SLLBTT Chapter 39
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
⋇⊶⊰Chapter 39⊱⊷⋇
Leaving the palace was something Liu Jiao had never thought possible.
But it was about to become a reality soon.
Censor Xu, hearing that the Great King was overworking, immediately went back to report. According to the harem records, indeed, the Queen Dowager initiated and advanced the "Team Night Service Project," causing harm to the Great King's health during a period of high work pressure.
The Great King had already discussed this matter with his confidants. Watching Censor Xu unable to contain himself and being the first to speak out, other ministers quickly voiced their agreement, turning this into a hot topic on the government affairs forum.
Sensing trouble, Queen Ming took immediate action. However, an attendant said, "There's no evidence proving that the Queen Dowager caused the Great King's illness, is there?"
Queen Ming shook his head. "Does this need proof?" He then said with a world-weary tone, "I never expected the Great King, just to get back at me, would even start spreading rumors about his own kidney deficiency! Quite ruthless!"
Queen Ming didn't want to wait until the court session tomorrow to passively face punishment. He promptly posted a self-critique on the forum. Of course, he needed someone to take the blame—even if they couldn't bear it, he would make them bear it. So, he immediately thought of Suisui and Liu Jiao.
"They are the ones involved in the team night service. If there's punishment, they should be the first ones to face it."
After a while, the attendant reported, "Suisui has been apprehended, but Liu Jiao is in the Snow Hall on the Wolf Mountain. It's impossible to capture him."
Queen Ming snorted, "He truly is the Great King's favorite."
Despite harboring many grievances in his heart, Queen Ming still pretended to be submissive. Dressed in only a single layer of clothing, he walked barefoot from Qingque Terrace to the Snow Hall on Wolf Mountain. Outside the palace, he knelt, wept, and earnestly begged for forgiveness.
Honestly, the Great King couldn't execute Queen Ming for such a matter, but he didn't want to immediately forgive him either. So, he had to put on headphones, listening to music together with Liu Jiao.
Lying on the bed, listening to music for quite a while, Liu Jiao said his ears were hurting. The Great King then took off the headphones for him, rubbing Liu Jiao's ears, and asked, "Still hurting?"
Liu Jiao shook his head but asked, "Great King, what do you mean when you say I'll be leaving the palace soon?"
The Snow Wolf Great King smiled. "It means exactly what it sounds like."
Liu Jiao shook his head. "How could I leave the palace? It hasn't even been a year yet."
"Don't you want to leave the palace? Aren't the days in the palace hard for you?"
Liu Jiao was momentarily stunned.
"Xiao Jiao," the Snow Wolf King gently called his name, "Do you truly like life in the palace?"
"No," Liu Jiao shook his head, "I don't like it."
"Can you find happiness living like this for your whole life?"
Liu Jiao lifted his head, looking bewildered, and shook his head once more.
The Snow Wolf King hugged Liu Jiao. "For you, this is the best choice."
As the Snow Wolf King spoke these words, he gently stroked Liu Jiao's back, as if comforting him, but also comforting himself.
Liu Jiao leaned against the Snow Wolf King's shoulder, inhaling the elusive chilly fragrance, his heart filled with myriad emotions.
The Snow Wolf King said, "Suisui has been taken to the Ministry of Justice. You should be prepared too."
"Prepared for what?" Liu Jiao looked puzzled. "Me... too?"
The Snow Wolf King replied, "Suisui didn't confess voluntarily. He was dragged in. If you're clever, you should learn from the Queen Dowager and confess willingly."
"What is my crime?" Liu Jiao asked in confusion.
The Snow Wolf King couldn't explain it properly to Liu Jiao. He simply held Liu Jiao's hand and said, "Your crime might be that I like you too much."
Liu Jiao's face suddenly blushed, his heart racing like butterflies fluttering amid flowers.
However, the Snow Wolf King released Liu Jiao's hand, "You should go."
"Go where?"
The Snow Wolf King replied, "Go outside and kneel with the Queen Dowager. I'll punish you to practice Buddhism at the Temple of the Heavenly Emperor."
"Temple of the Heavenly Emperor?" Liu Jiao was somewhat surprised. "Isn't that a very sacred place?"
In legends, the Heavenly Emperor and the Wolf Demon King gave birth to the first divine wolf tribe, ruling the northern lands. Similarly, the divine fox clan in the southern lands also descended from the Heavenly Emperor. Of course, the Great Kings of the western and eastern lands were also descendants of the Heavenly Emperor... In short, all divine demon clans were descendants of the Heavenly Emperor, showing that the Heavenly Emperor cared deeply for animals.
