全程露脸东北老女

Setting aside the matter of Sui Yuan entering the palace to discuss with Zhao Xihe how the protagonist gong and shou’s actions have been completely different from that of the plot, let us mention what happened after Situ Yu finally escaped from the palace. That day, the first thing he did upon returning to his residence was to gather all of his trusted aids, advisors, and tacticians.

He told them in detail all that had occurred within the palace, especially every word and action of His Majesty the Emperor. In the end, he raised his own hypothesis, hoping that this group of sophisticates could dispel his doubts and make a painstaking investigation of his Emperor Father’s true meaning.

Although Lin Xiao was the protagonist shou with an innate ability and wisdom that superseded others and an astute and calm-headed demeanour, he was still young, after all. He had always been shut deeply within his residence’s courtyard, so his experience with worldly matters was very limited. The person with the highest status he had contact with had only been the Fourth Prince’s Mufei who also resided deep within the palace. When he heard that he had been specifically called out and criticized by the Emperor, who also knew about his crossdressing, with his black history of having disobeyed and disrespected the Emperor, he immediately paled, becoming frightened, worried, and helpless.

——His beautiful dream of relying on the imperial examination to become an official and stand out among his peers, was completed wasted, ne! Instead, he received a wake up call: he suddenly discovered that he had already been mentioned by the Emperor, but this remark was nothing good. He immediately felt like the world had collapsed.

On the contrary, Xie Ling, an heir of an aristocratic family, was much more calm. He muttered to himself for a while and made specific inquiries about His Majesty the Emperor’s words and tone. Only then did he sigh in slight relief, "His Highness need not fret. This matter is not overly terrible. If handled properly, this could still be considered a fortunate affair."

Situ Yu’s expression slightly eased up. He had always trusted Xie Ling’s intelligence. Furthermore, he had also sincerely wished to hear good news, so he couldn’t help but trust Xie Ling a bit more, "Speak."

Xie Ling smiled and complied, telling him of his conjecture.

Although the Emperor had given Situ Yu a lesson, he did not actually punish him. In addition, the last words he uttered were in fact an ’encouragement’. This made Xie Ling feel rather assured. He believed that His Majesty the Emperor also wished to see the competition between his sons and for the winner to become the next ruler.

Perhaps from start to finish, His Majesty the Emperor knew of their plans. However, he did not obstruct nor expose them. Instead, he cooperated. This probably meant that he was sincere. His warning towards Situ Yu...perhaps it was because he disliked how he always put on an act of ’not participating’ only to benefit from the others’ dispute. Perhaps he was warning him to have propriety and not go overboard. Or, perhaps...cough...he was seizing this opportunity to attack a rival-in-love. In short, since his ambition for the throne had already been exposed, then Situ Yu ought not hesitate nor hold back, nor stay silent and passive, but take another step forward and project himself.

The Emperor was in his prime and he had not yet become kind and self-composed as it will in his old age. He does not yet place a high importance to his heir nor does he take familial affection into much consideration. When linked to his glorious achievement that was seizing the throne in the past, his current action of coldly idly standing by while his sons fought between each other makes it evident that the Emperor’s methods are cruel and his conduct, extreme. This kind of ruler will inevitably dislike a cowardly and timid successor. If one moves forward, there is the possibility of victory. If one retreats, then one is destined to have no chance of attaining that grand position.

"Henceforth, what we need to do is to push forward with our agenda, but that does not mean that we ought to advance prematurely. At the very least, this time, we must perform this play impeccably to the end. Even if that one—" Xie Ling raised his right hand and pointed to the sky, "is very clear about our every move and action , we must act for the rest of the world to see. Afterwards, we will seize the opportunity to use this as a pretext to change our original stance of not wanting to participate in the struggle for succession."

Situ Yu nodded in understanding.

