3.26

Qiao Chen had no idea what Bai Menxiang's currently thoughts are, perhaps he rather did not care.

Slender hands lifted the porcelain teacup and pushed it next to his mouth, inhaling the sweet aroma and gently taking a sip, before finally putting a cunning smile.

Bai Menxiang was actually Qiao Chen's accomplice.

In the first place, he ardently reviewed all the characters and plot holes in the original plot. There was indeed written that Bai Menxiang was a first minor villain. The original Bai Menxiang was wise and cunning. He schemes against the darling of fate, Wen Yang, a thousand times, and Wen Yang had a hard time proving all of those were Bai Menxiang's schemes. He was also the loyal subordinate of the Emperor, wickedly reconstructs several ideas to help the Emperor.

And he was the one who revealed the traitorous original Qiao Chen.

Lie Yuan planned to used Qiao Chen to fight head on with the darling of fate at the beginning. But seeing the real subtle emotions of Bai Menxiang, he can see that the plot's description was only half true.

He was extremely confused why the heck Bai Menxiang, a very outstanding youth, couldn't let go the scum Emperor. He was talented enough to become a pillar in this dynasty.

But then, Lie Yuan realized something. Without the help of the original's memories, he wouldn't be able to understand where Bai Menxiang's hostility towards the original owner came from.

Those agonizing torture that all sparrows experience was the caused of all this dependency of the latter. The Emperor is really wicked and evil. He did not only use numerous means to gather beauties just to maintain his pleasure, they were also served as the secret armies who'se loyalty were engraved in their heart. They were like tamed animals, a bird in the cage, a dog that were faithful to their owner.

No wonder those sparrows were not in good terms with the original owner. They can share the Emperor with each other, but they cannot share him with Qiao Chen.

Because, even though, Qiao Chen had the same experience with them, the original owner has a secret.

He was immune with all poisons.

Just like Su Bein's 'Fixed Expression' and Yeonwoo's 'Soul Teleportation', Qiao Chen skills was immunity to all poisons.

He was not only skill enough to hide this fact to the Emperor and put a face that was not meant to serve and give pleasure to his majesty. Like a holy saint.

Because the time when Qiao Chen had any sexual activities with the Emperor, that will result only his death with those sparrows.

How can the those lovely sparrows allow the Emperor to bed Qiao Chen who had the different scent from them? They will only kill him.

Lie Yuan only had short interactions with the original Qiao Chen, and coming in this world, he was shocked by how many traps Qiao Chen already laid. It grants him an easy way out.

Afterwards, he observed all the characters inside this world, then when he noticed the unusual attitude of Bai Menxiang, he changed his methods in his plans.

First, he created a conflict with Wen Yang and Bai Menxiang, due to the influence of the Emperor towards Bai Menxiang, Lie Yuan manipulates all those servants and onlookers by creating a rumor of Wen Yang spending time with the Emperor.

And the result did not disappoint him. Bai Menxiang was only influenced when the Emperor was beside him. But after that, Bai Menxiang will become clear-headed. However, the experience he had was making him miserable, only conducting methods to destroy the Emperor and then will be quickly disregard.

He also asked the system to help him examined the poison in the system of Bai Menxiang, and made an antidote about it. Nonetheless, Lie Yuan knew that the Emperor was a cold-hearted person, and he already expected that there were no antidotes about those poison. There is actually. But the materials used to make the antidotes will only found in the treasure house of the Emperor.

The place which had the strict security. No one knows what secrets was hidden there.

Next, Lie Yuan sneaked to investigate the treasure house with the system accompanying him, though the system can't come out that time because of the watcher, Lie Yuan can only use his soul to teleport inside the treasure house.

Luckily, he had not only found the materials for making the antidotes, he also found a ready-made antidote, which give him an advantage.

That's why he deliberately demanded the fourth prince to win the hunt and request something for the Emperor. And fortunately, the fourth prince managed to obtain his expectations.

