SLLBTT Chapter 75
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
⋇⊶⊰Chapter 75⊱⊷⋇
Upon hearing Liu Jiao's suggestion to grill the anglerfish, Leng Jiao exclaimed, "Baa," but said, "But... I don't eat fish."
"Yeah..." Liu Jiao thought for a moment and said, "But I do eat. I can help you determine if it's tasty or not."
Leng Jiao also pondered and simply said, "But this gift is from Lord Bai. He probably knows I don't eat fish, so it's unlikely because it's delicious."
"Oh, you don't eat fish... you only eat grass... but well, Lord Bai might not have considered that, you know? Because I don't think Lord Bai looks particularly smart..."
Leng Jiao hesitated. "Hmm? Surprising coming from you."
"Why?"
Leng Jiao could only say, "To be deemed 'not smart' by you... there can't be many like that."
"I'm not saying he's not smart, just that he might do foolish things too," Liu Jiao hurriedly explained, "Maybe he wanted to win your favor with delicious fish but forgot you're a vegetarian."
Leng Jiao hesitated and said, "Do you think he's trying to win my favor?"
"Yeah," Liu Jiao said, "You don't know, last time Lord Bai liked the Ragdoll Fairy, so he gave him this fish. The Ragdoll Fairy didn't like it and returned the fish."
"Ragdoll Fairy?" Leng Jiao's heart skipped a beat, "The most beautiful cat in the Northern Kingdom?"
"That's him."
"So, he brought this fish to give to the ragdoll cat, who rejected it, and now he's giving it to me?" Leng Jiao was puzzled.
"Yeah, the Ragdoll Fairy found it distasteful. Look, you don't like it either."
"I indeed don't like it," Leng Jiao said decisively.
Liu Jiao thought for a moment and added, "But Lord Bai's gift of grass, the Ragdoll Fairy likes."
"Grass as a gift?"
"Yeah, Lord Bai grows it himself," Liu Jiao answered.
Leng Jiao fell silent.
While Liu Jiao was still talking to Leng Jiao, he received a summon from the Great King and left Nishang Palace.
Watching Liu Jiao leave, Leng Jiao gazed at the anglerfish in the fish tank, feeling a mix of emotions. A maid approached and asked, "Noble Consort, how do you intend to handle this fish?"
"What do you think of this fish?"
"Hmm..." The maid's expression was complex.
"Just be honest."
"To be honest..." the maid looked at the ugly and fierce fish, "Well, it doesn't quite match the style of our interior decor."
Leng Jiao nodded. "This type of anglerfish is both ugly and ferocious, extremely unpleasant. Let's roast it! The Snow Leopard Chief Guard mentioned liking it. Roast it and send it to Snow Hall on the Wolf Mountain."
The maid advised, "Isn't that inappropriate? After all, it's a gift from Lord Bai. Roasting it like this, wouldn't it be... disrespectful?"
Leng Jiao thought for a moment and said, "You're right. Then throw it into the river."
"But... this is a deep-sea fish." The maid diplomatically persuaded, "It can't be thrown into the river."
Leng Jiao frowned deeply, feeling increasingly irritated by this fish that seemed like a hot potato.
Seeing the Noble Consort about to use his sheep's horn to lift the fish onto the fire, the maid quickly suggested, "If Noble Consort finds it bothersome, I'll move it to the backyard."
"Hmm," Leng Jiao waved his sleeve, "Just don't let me see it again!"
The pitiful anglerfish, once again rejected, was taken to the backyard by a maid.
After a while, the maid returned to Leng Jiao's side. "Reporting to the Noble Consort, Lord Bai has sent some fresh tender grass, saying it's for the Noble Consort."
Leng Jiao suddenly recalled the snow leopard's words about Lord Bai giving grass to the ragdoll. "Where does this grass come from?"
The maid replied, "I heard it's grown by Lord Bai himself."
Leng Jiao's temple throbbed. "Feed it to the dogs!"
Liu Jiao hurriedly ran back to Snow Hall on the Wolf Mountain, quickly entering the sleeping quarters of the Snow Wolf King. "Did you summon me?"
The Snow Wolf King chuckled. "Why the rush?"
"When the Great King summons, I must be quick." Liu Jiao ran to the side of the Snow Wolf King and sat down obediently.
The Snow Wolf King, however, became serious. "There's something I need to discuss with you..."
"Hmm?" Liu Jiao noticed the change in the Snow Wolf King's expression, his own face growing solemn. "Please go on."
"It's like this, early this morning I received..." The Snow Wolf King was about to explain when they heard commotion outside the hall.
Hong Huli, in a panicked tone, said, "Lord Bai, you have to wait for the summons before entering..."
