While Song Liang kept saying things like “I’ll give you the throne,” 3085 had been so frightened that its core code had nearly leaped out of the screen.
His host knew perfectly well that Xie Yun’s greatest regret was failing to seize the throne after the late emperor’s death, yet he still used it to tease him. He was extraordinarily bold—and extraordinarily deserving of a beating. It was fortunate Xie Yun had no blade at hand, or he might have cut his host down on the spot. After all, he had done such things in the original novel.
Song Liang maintained his innocence. He spoke sincerely to everyone. They simply refused to believe him—or believed far too much.
3085 was speechless.
It was true. Its host rarely lied. Every sentence was true, yet put together, they became a falsehood. And people always believed those falsehoods because they struck exactly what everyone wanted to hear. He was a master at playing with people’s hearts.
【But how did you know Xie Yun had people secretly watching you in the ancestral temple? And that he intercepted your letter? What if he took it and never sent it to Cheng Qu? Wouldn’t you have been finished?】
Although the outcome appeared to have proved him right, his host’s approach clearly involved far too many uncertainties. Even a system could not predict the behavior of an advanced-code villain like Xie Yun with complete accuracy. How could his host, a mere human, make that judgment?
Song Liang’s answer was simple. “Easy. I guessed.”
3085 froze. 【What if you’d guessed wrong?】
Song Liang replied, “Then I’d die.”
【…】
【You do know you only have one life, right? Your current points are only enough to unlock a new instance.】
It had thought the series of life-threatening crises at the beginning of A Realm to Rest Upon had taught its host to value his life. Apparently, he remained just as recklessly irreverent.
“I know.” With his hands clasped behind his back, Song Liang walked toward Eunuch Zhou, who was waiting ahead. A smile lingered at his mouth. “But without taking a gamble, I’d get nothing. And the facts have proved it: I won.”
3085 went still.
“Your Majesty.” Eunuch Zhou approached him. “Prince Duan’s heir is up ahead.”
Song Liang raised an eyebrow and glanced at the familiar figure nearby, then nodded. “Wait here.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Song Liang walked straight over. Facing Helan Ze’s somewhat gloomy expression, he said evenly, “The palace is full of eyes and ears. If we’re putting on an act, we should at least see it through.”
Helan Ze’s expression shifted several times, but he still bowed.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Only then did Song Liang ask, “Did you need something?”
“I told you to keep sending me news from the palace. Why haven’t you? Why didn’t you write to tell me you’d been released from the ancestral temple early?”
“I can’t read or write.”
Song Liang looked at him expressionlessly.
“Are you blaming a poor illiterate?”
Helan Ze: “…”
Helan Ze stiffened. He had indeed forgotten that the person before him was illiterate.
Likewise, he had forgotten that he had originally intended to arrange for someone to enter the palace and teach him. That plan had fallen through when Song Liang angered the Grand Empress Dowager immediately upon his return and was confined to the ancestral temple.
Helan Ze’s expression softened slightly.
“I was wrong to blame you. But you angered the Grand Empress Dowager as soon as you entered the palace and got yourself confined. The person I arranged to teach you couldn’t even get in.”
A master of manipulation indeed, Song Liang thought. An illiterate little beggar like him was risking execution to infiltrate the palace, and this man not only offered no help, but blamed him for angering the Grand Empress Dowager.
“Yes, my fault,” he drawled. “I shouldn’t have made things up when my identity was about to be exposed. I should have gone straight to my death and had my head hung from the city gate so you could find me at a glance.”
Helan Ze’s smile stiffened. “…That isn’t what I meant.”
“Then what did you mean?”
“…”
Hearing the resentment in his voice, Helan Ze suppressed his impatience and smiled. “I was merely worried about your safety, so I sounded a little anxious. I hope you understand.”
Song Liang turned his face away without speaking.
Helan Ze could barely maintain his smile. As Prince Duan’s heir, when had he ever needed to coax anyone like this? And an illiterate beggar unfit for polite company, at that. Yet he still needed this person to work for him!