He helps Bai Menxiang get rid of the poison in his body, and also took full credit of his life. Bai Menxiang had no choose but to be grateful with him, and followed all his demands.

Actually, Lie Yuan don't have any good feelings about Bai Menxiang. He results the original owner's death, if not for his use, Lie Yuan long ago eliminated him.

He commanded Bai Menxiang to cooperate with Wen Yang and pretend to betrayed Qiao Chen. Bai Menxiang was responsible to keep away the ambush of the Shu Kingdom, which took a great development in the original plot. Once the ambush take places, the protagonist, Yong An will suggest a cooperation with the other kingdom. In the surface, he will punish all those Shu soldiers, but in reality, he was saving them to earn their loyalties and cooperation, at the same time, his reputation will deeply be righteous and responsible in the Yong Country.

Lie Yuan took a change, a hundred degrees upside down, he instead used that situation to lighten the reputation of the fourth prince. Far from a cowardly and rebellious prince, far from a bastard prince with a lowborn identity. He changed that titles in every commoner and nobles' mind. He put an equal footing to both Yong An and Yong Guan.

Of course, even if all of that was to destroy any opportunities to Yong An ascends to the throne, that's only the second important part of the mission. His main task was to capture the hate value of the darling of fate and destroy his life, trampling him, where he can no longer stands.

That's why Lie Yuan ordered Bai Menxiang to put an aphrodisiac which contains the Emperor's scent and blood to the drink of Wen Yang. That kind of drugs was the same kind of every sparrow had taken daily, only less variable ingredients. It only contains strong sexual illusionary, which cannot be avoided by the retaker. With the Emperor's blood contains on it, Wen Yang even with his strong foundation, will have a hard time resisting it.

Although, based of Wen Yang's character settings, he can possibly do all means just to achieve his goals. But sleeping with the Emperor and to be treated like those whores, how can the protagonist, who's noble at birth, react to this filthy experience?

Of course, Wen Yang wouldn't take it too lightly! But the poison was already inside his body and despite those outstanding physician examine him, they couldn't find any peculiarity in his body. Thus, he can only suffer from the Emperor's advancement.

Lie Yuan not only delayed all his possible plans, but also slowly destroying his mental health. He calculated days and nights on how can such a noble prince's pride can take, and gladly, while Wen Yang's mental health was experiencing crisis, the poison on the Emperor's body was also acting up.

When Wen Yang decided to poison the Emperor and framed it to Qiao Chen, Lie Yuan already poke severely the Emperor's mentality. Therefore, although, Wen Yang disregard his plans, he will conclude that there is someone sabotaging him, that were making him the enemy of all.

But if those plots were had to reveal, and the protagonist were to unveil all those things were all Lie Yuan's doing, he can imagine how much hate value will be collected.

Such a wonderful insight of, making Lie Yuan crazily reach almost in peak. This new experience of toying anyone surely made him psychotic.

Bai Menxiang noticed all the changes in his expression, hence was slightly bewildered, "Chen-ge, are you alright?"

Aware that his emotional state right now was influencing his face, Qiao Chen put back his serene gaze and nodded, "I just remember something. How about the thing that I ask you?"

"I already send the message and I got a reply a while ago." Bai Menxiang put a small letter in the table.

Seeing this, Qiao Chen evilly grinned, "Good job. How about his majesty's secret guards and shadows?"

"His highness, the fourth prince, already eliminated them and replaced with a fake one."

"Good, good."

Qiao Chen opened the letter and a crazy smile appeared on his lips.

Finally, his last chess piece.

"Your majesty, are you sure you are doing this?" An old servant maid asked. Her worried expression was deeply planted on her wrinkled face.

A strong yet imposing woman flicked her red sleeves, so magnetic and powerful. Her cunning eyes blinked several times, thinking about the letter that was sent to her. She pulled her anxious countenance away and nodded at the old servant beside her.

