SLLBTT Chapter 19
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
⋇⊶⊰Chapter 19⊱⊷⋇
Liu Jiao, in a daze, was pressed down on the couch by Queen Ming.
This made Liu Jiao inexplicably uneasy, so he tried to sit up, but Queen Ming' strength was astonishing, keeping the snow leopard pinned.
Liu Jiao exclaimed in great surprise, "Queen Ming, you're very strong, aren't you?"
"Did I hurt you, little beauty?" Queen Ming released Liu Jiao.
Liu Jiao shook his head. "No, just surprised."
"As long as I didn't hurt you, it's fine," Queen Ming thought for a moment, then added, "There's nothing to be surprised about. In our Wolf Palace, it has always been the reign of the snow wolves, both as kings and queens. So, it's not strange for me to have great strength."
Liu Jiao hesitated but said, "But I've never seen a wolf with more strength than a snow leopard."
Queen Ming chuckled. "We are not ordinary wolves but legendary snow wolves with divine lineage."
After pondering for a while, Liu Jiao asked, "That's quite rare, isn't it?"
"Exactly."
"So, in the harem, besides you and the Great King, there are no other snow wolves?"
"There will be soon," Queen Ming replied with a mysterious smile.
Liu Jiao was momentarily stunned.
However, Queen Ming reached out, gently pressing Liu Jiao back onto the couch, "Go to sleep, good child."
The snow leopard was a top predator, yet in the presence of snow wolves, it felt vulnerable. Perhaps, at the core, Queen Ming's words were not unfounded. The divine snow wolf tribe possessed extraordinary strength. Liu Jiao, trembling involuntarily under the wolf's claws, nervously bit his own tail.
Seeing Liu Jiao so frightened, Queen Ming laughed, gripping Liu Jiao's chin. As Liu Jiao's mouth twitched, the tail was pulled out by Queen Ming. While playing with the tail, Queen Ming chuckled. "Why is the sight of a scared beauty so amusing?"
At this moment, a servant's voice echoed from outside, "The Snow Wolf King has arrived—"
Hearing the announcement, Queen Ming stood up, turning back to instruct Liu Jiao, "Don't make a sound." With that, he lowered the curtains on the couch, descended the steps, and went to welcome the Snow Wolf King.
Liu Jiao was momentarily confused, not yet grasping what was happening. He heard the voice of the Snow Wolf King outside the curtain, "I've come to pay my respects to the Queen Dowager."
"Please, have a seat," Queen Ming invited.
The Snow Wolf King asked, "How is the Queen Dowager's mood today?"
"Feeling quite lively today. Many thanks for the Great King's concern," Queen Ming said, lightly stroking his frosty white hair. He continued with a smile, "What about the Great King's court today? Is Censor Xu still criticizing Beautiful Lady Jiao?"
"He has other matters to criticize. Beautiful Lady Jiao has impeccable conduct, nothing to nitpick."
Hearing the Snow Wolf King's praise from behind the curtain, Liu Jiao felt a twinge of joy.
Queen Ming laughed. "You've just ascended the throne, so you need to be cautious. The Censorate is not to be trifled with. I suggest not favoring Beautiful Lady Jiao too much, to avoid drawing the Censorate's attention. How about that white fox? Suisui, isn't it?"
The Snow Wolf King agreed, "Queen Dowager is right."
"Tonight, Great King could show favor to Suisui," Queen Ming suggested.
"Since the Queen Dowager has spoken, I see no reason to refuse."
Upon hearing this, Liu Jiao's heart sank, finding it hard to catch his breath.
"However," the Snow Wolf King continued, "they have exams these days. If I summon him, he might not be willing to come."
Liu Jiao breathed a sigh of relief.
"But the Censorate isn't solely focused on me," the Snow Wolf King continued, "The Queen Dowager is also a key subject of their scrutiny. You should be cautious as well, don't give them any handles."
"I reside deep in the palace, oblivious to everything. What handle could they possibly find?" Queen Ming chuckled. "You worry too much."
The Snow Wolf King nodded. "Just a friendly reminder."
"Great King, go attend to state affairs first," Queen Ming yawned, "I need to take a nap as well."
Within the curtains, Liu Jiao heard Queen Ming mention sleeping but couldn't shake off the memory of Queen Ming suggesting they sleep together.
Something about this didn't seem right?
But Liu Jiao couldn't pinpoint what felt wrong.
Could a consort sleep with the Queen Dowager?
It didn't sound illegal, but...
As Liu Jiao pondered, the curtains were suddenly drawn aside. The dim sleeping area was flooded with light, and Liu Jiao squinted, seeing the Snow Wolf King, radiant as the frosty moonlight.
The Snow Wolf King chuckled. "How did the Beautiful Lady end up here?"
Queen Ming ascended the steps with a smile. "Great King's agility is truly remarkable. Climbed up the steps in the blink of an eye!"
The Snow Wolf King chuckled. "Is Queen Ming trying to steal my beauty?"
Queen Ming also laughed. "No, just having some fun, aren't we?"
"Since the Queen Dowager is tired, rest well. Beautiful Lady, come back to the palace with me," the Snow Wolf King said, effortlessly lifting the supple Liu Jiao and carrying his beauty away from Qingque Terrace.
Exiting the Qingque Terrace, they could see the azure sky.
Liu Jiao looked up, simultaneously at the sky and the Great King's jaw, "Great King..."
The Snow Wolf King glanced at him. "Do you know your offense?"
Liu Jiao, who once thought the Snow Wolf King was the gentlest person, now felt a chill and fear as he spoke, "I... I don't know..."
The Snow Wolf King fell silent, his entire being as cold as ice.
Liu Jiao, experiencing this side of the Snow Wolf King for the first time, dared not even breathe, timidly saying, "Great King... I can walk on my own."
The Snow Wolf King responded, "Very well, walk on your own then."
With that, the Snow Wolf King released him, adding, "Walk to Snow Hall on the Wolf Mountain to admit your guilt." Saying this, he boarded a sedan and departed.
Watching the sedan disappear in the dust, Liu Jiao remained in place, feeling a bit melancholic.
However, the sedan wasn't moving fast, and Liu Jiao could run much faster than it.
Liu Jiao reached the Snow Hall on Wolf Mountain before the Great King. Yet, he didn't dare enter first, waiting outside the door.
The sedan slowly approached. The Snow Wolf King, sitting high above, said, "You know the rules of not entering first."
"Yes." Liu Jiao's heart was in his throat, thinking, "No wonder they say accompanying the ruler is like accompanying a tiger. Apparently, the Great King... can be intimidating too."
The Snow Wolf King didn't actually scare him, he neither scolded nor threatened, yet Liu Jiao still felt afraid.
The Snow Wolf King added, "Go to the side hall first."
Liu Jiao said, "Yes, Great King," and went to the side hall to wait. The Snow Wolf King changed into casual attire before heading to the side hall. Opening the door, he found Liu Jiao kneeling on the ground, hunched like a startled cat, trembling, and the fur on his tail standing on end.
The Snow Wolf King gently asked, "Why are you kneeling?"
"Great King..." Liu Jiao lowered his head, "Isn't it for me to admit guilt?"
"Your attitude for apologizing is not sufficient," the Snow Wolf King closed the door, "First, take off your clothes."
Liu Jiao suddenly looked up, eyes widened in surprise. Was there such a palace rule? Kneeling for forgiveness and not allowed to wear clothes?
However, the Snow Wolf King maintained a serious expression, as if undressing were a significant matter.