Chapter 16 The Emperor's Pampering: He was wary and excited, his heart trembling in his chest...

Chapter 16 The Emperor's Pampering: He was wary and excited, his heart trembling in his chest...

System task: Act coquettishly towards Prime Minister Su (0/1)

Ying Xi was so angry she could hardly breathe.

He read the system interface again, his gaze fixed on the word "acting cute," a word that seemed very distant to him.

"To Su Xueyi...act coquettishly?"

The system emitted a series of cheerful sounds: "Mmm mmm mmm!" The system hummed a little tune expectantly.

It's really easy for those in positions of power to bow their heads.

But Ying Xi firmly said, "I don't want to." This time there was no countdown. Ying Xi thought that maybe he was compatible with the love system, so even if he refused to carry out the mission, he wouldn't die.

Tiantong was stunned.

To my utter surprise, the host refused to cooperate: "Resisting to carry out the mission may result in punishment."

Ying Xi sneered, "What could be more terrifying than life and death?"

The host's resistance finally made the love system realize that the two had never reached a consensus on their views from the beginning.

The host completed the mission because he didn't want to die, not because he wanted to develop feelings for anyone.

Although the host had assured him that he would continue to carry out the mission, there were limitations that it was "temporary".

The host was incredibly clever; he had long planned to welcome the day when he could disobey the system's commands.

Emperors are deep thinkers.

Sweet Commander coaxed, "Your Majesty, refusing to complete the mission may save your life, but it also doesn't guarantee you won't lose an arm or a leg. Your Majesty probably doesn't want that kind of ending." Sweet Commander advised.

Ying Xi remained silent for a moment.

Will it?

"uncertain."

Ying Xi thought he should test the waters with the dating system gradually; he couldn't push the other person too hard.

Ying Xi temporarily conceded and nodded.

On the other side of the system interface, Ying Xi's anger had not subsided.

He pushed everyone aside and stood up, his deep gray eyes still fixed on the Right Chancellor. To outsiders, his silence just now seemed like the emperor was releasing an even stronger message of oppression.

Ying Xi looked at her: "Su Xueyi."

Su Xueyi lowered her head: "Your Majesty?"

Su Xueyi awaits her fate.

System task: Act coquettishly towards Prime Minister Su (0/1)

Ying Xi asked slowly, "How do I sprinkle it?"

Sweet Tong: "..."

A few breaths of silence.

Sweet Tong was stunned again. It's easy for those in power to bow their heads, but he was bound to an emperor who didn't know what it meant to show weakness.

Moreover, acting cute is a natural thing, and how to do it varies from person to person. Describing it with words only makes it less interesting.

Tian Tong could only try to summarize, saying, "Your Majesty can try to have Su Xueyi do something within her power, but something that is a bit strenuous for her."

“For example…” Tian Tong was giving an example.

Ying Xi understood, and looked down at Su Xueyi, saying, "Put away your thoughts of trying to control me. I want to revitalize the country, but it's not like I can't do it without anyone. Killing you is just a thought away."

"I hereby order you to perform your duties diligently from now on, otherwise I will forgive your past transgressions. Otherwise, I will take your head immediately. Do you understand?"

These words, a combination of persuasion and threats, coupled with the menacing swords and halberds of the guards, left Su Xueyi completely at a disadvantage, his thin lips pressed tightly together.

Today, upon entering Weiyang Palace, he saw an emperor unlike any he had ever seen before, and he wanted to observe Ying Xi further.

interesting.

Su Xueyi bowed her head in temporary submission, clasped her hands together, and performed a deep salute before him: "Your subject obeys."

System task: Act coquettishly towards Prime Minister Su (0/1)

Why? He clearly asked Su Xueyi to do something difficult for her, but the task wasn't completed. Ying Xi frowned.

Sweet Tong broke down: "Your Majesty, that's not called being coquettish, that's issuing a decree. Think about the people around you who would be coquettish with you."

Ying Xi felt restless and uneasy.

What surfaced in my memory were the concubines who had served the late emperor.

The late emperor was his nominal father, and he had countless concubines. They would tug at the late emperor's sleeves and feed him wine with their mouths.

She would also wear very revealing dresses, with strapless tops that were as low as they could go, deliberately hiding food among the snow-capped peaks, so that the late emperor would search for it with his mouth.

At that time, Ying Xi was the crown prince and was under the surveillance of the late emperor. He also had to report his studies to the late emperor and spent a lot of time with him.

The late emperor had never been a father, nor did he even act like an elder. He never hid his absurd acts from others.

When the mood struck him, he would even encourage his concubines to come and feed him wine, whereas Ying Xi had been taught by the Imperial Tutor to abstain from alcohol.

The late emperor laughed as he looked at his own bewilderment and helplessness, at his coughing from the strong liquor, and at his fear of his stepmothers approaching. The late emperor clapped his hands with great amusement.

The late emperor often said that these concubines were all beautiful and charming, and mocked himself for being clueless about romance.

The late emperor also said that if he could learn to sing and dance in addition to learning how to govern the country, he would be even more charming than them.

Is this what acting cute means?

