SLLBTT Chapter 22
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
⋇⊶⊰Chapter 22⊱⊷⋇
The golden jewel tumbled to the edge of the pillow, but the lips of the Snow Wolf King met Liu Jiao's. Gently parting Liu Jiao's teeth, their tongues delicately touched, creating an incomparable sweetness.
Liu Jiao involuntarily closed his eyes — he didn't even know why he did it.
After a while, the Snow Wolf King released him and asked, "Why did you close your eyes?"
Only then did Liu Jiao slowly open them, "I... I don't know..."
However, the Snow Wolf King untied the belt around his waist and covered Liu Jiao's eyes with it. Liu Jiao's world turned pitch black once again.
The Snow Wolf King said, "These are exceptionally precious lustrous beads. There are a total of eighteen. If even one is lost, I will hold you accountable!"
Liu Jiao's complexion drained upon hearing this. His eyes were veiled by embroidered ribbons, revealing only a trembling, delicate face. Gritting his teeth, he responded, "As you command!"
"You may step down," commanded the Snow Wolf King, "but remain on your knees."
Liu Jiao descended from the bed, then knelt down on the ground, bowing his head.
At this moment, his eyes were still veiled by the silk ribbon. Engulfed in darkness, his lips grew dry, his knees trembled, and an overall sense of unrest consumed his entire being.
He endured this suffering, kneeling for quite some time, before feeling the Great King's palm brush over the top of his head.
He sensed that the Great King's hand felt like a gentle breeze, precisely what he needed in this moment of restlessness.
Finally, the silk ribbon before Liu Jiao's eyes was unraveled, and his gaze could once again roam freely. He looked up at the Snow Wolf King, who stood tall, adorned in luxurious robes, with an air of grace resembling a deity. In contrast, Liu Jiao, n*ked and kneeling, seemed as insignificant as a blade of grass.
"Do you recognize your wrongdoing?" the Snow Wolf King repeated, his tone softened.
Liu Jiao gazed steadily at the Snow Wolf King, wagging his tail as he said, "Please enlighten me, Great King. Otherwise... this humble servant's mind will forever remain puzzled."
The Snow Wolf King extended his foot, a foot as finely carved as jade, casually resting it on Liu Jiao's smooth shoulder. He said, "You belong to me and must not share another man's bed."
Liu Jiao finally grasped the situation — it was because he had lay on the Queen Dowager's bed!
Upon reflection, Liu Jiao found the rule reasonable. Concubines shouldn't share beds with other men. He had indeed violated this norm.
Consequently, Liu Jiao hurried to express his remorse, attempting to prostrate himself. However, the Snow Wolf King's left foot propped up his shoulder, preventing a full bow. Thus, Liu Jiao could only lift his face, addressing the Great King, "I acknowledge my guilt, and I shall never dare to do so again."
The Snow Wolf King retracted his foot and sat cross-legged on the bed, looking at Liu Jiao with a half-smile.
Although the left foot had withdrawn, its lingering pressure still weighed on Liu Jiao's shoulder.
The Snow Wolf King raised a teasing eyebrow and said, "You may leave."
"What?" Liu Jiao asked, bewildered.
"Don't you have exams tomorrow?"
Liu Jiao was lifted onto a sedan chair and sent back to Chunguang Pavilion. Ah Ye and Da Huangya had thought Liu Jiao would spend the night in Snow Hall on the Wolf Mountain, but he unexpectedly returned in the middle of the night. They felt a bit uneasy, wondering, "Could the Great King still be angry?"
Liu Jiao remained silent, his face blushing again.
Ah Ye inquired a bit, but Liu Jiao didn't know how to explain. "I need to rest now. There's an exam tomorrow."
Ah Ye and Da Huangya refrained from further questioning.
The next day marked the final exam — English.
Liu Jiao sat at his desk, feeling complex emotions, his tail drooping, appearing dispirited.
A few minutes after the papers were distributed, the door of the examination room swung open, and the Snow Wolf King entered. Upon seeing this, everyone bowed.
"No need for formalities, continue with the exam," the Snow Wolf King waved his hand. "I've come to have a look at everyone."
Liu Jiao, blushing deeply, found his hand gripping the pen uncontrollably trembling. The Snow Wolf King circled the exam room and, upon reaching Liu Jiao, paused. He placed a hand on Liu Jiao's shoulder, saying, "Why is Beautiful Lady Jiao trembling? Are you unwell?"
Hearing this, the proctor walked over, asking, "Is that so?"
"I... I'm fine," Liu Jiao stuttered.
The proctor scrutinized Liu Jiao and remarked, "Beautiful Lady Jiao, your face is all red. Are you sure everything's alright?"
The Snow Wolf King touched Liu Jiao's forehead and commented, "Quite feverish."
Liu Jiao clenched his teeth but remained silent with his head bowed.
The Snow Wolf King said, "The exam is secondary. Your health is more important. Let's take Beautiful Lady Jiao to see a doctor first. What does the proctor think?"
The proctor hastily agreed, "The Great King is correct!"
With that, the proctor arranged for Liu Jiao to be taken to the medical facility to rest.
In the infirmary, incense wafted in the air, meant to soothe the nerves, but Liu Jiao, restless and feverish, could only lie in bed, gritting his teeth. The Snow Wolf King lay beside him, extracting the lustrous beads one by one, counting softly, "One, two, three..."