"I had no other choice. That brat surely knew all my plans, and to be able to achieve that, I don't know how cunning this brat was." Her teeth gritted while her back rested on her chair. The obvious anger in her eyes manifested, though she can no longer acknowledge that this brat was aiming at her, "Bring him in!" She shouted.

Immediately, the large wooden double door opened, revealing a slender figure with several servants accompanying himself. His light green colored robe, almost transparent, brought out all the impurities in the room. The once dark and full of depression glint vanished instantly, like a ray of sunshine. The pure and innocent aura was like a holy water, sprinkled everywhere at every step he takes, slowly and gently.

But the woman sitting in the center knew that these impressions was only a facade on the surface of this youth. The pure and holy presence was only a mask of an extreme, calculated child.

Several servants distributed on each side can't help but to feel fearful by the sudden change of air. For years of loneliness and vexation escorting their selves. They only felt huge discomfort.

"Xiao Chen greets her majesty, the Queen of the dynasty, the mother of the country and the Empress of the dragon throne, Empress Qi." A soft yet tranquil voice emerges that seems like the riffle of the waterfalls, very charming and graceful, but one's knew that there is a dangerous atmosphere lurking in that subtle voice.

Empress Qi''s face distorted. She controlled the raging emotions in her heart that was about to come out and stifled a cold look, "Rise."

It's been a long time since she was address that way, thenceforth she secluded herself in this forsaken place. But coming from a sparrow, who were considered the nemesis of the noble ladies, she couldn't take those respectful title in her hearts.

Her observant gaze never intended to leave the face of the beautiful sparrow as it slowly lifted, revealing his gorgeous face.

Empress Qi finally understand why this one was the most favored sparrow of the Emperor.

It's not just his good-looking face that transcended beyond gender, but for his heavenly temperament that can bewitch anyone into submission. Hence, she was now convinced on how such a young one easily discover all her past.

"Say what this young master wants to say." She sneered, avoiding throwing angry look towards him, "Why conduct harsh methods just to threaten this Empress?"

Qiao Chen's green eyes cunningly observed the one in front of him. He threw an innocent smile and answered, "Such methods can't fit for the Empress. If Xiao Chen didn't proceed to do those things, the Empress will never let Xiao Chen talk to her majesty."

"Impudence!" Empress Qi slammed her fist. "This Empress albeit was isolated in this place. This Empress was still the second-highest title of all. Now that the Emperor had fallen to such state, this Empress was now the highest title of all. How dare you disrespect this Empress?!"

"Oh, such a high title was useless towards her majesty." Qiao Chen simply stated, causing the Empress Qi's silence. Perceiving this, not only the sparrow feels excited, he was also delightful, he added, "Even if her majesty use her noble title to threaten me, it will be no use."

Empress Qi glared at him. For her, crushing this pest was not hard for her. She was the Empress of the dynasty! How can she be treated like this? Even if the Emperor favored this sparrow very much, the Empress had power to punish him.

Howbeit, that's not possible for the Empress' situation right now. It's not like she can't do it, she just couldn't take the consequence too lightly.

Discerning her hesitation, the corner of the sparrow's lips lifted slowly. His sarcastic smile almost burn a hole in the Empress's heart.

Based on the original plot, Empress Qi was the mother of the first prince, who was supposed to hold the title of the Crown Prince. Her family held one of the strongest pillars in the dynasty, a one step behind with the Emperor's.

Empress Qi came from a noble family in the yong country. The Emperor in the adolescent's year pursued the Empress not because he likes her, but because of the power her family contains, which will be a great benefit in his journey to ascend the throne. At first, the Empress doesn't want to associate with such a rough and wolf prince, she already had someone she likes, and that is General Du.

However, how can the Emperor let go of the power he was about to get hold of? He pulled many unethical means and finally gain a degree of marriage acknowledge by the Imperial family.

