After I Traveled Through Time, My Gentle Brother Turned Dark - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

None of that mattered to me. I was busy asking around the harem about what my brother had been up to all these years.

Without exception, everyone said he was a tyrant.

“His Majesty is impossible to serve. He smashes things at the slightest provocation. One girl in my palace only spilled a little soup, and he had her beaten to death.”

“Beating one person to death is nothing. The palace maids and eunuchs who had served His Majesty for over ten years were all killed by him a few years ago. Not a single one was left.”

My expression shifted. “Is he really that cruel…?”

Just as I was having the time of my life gossiping with his consorts, he suddenly appeared behind me. Standing beside him was a man as elegant and refined as jade.

Meng Qingran called out through gritted teeth, “Ranran, you’ve gotten bold. You even dare say things that could cost you your head.”

I glanced at the man beside him and decided to give him some face.

“Your Majesty, Ranran was wrong.”

The man chuckled softly and asked, “Ziheng, where did this lively little sister of yours come from? I’ve never heard you mention her before.”

Zhao Ziheng was the name Meng Qingran went by now. He said helplessly, “This girl kept it hidden the whole time. I only found out recently myself.”

He introduced him to me. “Ranran, this is the Heir of Prince Ruyang, and also my best friend, Lu Hansheng.”

When Lu Hansheng heard the words “best friend,” something flashed through his eyes, gone in an instant-but I caught it.

He smiled at me carelessly, without the slightest awkwardness at having been discovered.

I thought to myself, My brother really is stupid. He sees the man as a friend, but that doesn’t mean the man sees him the same way.

Lu Hansheng had a strange charm that made people want to get close to him. No matter what my brother said, he could respond perfectly. Even I, just an onlooker, felt that listening to him speak was a pleasure.

But the more perfect a person seemed, the more likely there was something wrong with them. Especially since I had already spotted a flaw.

The two of them walked ahead while I stared from behind.

Suddenly, Meng Qingran turned to look at me. After a moment of conflict, he said, “Ranran, you keep sneaking looks at Hansheng. Don’t tell me you’re secretly in love with him?”

I nearly spat blood on the spot. It was bad enough that Meng Qingran was stupid; he was also blind in both eyes and heart.

Lu Hansheng raised an eyebrow, his calm face filled with amusement.

Resisting the urge to pour water into Meng Qingran’s head and rinse out his brain, I answered with a smile that did not reach my eyes, “Your Majesty truly has sharp eyes. Heir Lu is such an outstanding man. Of course Ranran likes him very much!”

Meng Qingran was shocked. He immediately shielded Lu Hansheng behind him. “Ranran, I’m begging you as your brother-like someone else. With how lazy you are, I cannot let you ruin Hansheng.”

Damn it. Dog Emperor!

A goddess like me paired with Lu Hansheng? More than enough.

Meng Qingran ignored my murderous glare and complained to Lu Hansheng in a mournful voice, “This sister of mine has never lifted a finger in her life and can’t tell grain from weeds. She sleeps until the sun is high in the sky every day. Tell me, how could I bear to let her harm you?”

Lu Hansheng’s peach-blossom eyes seemed to hold a spring breeze, intoxicating and gentle.

He looked at me and said, “This humble subject actually finds the princess quite adorable like this.”

Meng Qingran fell silent.

“As long as you like it…”

Although I knew Lu Hansheng’s words might not be sincere, I still shot Meng Qingran a provocative glance, lifting my chin and puffing out my chest with unbearable pride.