After Failing the Strategy, I Go Crazy and Drain the Cold Emperor - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

This was the ninety-ninth time I had died inside this harem game.

“Li Qianqian, do you have anything else to say?”

Zhao Yu’s expression was indifferent, a faint beauty mark beneath his wickedly alluring peach blossom eyes.

Faced with testimony that seemed as solid as ironclad proof, my heart had long since turned to ash.

“If Your Majesty believes it, then this consort has nothing to say.”

Disappointment colored Zhao Yu’s brows. His long, well-defined fingers tapped lightly against the table.

“The Empress has committed adultery with the Imperial Preceptor Qin Chu and conspired in rebellion. She is to be cast into the Cold Palace, and her household sentenced to execution of the whole family.”

As Zhao Yu’s decree settled into finality, the world before my eyes once again faded to gray.

On the ninety-ninth day of being Zhao Yu’s Empress, I had once again won myself an execution of the whole family. Clearance failed.

As long as I didn’t clear the route, the timeline would loop infinitely.

But it didn’t matter.

I could always go insane!
Time rewound again, back to the Imperial Consort Selection one hundred days ago.

Zhao Yu rested his temple against one hand, his slender, well-defined fingers slowly turning the Buddhist prayer beads in his grasp.

Those dangerously charming peach blossom eyes swept lazily over the Candidate Consorts waiting below the dais.

I knelt before the hall. From her seat on the raised platform, the Empress Dowager smiled warmly and gestured for me to rise.

“A daughter of Chancellor Li’s household is naturally excellent. Tell me, what books have you been reading lately?”

I couldn’t wait to crane my neck and answer.

“Advanced Mathematics, Linear Algebra, Analytic Geometry…”

If I was going to do this, I was going to commit to the madness.

The moment Zhao Yu heard my answer, his face turned livid.

A flash of disbelief even crossed those aloof eyes of his.

The Empress Dowager was seated too far away to hear me clearly, and confusion appeared on her face.

“What did Miss Li say just now?”

Before I could reply, however, Zhao Yu cut in ahead of me.

“Imperial Mother, Miss Li said she has not read much. She has only studied Admonitions for Women and Instructions for Women.”

At that, satisfaction appeared on the Empress Dowager’s face.

“Good. A girl is better off reading fewer books.”

Then, as if afraid I might change my mind, the Empress Dowager immediately issued a decree.

“Candidate Consort Li Qianqian is gentle, modest, and proper. She is hereby bestowed the position of Empress, and shall choose an auspicious day to wed His Majesty.”

Me: “?”

Why was this different from what I had planned?

Seeing me standing there in a daze, Zhao Yu folded his hands together, his peach blossom eyes lifting slightly.

“Li Qianqian, why haven’t you thanked her for the grace?”

An imperial decree could not be defied, so I could only step forward and give a small curtsy.

“This subject’s daughter thanks the Empress Dowager for her grace. However…”

I paused. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Zhao Yu lift a cup of tea, and continued.

“This subject’s daughter observed the stars last night and discovered that today is also an auspicious day. Rather than picking a day, why not seize the day? I ask the Empress Dowager to permit this subject’s daughter and His Majesty to marry today.”

“Pffft-”

The words had barely left my mouth when the tea Zhao Yu had just sipped nearly sprayed out.

The surroundings fell into a deathly silence.

Even the Empress Dowager was so shocked she failed to react for a moment.

After a long while, Zhao Yu’s cool eyes finally shifted.

“Li Qianqian, are you in such a hurry because you won’t live to see tomorrow?”

The Empress Dowager also recovered herself, her expression cooling.

“Li Qianqian, to behave so improperly before the throne-”

Zhao Yu, who had always stayed out of harem affairs, lazily interrupted her at that very moment.

“This is the first time I have ever heard such a request. Why not grant Qianqian’s wish?”

Since Zhao Yu had approved it, the Empress Dowager could hardly refute him. She could only frown slightly.

“Since His Majesty has agreed, then so it shall be.”

The Candidate Consorts at the side looked at me with envy.

“Sister Li, His Majesty cherishes you so much. You are sure to enjoy endless fortune in the future.”

I lifted my eyes and met the faintly cold gaze on the high dais.

My silhouette was clearly reflected in those bottomless pupils.

Resting my chin in my hand, I pondered to myself: Could he really have fallen for me?

From across the distance, his thin lips moved and formed a single word. I could read it easily.

“Scram.”

As expected. I should never have placed any hope in him.