Chapter 5: The Simpleton's Blessing

The Emperor was absolutely right.

Yuan Peipei obediently nodded. "Alright."

After applying the ointment, Dugu Jin did not let go. He picked up a grape and said, "My beloved, let’s continue."

The next day, Yuan Peipei’s sore waist and weak legs made her develop an aversion to grapes.

"Take them away, take them away. I don’t want to eat them anymore," she muttered whenever she saw grapes, reminded of that untrustworthy man.

"What’s wrong? Who has made your emperor so upset?" Dugu Jin came in, hands clasped behind his back.

"Your Majesty," Cui Zhi and Lan Xin bowed and stepped aside.

Yuan Peipei wanted to bow too, but her legs were too weak. She shot Dugu Jin an annoyed glare. "It’s all your fault."

Dugu Jin froze instantly, took a deep breath, and suppressed his mischievous thoughts.

"Alright, alright, it’s all my fault. Come, let me punish myself by feeding you breakfast." He pulled Yuan Peipei onto his lap and genuinely fed her.

At first, Yuan Peipei was a little shy—after all, so many palace servants were watching. But Dugu Jin was persistent, and the dishes he picked were all her favorites.

So…

As she ate, she grew used to it.

Whenever Dugu Jin fed her, she would open her mouth willingly, and as she chewed, the tender tip of her tongue would occasionally peek out, enticing and delicate.

"You’ve been in the palace for so many days, do you miss home?" Dugu Jin asked. "If you do, you can take my token and return to the Xiang Mansion anytime you wish."

Yuan Peipei’s almond-shaped eyes widened in disbelief. "Really? I can go home whenever I want?"

Dugu Jin set conditions. "But you must be back before the hour of the Rooster; otherwise, you won’t be allowed out next time."

"Agreed!" Yuan Peipei promptly jumped down, abandoning her meal, and began searching for clothes to wear home.

Dugu Jin suddenly felt a pang of regret.

What if the kite he had let fly could not be retrieved?

Yuan Peipei came back shyly and asked, "Your Majesty, may I bring some delicious and fun things back for my brother and sister?"

Seeing Dugu Jin silent, she reached out and gently hooked her small hand around his finger, giving it a light shake.

His breath suddenly grew heavier.

"Yes, you may."

[Yes, yes! You can have my life if you want!]

[But Peipei baby going out means facing the heroine sister—oh no, destined to be cannon fodder.]

[Trash author! Change the plot! Save my Peipei baby and the big villain!]

Yuan Peipei asked again, "Can I go today?"

She was eager to return.

Dugu Jin thought he had spoken too soon; he should have waited until tomorrow.

---

He reiterated, "By the hour of the Rooster."

"Okay, I will definitely be back by then!"

Yuan Peipei’s mind wasn’t sharp enough to grasp the implications of the comments she had heard.

So the sister was the heroine. Then following her and listening to her would prevent her from becoming cannon fodder?

Just as she pondered, the carriage stopped at the gate of the Xiang Mansion.

Yuan Peipei hadn’t mentioned her return, so when she appeared with Cui Zhi and Lan Xin at the mansion gate, the servants were stunned.

"Miss Third is back!"

"No, Consort Rou is back!"

The commotion spread throughout the mansion.

Soon, the Prime Minister, his wife, Yuan Jinjin, and Yuan Shangwu sat in the main hall.

Yuan Peipei stood in the middle, just as before.

She didn’t sense anything unusual.

"Peipei, why have you returned?" the Prime Minister asked with concern. "Did you anger the Emperor or the Empress Dowager in the palace?"

Yuan Peipei smiled. "No."

"Everyone in the palace is so kind."

"The Emperor isn’t stern at all."

"The Empress Dowager is gentle and loves to worship Buddha."

"The servants care for me attentively."

"The other consorts even chat with me."

The Yuan family exchanged confused looks.

Is this really the imperial palace?

If the harem were truly harmonious, there wouldn’t be so many restless spirits.

What about all those women the Emperor had executed?

Yuan Peipei then asked Cui Zhi and Lan Xin to bring out the things they had brought back.

Fresh fruits, exquisite pastries made by the imperial chefs, top-quality fabrics from Zhiyun Workshop…

A whole table full.

She was a person who loved to share and valued relationships deeply. Though she knew her parents had favored her elder sister and brother more over the years, they had still raised her well, fed her well, and even arranged for painting lessons. She would remember this kindness.

Yuan Jinjin felt a complex mix of emotions.

She hadn’t expected this foolish younger sister to be favored in the palace. But that was fine; she had heard Consort Ning was the most powerful in the palace, so let this silly girl run into her first.

"Peipei, listen to me. Quickly send these things back. If the Emperor is angry, Father can speak up for you. You won’t be punished."

---

Tears suddenly welled up in Yuan Peipei’s eyes, unstoppable.

Choking back sobs, she said, "But these, the Emperor told me to bring them back."

"Ah?" Everyone was stunned.

Cui Zhi and Lan Xin nodded to confirm it was true.

While wiping her tears, Yuan Peipei said, "The Emperor really isn’t stern at all. Though sometimes he can be, he is still kind to me. He even gave me a token so I can come back whenever I miss home."

She then took the token from her bosom.

It gleamed gold, a badge symbolizing the Emperor’s direct authority.

The Yuan family immediately knelt.

Yuan Peipei was still stunned. "Father, Mother, why are you kneeling? The Emperor said this token is just for me to leave the palace gates."

After much inquiry, the Prime Minister reached a conclusion.

Fools have their own luck.

Perhaps the Emperor simply favored their silly little crybaby.

Yuan Peipei was still thinking about the plot and how to get along well with the heroine sister.

"Sister, the fabrics the Emperor gave are only for consorts and above. I specially brought them back to make you a new dress. Do you like it?"

Yuan Jinjin’s smile nearly vanished.

Was this foolish girl bestowing charity or granting a favor?

Did she really think becoming a Consort Rou was something impressive? Wait until I enter the palace as Empress; let’s see how arrogant you can be!

Yuan Peipei pulled Yuan Jinjin aside and whispered about all the new and exciting things in the palace. "Sister, you don’t even know how beautiful the colored glass is. I love it so much I look at it several times a day."

Yuan Jinjin’s expression darkened further.

This fool may have entered the palace, but now she knew how to show off.

"Peipei," Yuan Jinjin forced a smile, "I heard Consort Ning is very fierce and often punishes others. If you meet her, don’t be afraid. She is a consort, and so are you. She’s the daughter of the general, and you’re the prime minister’s daughter. Neither of you is inferior to the other."

Yuan Peipei, simple-minded, confided about the contraceptive soup.

"But don’t worry, Sister, I didn’t drink it."

As for the bizarre comments from the crowd, she decided not to mention them.

Yuan Jinjin secretly cursed that fool for not drinking the soup. But it didn’t matter; she would never let this fool have children of her own!

As the hour of the Rooster approached, Yuan Peipei hurriedly took her companions and left.

"Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, I will come back to see you in a few days."