However, Bai Lingling had already burst into the hall, looking resolute, and stared at the Snow Wolf King, "You can summon me now."
The Snow Wolf King sighed. "Announce, Lord Bai."
Bai Lingling then said, "Your servant Bai Lingling pays respects to the Great King." Turning to Hong Huli, Bai Lingling asked, "Did I observe the proper etiquette?"
Hong Huli quickly bowed apologetically, "Lord Bai, forgive me for the misunderstanding." With that, Hong Huli excused herself.
Seeing Hong Huli leave, Bai Lingling approached with an imposing manner, "Didn't you say you were issuing a pardon, releasing all the consorts from the palace?"
However, Liu Jiao asked, "What does that have to do with you? Are you planning to leave the palace too, catch a ride with the favorable winds?"
Bai Lingling, infuriated, gritted his teeth. "This has nothing to do with you!"
"It does matter," the Snow Wolf King calmly said, "Actually, I was about to discuss this with Xiao Jiao. Since you're here, let's talk together."
Bai Lingling sat down. "Go ahead, then!"
The Snow Wolf King explained, "Today, I received a message from the Son of Heaven — there will probably be an announcement in the next few days, and then everyone will know. But, I wanted to inform both of you first."
Bai Lingling's eyes flickered. "Is this related to the harem?"
"Indeed," the Snow Wolf King affirmed.
"Then I understand," Bai Lingling simply said, "Did Queen Ming pass away, leaving the harem without a leader, and the Son of Heaven sent snow wolves from the Heavenly Palace to our Northern Kingdom harem to branch out and thrive?"
The Snow Wolf King nodded. "You guessed it right. The Son of Heaven has bestowed upon me a noble snow wolf with pure bloodline and fertility."
Hearing this, Liu Jiao exclaimed, "Heavens! That's so pitiful!"
The Snow Wolf King tilted his head. "Pitiful?"
Liu Jiao nodded. "Does he have to study and take exams too when he arrives?"
"......."
Bai Lingling sneered, "Pitiful? The real pitiful is the Noble Consort. Originally just a neglected figure in the palace, relegated to the sidelines, elevated to Noble Consort only to counterbalance Queen Ming. For this, he nearly became a sacrificial lamb. Unexpectedly, after a few peaceful days, he's now brought back as a pawn, used to balance the power of this new snow wolf!"
Liu Jiao didn't quite grasp it and asked, "So, what's happening now?"
However, the Snow Wolf King shook his head. "It's not like that..."
Bai Lingling said, "I'd like to hear your version! The Heavenly Family wants to bestow a snow wolf upon you, something you cannot refuse. Yet, fearing the potential harm the snow wolf might cause to Liu Jiao in the harem, you used the Noble Consort as a shield. Thus, you broke your promise, refused to issue a pardon, and kept the Noble Consort from leaving the palace!"
"How could I break my promise?" the Snow Wolf King protested.
Bai Lingling fell silent.
"The Son of Heaven informed me about gifting a noble daughter, but I firmly declined," the Snow Wolf King replied. "If you don't believe me, I can show you the chat records."
Bai Lingling was skeptical.
The Snow Wolf King picked up his tablet and showed the chat records to Bai Lingling and Liu Jiao:
Son of Heaven: This won't do. When will you have an heir?
Snow Wolf King: No offspring doesn't mean no heir. Like me, I'm not Bai Qingsi's son.
Son of Heaven: Isn't that troublesome? Passing the throne requires organizing a special exam. It won't be widely accepted. There are still rumors that I leaked exam answers to you, helping you cheat to get the top score.
Snow Wolf King: The righteous will be known as such.
Son of Heaven: No, I think your divine snow solf tribe is endangered. I'll bestow upon you the snow wolf living in the Heavenly Palace!
Snow Wolf King: No, thank you.
Son of Heaven: This is what I intend to bestow upon you. It's not up to you to decline!
Snow Wolf King: I don't want it.
Son of Heaven: ...Why?
Snow Wolf King: You know the reasons.
Son of Heaven: Of course, I know. I won't trouble your snow leopard. How about this, even though I'm gifting you the snow wolf, you don't need to crown it as queen. Once it bears offspring, I'll take it back to the Heavenly Palace, sparing your backyard from any complications. Just consider it as a mother hen that laid an egg in your backyard. After laying it, it can run away, leaving you with a free chick. How wonderful is that?
Snow Wolf King: But... a child can't be picked up for free. Bearing a child requires my cooperation, and I'm not willing to cooperate.
Son of Heaven: You can rest assured about that! I know you're a loyal wolf. I've already taken care of it for you. This snow wolf arrived already pregnant! Absolutely a freebie!
Snow Wolf King: ?!