Chapter 040: The Powerful Minister Likes the Host
"I..."
When the system questioned Wei Wanlan, he stammered a few times, his mind blank as he recalled the time alone at the palace that day.
His voice was still a bit hoarse as he recounted everything to the system exactly as it happened.
When he mentioned the reason, "Praying in a dream at the exact moment of the Regent's birthday could restore his sense of taste," his already low voice weakened further, revealing a hint of guilt and uncertainty.
404 responded in kind, questioning:
[That simple?]
Wei Wanlan: "Mm."
404 seemed a little confused.
Logically, Su Jingzhi, the male protagonist of The Regent of Great Wei, was written with the insight necessary for someone in power—the protagonist's aura granted by the author.
Su Jingzhi excelled at analysis and judgment. He could even deduce Qin Zhen's intentions to usurp power from the subtlest of actions. There was no way he could have been fooled by such an excuse and voluntarily given the answer to the host.
This prompted the system to dig deeper.
It soon discovered that Su Jingzhi's unusual behavior towards the host was not limited to just this incident:
Since the Tianlu Pavilion, there had been no rebellious actions, yet he personally sought out the host, offered his study at the palace, dismissed the armies, and fought Qin Zhen alone...
Had it happened once or twice, 404 could've interpreted Su Jingzhi's actions as part of some grander plan.
But as these incidents piled up, 404 had to look for a deeper psychological motivation driving the Regent’s behavior.
Once, it had thought Su Jingzhi harbored impure intentions toward the host.
The host was so beautiful, still young, and soft-hearted—qualities that would surely satisfy the Regent’s beastly desires and thirst for conquest.
If Wei Wanlan were to engage with Su Jingzhi, he would not only possess a beauty but also dominate the emperor, gaining an indescribable sense of triumph.
But now... 404 had to reevaluate that assumption.
Because if Su Jingzhi merely wanted to sleep with the host, there had been plenty of opportunities. Yet, he had not acted on any of them.
[What were you doing before that?] the system asked.
"What before?"
[Before you learned about the birth details.] The system carefully rephrased its question, listening closely to every word.
Wei Wanlan, his voice still hoarse, recalled blankly, "Not much, really. I touched his wound, he got mad at me, and I ruined a letter. Then I gently massaged his back... smoothed his hair, you know, like before."
If this had been said before, the system would have laughed it off.
However, now that 404 had detected something off, all the odd behaviors began to fall into place, each finding its own explanation.
404’s tone suddenly became serious: [—Tell me everything that happened the day I went offline! Tell me as much as you can remember!!!]
Wei Wanlan, already in a weakened state, hesitated and repeated:
"The Regent made me wear women's clothing and pour him tea in his study."
"I even massaged his shoulders."
"Later, when he was talking and about to guess that I was trying to find out his birth details, I panicked and covered his mouth."
A slight blush crept onto Wei Wanlan's pale face.
404's electronic voice pressed heavily: [Even so, he didn’t kill you and still trusted you enough to reveal his secret?]
"Mm."
Wei Wanlan fell silent.
After recounting the whole sequence to 404, he realized that on that day, the Regent... had not truly made things difficult for him.
The balance wavered between friendliness and exploitation.
In the end, it leaned ever so slightly toward the former.
Wei Wanlan's body, previously curled up under the covers, began to relax a little as he endured the stomach pain and low blood sugar. His cheek brushed against the pillow.
But the next moment, 404's sharp screech in his ear made his heart race.
[—Enough! Stop preparing! No more procrastination!]
Wei Wanlan frowned, his heart thumping wildly in his chest. He clutched the voodoo doll 404 had conjured up, the note right beside him:
[Go find him now and kill him. Forget peace. Seize his power and his army directly, and do it fast!]
This wasn’t about lust.
It was... more like care.
It was as if, in this cold, power-driven novel The Regent of Great Wei, a whole new emotional storyline was being forcibly inserted into the male protagonist.
A powerful minister had fallen for the host, and that was dangerous:
If the host didn’t reciprocate, the plot would shift toward forced love and domination. With the Regent's persistence and possessiveness, the host—being so soft and fragile—would end up in a pitiful state, utterly subdued.
And if, by some misfortune, the host did develop feelings for the Regent...
Being drawn to the most imposing and heroic man in this book, the Regent’s love and protection would inevitably consume the host, making him forget his mission to kill the powerful minister.
Especially since the host had such a kind heart!
The last time, the Regent’s mere words, "Don’t be afraid," had made the host go against 404’s orders and deactivate the assassination ring.
—The trajectory was becoming uncontrollable...
Sever it now, or it will be too late!
Sever it while the Regent's feelings are still budding!
Sever it while the host is still innocent!
Otherwise, Wei Wanlan would only meet a tragic end once time ran out, utterly failing his mission.
404 steeled itself and sent a series of sharp electric shocks through Wei Wanlan's neck.
Snap, crackle, snap!
The current was strong this time, almost as intense as the time at Tianlu Pavilion.
Wei Wanlan shot up from bed.
The current running through his body was so strong that his fingertips and toes went numb, making him feel as if he might die then and there.
Clutching his numb and painful hand, Wei Wanlan grasped the bed curtains tightly: "Ugh..."
[Go. Do. The. Task. Kill. Him!]
This system had never spoken to him in such a vicious tone. Wei Wanlan was terrified.
Their relationship was no longer cooperative. 404 now felt like a knife-wielding assailant threatening him from behind, making Wei Wanlan tremble all over.
[Shut up. No crying. If he doesn’t die, I’ll shock you to death.]
The voodoo doll between the bedding floated into the air again.
Wei Wanlan, trembling, grabbed it in his hand. With tears welling up in his reddened eyes, he hesitated for just a moment before 404 increased the current again.