Since he hoped to be known as a wise ruler throughout the ages, he definitely did not want to leave any stains on his reputation. To transition from being a meek and ordinary ’non-participant’ to an extremely ambitious ’participant’, it inevitably required a suitable excuse. Otherwise, he would become a hypocrite who did not live up to his name. Right now, ’the death of the Fourth Prince’s Cefei’ gave him an appropriate entry-point to cut into.

His beloved woman had become a sacrificial victim of a political struggle. The Fourth Prince was so aggrieved that he wished he were dead. However, after pulling himself together, he achieved supreme enlightenment: so as to never allow such a tragedy to repeat itself, so as to protect the people most important to him, he needed to step foot onto the bloody road from now on. Once one thought like this, it sounded quite moving, ne! It could be said to be a rather tragic yet heroic legend!

Situ Yu and his group of advisors discussed things over and changed their strategy for the battle over succession. On one hand, he had to fight and display his capabilities so as to change the Emperor’s bad impression of him. On the other, he also had to make sure not to touch Emperor Father’s bottom line so as to not make him displeased.

Getting things just right was difficult to do, but it was extremely important that he did so.

Even if he would end up bringing out his brothers’ vigilance and end up coming out of the dark—which would make it more difficult to act—the most crucial point right now was Emperor Father’s attitude. Situ Yu was not afraid of directly facing off against his brothers. Originally, the reason he was in hibernation was because there was no need to act.

After deciding the approximate plan, Situ Yu’s mood abruptly relaxed. His gaze swept over Lin Xiao, who had been earnestly listening to everyone’s discussion and occasionally raising his own suggestions modestly. He suddenly stared at him fixedly.

Lin Xiao："？？？"

Lin Xiao felt a bit afraid, being stared at like that by Situ Yu, and subconsciously asked if there was anything wrong with his eyes. Situ Yu, rather embarrassed, lightly coughed once. In the end, he spat out the question that was always on his mind, "Lin Xiao, regarding Xu Tu...how much do you know?"

"Xu Tu?" Lin Xiao stared at him blankly. He didn’t know why the other asked this but he still answered honestly, "I have never come into contact with him. All that I know about him are from rumours spread around the Capital."

Situ Yu’s expression became slightly dejected. He knew that Lin Xiao never lied. If it was like this, could it be said that Xu Tu’s feelings were unrequited? This simply made Situ Yu feel even more conflicted than when he found out his Emperor Father had stolen away the person he liked.

#The person I like is completely heterosexual. However, the person he likes is a man crossdressing as a woman. #

——This topic was simply too abusive. The more he thought about it, the more sick he felt at heart....

"...Why does Fourth Prince ask this?" Amongst these ignorant people, only Xie Ling understood.

"...Today, Emperor Father personally said that Xu Tu...constantly has Lin Xiao on his mind," Situ Yu looked pained, as if his teeth ached.

Xie Ling who was as conflicted as his master: "........................"

Lin Xiao, who was mentioned again but completely did not know how this had come to be: "？？？？"

——After more than a decade, it was the first time he had felt that the female him was so charming. First, it was the Fourth Prince with his strange aesthetics. Then, Xu Tu came out with his feelings for some inexplicable reason? He was not acquainted with him at all, ah!

"Enough. I had put on a play for the entire day and also, was frightened by Emperor Father. I am rather tired. Everyone, disperse," Situ Yu brandished his hands, exhausted. Regardless of whether it was his body or spirit, both felt like they almost couldn’t carry this heavy burden much longer.

The advisors that could stay by a Prince’s side were rather insightful. Although they felt very bewildered by those words, at the very end, they still quietly left one after another. Only Xie Ling cast a sympathetic gaze at Lin Xiao just before leaving.

Lin Xiao, who suddenly felt that things were not too encouraging: "........................"

Lin Xiao waited until he had left the courtyard of the Fourth Prince’s residence. Only then did Lin Xiao grab hold of Xie Ling and drag him far from the other people, hiding on one side. Soon after, he collected himself and saluted the other with deep respect, "Would sir please inform me of why His Highness did as he did at the very end?"

