Alone, Beautifully – Chapter 138
by Little PandaBestowing Upon You the Realm (20)
“I owe you all a fulfillment.”
The two played freely in a corner where others couldn’t see.
The door was half-open, hardly a sealed environment, creating a tense and thrilling feeling of potentially being discovered at any moment, yet the surrounding walls and screens provided a false sense of security like “covering one’s ears while stealing a bell” (an idiom meaning to fool oneself into believing no one notices their actions). They continuously exchanged kisses, their breaths mingling, swallowing all sounds that couldn’t be voiced.
In this world, one was the Emperor, the other the Regent, who should have been mortal enemies in others’ eyes, yet here in this corner, they were doing things only lovers would do.
Beyond this realm, one was the creator of the story, the other a created soul, naturally possessing an inexplicable intimacy. This intimacy should have been more familial, yet now, in this intense collision, it birthed a sense of moral transgression and absurdity.
They seemed to be the people who understood each other’s bodies best in the world.
Yet between their souls remained a layer of ethereal gauze.
That could neither be pushed aside nor seen through clearly.
After experiencing numerous stories and layers of personas, both harbored hidden thoughts and truths. Xu Jiao wanted to see through all of Yu Ye’s being, to understand her role in this strange real-life story experience and whether her life was in danger. Yu Ye wanted Xu Jiao’s unconditional love, but behind this desire lay other struggles and hesitations.
The reason humans have hearts and mouths is to ponder what can and cannot be said, but beyond this, there’s something more powerless – even when everything is said, it’s sometimes impossible to express all the fragmentary, complicated thoughts in one’s heart.
They were both clever people, so they never asked about uncertain things, instead expressing their inexpressible love and emotions through actions, making their intimate moments particularly intense.
Xu Jiao was drenched in sweat, her breathing becoming especially rapid. She and Yu Ye fought for dominance, neither willing to surrender control. Though her physical strength couldn’t match someone trained in martial arts, she maintained an aura of authority.
Yu Ye allowed her this dominance, better concealing her own breathing, only the fine sweat at her temples betraying her equal passion.
Her black official robes tangled with Xu Jiao’s light golden skirts. Their chaotic movements knocked over the screen, which hit a nearby desk, causing the writing brush to roll onto the floor, making a soft sound on the carpet. Yu Ye smiled, biting Xu Jiao’s ear:
“I suddenly remember… you seem to like little playthings.”
Before Xu Jiao could react, she saw Yu Ye grab the fallen brush. Seeing it, her memory instantly returned to Shen Yelan’s world, to the story they drew with brushes in Shen Yelan’s rented room before their separation.
Her body tensed for a moment, a tingling sensation shooting up her spine and exploding in her mind. Though it sparked fear, for some unknown reason, she didn’t voice any rejection.
As if in silent permission.
Yu Ye saw the answer in her silence, and a string of kisses wandered down from Xu Jiao’s ear, her voice full of amusement:
“You do like it indeed.”
Xu Jiao’s right hand was still blocked by the fabric at her waist. She lifted her eyelids slightly, seeing the snow-white inner robe with its subtle patterns quiver slightly, and then Yu Ye’s breath stopped.
Seeing the subtle changes in her expression, Xu Jiao slowly curled her lips and, mimicking Yu Ye’s way of misinterpreting her meaning, whispered in Yu Ye’s ear:
“Lord Yu is more honest than me—”
Steadying her breath, she pretended to be calm and continued: “Rather than these fancy things (literally ‘flowery and whistling’, meaning elaborate or showy), you prefer me more, right?”
As if that wasn’t enough, Xu Jiao pondered for two seconds, as if confirming something, then added: “Hmm… you can’t bear to let me leave.”
Yu Ye: “…”
Her ears flushed red, but unwilling to yield, she followed Xu Jiao’s words, using laughter to mask her uneven breathing and heartbeat: “Yes.”
She said: “Of course I can’t bear to let you leave. I wish I could tie you to my bed forever, not letting you go anywhere.”
