SLLBTT Chapter 78
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
⋇⊶⊰Chapter 78⊱⊷⋇
Early in the morning, Leng Jiao saw Bai Lingling's announcement of leaving the fandom on social media. Although he didn't feel much, he logged into his alternate account "MindYourOwnBiz" and replied, "Can't stand people like you who leave the fandom and then come back to criticize."
Later, Leng Jiao checked the harem forum and found that "The Untold Story of that Noble Consort and the Viscount" had become a hot new post.
After some thought, Leng Jiao clicked on it. Just as his fingers glided over a couple of lines, a maid spoke, "Reporting to the Noble Consort, the new Noble Lady Wolf has entered the palace and is here to pay respects."
Leng Jiao scrolled lazily on his phone screen and said, "Let him in."
Bai Qingsi stood outside the door, looking up at the words "Nishang Palace." The days when he used to recklessly frolic here seemed distant.
He who was once a king was now reduced to a mere Noble Lady. Bai Qingsi entered the hall, sizing up the current Noble Consort, assessing whose judgment was keener – his own or that of Bai Xiaoxiao.
In the hall, there was an aqua-green Noble Consort chair, and a beauty in white lay gracefully on it. He truly possessed a captivating beauty.
Bai Qingsi critically assessed in his mind, his face expressionless. He addressed Leng Jiao, "Xueli Suner pays respects to the Noble Consort."
Leng Jiao didn't know Bai Qingsi and naturally had no idea that the beauty before him was the former Snow Wolf King. Hearing the name "Xueli Suner," he felt a bit intrigued, "Xueli Suner? What a good name."
Bai Qingsi really disliked that name.
Actually, it was the Son of Heaven who gave him that name.
Back then, after Bai Qingsi underwent "laser hair removal," the Son of Heaven laughed and said, "Here, white as snow, smooth and slippery, like a shoot sprouting in the snow."
Bai Qingsi was internally furious, thinking, "Shoot? Screw that! I'm a giant tree!"
Yet, looking at the Son of Heaven's XX, Bai Qingsi hesitated. Well, let it be Xueli Suner then.
Leng Jiao didn't put on any airs of a Noble Consort and quickly had a seat arranged for Bai Qingsi. As he sat down, he observed Leng Jiao. Leng Jiao casually spoke pleasantries, asking about his comfort and if he was used to the food. He mentioned being a family now and encouraged him to express any needs.
Bai Qingsi responded vaguely.
After chatting for a while, Leng Jiao let him leave. Just as Bai Qingsi stepped out, he saw Bai Lingling standing by the door. They collided head-on, creating an awkward moment as they both stood there.
Bai Lingling recovered first. "Is this the new Wolf Noble Lady entering the palace?"
Bai Qingsi nodded, asking, "And you are...?"
Bai Lingling's attendant spoke, "I'm the younger brother of the Snow Wolf King, Lord Bai."
"Greetings, Lord Bai." Bai Qingsi bowed.
Bai Lingling glanced at the palace walls of Nishang Palace and then at Bai Qingsi. "Have you met the Sheep Noble Consort?"
Bai Qingsi replied, "Yes, I have."
"How is the Sheep Noble Consort?"
"Ah?" Bai Qingsi was momentarily unsure how to answer. After a brief pause, he replied following the cliches of palace dramas, "The Noble Consort is naturally excellent."
Bai Lingling found the response lacking, but even he didn't know what answer he wanted to hear.
Without the Noble Consort's permission, he couldn't enter Nishang Palace. Perhaps he just wanted to hear bits and pieces about Leng Jiao from others. Anything would do.
Leng Jiao ignored him.
He didn't know why.
Was it because the grass he planted wasn't tender enough?
Or was the fish he sent too ugly?
Bai Lingling was very puzzled and a bit disheartened.
Passing by, Liu Jiao saw Bai Lingling standing outside Nishang Palace and whispered to the Snow Wolf King, "Xiao Baizi, there. He looks like a dog."
The Snow Wolf King turned his head, seeing Bai Lingling standing listlessly by the wall. "Quite similar."
The Snow Wolf King walked over, leading Liu Jiao.
Bai Lingling, however, remained as motionless as a stone.
The Snow Wolf King said, "Don't stand here."
