Chapter 4: The Dog Emperor Didn’t Catch Me

Chapter 4: The Dog Emperor Didn't Catch Me

Upon returning to her palace, Feng Xiyao's mind was suddenly pierced by a mechanical and icy voice.

"Congratulations, Host, on successfully preserving your life. Your Life Value has increased by 5%, and your Strive Value is now at 30%. You can obtain unexpected treasures! Keep striving!"

Hearing the echoing voice in her mind, Feng Xiyao's eyes widened in disbelief. She had transmigrated into a novel with a system!

Recalling the novels she had read before, where the protagonist, armed with a system, dominated all opponents, broke free from their predetermined fate, and lived a carefree life, Feng Xiyao couldn't help but feel a sense of longing.

It was the first time she was encountering this, and she was beyond thrilled.

"Hey hey hey, System, are you there?"

"..."

Eagerly, she tried to communicate with the presence in her mind, but this time, there was no response whatsoever. All she could perceive was her remaining lifespan.

She pondered, "Could it be that this isn't a system after all?"

Feng Xiyao, undeterred, pressed on, "System, do tell me how to increase my vitality!"

"..."

After waiting for a long while without any response, Feng Xiyao felt frustrated and restless.

Missing the voice of her cherished System, she reluctantly gave up and decided to observe more in due time.

She sat up and began to examine the original owner's living quarters.

Contrary to her expectations, the place was not as extravagant as one would imagine for a queen. Instead, it exuded simplicity, making it seem less like the residence of royalty. However, the courtyard was filled with various flowers and plants, along with a thriving peach blossom tree. With some tender loving care, it could be quite charming.

Ruoyi approached Feng Xiyao with a tray of tea, speaking cautiously, "Your Highness, it's fortunate that the Emperor stood by our side today. Otherwise, the fate of the Concubine Shu would have been ours, and Lord and Lady would have suffered as well!"

Upon this reminder, Feng Xiyao found it peculiar. According to the novel, the tyrant emperor had an intense dislike for his queen.

The reason was that Feng Xiyao was originally betrothed to the ruler of Great Xia, meaning whoever became the emperor would have to marry her.

Initially, it was supposed to be Mo Cangyan's elder brother, the Southern Peace Prince, who was the late emperor's favorite son. When everyone believed it was a done deal, the Southern Peace Prince unexpectedly launched a rebellion.

Though the rebellion failed, the former emperor's wrath knew no bounds, demoting him to a commoner. It was then that Mo Cangyan seized the opportunity to ascend to the throne.

And the persistent rumors among the people that Prince Nan'an would rebel were entirely orchestrated by Mo Cangyan.

Amidst the dissent, given that his wife-to-be was about to become his own sister-in-law, how could Mo Cangyan possibly show Feng Xiyao a friendly face?

In an era where husbands were deemed supreme, Feng Xiyao's lack of favor from her spouse essentially sentenced her to a life of mere existence, clinging onto the title of Empress.

The emperor willed her to live, and so she must live. If he willed her to die, she could only obediently succumb to death.

But now this body was hers, and she cared not for the tyrant's affections. She intended to live well and, once the original male lead took control of Great Xia, flee with her parents and Ruyi to a distant land.

"Empress,"

Seeing her silence, Ruyi looked at her worriedly, assuming that she had been frightened by recent events.

Feng Xiyao lifted her gaze to meet Ruyi's pitiful expression, her spirits gradually easing. Thankfully, there was still someone who genuinely cared for her.

In the book, Ruyi had been close to the original host. After the original host's death, she hadn't survived alone but sought revenge on the Concubine Shu, only to be strangled and her body discarded in the desolate corners of the cold palace, unseen by anyone.

Though she was not the original owner, having such a devoted and sincere friend by her side made her feel incredibly fortunate.

Choosing a Fortunate Day

Mo Cangyan received news from his subordinates.

Lin Youquan, having obtained information about the investigation he had secretly commissioned from an unknown source, took swift action to silence everyone in Province Jiang who was aware of his intention to hoard the silver mine. By the time his own men arrived on the scene, he even went so far as to claim that they had just stumbled upon the silver deposit and were about to report it, adding a deceptive layer to his scheme.

And those who perished did so because the mountains, in the process of extraction, had caved in and crushed them.

