SLLBTT Chapter 24
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
⋇⊶⊰Chapter 24⊱⊷⋇
Liu Jiao froze, his face turning red, unsure whether he wanted to speak or not.
Meanwhile, the Snow Wolf King waved to him with a smile and departed.
Liu Jiao watched the Snow Wolf King's figure on the lofty imperial carriage, suspended like the sun and gradually disappearing into the clouds.
The sky darkened.
Returning to Chunguang Pavilion, Da Huangya and Ah Ye inquired about what happened. Liu Jiao, uncertain of how to respond, stammered. Just as the conversation became awkward, Leng Jiao and Bai Juan arrived.
Ah Ye welcomed them, inviting both to sit and have tea. Liu Jiao asked, "What brings you here?"
Bai Juan explained, "During the exam today, you suddenly felt unwell, so we were concerned. That's why we've come to visit you."
Earlier, Liu Jiao suddenly stopped taking the exam in the examination room and ran to the hospital. After a long time, he came back claiming to be sick and exempted from the exam. This raised suspicions among the others. The astute Bai Juan heard about Liu Jiao's return and decided to investigate, bringing Leng Jiao along. "We all reside in the same palace. It's just right to pay a visit." Using this pretext, they approached Liu Jiao's residence to inquire.
Hearing Bai Juan's words, Liu Jiao paused and said, "Thank you for your concern."
Da Huangya, seeing Liu Jiao struggling to speak, chimed in, "Our master had a bit of a headache and fever. He had some shots, took medicine, and now he's much better. Many thanks to both of you for your concern."
Bai Juan nodded. "What did the doctor say?"
Liu Jiao, not adept at lying, truthfully replied, "The doctor said I need some rest, so I should skip the exam for now."
Bai Juan responded with an "Oh" and said, "I see. Beautiful Lady, take plenty of rest! Did the doctor mention the specific illness?"
Unable to provide an answer, Liu Jiao shook his head in confusion, "No, not really!"
Bai Juan was perplexed. "How could there be no mention? Wasn't a medical record written?"
"Medical record?" Liu Jiao also froze. Forget about a medical record, the doctor didn't even prescribe any medicine!
Because Liu Jiao was not actually sick!
Liu Jiao didn't know how to respond. Just as he struggled, Leng Jiao spoke, "Seems like it's not a serious issue. Beautiful Lady, rest well. We'll take our leave."
Relieved, Liu Jiao hastily said, "Sure, sure, you can go back first!"
Bai Juan, who initially wanted to inquire further, had to bid farewell to Liu Jiao as Leng Jiao insisted.
Once they left the main hall of Chunguang Pavilion, Bai Juan complained to Leng Jiao, "Why did we leave so soon? I could sense Liu Jiao couldn't speak. He probably isn't really sick!"
"You're quite interesting," Leng Jiao glanced at him, "The Great King says he's sick, and you claim he's not?"
Bai Juan was caught off guard by this statement, unable to respond immediately. His face, however, revealed a touch of displeasure.
Seeing Bai Juan's annoyance, Leng Jiao remarked, "It's just a regular monthly exam. It won't affect the final evaluation. Why take it so seriously?"
"It's only the first exam, yet there are already so many unfairness," Bai Juan grumbled, "Is there any meaning to the final exam?"
Leng Jiao said, "The harem was initially for vying for favor. With the Great King's affection, one could gain honor. Now, with the Great King introducing exams, it's just another avenue for those of us who can't win favor."
Bai Juan was stunned, truly at a loss for words.
The intricacies inside were clear even to young Leng Jiao, not to mention the former champion of palace intrigue, Queen Ming.
Queen Ming, while lighting incense indoors, chatted with a chamberlain, "The Great King is organizing this exam. It seems he's made up his mind to favor only the snow leopard. However, fearing criticism from the Censorate and potential grievances in the six palaces, he devised an exam system to allow unfavored consorts a chance to rise. It's just giving them false hope. Who doesn't know that? Truly treating people like fools."
The attendant responded, "So, if the exam turns out to be unfair, the consorts will harbor grievances."
"Well said," Queen Ming nodded. "Right now, everyone's diligently preparing for the exam, thinking it will lead to promotions. But if they discover the exams are futile, the harder they strive now, the more resentment they'll hold in the future."
Just as they discussed this, a chamberlain outside announced, "Beautiful Lady Jiao is here to pay respects."
Queen Ming smiled, "Excellent, let him in quickly."
Liu Jiao remembered promising to pay respects to Queen Ming more frequently. Therefore, the day after the exam, he arrived early. Queen Ming was delighted to see him. He approached and led him up the steps. Liu Jiao looked at the bed on the platform and hesitated, "The Great King forbids me from going on the Queen Dowager's bed."
Taken aback, Queen Ming explained, "This isn't a bed. It's a heated brick couch."
"Ah?" Liu Jiao was confused.
"Come, Beautiful Lady."
After some thought, Liu Jiao shook his head. "That won't work either. Last time, when I lay there, the Great King was displeased when he returned."
Queen Ming chuckled. "Alright, alright. If the Great King isn't pleased, what can I say? Did he punish you?"
Thinking about the Great King's "punishment," Liu Jiao's face turned slightly red, hesitatingly saying, "Just... just... about that..."
Queen Ming smiled and said, "I understand."
Liu Jiao was surprised. "What did I say? How could you understand that?"
Queen Ming, however, asked, "How is your bedroom technique lessons coming along?"
"What course is this? I haven't taken it yet. I've only learned a bit of arithmetic."
"Really, arithmetic is nothing compared to this skill," Queen Ming remarked. "Consorts need to learn the art of the bedroom to secure favor."
Listening to Queen Ming tirelessly promoting this bedroom art as if it were an educational institution, Liu Jiao curiously asked, "What is the art of the bedroom?"
"Do you recognize the characters 'inside the chamber'?"
"Yes, I do." Liu Jiao felt that ever since he started studying, everyone treated him like he was mentally deficient.
Queen Ming continued, "It's the technique you use to serve the Great King in the bedroom."
"Oh, that..." Liu Jiao's face instantly turned red. "Can that be learned?"
Queen Ming replied, "Of course, it can be learned! Our predecessors have left us countless valuable experiences, compiled into volumes for us to study and review. By summarizing these experiences, we can innovate and create better, higher-quality services to ease the Great King's worries."
Queen Ming, eloquent in his speech, stirred Liu Jiao's curiosity. He said, "I feel that I lack experience in this area and have many shortcomings. I should learn and improve."
"Then you've come to the right person," Queen Ming warmly held Liu Jiao's hand, "I've done quite a bit of research in this area. If you ask around, inquire with the elders in the palace – everyone knows who excels in the art of attending the Great King's chambers. I have a good reputation in this field. No fancy tricks, just straight to the point. When an expert takes action, you'll know if it's the real deal."