Bai Lingling turned around and said, "This is a public area. Why can't I stand here?"
"This is outside Nishang Palace. If you're here every day, it will spark rumors," the Snow Wolf King explained. "Palace servants have been gossiping that you're trying to seduce my wife."
Bai Lingling wasn't too bothered by idle gossip, but thinking that it might harm Leng Jiao, he silently walked away.
Watching Bai Lingling's solitary departure, Liu Jiao unexpectedly felt some sympathy. "He looks pitiful."
"That's what happens when you like someone."
"What happens?"
"Rejected at the door and could only silently leave."
However, Liu Jiao said, "Then I must be very lucky."
"Why?"
"Xiao Baizi never shuts me out."
The Snow Wolf King retorted, "What if I close the door on you?"
Liu Jiao thought for a moment and replied, "Then I won't use the door."
The Snow Wolf King laughed. "That's the spirit."
Liu Jiao and the Snow Wolf King were incredibly sweet, returning to their intimate moments in the Snow Hall on the Wolf Mountain. Hong Huli had to interrupt them, "Great King, we need to assign a palace for the Wolf Noble Lady."
The Snow Wolf King asked, "Where do you think he should stay?"
Hong Huli suggested, "Just assign a separate palace for the Noble Lady."
The Snow Wolf King responded, "Didn't you say he has poor mental resilience? Giving him an empty palace might not be appropriate. Let's send him to Nishang Palace. With Leng Jiao there, I'll feel more at ease."
"Alright."
"Arrange a few reliable people to follow," the Snow Wolf King added.
"Yes," Hong Huli agreed and went to issue the decree, assigning the Wolf Noble Lady to reside in Nishang Palace.
When the Wolf Noble Lady arrived at Nishang Palace, he paid his respects to Leng Jiao once again. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Leng Jiao directed him to a side hall.
Right after the Wolf Noble Lady's cordial exchange, Liu Jiao hurriedly arrived.
Liu Jiao carried two baskets of fish and presented them to Leng Jiao.
Glancing at the fish, Leng Jiao asked, "Why are you bringing fish?"
Liu Jiao explained, "These were all caught by Bai Lingling. They're from the pond he maintains, and he wanted to give them to you, but you refused."
Leng Jiao replied, "I don't eat fish."
"I know, you eat grass," Liu Jiao teased. "So, I suggest Bai Lingling catches grass carp for you."
"...Baa?" Leng Jiao looked up and indeed saw grass carp. "Did Bai Lingling really follow your advice?"
"Yep," Liu Jiao said, "I'm your good friend, after all."
Bai Lingling had no choice but to accept even the nonsense like "Leng Jiao eats grass, so he might like grass carp."
Leng Jiao had to instruct the maids to accept the two baskets of grass carp.
Liu Jiao sat down again, engaging in casual conversation and playing chess with Leng Jiao. Since the arrival of the fish, Leng Jiao's mind was uneasy, leading to repeated mistakes in their chess game. Liu Jiao happily exclaimed, "Ah! I'm about to win!"
Leng Jiao nodded. "Yes, you're about to win."
Liu Jiao laughed, "I won against the Great King this morning, and now I've won against you. Am I the number one chess player in the palace now?"
Leng Jiao nodded. "Yes, you are."
However, Liu Jiao, propping his cheek, touched the back of his neck with confusion.
Leng Jiao asked, "Why are you rubbing your neck? Is it uncomfortable?"
Liu Jiao shook his head,. "I'm just thinking, why hasn't the Great King bitten me or favored me?"
Leng Jiao paused and said, "About that..."
"Leng Jiao, you're so clever, you must know, right?" Liu Jiao widened his curious eyes, looking at Leng Jiao for help.
Leng Jiao did want to help unravel Liu Jiao's confusion, but this kind of matter...
Scratching his head, Leng Jiao said, "Maybe the Great King is too dedicated to his duties, causing strain on his body..."
"Huh?" Liu Jiao said, "How can being diligent in duties harm the body? And what does it have to do with favoring me?"
Suddenly, Leng Jiao flicked a white tail from under his skirt. "What do you see here?"
"A sheep's tail?" Liu Jiao asked.
Leng Jiao tucked the tail back and sternly said, "You said it, not me."