Xie Ling pretended to mutter to himself for a moment. Afterwards, who knows if it was because he was taking joy in Lin Xiao’s suffering or if he was feeling sympathetic towards Lin Xiao who was innocent but unjustly implicated, but he did not hesitate too long, "Our Highness likes that little Young Master Xu Tu."

Lin Xiao："？？！！B-but, isn’t that Young Master Xu a man?!"

——Although the pitiful protagonist shou had nearly been married off to a man, he had never developed any feelings towards Situ Yu so homosexual love was nothing but a fable to him.

Xie Ling shot him a glance indifferently, "Weren’t you almost made into our Fourth Prince’s Cefei?"

"But...but everyone thought that I was a woman..." Lin Xiao stammered in response.

Xie Ling waved his hands and did not dispute with Lin Xiao any further, "That Young Master Xu is rather liked by His Majesty the Emperor."

"This like refers to..." Lin Xiao sucked in a breath of cold air, feeling incredulous.

"That’s right. It is exactly as you think...affairs related to the Emperor’s bed," Xie Ling tactfully destroyed Lin Xiao’s delusions.

Lin Xiao："........................"

——WTF! This kind of Heaven startling secret! Will I be silenced?! Indeed, curiosity killed the cat! QAQ

"His Highness cannot obtain Young Master Xu. His Majesty the Emperor views him as his treasure," Pausing, Xie Ling’s gaze towards Lin Xiao was like one who was paying a moment of silence to him, "And little Young Master Xu seems to see you in a special light."

Lin Xiao："........................"

——I-I will certainly be silenced! However, I really didn’t know anything, ah! QAQ

Question: There’s a person who likes me for some inexplicable reason. However, my boss, and my boss’ boss both like that person! What should I do?

Answer: Restrain your grief, accept your fate. After 18 years, you will be a hero.

"That Young Master Xu Tu...is unexpectedly so charming as to attract His Majesty and His Highness into vying for his affection, hm?" Lin Xiao’s voice was hoarse, carrying a tone that indicated that he still found it difficult to believe.

Xie Ling’s eyes contained a slight mirth as he looked at Lin Xiao, who had become muddle-headed after suffering those attacks and appeared as if his spirit had wandered off. He leisurely and confidently stroked his sleeves.

Unlike what happened in the original plot, Lin Xiao continued on with the identity as the Fourth Prince’s Cefei. This meant that Xie Ling and co. did not know of his identity as a man. Lin Xiao was admired greatly for his steadiness and calmness that was unlike that of a typical woman, as well as for his outstanding wisdom in strategizing. For the latter, Lin Xiao became one of the Fourth Prince’s advisors. The relationship between him and Xie Ling was competitive in nature. The Fourth Prince trusted Lin Xiao quite a lot, and Lin Xiao did not betray this trust. This made Xie Ling, who considered himself to be the core of the Fourth Prince’s group of tacticians, feel a sense of danger, as if his livelihood was about to be snatched away. He was completely unlike the him in the original plot who had developed a peculiar feeling towards Lin Xiao due to his admiration of him.

Xie Ling was never much of a nobleman. Since he could attack his rival, he would naturally do so happily. Moreover...from a certain angle, Xie Ling’s vigilance against Lin Xiao was not just due to their rivalry, but it also carried a faint hostility that came from facing against a rival-in-love.

"This little Young Master Xu’s excellence...only when one has seen him himself can one truly understand." Xie Ling laughed gently, "To add, this one also has quite favourable feelings towards little Young Master Xu. It is just a pity that he dares not compete against His Majesty and the Fourth Prince. I can only hide my feelings deep within my heart, not daring to reveal even the slightest bit of it."

Lin Xiao："........................"

——As soon as I woke up, I unexpectedly became everyone’s rival-in-love. This feeling was really invigorating.

"Right, Zhang Zhenye also pays particular attention towards little Young Master Xu. Unfortunately, that fool probably doesn’t yet understand just what his feelings towards him are, ne!" Xie Ling attacked again.

