I stared at his smile, lost in thought. I was curious why he could smile so enchantingly. I couldn’t help but say out loud: “Shang, you look so good when you smile! But why don’t you like to smile?” As soon as I did, he restrained his smile and said flatly: “Because Father Emperor said that as an emperor, one must have dignity, and emotions must never be shown on one’s face.”
Hearing him say this, I suddenly felt he was pitiful. “So being an emperor is so difficult… How about this! When it’s just the two of us, I won’t call you Your Majesty or use honorifics. You can laugh or cry as you wish. But… please raise my salary a bit…” I clearly saw half of his face darken. I quickly waved my hand to explain: “Oh, I was just joking!”
“Did you actually take it seriously?”
His brow relaxed, and a familiar smile appeared on his face. “Deal?” Though faint, it was enough to make my heart race. “Yes! Deal!”
The next day, I lied about going to the toilet and secretly slipped away. I couldn’t stand the suffocation any longer. While wandering, I overheard some palace maids nearby:
“Did you hear? Since the emperor took a consort, he hasn’t favored any of the ladies!” said Maid A. This made me wonder if the emperor could be a virgin. Maid B nodded, “I’ve heard that! Could the emperor be… into men?” I was shocked.
Maid C chimed in, “It’s possible! I think the emperor has taken a liking to the new guard Ling.” I was furious. Why were they talking about me? I was about to confront them when someone covered my mouth and dragged me away.
I bit his hand in retaliation. He let go, and I was livid. “Who the hell are you?! How dare you stop me!”
“Didn’t your mother teach you what civilized politeness is?!”
He was shaking his injured hand, looking aggrieved: “Do you have a conscience? If I hadn’t stopped you just now, the palace rumors would have spread even more! And you dare to bite me?!”
“Why can’t I? Can’t I bite?”
“Aren’t you afraid of me?” He looked at me in shock. “Why should I be afraid of you? Who are you?”
