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Chapter 10 Request

(Foreword. This chapter is really hard to translate @[emailprotected] Really doing my best to make some sense here.)

When Li Xiao grabbed his hand, Song Song froze in confusion. He couldn't figure out what Li Xiao was talking about, that was until he saw the eunuch trembling on the ground.

He immediately explained: "Your highness really thinks too highly of me. This gongong is so powerful, just now he almost got violent in the estate. I spent such a huge effort to placate him. How could I dare hit him?"

He was just a simple commoner. Although he ended the king's estate and gained Li Xiao's favor, he was still just a commoner. If someone was willing to show him courtesy as a sign of respect to Li Xiao, then that person understands etiquette. If they're not willing to show him any courtesy and even tries to harm him, then it's out of his control.

There's a saying. Officials one rank superior overpowers the inferior. This is also the reason why Song Song didn't rashly go with this eunuch to visit the Empress.

(Note: Okay author, what the fck. Here's what I think they mean. Song Song is saying here that people of higher rank usually bully those who are lower. While there might be people who treat him well as courtesy to Li Xiao, there are also those who won't and can easily hurt him. He knows that if he went with this eunuch, he'll definitely get bullied by the eunuch or by the empress herself. And since he's just a commoner, there's nothing he could do to protect himself if that happened. That's why he didn't go.)

Li Xiao said: "Now that's just strange. Liang gongong, how did your face end up like this then?

Back then, Song Song only fake called Li Xiao's name once to purposely intimidate Liang gongong. That already scared him into cold sweats. Now that the mad king was physically standing right here, the eunuch was even more terrified, shaking for quite a while before his face scrunched up and replied: "It's.. it's because this servant accidentally fell. It has nothing to do with Song gongzi!"

At this time, if he continued to insist that it was Li Xiao's person that hit him, the other would probably straight up draw his blade and cut off his neck. If he said he hit himself, that's even worse. That would signify that he was deliberately stirring conflict between wangye and the empress, with malicious intent. Neither side would let him live.

Song Song's position was low, so he quietly stood half a step behind Li Xiao. Li Xiao, on the other hand, took a step forward and said with a smile. "So why did gongong come to my place? And what made you have to use force?"

The eunuch saw his feet like he just saw his own dead body, and bowed his head soundly on the ground. "Wangye please calm down. This servant doesn't dare to use force in your estate. I only came to pass on the empress's words for Song gongzi. Song gongzi, Song gongzi this servant never meant to be rude to you. Please say something."

He was able to see now that Song Song was indeed favored, so asked him to testify for him in front of Li Xiao as a show of respect. His attention to Song Song really did please Li Xiao, who turned his head to pull Song Song in front of him. He asked:

"Is he telling the truth?"

Song Song glanced at the eunuch's bruised forehead and did not give an exact reply but replied: "Your highness already made a decision, with the intent to be merciful. Therefore, who am I to say otherwise?"

This reply was extremely well worded.. Liang gongong almost threw up a mouthful of blood. Song Song implied: Look. I didn't say you weren't rude, but rather it's his highness who was merciful. If sometimes in the future, he changes his mind, then you better watch your head.

How was Song Song a pushover? He's clearly: You wrong me once, I'll make you suffer 100 times over. This wasn't someone who'd lose out.

Alright, alright. If there are anymore errands to come to this place in the future, he'll definitely decline whenever he can. And if he can't, he'd rather self-mutilate than come here!

This kind of Song Song in Li Xiao's eyes, however, was very attractive, shining bright. He reached out a hand and hooked Song Song's chin. Song Song pushed down his hand and said "Since wangye has returned and the soup is already cooking. This commoner really can't keep delaying the Empress, so I'll be entering the palace with gonggong."

Jiang gongong already saw through his scheme, no ripples in his heart. Unsurprisingly, he heard the mad king reply: "If that's the cause, this king will go together with Song-er and see just what the empress wants."

Song Song went to change his clothes. As a male pet, he has no qualification to wear a hair crown. However, to avoid appearing rude in front of the empress, he still tied his long hair up with a ribbon. At a glance, he looked plain and composed. Other than his gradually filling in face, growing more exquisite day by day, he looked no different from a regular scholar. Such a good looking face even made him seem a bit harmless.

In the empress's palace, Madam Song was currently pacing around with a cold face. It's been a few days since her complaint reached here, but the empress made her wait all this time. The reason being that Song Song was extremely favored by the mad king at the moment. If they summoned Song Song and accidentally invited the mad king as well, then it would be hard to punish him.

Today was a good day. After court, the mad king would go straight to the army camp. Originally the plan was to bring Song Song over by noon time, however, now it's almost around 3pm, the person was still not here. Madam Song couldn't hold back and asked: "Your empress, is Liang gongong's competence trustworthy?

The empress also frowned, turning her head to look at the eunuch by her side. This eunuch looked very skinny, elderly in age. He immediately responded. "That youngster always to become this servant's adopted son to better serve you. He will definitely complete this task with all his effort."

"Then why hasn't he brought that bastard child back yet?"

