Once every three months. Precisely 30 minutes.
That was the time Emperor Maxwell allocated to his blood relatives or those connected to the imperial family through marriage.
‘The former emperors indulged in this pointless practice twice a month for over two hours, but I suppose I should tolerate this much. After all, it’s what makes a wise ruler.’
Maxwell thought to himself as he faced the eight royal family members gathered in the second reception room of the palace.
His lips bore a faint smile, and his cool, intense red eyes, as always, betrayed no emotion as he greeted them.
Today’s gathering saw the members hardly taking their seats before launching into a heated debate over a single topic for more than 20 minutes.
Usually, during these brief 30-minute sessions, they would vie for the emperor’s attention, but today, there was a rare unity in their conversation.
“A noble who isn’t part of the local aristocracy’s council of elders. How incompetent must one be to have a title but neither a manor nor a home?”
“The aunt’s family of the lady is not any better. The Kender barony has been practically shunned in aristocratic circles. For her entire family to live off them…”
“Did you hear? She couldn’t even have a debutante ball for her coming of age. Their pigs caught a disease! Imagine being so poor that you can’t even hold a common coming-of-age ceremony.”
“What debutante ball? She hasn’t even attended Madame Bosel’s cultural lessons, mandatory for high society ladies. Can she even dance at a formal event? If our future empress hasn’t attended a single proper ball, it will make us the laughing stock of other kingdoms.”
“She can’t even speak Agrthean, the language of the kingdom that has led the continent’s art and culture for ages. If our empress doesn’t know the language, she’ll be seen as culturally ignorant. How will she lead the trends and spread art among the noble ladies? It’s an utterly preposterous choice for a candidate.”
“She’s not fit to be empress. She lacks the caliber to be by Your Majesty’s side.”
Without responding, Emperor Maxwell’s languid gaze fell on his teacup. At this moment, the Empress Dowager, wearing a mask of maternal warmth, spoke up.
“Your Majesty must have a profound reason for selecting Lady Arabell. But given the stark contrast with the other ten finalists, it worries us. If Lady Arabell succumbs to humiliation during the competition… it could tarnish Your Majesty’s reputation. Perhaps it’s best if she quietly steps down before the competition begins.”
“Your Majesty, Empress Dowager is right. The selection of the empress is not a matter of personal affection but about choosing the empress of the empire. It’s better for the lady to withdraw now rather than face humiliation later. We can compensate her generously for her efforts and send her back home.”
Empress Dowager Caroline de Lysang, usually at odds with the Empress Dowager, also agreed, not forgetting to put on a concerned aunt’s facade.
The members of the reception room eagerly joined in belittling the eleventh empress candidate, confident in the emperor’s subtle smile.
However, they were too engrossed to notice the slight curl of his red lips, a tiny hint of a sneer.
Creak. The large, ornate chair moved back as the emperor’s long, slender legs stood up firmly.
“I can’t express how happy I am to see everyone without fail, every time.”
As the 30 minutes came to an end, Emperor Maxwell rose from his seat.
“See you in three months.”
“Does that mean you’ll consider our advice regarding Lady Arabell?” Count Kebes, the eldest grandson of the small uncle, asked, prompting the others to look expectantly at the emperor.
“Advice, you say…”
For the first time since today’s meeting, Emperor Maxwell raised an eyebrow, amused. He tilted his head slightly, lifting his chin as his gaze naturally lowered.
“Words offered in response to a query can be called advice. But unsolicited, unwanted, and disregarded words are just noise, akin to a dog’s barking. Just like now.”
The room’s atmosphere turned icy as his typically unreadable gaze momentarily revealed a frosty sternness.
“The winner of the competition will become the empress, according to imperial law. I will marry the lady who remains until the end, and it doesn’t matter who it is.”
As he looked around at his silent relatives, a sneer of derision crossed his face.
“So, don’t waste your energy here and attend to your matters. The illegitimate child inheritance issue, premarital pregnancies, tax evasion – there are mountains of problems among you here. I’m worried. This is what you call advice.”
Passing by the Empress Dowager, still trying to keep up her smile, the Emperor whispered softly.
“Especially since you’re here despite nursing your frail son suffering from aphasia after the recent kidnapping. It doesn’t seem as bad as the rumors. That’s good. Your uncle needs to recover quickly to lead our forces into battle for the glory of the empire.”
His relaxed stride out of the room left the Empress Dowager with lips twisted in fury.
Cold Male Lead Became My Clingy Husband (Female-Dominant)
Feng Bai Su transmigrated into a matriarchal novel, becoming the sister of the female protagonist and the Seventh Princess of the Feng Ling Kingdom.
After working herself to death in her previous life, finally reincarnating as a princess, she only wanted to be a lazy fish who could eat, sleep, and play.
Until she met the male protagonist from the book, Wei Jing Mo, and he took a liking to her!
Wei Jing Mo is the top young man in Feng Ling City, talented in both appearance and ability, from a prestigious family, with a cold and otherworldly appearance, a figure like the bright moon in the hearts of noble ladies. It was thought that only the most powerful and talented noble lady in Feng Ling City would be worthy of such a brilliant young man. Who knew that this young gentleman would secretly admire the infamous Seventh Princess?
Short scene 1:
Feng Bai Su looked at the young man crying like a pear blossom in the rain before her, and couldn’t help but doubt her life.
Wasn’t the male lead described as a cold and otherworldly figure in the book?
Then who was this poor little thing crying with swollen red eyes and tear-stained face?
Short scene 2:
Wei Jing Mo stared intently at Feng Bai Su who was about to go out, wanting to say, “Be careful on the road.”
Before he could speak, Feng Bai Su suddenly bent down and bit his cheek.
Her peach blossom eyes were full of disdain: “Tsk! You’re so clingy!”
Wei Jing Mo: “…”
A talented fox spirit female lead with a flirtatious appearance but actually abstinent VS A cold-looking but actually naive and clingy little jealous male lead