Empress Qi was furious, but without the support of her family, she couldn't do anything at all. Her lover that time was only a soldier trained by their family, and with the revelation, her lover will sure suffer a great loss. She made an agreement with the prince that time, that once the prince ascends to the throne, he will help her get away with the harem and to be with her lover.

Who wouldn't know that the man he concluded of treating as a prince will turn to be a wolf in sheep's clothing. Not only he controlled the power of the Qi family, he also restricted the Empress to find her lover.

At that moment, the Empress already knew that she was pregnant with her lover. She tried to hide it, but eventually found out by the Emperor. She expected that the Emperor would banish her for giving him a green hat, but the result was unexpected. The Emperor took credit to the child and allowed it to use his surname, and become a prince in the dynasty. Although doubtful, the Empress was grateful to him.

And then again, she was betrayed once more. The reason why the Emperor keep her child was because the little prince will become the hostage that chains both her and her lover. The Emperor poison the little prince which result in his weak health. The Empress tried to summon an outstanding expert to cure her child, nonetheless, only the Emperor had the antidote for the poison.

This reach an agreement again. She will remain as the Empress, but she will lose all her powers to the Emperor, and then her lover, who become a General, will forever serve the Emperor. She and her lover treasure their child so much, so she can only endure.

The wickedness of the Emperor didn't stop at this, the antidote he gave was only maintaining the life force of the prince and had not fully cured him. With this situation, the Empress was truly angered and tried to form a rebellion however the Empress and the General had no other choice because the Emperor already chained the prince beside him. Without his medicine, the prince will never live past to five, and thus the Empress can only surrender into his wicked method.

Qiao Chen knew that this wasn't written in the original plot, but observation and investigating was his expertise, hence, with few of missing characters, he was able to fill all the plot holes in the plot.

It was suspicious on why does the first prince, who was born with the Empress was not the Crown Prince, and why is the Empress isolated in this place and the Emperor had fully taken control in all factions. Gladly, his conclusion didn't disappoint him.

His red lips as red as blood lifted lightly, mystifying such ambiguous air, the corner of his eyes formed into a crescent moon, highlighting the almost invisible tear mole on his eye as he said, "Your majesty, Xiao Chen didn't come here just to mock her majesty." He paused when he noticed the awareness of all the servants surrounding the Empress, "I need your cooperation."

The Empress no longer captivated by his elegance and demeanor, she hissed angrily, "Then why does the young sparrow sent this Empress a letter full of malicious words?! Are you courting death?!"

"Your majesty, only this method will arouse her majesty's attention. If Xiao Chen didn't bother to menace the Empress, her majesty wouldn't pay mind about this sparrow's sudden cooperation." The sparrow calmly retorted.

"And what can this Empress gain by your cooperation?" Even though the Empress was anger and suspicious with this young sparrow's intentions, she couldn't care less, if her life and her son's life were at stake. Therefore, she needed to observe first what this young man's goals are.

Qiao Chen sincerely smiled and gestured the servant beside him, before finally opening the box carried by the latter.

It was a bottle of unknown liquid substance. But ones knew that there is a strange toxic containing almost fully in the bottle. The strong strange smell, and abnormally color.

Seeing all their confusion, Qiao Chen attentively explained, "This is Ling Huayao, a medicine that can removes all the negative toxins in the first prince's body."

"Y-You...!" The Empress almost fell down on her chair. Eyes blazing with fire towards the young sparrow.

"Scram! Don't lie to us!" Her servant shouted, gesturing some guards to kick the sparrow out.

The Empress stopped them and stared deeply at the young sparrow. Her eyes carried strong resentment on how did the young sparrow discern the first prince's health, but it also subdued strong hope on maybe this medicine will help her child live well, not sick but healthy.

"Can you elaborate?" She asked.

"Of course, your majesty." Qiao Chen softly grinned, understanding the dubious gazes cast at him. "This medicine will not only eliminate the toxics on the first prince's body, it will also nourish his bones and organs like a newborn person. On how did Xiao Chen get this?" He watched their expression that changes from time to time, he continued, "This medicine will only be found in the Emperor's treasure house."

