little Highness, I am staying overnight in the Lanyue Palace.”

Yin Xiao nearly spat out the half-cup of tea in his mouth.

That night, I set up a small mechanism at the entrance of Lanyue Palace. If anyone dared to break in, it would trigger a series of ringing bells. I named it the Anti-Bed-Sneaking Device 1.0. After setting the trap, I extinguished the lamps. Once the lights were out, Lanyue Palace felt as cold as an ice cellar. One could see white mist with every breath.

I immediately crawled into the thick quilts. I slept on the small couch usually reserved for the palace maids on night duty, separated from Yin Xiao by a layer of thin, moon-shadow gauze.

As I began to doze off, the hazy silhouette of the youth behind the gauze suddenly sat up. He hesitated for a moment before slowly turning his head to look at my equally blurred shadow.

“You should leave,” Yin Xiao said, his voice cold and stiff. “I am the Second Prince of the Great Liang Kingdom. I do not need protection from a mere scholar like you.”

I did not respond. I understood his stubborn pride, but I was currently so exhausted that I could barely keep my eyes open. From within the warmth of my blankets, my voice drifted out, lazy and full of sleep.

“Little Highness, rest assured. I do not want to protect you; I simply want to sleep near you.”

Yin Xiao paused for a moment. He seemed to mutter something about me being shameless, appearing quite agitated. However, I fell asleep shortly after and did not hear him clearly.

When I woke up the next morning, Yin Xiao had already sent someone to the Imperial Household Department to fetch the finest set of bedding for me. He even ensured that my arrangements for washing and bathing were distinct from those of the ordinary servants, giving me blatant special treatment. I thanked him with a face full of smiles, though I felt a bit nervous in my heart.

Originally, I only intended to work a short-term job, staying for a month or two to act as a deterrent before leaving. However, since Yin Xiao had bestowed these items upon me, it seemed he intended for me to live in the palace long-term.

After I had lived in Lanyue Palace for about half a month, news suddenly arrived from my home. They said that my father, Lord Ji, was critically ill and that I needed to return immediately. The original owner’s mother had passed away long ago. His father was a third-rank official in the court who, aside from calligraphy and poetry, loved taking wives and concubines. Consequently, the number of women in the Ji household was not much smaller than the Emperor’s harem.

Due to Ji Zijin’s aloof and cold personality, the relationship between father and son had always been poor. Normally, they would not notify me for minor illnesses. This time, however, the situation was likely dire. I packed my things quickly and prepared to rush home.

Before I left, Jin Lan stopped me and handed over a box. “Lord Ji, this is a reward from the Little Highness. He said it is high-quality ginseng to help restore your energy.”

I glanced at a certain brat nearby who had his back turned, pretending to read while secretly listening. I chuckled inwardly and took the gift box respectfully, intentionally raising my voice.

“Thank you for your concern, Little Highness.”

Yin Xiao tilted his head slightly. He did not speak, but he could not hide his smug expression. Jin Lan told me with a smile, “Lord Ji, this is the first time the Little Highness has ever given a gift to anyone.”

Yin Xiao’s back stiffened instantly. He muttered indignantly, “You talk too much.”

Jin Lan and I laughed brightly.

The good news was that Lord Ji was fine. The bad news was that not only was he fine, but after hearing that Yin Xiao had sent him a box of ginseng, he began bragging to everyone that the Second Prince possessed the countenance of an Emperor.

I was speechless. It turned out my father was the one truly eager to support the losing side at the last minute. However, given my current goal of putting Yin Xiao on the throne, tying the Ji family to him might actually be a good thing.

In the blink of an eye, I had been Yin Xiao’s teacher for half a year. I discovered that being a prince was truly not an easy job. Not only did Yin Xiao have to study the Four Books and Five Classics, various histories, and military texts with me, but he was also frequently taken to the grasslands to practice horsemanship and archery. Whenever royal relatives or high-ranking officials visited the palace, he had to accompany them. He also had to deal with the various women sent by the old Emperor.

Recently, Yin Xiao’s health had taken a turn for the worse. He coughed frequently and had no appetite. Even with a table full of delicacies, he would often only take a few bites before stopping. In the original book, after the protagonist Yin Shu ascended the throne, he had no intention of killing Yin Xiao. However, Yin Xiao died in his own Lanyue Palace due to aggravated stomach problems and a broken spirit. Thinking about how the palace I currently lived in was the place where Yin Xiao would meet his end made my feelings very complicated.

During dinner, I went to the Imperial Kitchen with Cui Ping and Chu Ju. I asked the staff to give two pastries to the two young girls. One was a green, round green-tea biscuit, and the other was a pink, plum-blossom-shaped glutinous rice cake. While the two girls argued happily over who would eat which one, I instructed the staff to change the Second Prince’s meals from now on.

The moment the kitchen worker frowned, I pressed a heavy silver coin into his hand. The matter was settled instantly. It is strange how that works.

I returned from the kitchen and brought Yin Xiao’s dinner with Cui Ping and Chu Ju. At that moment, Yin Xiao was still copying texts. He looked up and saw me, then frowned at the unfamiliar meal before him. There was silver ear and lotus seed soup, stir-fried vegetables, yam cakes, and a small bowl of brown rice, which was rare in the palace.

He gestured toward the food with his eyes and asked, “What is this?”

I answered honestly, “I told the Imperial Kitchen that from now on, the meals prepared for the Little Highness should be lighter and better for the stomach.”

“It is unnecessary.” Yin Xiao continued writing, not even looking at the food. “It is merely something to fill the stomach. Why do you bother yourself with it?”

I looked at his profile. He was indeed thinner than he had been six months ago, but he also looked more mature. The child who had spoken with a milky ferocity six months ago had grown into a handsome and heroic boy. I looked at his height with envy. Children truly grow tall so quickly.

Perhaps annoyed by my staring, Yin Xiao turned his head with an awkward and unnatural expression. “What are you doing?”

I smiled, scooped up a spoonful of lotus seed soup, and held it to his lips.

“If the Little Highness refuses to eat, I will have no choice but to feed you myself.”