TFRLTOP Chapter 58 Part 1

Chapter 58 – The Tyrant’s Beloved 

Emperor Wanqian: Damn it, I was annoyed to begin with.

That day, Ming Ming was chasing butterflies in the imperial garden. Her main goal was to help her digestion; the secondary goal was to catch a few pretty butterflies to make into specimens.

Honestly, she was bored out of her mind. Counting gold ingots no longer satisfied her spiritual needs.

“What’s Emperor Wanqian up to? Haven’t seen him for days. Don’t tell me he’s actually a diligent emperor?”

The system let out a thoughtful hum. “It’s complicated. Hard to sum up in a few words. In plain terms… he’s in court, tearing into the ministers. Tsk, it’s intense.”

Ming Ming: “?”

“…You mean that literally?”

“Of course not. What kind of picture are you imagining? Delete it! Apparently, there’s some uprising up north. One faction of officials is blaming the emperor’s policies for people’s suffering. Another faction is begging him to reduce taxes and show mercy to the people. And—huh? There’s even a faction demanding summer subsidies for themselves? If anyone deserves that, it’s the craftsmen and farmers. What the hell are they butting in for? Smuggling in selfish requests, that’s what.”

Ming Ming: “…”

“So… did he approve it?”

“Oh, Emperor Wanqian said he’d happily chop off their heads, stuff ice cubes down their necks, and let them enjoy a ‘cool summer’ that way.”

Ming Ming: “…”

Just then, she ran into Jiang Fuling, who had just scored a victory in the harem power games and had come out for a stroll.

Their eyes met—sparks flew, thunder rolled.

Ming Ming suddenly recalled what the system had said the other day—

“…Doesn’t this feel like someone who can’t help wanting to elevate the woman he loves, but, fearing jealousy, creates a decoy: a woman showered with affection in public to draw away hostility?”

Damn it, now that she thought about it, it did fit.

Jiang Fuling turned her head with a sharp “Hmph!”

“What are you hmph-ing for? You poisoned me before and I still haven’t settled that score with you!” Ming Ming snapped, new grudges and old ones bubbling up at once.

“Who poisoned you? Don’t slander me.”

“If it wasn’t you, then who?”

“How would I know?”

They bickered back and forth with nothing useful said. To the system, it sounded like elementary school kids quarreling. Bored, it sat on the sidelines metaphorically picking its toenails.

In Ming Ming’s head came a rustling sound.

She asked, “What are you doing in my noble brain?”

The system blew out a puff of air, like it was dusting something off. “Nothing. Don’t mind me.”

Ming Ming: I swear there’s dandruff in my brain now.

I feel dirty.

She shook it off and went back to squabbling with Jiang Fuling.

They argued so long that the butterflies flew away. Ming Ming grew annoyed; Jiang Fuling was also fed up. “I told you it wasn’t me. If I had poison, I’d have fed it to that idiot in the next courtyard ages ago! She keeps setting traps to trip me in the palace halls!”

Ming Ming: “…So you’re that weak?”

Jiang Fuling sneered. “And you’re strong? You got poisoned, didn’t you?”

Ming Ming puffed up proudly. “That’s why I make Emperor Wanqian dine with me. No one dares poison my food then.”

Jiang Fuling’s eyes burned with envy. She gritted her teeth. “Why you? How can a concubine-born like you be so damn lucky?”

“What can I say? The emperor’s been too busy to see me lately, but he still assigns people to make sure I eat properly. He’s terrified I’ll starve and damage my health.” Ming Ming put on an exaggeratedly delicate act, covering her face. “Oh no, what if he disbands the harem for me? How dreadful…”

Jiang Fuling: “…”

Watching her scowl was pure bliss for Ming Ming. Then a lightbulb flicked on—if Jiang Fuling really was the female lead, maybe she could try developing an alternate storyline.

She asked, “Do you want to be with the emperor?”

“Are you bragging to my face?” Jiang Fuling curled her lip. “How would I even be with him? I’ve barely seen him! What, you going to hand him over to me?”

“How could I ‘hand him over’? He’s not some object…” Ming Ming said reasonably. “I know how much you care for him, and I’d like to help. Honestly, you two are a perfect match.”

Jiang Fuling wavered, trying to stay composed. “…Really?”

“Of course. A brilliant man and a beautiful woman, made for each other.”

Ming Ming leaned in with a conspiratorial gleam. “Don’t you want the emperor’s love? Don’t you want to rise above everyone else in the harem? Don’t you want a legendary romance with him—one that’s unique and eternal? Join me, and I can make it happen.”

Jiang Fuling stared at her blankly. “Why do you sound so much like Jiang Ruotian?”

Ming Ming blinked. Guiltily, she wondered—was Jiang Ruotian also out here spreading a gospel?

Out loud, she asked, “She also wants to help you win the emperor’s favor?”

“Her? She doesn’t care about me.” Jiang Fuling kicked at a stone, voice sulky. “Whenever I go looking for her, she’s always busy with who knows what. The harem is boring as hell. Without the emperor’s affection, there’s nothing but scheming. She doesn’t play those games. What could she possibly be so busy with?”

Ming Ming looked to the sky. Maybe… saving humanity, pursuing world peace? Either way, her persuasion tactics wouldn’t work on Jiang Ruotian.

That’s why Ming Ming secretly hoped Jiang Fuling was the real heroine.

“So, do you want my help or not? If not, I’ll just give this chance to someone else.”

Clearly tempted, Jiang Fuling was conflicted. But suspicion lingered. “You really have a way? The emperor listens to you?”

At that, her face darkened, muttering, “Hmph, I don’t even want him. He’s already… with you. I demand purity. I can’t take a tainted man.”

“What’s there to worry about? You’re pure!” Ming Ming urged sincerely. “He’s the emperor—three thousand beauties in the harem is normal. You need to understand. He’s a man. But think about it: even if you’re not his first woman, you could be his last. Isn’t that better?”

That struck a nerve. Jiang Fuling’s eyes lit up, mind whirring with calculations: ‘The Son of Heaven + a reformed playboy = one true love.’

Sweet as hell!

Her heart raced. She was already daydreaming about the future when a thought jolted her. Why would this favored concubine hand her such an opportunity?

“Wait. What’s your angle?”

“Angle? Come on, what angle could I have?” Ming Ming shrank herself down, playing humbly. “I’m just saying—if you and the emperor get along, promise me we’ll live in peace. Don’t bully me later, okay?”

If she couldn’t tell who the real heroine was, why not stick to the main route? Get the male and female lead together, and secure a promise they wouldn’t torment her.

Ming Ming had even run this plan by the system. It said it might work—Jiang Fuling did seem a little slow.

But now the system was horrified. “You’re way too blunt! She might be dumb, but she’s a transmigrator too. Only an idiot wouldn’t notice something’s off.”

“Think about what you just said—does it even make sense? You’re bound to slip up.”

Sure enough, Jiang Fuling narrowed her eyes. “You’re acting weird.”

“Weird how?”

“You never talked like this before. Who taught you to talk this way?”

“…I just picked it up from watching you and Sister Ruotian.” Ming Ming blinked innocently. “Is this another thing only legitimate daughters get to do?”

Jiang Fuling thought it over with her walnut-sized brain and decided it was convincing. Magnanimously, she said, “Fine. I’ll let it slide this time.”

Ming Ming: See?

System: …Unbelievable.

Jiang Fuling decided Jiang Zhelan was simply awed by her personal charm. After all, she was from the modern world, and here she was the legitimate daughter. Naturally, concubine-born girls were destined to admire her.