After speaking, she used the tip of the brush she was holding to dot Xu Jiao’s nose, leaving a faint mark of diluted ink.
However.
After this intimate, simple gesture, the brush lost its former innocence, wandering where it shouldn’t, just like its holder – playful and mischievous.
Happy moments are always fleeting.
Perhaps due to her constitution, or maybe because Yu Ye was more skilled at teasing, Xu Jiao was the first to surrender. However, General Yu seemed to have no habit of showing mercy to prisoners of war, launching consecutive attacks after victory, as if determined to make the enemy’s soul submit at her feet.
However, that night, she couldn’t stay in the Eastern Palace as wished.
Xu Jiao pressed her forehead against the pillow, holding her sore lower abdomen, closing her eyes and pondering something unknown on the bed. After all the palace servants had withdrawn, she slowly sat up supporting herself on the bed’s edge, and after a long while, she turned to look towards the door.
After watching for a while, she suddenly asked in her heart:
“System, you haven’t reported the female lead’s blackening value and favorability for a long time.”
Hearing her voice, the system responded formally in her mind: “Currently, Yu Ye’s favorability towards you is 100, blackening value is -20.”
Xu Jiao raised her eyebrows: “-20?”
System: “When you arrived, she was at -100, in her most world-weary state. Now, because of her love for you, she’s continuously lowering her blackening value. If the host works a bit harder, the value can become positive.”
Xu Jiao made a sound of acknowledgment: “To make this story successfully become a Happy Ending (HE), just making her emotions flow smoothly isn’t enough, right?”
System: “What do you want?”
Xu Jiao spoke in a calm tone: “I want to make her the true female protagonist.”
To clear all obstacles for Yu Ye and this Da Yan.
For example, the male protagonist.
With this thought, she suddenly called out: “Come here.”
Soon, the palace door made a soft ‘creaking’ sound, and a long shadow passed through the door gap, approaching her. It was Lan Yan, the palace servant, who bowed and softly asked: “What are Your Highness’s orders?”
Xu Jiao showed a meaningful smile: “I want you to do something for me.”
Lan Yan: “I am willing to serve Your Highness like a dog or horse.” (An idiom meaning to serve devotedly and humbly)
Xu Jiao raised her hand in a stopping gesture: “Hmm—it’s not too late to show loyalty after hearing my orders. Lan Yan, I remember you’ve been in this palace for four or five years, and have worked in the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau and Imperial Service Bureau, so you must have seen many people.”
Though Lan Yan didn’t know why she asked this, she dared not be perfunctory. After careful thought, she responded: “Your Highness wants…?”
Xu Jiao stated her purpose: “I want you to bring all the beautiful palace maids you’ve seen before me during tomorrow’s breakfast. Remember, I want very, very beautiful ones, preferably with beauty that could ‘sink fish and drop wild geese, make the moon hide and flowers feel ashamed'” (Chinese idioms describing exceptional beauty).
Lan Yan: “…”
Yu Ye’s face somehow appeared in her mind, along with the Great Lord Yu’s death stare.
Thinking about Yu Ye’s expression upon seeing these beautiful women in the Eastern Palace, she couldn’t help but recall the fate of her former colleagues. The last beautiful person who served near Xu Jiao was now washing clothes in the bitter cold.
So she reluctantly asked: “What is Your Highness’s intention?”
Xu Jiao showed a fake smile: “Someone will need to fill the imperial harem eventually, I want to broaden my horizons in advance.”
Lan Yan: “?”
What horizons?
The horizons of a degenerate ruler?
No, Your Highness! She still wants to live!
Meanwhile.
Yu Ye was discussing the next steps with her strategists at her residence. Since she wanted to support Xu Jiao in becoming emperor, she needed to provide Xu Jiao with sufficient backing resources. She wanted Da Yan’s seas to be clear and rivers peaceful (an idiom meaning a prosperous and stable nation), and for Xu Jiao’s reign to be a golden age.
