SRAD Chapter 3

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I counted the days and then sentenced myself to death in despair—so be it, maybe I could even take a tour of the Naihe Bridge and have a taste of Meng Po's soup. Twenty years later, I’d be a good man again.

I clearly remembered that in my past life, the day the emperor was forced into abdication was his twenty-fifth birthday. At that time, my two brothers were still leading the army back to the capital, and the number of palace guards was far from enough to resist the overwhelming rebels. The palace gates had to be shut tight, and then…

I asked Duan Mingzhang, “When is Your Majesty’s birthday?”

He smiled and said, “The tenth day of the twelfth lunar month. Why, does Huaizhen wish to celebrate for me?”

“…” I was afraid someone wanted you dead instead!

I sighed and took a sip of the shark fin soup the emperor had rewarded me with… The imperial chef’s cooking was getting more and more to my taste. Sigh, at most, I’d only get to enjoy this for another six months. Just thinking about it made me sad.

“Huaizhen, are you unhappy?”

I kept a blank face. “How could that be? Your subject has food and drink, I’m especially happy.”

“But Huaizhen hasn’t smiled even once.”

Really? I was startled and quickly rubbed my face.

I tried to force a smile… Oh no. Without even looking in the mirror, I knew how awful my smile must be.

“Huaizhen… I don’t know what it would take to make you smile sincerely.” He sighed.

“…If I could avoid dying, I would be so happy I’d jump three feet high.”

I thought for a while, then thought some more, and finally gathered my courage to say, “Your Majesty, this humble subject wishes to eat whatever I want, as much as I want, whenever I want. That would make me very happy.” Even if I couldn’t escape death in the end… at least let me spend my last days eating well, drinking well, and not having to live in fear, watching people’s faces for cues!

He was stunned. “That simple?”

“That simple.”

“Very well, I grant you this.”

I immediately revealed a relieved smile—he was momentarily dazed, then his gaze softened. “When I granted you a noble title, you looked troubled; yet for such a small request, you are this happy?”

Because a noble title is a headache! It means social obligations, preparing new clothes that match the ceremonial dress code, and endless… In short, it’s just very, very troublesome! How could I be happy about that?!

Looking at the rare moment of benevolence on the emperor’s face, I hesitated, hesitated again, and finally couldn’t help but raise my hand. “Your Majesty… if you grant me one more thing, I will be even happier.”

“Oh? My beloved subject, speak freely.”

I stretched my neck, swallowed, and said, “Could I… wake up naturally every day?”

Heaven knows, when I was at home, my eldest brother doted on my second brother and indulged me, letting me laze around all day, eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating, waking up every day to the sight of the sun. But in the palace? Who dared to wake up later than the emperor?! Due to severe sleep deprivation, I was constantly drowsy and yawning all the time!

Duan Mingzhang looked at me thoughtfully. I… I stared at him with the courage of someone unafraid of death—every word I said was heartfelt, sincere, and absolutely true!

“…Granted. From now on, no one will wake you up early. Whenever you feel like getting up, just summon the servants.”

“This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for the immense grace!” Long live the emperor!

I was so overjoyed that I couldn’t stop smiling, no matter how hard I tried to rub it off. Then Duan Mingzhang reached out and rubbed my face, saying, “Looks like this time, you’re truly happy.”

I was indeed very happy, but with that rub, my smile finally disappeared.

He scared the life out of me!

However, the next morning, I realized I had celebrated too soon—because that morning, indeed, no palace maids or eunuchs came to wake me up.

…Because before going to court, the emperor himself took a detour to Haiqing Pavilion and woke me up!

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