Chapter 38 – Ancient Era: A Dance to Enchant the City—The Emperor’s Celestial Fairy (08)
In truth, the system had caught sight of Bai Shang’s jealousy-filled gaze, burning with barely contained rage. A scheme immediately formed in its mind—an effective way to break up the “official” couple by making Bai Tang take the initiative to “throw himself into someone’s arms.”
As expected, the female lead, who had been ignored by everyone, grew unwilling to remain a mere background character. She finally spoke up:
“Tang Tang, it’s already late. If you don’t come home soon, Father will be worried. Stop being willful and come over now.”
Bai Shang thought this would be the perfect opportunity to showcase her understanding and kindness while simultaneously highlighting Bai Tang’s stubbornness. In contrast, she would naturally appear in a better light.
However, everyone present merely looked at her as if she were a fool.
Worried? The way she said it made it sound as if the imperial palace were a den of wolves and tigers.
Hearing this, Bai Tang indeed began to struggle out of the warm embrace he was in. “I want to go home.”
The now-empty embrace still carried the faint milky scent of the young boy. Since it was Bai Tang’s wish, Jiang Liangwu couldn’t force him to stay. Instead, he ordered his people to properly escort the Bai siblings home. Among those accompanying them was Eunuch Li, Jiang Liangwu’s trusted head eunuch.
Prime Minister Bai and Madam Bai hurried out to welcome their children. Eunuch Li, however, simply smiled kindly and murmured, “I wouldn’t dare trouble you.” But as soon as Bai Shang and Bai Tang stepped off the carriage and entered the manor, he turned around and relayed to the Prime Minister and his wife all of their esteemed daughter’s “deeds” in the palace. Maintaining his usual amiable smile, he then returned to the palace to report back.
To be favored by Jiang Liangwu, one naturally had to be adept at reading people’s hearts. He could clearly see that Bai Shang had offended both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, while Bai Tang was someone the Emperor held close to his heart. The relationship between Bai Shang and Bai Tang was undoubtedly a tricky matter—best to let the Prime Minister himself handle the situation and teach his daughter some proper manners.
Madam Bai’s face turned deathly pale in horror. Oh, my daughter! What a catastrophe you’ve caused! If the Empress Dowager decides to hold you accountable, what will we do?
Overwhelmed with worry, Madam Bai immediately grabbed the governess and rushed straight to Bai Shang’s room…
Meanwhile, as soon as Bai Tang returned to his courtyard, the system immediately activated healing mode, restoring his ankle to perfect condition.
“Qiu’er, I feel awful.” Bai Tang clutched his chest. The emotional highs and lows of tonight had completely exceeded a squirrel’s capacity to handle stress.
At a time like this, comforting the host was the worst possible choice—it would only backfire, making the person receiving comfort even more upset.
The system closed its book and gave itself a pep talk. Alright, Qiu‘er, you’re the one destined to pull the host out of this sea of suffering!
Following the book’s guidance, it skipped any unnecessary words and went straight for the ultimate solution—pine nuts, sourced from the very forest where Bai Tang originally lived.
Sure enough, the moment Bai Tang saw the pine nuts, his tears vanished. He eagerly took them with both hands.
Method Two: Diversion Tactic.
The system pondered for a moment, then squinted at Bai Tang, who was happily nibbling on the nuts, his cheeks puffed out. Yes, you’re the perfect target!
“Tang Tang~~~” The system’s voice was as sweet and tempting as a big bad wolf luring a little child. “Do you want to turn back into a little squirrel~~~?”
Bai Tang, still chewing on his pine nuts, nodded enthusiastically, his shimmering eyes brimming with anticipation. Yes! I really, really do!
With a poof!, the delicate young boy vanished from the room. His clothes on the bed rustled slightly before a fluffy little head poked out from a sleeve.
“Chirp chirp chirp—”
The tiny squirrel twitched its little nose, then scurried to the foot of the bed to retrieve the half-eaten pine nut, happily resuming his meal. His big, bushy tail swayed in pure joy.
Ah… so cute~~~ The system felt a strange tickling sensation in its nose. Then, suddenly, it realized—something black was about to leak out.
It touched its nose. Oh, it’s just machine oil.
…Wait. Machine oil?!
[Beep beep beep!!! Initiating self-diagnosis mode!]
The little squirrel turned around in confusion. “Qiu’er, are you malfunctioning again?”
“…No.” The system let out a long sigh of relief. False alarm. There was no way such an advanced system like itself would suffer an oil leak. It had simply been overloaded by extreme cuteness—so much so that it bled machine oil instead of actual blood.
With great reverence, the system carefully placed the book “The Art of Being a Backup Plan: 108 Ways to Stay by Their Side” back in its place. From now on, this book would be its lifeline!
Author’s Note
Mini Theater Time:
System: I have professional-level comforting techniques! (o)
Jiang Liangwu: Tangtang, I love you!
Bai Tang: I—I love you too!ヾ(^▽^)*
System: …