Gazing at the words, he clenched his fists tightly, "Lin Youquan is indeed too impatient!"

"Your Majesty, has the imperial uncle handed over the silver mine for some hidden reason?"

Mo Cangyan gazed into the distance with a profound look in his eyes.

"had it not been for my learning of this matter and dispatching agents to investigate, how could that old fox have surrendered it voluntarily!"

"I didn't expect his ambitions to have grown so vast that he genuinely intends to secretly hoard a silver mine!"

If not for the Empress Dowager's sentiments and his reliance on his military power, Mo Cangyan would not have kept Eunuch Hai around this long.

Recalling that it was Feng Xiyao who had reminded him of these facts, his gaze darkened.

Feng Xiyao had indeed rendered a service this time. However, she dared to scheme against him and call him a tyrant. Once this matter was settled, he would find a way to eliminate her, exacting his revenge.

Observing the Emperor's fluctuating expression, Eunuch Hai approached and suggested, "Your Majesty, the Empress has suffered such injustice. Shouldn't you pay her a visit?"

Having spent so many years in the palace, Eunuch Hai could read people like an open book. The Empress was a humble and amiable person. Besides, she had once saved him, so he was more than willing to speak up for her.

Mo Cangyan raised an eyebrow. It had been a few days since he last saw the Empress, the one who enjoyed scheming against him. He was curious to see what other surprises she could offer.

"Let's go to Fengchun Palace!"

Eunuch Hai grinned, knowing best how to read the Emperor's intentions.

Fengchun Palace was situated far from the Emperor's Zijin Hall. This arrangement was made by Mo Cangyan when Feng Xiyao entered the palace, precisely to keep her at a distance from him.

After a long walk, Mo Cangyan finally arrived at the entrance of Fengchun Palace. Gazing at the plaque hanging high above the door, he read the three bold characters that danced elegantly, 'Fengchun Palace'.

He furrowed his brow, somewhat regretting if he shouldn't have brought her so far away.

In the courtyard.

Feng Xiyao was climbing a tree to trim its branches.

This peach blossom tree needed to be pruned promptly; otherwise, once it grew larger, it would lift the tiles on the roof.

"Empress, be careful!"

Ruyi handed items from below, observing Feng Xiyao's actions with concern and gently reminding her.

"Feng Xiyao, it's alright. Just a simple fix will do!"

"I suppose I can blame the Tyrant for this too. He stranded me in this godforsaken place with no hint of affection. We are, after all, supposed to be partners!"

As she trimmed the branches, Feng Xiyao grumbled inwardly; nobody relished such laborious tasks.

Upon entering, Mo Cangyan overheard his queen angrily reprimanding him. He approached her with a stern expression.

Due to the recent scandalous affair, most of Feng Xiyao's attendants in her palace were still locked up in the Heavenly Prison and had not been released.

Of course, this was Mo Cangyan's order, intended to make Feng Xiyao suffer a bit.

"Your Majesty..."

Upon seeing the Emperor arrive, Ruyi glanced worriedly at the Empress, fearfully calling out to him.

Hearing the sound, Feng Xiyao looked down and met the Emperor's gaze. His deep, piercing eyes were dark as they seemed to suck one into their depths.

Feng Xiyao, caught off guard by his stare, didn't notice her footing slip. She tumbled downward uncontrollably.

Just as she expected the tyrant to reach out and catch her, followed by a few twirls, a slow-motion gaze exchange - the clichéd melodramatic scene,

To her surprise, Mo Cangyan not only didn't extend his hand but took a step back.

Yes, Feng Xiyao clearly saw him take a step back, and then she was embraced by Mother Earth's bosom.

"Thud~"

Feng Xiyao landed sprawled on the ground, face up.

Ruyi rushed over to help her up frantically.

"Your Highness, are you alright? This servant will immediately summon the imperial physician!"

Not wanting to cause trouble, Feng Xiyao held Ruyi back. "No need, no need, I'm fine!"

"My bottom! Luckily there was some grass to cushion my fall; otherwise, I'd be in excruciating pain!"

She took a gentle breath and then glared at the approaching figure with indignation.

"Dog emperor, how could you not catch me? Have you no conscience? You don't even know how to cherish a delicate woman!"