General 7
Zhang Xiaosheng, still half-asleep, stumbled back to his room. He smacked his forehead against the doorframe, causing a noticeable lump to form, yet he still refused to open his eyes.
Muttering to himself in self-delusion, “I’m dreaming, I’m dreaming…”
Nie Rong watched his subordinate’s foolish antics with an inscrutable expression.
Yet, Zhang Xiaosheng’s words had somehow cleared his mind like a sudden enlightenment. The emotions he had been unable to grasp were now as clear as day.
He had feelings for the emperor.
. . . . .
That good-for-nothing emperor had only acted diligent for two days before reverting to his usual self.
Ministers attending the morning court stood in small groups, whispering about it amongst themselves.
None of them seemed particularly disappointed—it was just business as usual.
Nie Rong had woken up early today just to see the little emperor sooner. Yet, even after all the officials had arrived, the person meant to be seated on the throne was nowhere to be found.
If the mountain won’t come to me, then I shall go to the mountain.
Without hesitation, he waved off the ministers who tried to make small talk and strode out of the hall with a dark expression.
Meanwhile, Shen Xing was, as always, surrounded by a crowd of flatterers. When he saw Nie Rong leave, his brows furrowed slightly.
He hesitated for a moment but ultimately chose to stay, continuing to play his game of deception.
With the arrival of the new top scholar, many ministers had started scheming again. He needed to secure his own position first.
Surprisingly, it was Ye Baishang who followed after Nie Rong.
Both of them were heading in the same direction.
They were both looking for the emperor.
Today was Ye Baishang’s first time attending court, yet the emperor was absent. His colleagues all acted as if this was routine, and some even began openly discussing the emperor, throwing out insult after insult.
Tyrant. Useless ruler. Good-for-nothing…
None of these words matched the clean and bright young man he had seen just yesterday.
He needed to see the emperor for himself and ask him why he didn’t come to court.
Nie Rong shot him a glance but didn’t say a word—he simply picked up his pace.
. . . . .
Meanwhile, completely unaware that both the protagonist shou and the villain were on their way to find him, Tang Xi was still lying in bed, blushing furiously.
Now that he was sober, he hadn’t forgotten what happened last night.
Begging Nie Rong not to leave while lying in bed with cat ears on full display…
[1551! Refund my points!]
1551 defended itself: [I’ve already filed a dispute with the Host Consumer Complaints Association. The issue with the item has nothing to do with me.]
Besides, once points entered its pocket, no one could take them back.
[I swear, I’ll turn you into a cat toy!]
[Wait, don’t! I’ll pick a proper ‘never-get-drunk’ identity for you in the next world! Trust me! Look, last time, you wanted an identity where you could do whatever you wanted, so I picked the most noble status for you…] The system’s voice grew weaker and weaker.
[Oh? The ‘useless emperor’?] The cat emperor’s tone was ice cold.
1551: …No comment.
“Your Majesty, it’s time for morning court.”
Eunuch De stood outside the door, calling out cautiously.
The emperor had neither summoned them nor made a sound all morning. The palace maids on duty didn’t dare knock.
From inside the room, a sulky voice snapped, “I’m not going!”
For the first time since arriving in this world, Tang Xi decided to imitated the original character’s temper.
Smashing an expensive-looking vase directly against the door, shattering it into countless pieces.
Outside, the palace maids and young eunuchs trembled in fear, worried that the tyrant might be in a bad mood again and would have someone executed.
“Yes.” Eunuch De bowed skillfully.
He didn’t try to persuade further—he knew that once the young emperor made a decision, a mere servant like him could not change it.
Just as he was about to withdraw, a voice called out from behind.
“Eunuch De.”
Nie Rong stopped Eunuch De before he could perform his salute.
“General Nie, what brings you here? And Master Ye as well.” Eunuch De looked at them in surprise.
“I’ve come to see His Majesty. Please announce my presence.”
The deep voice traveled straight into Tang Xi’s ears, every single word clear as day.
