SLLBTT Chapter 6
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
⋇⊶⊰Chapter 6⊱⊷⋇
After Liu Jiao finished a game and was preparing to go for an audience, a chamberlain arrived. "You were just conferred the title 'Beautiful Lady,' but you haven't paid respects to Queen Ming yet. It might be considered disrespectful."
"Ah? Queen Ming?" Liu Jiao was momentarily surprised.
"That's the current title of the reigning Queen Dowager."
So, Queen Ming was the current Queen Dowager.
The chamberlain, Da Huangya, had already arranged for Liu Jiao to wear attire befitting the "Beautiful Lady" title and escorted him onto a sedan chair.
"Why do I have to ride in a sedan chair? I can run really fast! Definitely faster than a sedan chair!"
Da Huangya replied, "Because walking slowly is considered noble and elegant."
Liu Jiao was left speechless. What they say about the many rules in the palace turned out to be true...
Soon, Liu Jiao arrived at Qingque Terrace where Queen Ming resided. Atop the terrace's hall stood a massive, vividly crafted blue peacock statue, giving the place its distinctive name.
As Liu Jiao reached the hall, he nervously bowed to Queen Ming. Looking up, he couldn't help but be dazzled. Queen Ming was stunning, with silver-white hair framing a youthful face. Her smile seemed capable of ensnaring anyone's soul.
Liu Jiao thought, "Queen Ming is truly beautiful, just a bit flat-chested."
"Rise," said Queen Ming. "Beautiful Lady Jiao."
Liu Jiao was startled. Not only was Queen Ming flat-chested, but her voice also sounded somewhat masculine...
Queen Ming added, "Why are you standing there in a daze?"
Liu Jiao, bewildered, could only stammer, "N-nothing..."
"You must not lie to the venerable ones," Queen Ming said, narrowing her eyes, radiating authority.
Liu Jiao shivered, recalling Liu Ming's advice, "Through a thousand tricks, never flatter with deceit." Hastily, Liu Jiao said, "I just find your voice quite deep and your heart very open..."
Queen Ming chuckled. "I understand. You've just entered the palace and may not know, but in fact, I am male."
"Huh?" Liu Jiao was dumbfounded. Could males give birth too?
Liu Jiao, astonished, began to improvise flattering words, "Then, you're truly a heroic mother!"
Queen Ming laughed again, "The current king is not my offspring."
"Oh..." Liu Jiao finally regained composure. "I see..."
"Don't be restrained, have a seat," Queen Ming pointed to a chair beside him.
"Many thanks, Queen Dowager." Liu Jiao sat on the soft couch, his tail naturally curling upwards.
Queen Ming's gaze involuntarily fell on the large tail. "It's truly beautiful. Let me touch it."
Liu Jiao nodded. Queen Ming reached out and stroked the large tail, quite pleased, then said, "In the future, come greet me often and let me touch your tail."
Liu Jiao hesitated for a moment and replied, "Yes, Queen Dowager."
"If you find visiting here troublesome, you can always cut off your tail and just send it over," Queen Ming said, smiling as he gave Liu Jiao's tail a playful tug.
Liu Jiao winced in pain, then caught a glimpse of the amusement on Queen Ming' youthful face. Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine.
However, Queen Ming released Liu Jiao's tail, chuckling, "Just kidding. Don't be afraid."
Shivering, Liu Jiao replied, "I'm not afraid."
After a brief conversation, Queen Ming allowed Liu Jiao to leave. As he retreated, not long after, the Snow Wolf King arrived at the Qingque Terrace to pay his respects to Queen Ming.
Seeing the Snow Wolf King, Queen Ming exchanged pleasantries and then inquired, "I heard there are newcomers in the palace?"
The Snow Wolf King nodded, "Yes."
Queen Ming continued, "Then why haven't I seen you visit yet?"
"I don't intend to make personal visits. I always feel it's difficult to avoid personal biases based on individual preferences," the Snow Wolf King explained.
The Queen Dowager was amused. "Don't personal preferences play a role in the affairs of the harem?"
"Throughout history, it's precisely because monarchs couldn't treat everyone in the harem fairly due to personal preferences that conflicts and troubles arose. I want to reform and innovate."
"How do you plan to reform?"
"Currently, we have arranged their positions based on their exam scores. In the interest of fairness, I have instructed the Internal Affairs Office to publish the curriculum and examination system. Each consort's rank will be determined by their performance in the final exams," the Snow Wolf King explained. "I hope everyone will strive and work hard, aim for better results, continually improve themselves, and not disappoint my expectations."
Queen Ming was also taken aback. After a moment, he said, "Well... that's quite optimistic."
Due to the influx of new arrivals, Hong Huli and Lanmao became busy. Lanmao, while keeping records, casually said, "With so many new beauties arriving at once, is another round of palace intrigue about to begin?"
Hong Huli shook his head and said, "The Internal Affairs Office has arranged eight subjects for the consorts. There are weekly quizzes, monthly exams, and occasional on-the-spot tests. I believe they won't have much energy left for palace intrigue."
The news about the implementation of an examination and evaluation system in the harem quickly reached the snow leopard's palace.
Liu Jiao was shocked. "Concubines have to take exams? Is that reasonable?"
"Aiya, is Master complaining?" Da Huangya said, "You entered the palace without an exam, directly becoming a 'Beautiful Lady.' Everyone envies you! You're now the highest-ranking person in the palace!"
Liu Jiao was equally astonished. "Really? I haven't done anything!"
"You have," Da Huangya cackled, "Didn't you have relations with His Majesty?"
Liu Jiao blushed and paled. "I didn't do much, just slept."
The chamberlain laughed, "That's already ahead of many others!"
"But others might have also slept!" His attendant, Ah Ye, pulled Liu Jiao aside, sharing some concern, "By the way, Master, haven't you gone to His Majesty for a face check yet? Hurry! After seeing so many beauties today, he might forget about you! You better go show your face!"
Liu Jiao, being told this way, felt quite uneasy.
However, he also felt awkward, unsure how to show his face.
After hesitating for a while, he decided to stroll out. The chamberlain asked, "Should we ask other chamberlains first to see if anyone knows where His Majesty went?"
Liu Jiao glanced at Da Huangya and said, "I am a snow leopard."
"So what?" Da Huangya asked in confusion.
"So, I am a top predator," Liu Jiao said. "Don't mention finding a snow wolf in the palace, even finding a chicken wouldn't be a problem."
Saying this, Liu Jiao leaped onto the roof and started tracking by scent, effortlessly crossing the roofs and alleys. Da Huangya wobbled and stumbled in pursuit but couldn't catch up. Midway through the chase, he even fell, slapping his own legs in frustration, "These flat feet of mine, I'm quacking mad!"
While Da Huangya lamented his flat webbed feet, the Snow Wolf King was leisurely attending to administrative tasks in the palace garden.
Just as the Snow Wolf King was midway through his duties, his ears suddenly perked up.
Soon, a long white tail dangled from the eaves, swaying like a branch in the wind.