If so, Ying Xi cannot do it.

All of these are things he wants to forget completely; he'd rather lose his hands or legs.

Ying Xi: "I quit."

When the emperor loses his temper, even the sweet-talking emperor can do nothing about it.

To boost performance, Sweet Tong had no choice but to loosen the reins. Sweet Tong said, "Then Your Majesty should do as I instruct. I will report to the mastermind and say that Your Majesty has just passed the novice period and is not used to it. Regardless of your performance, the standards for completing the task will be much more lenient than before."

Ying Xi remained silent, and Tian Tong silently agreed.

Sweet Tong pressed her advantage: "Your Majesty, please allow Prime Minister Su to carry you back."

Ying Xi frowned slightly.

After a moment, Ying Xi spoke coldly: "Su Xueyi, carry me back to my palace to treat my injuries."

***

"..."

This request was something Su Xueyi hadn't anticipated.

Just now, Ying Xi was warning him and giving him a dressing down.

Su Xueyi thought Ying Xi disliked her, but then the distance between them suddenly closed.

Only the emperor's confidants could be close to him. He was still able to enjoy this honor, but he dared not be complacent.

Unable to guess Ying Xi's thoughts, Su Xueyi could only lower her head and bend over, her back slightly heavy. Ying Xi paused briefly, then pressed her entire body down.

The palace maids and eunuchs looked on in surprise but dared not look closely, nor did they dare to follow, because the emperor waved his hand behind Prime Minister Su, dismissing them all.

Only Yu Jing, with her saw-mouthed gourd, clung to their backs, serving them at a distance that was neither too close nor too far.

Yu Jing was once again unsure of the emperor's preferences, especially regarding the use of people.

Previously, Chief Steward Yu thought that Prime Minister Su had fallen out of favor. Now, seeing Su Xueyi and His Majesty, it seems that there is no conflict between them. Although the emperor and his minister had a disagreement, they made up as if nothing had happened in the blink of an eye.

Even as the chief steward, I've never betrayed the emperor!

Could it be... Yu Jing thought, His Majesty scolded Prime Minister Su harshly, and then showed him favor, letting the other party know that he was still in the Emperor's heart?

No matter how you analyze it, this all demonstrates His Majesty's attitude of neither alienating nor indulging anyone. Yu Jing was filled with utmost awe.

Su Xueyi's thoughts at this moment were similar to Yu Jing's.

However, besides analyzing Ying Xi's methods of managing people, he was also the one who personally carried the emperor on his back. Su Xueyi felt it clearly; her heart clenched, and her Adam's apple bobbed slightly with each step.

The little emperor was very light.

Normally, she wears heavy clothing, so it's not very noticeable visually, but now Su Xueyi is tucking her arms around Ying Xi's knees.

He usually didn't have the chance to observe Ying Xi's calves. Those long, slender legs, clad in tight, narrow boots, swayed back and forth on either side of his waist.

Su Xueyi's mind wandered uncontrollably; though her eyes were fixed ahead, her thoughts swayed like the willow branches along the route to Weiyang Palace.

Ying Xi possessed the demeanor of a powerful figure, a beautiful appearance, a majestic and aloof voice, and unpredictable and uncontrollable methods... Only later did he realize that Ying Xi had completely pointed to the direction that fascinated him.

Su Xueyi quietly licked her upper lip.

Ying Xi's arms were positioned slightly apart, not wrapping around his neck, maintaining the demeanor of a monarch, and her upper limbs were not completely touching his back.

A healthy level of intimacy created a demand gap.

Su Xueyi was even more unsatisfied—he secretly longed for Ying Xi to hug him from behind.

Su Xueyi really wanted to go back in time and slap herself twice!

Su Xueyi was filled with remorse.

How arrogant he must have been to miss out on becoming the only exception by Ying Xi's side!

Su Xueyi could only try again as she walked: "Your Majesty."

He adjusted his position, gently bouncing Ying Xi upwards. Ying Xi's breath suddenly brushed against his ear. The cool, clear scent made Su Xueyi tremble.

This caused Su Xueyi to become unsteady on her feet as she walked through the palace and into the alley, and at that moment, Ying Xi suddenly covered her eyes.

"Your Majesty?" Su Xueyi was taken aback, her upper body stiffening slightly.

Actually, it was as he entered the alley that the emperor suddenly realized that he had just sent people to renovate the place the day before, and he didn't want outsiders to see those colorful lights.

Ying Xi feigned composure: "Go on."

A cool fragrance lingered on her face as Su Xueyi gently inhaled.

If the emperor's act of asking him to carry him was a favor, then what about blindfolding him?

Even the intelligent Su Xueyi was instantly confused.

He secretly enumerated and exhausted all the political intentions, but none of them corresponded to Ying Xi's actions.

His eyes were covered, and every step that was originally easy became a test. He was wary and excited, his heart trembling in his chest.

If it wasn't for political purposes, could it be that the young emperor was... flirting with him just now?

Su Xueyi was suddenly struck by this thought.

That unspoken longing for Ying Xi seemed to be getting a response.