Her people had already investigated the incident of her turning into a cat, and now they had also uncovered the connection between Korea and Liang Kingdom. They were arranging spies to infiltrate Korea. As a reborn person, she knew the formidable nature of Liang’s Crown Prince Nie Yunyue and couldn’t let this tiger return to the mountain (an idiom meaning letting a dangerous person escape). Previously, Chu State, Qi State, and Da Yan had joined forces to carve territory from Da Liang, already tasting success. Yu Ye wouldn’t give Liang Kingdom a chance to lie low and grow stronger. She wanted Liang to completely lose its heir, reducing this frontier country to a vassal state.
It could serve as a border defense against the central tribes while no longer threatening Da Yan.
After dealing with Da Liang, the toughest nut to crack, taking down Qi and Chu, and incorporating Korea into their territory, they would befriend the distant and attack the near (an idiom describing diplomatic strategy), gradually consuming everything in their path.
Yu Ye stared at the strategic map for a long time, listening to the strategists’ discussions and suggestions without speaking.
“Qi is easiest to persuade. Currently, civil officials control Qi’s court. As long as we promise benefits to several major families, we can persuade Qi to send troops to help. Chu State is strictly regulated, and the Chu King still controls the court, but he indulges in pleasure. If we can find beautiful women to send to the Chu King and promise sufficient territory afterward, Chu’s military support won’t be difficult.”
“Easier said than done. The Chu King has already collected all the beauties in the world. Where would we find more? Moreover, while a three-state alliance seems easy, achieving unity is most difficult. Previously, we could move against Da Liang because timing, geography, and human factors were all favorable. If we rashly propose military action now, it might go smoothly, but if there are mishaps, Qi and Chu will surely be the first to betray the alliance. By then, who knows if it will be Liang losing territory!”
“Although Da Yan now has new rice crops as aid, our farmland irrigation and transportation still fall short. If we struggle in war with Da Liang while also fighting Qi and Chu, we’ll inevitably face a two-front battle predicament. Our national strength isn’t sufficient to support this. In my humble opinion, this matter requires longer deliberation.”
The strategists divided into two factions: one proposing to ally with Qi and Chu to attack Liang, the other suggesting postponement.
Yu Ye listened for quite a while, not hearing a clear winner, then suddenly spoke:
“Allying with Qi and Chu to attack Liang is indeed risky.”
“But what about allying with Chu to divide up Qi?”
As a buffer zone between several countries, Qi State was strategically crucial territory, but its royal family was weak, unable to match the old ministers from powerful families who controlled the court. However, any country attempting to take this territory alone would face opposition from others, ultimately finding themselves in a one-against-many situation.
Now, Liang had just been defeated and was recuperating.
If not actively provoked, their chances of deploying troops were low, especially against Yan, who held their heir.
If Da Yan and Chu joined forces to simultaneously take Qi, the mysterious Korea, which typically stayed out of these conflicts, would certainly ignore it due to their remote location. Liang couldn’t come to the rescue, leaving Qi “calling to heaven with no response, calling to earth with no reply” (an idiom meaning to be completely helpless).
After taking Qi, they could attack Chu—
By then, if victorious, Da Yan would have enough strength to face Da Liang head-on.
After Yu Ye’s words, the strategists fell silent briefly, then, with broadened perspectives, began a new round of debate.
The lights in the prince’s mansion stayed on all night.
That day, Yu Ye specially entered the palace to accompany Xu Jiao for breakfast. As soon as she stepped into the inner hall of the Eastern Palace, without waiting for servants’ announcements, she was hit by the scent of powder and rouge.
Looking carefully—
These “orioles and swallows” (metaphor for beautiful women) completely blocked the view of the Eastern Palace’s master.
But the hall was still quiet, so Yu Ye, with her exceptional hearing, could make out Xu Jiao’s small mutterings: “This sister looks rather cold when serious… this sister, hmm… ah, this sister is very delicate and cute… but Lan Yan, I’m looking more for the type that’s stunning at first sight. Today’s palace sisters don’t quite meet my standards.”
Xu Jiao’s voice carried slight disappointment.
She disliked publicly commenting on others’ appearances, feeling it was impolite to judge from above, but these palace maids truly didn’t meet her standards. She could only lower her voice to express her thoughts to Lan Yan beside her.
