What's With All the Freaks? - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Tan Yin was a little madman I picked up from the streets.

When we first met, this lunatic was covered in blood, using the last of his strength to block my carriage. His face was so bloodied that his features were indistinguishable; only those eyes, dark and sinister, stared at me. “Save me, and I can help you.”

I gathered my wide sleeves and leaned lazily into the embrace of my male consort, raising an eyebrow at him. “I, this princess, do not save just anyone.”

With a flick of his wrist, he hurled the longsword in his hand, skewering the male consort beside me straight through.

My male consort died on the spot.

His blood splattered onto my face.

Tsk.

I feigned outrage. “How bold! You dare kill the male consort given to me by my Imperial Elder Brother!”

The guards beside me were still in shock; only now did they regain their senses to ask, “Eldest Princess, should we kill this brigand?”

I smiled sweetly, my gaze lingering over his body. “He killed one of my male consorts… naturally, he must compensate me with another. Men, call for the imperial physician.”

A gust of wind blew, and he was so weak he nearly collapsed.

I stepped down, using a servant as a human stool. I walked toward him and came to a halt in front of him, scrutinizing his features. “What is your name?”

A dark glint flickered in the depths of his eyes. “Tan Yin.”

“I, this princess, have already sent for the imperial physician. Wait a moment.”

Tan Yin’s gaze was murky and unreadable, as if he were scrutinizing me, wondering what my motives were.

I didn’t shy away, laughing openly and letting him look as much as he pleased. “Is this princess not beautiful enough to topple kingdoms?”

Suddenly, he leaned forward and collapsed onto me.

I didn’t dodge. Instead, I supported him, completely indifferent to the dark red blood staining his body.

After all, he was a hero who had just solved a major headache for me.

I am Grand Princess Zhaoyang of the Jiang Kingdom.

My Imperial Father knew full well that my Imperial Elder Brother was a cruel and treacherous man who would never let me live after ascending the throne. Thus, before he died, he gave the Tiger Tally to me, instructing me to hide it where no one else could ever find it.

The goal was to make my Imperial Elder Brother wary, ensuring he wouldn’t dare move against me recklessly.

After Imperial Father passed away, fearing my Imperial Elder Brother, I moved out of the imperial palace and into the Princess’s Mansion.

I had been pampered since childhood and had no grand ambitions; I wanted nothing more than to live well.

To let him know I truly had no interest in politics, I brought three young playboys into the mansion to serve as my male consorts on the very second day of my residency.

The censors impeached me for it, but instead of blaming me, he shoved another four or five male consorts into my mansion.

I loved listening to music, so the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments never ceased within my walls. My Imperial Elder Brother then recruited musicians from across the realm to be sent to my home.

The whole world knew that His Majesty doted on his younger sister, Grand Princess Zhaoyang, to the extreme.

The whole world also knew that Grand Princess Zhaoyang was a debauched woman who spent her days carousing with male consorts.

I didn’t care that he was ruining my reputation by putting me on a pedestal. However, the latest male consort he sent was constantly groping me and monitoring my every move. Worst of all, I couldn’t simply kill him.

As soon as Tan Yin arrived, he solved that problem for me.

I brought him back to the Princess’s Mansion and had his face washed.

I have seen many handsome men, but his sleeping face alone could surpass them all.

Just as I was studying his face, Tan Yin’s eyes snapped open. Killing intent surged in those dark depths, only to slowly subside once he saw me.

“Princess,” his pale lips moved, his voice raspy.

He looked even better with his eyes open-handsome beyond compare-though his lips were far too pale.

Highly satisfied, I tilted my chin up slightly. “Young Master Tan, you killed one of my pets. I have saved you regardless of that past grievance; isn’t it time you repaid me?”

Tan Yin’s injuries were severe; a normal person would not have woken up in such a short amount of time, proving just how deep his martial arts foundation was.

This man was unfathomable. Whether keeping him would be a blessing or a curse remained to be seen.

However, I was in urgent need of a beautiful and powerful shield.

He happened to possess the appearance and temperament of a fallen immortal, and with his profound martial skills, he could not only protect me but also ensure his own safety.

“What does the princess want?”

My smile did not fade. “Become my male consort.”

Tan Yin’s expression remained blank, his eyes cold. “Request something else.”

“I, this princess, will not do anything to you. You can recover at the Princess’s Mansion; all I need is for you to help me put on a show,” I said with earnest sincerity, crouching down beside the bed to meet his gaze at eye level. “You will simply play the part of my most favored male consort.”

His gaze lingered on my face for a long while before he slowly looked away. “No.”

What a pity.

I stood up.

If he had refused my madman of a brother like that, he would likely be facing execution by dismemberment right now.

Restraining my smile, I looked down at him from a height. “You killed the male consort sent by the Emperor. His Majesty will not let you off. The only way you can survive is by becoming my male consort.”

He let out a light chuckle. That reckless laugh was far too similar to my crazy brother’s. “And what of it?”

Realizing he was a madman, I couldn’t help but take a small step back. “You would rather die than be my male consort?”

“Come closer.”

He suddenly glanced at me, seemingly having noticed my retreat.

Madman! Do you think I, this princess, am someone to be manipulated by you?!

Unwilling to talk any further, I snapped my wide sleeves and turned to leave.

However, Tan Yin caught the edge of my sleeve, his words shocking. “Does the princess want the throne?”

The feminine yet ruthless face of my Imperial Elder Brother flashed through my mind.

I shook my head subconsciously. “No, I don’t.”

Snapping back to my senses, I glared at him, a wave of lingering fear washing over me. “Are you seeking death?! Is this mansion… a place where you can speak such nonsense?!”

“Audacious!” I yanked my sleeve from his grasp and, after leaving him with those angry words, turned and left.

That night, I was summoned to the palace.

The Emperor was reviewing memorials, so I knelt in the hall, waiting for him to tell me to rise.

He continued his work for a long time without even looking up, as if he didn’t know I was there.

He always enjoyed using this method to punish people.

After an unknown amount of time, my knees could no longer support me; they were aching, swollen, and numb.

Finally, he spoke. “Ming Si, come. Grind some ink for me.”

I stood up as if granted a divine reprieve, making my way toward him with difficulty on my numb legs. “Yes.”

I stood by his side, quietly grinding the ink. He still didn’t look up, focusing intently on the memorials.

He and I were born of the same mother, both legitimate children of the Empress.

He was three years older than I. When he was born, a Blood Moon hung in the sky. It was regarded as an ill omen, and he was sent to a Buddhist temple to cultivate his character and pray for blessings.

When I was thirteen, our Empress Mother fell terminally ill. Before she died, she repeatedly begged our Imperial Father to bring him back to the palace, wanting to see him one last time.

He returned just as our Empress Mother breathed her last.

I was weeping uncontrollably, yet I saw a smile playing on the corners of his mouth.

It was a cold, cruel, and even slightly mocking smile.

Shocked and enraged, I slapped him hard.

He wasn’t angry after being struck; he only smiled in a sinister way that made my heart tremble.

I felt that he wouldn’t just hit me back-he might even cut off my hand.