SLLBTT Chapter 76
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
⋇⊶⊰Chapter 76⊱⊷⋇
Liu Jiao took a glance at the chat records, his mind a jumble, seemingly still not grasping it.
Bai Lingling, on the other hand, understood and simply said, "This is the real jinx."
"But it's not my jinx" the Snow Wolf King said. "Once he completes childbirth, he will be sent back to the Heavenly Palace. It won't concern us."
Bai Lingling countered, "But what does this have to do with releasing the consorts?"
The Snow Wolf King replied, "The noble snow wolf intends to return to the Heavenly Palace, and he will surely share his experiences in the Northern Kingdom. I think it's more advantageous to show him a 'normal' harem."
"Alright, so you're using Leng Jiao here as an actress in your 'normal harem'?" Bai Lingling asked.
The Snow Wolf King simply said, "Having Leng Jiao continue as Noble Consort here also has its benefits. Moreover, the noble snow wolf won't covet my favor. After all, he will return to the Heavenly Palace, so he naturally won't be enemies with Leng Jiao. Think of it as having an extra guest in the palace."
After some thought, Bai Lingling agreed, thinking about this unexpected jinx, and complained, "The Son of Heaven is really absurd! Turning our Northern Kingdom's palace into a maternity center, for heaven's sake!"
The Snow Wolf King said, "Do not speak lightly of the Son of Heaven."
Listening to the two exchange words, Liu Jiao went through the chat records again, finally understanding. He exclaimed, "So, the Son of Heaven is sending a pregnant wolf over? Whose child is it?"
This matter was crucial. Firstly, the Northern Kingdom's palace had to joyfully welcome the Son of Heaven's "gift." Normally, receiving a snow wolf into the palace would befit a queen. However, the Son of Heaven specifically decreed a "gifted noble snow wolf." Thus, the Snow Wolf King bestowed the title of "Noble Lady" on the newcomer.
Being a Noble Lady, not a Queen, there was no need for a grand procession through the main gate with numerous ceremonies. A private aircraft transported the Noble Lady to the Wolf Mountain's landing pad, where a car took him to the side hall of the Snow Hall on Wolf Mountain.
Liu Jiao, as the Snow Leopard Chief Guard, arrived at the landing pad with the chamberlain Hong Huli to welcome the Noble Lady.
Watching the plane's door open, a radiant and handsome man stepped out, descending gracefully. With an air of elegance and nobility, he truly exuded the demeanor of royalty.
Liu Jiao bowed and said, "The Snow Leopard Chief Guard greets the Wolf Noble Lady."
The Wolf Noble Lady looked at Liu Jiao. "Are you the former Beautiful Lady Jiao?"
Liu Jiao was taken aback. "The Wolf Noble Lady knows about that?"
The Wolf Noble Lady replied, "Let's go, escort me into the palace."
Liu Jiao escorted the Wolf Noble Lady into the car, sitting alongside Hong Huli. He locked eyes with the Noble Lady, who asked, "Where are we headed?"
"According to the protocol, we're going to the side hall of Snow Hall on Wolf Mountain," Liu Jiao replied.
The Wolf Noble Lady, with a hint of nostalgia in his tone, remarked, "There... Snow Hall on Wolf Mountain..."
Liu Jiao confirmed, "That's the place."
Arching an eyebrow, the Wolf Noble Lady asked, "Aren't you a bit sour about personally delivering me for the Great King's company?"
Recalling the fox demon Suisui, who had cried all night, Liu Jiao simply said, "Attending to the Great King is no easy task. You'll need all the luck."
Startled, the Wolf Noble Lady asked, "Is that true?"
"Absolutely true," Hong Huli replied. "Even the fox demon pleaded and cried while attending to thr Great King."
The Wolf Noble Lady was incredibly surprised. "Even the fox tribe, who was known for their charm?"
"Indeed! If not for the team night service project, that fox demon wouldn't have been sent to serve on the border. But thanks to the Great King's mercy, he's been forgiven," Hong Huli explained sincerely.
The Wolf Noble Lady took a deep breath. "Impressive!"
Liu Jiao escorted the Wolf Noble Lady to the side hall of Snow Hall on Wolf Mountain. The Noble Lady surveyed the surroundings, commenting, "This place is truly..." but then fell silent.
Hong Huli withdrew first.
The Wolf Noble Lady sat on the bed, while Liu Jiao stood nearby.
The Wolf Noble Lady asked, "Why are you still here?"
Liu Jiao replied, "No matter whose turn it is with the Great King, I'll be here."
Mainly because Liu Jiao was the one taking turns.
Liu Jiao would flip the signboard to decide whom to come.
The Wolf Noble Lady took a deep breath. "Impressive!"
Unsure whether to credit the Snow Wolf King or Liu Jiao.
After a while, Liu Jiao asked, "Can I sit down?"
"Sure, go ahead."
Liu Jiao slouched down like liquid, tail swaying.
Observing Liu Jiao's casual posture, the Wolf Noble Lady asked, "Is this how you sit?"
"I'm a feline," Liu Jiao replied.
The Wolf Noble Lady had no response. Indeed, the canine and feline worlds had no common language.
After a while, Hong Huli announced, "The Great King has arrived!"
The Wolf Noble Lady rose leisurely, preparing to greet the Great King. He glanced at Liu Jiao, still in a fluid state, thinking, "Truly spoiled! It seems Bai Xiaoxiao does dote on him!"
