SLLBTT Chapter 35
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
⋇⊶⊰Chapter 35⊱⊷⋇
Liu Jiao was still reading.
Originally, the side hall of the Snow Hall on Wolf Mountain had only a few warm yellow lights — after all, it was the "royal hourly rate hotel room," and the lighting design was focused on a subtle and ambiguous ambiance. Because Liu Jiao wanted to read, the Snow Wolf King had someone add two eye-friendly reading lamps.
Liu Jiao no longer used homework as an excuse to avoid being on duty because the Snow Wolf King told him that he could also read in the Snow Hall, and the Snow Wolf King could help him with his studies.
After reading for a while, Liu Jiao asked, "Are you so good at reading? How come you know everything I ask?"
However, the Snow Wolf King said, "One cannot be a Great King if they don't read well."
However, Liu Jiao remembered the absurd former king and said, "Was the former king good at his studies?"
"Of course," the Snow Wolf King replied, "he was just not diligent, but he was good at studying."
Liu Jiao was stunned. "Not diligent? And still good at studing?"
The Snow Wolf King nodded, "Yes."
"That's too damaging." Liu Jiao shook his head repeatedly, and after a while, he asked, "Was the former king your father?"
The Snow Wolf King said, "No. He didn't have heirs."
"No heirs? Didn't he have many consorts?" Liu Jiao curiously asked.
The Snow Wolf King struggled to articulate that Queen Ming's inability to have children and his prohibition on others from doing so was the reason. So, the Snow Wolf King simply said, "I'm not sure."
"If you're not his son, how come you were chosen to be the Great King?" Liu Jiao blinked, showing no sense of disrespect in his words.
The Snow Wolf King naturally didn't mind Liu Jiao's lack of formality. "Because the divine snow wolf tribe faces difficulties in reproduction, and our numbers are few. I am the former king's nephew, closest in blood relation, so I inherited the throne."
"Yes, I heard from the Queen Dowager that your snow wolf tribe has a divine lineage, unlike other demons," Liu Jiao nodded, "Sounds impressive!"
"Even if our bloodline is formidable, it's the greatness of our ancestors, their blessing. As descendants, we should be grateful rather than boastful," the Snow Wolf King said calmly.
Liu Jiao, feeling a bit bewildered, nodded after a moment and said, "Great King, you're right. Truly worthy of someone who reads well."
The Snow Wolf King smiled, patted Liu Jiao's head, and said, "You should read more too. Even if you leave the palace, don't neglect your studies."
Upon hearing the words "leave the palace," Liu Jiao's emotions became complex, and he fell silent for a while.
The next morning, the Snow Wolf King still got up on time. Liu Jiao, quite actively, helped him get dressed, but in his mind, he wondered: If I leave the palace later, will I still have the chance to be close to the Great King like this?
After respectfully seeing off the Snow Wolf King to the court, Liu Jiao took his own sedan chair back to Chunguang Pavilion. Outside the doors, he saw Suisui standing there, looking anxious.
Suisui approached, grabbed Liu Jiao, and said, "You finally came back! I've been waiting for you."
"Waiting for me?" Liu Jiao was puzzled. "Why?"
Suisui said, "Did you misunderstand me because of the 'Art of Problem Solving' last time?"
"Misunderstand?" Liu Jiao was taken aback. "What are you talking about?"
Suisui explained, "Last time, right after you told me about bringing the 'Art of Seduction,' my desk mate reported you. Later, you refused to talk to me, so it must have been a misunderstanding. But it really had nothing to do with me. Bai Juan saw it and reported. I tried to stop him, but he wouldn't listen."
Liu Jiao, puzzled, said, "Is that so?"
"Of course!" Suisui nodded incessantly. "Besides, think about it, the 'Art of Seduction' is a secret book of the fox tribe. If you told them I gave it to you, it would implicate me! Why would I report you? Am I stupid?"
Liu Jiao froze.
While he was in a daze, the Queen Dowager passed by in a sedan chair.
Liu Jiao and Suisui both bowed.
Queen Ming smiled, "Both you little ones are here? Great, come along and keep me company for tea."
The two accompanied Queen Ming to a pavilion in the royal garden. The palace attendants had set up tea and snacks there. Liu Jiao wasn't particularly fond of tea and pastries, but he had to accompany. Meanwhile, Suisui praised the pastries, the tea, and Queen Ming's beauty with an elaborate essay-like speech, using every rhetorical device imaginable. It was a dazzling display of words, like a cascading galaxy.
Queen Ming enjoyed the flattery and said, "Talented Lady Sui, you really know how to talk. Beautiful Lady Jiao is rather quiet."
Liu Jiao responded, "I'm not good with words."
Queen Ming said, "You know, being bad with words has its advantages. Otherwise, how would the Great King favor you?"
Liu Jiao glanced at Suisui, then at Queen Ming. Unsure how to respond, he used a cliche, "Queen Ming is right."
Suisui couldn't help rolling his eyes at this.
Queen Ming laughed. "You see, Suisui, you should learn from Beautiful Lady Jiao on how to please the Great King and make him happy."
"Yes, as the Queen Dowager instructed," Suisui replied.
Queen Ming said, "Alright then, I'll decide. Tonight, both of you will serve the Great King together. It's good for Suisui to learn a bit too."
A servant, listening nearby, was startled, thinking: Isn't this so stimulating?
Liu Jiao was also startled. "Is this, is this appropriate?"
"It's appropriate," Queen Ming said, "In the previous dynasty, such things were common, sometimes even more than two people. Strength in numbers, you know."
Liu Jiao was astonished. "I-is it really easier with more people?"
"Of course. I always emphasize that the harem should be harmonious. How is harmony achieved? Through unity. Unity is strength," Queen Ming lectured seriously, "You should work together, make joint efforts, and progress in unity."
Saying this, Queen Ming took a bite of pastry, then laughed, "I'm right, aren't I?"
"Ah, as the Queen Dowager said," Liu Jiao and Suisui reflexively responded with a phrase of agreement.
"That settles it then," Queen Ming picked up the harem management system, assigned the team night service task, and said, "So, both of you form a team to attend to the Great King tonight! Make sure to prepare medicines and equipment before you go."