As if possessed, Su Xueyi's eyelashes trembled slightly, and he secretly pinched the back of Ying Xi's leg. He could feel the supple texture of Ying Xi's skin through the fabric, and his gaze shifted to the gold-painted tips of Ying Xi's boots.

Ying Xi visibly flinched, her voice chillingly cold: "Hmm?"

Su Xueyi paused for a moment.

Su Xueyi thought she had made a mistake in her judgment, and quickly covered it up with official business: "Your Majesty, I believe that although the situation in Great Qin is critical, it is not insurmountable." Su Xueyi advised.

Ying Xi: "I understand."

Since deciding to protect the country and change her fate, Ying Xi had considered this question countless times in her mind.

Moreover, having experienced two lifetimes and seen the endings, he could think of everything that needed to be thought of, so he wasn't very interested in talking.

This, however, piqued Su Xueyi's curiosity, and she was led astray by Ying Xi's topic: "Please enlighten me, Your Majesty."

Ying Xi said listlessly, “The court’s internal troubles are twofold: the people’s livelihood is in ruins and rebellions are incessant. There are still small groups of rebels causing trouble in the north, and Li Yilong in the south has hit my sore spot. I not only have to quell the rebellion, but other places are also asking me for money.”

Su Xueyi secretly approved.

Wasn't that exactly what he wanted to say in his advice?

Ying Xi added, "Flies don't land on eggs without cracks. If we don't eliminate internal troubles, the Xiongnu will continue to be eyeing us covetously."

"Therefore, I must first select one thing to accomplish, so as to tell the people of the world my determination to revive the Great Qin," Ying Xi said.

His words were concise yet profound, revealing the wisdom accumulated over two lifetimes.

This once again impressed Su Xueyi, who then began to scheme and said, "Your Majesty should start by cleaning up the bureaucracy to solve the problem of the people's poverty."

Ying Xi frowned slightly, thought for a moment, but did not ask Su Xueyi why she did this.

He has always been exceptionally intelligent; since someone has provided the answer, he can work backward to find the reason.

Ying Xi hesitated for a moment on Su Xueyi's back and said, "You think the same way I do. When corruption is rampant, it is the common people who encounter injustice and suffer. By cracking down on corrupt officials, I am giving the people a way to survive, which will gain their support."

“But if we suppress the rebels first, we will kill the desperate people and lose the hearts of the people.”

The young emperor had profound insights.

Su Xueyi's competitive spirit, which was gradually overshadowed by Ying Xi, aroused his strong desire to perform.

"I also believe..."

Ying Xi: "Stop, turn right."

Su Xueyi stopped abruptly, and the conversation also came to a halt.

Having already stepped out of the alley, Yu Jing hurriedly pushed open the door, and Su Xueyi carried the emperor across the threshold.

Ying Xi took a breath and only released the hand covering Su Xueyi after entering the bedchamber.

System Task: Act coquettishly towards Prime Minister Su (1/1)

It is unlikely that the emperor's bedroom would be easily seen by others.

Even when Su Xueyi, the emperor's favorite minister, was being treated favorably by Ying Xi, she was never brought into his bedchamber.

Su Xueyi subtly surveyed his surroundings, knowing that the imperial bed was at the far end of the inner room. He wanted to personally place the young emperor onto the imperial bed.

Ying Xi, however, had already completed her task and discarded her like a used tool: "Enough, put me down, you can leave."

Yu Jing helped Ying Xi up and helped the lame emperor back to his bed. Then Yu Jing went out and summoned the imperial physician on duty to the palace.

Su Xueyi lowered her eyes subtly.

Ying Xi said to him through the screen, "Return to the Ministry of Personnel tomorrow to perform your duties."

Su Xueyi lowered her head and smiled, "Yes."

"Your Majesty~" Sweet Tong came online at this moment, chattering in Ying Xi's head: "Your Majesty! Do you think the mission is complete? I applied for a relaxation of the mission requirements for you, and the reward will be increased based on your performance. Aren't I awesome!"

Ying Xi's praise was somewhat insincere: "Great."

Sweet Tong was rather naive; it couldn't tell the difference between truth and falsehood. Still immersed in the joy of having done something great for its host, it cheered, "Then I'll give you two thousand charm points right now!"

Two thousand...charm points?

If 1,500 could sweep through the Ministry of Personnel, then 2,000 would be an enormous number.

Ying Xi couldn't understand why things had changed so drastically. Just moments ago, the system was going to punish him, but now it was rewarding him handsomely, leaving him feeling completely bewildered.

But the charm points have already been awarded.

A golden light flashed, and the atmosphere inside the palace changed.

Those two thousand charm points were solely aimed at the bedroom, causing Su Xueyi to fix her gaze on the screen separating the outer and inner rooms.

His Adam's apple bobbed, his heart filled with a vivid and vibrant longing for Ying Xi, which he suddenly found hard to let go of.

Su Xueyi said loudly, "Your Majesty, I request to atone for my crimes with my merits and wish to conduct a thorough investigation into the integrity of the Ministry of Personnel. I beg Your Majesty's permission!"