Why Harem Intrigue When You Can Just Raise a Dog Instead

With the emperors rage, the voices calling for determining an empress and heir faded away. The inner palace and the court quieted for a period of time. Another month passed by and it was the late emperors death anniversary. The concubines above fourth rank and the princes and princesses all have to wear plain and dull colored clothes to pay their respects at the imperial tomb. As usual, the empress dowager did not return, only sending a set of handmade winter clothes for the emperor to burn as an offering to the late emperor.

At the ceremony, the first prince behaved mediocrely as usual, but the second prince was unexpectedly very eye-catching. Ever since the emperors scolding, he noticeably become more mature and responsible his behavior polite and proper. He even gave a sincere and moving, elegant oration that made numerous retainers tears flow.

After the ceremony, many vassals complimented the second princes filiality and literary talent. The emperor also, due to the occasion, said a few words of complement. Thus, the earlier turbulence of the second prince being scolded as cruel and unable to handle responsibility finally brushed past.

In this palace, even just a barely past ten year old child isnt so simple! He can hold* such a large event so well, as expected of a product of the imperial family. (The second princes nominal age is twelve, so hes actually just ten) It seems that Noble Consort Li will act soon. Meng Sangyu sighed as he recollected the second princes behavior at the ceremony.

How does Your Ladyship know that Noble Consort Li will act soon? Bi Shui was already used to the strange words that come out of her masters mouth every so often. She just picks out and asks about what she understands.

Now that she knows about the dumb thing* between emperor and the Gracious Consorts, if she doesnt hurry up and plan for herself right now then when will she? When the Gracious Consort gets pregnant and gives birth? Meng Sangyu said as she reached out her arms while walking towards Yin Cui, who was just carrying ABao into the hall, Let me take a look at ABao, is he better today?

What does she mean the dumb thing? Sangyus little mouth really is loveable yet hateful at the same time. Emperor Zhouwu whimpered as he looked at the woman with his little pitiful watery puppy eyes, begging for love. Separated from Sangyu for just a few hours, his whole body just didnt feel right and his heart beat up and down anxiously, unable to settle down.

Today ABao was wearing a bunny costume. With his dog face wrapped in fluffy bunny fur with a pair of long bunny ears on top and a scar on his eyelid, he looked exactly like Usavich*. Meng Sangyu was dizzily overcome by his cuteness. She rubbed her hands and only carried over ABao when her cold hands were warm.

Hes a lot better today. Most of the small wounds have already closed up, but the larger wounds still need six or seven days. Your Ladyship fed him some congee before leaving, but he hasnt had any food nor medicine since. He must be missing Your Ladyship. He started struggling since he heard Your Ladyship returning, trying to come out and welcome Your Ladyship. Yin Cui laughed as she touched ABaos paw that was wrapped like a Zongzi*.

Emperor Zhouwu buried himself in Meng Sangyus arms, just quietly feeling the comfort of her scent and warmth. The longer he is a dog, the more severe his reliance on his owner becomes. Nowhere is as safe as in Meng Sangyus embrace.

Then quickly bring the medicine. First feed him the medicine, then food. Meng Sangyu pinched ABaos nose, and took a bib from Nurse Fengs hands that she wrapped around ABaos neck.

A bunny costume, a little bib, a shaved dog face this scene was incredibly comedic. All the servants in the hall lowered their heads, their shoulders shaking uncontrollably. Bi Shui and Yin Cuis faces were red from holding in their laughter. For the sake of ABaos pride, they could only quickly leave the hall.

The medicine was quickly brewed and brought before Meng Sangyu. Meng Sangyu used her left hand to hold ABao on her arm and her left hand to hold a small spoon that she fed ABao with, one spoonful at a time. ABao was very cooperative, eating one spoonful at a time without a struggle. Nor did he spit the medicine out because it is bitter, even braver than most humans.

Your Ladyship, dont you think ABaos incredibly smart? As if he can understand what we are saying? Yin Cui asked in a low voice.

ABao spat out the spoonful of medicine he just drank, wetting his little bib.

Meng Sangyu smiled as she wiped the mess clean, unworriedly asking, Is it not good to be smart?

Theres nothing bad about it. Just sometimes it seems eerie. Except Yin Cui didnt dare say the last half of that sentence.

No matter how smart he is, he is still my ABao. I hope for him to be even smarter. Meng Sangyu pinched ABaos little moist nose, her voice full of pampering love for ABao.

Emperor Zhouwu let out a sigh of relief, sticking out his tongue to lick the womans finger. If his tail wasnt broken, it would be happily wagging at this moment.

This servant greets the Virtuous Consort. Please drink the medicine Your Ladyship. The doctress that visits on time, three times a month, gave her greetings at the palace doors with a bowl of steaming hot medicine in her hands.