All their eyes widened. Even the Empress who was naturally composed can't help but to tremble.

Everyone knew that the treasure house was the sacred place of the Imperial family, guarded by strict security that nobody can have access of. Only the Emperor can enter the place. Rumors said that there were many things deeply hidden in that place. Someone even creates several guess that there was a medicine that can bring back alive the death inside it.

In the end, the Empress realized how terrifying the young man was. Though, she long knew that he was favored by the Emperor, the latter wouldn't let anyone entered that sacred place. She also tried various methods to get access to that place just to find something that can heal her child, but the result was always the same. However, this young man, actually...

She sighed, "I won't ask you about something so trivial. But, may I ask the young master what his intention are?"

Qiao Chen smiled. There were no absolutely accurate description on how happy he was right now. To be able to predict all the things on hand, as his plans fell to correct places. It brought him severely joy and excitement.

First, he demanded that the prize of the fourth prince should be the access to the treasure house. And then, he requested that he will get two things from that place. One was Bai Menxiang's antidote and the other one was the first prince's antidote.

Finally, accomplishing the result he wanted, at last he can proceed to say what his intention was, he uttered in a cold yet soft voice, "I want her majesty, the Empress, to legally adopt the fourth prince." He requested.

At first, the Empress was confused but eventually discovered all his plans, she grinned, "You want me to support the fourth prince?"

"The first prince was too late to fight the battle, even if he gets better, it will take two years before he can finally get fully healed, the Empress's power will be useless afterwards." The young sparrow confidently stated, "But if the Empress legally adopted the Fourth prince, her majesty will have one more spawn and ticket to get away from this place. Because Xiao Chen knew that the Empress doesn't crave for power. The Emperor was bedridden, and currently, the Imperial Concubine Xu and her son the second prince held the most power at present, once the second prince succeeds to the throne, the Empress will surely have a hard time escaping this place because the Empress already knew that the mother and son will not stop until they seize the power of the Qi family."

There were no words that the Empress could reply because all the words that the youth uttered were all precise. Indeed, she dreamed a normal life with her lover and their son, away from this place where blood sheds every minute. And to achieve that, she needed to stop the Imperial Concubine, who also took a great part by the situation of her son, and the second prince accomplish all their desire.

She glances again at the lovely sparrow seemingly finding all the imperfections; hence, she sighed and surrender. She can't find any flaws about that pale and green eyes full of calculated actions and predictions, that can unveil anything just at one peek. The Empress was not exempted.

She let out a frustrated air, "I agree. I will help the fourth prince in the battle of succession. But after that, you will grant us freedom." She will put all her efforts into this. This young sparrow already eliminated the chains that was bound to them by the Emperor, she can trust him now.

Qiao Chen smiled, "I promise."

They talk for a few minutes about the situation before the sparrow finally departed. But the Empress's gaze remains on him, then turning to the bottle of medicine.

"Your majesty, are you really sure about this?" Her servant worriedly asked.

She nodded firmly and composed, clenching her fist around the bottle, "If this is the only method to escape from this hell, I will gladly take it."

"But... the cooperation is not really needed."

"Fen Ling, you already knew how long I've been become a puppet of the Emperor. You understand how long I've grief and live in this isolated place for a long time. This can't go on. Besides..." She paused, remembering something terrifying, "He did not offer me a cooperation, actually. He was merely threatening me."

The surging pitched pale gray mist into the air, forming, grew thicker and deeper, gradually shrouding around nearby. The gloomy sky was dark and had no traces of lighting sparkles that was quite unusual, giving a people sense of peculiarity. This complete settings greeted Qiao Chen the moment he return at his residence.

Unexpectedly, there were no servants nor guards distributed around his place. The presence not only carried a subtle peculiarity, instinct tell him that there is something wrong.