The Snow Wolf King entered the room with broad steps. The Wolf Noble Lady bowed, "Greetings, Great King."
The Snow Wolf King gave him a glance and asked, "What is your name? Which snow wolf lineage do you belong to?"
The Wolf Noble Lady answered, "My name is Xueli Suner, from the Yonghe lineage. Due to the chaos of the Snow River Battle a hundred years ago, I wandered to the capital. Now, returning to the Northern Kingdom, I am overjoyed."
"Alright, you must be tired. Rest for now. I have state affairs to attend to."
After that, the Snow Wolf King turned to Liu Jiao, "Xiao Jiao, come with me. Don't disturb the Noble Lady's rest."
"Yes." Liu Jiao transformed from fluid to solid, standing up and following the Snow Wolf King.
The Snow Wolf King held Liu Jiao and walked back to the main hall, immersed in their own world. The new Noble Lady was left alone alone, which perfectly aligned with the Snow Wolf King's characteristic favoritism toward the snow leopard. Consequently, no one in the palace felt surprised.
Liu Jiao rested on the Snow Wolf King's arm and suddenly said, "About that Wolf Noble Lady..."
"What's wrong?" the Snow Wolf King asked.
Liu Jiao slowly spoke, "The Wolf Noble Lady just asked me in the car if I would feel sour."
The Snow Wolf King was puzzled. "Sour about what?"
"Just—there's a new Noble Lady in the palace, and I have to take him to the side hall for the Great King's company. He asked if I would feel sour," Liu Jiao explained slowly. "It's a strange question."
"Indeed strange," the Snow Wolf King chuckled, caressing Liu Jiao's face. "Xiao Jiao is sweet, how could you feel sour?"
"But I used to."
"Oh?" The Snow Wolf King seemed surprised.
Liu Jiao continued, "In the past, when you let Suisui attend to you in the side hall, I felt unhappy."
"That was my mistake."
"No... Jiao'er said, not feeling jealous is the virtue of a concubine. My envy was my fault."
"You are no longer a concubine now."
"Well, that's true," Liu Jiao brightened suddenly, then chuckled, "But now I truly won't feel unhappy."
"Oh?" The Snow Wolf King was somewhat surprised. "You won't?"
"Yes," Liu Jiao said, "Because I know, no matter what, you'll still be with me." There was a light and optimistic tone in his words.
The Snow Wolf King also laughed, rubbing Liu Jiao's tail. "As long as you know."
Liu Jiao lay in the Snow Wolf King's arms, drifting into a deep sleep.
The Snow Wolf King, however, sat up and slowly left the inner chamber. He saw Hong Huli standing there. The Snow Wolf King looked at Hong Huli in silence, and Hong Huli lowered his head, remaining silent for a while.
After a moment, the Snow Wolf King spoke, "You served the former Snow Wolf King Bai Qingsi..."
"Yes..." Hong Huli nodded.
The Snow Wolf King asked again, "Do you think the Wolf Noble Lady looks like..."
Hong Huli lowered his head even more. "This servant... how dare I raise my head to look at the Noble Lady!"
Judging from Hong Huli's reaction, Bai Qingsi, the Wolf Noble Lady, wasn't going anywhere.
Hong Huli had served two generations of the Snow Wolf King and was shrewd. He recognized the so-called "Wolf Noble Lady" as the former Snow Wolf King Bai Qingsi the moment he saw him at the landing pad. Despite this revelation, Hong Huli remained composed, displaying no signs of surprise.
As a noble, Bai Xiaoxiao had only encountered Bai Qingsi a few times from a distance, unlike Hong Huli, a close attendant familiar with Bai Qingsi. Therefore, when the Snow Wolf King observed Bai Qing with suspicion, he sought confirmation from Hong Huli. Hong Huli's response was more than sufficient to clarify the situation.
The Snow Wolf King grew increasingly frustrated. This "Wolf Noble Lady" was truly a jinx!
The Son of Heaven sure knew how to create complications!
The Snow Wolf King asked Hong Huli again, "How many others who served Bai Qingsi are still in the palace?"
Hong Huli replied, "After Bai Qingsi was accused, most court officials were purged. Only those from Queen Ming's faction remain. However, now that Queen Ming has been removed, there are likely only servants like me who recognize Bai Qingsi. Of course, Lord Bai should still have met Bai Qingsi. Apart from that, there should be no one else."
The Snow Wolf King nodded faintly, "I understand."
It seemed that the Son of Heaven had deliberately chosen individuals in the Northern Palace who were unfamiliar with Bai Qingsi — except for Hong Huli and the Snow Wolf King's brothers, who were unlikely to divulge sensitive information.
The Snow Wolf King advised, "Interact more with the Wolf Noble Lady, don't let him feel isolated in the palace."
"Yes," Hong Huli responded.
"Be cautious, don't let the court officials see him," the Snow Wolf King pondered, "Especially Censor Xu."
"Yes." Hong Huli shared the concern. Censor Xu, with his penchant for frequenting the palace, was known for his loose tongue and familiarity with Bai Qingsi. Back then, he was the one who led the charge in impeaching Bai Qingsi. No matter what Bai Qingsi did, he could criticize him thoroughly, infuriating Bai Qing Si to the point of wanting to kill him. Unfortunately, officials could not be killed.
Once, Censor Xu even attempted to emulate the ancients, sitting on a coffin during court sessions for remonstrance. However, the coffin was too large to pass through subway security — indeed, while Censor Xu was annoying, he remained an upright official, commuting daily on the subway due to his frugality.