Chapter Thirty-Eight: Just to Disgust You

Di Ying understood perfectly—so perfectly that he shouted directly toward the inner hall.

“Your Majesty!”

Wu Jianhui was dumbfounded.

Damn it, I actually believed this nonsense!

Where did this reckless fool come from? Does he know anything about officialdom, about how to conduct himself? Does he realize his own rank is higher than theirs? Does he know that a higher rank can suppress others, and that the suppressed might be more than one person?

Wu Jianhui wanted to rebuke him.

But Di Ying reacted swiftly. The moment Wu Jianhui’s face darkened, Di Ying immediately opened his mouth wide, craned his neck toward the inner hall, and shot a sidelong glance at Wu Jianhui, hinting that if he dared to scold, Di Ying would keep shouting.

This infuriated the ever-arrogant Wu Jianhui, making his blood boil with anger.

His hands moved faster than his mind; he lunged forward and clamped Di Ying’s mouth shut.

Staring fiercely at Di Ying, his meaning was clear: If you dare shout again, I’ll smother you!

Di Ying allowed Wu Jianhui to hold his mouth, shooting him a sidelong glance, then rolling his eyes to indicate their surroundings, tilting his chin upward, and raising his brows again.

His meaning: Go ahead! Do your worst!

Wu Jianhui ground his teeth, increasing the pressure of his grip.

Di Ying smiled at him.

Then—

He suddenly pressed his entire body against Wu Jianhui.

Wu Jianhui, in his forties and always a civil official, was pale and thin. The abrupt weight from Di Ying caused him to lose balance and tumble to the floor.

His tailbone throbbed, his head knocked against the stone floor, and his chest received a jab from Di Ying’s elbow—whether intentional or not, it was hard to say.

The sharp pain made Wu Jianhui nearly lose consciousness.

As stars danced in his vision, Di Ying suddenly spoke: “Greetings, Your Majesty!”

Wu Jianhui jolted in shock, enduring the pain to kneel and bow, pressing his forehead to the ground and shouting as loudly as he could, “Long live Your Majesty, long live, long, long live!”

Then—

He heard Di Ying’s muffled laughter.

Wu Jianhui looked up in all directions…

Where was the emperor?

“Burp!”

Wu Jianhui slumped over, defeated.

“Hahaha—”

Di Ying burst out laughing.

And the old emperor, who had actually walked over upon hearing the commotion and was now standing at the side hall entrance, was speechless.

She wanted to rub her forehead, and also wondered: What unpredictable future would such an oddity as Di Ying bring to the court?

Perhaps? Things would be lively.

…

Elsewhere, in the villa annex belonging to Wu Jianhui.

In the early morning, messages had been sent through the city gates, and the steward, upon receiving instructions from his master, was still directing the servants in a flurry of activity.

Dozens of people hurried about, leaving traces everywhere.

Yet the steward felt something was amiss. No matter how he looked, it didn’t seem like dozens of thieves had swept through.

He paced and pondered, then finally slapped his forehead and ordered the servants to expand the traces toward the conservatory.

From there, he had thirty horses’ hoofprints lead to the south city gate.

After all was done, he patted his chest in satisfaction and sent someone to inform his master.

Coincidentally, when the messenger found Wu Jianhui, he had just been roused by Di Ying’s needle.

Wu Jianhui awoke in a daze, only to see Di Ying’s face right in front of him, and immediately began breathing heavily, like a toad spirit.

In truth, it wasn’t that Wu Jianhui couldn’t handle Di Ying, nor that he lacked the intent. It was just—he didn’t know why he was lying beside a stinking ditch outside the imperial city.

Furious, he sprang up, didn’t spare Di Ying a glance, and strode away, only to bump into the servant from the annex bringing news.

The two huddled aside, whispering.

Di Ying, meanwhile, crossed his arms leisurely, admiring the wind, the scenery, and—

There was nothing worth admiring by the stinking ditch, so he wandered elsewhere, making it clear he had no intention of eavesdropping.

Seeing Wu Jianhui finish his conversation and prepare to leave, Di Ying sauntered after him.

Wu Jianhui was speechless.

He wanted to ask if Di Ying was some sort of adhesive, but feared being infuriated again, so he pursed his lips and headed toward his residence.

Wu Jianhui was keen to give Di Ying a beating. But Di Ying was an official, so only Wu Jianhui himself could strike, and he knew he couldn’t win.

He decided to bring Di Ying back to his residence. As long as Di Ying followed, Wu Jianhui could have him beaten and tossed somewhere, then wipe his hands clean and deny everything after.

His family wouldn’t be troubled over such a small matter.

But Wu Jianhui’s plans were dashed by Di Ying.

After following for a few moments, Di Ying called out, “Lord Left Minister, please slow down. I’ll go to your annex to inspect the scene first.”

With that, he changed direction.

Wu Jianhui stood, fuming, thought for a moment, then turned and followed Di Ying.

He feared that if Di Ying went alone, this reckless fool would break protocol. He had to keep a close eye and deal with things promptly.

Thus, the situation reversed.

Instead of Di Ying clinging to Wu Jianhui, it was now Wu Jianhui following Di Ying.

And the dizzy, enraged Wu Jianhui hadn’t even realized it, nor noticed that he was walking on foot…

He hadn’t paid attention; his eyes and heart were fixed solely on Di Ying.

Di Ying walked cheerfully and didn’t remind Wu Jianhui about riding.

After all, Di Ying himself was content to walk.

He walked along, quietly muttering to Peng Liang, “I was worrying about finding out who the real master behind the conservatory was, and look, he’s already jumped out.”

Peng Liang glanced at his lord, making sure no passing pedestrians collided with him, and quietly asked, “My lord, now that he’s revealed himself, why are you still sticking to him?”

“To annoy him, of course.”

Di Ying replied, hands clasped behind his back, nodding and swaying.

Peng Liang pursed his lips at that answer.

He didn’t believe it for a moment.

After so long, his lord had never done anything meaningless.

To say it was to annoy Wu Jianhui was more an incidental benefit.

But Peng Liang didn’t expose him, instead changing the subject.

“My lord, whether it’s lost flowers or lost valuables, that man is ultimately the victim. How will you handle it?”

“Victim?”

Di Ying smiled.

After chuckling twice, he continued, “Do you really think he still has that sense? What do you suppose he wants most right now?”