Of course, the benevolent Heavenly Emperor didn't only love animals but also cherished humans. The Heavenly Emperor had interactions with the human race, and the offspring of the heavenly and human union, known as the Son of Heaven, resided in the central region. The four nations in the east, south, west, and north were all subordinate to the Son of Heaven. Therefore, everyone revered the Heavenly Emperor.
"The Temple of the Heavenly Emperor is a sacred place. No one can harm you there. When one year is complete, I will decree the freedom of all consorts, including you."
Liu Jiao's heart skipped a beat, realizing that this might be the last time he and the Snow Wolf King would meet.
However, the Snow Wolf King, unlike any previous farewell, looked at him with gentleness. There was a hint of reluctance in his gaze — intimate yet distant.
Liu Jiao's throat felt dry. After a long pause, he said, "So, I have to go to the temple?"
"You'll just worship the Heavenly Emperor once a day over there, do nothing much in your daily routine, eat and drink as you please. I'll arrange everything for you. The people there will serve you well," the Snow Wolf King reassured him. "You can eat meat without restrictions, no need to study, and no need to follow palace rules."
This did indeed seem entirely beneficial to Liu Jiao.
However, Liu Jiao couldn't find joy in it no matter how he tried.
Nevertheless, Liu Jiao nodded obediently, turned, and went outside, kneeling alongside the Queen Dowager.
Queen Ming, seeing Liu Jiao come out, felt more certain: If the Great King could make me kneel for a day, how much longer could he make Liu Jiao kneel?
As expected, Hong Huli soon emerged, reading the decree, "Liu Jiao has violated the palace rules. He shall be stripped of the title of Beautiful Lady, and sentenced to repentance and cultivation at the Temple of the Heavenly Emperor. Leave the palace tomorrow without delay."
Liu Jiao followed the decree and left.
Queen Ming, still kneeling, cleared his throat and said, "Is there a decree from the Great King for me?"
Hong Huli innocently replied, "Queen Dowager, what are you saying? You're so esteemed, how could the Great King issue a punishment decree for you?"
Liu Jiao returned to Chunguang Pavilion in a daze. Inside, the pavilion was already in chaos. Ah Ye and Da Huangya, seeing Liu Jiao come back, hugged him and cried. Ah Ye said, "We heard about the Queen Dowager kneeling and Suisui being caught. We were very worried about you!"
Liu Jiao shook his head, "I'm fine. The Great King asked me to leave the palace to practice Buddhism. I'll be setting out tomorrow."
Ah Ye and Da Huangya started crying again. Liu Jiao didn't know how to comfort them and went back to his room to pack. His belongings weren't much. A quick pack would do. Unexpectedly, he heard some movement by the window. He hurriedly pushed the window open to check and saw Leng Jiao outside, letting out a soft "baa."
"Jiao'er, is that you?" Liu Jiao was somewhat surprised. "Why are you here?"
Leng Jiao replied, "I came to see how you're doing."
"Then why didn't you come through the main entrance?"
"You are now a major offender. I can't be associated with you openly, so I came quietly."
Liu Jiao found it strange. "If you can't be associated, why come at all? Why sneak in?"
Leng Jiao didn't truly know. He could only grab a handful of grass and start chewing.
Liu Jiao sighed and said, "Well, it's good that you came. I'm leaving the palace, and I might never see you again."
On hearing this, Leng Jiao asked, "Where are you going?"
"The Great King asked me to repent and practice Buddhism at the Temple of the Heavenly Emperor."
"Did he mention what crime you committed?"
Liu Jiao thought for a moment and said, "It seems it's because he likes me too much. Is that really a crime? The palace is truly strange."
Leng Jiao almost choked on the grass at once.
After a while, Leng Jiao said, "Alright, since you're okay, I'll head back."
"Hey, wait..." Liu Jiao called out to him.
"What's the matter?"
Liu Jiao somewhat nervously said, "Do you know the Great King's name? I want to set up a memorial tablet for him in the temple."
Leng Jiao was momentarily stunned but replied, "How could we casually discuss the Great King's personal name?"
Liu Jiao insisted, "He must have some name, right?"
After a moment of silence, Leng Jiao said, "Do you know you can look it up at wiki online?"