SLLBTT Chapter 17
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
⋇⊶⊰Chapter 17⊱⊷⋇
The snow leopard was still hiding under the table, but the Censor, recognizing the tail, identified the creature. Turning to the monarch, he asked, "Is this the Snow Leopard Beaitiful Lady who monopolizes the spring scenery in the palace?"
The Snow Wolf King replied, "Beloved Minister, please refrain from making unfounded speculations. This is just a palace attendant."
The Censor pointed out, "If it's just a palace attendant, why not come out openly instead of lurking under the table so sneakily?"
The Snow Wolf King smiled faintly and said, "You are overstepping."
Hearing this, the Censor was even more indignant, "Great King, is this intimidation?"
"Master Hong, escort Censor Xu." The Snow Wolf King shook his sleeve and leaned back, projecting an air of contentment.
Hong Huli agreed with a brief acknowledgment, then walked up to Censor Xu, gestured towards the door, and said, "Lord Censor, please."
Censor Xu, visibly angered, was escorted out of the palace. Upon returning, he swiftly penned a lengthy article detailing how the Snow Leopard Beautiful Lady had transgressed, leading the Snow Wolf King to commit absurd deeds. In the article's conclusion, he vehemently condemned the blue-eyed beauty, urging strict measures and expressing hope for the Snow Wolf King's prompt reform into a wise and virtuous ruler.
He published the article on the government affairs forum.
He aimed to evoke resonance among censors, rallying them together for a united protest.
After Censor Xu finished his publication, replies quickly flooded in.
"So, you woke up the Great King in the middle of the night to talk about this trivial matter?"
"No, no, no. Not only did he wake the Great King in the middle of the night to chat about trivial matters, but he also flipped the Great King's table."
"Huh? Am I the only one who finds Censor Xu very strange?"
"Did you clearly see who the other person was? Why insist it's the Snow Leopard Beautiful Lady?"
"Did Dongli County offend you? Did the snow leopard tribe offend you? You're just wildly biting without reason. What's your motive?"
......
Censor Xu, observing various heated comments popping up instantly, had a sudden suspicion, "Did the Great King hire internet trolls to manipulate comments??"
This speculation fueled Censor Xu's indignation even more. "Seemingly composed and elegant, the Great King is resorting to such lowly tactics? It appears this loyal official must persist in his efforts!"
This overwhelming sense of responsibility kept Censor Xu awake, prompting him to open his computer and laboriously resume writing lengthy reports.
In stark contrast to his diligence, after sending him off, the Snow Wolf King embraced the Snow Leopard Beautiful Lady and went to sleep. Liu Jiao, however, was a bit worried, "I think that official looks very angry!"
"I'm angry too," the Snow Wolf King laughed. "Why don't you ask me about it?"
Liu Jiao, gazing at Snow Wolf King's gentle smile, responded in confusion, "Great King is angry too? Why didn't I notice?"
The Snow Wolf King caressed Liu Jiao's hair, smiling without saying a word.
Meanwhile, Hong Huli had already returned after seeing off Censor Xu. He reported, "Great King, I've escorted Censor Xu away."
"Hmm, is the forum being closely monitored?"
"Rest assured, it's under constant surveillance."
"There's one more thing," the Snow Wolf King said. "Find the white cat attendant and give his tail some black spots."
"I understand," Hong Huli acknowledged, then withdrew.
In the dead of night, the white cat attendant was yanked from his bed by Hong Huli and taken to have his fur dyed, acquiring a tail resembling that of a snow leopard.
"Though it's not as grand as the snow leopard's tail, it looks quite similar now," Hong Huli commented, stroking his chin.
The white cat attendant, still half-asleep, followed Hong Huli the next day as they attended court with the Great King.
In the court session, Censor Xu once again brought up the matter. Hong Huli pointed to the white cat attendant and said, "Last night, what the Lord Censor saw was him."
"Do you... do you think I'm a fool?" Censor Xu gritted his teeth in frustration.