Speaking so loudly right at the door—anyone with ears could hear it. What was the point of an announcement?
Tang Xi, feeling annoyed, pulled the blanket over himself, wrapping up tightly. “I’m not seeing anyone!”
Ye Baishang was a man of strict discipline. Upon hearing this, he obediently remained outside, waiting patiently.
Nie Rong, however, let out a short chuckle and pushed the door open without hesitation, completely ignoring the palace guards and servants.
Rules had never mattered to him since childhood.
Some guards stepped forward to stop him, but at a single glance from him, they froze in place.
That was the gaze of a man who had walked through mountains of corpses and rivers of blood.
Eunuch De was also stunned. Before he could react, Nie Rong had already entered the room.
Just as Eunuch De considered rushing in to protect his master, the young emperor’s furious and embarrassed voice rang out from inside:
“Don’t come in!”
Eunuch De and Ye Baishang exchanged glances, momentarily unsure of whom the emperor was addressing. Neither dared to move rashly.
Meanwhile, Nie Rong strode in without a care and sat boldly on the young emperor’s bed.
The emperor’s bed smelled just as sweet as he did.
Though his expression remained serious, his actions were anything but—he shamelessly took in a deep breath.
Sensing something was off, Tang Xi peeked out from his cocoon of blankets in disbelief. “What are you doing?!”
The young emperor had just emerged from the blankets, his soft, flushed face making one irresistibly tempted to take a bite and see if he tasted as sweet as he looked.
Nie Rong crossed his long legs, casually concealing an unnatural reaction. “Your Majesty, have you been using rouge and powder?”
“I never use such things.” Tang Xi frowned.
“Then why does Your Majesty smell even more fragrant than a woman?” Nie Rong’s gaze lingered at the collar of his undergarment.
He didn’t look like a mighty and imposing general—more like some shameless rogue. Yet, with such a striking face, even the one being teased couldn’t help but flush with embarrassment.
Tang Xi’s face reddened even further, unsure whether it was out of anger or shame. “Get out!”
Nie Rong not only refused to leave but grew even bolder, reaching out to pat the young emperor’s head. With a serious expression, he said, “They’re gone.”
His tone was so natural that Tang Xi took a moment to realize he was talking about the cat ears. Once it clicked, he hurriedly slapped Nie Rong’s hand away, threatening, “You’d better forget what happened last night, or else—”
Before he could finish, he was interrupted.
“I can’t. It was too adorable.”
He spoke so solemnly, as if he were discussing military strategy, leaving Tang Xi momentarily stunned.
Seeing no way to win the argument, Tang Xi resorted to throwing a pillow at him—and even hurled a luminous pearl his way.
Nie Rong caught the pearl mid-air, turning it over in his palm playfully. “Does Your Majesty like these little trinkets? The general’s manor has plenty. Would you like to come back with me and take a look?”
Even 1551 couldn’t help but comment: [The villain looks like some perverted man luring a small animal.]
Tang Xi shrank back in fear, but once he realized what he was doing, he immediately flared up like a startled cat, yelling at him to leave. When he ran out of things to throw, he kicked out instead.
But as soon as his fair, delicate foot stretched out, it was caught.
Nie Rong gave it a light squeeze. “Just as soft as your hands.” His nails were small and pink, just like his toes.
Tang Xi’s feet were smooth, without a single callus—clearly the feet of someone pampered from birth, who had never walked much. They were even smaller than an average man’s, but perfectly proportioned. Yet, against Nie Rong’s rough palm, the sensation was both painful and ticklish.
“Let go.” His voice softened involuntarily as his foot was held captive.
Nie Rong didn’t just refuse to let go—he pulled the foot into his lap instead. Half-threatening, half-pleading, he said, “If Your Majesty comes to my manor, I’ll release you.”
First, he had asked him to drink together at night. Now, he was demanding a visit to his estate. Did Nie Rong take him, the emperor, for some kind of personal plaything?!
Fuming, Tang Xi bit down on Nie Rong’s arm. He bit hard, but all he left was a neat row of shallow marks on the man’s tough skin, along with a faint trace of saliva.
