Chapter 144: Do I Look Like a Loser to You?

Scheming right under the emperor’s nose, openly defying imperial authority! This must be uncovered! Otherwise, it would disgrace the royal dignity.

The emperor’s anger flared fiercely this time. He had initially been impressed by Chu Ge’s horsemanship and abilities, but his enthusiasm vanished with the disappearance of the lotus petal.

Everyone present trembled with unease; none dared provoke the emperor’s wrath again. The current sovereign was known for his capricious temper—when enraged, the land trembled and corpses floated for miles. When he first ascended the throne, he was notorious as a tyrant.

However, thanks to his capable governance, the people’s living standards gradually improved, the nation prospered, and the world praised the emperor. Over the years, the title of “tyrant” faded beneath accolades, yet the shadow of his furious slaughter of the Chen clan remained etched in history.

Chu Ge, however, was unperturbed, even beginning to devise a flawless plan to extricate herself from this world.

Indeed, the sought-after lotus petal lay dormant within Chu Ge’s mind, much like a spoiled second-generation heir, lounging leisurely. The image was utterly tranquil.

The surrounding ten-mile radius was sealed off, the firelight blazing bright enough to turn night into day. The hunting festival usually lasted two days; everyone had prepared ample rations, and the tents were already pitched before dusk. Enduring the night was no problem.

The tense atmosphere gnawed at nerves; the Fourth Prince was nearly tearing his scalp out.

“Who the hell is responsible? Using sorcery under Father’s very eyes? Come out and confess! I’ve been exhausted all day and want to rest!” The Fourth Prince’s irritation boiled over.

“Exactly! What the Fourth Prince says is true. Everyone here is suspect. I’ve heard there’s a secret art that can retrieve objects from afar—the neighboring kingdom’s grand magicians know it well!” the Third Prince chimed in.

With two princes voicing this, more people began to believe that someone had used sorcery to steal the precious petal.

“Who is it? Confess your crime! Or you’ll suffer the tortures of the law!”

“Yes, yes! You’ve made so many of us stay out here in the cold!”

The noble ladies huddled together for warmth, while princesses and imperial attendants donned the prepared winter garments.

The emperor’s brow furrowed ever tighter; the scene was fraught with tension.

Suddenly, a chicken claw silently stretched out from the crowd. “Your Majesty! I have a plan, though I’m not sure if I should share it!”

The crown prince Qi Ming cast a glare at Chu You, who had raised her hand. He was exasperated by her constant showboating, always making herself a target—truly a foolhardy woman.

The emperor regarded Chu You with a sly smile curling at the corner of his lips. “Oh? Do tell.”

Chu You, mistakenly believing the emperor trusted her, smiled brightly. “I think since my older sister is so formidable—she even has the skill to slay tigers—why not let her identify who might be guilty? After all, she was present at the moment it happened and might have noticed some clues, right, sister?”

Chu Ge quietly watched Chu You’s performance, revealing an appropriate smile.

[Master, the lotus petal is actually your true form, so this isn’t really theft. What is it called again?]

“Returning the item to its rightful owner,” murmured the eight-tailed fox, lazily teasing the hummingbird Peach Yao Yao nearby.

[Right! That’s called returning the item to its rightful owner! That noisy Chu You, ears worn to calluses from nagging! How about... hehe... letting her take the blame this time? She’s wicked-hearted anyway—let her reflect on it!]

The little rascal found a perfect excuse, flawless enough that no one could object. Indeed, Chu Ge had already considered many such ideas.

A crescent curve tugged at the corner of Chu Ge’s mouth. “Indeed, that’s precisely my intention.”

The small creatures in the space began celebrating their master’s impending vindication and the prospect of one less mischief-maker in this world.

Confetti flew!

The emperor’s gaze fell once more on Chu Ge, and interest sparked anew. He was curious how many miracles this woman could summon—after all, she was undeniably the first to vanquish tigers.

“Consort Qi, since your sister speaks thus, let her identify the culprit. It will save everyone from endless guessing on this cold autumn night,” said not the emperor but the empress beside him. The empress intended to support her son’s words, lest Chu You’s recklessness damage the crown prince’s position. If so, Chu You would have to pay a heavy price.

Chu Ge stepped forward, her steed Snowlight flicking her tail behind her and scraping the ground with her hooves.

Zhong Li stood nearby, unconcerned for Chu Ge’s safety—he would be her strongest shield. If trouble arose, his Prince Qi Mansion would take responsibility. Moreover, if the nine clans were to be exterminated now, the emperor was nominally his father. Well then, Your Majesty, I advise you to tread lightly.

Chu Ge lifted a delicate brow, standing poised and graceful, rivaling any princess or noble lady in etiquette. Her manners were impeccable.

“I am but an ordinary person, without great abilities,” she said modestly.

Chu You beamed, her joy almost written across her face.

Chu Ge cast a subtle glance toward Chu You, then paused and continued, “However, what I am about to say may seem like a deliberate attempt to shift blame. But I swear, every word is true.”

Curiosity rippled through the crowd; all stretched their necks, like turtles, fixated on Chu Ge.

Zhong Li frowned—why did these people act as if they’d never seen anything like this before? Fortunately, only he could see the lotus treasure’s true form.

[Oh ho! Lord Zhong Li’s jealousy is spilling over again!]

“Haha! This pair is truly amusing. I heard the master and Lord Zhong Li are master and disciple? Oh, now we get it!”

[Ahem! It’s something understood but not spoken aloud!]

The group in the space buzzed with gossip, surprisingly cultured but as nosy as old ladies.

Chu Ge continued reading the crowd’s expressions. When more than half began asking what she had discovered, she knew they believed her—not as a ploy but as truth.

She glanced at the emperor’s throne, then at the crown prince. “Some may think I say this to help Prince Qi usurp the crown prince’s position.”

“How dare you!” The eunuch beside the emperor was the first to stand, trembling as he pointed a finger sharply at Chu Ge, his voice shrill.

A squad of guards immediately surrounded Chu Ge. She stood at the center, her expression open and honest.

The emperor waved his hand, signaling the guards to withdraw. The eunuch seemed about to protest but was silenced by the emperor’s gaze.

“No matter. The struggle for the crown prince’s title is clear to me and to all present. Right now, I only want to know where the treasures I collected have gone. Speak, and I grant you innocence.”

His words echoed, drawing gasps from the crowd—it was an effective pardon for the night.

This was precisely what Chu Ge needed. Now, no matter what shocking truths she revealed, everyone would follow her reasoning, for their minds had been subdued by the highest authority’s trust.

—

Let’s set a small goal first: remember “The Book Guest’s Abode” in one second.