Long Live the Emperor, Minus Me (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 4
When I lifted my head, a handsome man greeted me with a gentle smile, as if to ask, “When did I ever glare at anyone?”
At first glance, his face seemed harmless, but I knew that look in his eyes all too well—it was the expression of a powerful man coveting talent.
…I truly hadn’t intended to draw this much attention. But since it was too late to back out now, I ordered Tula to bring tea and then sat facing the Emperor.
“…Please be seated.”
Originally, I’d only meant to attract a fleeting glance in the main hall because I lacked confidence in achieving anything greater.
Yet now, surpassing even that modest expectation, I found myself alone with the Emperor. It was an absurdly rare opportunity and an immense honor…but…
My mind wouldn’t function.
I barely managed to stop my hand from instinctively rising to my forehead. Whether from exhaustion or fever, my thoughts refused to clear—but I couldn’t let that show.
“To behold the heavens of Your Empire is a tremendous honor.”
“Oh, I’ve already heard your formalities earlier—skip them.”
I wasn’t doing it to please you; I just needed a moment to buy time, you naive child.
For an instant, anger flared within me, but I couldn’t say that aloud, so I clamped my mouth shut.
“Earlier—were you serious?”
Knowing it was pointless to deflect, I didn’t pretend not to understand something I clearly did.
“I was sincere.”
Well, what’s the big deal? I could always give up my tongue. With hands, I could still write to express myself. If sacrificing my tongue saved a subordinate’s life, wouldn’t that be a net gain?
Whether it was my integrity or my honesty that pleased him, the Emperor smiled with evident satisfaction.
If only the Empress had a bit more sense—judging by this, a fine tyrant would surely emerge within five years.
While I was lost in such thoughts, the Emperor spoke to me.
“Then let’s hear you talk a bit more. I must decide whether or not to cut out your tongue, after all.”
It sounded like he’d spare me punishment if I proved clever enough.
“Does Your Majesty require a jester?”
I felt the Emperor scrutinizing my face. Though my features still bore the youthful softness of someone barely twenty, his eyes were those of a consummate ruler—judging people solely by their ability and utility.
…Perhaps it would’ve been better if I hadn’t been competent enough to catch the Emperor’s eye. Regret struck me too late.
“Well, that wouldn’t be bad either.”
Having apparently finished his assessment, the Emperor gave a faint chuckle.
“But I’d prefer you be a bit more useful.”
It was as if he knew I wasn’t really three years old inside. Anyone would think a three-year-old sitting quietly without crying was already remarkably well-behaved—but truly.
Yet since the speaker was the Emperor of a great power and I merely a princess of a minor state, I could only sit quietly and endure his nonsense.
“Do you know that I have a younger brother?”
“I was unaware, Your Majesty.”
To avoid arousing unnecessary suspicion, I answered honestly—lying over trivial matters could backfire.
Though the journey here had taken over a month, I’d gathered very little information during that time.
None of my entourage knew anything about the Empire. Tula, who held the second-highest status among us, didn’t even grasp how rigid the Empire’s class system was—if that didn’t sum it up, nothing would.
Without even knowing the Emperor’s age, how could I possibly know his family relations?
“Then consider this your chance to learn. I have a younger brother who turned five this year.”
No wonder he understood my oddly pronounced words so well—it wasn’t intuition but familiarity from his little brother.
“In any case, I’m fortunate; my brother is exceptionally clever.”
This was the perfect moment for flattery like, “That is indeed Your Majesty’s blessing,” but since he said it himself, I had nothing to add.
“Yet a sharp awl cannot hide its point, even in a sack. That’s what worries me.”
I’d been about to wait silently for his orders, but his uncharacteristic shift in tone suggested he wanted me to analyze the situation myself.
Ah, so this was what he meant by “making my tongue work.” Just then, Tula arrived with tea. I waited until she placed it before us and left, restoring silence.
“Does Your Majesty wish for me to become a friend to His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince?”
The Emperor lowered his eyes as if savoring the tea’s fragrance. Even my underdeveloped nose could tell it wasn’t particularly fragrant.
“That would be ideal.”
For a fleeting moment, genuine affection for his brother flickered in his eyes.
Likely a slip from the young Emperor—a human moment he’d have hidden if I were truly three years old. I quietly lowered my gaze.
If he realized I’d noticed, he’d never let his guard down around me again.
“But he is my brother. I cannot place just anyone beside him. You understand that, Princess?”
I truly didn’t want to understand—and anticipating what came next made it even harder to accept.
“Therefore, Princess, prove to me what you can do.”
The Emperor’s smiling face already showed no trace of emotion.
…My mind knew this was an incredible opportunity. If I could forge a bond with the Grand Duke, none of the other hostages would dare touch me.
Yet I worried—was an Emperor who engaged a three-year-old in political discourse truly sane?
And was it truly safe to stay near a powerful madman?
