Long Live the Emperor, Minus Me (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 5
The Emperor’s footsteps were light. The moment his steps left the western district of the Emerald Palace, his attendants clung to him like shadows.
Without even glancing back, the Emperor issued his command.
“Prepare Jasper Palace. Make it suitable for a child around three or four years old.”
Unlike Blanche’s assumption, the Emperor was already thoroughly pleased with her.
But it wasn’t because Blanche was clever. The Letail Empire was a grand empire, overflowing with talent—so much so that if one looked hard enough, they could find geniuses of the century with just both hands.
What pleased the Emperor was that Blanche didn’t seem like a typical three-year-old.
Blanche differed from those children who were merely clever. Such children, though quick-witted, still possessed every trait of a three-year-old.
They cried easily, laughed easily, and were easily deceived. They grew frightened quickly and proudly flaunted their genius. They couldn’t grasp adult logic and believed their own rules governed the world.
He didn’t want such a “child prodigy.” He wanted someone who resembled his younger sibling—someone worthy of being his brother’s companion.
Someone whose indifferent expression suggested a nine-tailed fox resided within, as if this were their second life, as if they’d already indulged in every pleasure, luxury, wealth, and power imaginable.
His younger sibling was precisely such a child—a five-year-old with eyes that seemed to have lived fifty years.
Even when given sweets or wrapped in silk, the child’s face showed no emotion, as if dying right then wouldn’t be a loss at all.
Right before his eyes, an ideal candidate had appeared—one perfectly suited to become a true friend for his sibling.
He realized this as he promised Blanche a reward for her cooperation.
If she could fulfill this role—if she could truly succeed as the Prince’s playmate—what might the Emperor grant the Princess?
It was a statement an ordinary three-year-old wouldn’t understand and a clever one would find bewildering. Yet Blanche understood his words—and showed no interest.
What could possibly create a three-year-old who cared nothing for candy, chocolate, cozy feather blankets, or a life where every whim was fulfilled at the ring of a bell?
He still didn’t know, but one thing was clear.
Blanche Loa Vandaluin seemed crafted specifically for his younger sibling.
Thus, regardless of whether Blanche showed interest or not, he intended to surround her with candy, chocolate, silk, and jewels.
With everything befitting the Prince’s playmate.
“…Are you planning to bestow these upon Princess Blanche?”
His reverie was broken by his shadow.
At the shadow’s question seeking confirmation of the Emperor’s intent, he turned toward the shadow and smirked—a rather satisfied expression on his face.
“Doesn’t it seem a waste to let such talent rot unused?”
The shadow hadn’t been granted permission to overhear their conversation, so naturally, they had no idea why the Emperor favored Blanche so deeply.
Yet objection was also forbidden to the shadow, so they merely bowed their head.
“It would be a great honor for the Princess.”
“She’d better think so too.”
The shadow seemed to take this as the Emperor’s jest, but the Emperor was utterly sincere. He hadn’t forgotten he was Emperor of a grand empire, nor that Blanche belonged to foreign royalty.
If only those foolish people who’d sent a mere three-year-old child away as a hostage would forget their idiocy and let her settle here—for the sake of my younger sibling.
With such thoughts, the Emperor continued walking cheerfully.
*
Where the Emperor had passed, only exhaustion remained. I slumped against the chair’s backrest, unable even to stand.
“Your Highness…!”
Tula, who must have been waiting outside, rushed in and caught me before I could slide off. Good thing, too—I feared a fall from this chair in my current body might cause serious injury.
“Are you alright?! Do you have a fever? Are you tired?”
Her concern was welcome, but there was something more urgent I needed to say first. I grasped Tula’s hand as it stroked my cheek and forehead.
“Tula.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Is something wrong?”
“You are my responsibility.”
The Ramore Kingdom seemed to have a lax class system, so I couldn’t guess Tula’s thoughts on this. But I was someone who’d spent a lifetime in the rigidly hierarchical Jin Empire, always responsible for others.
Given that I am now a princess and Tula my nursemaid, this child falls squarely under my care.
“So, no matter what happens, call for me.”