Zap!
Wei Wanlan convulsed in pain. This was no longer the pitiful image of a helpless little animal. He was now being tortured.
"...Please... don't shock me... I'm sorry... It hurts so much, I'll go, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."
Wei Wanlan's tears rolled down his cheeks.
Wet, dampening his face, his long eyelashes were heavy with water droplets, blurring his vision.
Using the sleeve of his dragon robe, he pathetically wiped away his tears, sobbing uncontrollably.
But he dared not say another word of pleading to 404. He didn’t even understand why 404 had suddenly become so different.
—Even though 404 had always been a bit irritable, it had always treated him well...
Trembling, he put on his boots and shakily instructed An Ruyi to prepare the carriage, refusing the palace maids’ offer of a warm meal with trembling hands.
Wei Wanlan climbed into the carriage.
"To the Secretariat. Find the Regent."
An Ruyi chased after him frantically: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty—Imperial Physician Fang is due for a follow-up soon, Your Majesty..."
"He's not at the Secretariat?"
"Correct," replied one of the officials at the Secretariat. "Your Majesty, the Prince has gone to inspect the troops."
Wei Wanlan shivered in fear, afraid the system would shock him again. He fidgeted in his dragon robe. "Where is he inspecting the troops?"
"Your Majesty," the official bowed, "the Prince accidentally knocked over a candlestick, found the room stuffy, and went out for some fresh air. He is now at the Imperial Guard camp."
...
The Northern Imperial Guards were stationed to the north of the palace, in a separate garrison.
The Northern and Southern Imperial Guards held crucial positions and had always been loyal to the Su family. Moreover, the Northern Guard camp was where the Regent had spent most of his youth.
It was the New Year.
In the camp, steaming dumplings were being prepared.
Thick, dense white steam rose slowly.
The cooks used a slotted spoon to scoop the dumplings out of the boiling water, each one plump and round. They slid the slippery dumplings into the soldiers' bowls, drizzling them with vinegar. The camp was filled with the savory aroma of dumplings mixed with the sour tang of Laba vinegar.
Tang Tuan devoured his dumplings in big mouthfuls. The filling was generous, and each dumpling was bursting with juices, so delicious that it made one feel like swallowing their tongue.
But the boss seemed uninterested.
Tang Tuan glanced over his bowl at the Regent. Ever since the Regent had accidentally knocked over the candlestick at noon, he had seemed off.
As a loyal bodyguard, Tang Tuan decided to lift the Regent's spirits:
"Your Majesty has been ill since last night. I wonder if His Majesty has recovered. The kitchen even made some fancy dumplings this time, shaped like hedgehogs and sunflowers... Shall I bring some to the little emperor at Zichen Palace?"
"How many dumplings are left in your bowl?" the Regent asked.
"Three or five."
"Finish up quickly. In a bit, you'll be demonstrating military exercises to the troops on my behalf."
Military drills were a form of entertainment provided by the court. As a show of gratitude, the soldiers would demonstrate their training to the court.
Normally, the Regent wouldn't need to participate.
But the Northern Imperial Guards, who had been with the Regent since he was a young general, shared a bond deeper than that of superior and subordinate. They were brothers-in-arms.
Tang Tuan wouldn't dare steal the Regent’s thunder in such a setting.
"I wouldn’t dare! Everyone’s hoping you'll show off your martial skills!"
The Northern Imperial Guards had long been waiting for the Regent to join them, but he was usually too busy.
The Regent: "You were trained by me. I'm giving you the opportunity."
Tang Tuan paused, then realized:
"...The boss means, if even I am this skilled, it shows how formidable the boss is, without him needing to lift a finger?"
Su Jingzhi: "Mm."
"The boss is brilliant! How are you so clever!!!"
With that, Tang Tuan's earlier hesitation vanished, replaced by eager anticipation.
The Regent stood up, hands clasped behind his back.
The command platform of the garrison was built against a mountain, towering high. The natural sound reflection created by the mountain amplified the voices of the soldiers, making them sound more powerful, while the commands of the generals, carried by the terrain, became deeper and more resonant.
Su Jingzhi leaned on the railing, gazing out. In just a moment, the previously laughing and chatting soldiers had formed a perfectly aligned, fearsome army.
Su Jingzhi steadied himself, gazing at the endless formations.
The fluttering banners.
But he couldn't make out the familiar "Su" character on the banners.
Only shapes, dark and indistinct, swayed in the air. He pressed his lips together.
—Death from madness caused by the loss of his senses.
He curled his lips, feeling as though he was the only one who knew the truth, yet wished he never did.
If only he could treat the gradual loss of his senses as a curse, he might die with loyalty to the court and without regret.
But now:
No words could describe the pain that came with facing a body that was slowly failing him.
He gazed down at the mountains and rivers that his ancestors had fought for. Even though he had given up the ambition to usurp the throne, the hatred in his chest was like a wild beast, ready to burst out at any moment.
Su Jingzhi’s palm gripped the railing tightly, veins bulging, knuckles white.
He felt on the verge of losing control. Yet just as he was about to fall into the abyss, he kept recalling the warmth of those soft hands, gently massaging his wound, pressing against his brow.
"It doesn’t hurt. A gentle rub will make it better. Good boy."
"I feel sorry for you. I really feel sorry for you."
—Was it hatred or affection?
The scales swung between both.
Just then, a soldier ascended the platform to report:
"Your Highness, His Majesty has come to the Northern Guard to see you..."
I really like this story but it's already been a month since there was no update 😞 I hope the translator hasn't given up to this yet.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the wonderful translation. Please update soon translator 🙏 I like your story so much.
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