182: Who is dealing the cards?

Hain’s face was pale, and he was speechless for a moment.

The Emperor questioned him casually.

“You know that your entire family approved of your marriage, and Gu Lvhai has done nothing wrong. Hmm?”

Hain nodded slightly, but tried to defend himself.

“I only feel brotherly affection for Miss Gu, not romantic love. I have also made it clear to her that I will certainly compensate her.”

“Hmm, responsible. Brotherly affection...”

The Emperor snorted coldly.

“Alright, what about what I just asked? Does Kong Jiamu know about the things you’ve been doing behind his back? Hain, oh Hain, I truly didn't expect you to do something like this.”

Hain immediately dropped to one knee, bracing himself on the floor.

These were all the questions he had repeatedly asked himself, the sins that had cost him many sleepless nights.

But no matter what, he would not give up Tu Nan.

“Your Majesty... this is all my fault. I am unworthy of your high regard and Kong Jiamu’s trust.”

“But you don't regret it?”

“Your Majesty...” Hain did not answer the heavy question. He dared not look up, pleading: “Tu Nan... she is already carrying my Children.”

“Yours.” Your Majesty’s gaze from above was heavy. “This Female Beast is truly capable, isn’t she?”

Your Majesty’s tone was chillingly cold.

For a long while, the breathing sounds in the room were too faint to be heard.

“I implore you not to blame her for any of this.” The veins bulged on Hain’s hand braced against the floor, showing the intense emotions he was struggling to control.

“It was I who was moved, who conceived the idea. As you know, with the Gene Lock in place, all of this stems from my own desire.”

“She is innocent.”

“...Meow.” Hain... Tu Nan couldn't help but speak.

The Emperor was not in a hurry to let Hain stand up; he scolded the Little Pet on his knee.

“No manners. Is it your turn to speak?”

“Do you plan to tell Kong Jiamu this way? If you were in his position, how would you handle this matter? Answer me! Hain.”

Hain gritted his teeth.

“Very good. I told you two to cooperate fully and work together side by side. Hmm, this is how you cooperate.” The Emperor’s tone carried fatigue.

“If you and Kong Jiamu cannot work together wholeheartedly, how am I supposed to push those subsequent reforms? Are you asking me to keep waiting, to spend another fifteen years, just waiting?”

“Can I even wait that long?” The Emperor’s tone was faint, but Hain found it utterly unbearable.

“Your Majesty!” He pleaded mournfully, his whole body trembling slightly.

“Please don't speak like that.”

“Go down.” Your Majesty twitched his lips and waved his hand.

“If you want to dissolve the engagement, handle it yourself. As for this marriage, don't even think about it; I do not agree. The same goes for Kong Jiamu.”

He directly refused Hain’s request, commanding: “Go think carefully about what you are going to do. Think about yourself, think about Kong Jiamu.”

Your Majesty sighed, “And think about me a little, too.”

Hain was unable to say another word, leaving the Palace dejectedly.

Tu Nan finally jumped away from His Majesty the Emperor’s hands. She leaped onto a High Platform on the side, sitting quietly and watching Hain's retreating figure gradually melt into the glare of the snowfield.

“Stop thinking about it. Neither of them is someone you should covet.”

The Emperor mocked, seeing the look in Tu Nan’s eyes as she stared outside.

If only he allowed her to speak, Tu Nan would let him know that her goal was the same as his.

She never intended to marry either Male Beast, and although it would be difficult, she even planned to try and preserve the brotherhood between the two men.

But if The Emperor continued to drag this out like this, once her pregnancy was obvious... then everything would truly be impossible to hide.

But Your Majesty was determined today to deal with both subjects in one go.

He summoned Yuan Zhe: “Call Kong Jiamu on the Video Call.”

Tu Nan gave him a dead-fish eye. She truly didn't know where The Emperor got the energy to keep harassing her.

“Afraid? That’s right to be afraid.” Your Majesty even commented on her before the Video Call connected.

“You are just too bold, which is why you dared to provoke them so recklessly.” He snorted coldly.

Kong Jiamu, however, seemed to be in a vehicle, as the scenery outside the window kept receding.

“Respected Your Majesty! I've found a clue here. Do you need me urgently?” His attitude toward Your Majesty was much more casual than Hain's.

At this point, he even wanted to proactively hang up Your Majesty’s Video Call.

“Come back.” Your Majesty was impatient.

“What? Isn't there still over ten days left? I'll return next week... See, I'll bring back a Big Corrupt Official for you. I feel like I've already bitten his tail.”

“I'll send someone to take over. You, immediately, right now, get back here.”

“Huh?... No way, wouldn't that just hand over the credit to someone else for free?”

“Hand over for free... have you given away too little?”

The Emperor felt annoyed seeing this idiot.

“The apprentice you took, named Lan Xing? He has some talent and is very steady. He can be a Strategist in the future.” The Emperor inexplicably brought up Tu Nan’s Children, and the Peacock suddenly became happy.

“Hehehe, since I took him on, of course he’s amazing.”

“If you unlock your Gene Lock, maybe you could have Children like that yourself.” The Emperor probed subtly.

“Aiya... I was young before, didn't know better.” He spoke shamelessly, while urging his subordinate to drive faster, and then lowering his voice to sheepishly ask Your Majesty.

“Uh... can I actually propose at the Decoration Ceremony? See, I suddenly feel like the Gene Lock really could be worth trying to unlock...”

The Emperor understood.

He truly knew nothing.

Hain at least managed to create a Fake Identity for someone, and, well, he knew he got someone pregnant. He knew quite a bit, anyway.

What about this Stupid Bird?

What else can he do besides preening?

Having obtained the information he wanted, The Emperor looked affectionately at this showy Peacock.

He commanded without question.

“Tomorrow, come back.”

The Emperor hung up the Video Call directly. Kong Jiamu rolled his eyes, but immediately set about arranging for his subordinates to take over the matters at hand.

He could tell this was not an order that could be bargained with.

Capital City... what happened? He hadn't received any information.

Returning immediately, it would still take over three days to reach the Capital City.

Kong Jiamu's expression became serious.

***

Tu Nan tried hard to convey a message to The Emperor—just one sentence would suffice.

But such a seemingly simple request was very difficult.

Although she was so close to The Emperor every day, she was also so far away.

Everything inside the Imperial Palace was durable enough that her claws couldn't leave a mark, let alone form characters.

She also couldn't let everyone know.

Until this day, when she, as a “pet,” was gently washed clean by the Maids and was being carefully dried, she saw the steaming vapor in the bathroom and finally felt she could try something.

So on this day, she ran into the bathroom herself, turned on the hot water without opening the exhaust fan, and amidst the rising steam... struggled to jump onto the Dressing Table, quickly scratching three words onto the mirror with her pink paws.

“Children in danger”

Water droplets gathered around the edges of the writing; the words wouldn't last long.

Tu Nan jumped off the platform and rushed in front of The Emperor, who was leaning on a Soft Couch handling affairs.

She wailed!

It took The Emperor a long time to give her his attention.

“Wailing like a funeral?”

This Female Beast had been quiet for two days, so what was she trying to do now? The Emperor didn't believe she could have any other tricks, until he stood in front of the mirror with his arms crossed.

The momentary icy color in his eyes made Tu Nan understand.

She had finally returned to the Card Table.