"I, too, have a matter to report," Censor Li stepped forward and spoke.
"Go ahead," the Snow Wolf King said.
Censor Li declared, "I wish to accuse Censor Xu."
"You're accusing me?" Censor Xu was furious. "Accuse me of what?"
"Last night, I read the government affairs forum and found that you admitted to pulling the tail of the snow leopard revealed under the study's table."
"Indeed!" Censor Xu declared loudly. "I have no regrets!"
"Then you truly show no remorse!"
"What?" Censor Xu retorted. "As a fellow censor, do you understand the duty of an admonishing official?"
"Firstly, a subject, then an admonishing official!" Censor Li asserted. "Great King, I wish to accuse Censor Xu of stepping onto the royal platform without receiving your permission!"
Censor Xu paled instantly.
According to the law, when a subject faced the Great King, they must wait below the platform and could not approach without royal decree. At that moment, Censor Xu, enraged upon seeing the beauty's tail, forgot about this protocol.
Censor Xu hurriedly explained, "I was just momentarily overwhelmed..."
"Can momentary urgency justify disrespect towards the monarch?" Censor Li rebuked. "Whether the Snow Leopard Beautiful Lady has bewitched the Great King remains uncertain, but your overstepping is undeniable! Without severe punishment, we cannot uphold law and order!"
Censor Xu finally grasped the situation. Censor Li was merely waving the Great King's banner. Annoyed, he retorted, "As a subject, I cannot abandon principles just to please the Great King!"
Censor Li thought to himself, "Is he naive? Isn't the subject's principle precisely to please the Great King?"
"I'm following the law," Censor Li insisted. "How is that pleasing the Great King? Slandering a colleague in the court is an additional offense!"
Censor Xu hastily turned to the Great King, pleading, "Great King, please discern the truth!"
The Snow Wolf King smiled and said, "Enough, you both have valid points. Let's end the matter here today."
Censor Xu sighed in relief, wisely refraining from mentioning the Snow Leopard Beautiful Lady hiding under the table.
The Snow Wolf King, accompanied by Hong Huli, left the court. Hong Huli asked, "Why not take the opportunity to punish Censor Xu severely and curb his arrogance?"
"Let it go," the Snow Wolf King said. "People with discerning eyes understand the situation. If I overly protect Beautiful Lady Jiao, more than just Censor Xu will voice objections."
The incident seemed to settle, yet it became a topic of discussion. Those familiar with the former court knew that the most favored in the harem now was the Snow Leopard Beautiful Lady. However, in the harem, there was little gossip as everyone was focused on their studies.
The snow leopard tribe, situated in the mountains, faced economic challenges, leading to limited educational opportunities. Liu Jiao excelled in wilderness survival but struggled with academic matters, a fact acknowledged in the palace where everyone was busy preparing for exams.
Liu Jiao nibbled on the end of the pen, staring at the workbook with a deeply furrowed brow.
"A four-word phrase that conveys the meaning of 'succumbing to temptation, thus leading to one's own downfall and falling into a trap' and includes an animal is..."
Da Huangya glanced at it, thinking, "This question is easy, isn't it just 'moth to a flame'?"
Liu Jiao pondered for a moment and wrote down the answer, "seeking death."
Da Huangya shook his head. "The question specifies it has to be a four-word phrase."
Liu Jiao chewed on the pen and wrote, "seeking death by oneself."
However, Da Huangya shook his head, explaining, "The main heading says it's a 'four-character phrase including an animal.' It must include an animal!" Worried that Liu Jiao might not understand, Da Huangya added, "And it's an insect."
After further contemplation, Liu Jiao wrote down, "sticky paper cockroach trap."
At that moment, Ah Ye walked in and announced, "Beautiful Lady, it's time for dinner."
Liu Jiao replied, "Alright, let's eat first. Also, go inform the Internal Affairs Office to remove my signboard. I still need to finish my homework."