SRAD Chapter 5

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The Emperor's constant visits to his ministers' residences stirred jealousy among his concubines, nearly leading to his poisoning by someone by his bedside. If word got out, it would be utterly humiliating. So, I earnestly advised Duan Mingzhang, "Since Your Majesty frequently seeks my company out of boredom, shouldn't you also spend more time visiting the imperial consorts?"

"Huai Zhen dislikes being with me so much? You don't want to spend time with me?"

I was dumbfounded—how could I dare think that?!

I forced a smile in front of Duan Mingzhang, but the moment I turned away, I was filled with anxiety, my face clouded with worry. I even lost a few strands of hair over it.

September. October. The eleventh month. The twelfth month. The first, second, and third of the twelfth month… The seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth.

The day I feared the most had finally arrived.

However, Duan Mingzhang was in high spirits—not just because it was his twenty-fifth birthday, but also because the army led by my two brothers was about to return victorious. He had reminded me the day before, "Tomorrow's occasion is solemn. Huai Zhen should dress grandly."

Dressing too grandly would make it difficult to run away! With a bitter expression, I numbly allowed people to dress me in layer upon layer of luxurious garments and accessories.

Everything seemed identical to my previous life, except for one missing face among the joyful expressions at the grand banquet. Keeping my head down, I hurriedly followed Le Ping to my assigned seat. When he stopped, I stopped too. Looking up… I was stunned.

Something was definitely not right!

Had Le Ping lost his mind? How could he bring me to the vacant seat beside the Emperor?!

I gaped in shock, and the seated guests were just as dumbfounded. Only Duan Mingzhang remained calm, his eyes gleaming with a charming smile as he asked, "Huai Zhen, today is my birthday. What gift have you prepared for me?"

A chill ran down my spine, and I broke out in a cold sweat—I'm doomed! I had been too preoccupied with worrying about my death to remember this!

Under countless gazes, I awkwardly shook my head, fearing that I would be punished for disrespect. But after a long pause, Duan Mingzhang merely sighed regretfully, "Didn't you promise to give me a birthday gift? Since Huai Zhen is so stingy, I suppose I'll have to claim it myself. Huai Zhen, will you give it to me or not?"

I will! Even if it costs me my life!

"Then this is the best birthday gift I’ve received today." He clapped his hands with a laugh, then slowly stood up, taking my hand in his. "I am twenty-five years old this year. It has been five years since I ascended the throne. The empire is peaceful, and I lack nothing… except for an Empress."

"…What?"

I felt as though I'd been struck by lightning, splitting apart from the inside. Struggling, I asked, "Your Majesty… who have you decided to make Empress?"

He reached out and playfully tapped my nose. "Still pretending? My dear Huai Zhen, I want you to be my Empress."

…What?!

"Otherwise, why do you think I bestowed the title of 'Marquis of Chang'an' upon you?"

A shiver ran through me, and I suddenly recalled—according to the laws of this dynasty, if the Emperor wished to take a male consort as Empress, he must first grant them nobility, followed by the formal betrothal rites…

"This is impossible!"

A sharp, hysterical scream rang out from the banquet.

Consort Chen had risen to her feet, hair in disarray, ornaments askew, her face twisted in rage. "Your Majesty… Your Majesty, have you forgotten what you promised my father? And now you… you… do you even understand what consequences this will bring?"

"If the consequence you speak of is your father's private army of twenty thousand men stockpiled in preparation for rebellion, Consort Chen," Duan Mingzhang said coldly, "—then perhaps you should turn around and take a look."

Beyond the brightly lit hall, the sound of clashing metal rang out—blades colliding, armor shifting… gradually merging into the steady rhythm of marching troops. Two figures stepped calmly through the palace gates, unfastened their swords, and knelt in salute.

"Your Majesty, we report that all traitors and rebels have been eradicated!"

A chilling silence filled the hall as Consort Chen collapsed wordlessly to the ground.

Even as Duan Mingzhang led me to a secluded area behind the hall, I remained dazed, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

He gazed at me, and I stared back at him. After a long pause, I finally mustered the courage to ask, "Your Majesty, since my brothers have returned… may I go back to the marquis' residence?"

"Go back to do what? Prepare for marriage?"

I finally wrenched my hand free. "Your Majesty, please stop teasing me."

He fell silent, studying me intently for a while, before speaking again.

"Huai Zhen, do you remember what you did back then?"

"…Huh?" What time?

"Do you remember? You kissed me, knocked me unconscious, and stripped off my clothes."

!!!!

I stared at him in utter shock. He lowered his eyes.

"On the eleventh day of the twelfth month in the fifth year of Tianqi, we were pursued by rebels near an abandoned palace wall. We were cornered, with no escape. You suddenly lunged at me… kissed me, then knocked me out and stripped me, ordering someone to take me away."

"…"

"Then, Huai Zhen, you put on my clothes and climbed the palace wall, making the rebels believe we were escaping that way… Huai Zhen, how did it feel to be shot by arrows? To fall into the freezing moat in the depths of winter?"

A violent shiver ran through me. He backed me into the wall until I had nowhere left to retreat, then wrapped his arms around me tightly.

With a voice so gentle it sent tremors through me, he whispered in my ear, "Huai Zhen, I will never let you go again."

[END]

Author's Note:

Did everyone understand why the silly and naive protagonist kept thinking he was going to die?

Well… it's because he believed that if the Emperor were ever in danger again, he would undoubtedly sacrifice himself for him. That's it~

Time to sleep! I'll start writing the Emperor's perspective in the next extra chapter.

Question: Why is the Emperor's emotional intelligence so low?

——End of Main Story——

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