Seeing that no one had noticed her, Yu Ye suddenly called out from the hall entrance:
“I seem to have come at an inconvenient time.”
“What is Your Highness doing? Are your current servants not serving you well?”
Hearing her voice, the palace maids who had been focusing on Xu Jiao immediately lowered their heads in fear, silently making way for her. When Xu Jiao saw her, her eyes instinctively brightened.
Still, her own person was the most beautiful.
However, Yu Ye didn’t understand the meaning in her eyes. She sat down beside Xu Jiao, and no one minded this seemingly presumptuous behavior. Lan Yan had been frantically retreating with a tingling scalp since Yu Ye’s appearance, hoping to go unnoticed. Yet in the next moment, Yu Ye’s gaze swept over her casually as she said to Xu Jiao:
“If Your Highness is unsatisfied with your current attendants, just replace them—”
“Give the order, and those below will send suitable people. There’s no need for such an elaborate display. Others might think the Eastern Palace is selecting imperial consorts.”
But Xu Jiao’s mind was opened by her words: “Selecting consorts? Indeed, there are many undiscovered treasures among the common people. This might not be a bad suggestion.”
This way she could find someone more suitable to be arranged to seduce the male protagonist.
If they could just keep Nie Yunyue under control…
Da Yan’s early development would be much smoother. After all, some blades, if not held in one’s own hands, might become “sh*t-stirring sticks” (troublemakers) outside.
A “crack” sound.
Yu Ye had created a crack in the thin porcelain teacup presented by the servants.
She smiled without the smile reaching her eyes, staring at Xu Jiao, who just yesterday had been powerless beneath her, too weak even to bite, and said pointedly: “I’ve been negligent. Your Highness is indeed of age to start a family, needing some intimate companions to keep… you… company.”
She emphasized the last few words.
Xu Jiao immediately knew she had misunderstood. She casually waved her hand, dismissing Lan Yan and the palace maids, “You may all leave first.”
Once everyone left, she revealed her entire plan. After all, Nie Yunyue was a character she created. She knew everything about his love story, family background, and character setting. She even understood what kind of person Nie Yunyue would fall in love with. Arranging someone to go to his side to control him would make everything else much easier afterward.
Throughout this explanation, Yu Ye kept staring at her, finally asking:
“Have you always been so emotionless towards the protagonists you’ve written?”
Including herself.
And now, apparently Nie Yunyue too.
Xu Jiao was suddenly caught off guard by the question.
As their eyes met, Xu Jiao slowly said: “No.”
Yu Ye: “Oh?”
Xu Jiao lowered her gaze, looking at the patterns on the table before her, and continued: “You’re different.”
Yu Ye had only asked casually, but seeing how she seemed to be stirred by some memories, and not wanting to upset her, she smiled and said: “Different how? Particularly skilled? Especially brave? Or able to subdue you in bed?”
Hearing her playful words, Xu Jiao was quiet for a long while before speaking in a particularly complex tone:
“Nie Yunyue, I don’t owe him anything. He has his own complete story.”
“But Xia Jingzhe, Shen Yelan, Feng Qingyu, Lilith… and you.”
She said: “I owe you all so much. You all deserve a fulfilling ending.”
As she spoke these words, Xu Jiao vaguely realized what the system meant by a fulfilling ending.
Not a forced Happy Ending (HE).
But the completion she should have given originally, the same fulfilling ending she gave to Nie Yunyue’s story, that she should have given to Xia Jingzhe, Shen Yelan, and the others.
This was the regret she needed to make up for.
Yu Ye suddenly pulled her into her embrace, holding her waist, stroking her beautiful long hair, and softly said: “That was in the past.”
The past version of her was born from the frustrations of countless protagonists, carrying the weight of heaviness, resentment, anger, and unwillingness, wanting to question the creator about such injustice.
Until she saw the creator walk before her, listening to her sufferings and troubles.
“Now that you’ve come before me—”
“You are all the fulfillment I need.”
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