Royal Scandal

Long raven hair was spread out in the water full of rose petals as an incense burned in the back, spreading a woody scent in the air.

He An leaned his head back and relaxed his body into the water, letting out a long sigh. Six was outside sitting on the bed, refusing to come inside to talk, claiming how it was a "newborn system" who shouldn't be peeking at grown men.

He laughed at how weird in the head his system was. Though, he did gain some more knowledge from the system about this world and Qi Xiu—after he had soothed the little cub to sleep and returned to his own chambers.

The protagonists he was meant to help were protagonist's who were rejected by their worlds for their weak stature. The world's consciousness decided that the protagonist wasn't worthy and caused misfortunes to befall the protagonist so that they would become stronger.

When he heard this, He An was a little pissed. What features defined the protagonist as unworthy? His cub was already the best.

He dove his head into the water before emerging after a few seconds had passed.

"Suyin, bring me something to dry with." Upon his words, Suyin happily grabbed a large towel and used it to wipe He An dry. Due to the fact that she had shared a childhood with the previous owner of this body, Suyin felt no shame at seeing his body.

He An was a model in his previous life so he didn't feel anything either.

He was eventually dressed into his night garments. His clothing was made of silk and it felt very comfortable to walk in, unlike the golden robe he had to wear in the day as an Emperor.

He beckoned for Suyin to turn the candles off and head to bed. He wouldn't be sleeping, however.

He wanted to sneak into Qi Xiu's room and speak to him.

He An: [Six, does Qi Xiu know how to read or write?]

Six: [He shouldn't, no. It's one of the reasons he's rejected by the world, host! ToT]

He An: [Then I'll teach him.]

He slipped into the empty corridors and walked quietly to the courtyard Qi Xiu had been arranged to live in. He wanted to knock, but then he thought of how it was nearly midnight. Was the little cub asleep? He opened the door lightly.

Qi Xiu was not asleep.

He was sitting on the floor playing around with something.

Their gazes awkwardly met and He An coughed in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere.

"What brings Your Majesty here?" Qi Xiu was worried by his sudden visit. Could he have changed his mind after all? Was he after his body again...

"Are you literate?" He An abruptly asked. Qi Xiu blinked before shaking his head lightly.

"I'll teach you."

Of course Qi Xiu was literate. Although he was a slave, for as long as he could remember, he was able to read and write perfectly. It was only that he was afraid if he disclosed this secret to anyone he could be in deep trouble, so he was unwilling to share this matter with He An.

When He An suddenly proposed the idea of teaching him, he grew confused. Had he really just come into his chambers late at night... to tutor him? He didn't believe it.

Until he saw He An pull out a blank parchment, a brush, and a cup of ink.

...

Qi Xiu subconsciously lowered his guard a little.

"What's your name?" He An already knew his name but Qi Xiu himself hadn't told him yet.

"Qi Xiu."

He An slowly wrote the characters of his name in neat strokes and showed it to the cub.

"Copy this." He instructed. Qi Xiu took the brush and also wrote his name, purposely more messy than the other.

He An: [Look at this, Six! My cub is so smart.]

Six: [Host, your cub...?]

"Your handwriting could be better, but you did well. You should memorize the writing of your name, it's very important. I'll come back everyday to teach you more characters." He An was proud as he encouraged the cub. If he kept this up, the world would accept him faster.

Qi Xiu nodded with a smile, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"I'll leave now. Rest well, Qi Xiu."

*

Morning came and with it brought more work.

The marriage of the Emperor's youngest sister, He Chunhua, was approaching and the entire palace was busy making the preparations. The Emperor himself was also busy attending the imperial court and settling down the disputes between his officials.

The entire court was bewildered by the Emperor suddenly becoming interested in government affairs. Not only that, but their Emperor had gotten wiser! He had solved a long term issue of a plague in a village without even batting an eye. The heavens must have blessed him!

He An was just lazy though. The "problems" the court had were just preschool work for him, and he was tired of the system nagging at him about Qi Xiu.

He was lazily sitting on the throne counting every decoration on the walls when Pan Fengge, his personal guard, interrupted him to inform him of his sister wishing for a meeting with him. He called for Six to ask about the relationship between the previous Emperor and his sister.

Six: [Er... host, I have to go~ Someone is calling me!]

Judging by it's behavior, there was definitely something suspicious going on. He An wanted to find out, so he decided to meet with He Chunhua.

At his arrival, he noticed two figures sitting, and one of them was awkwardly fidgeting with his sleeves. He could tell without a second glance that it was Qi Xiu. The other should be He Chunhua then.

"Imperial brother!" The princess gleefully called out to him, waving her arms in the air and motioning to him.

"Imperial sister." He responded as he approached. He side-eyed Qi Xiu and the other averted his gaze.

"Oh! I invited him as well so I could meet the concubine that imperial brother is so fond of recently." Her voice trailed off and there was a hint of hostility in her voice but only Qi Xiu could hear it.

Then she grabbed He An and hooked her arms around his, pushing her body against him. He An tried to step back.

"Since I've already met concubine Xiu, I'd like to speak with imperial brother alone~" Her tone was seductive and He An immediately understood what was going on.

He grew goosebumps at the realization.

"No need, I'd like to stay with Xiu'er." He quickly pulled away from her grasp and sat next to Qi Xiu.

Qi Xiu, thinking to himself: Xiu'er?

"Imperial brother! No matter how angry you are at my marriage, you cannot keep this act up anymore! If you're truly upset with me, then I won't get married to lord Yan!" He Chunhua was seething. She shot daggers at Qi Xiu, who was spectating innocently.

...

So this was the reason the previous Emperor never slept with any of his concubines? Six, come out now before you get a beating.

Six: [Host, it's not my fault! TvT]

"Imperial sister, why would I be upset? I'm truly happy my younger sister is getting married. I could even dance with joy. Congratulations, sister." He gently smiled which further angered He Chunhua.

"Weren't you avoiding me because I was getting married and you were jealous...? Fine! Whatever you say!" She spat as she stormed off in the other direction, leaving only Qi Xiu and He An behind.