Chapter 6 The Scheming Little Demon

Looking down at Qin Suwen beneath him, Fang Xu felt as if his reason was about to be burned away entirely. Was there anything in this world more tempting, more inviting of transgression, than this very moment? Just as Fang Xu was about to act, however, Qin Suwen suddenly rose to her feet. She swiftly dressed and walked toward the exit.

The sequence of her actions left Fang Xu dazed and unable to recover his wits for quite some time. As he watched Qin Suwen about to leave the great hall, she turned and cast him an alluring smile.

Seeing her like this, Fang Xu suddenly understood: he had been played for a fool! This was no naïve girl—this was a cunning little demon!

Was she even human? The heat burning in his abdomen made him feel as if life was worse than death, and the worst part was, he could do nothing about it. In the end, he had to gulp down several cups of cold tea before he could subdue the wild fire raging in his body, but even then, he could not help gnashing his teeth in frustration.

Recalling Qin Suwen’s smug expression, Fang Xu felt the urge to slap himself twice. Why had he tried so hard to be a model citizen, clinging to morality? At moments like these, even nine years of compulsory education could go to hell!

What irritated Fang Xu most was that, after asking a few of the court ladies who served him, he learned that in Great Qin, one could marry at sixteen—and Qin Suwen was already seventeen. At this thought, Fang Xu decided he’d better adapt to local customs.

Yes! He simply thought it appropriate to adapt to the customs; there was absolutely no other motive—certainly nothing wicked or improper!

After all, Fang Xu was a man who had completed nine years of compulsory education. With that in mind, he made up his mind. Tonight, he would seek his revenge. Yet, for some reason, he found himself looking forward to it, and so he waited quietly in the great hall.

But after sitting for only a short while, Fang Xu began to feel bored. The entertainment available in Great Qin was sorely lacking. But could this possibly stop Fang Xu, a veteran of twenty-second-century amusement? Of course not!

He called over two young ladies to help him. (If you’re having wicked thoughts, go reflect on your own conduct.)

With their assistance, he prepared brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Once the ink was ground, he began sketching rapidly on the paper.

The two ladies standing beside Fang Xu were utterly bewildered by his actions. What Fang Xu was creating, however, was a pastime familiar to all ages in the twenty-second century: poker. Though simple in appearance, poker offered endless variations and countless ways to play.

He was currently drawing all fifty-four cards, and as for the jokers—well, Fang Xu indulged in a bit of vanity. He intended to have an artisan carve the image of Qin Suwen for the big joker, and himself for the little joker—after all, what could he do? Qin Suwen was the boss, wasn’t she?

But just as Fang Xu finished and told the two ladies to have the cards made, something unexpected happened: upon seeing his drawings, the two fell to one knee and begged for mercy.

Fang Xu was baffled—had he done something wrong?

Only then did he realize: though the ladies didn’t understand poker, they knew that the sovereign’s image could never be used on a mere plaything.

Yet Fang Xu saw nothing wrong with it—after all, in his previous world, the portraits of great figures were often printed on currency.

No matter how he tried to persuade them, the ladies refused to cooperate. Left at a loss, Fang Xu took his drafts and left the hall. After a pleasant negotiation with that little demon Qin Suwen the previous night, he decided to stop calling her “little girl.” In exchange, Qin Suwen agreed not to make him wear women’s clothing anymore.

After all, in Fang Xu’s eyes, he was no cross-dressing enthusiast; he had no inclination for such things, and found the idea rather odd. Qin Suwen agreed and finally helped him acquire a set of men’s clothing.

Though a bit unaccustomed, Fang Xu figured that, since he had already traveled to this world, there was no point fussing over such details.

“Madam! Madam! What are you planning to do?” The young ladies hurried to block his way, but Fang Xu merely waved them off, saying, “I’m going to find Qin Suwen!” and strode outside.

The young ladies stood there, dumbfounded, but before they could react, Fang Xu reappeared.

“Um… Qin Suwen… Where is His Majesty right now?” Fang Xu scratched his head, feeling somewhat embarrassed in front of the young ladies.

After all, having just transmigrated here, he barely knew the palace, let alone that Qin Suwen was the current emperor—something he’d only learned after the fact.

All this body had left him was a somewhat handsome appearance.

“Madam, what is it you wish to do? His Majesty is still at morning court!” The young ladies looked at Fang Xu in puzzlement. He considered for a moment, then asked where the morning court was held—after all, he lacked any real sense of this era’s etiquette.

Though the young ladies had no idea what he intended, they answered his questions truthfully.

Fang Xu nodded at them with a smile, then strode out of the hall with quick steps.

This sent the young ladies into a panic, and they hurried after him, worried he might repeat his earlier attempt at throwing himself into a well.

“Madam, slow down! What are you planning to do?” they called as they chased after him.

“Why, I’m going to ask Qin Suwen for her opinion!” Fang Xu replied over his shoulder, grinning at them as they trailed behind.

“Madam! You mustn’t! No woman is allowed in the imperial court!” The young ladies pleaded with him, but Fang Xu acted as though he hadn’t heard a thing.

At this point, Fang Xu felt that anyone who tried to prevent him from pursuing the bit of amusement he’d just remembered was his greatest enemy.

Life in the deep palace was so dull that he was nearly growing mold.

If he could at least spar verbally with Qin Suwen, that might bring a little pleasure. But he also knew Qin Suwen couldn’t possibly neglect court every day, and from what he’d heard, her life had not been easy.

Now that he was Qin Suwen’s consort—though the title made him feel awkward—that was simply the reality, was it not?

Since it was reality, Fang Xu resolved to do something for Qin Suwen, at least something within his power.

Little did he know that he was about to face his first trial in this new life—a challenge more serious than anything he had yet imagined.