Chapter 47 – Ancient Era: A Dance to Enchant the City—The Emperor’s Celestial Fairy (17)
[Detecting host in danger. Initiating emergency protection mode.]
The mechanical voice startled the system, which had been studying in the little black room. It scrambled out in a panic, rolling and tumbling in its rush.
The moment it emerged, the unprepared system gulped down several mouthfuls of water. Spluttering, it quickly activated a protective shield around itself and Bai Tang.
“Oh no! Tang Tang! Tang Tang—!”
Although it was called a small pond, the water was actually quite deep. At the bottom, there was a passage that connected directly to the large imperial garden lake.
Unfortunately, the system had been too complacent earlier, recklessly using up almost all the energy it had gathered in the first world. Now, it could barely sustain the protective shield for long.
Hearing the approaching clamor of footsteps outside the pond, the system used its remaining strength to push Bai Tang toward the surface before the shield collapsed completely.
[Beep beep beep—Energy insufficient. Energy insufficient.]
Just as Bai Tang was about to break the water’s surface, the mechanical voice cruelly shattered the system’s last glimmer of hope.
Suddenly, a strong and powerful arm reached into the water, pulling Bai Tang into an embrace.
The system blinked in disbelief.
It’s the male lead.
For the first time ever, the system found the male lead quite pleasing to the eye.
“Splash—!”
Jiang Liangwu broke through the surface, carrying Bai Tang in his arms.
“There! The Emperor and the Consort are there!”
Eunuch Li, with sharp eyes, immediately spotted them. He hurriedly ordered the palace servants to pull them out of the water, prepare hot water, and summon the imperial physicians.
“I’m fine.”
Jiang Liangwu strode into Tiancheng Palace, holding Bai Tang tightly.
Bai Tang’s eyes remained shut, his face deathly pale, sending chills down everyone’s spine.
“Tang Tang… Tang Tang…!”
Jiang Liangwu’s hands trembled as he reached out to check Bai Tang’s breath.
Almost nothing.
His heart clenched in panic, and a wave of regret and self-reproach consumed him.
“Tang Tang, wake up… wake up…”
They say that men do not shed tears easily—unless they are truly heartbroken.
Jiang Liangwu held Bai Tang in his arms, his silent cries filled with despair.
“Don’t leave me… please, don’t. I was wrong… I shouldn’t have asked. Come back, I won’t say anything anymore… I won’t ask anything anymore…”
Fortunately, the system was well-prepared and had divided its energy reserves into several portions, allowing it to activate the healing mode.
“Hurry! The imperial physician—quickly!”
Eunuch Li urged the physician forward. As they arrived, they saw the emperor cradling the consort in his arms, while the surrounding attendants held their breath, too afraid to make a sound.
“Eunuch Li… the consort… has passed.”
A young eunuch whispered cautiously.
Eunuch Li’s heart clenched, and he immediately turned to observe the emperor’s reaction.
As expected, Jiang Liangwu gently laid Bai Tang down, then grabbed a dagger, aiming it at his own abdomen.
“Your Majesty—!”
Eunuch Li rushed forward, grabbing the blade with his bare hands. Blood gushed from his palm.
“Please reconsider, Your Majesty!”
“Let go.”
Jiang Liangwu’s eyes were bloodshot. Without Tang Tang, nothing else mattered.
Eunuch Li stole a glance at the consort—only to see Bai Tang cough weakly.
“Your Majesty, listen! The consort—he’s breathing! He coughed!”
Before Eunuch Li could finish, Jiang Liangwu had already heard it.
He let the dagger fall from his grasp and pulled Bai Tang tightly into his arms.
“Thank goodness… thank goodness… You haven’t left me…”
“I won’t force you anymore. I swear, I won’t force you again.”
Jiang Liangwu, looking almost delirious, was in such a state that even the imperial physicians—who had been roughly pushed aside—didn’t dare utter a word. Instead, they busied themselves dressing Eunuch Li’s wound.
“Cough, cough…”
Bai Tang struggled for breath. The sensation of nearly drowning was unbearable.
“Honestly, burning to death might have been better. Drowning is far too painful.”
Meanwhile, Jiang Liangwu continued muttering: “I won’t force you anymore… I won’t force you anymore…”
Then, a soft, delicate voice asked hesitantly: “R-really?”
“Really.”
Jiang Liangwu took Bai Tang’s hand and, without hesitation, slapped himself—hard—on both cheeks.
“Punish me however you want. As long as you don’t leave me, I don’t care what happens.”
The once-proud son of heaven, the emperor himself, was now humbly begging for Bai Tang’s forgiveness.
“Enough!” Bai Tang suddenly shouted, yanking his hand away.
But then, seeing the bright red marks on Jiang Liangwu’s handsome face, his heart ached.
He hesitated before gently reaching out, fingertips lightly brushing over the bruised skin.
“Does… does it hurt?”
Jiang Liangwu grasped Bai Tang’s hand and placed it against his chest. “My face doesn’t hurt. But this… this does.”
His voice was hoarse with emotion.
Bai Tang’s heart tensed. “Then… then I’ll tell you…”
“No need.” Jiang Liangwu interrupted him, shaking his head.
“Don’t say anything. As long as you’re here… nothing else matters.” He gently brushed aside the stray strands of hair sticking to Bai Tang’s damp forehead, then pressed a reverent kiss against it.
Author’s Note:
I originally planned to mix a little heartbreak into the sweetness, but in the end, I just couldn’t bear to hurt my dear Tang Tang.
Are my little cuties back in class now? Am I about to be left playing all by myself? (；′⌒`)