SLLBTT Chapter 36
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
⋇⊶⊰Chapter 36⊱⊷⋇
The practice of forming a team to attend to the Great King had indeed been around since ancient times.
The previous generation of kings, in particular, was notoriously indulgent, frequently engaging in such activities.
The Queen at that time, who was now Queen Ming, as the head of the six palaces, showed great tolerance. He added the "Team Night Service Project" to the harem management system, alleviating the Great King's constant trouble of adding people.
Unexpectedly, Queen Ming had now reactivated this feature.
Hong Huli, holding a tablet, approached the Snow Wolf King and said, "The Queen Dowager has selected a team night service task for the Great King, with Beautiful Lady Jiao and Talented Lady Sui as members. Considering the busy state affairs tonight, should we cancel the night service?"
Although the Queen Dowager, as the head of the harem, could set night service tasks, the Great King was the ultimate authority. If he disliked it, he could cancel it at any time.
The Snow Wolf King, upon hearing this, raised an eyebrow, "What? The Queen Dowager has this move too?"
Hong Huli could only smile helplessly. "After all, Queen Ming is an outstanding figure from the previous dynasty. What tricks doesn't he have?"
The Snow Wolf King laughed. "Then let's not disappoint him."
Hong Huli, surprised, asked, "So... does the Great King plan to undertake this task tonight?"
"Yes," the Snow Wolf King nodded, "It's not good to disappoint the Queen Dowager, so he can enjoy peace of mind in his old age."
Hong Huli didn't say much, but he felt things weren't so simple. The Snow Wolf King was dedicated to ensuring Queen Ming's peace of mind in his old age — just as Queen Ming was committed to making the Great King uneasy.
This task made Liu Jiao quite uncomfortable.
When he returned to Chunguang Pavilion, his expression still showed displeasure. When Leng Jiao came to greet him and saw his unhappy face, he asked, "Beautiful Lady Jiao, is something bothering you?"
Liu Jiao then revealed what happened today. Leng Jiao, upon hearing it, was also surprised, "What?"
"You find it strange too, right? How can two people serve the Great King together?"
Leng Jiao could only say, "The Great King is mighty, so it should be fine."
Liu Jiao hesitated. "So... do you think the Great King would... would like it?"
"I wouldn't dare to say," Leng Jiao paused and added, "Let's put that aside for now. Have you reconciled with Suisui?"
"I..." Liu Jiao's thoughts were in disarray. "I don't know! But I think he makes sense. The forbidden book is his, and if it gets reported, he could be implicated too!"
"There's no evidence proving the book is his. He can simply deny it if it comes to that," Leng Jiao replied. "Besides, Beautiful Lady Jiao, you're naive — honest and straightforward. If caught, you might confess directly without necessarily exposing Suisui."
Liu Jiao was stunned at this response, nodding after a moment. "Oh, right..."
Leng Jiao cleared his throat and added, "In any case, the Queen Dowager has been strongly recommending Suisui. You have to be on guard."
Liu Jiao was overwhelmed. "The harem is so complicated. The Queen Dowager seems nice to me, but the Great King says I should stay away. Suisui is friendly, and now you say I should be cautious of him... I don't know who to trust!"
"In the harem, you can't really trust anyone," Leng Jiao sighed and said, "But... the Great King is the supreme authority, you should listen to him. Regardless of whether the Queen Dowager is genuinely kind or not, if the Great King tells you to stay away, you should, right?"
"Yes."
"So, since Suisui is the Queen Dowager's person, you shouldn't get close to him either, right?"
"Oh... yeah, I guess so..." Liu Jiao was convinced by Leng Jiao.
Leng Jiao, looking at Liu Jiao's bewildered expression, felt some concern. He sighed and said, "I'll be leaving the palace in a year. Take care of yourself."
Thinking about the future a year from now, Liu Jiao's heart was filled with mixed emotions.
After nightfall, Liu Jiao freshened up and was escorted to the Snow Hall on the Wolf Mountain. In the past, when he came to the side hall, it was always just him. Unexpectedly, this time there was Suisui as well.
Neither of them undressed and wrapped themselves in blankets. They came in wearing their clothes. Both dressed in splendid attire, they sat in the side hall, exchanging glances.
Liu Jiao felt awkward, but Suisui was quite natural. "Later, I'll have to learn from Beautiful Lady Jiao."
"Learn what?" The Snow Wolf King entered, pushing the door open, and asked.
Liu Jiao and Suisui quickly bowed to the Snow Wolf King.
Suisui responded, "I was just talking to Beautiful Lady Jiao about learning."
"Oh?" The Snow Wolf King said, "Speaking of which, have you finished your homework?"
Liu Jiao and Suisui hesitated and said, "Yes, we finished."
"Finished your homework and then relax? No need for review and consolidation?" The Snow Wolf King, hands behind his back, asked, "What lessons did you have today?"
"Uh... English class."
"What was taught?"
Despite not being good at studies, Liu Jiao was attentive in class and answered, "Conditional sentences."
"Good, then tell me, how many types of conditional sentences are there?"
Liu Jiao couldn't answer.
Suisui could still recall, "Conditional sentences can be classified into zero, first, second, and third conditional sentences."
Just as Suisui was about to elaborate on the differences between various conditional sentences, the Snow Wolf King asked, "How about the inversion of hypothetical conditional sentences?"
"......" Suisui was stumped.
So, Suisui and Liu Jiao received an impromptu tutoring session together. After the lesson, the Snow Wolf King assigned them exercises. Once given, he returned to the main hall to sleep.
While working on the exercises, Liu Jiao asked Suisui whenever he didn't understand.
Originally planned as a night for Suisui to learn from Liu Jiao, it turned into Liu Jiao learning from Suisui.
Nevertheless, it could be considered progress for both!
On regular days, when Liu Jiao worked on his homework in the Snow Hall, he would consult the Snow Wolf King for his studies. Now, with Suisui around, he could also seek assistance from him. Liu Jiao mentioned that the study sessions were effective, and the Snow Wolf King, busy with land division matters, suggested that Liu Jiao and Suisui study together in the Snow Hall for the week.
Seeing the side hall equipped with reading lamps, bookshelves, and a blackboard, Suisui, recalling his experiences of "night service," seemed to understand something. He asked Liu Jiao, "Have you been working on assignments during these days you've been here?"
"Yes," Liu Jiao nodded.
Thinking about his own "intimate session", Suisui looked at Liu Jiao with a touch of sympathy. "I see! With a weaker foundation, you indeed need 'night service' more than others."
Just as the Snow Wolf King ascended the throne, disputes over land erupted among various tribes, causing a continuous uproar. The Snow Wolf King, overwhelmed by the matters, didn't even have time to eat, let alone come to the side hall. He instructed the two to focus on their studies.
After studying together and completing their assignments, when leaving, Hong Huli reminded them, "What happens in the side hall should not be spoken of outside."
"Rest assured, I understand this very well," Suisui nodded, thinking, "It seems the Great King is a sheep tail that truly loves reading."
Unexpectedly, the news of the Snow Wolf King falling ill suddenly spread the next day.