In the past, Nurse Feng had been all smiles seeing her, but at this moment she was gritting her teeth in the dark, wishing she could go up and slap the bowl of medicine away.

Put it down, we will drink it later. Meng Sangyu ordered as the smile on at her lips dampened.

The doctress heeded and put the medicine on an end table next to ABaos crib, then retreating to wait in a corner. She had received orders from above. She must watch the Virtuous Consort finish the medicine before she can return.

After Meng Sangyu finished feeding ABao his medicine, she put him back into his crib. Just as she was about to pick up the bowl to drink the medicine, ABao unexpectedly pounced out and knocked over the medicine.

Be careful Your Ladyship! Bi Shui and Yin Cui immediately came up, one pulled away the Virtuous Consort, the other caught the bowl.

Good Job ABao! Nurse Fengs eyes lit up. She even moved ABao and his crib to the other side of the couch so he wouldnt get wet. She then made a troubled expression towards the doctress, As you see, the medicine poured

No matter, this servant will return and brew another bowl for Your Ladyship and bring it over later. The doctress quickly responded.

Then we must trouble the lady to. Nurse Fengs smile was a little fake.

In his crib, ABao shifted his paws, his eyes dark.

After the doctress left, Nurse Feng moved next to Meng Sanyu, whispering to her ear, Your Ladyship, although you do not wish to have a child, but you still cant treat yourself so poorly like this. Every medicine is a third poison*, youve already drank it for three years, you cant drink it anymore.

I know nurse, I wont drink this medicine anymore. Meng Sangyu nodded, thinking to herself: Ive lost all favor already anyways, the emperor probably wont remember me for a couple of years so it shouldnt be a big deal if I dont drink it.

She had only been a fourteen-year-old little girl at the time (TN: when she got married.. I think), even if the emperor had not treated her like this, she wouldve looked for some birth control medicine to take on her own. The emperor doing this had actually saved her quite a bit of work.

In his crib, ABao was relieved hearing the conservation between the master and servant pair. His dissatisfaction with Nurse Feng from before disappeared. Although this servant is a bit slow, but shes loyal. Well continue to let her stay at Sangyus side.

When the doctress came again, Meng Sanyu already changed into a darker and loose robe. Using her sleeves to block her face as she drank, she could pour the medicine into her sleeves without it leaking out. The doctress did not notice and returned with the empty bowl.

At night, Meng Sangyu slept on the bed while ABao slept below it. The one human and one dog both had peaceful expressions, even their breathing was at the same rate. Thin threads of rain fell outside the window. A chilling breath slipped inside from the slightly open window, transforming into condensation on the ground near the window.

Suddenly, a flash of white lightning split the pitch black sky. Then moments after, a deafening rumble rolled from the edges of the sky, as if thousands of soldiers and horses were battling on the rooftop.

Meng Sangyu first scrunched her brows, then soon got woken by the clamor. She tightly wrapped herself in the blankets, screaming for Nurse Feng. Her whole body shook, her face pale, her eyes opened to their widest, appearing extremely fearful and anxious.

Yes, she is afraid of thunder and lightning. In her last life, her parents had locked her in the house by herself at four. There also a thunderstorm that day. Lightning had struck a corner of her house, and the appliances inside sparked a fire, almost burning her to death. It was all thanks to her nanny getting to her in time, saving her from the sea of fire, that she survived. Since then, thunder and lightning had become the nightmare of two lifetimes for her.

Emperor Zhouwu was woken by Meng Sangyus screams. He flailed his paws, trying to climb up onto the bed. It was his first time seeing the woman so frightened and flustered, and his chest felt heavy. But he was covered in wounds was wrapped like a mummy with a thick vest on top, unable to do anything despite his worry.

Woof woof woof! Sangyu dont be scared, were here!

ABao? Hearing the soft calls of the little pup, Meng Sangyu paused in surprise. She flipped her blanket to the side, pounced to the side of the bed and pulled ABao into her arms.

ABao dont be scared, Im here! I will protect you! Thinking that ABao was barking because he was also scared, Meng Sangyu suddenly calmed. She softly patted ABaos back as she wrapped the blanket around him and herself.

There was a little space formed by the blanket that was warm and fragrant. Emperor Zhouwu took a deep breath and felt a little dizzy. He wrapped his paws around the womans wrist and licked the back of her hand and fingers, addicted to the smooth texture. Meng Sangyu forgot her fear and began laughing.

Your Ladyship, are you okay? Nurse Feng and Bi Shui came in drenched, with water still dropping from their hair.

Im okay, where did you guys go? Meng Sangyu flipped away her blanket. Emperor Zhouwu was disrupted and slapped the blanket below him angrily with his paws.

Your Ladyship, it suddenly started raining in the middle of the night, so this servant and Bi Shui remembered that the window in the study was not closed. We ran to close the window, but suddenly it started thundering and hailing. Bi Shui and I were hit by the hail!