“Li Huai.”
“Call me Your Majesty.”
“…Your Majesty.”
Helan Ze restrained himself and softened his tone. “This time, I was careless and misunderstood you. Please don’t be angry. In future, I’ll hear your explanation before blaming you. All right?”
He knew he was handsome, and with his gentlemanly bearing, few people failed to fall under his spell. He also knew this little beggar’s gaze toward him had never been entirely innocent. So he deliberately adopted a remorseful expression and waited for the boy to yield.
Sure enough, the youth immediately reacted. Hesitating, he said, “It isn’t entirely your fault. I’m simply too useless. I’m helpless in a fight and can’t even write. Never mind sending messages—I can’t even protect myself.”
Helan Ze inwardly sneered. He was about to offer a few pretended words of comfort when the youth continued.
“Why don’t you give me a few highly skilled death-sworn guards?”
Helan Ze’s expression froze. He thought he had misheard. “What?”
“Death-sworn guards.” Song Liang looked at him innocently. “I heard Brother Liao mention them. You secretly maintain a group called the Night Owls. Every one of them is a superb fighter, moving like a phantom. Extremely impressive. With people like that protecting me, I’d definitely be able to send you news promptly and do a proper job as your fake emperor.”
“…”
Helan Ze’s jaw tightened. He wanted nothing more than to drag Liao Anping out and hack him to death. The Night Owls were his greatest hidden asset, yet that blabbermouth had told this little beggar even about them.
“The Night Owls may be highly skilled, but they’re difficult to control. Without my special command phrase, an ordinary person cannot direct them.”
“Then tell me the special command phrase.”
“…”
“Don’t tell me you can’t bear to part with them?” Studying his slightly rigid expression, Song Liang sighed. “You think using the Night Owls to protect me would be a waste, don’t you? I know. I’m only an insignificant little beggar. I’m not suited to being emperor at all—”
“Fine.”
Helan Ze cut him off through gritted teeth, still wearing a gentle smile.
“As long as you’re safe.”
“Thank you.”
Then Song Liang seemed to remember something. “Oh, right. You rendered a service by rescuing us from the assassins on our return to the capital. I intend to reward you at the next morning court. I wonder whether you would prefer the Hanlin Academy or the Six Ministries—”
“The Six Ministries.”
Helan Ze answered quickly, his heartbeat picking up. He had intended to use his rescue to obtain a position at court. To think this little beggar had brought it up himself. He did have some use after all.
“The Six Ministries? I thought you’d prefer the Hanlin Academy. I think the Hanlin Academy has a nicer name—”
“Literary pursuits are diversions for one’s leisure. To serve the country, the Six Ministries are naturally preferable.” Afraid the fool would try to be clever, Helan Ze added another hint. “The Ministry of Revenue would be even better.”
Song Liang smiled faintly. “Very well. I’ll remember.”
“And the guards…”
“I’ll have them sent to you within three days.”
“Good. Remember to choose handsome ones. Young, too. It doesn’t matter whether their martial arts are any good.”
“…”
Those requirements hardly sounded as though he intended to put them to proper use. Helan Ze’s expression stiffened slightly.
“…You are the emperor, after all. You mustn’t behave too licentiously, lest you give yourself away.”
As though missing the implication entirely, Song Liang replied calmly, “I’m never licentious. Just very candid.”
Helan Ze: “…”
Candidly asking him for death-sworn guards to keep as bed partners?
In any case, his objective had been achieved. Helan Ze said no more, lest the boy lose his temper again and need coaxing. He turned and left.
Song Liang smiled at his retreating back.
“That’s the beauty of being emperor. Toss out any empty promise, and the dog eats its fill and works diligently for you. Isn’t it fun?”
【…】
It had just watched its host play dumb and turn the male lead into an obedient dog. Helan Ze had offered both his charms and his death-sworn guards, completely forgetting he had come to interrogate Song Liang.
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