Chapter Thirty-One: The Emperor’s Hat Is Brilliantly Green

Originally, Baili Xian was still deeply worried, but after being mocked by Liu Ling’er, a surge of irritation rose within him: Here I am, concerned that the emperor might take ruthless action against you, and instead of helping me ease my worries, you’re mocking me. Am I not just making a fool of myself?

He looked at Liu Ling’er and said, not too kindly, “What, do you look down on me? If you want family background, I have it; if you want character, I have it; if you want looks, I have them; if you want skill, I have it; if you want wealth, I have it; if you want power, I have it; if you want grace, I have it; if you want temperament, I have it. I have everything one could wish for…”

It was rare for Baili Xian to say such a long speech to Liu Ling’er, but she was straightforward and responded to the narcissistic prince with a loud retching sound.

Liu Ling’er rested her chin in her small hand, tilted her head, and said to Baili Xian, “Prince Xian, tell me about your old flame in the palace!”

“Old flame?” Baili Xian replied in utter confusion, “What old flame! I don’t recall having any lovers in the palace, though there are quite a few I find disagreeable.”

Liu Ling’er gave Baili Xian a disdainful look. You’re pretending not to understand again! Do you think I’m that easy to fool? Seeing is believing, hearing is unreliable—I saw with my own eyes you speaking at the entrance of the Cold Palace. Don’t tell me you were sleepwalking.

She didn’t hate many people, but liars were at the top of her list. If Baili Xian dared deny it or tried to brush her off, she felt it necessary to find a chance to get rid of him, lest he bring harm to others.

She continued, cradling her head, “Then tell me, Prince, what’s going on with Ning Susu? Don’t tell me you don’t know Susu!”

Baili Xian was startled for a moment, then his tone grew cold: “You followed me! Yes, Susu is indeed the only person in the palace I sympathize with. But so what? I have a duty to care for her. Is there a problem?”

The topic seemed to agitate him, and the atmosphere in the carriage instantly chilled. Liu Ling’er replied meekly, “Who followed you? Don’t flatter yourself. I just took a wrong turn and happened to see you.”

In that moment, Liu Ling’er felt that the emperor she had never met was truly pitiful. She could almost picture the emperor’s hat glowing green.

To ease the tension, Liu Ling’er said with a cheerful smile, “Prince Xian, I never expected your mother to be so young and beautiful. It’s hard to imagine—a woman in her forties or fifties looking like she’s twenty…”

Baili Xian cut her off: “You’re mistaken. That old witch could never be my mother. My mother died when I was ten.”

Again with the old witch. Yet Baili Xian’s tone carried a trace of sorrow, suggesting his departed mother was mentioned. Liu Ling’er awkwardly explained, “Sorry, I didn’t know your mother had passed away. So the Dowager is the emperor’s mother, then? That’s about the same…”

She tried to continue, but Baili Xian interrupted her again: “You’re wrong again. The emperor is my biological brother—my second elder brother.”

Hiss! Liu Ling’er drew in a sharp breath. What kind of mess is this! There’s an old saying: ‘Those who don’t know how to play, play with their uncles; those who do, play with their sisters-in-law.’ She never understood what that meant before, but Baili Xian fully embodied it.

No wonder Baili Hai wore a green hat yet didn’t kill Ning Susu. So that’s it! I understand now. The harem, indeed, is extraordinary.

If such a scandal were exposed, who knows what kind of storm it would stir in the imperial court, and the emperor’s prestige would plummet. Yet the emperor was quite tolerant.

Liu Ling’er had to admit she had a vivid imagination and was especially skilled at filling in the blanks. Matters originally unrelated were pieced together by her into such a story. Luckily, she didn’t say it aloud, or Baili Xian would probably strangle her on the spot.