A wave of dizziness washed over Lin Qinghe as she entered the body of the new world. She opened her eyes and was greeted by a vision of a lavish, ancient palace. Outside the bed curtains, four or five men knelt, their heads bowed in fear, daring not to look up.
It seemed this was a world from ancient times...
Lin Qinghe remained still, taking in her surroundings, and began to receive the system's information and the original host’s memories.
The original host was the female emperor of the Dongli Kingdom. She was incredibly arrogant, capricious, and cruel. Driven by lust, she amassed three thousand male consorts in her harem, spending her days in debauchery, a textbook example of a degenerate ruler.
On the very first day of her reign, while attending court, the original host spotted You Rong, the exceptionally handsome and talented Prime Minister of Dongli Kingdom. From that moment on, she relentlessly harassed him, resorting to any means necessary to force him into her harem as a male concubine.
You Rong, already deeply dissatisfied with the degenerate rule of Lin Qinghe, was a learned scholar with great aspirations. He wished only to serve a wise ruler and benefit the populace. Thus, he adamantly refused.
In a fit of rage, the original host deliberately framed You Rong for forming a faction and plotting sedition. She had him thrown into the imperial prison and subjected him to severe torture, hoping to force his compliance through brutal means.
You Rong was tortured until he was covered in wounds, barely clinging to life, yet he still refused to yield. The original host, in her fury, even went so far as to threaten You Rong’s parents, having them publicly executed and You Rong exiled to the border to fend for himself.
You Rong was secretly rescued by Lin Zhilan, the original host’s imperial sister. She painstakingly nursed him back to health, and in the process, You Rong and Lin Zhilan developed feelings for each other and pledged their eternal love.
With You Rong’s help, Lin Zhilan rallied many court officials to jointly impeach the degenerate ruler. They exposed the original host’s numerous misdeeds, declaring her incompetent, dissolute, and unfit to rule. They forced her abdication in favor of Lin Zhilan, who then ascended the throne.
Upon becoming empress, Lin Zhilan immediately bestowed the title of Imperial Consort upon You Rong. They lived in perfect harmony, ruling the country together. Under their joint governance, Dongli Kingdom prospered, and the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity.
As for the original host, who had supposedly abdicated for the good of the nation, Lin Zhilan imprisoned her in a lightless water dungeon. To exact his revenge, You Rong ordered her to be poisoned daily, forcing her to endure agonizing torment for five years until she finally succumbed.
Lin Qinghe’s mouth twitched fiercely as she processed all the information.
She was beyond words. In every world, the original host was a master of self-destruction, each more adept than the last, with no two methods of demise being the same.
While Lin Qinghe was still organizing the original host’s memories, the bed curtains were lifted. A man of exquisite features softly inquired, "Your Majesty, do you wish to rise? Shall this servant attend to you?"
Lin Qinghe studied the man for a moment. She recalled his name was Fu Qingyu. True to his name, he was a refined and elegant young man, originally a zither player. After performing a piece in the palace, he was favored by the original host and commanded to serve by her side.
As Lin Qinghe sorted through the original host's memories, her brow furrowed.
Today was the day the original host, in her fury, had ordered the execution of You Rong's parents. What time was it? It couldn’t be noon already. She had to quickly find someone to stop the original host from carrying out her decision!
Fu Qingyu and the other young men trembled as they saw Lin Qinghe frown. They immediately knelt and kowtowed.
"Your Majesty, please quell your anger! We are all deserving of death. Please, Your Majesty, quell your anger…"
Lin Qinghe: "..." SuDan Novel Network
The original host was notoriously moody. Usually, a frown from her meant she was about to punish a maid, eunuch, or one of these male consorts. It was no wonder they were so terrified.
Just as Lin Qinghe was about to tell them to rise, with a creak, the palace doors were pushed open. The chief eunuch, Wang Jiang, entered with a smile, followed by a man whose steps were slightly unsteady, covered in bloodstains, his face gaunt and pale, yet remarkably handsome.
Lin Qinghe recognized You Rong at a glance.
Wang Jiang announced, "Your Majesty, this criminal requested an audience. Following Your Majesty’s orders, I have brought him directly in."
