“She doesn’t look like that at all. Rather, she looks too plain.”
“That’s what’s scary. Those with innocent faces but pretending to be naive are the most cunning. Mistaking them for our daughters would be a huge mistake.”
“It’s still insulting that the Emperor would bring a woman of such lower status among our daughters.”
“Why worry? She’ll be the first to be eliminated in the competition. Did the Emperor really bring her thinking she’d become the Empress?”
“Then why did he bring her?”
“Oh, you’re so naive. Why else? To make her his concubine. Didn’t you know many of the past emperors had countless concubines, including former competition candidates?”
“That makes sense. How dare she compare to our daughters…”
“It still feels bad. It’s like our daughters are lowered to her level.”
“That’s why His Majesty didn’t look at her even once today. It’s fun to play with such a toy in private, but embarrassing to show in public.”
Unable to leave, Arabel stood there, her legs trembling inside her dress, as she absorbed their venomous words.
Soon, the group lost interest as their target showed no reaction, and they began to disperse.
Disappointed at not being able to dance with the Emperor, the ladies quickly found dance partners to showcase their beauty and dancing skills on the stage.
Finally left alone, Arabel, with her uncomfortable leg, slowly made her way out of the banquet hall and spoke to Millie, who had been waiting.
“Let’s return to the annex.”
Millie, who had been watching everything with other maids at the entrance, nodded and helped Arabel down the stairs.
As Arabel sat in the waiting carriage, a knock sounded, and the door opened.
“His Majesty summons you. Please come with me.”
Kyle, the aide, politely requested as he looked at the still pale-faced Arabel.
The Emperor’s bedroom.
“I was surprised you called for me so early.”
The royal physician spoke cautiously to the Emperor, who was still busy with work at this hour.
“That’s how it turned out. I was surprised by how well you played your part. Well done.”
“Ha, ha. Thank you.”
The original plan was for the Emperor to sprain his ankle during his dance with the next lady after finishing the first dance with Arabel. The physician would then rush in to diagnose the Emperor’s ankle and report that he could no longer dance.
While practicing his lines diligently in front of a mirror to ensure he didn’t miss a single detail as instructed by the Emperor, Commander Peter burst in.
“The plan has changed. Come out quickly.”
When the physician arrived, he found the Emperor pretending to be injured without having danced the first dance.
“Shall I leave now?”
As the physician asked the Emperor, who was focused on his documents, the Emperor shook his head.
“Just wait a moment. There’s someone I need to see.”
As he finished speaking, there was a knock, and Kyle, the aide, entered, followed by Arabel, who would have been the Emperor’s first dance partner according to the original plan.
“It seems the lady has some discomfort in her left ankle. Treat her. It doesn’t seem like a sprain, but rather a strain on the heel. Judging by the way she limped.”
The Emperor’s words surprised not only the physician but also Commander Jacob and Kyle. The Emperor had only been informed that Arabel’s ankle was hurt due to her dance shoe heel breaking, but he precisely knew which foot, and even which part, was injured.
These were details one wouldn’t know without careful observation. Everyone thought he hadn’t paid her any attention at the banquet. Kyle internally marveled at this.
Arabel, still standing confused at the door, widened her eyes in surprise as the Emperor, whom she had been more concerned about than her own discomfort, walked towards her. His gait was as perfect as ever.
“Were you surprised? Sir George is the best physician in the empire, even the continent. After he treated me, I recovered this cleanly.”
Relief washed over Arabel’s face as she heard the Emperor had fully recovered.
“Now it’s your turn. The royal physician has a patient to showcase his skills.”
Startled as she suddenly felt herself lifted off the ground, Arabel gasped. The Emperor quickly scooped her into a princess carry.
“You shouldn’t strain your foot by walking.”
The Emperor’s red eyes tenderly comforted her as he spoke.
“You need to heal if you are to dance the last dance before the banquet ends. Though, it doesn’t matter if you don’t fully recover. There’s always the option of dancing with your feet on mine.”
With an incredulous look in her moist eyes, the Emperor lifted one corner of his mouth in a smile.
“Didn’t I promise you that night in the treehouse, battling over who gets to sit on your lap with the baby bear? I said I wouldn’t let anyone climb over you. Surely you haven’t forgotten since then.”
He whispered softly, gently wiping the tears from between her lashes with his long fingers.
“Those who dared to speak so carelessly of you without knowing their place need to see. The true worth of a lady personally chosen by the Emperor.”
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
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