He slowly pushed the door, creating a crisp sound, seeping through all the corners of the outlets. His room was dark and empty, his clear and visible eyes couldn't see anything in particular. He was uneasy. He couldn't explain where this uneasiness came from.

In the end, Qiao Chen ignited the lamp nearby and what his eyes instantly met was the extremely terrifying corpses scattered in the ground. He almost fell down in shocked, but his face remain calm.

What on earth...?

"Oh, I thought you would be late."

In the center of the shattered corpses, was the man, whose aura could easily shake between heaven and earth. His black robe that completely hung in his body could differentiate all the bloods from the dead bodies. His handsome face that wore an innocent countenance was a severe contrast to the situation right now.

Qiao Chen pursed his lips, "What is the meaning of this?" He noticed that all the bodies present here, belongs to all the servants who serve him.

The protagonist, the second prince, Yong An chuckled lightly. His footstep slowly approached the stun youth, while displaying his bloodthirsty eyes filled with interest. The swords on his hands carried stains of blood, even his face had not spare. Qiao Chen braced himself.

The second prince was much taller than him, so as he arrived in his front, he bowed down, meeting his calm gaze, and quietly inspecting his expression, "Xiao Chen don't you know what you look right now?" As he states this, Yong An caressed his cheeks, gently and softly leaving traces of cold blood in his face, as his hands holding a sword find a way into his thin waist, pulling him closer, until their body clashed, he leaned his mouth closed enough to the sparrow's ears and whispered, "You are a bad child. Able to scheme against me, this prince was greatly hurt." Then he bends down, picking something at his back and threw it at his feet.

Qiao Chen looked down and saw two familiar heads. His eyes widened, and his figure fell down.

H-How?!

How did his plans went wrong?!

Those two heads were from Qi Lan and Qi Ran.

Anger evidently formed on his eyes. He couldn't suppress the fire in his body that was about to explode, flames turned into magma that was raging into his blood and nerves. He couldn't believe this.

"Xiao Chen almost make this prince lost his life. No wonder, the culprit wouldn't determine. Xiao Chen really planned this beforehand." The voice was like a knife cutting his chest.

If Qi Lan dies, then the Emperor will regain his life again. All Qiao Chen's hard work and his servant's sacrifices will be in vain!

He couldn't do that! He could stop this!

"D-Don't..." He murmured faintly.

"What?" Yong An was surprised. He looked down and saw that the sparrow was still bowing down, so he couldn't see his face. He amusingly leaned down, "Xiao Chen—" He paused.

"Don't."

The face of the sparrow slowly lifted, full of tears and sobs. His elegance facade extremely cracked replacing by those transparent tears, like waterfalls. His red lips was pursed, seemingly full of grievance. The spring breeze invisibly blown, and the cold night ignited by flames of air.

"Fascinating." Yong An subconsciously wiped his tears. His eyes were full of pleasure seeing those tears fell down because of him, "Truly a beauty."

Qiao Chen chuckled unexpectedly, holding those tears and grabbing the second prince's hair close to him, "You are indeed a pervert. Isn't this what you want in the first place? Seeing me cry? Is this making you satisfied?"

"No, not enough." Yong An blushed and pulled him into a tight embraced, "I want all those emotions. Sad, joy and anger. I want them."

The coldness on Qiao Chen's eyes was almost visible as he rested his face into the broad shoulder.

This time, Qiao Chen finally understands.

The protagonist does not really fell in love with the darling of fate at first sight. They only develop this sensation because of scheming each other. But now that Qiao Chen was the one hostile to the second prince, his attention was shifted to him.

He smiled wickedly and leaned his mouth closer to his ears, "If this what you want, then I shall accept it."

"Make me cry until my tears wouldn't come out anymore. Make me happy the way you want it to be. Make me sad, destroy me. Just as I want to do with you. If the enemy and plaything is what you want, then let's make each other's miserable..."

"Until one of us will be dragged down on hell."