Wouldn’t dealing with the other hostages be better for my longevity?
“Your Majesty’s high regard humbles me deeply, but my talents are truly insignificant…”
“Princess.”
The Emperor cut off my words.
“Think carefully. What could I grant you if you became the Crown Prince’s friend?”
I thought—and understood. The only thing an Emperor could bestow upon the Prince’s friend was wealth.
Good heavens. I suppressed a laugh.
Luxury? I’d once used the same items as the Emperor himself. I’d ridden in His Majesty’s carriage, eaten from silverware he’d bestowed, and worn robes sewn from silk he’d gifted.
Once, when I returned victorious from battle, His Majesty had lined every step of my path from the city gates with silk to welcome me.
In my past life, my wealth rivaled the Emperor’s, my authority commanded civil and military officials alike, and my family’s name was renowned.
Yet despite all that, my end was wretched. I ended my life by hanging myself with the very silk His Majesty had given me.
Because the same sovereign who’d granted me that wealth and power had cast me aside.
Knowing how hollow riches and glory truly were, the Emperor’s offer held no temptation for me.
“…I merely wish to live a quiet, ordinary life.”
So much so that I’d choose it if no one paid me any mind.
“Do you know how many share this Emerald Palace with you?”
But what the Emperor could give me wasn’t all good.
I looked at his fingers resting over my small, plump hand.
Could this hand even fully encircle one of his fingers? The difference in our hand sizes mirrored the gap in our power—and made our positions painfully clear.
I cared nothing for the wealth and honor he could grant, but I cared greatly about the hardships he could inflict.
For instance, Tula’s life might hang in the balance.
So I fell silent.
“Currently, four share the Emerald Palace: you, Princess Gianel of Tatiyen, Princess Vishian of Chibecha, and Princess Kanik of Gernia.”
Just as I’d suspected. Having been bedridden, I hadn’t yet learned how many shared the palace or who they were—so this easy intel was welcome.
“You seem to understand your position well—but can the others say the same?”
His words meant he fully expected the royals crammed together in this palace to tear each other apart like venomous insects—and had arranged it deliberately.
After all, with such clear power imbalances between nations, infighting among hostages cost the Empire nothing—it was pure profit.
They could even fabricate offenses to accuse them of insolence.
Honestly, my life… Why can’t anything ever go smoothly for once? I sighed inwardly. Though silent, the Emperor likely noticed—but he’d probably overlook this much.
True to my prediction, he didn’t accuse me of disrespect.
“Do you need time to think?”
I’d already decided what the Emperor could offer me, so now I considered what he wanted in return.
Ultimately, a playmate for the Grand Duke. But he’d said he wanted to test me before arranging a meeting. So what would the test entail?
If he meant pure intimidation, he’d have threatened to execute Tula outright—that’d be quicker.
Instead, he’d deliberately discussed the others assigned to the Emerald Palace, clearly wanting to test me on that front.
“I am merely three years old. Can Your Majesty truly expect me to unify the royals?”
Then there was only one possible test: to become the final venomous insect managing the royals he’d locked together like poison vipers.
“Well, of course I won’t ask a three-year-old to control dozens of royals.”
“Dozens.” That word carried an ominous ring.
“Just maintain order within the Emerald Palace. If you succeed, I’ll promote you.”
Promote my foot. I swallowed the curses rising in my throat.
If you can’t let a ruler’s empty words enter one ear and exit the other, you’ll never survive as a minister.
“I shall do my best.”
“A fine resolve.”
The Emperor smiled, eyes crinkling. Though his face seemed kind, I remembered the glint beneath his eyelids.
After sixty-five years of reading people, I could swear: those were eyes that would end your life if you opposed them—and squeeze your very existence dry if you stood beside them.
When the male lead is punished by carrying the female lead’s child and having periods like a woman
“I’ve given birth to two children for you, yet you still think about him.
Was I nothing but his substitute to you from beginning to end?”
Synopsis:
Meng Huan, a scumbag who has dated countless girlfriends, transmigrates to a female-dominated country.
Day 1: Whether it’s female dominance or not doesn’t matter. The beauties here are passionate and amorous. Isn’t it easier to date them than in modern times?
Day 2: After a night, Meng Huan discovers the differences in the female-dominated world. Men here actually have chastity locks and menstrual cycles. This hinders his ability to perform, damn it!
Day 3: What’s wrong with sleeping around? I don’t want you to marry me. I’m meant to be a playboy. I don’t care about male virtues… What? You want to drown me in a pig cage? Marry, I’ll marry!
Day N: Meng Huan inexplicably vomits and receives the shocking news of his life… He’s pregnant.
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I would not be able to cope with cute animals being terrified of me 😕
Tula is shockingly uneducated, especially for her role.
Honestly, that sounds awful. If I ask for one, it’s because that one is meaningful. To follow that with hundreds of pounds of cut flowers demeans the original request. Stupid grand duke.