Chapter 8: A Small Revenge

In Fang Xu’s view, he had truly underestimated the sheer size of the Qin Imperial Palace. What he did not know, however, was that traveling from the harem to the Grand Throne Hall would take even longer if one were not on horseback. The fact that he managed to jog all the way there, even while lost, was already quite impressive.

The young eunuchs and ladies-in-waiting who had been chasing after him were now only a short distance behind, panting softly. They, too, were bewildered by the Empress’s sudden burst of energy. Why on earth would she dash to the Grand Throne Hall to seek out the Emperor? If she had become addicted to last night’s pleasures, could she not at least wait until after morning court?

Clearly, these attendants misunderstood Fang Xu, even suspecting that she had become insatiable. Fang Xu himself scoffed at the idea—no matter how desperate he might be, could he simply devour this little girl so easily? Had his nine years of compulsory education been for nothing? Of course, if given the choice, Fang Xu might sooner forget those nine years of schooling altogether.

“Your Grace… Your Grace, please slow down…” the eunuchs and ladies-in-waiting called out breathlessly behind him, while Fang Xu looked back at them in utter confusion. He wasn’t doing anything wrong—why were they chasing him?

“Why are you all following me?” Fang Xu complained, casting a reproachful glance at his pursuers. If not for them, he wouldn’t have ended up so disheveled.

“If Your Grace wasn’t running, how could we dare chase you?” one of the eunuchs replied with a wry smile.

What the hell? Fang Xu could not make sense of it at all. Weren’t they the ones who started the chase? If they hadn’t come after him, why would he bother running?

He looked down at his small, delicate body. Although it was paler than his previous self, it was surprisingly sturdy. If this had been the old Fang Xu, he would already be lying motionless on the ground.

Meanwhile, within the Grand Throne Hall, the gathered officials and Empress Qin Suwen herself had noticed the commotion outside. Qin Suwen promptly dispatched an attendant to investigate. Soon, a lady-in-waiting hurried to her side and whispered a report into her ear.

Upon hearing her words, Qin Suwen’s brows knitted slightly, but then a subtle smile played at her lips. “Summon him inside for me!” Her tone was severe, even tinged with a hint of menace, but the attendant knew well enough the Emperor’s true nature. Though the words carried an air of authority and threat, there was far more amusement lurking beneath the surface. Clearly, Qin Suwen had just thought of some wicked plan.

Moments before, after Fang Xu’s exclamation, a squad of soldiers wielding swords had suddenly appeared before him. He was utterly perplexed—what now?

A commander stepped forward from their ranks—a man in golden armor and a military cap. “General Xu Zilong pays his respects to Your Grace. His Majesty invites you to enter the hall,” he announced.

Hearing this, Fang Xu said nothing but allowed a faint smile to touch his lips. He had come precisely to find Qin Suwen, after all.

He had thought he could handle Qin Suwen easily, but as soon as he stepped into the Grand Throne Hall, his legs began to tremble involuntarily. Was this the legendary imperial aura? There sat Qin Suwen atop the Dragon Throne, gazing down at Fang Xu with a half-smile.

“That scoundrel,” Qin Suwen thought to herself, “so bold last night—let’s see how you handle my authority now!” Clearly, the Emperor was being petty, still holding a grudge over last night’s events and now intent on giving Fang Xu a hard time.

“Why do you not salute before the Emperor?” she intoned, tapping the dragon armrest beside her. Though her voice was gentle, it echoed sharply through the hall.

Fang Xu had never faced such a scene before. His mind went completely blank, just as it had the very first time he’d ever tried selling something to someone. He never expected to feel that way again, yet here it was.

“Outrageous! The Emperor addresses you—how dare you not respond? Do you not hold the Emperor in any regard?” Before Qin Suwen could speak further, a civil official behind Fang Xu could no longer contain his indignation.

Hearing this, Qin Suwen’s expression darkened. She had intended only to put Fang Xu in his place—after all, the little brat had called her “little girl” last night. But now someone else dared to overstep their bounds, and it irked her.

Of course, the official had no idea what the Emperor was thinking, nor did he know Fang Xu’s true identity. In his eyes, Fang Xu was simply being disrespectful to Qin Suwen—a clear invitation to disaster.

“What? Are you speaking to me?” Fang Xu finally snapped out of his stupor in response to the official’s rebuke. After all, he had spent last night memorizing all of Qin’s courtly etiquette, determined not to make a fool of himself. But he hadn’t anticipated how intimidating the girl in the dragon robe would look atop the throne, and, for a moment, all his hard-earned preparation deserted him.

Indeed, after Qin Suwen had left the chamber last night, Fang Xu had sat alone on his bed, pondering his new reality. He had come to accept both the fact of his transmigration and his new identity. There was no longer any need to fear being trampled or to wonder why his rear end ached—he was truly relieved.

Still, he understood that he was now in an imperial dynasty, inhabiting the body of a consort. If that was the case, he needed to play his role convincingly, lest his secret be exposed.

Though the Qin dynasty was newly established, its etiquette was already well defined. Fang Xu was determined not to embarrass himself, and certainly not to give Qin Suwen any cause for laughter. He had practiced all night long, only to see his efforts crumble in an instant.