Hearing this, Meng Sangyu finally dared to listen closely to the sound outside, there were indeed sounds of hail bouncing around outside.

Your Ladyship, its already winter and its still thundering. They all say winter thunders, summer snows* are unnatural occurrences. This isnt a good omen! Tomorrow this servant will go to wish for a peace charm to remove some bad fortune for Your Ladyship. Nurse Feng walked up and tucked her master in. Seeing ABao in the blanket, she reached over to carry him down.

Emperor Zhouwu scrunched his brows, hurriedly grabbing on to Meng Sangyus arm with his paws. Everything else about this servant is fine, Its just that she doesnt really have any tact, too slow!

Dont, just let ABao sleep with me. Tonight nurse doesnt need make a bed on the ground next to me, that way you wont be cold. Ill have to trouble nurse for the peace charm. You should quickly go take care of yourselves, take a hot bath and drink some ginger tea. Be careful not to get sick. Meng Sangyu quickly waved her hands for Nurse Feng to leave. She then carefully hugged ABao in her arms.

Resting on the womans chest, with his face facing her cleavage, Emperor Zhouwus nose was a little itchy. His tongue uncontrollably reached out and licked.

Ah! ABao you perverted dog! Meng Sangyu scolded, then laughed.

Seeing her master playing with ABao, completely forgetting the rumbling winter thunder outside, Nurse Feng smiled in relief. She quietly left the bedchamber with Bi Shui.

The next day, the ill omen of the winter thunder left a slight wave of unrest in court. The emperor immediately passed a decree, ordering retainers at different locations to take preventative measures for the cold, to not let disaster befall the people. A few days later, the unrest from the winter thunders were not yet quelled and new unrest arose in court. The thousand year pine tree behind Taihe Palace suddenly died.

This ancient pine had died once before one hundred years ago. Not long after that, the previous dynasty collapsed and the ancestors of the Gu family took over the royal palace. Since, the family had worn the dragon robe and sat on the throne, changing the empires name to Zhou. The day the founder of Zhou was enthroned, the already dead ancient pine had suddenly budded again. When the founder of Zhou found out he was thrilled, calling this a gift from the heavens an indication that the creation of Zhou was following the will of the heavens and thus would be prosperous for tens of thousands of lifetimes.

But now, the ancient pine that has such symbolic meaning to Zhou has suddenly died. Not only so, but the tree died from a split at its roots. Could this be a warning for danger to the people of Zhou by the heavens? Dying at the roots in combination with the previous rumors, wouldnt this have manifested on the emperor?

In Fengluan palace, Noble Consort Li laughed; in Zhongcui palace, Shen Huiru snapped a brush in half.

Translation Note:

*hold

Original: hold (English)

Usage: In China, hold is a modern slang(?) for being able to handle something. A common usage Ive heard/seen is whether a man can handle a girl as a girlfriend ( <_<) and whether someone can hold themselves up and tactfully handle a large situation/event as someone in control of the situation. *the dumb thing Original: (Na Dian Zi Po Shi) Usage: Slang to describe a situation or relationship not looked upon favorably by the speaker, in a somewhat belittling way. *Usavich(No joke, literally) Original: (Yue Yu Tu) *Zongzi Original: Note: The RICE is edible, the LEAVES are not. Didnt realize this was a problem before, but you learn new things going out to eat with friends. DONT EAT THE LEAVES. *Every medicine is a third poison Original: (Shi Yao San Fen Du) Usage: A common saying in Chinese to describe that every medicine has negative effects as well as positive effects. It speaks to how medicines can also be toxic (this is why we need to take appropriate dosages), and how toxic species and substances can give rise to medicines (ex. Brazilian viper, Gila monster, Foxglove, Flame Lily, etc.). *Winter thunders, summer snows Original: (Dong Lei Gun Gun Xia Yu Xue) Usage: Descriptions of unnatural weathers. This line is in a lyric (poetry, not song) from the Han dynasty called(Shang Ye [Note: the second character is not a common reading]) where the female protagonist sings of impossible things to display her determination and undying love. The other impossible things described are mountains without valleys, dried rivers, the earth and sky becoming one. Only when these impossible things happen, will the female protagonist ever leave her loved one. It reads: (Heavens) (I wish to become your companion) (Our relationship lasting forever) (When the mountains have no valleys) (When the rivers are dry) (When winter thunders rumble) (When there are summer snows) (When the sky and earth unites) ! (Dare I leave your side) Note: I added when in lines 7-8 to make the translation flow better. Clam Spam: Now I see the truth to why dogs lick they must be addicted to the smooth texture of human fingers. How do I even translate this novel with a straight face? Oh right, I dont. Also: Sorry for the long hiatus. Half of this chapter was written in July and half was written today, so there may be inconsistencies in style. Please do tell me if Ive made a mistake anywhere!