Had I not awakened in time—if my judgment had been even slightly delayed—if the Emperor’s curiosity had failed to overcome his anger—Tula might have died. And nothing would have changed.
I’d endured far too much of that in my previous life, especially at the very end.
Thus, in this life, I refused to let it happen again—even if it meant meeting my second death right here.
“I will protect you.”
These were words I’d spoken before—in my past life—to my daughter.
Unlike my daughter, who trusted me completely, I couldn’t be sure Tula would believe these words.
After all, how seriously could anyone take a three-year-old hostage claiming they’d protect someone, no matter their higher status?
But at least she’d know I was sincere. I patted Tula’s hesitant hand and smiled quietly.
“Rest now.”
Tula opened her mouth as if to speak, but ultimately closed it and withdrew.
Left alone again, I sank into thought.
My current goal is simple: protect the children dragged here because of me.
To achieve this, I had two paths: live quietly like a ghost, or make it clear I’m someone troublesome to provoke.
The first option was already ruined. So, wasn’t the choice obvious? I must pass the Emperor’s test and forge a connection with the Grand Duke.
“Still, the question is—how far should I go?”
Unleashing all one’s talents isn’t always wise. Just as losing a battle might win a war, succeeding at every task isn’t always the right answer.
So, how should I act? Should I succeed or fail at this given task? Should I reveal all my abilities or conceal them moderately?
Regardless of success or failure, I must at least pretend to try—but then, what means should I choose?
I pondered this until my young body, unable to resist drowsiness, finally drifted off to sleep.
*
Ironically, after all that deliberation, the means arrived directly into my hands—in the form of an invitation.
“A tea party?”
I carefully enunciated the words to avoid mumbling, and Tula nodded in confirmation.
“Yes. All the peace envoys have arrived, so Her Majesty the Empress is opening the greenhouse to commemorate the occasion.”
Ah. Whether it’s setting a stage for those insects to fight among themselves or subtly pressuring them to behave by watching closely—it’s a useful tactic.
And excellent news for me as well.
“If you’re still weary from the journey…”
“Say yes. Tell them I’ll go.”
For me, swaying people has never been particularly difficult.
I once commanded civil and military officials each harboring ten cunning foxes within—how hard could it be to charm a few naive royals?
All I needed was an opportunity to meet the other three. Since our quarters were separated, chance encounters were unlikely.
But now they’d arranged the venue for me—how convenient! Moreover, unlike the easily manipulated hostages, the Empress seemed formidable, and this was a rare chance to observe her up close. I’d go even if it broke my body.
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
Tula’s eyes seemed filled with pity as she looked at me, but I pretended not to notice. This is all for your sake, little one.
Reading the invitation, I found the date absurdly soon—it was today.
Even considering we all lived within the palace and travel time was minimal, same-day felt too rushed. Still, I had no reason to protest—it’d only make my future life harder if I drew unwanted attention.
So, I left it to the adults to question the timing and simply ordered Tula to find me an outfit suitable for a tea party. A three-year-old needn’t worry about such things.
After Tula left to fetch appropriate attire, I remained alone, organizing my goals for the party.
“First—information.”
Ultimately, my greatest problem wasn’t my status, but that this body was only three years old.
If I were eighteen—or even just thirteen—I could have sent invitations to other royals myself, arranged meetings, read books in the library, and extracted information through conversations.
But who would willingly meet a three-year-old who sent invitations? Who would discuss international affairs with a child whose speech was barely intelligible?
Thus, I suffered from a critical lack of information. I hadn’t even determined how many kingdoms had sent hostages.
This was information I could’ve uncovered within two hours if I were just thirteen.
“Therefore, I mustn’t miss this opportunity.”
For someone like me, an event gathering many people for conversation was invaluable. Simply listening quietly to unfolding situations would yield significant gains.
The royals residing in the Emerald Palace might be hard to approach now, but if I at least made my presence known, I could create opportunities later.
Thus, my goal today wasn’t to win over the royals living in the Emerald Palace—that could wait.
“Gather information. Focus on the imperial family.”
I clenched my fists with burning resolve. Having held power for so long, starting from the bottom again felt strangely novel.
It wasn’t exactly enjoyable—but at least it sparked my motivation.
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
_____
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