Xie Ling raised his hand, falteringly, "I apologize...I need a moment to calm down...."

Xie Ling smiled in satisfaction. He clasped Lin Xiao’s shoulder and slowly turned. Only after he was far away from Lin Xiao did he reveal a sliver of melancholy on his face.

’Guan guan’ cry the ospreys

On the islet in the river.

The beautiful and good young lady

Is a fine mate for the lord.

It is only logical that a young man admires a beautiful woman. Fortunately, he had not fallen too deeply and could extract himself out of this matter in time. Right now, what Xie Ling was troubled over was his stubborn as a tree stump—incomparably stubborn— good friend.

Love, this one word, indeed frustrates people the most.

At present, Sui Yuan, who was pestered in all sorts of ways by His Majesty while on the Emperor’s bed, naturally did not know about the scene of bloody slaughter and foul wind that occured at the Fourth Prince’s residence. After thoroughly giving up on rescuing the plot, the only issue that caused him a headache was how to refuse his lover’s propositions.

Sui Yuan’s willpower has always wavered when faced with Zhao Xihe. Regardless if it was because of the fundamental docility within him, or if it was his feelings of remorse and love towards Zhao Xihe, all of these made him increasingly unable to refuse him. Of course, the most important reason was that he saw that Zhao Xihe, who nearly descended into madness from being able to see but not eat every day, became much tougher in bearing.

So as to prevent himself from being eaten clean in a daze before he had made adequate mental preparations, Sui Yuan had no choice but to decrease the amount of time he appeared before His Majesty the Emperor. Instead, he stayed by the Second Prince Situ Gui’s side more often and helped him with missions, and coaxing people over as preparation for the inevitable battle for succession.

Situ Gui: "...Although I won’t be scolded over the missions I’m assigned, however, the expression Emperor Father uses to look at me is becoming increasingly sinister and terrifying. What’s this all about?! QAQ"

At the restaurant, the Second Prince sat at the window seat, his face looking as though he was contemplating the vicissitudes of life while exhausted to the point of being unable to love anymore. Sui Yuan turned away, feeling guilty, lighting a candle for him in his heart.

"Na, Third Brother. Let us, brothers, be frank and place our cards on the table."

Seeing Sui Yuan’s evasive gaze, Situ Gui steadied his expression, his tone especially complicated.

Although he had always portrayed himself as a simple-minded silly idiot, Situ Gui really was not a simple-minded person. He only did not wish to act deviously towards Xu Tu. Even more, he did not want to believe in his own conjecture. However, things had already reached this point. He could no longer continue believing in his own lies: "You and Emperor Father...the relationship between you two...."

Sui Yuan pursed his lips and slightly lowered his head. It could be considered a tacit agreement to Situ Gui’s probing.

Although he had made mental preparations prior, Situ Gui nearly stopped breathing. His expression immediately darkened, "Emperor Father...is he forcing you?"

"...No," Sui Yuan did not plan on letting Zhao Xihe carry this black stain on his own.

"Don’t try to deceive your Second Brother," Although he was relatively more ’favoured’ since they were young, Situ Gui’s affection towards his father was much inferior to the brotherly affection he felt towards Xu Tu. In his eyes, Emperor Father was a goal that he had to unceasingly struggle to climb over, someone who oppressed him until he couldn’t breathe, a great mountain that always made one extremely afraid and on edge.

A flash of ruthlessness flickered through Situ Gui’s eyes. He raised a hand to press against Sui Yuan’s shoulder, "If he is forcing you, tell Gege. Even if I can’t do it now, there will be a day...a day where I will be able to seek justice on your behalf!"

Sui Yuan："........................"

——W-wait a second! This rhythm seems a bit off? To become enemies with your father over a man, isn’t this too ridiculous?! He wasn’t walking the path of a beauty that will bring disaster upon the nation, ah!

Eve: I actually feel so bad for the protagonist shou LMAO. He’s just minding his own business and keeps getting shot at.