SLLBTT Chapter 21
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
⋇⊶⊰Chapter 21⊱⊷⋇
Hong Huli and Lanmao observed from afar as the lights in the side hall brightened, then proceeded to follow suit. However, they refrained from entering, opting to stand beneath the eaves outside the side hall. Sensing Liu Jiao's scent wafting through the door, they wisely abstained from any impulsive actions.
Hong Huli, hands tucked in his sleeves, said, "It seems the Great King won't return to the main hall to rest tonight."
Hong Huli looked quite pleased. In his estimation, the arrival of the snow leopard might bring joy to the Great King. And in the wake of the Great King's happiness, perhaps his own oversight of failing to catch the tablet could be pardoned.
"Yes, he should be spending the night in the side hall." Lanmao wasn't very happy, as it meant he also had to spend the night in the side hall.
The side hall wasn't as comfortable and stable as the main hall.
Although the side hall here was splendid, it still couldn't compare to the grandeur of the main hall. After all, that was where the throne was located.
Nevertheless, according to the regulations, concubines were relegated to serve the Great King in the side hall. Only the queen was esteemed enough to share the main hall for the night. Of course, with no queen in the palace currently, only the Great King was qualified to reside in the main hall — along with the night-duty palace attendants.
But for Liu Jiao, this was not a problem at all — because in Liu Jiao's mind, the main hall simply didn't exist. What he was currently focused on was whether the Snow Wolf King was happy or not.
"Great King..." Liu Jiao knelt, his face expressing confusion.
The Snow Wolf King, however, asked, "How did you get in?"
"I climbed over the wall to get in."
The Snow Wolf King, having guessed as much, merely nodded and asked, "You entered without prior announcement?"
This went against palace regulations, but the Snow Wolf King had no intention of pursuing the matter.
Faced with this question, Liu Jiao felt a bit embarrassed. He lowered his head and confessed, "Actually, I did inquire with the guards. They mentioned that it was late, and since you hadn't flipped my signboard, I wasn't allowed in."
Upon hearing this, the Snow Wolf King asked, "Which guard said that?"
"How would I know?" Liu Jiao shrugged and added, "When I saw they wouldn't let me in, I had no choice but to climb over the wall."
The Snow Wolf King, torn between amusement and exasperation, said, "So, you just barged into the side hall, then stripped down and knelt? Weren't you afraid I wouldn't come?"
Liu Jiao paused and then replied, "Isn't this where the Great King sleeps? Why would you not come?"
Little did Liu Jiao know, he assumed the Snow Wolf King rested here every night.
In reality, unless the Snow Wolf King summoned a consort, he wouldn't spend the night here. Even if he did, it wasn't a certainty. Most of the time, after such engagements, the Great King, driven by primal instincts, would return to his own lair. As Hong Huli would put it, this side hall was like the Great King's "hourly rate hotel room."
The Snow Wolf King asked, "Why have you come here?"
Bending forward, Liu Jiao said, "I've come to admit my guilt."
"You realized your wrongdoing?"
"I don't know."
The Snow Wolf King, somewhat resigned, remarked, "You don't know? Then, what guilt are you admitting?"
"Aren't you unhappy?"
The Snow Wolf King chuckled. "Even if I'm unhappy, what's it got to do with you?"
Liu Jiao, taken aback, echoed, "Indeed, what you say is true."
The Snow Wolf King laughed and casually tossed a jewel from the curtain onto the floor. Liu Jiao watched as the golden light sparkled, then pounced to catch it in his mouth. He remembered playing like this with dogs when he was young. Figuring that wolves were probably similar to dogs in this regard, he hoped his action wasn't entirely wrong.
He stood there, gazing up. Seeing no anger on the face of the Snow Wolf King, he thought to himself, "Imitating a dog seems to be the right move."
Perplexed by Liu Jiao's behavior, the Snow Wolf King couldn't decide whether to be annoyed or amused. He just sat on the bed.
Liu Jiao remained on his knees but edged closer, noticing the lack of hostility from the Snow Wolf King. He tentatively rested his head on the Great King's lap, his tail wagging like an affectionate and playful puppy.
The Snow Wolf King glanced at him, observing the younth's soft skin bathed in the gentle light. From neck to the naturally formed fluffy tail, a smooth curve of vulnerability was evident.
Liu Jiao's waist possessed the slimness of youth, adorned with the muscles befitting a snow leopard. Although the Snow Wolf King initially intended to keep a cool demeanor, he found himself warming up. He reached out, grasping Liu Jiao's waist, and effortlessly placed him on the bed.
Liu Jiao, yielding to the motion, landed on the bed, looking up at the Snow Wolf King with a hint of surprise. The golden jewel still adorned his mouth.
The Snow Wolf King said, "You've escalated your transgressions."
Liu Jiao, unsure of his wrongdoing, found himself facing an elevated degree of trouble. He gazed blankly at the Great King.
The Snow Wolf King, seemingly set on punishment, leaned down and took the golden jewel into his mouth.