Nie Rong didn’t even flinch, letting him bite as he pleased. His gaze darkened slightly as he stared at the moisture left behind. When he spoke again, his voice was strangely hoarse.
“If Your Majesty refuses, I’ll call the others in. Let them see their noble emperor like this.”
It was only then that Tang Xi realized how compromising their position was. His foot was still in Nie Rong’s grip, and his entire body was nearly pulled into the man’s embrace.
Nie Rong’s arm still bore a suspicious bite mark.
There was no way he could let anyone see this.
Tang Xi gritted his teeth. “Fine! I agree! Now let go of me!”
Hearing him give in so quickly, Nie Rong looked a little disappointed, but he finally let go. Before releasing him completely, he even rubbed his thumb along the sole of his foot.
Tang Xi shot him a fierce glare, but Nie Rong only accepted it with delight.
Seething, Tang Xi got up to dress, deliberately ignoring Nie Rong the entire time.
To further spite him, he even called Ye Baishang inside and spoke to him with uncharacteristic gentleness.
“Does Master Ye have a preferred official position in mind?” Tang Xi asked, putting on what he thought was a dignified expression—but it only made him look adorably soft.
Even though he was nothing more than a powerless puppet, even if the protagonist shou voiced his ambitions, Tang Xi wouldn’t be able to help him much.
Ye Baishang, however, seemed a bit excited. “I wish to join the Ministry of Works.”
“The Ministry of Works?”
Tang Xi barely managed to suppress his surprise. He hadn’t expected that answer.
In the original storyline, Ye Baishang had been assigned to the Ministry of Revenue by Shen Xing. He had risen through the ranks there and eventually became the Minister of Revenue, proving to be a great help.
But to think that, from the very beginning, his true aspiration had been the Ministry of Works…
Tang Xi’s youthful face showed a hint of curiosity and enthusiasm. “Why the Ministry of Works?”
Just like his younger brother, he really was still just a kid.
Ye Baishang’s heart softened, and his voice became even gentler. Without realizing it, he started talking about his aspirations.
His hometown had once suffered from a massive flood, so he wanted to work in the Ministry of Works to help places like his hometown.
Tang Xi couldn’t help but nod repeatedly as he listened, and the atmosphere between them was just right.
Meanwhile, Nie Rong, who had been watching from the side, grew increasingly gloomy. Finally, just as Ye Baishang was about to bring up another topic, he directly pulled Tang Xi away.
Tang Xi glared at him with cat-like eyes full of anger, but there was nothing he could do. Under the watchful eyes of the public, he didn’t want to lose face, so he had no choice but to go along.
The little emperor valued his dignity in front of others.
Fueled by jealousy, Nie Rong dragged the little emperor all the way to the imperial garden. Though he was fuming, he was still careful not to grip too tightly and hurt him.
As soon as they arrived, a delicate, honeyed voice called out from behind.
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”
The sound sent shivers down Tang Xi’s spine. He turned his head in confusion toward the source of the voice.
A stunning beauty, dressed in pink with an elaborate pearl hairpin adorning her head, rushed toward him.
“Stop,” Nie Rong commanded in a low voice.
Startled, the beauty halted abruptly, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked pitifully at Tang Xi. “Your Majesty, who is this man? He’s so scary!”
Tang Xi: …And who might you be?
He quickly searched the original character’s memories for any recollection of her, and his heart sank.
Sure enough, the moment she saw the confusion on Tang Xi’s face, the beauty became even more upset. Ignoring everything, she raised her voice.
“Your Majesty, have you forgotten Xiao Xiu?”
“Back in Jiangnan, you said I was a beauty nurtured by the waters of the South and promised to take me to the palace, granting me wealth and glory. But it has been an entire month since you last visited me!”
Recalling her personality from the original character’s memories, Tang Xi felt a headache coming on.
He didn’t even dare to turn around to look at his poop scooper’s expression—it was definitely terrifying.