ED: Yzrahc (ಡ艸ಡ)

The Six Ministries.

Thank God this chapter is short. I...fell asleep when I got home, so I almost didn't make it in time.

Shao Zitang broke out in a sweat. "What's she looking at us for? I have a bad feeling about this," Shao Zitang said stiffly.

"How should I know? Didn't you know that women are from Venus and men are from Mars?" Yan Ran replied sardonically.

"Really now? If she heard those words, she'd be wounded by your callousness." Shao Zitang sneered. "Isn't that right, beautiful. Grand. Tutor."

Yan Ran's smile cramped. He glowered at Shao Zitang's cocky face. This brat really isn't cute anymore!

"How is yours any better? Little. Boy."

This time Shao Zitang scowled. Ever since he was ten, he'd hated being called a little boy!

Shao Zitang sized up Xia Yuqing. His glare turned vicious. As I thought, we should take care of her immediately. Otherwise there'll casualties, he thought.

Xia Yuqing had the two in her sights. As a qualified fujoshi, I can't allow these two ukes to go down this route. Two ukes simply have no future together, so this sort of masochistic love triangle should be strangled in the cradle!

Xia Yuqing reckoned. Her gaze became even more vulgar.

"Then since you know this little boy, will you introduce us?"

Yan Ran rubbed his nose. He dimpled, "Consort Qing, this rascal isn't any little boy. He is the current Chief Strategist of the Ministry of War, Sir Shao Zitang. And I am Yan Ran, the Grand Tutor. Milady may call me Sir Yan or simply Yan Ran. The name beautiful Grand Tutor... I'm afraid I can't accept it."

Xia Yuqing didn't register Yan Ran's complaints. Her mind was wholly occupied by Yan Ran's opening statements. This moe shouta is the Chief Strategist of the Ministry of War, as in the head of the sixth Ministry of War? Uwah, I must have heard wrong. To appoint a boy as commander-in-chief, Seme-sama must have lost it. He's not afraid of ruining his country?

And... and he's still underage. Seme-sama! Exploiting minors is illegal!

Xia Yuqing couldn't help but throw shade at Feng Tingye and also sympathize with Shao Zitang. She adopted an enigmatic air. "Forgive me for not realizing that both of you are prominent members of the court. May I ask why the two of you have come to the palace for?"

Yan Ran flicked the folding fan in his hand, smiling coyly. "Of course, it's to discuss important affairs with the emperor."

"Oh, to see His Majesty!" Xia Yuqing glanced up craftily. "His Majesty is currently occupied at the empress dowager's palace. If you two don't mind, then how about accompanying me to my palace until the emperor is done?"

Much ado about nothing, indeed. Only earlier, she'd been troubled about supplying Seme-sama with quality ukes. Who knew that two moe ukes would come knocking shortly after? Ohohoho, beautiful Grand Tutor, it's time to face the consequences for cheating on Seme-sama. She'd drug them with the sleeping pills that she'd prepared for Seme-sama two days ago!

And she'll have nothing to do with him when she delivered those two to Seme-sama's bed. Kyah, I'm so smart. Xia Yuqing almost placed her hands on her hips and exulted at the heavens before she banished her inner braggart.

Alas, the best-laid plans of mice and men.

Yan Ran and Shao Zitang were both shocked by her boldness. To invite men to her palace in broad daylight, was Consort Qing ingenuous or not?

Their thoughts turned to Xia Yuqing's gaze, which seemed...vulgar. It appears they had to re-evaluate Feng Tingye's special woman.

The three were absorbed in their schemes when a freezing voice interrupted.

"Looks like my love is still hankering for some panky after yesterday, to dare to...dally with others in front of me!"

Xia Yuqing's expression froze at his voice. Her neck creaked as she turned to look at that glaringly handsome face. Tears mentally rolled down her cheeks like running blood.

Xia Yuqing didn't need to understand his words to know that she was in a pickle. Uwah—Who has it out for me! Why am I getting caught by Seme-sama whenever I try to solicit an uke?

She waved docilely at Feng Tingye, forcing a laugh. "Please excuse me, I have something to do."

Then, to everybody's astonishment, she...ran like a little bitch.