Wang Jiang, appearing to understand Lin Qinghe’s desires, addressed the other trembling young men kneeling on the floor. "You all may withdraw. Do not obstruct His Majesty’s pleasure here!"
Fu Qingyu and the others secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said in unison, "This servant takes his leave."
"Go, go, go, hurry up, don't dawdle…" Wang Jiang ushered everyone out of the chamber. As he closed the door, Wang Jiang said with a mischievous grin, "Your Majesty, this servant also takes his leave. I will stand guard outside and ensure no one disturbs Your Majesty."
The palace doors closed. Lin Qinghe sat on the bed, her mouth twitching fiercely once more.
This Wang Jiang was just asking to be beaten!
Lin Qinghe collected her thoughts and her gaze fell upon You Rong. She saw that he was covered in bloodstains, his face deathly pale, filled with humiliation and unwillingness.
Lin Qinghe knew he must have just undergone severe torture in the imperial prison.
Lin Qinghe coughed twice, about to speak, when she saw You Rong suppress all emotion. He untied his sash, removed his blood-soaked outer robe, and walked towards Lin Qinghe, stopping directly before her.
You Rong gritted his teeth and said, "This subject can fulfill Your Majesty's desires and serve you with his body. I only beg Your Majesty to withdraw your decree and spare my aged parents!"
Lin Qinghe was stunned. "???"
This did not align with the information the system had provided!
You Rong was supposed to have refused even unto death. After the original host had his parents publicly executed, he was supposed to have hated her even more and still refused, leading to his exile and eventual rescue by the heroine, Lin Zhilan.
Now, he was suddenly willing?
Although he looked extremely reluctant, the discrepancy with the system’s information was too great…
However, no matter what, if she wanted You Rong to fall for her, she first had to resolve the troubles left by the original host. First and foremost, she had to revoke the decree to publicly execute You Rong’s parents and release You Rong. Everything else could be planned later.
Lin Qinghe cleared her throat. "Cough, cough, You Rong… I have something to tell you…"
You Rong suppressed the deep hatred in his eyes. Before Lin Qinghe could finish speaking, he knelt on one knee and reached to untie Lin Qinghe's robes. "This subject will help Your Majesty undress."
Lin Qinghe frowned and grabbed You Rong's hand. "You Rong! I said I have something to tell you. Get up first."
A flicker of mockery flashed in You Rong's eyes.
Scheming against him with all her might, all for this sordid matter! What pretense was she putting on now?
You Rong did not speak. He reversed his grip, seizing Lin Qinghe’s hand, and bent his head to kiss her palm.
This person was detestable, yet the faint fragrance emanating from him was pleasant, not enough to make him nauseous.
"No, You Rong, wait a moment! I said I have something to tell you!"
You Rong completely ignored her, lunging forward and cupping Lin Qinghe's chin, attempting to kiss her. Lin Qinghe hastily turned her face away, pushing against You Rong's chest with all her might.
If she allowed You Rong to suffer humiliation and "serve" her today, he would surely hate her to the bone. In the future, forget about him falling in love with her; it would be difficult to appease his rage even if she flayed him alive!
You Rong kissed Lin Qinghe’s cheek. A hint of disgust crossed his face, but he still followed through, pushing her onto the bed and preparing to continue.
Lin Qinghe gritted her teeth. She had no other choice. With great effort, she flipped over and pinned You Rong beneath her. Her hair cascaded down as she panted and looked at him. Just as she was about to speak, You Rong closed his eyes, appearing to offer himself to her will. "Your Majesty wishes to do it herself? This subject obeys."
Lin Qinghe was speechless.
No matter what she said to You Rong now, he wouldn't believe her. In his eyes, she was just that lecherous and degenerate empress.
You Rong had braced himself for what was to come. Unexpectedly, after a long while, he only heard Lin Qinghe sigh lightly, and then she moved away from him.
As You Rong looked on in confusion, he heard Lin Qinghe say, "Wang Jiang! Immediately issue an imperial decree to cancel the public execution of Elder Mr. You and Elder Mrs. You scheduled for noon today! Order that the two elders be escorted back to Prime Minister You's residence with utmost care!"