To madam Song's cursing, the empress only shook her head lightly. She was the elder sister of the house and was used to being lenient to her younger brothers and sisters. She knew this sister of hers had a spoiled and stubborn personality, so she didn't bother scold her.

Madam Song tore at her handkerchief viciously. "My Ah-Shi just barely managed to get out of bed these last two days while that bastard child already climbed to the top of the capital, basking in the limelights. When he arrives, I will definitely make sure he won't be able to leave alive."

Hearing her say this, the empress's features instantly chilled a degree. "This matter I will deal with for you, so restrain those wild thoughts of yours. If the mad king gets triggered because of them, even I won't be able to protect you."

Madam Song was also aware that she can't really kill Song Song. She returned to grinding her teeth, stating: "Sister, please calm. I was just venting I won't commit murder. At least, at the very least, I'll feed him some very small needles and let him have a taste of how it feels."

Probably because she could understand madam Song's eagerness to get revenge for her child, the empress did not say anymore to tell her to stop. They waited 15 more minutes. Madam Song was so restless in the chair, she practically rubbed away her buttocks. Finally, they heard movement from outside. Madam Song immediately sat up in the chair, chin held high, her appearance overflowing with malice.

The next second, from the outside came the sound of the servants' greeting: "This servant welcome Ping Wang, your highness!"

(Remember that Li Xiao's official title is Ping Wang , which roughly translates to King of Peace / Harmony.)

Seeing the face of that extremely intimidating man walk in together with Song Song, the empress who had been sitting unperturbed instantly stiffened. Li Xiao greeted her: "This son pays respect to mother. Wishing mother peace."

"Xiao-er" The empress said hastily: "Please, please sit."

Madam Song stood up quickly and bowed.

Song Song, very properly, knelt down and bowed his head to the floor: "This commoner greets your majesty."

Li Xiao continued to stand without moving. The empress can only say: "So this is Song gongzi please, please get up."

Li Xiao personally helped Song Song off the floor and brought him to sit together in chairs placed to the side. He said: "I heard mother had things to discuss with Song-er. Since it's been so long since I've come for a visit, I just invited myself here as well. Please don't blame him."

The empress's smile carried a hint of unease. She spoke softly, words extremely proper, completely without any thorns. "Xiao-er worries too much. This empress didn't call Song gongzi here for anything important. But seeing Madam Song is here, I specifically called him to catch up on what's happening at home.

Li Xiao chuckled, gaze turning to Madam Song. "If madam Song missed Song-er so much, then why haven't you visited my estate?"

(Note: Suddenly I feel like jumping forward to explain. The Song for madam Song is the last name. Whereas the Song-er that Xi Liao uses affectionately is Song Song's first name.)

Madam Song hadn't interacted with many outsiders in her life. Seeing Li Xiao, who looked crazy even while smiling, practically all of her limbs started trembling wildly. She gathered her courage, but still couldn't meet him in the eye, and said with a shifty look: "Your, your house "

She didn't even finish her sentence when the empress interrupted: "Although Song gongzi is staying with Xiao-er at the moment, it's only temporary. How could Madam Song go and disturb like this?"

Although spoken with tact, the explanation was still somewhat demeaning to Song Song. It even used Li Xiao as the reason to lower him. In the end, what she meant was: Song Song was just a small male pet. Although he occupied Li Xiao's favor, how could he have the right to allow family to come visit and reminisce. Was he so arrogant to treat Li Xiao's territory as his own place?

Song Song looked down without speaking. Unless he was directly questioned, he had no qualification to interrupt.

The empress finished, then changed her mind and said without waiting for Li Xiao's reply: "Why don't we do this. Tomorrow, let Song gongzi return home to live for a few days, that way he can spend some private time to catch up with Madam Song. What do you think?"

Saying this, she planned to shove Song Song into the tiger's den.

The corner of Li Xiao's mouth curved. The empress instantly felt a chill to the back of her neck. She moved restlessly in her chair for a second, already prepared to hear Li Xiao's refusal. However, he said instead: "Mother is right. This son was careless."

Yet she couldn't completely relax, because Li Xiao clearly had more to say. As expected---

"A few days ago, father was just scolding me, saying that my brothers all had main wifes, but only I lacked a partner, don't even have anyone at home to help me with family matters How about this, why don't mother help me obtain an imperial edict to marry Song-er? You're his blood related aunt. Surely you can't stand seeing him continue to suffer this grievance."

(Jumping in to strongly emphasize. Li Xiao calls the empress 'mother', but they're not related by blood. I don't want you guys to get confused and think Li Xiao is somehow related to Song Song. They're not related.)

He ignored the empress's face of astonishment, pitch-black eyes calmly turning to an opened mouthed face full of 'things shouldn't have advanced in this direction' expressed Madam Song, and said:

"People often say that mothers hold deep affection for their son. Look, Madam Song is so happy she can't even speak."

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The author has something to say:

Madam Song: No, I'm not! I'm not happy! Clearly it's only you guys who are happy!!!