The Scum Shou's Survival Guide Chapter 39 Part1

Li ZeChen threw Ye Ming to the ground and looked at him condescendingly. After a long while, he spoke through gritted teeth: "Why didn't you refute her, are you really admitting to having given her offence!"

In his heart, he understood Ye Ming's temper very well, how was it possible for him to have offended a harem woman? He was definitely framed by that Concubine Liang, but he would rather kneel than explain himself!

Ye Ming prostrated himself on the floor, then slowly pushed himself back upright to kneel stiffly in front of Li ZeChen. He said calmly: "Yes, this minister is but the Emperor's male pet. To kneel before the imperial concubine was only proper, and I have given her offence. What the imperial concubine said was true."

Note: 臣 (Chén) – First person p.r.o.noun used by ministers or officials.

Li ZeShen stared at the submissive man in front of him, feeling as if the blood in his veins had turned to ice.

This was what he had threatened Ye Ming with, but the knife of threat had turned around to cut himself b.l.o.o.d.y instead.

Ye Ming wasn't done yet, he respectfully pressed his head to the floor and said: "Your Majesty, please decree the punishment."

Punishment? Li ZeChen suddenly laughed humourlessly.

You are right, I turned you into my male pet, I forced you into this situation, but you still don't understand….. or you're only acting as if you don't. I just wanted you to know, that all you need to do is nod your head, and this whole situation could have been easily resolved.

I am your monarch….. why are you so quick to obey in all else, except for this one thing?

Are my feelings for you so repugnant to you?

Li ZeChen suddenly felt very powerless. He had used all sorts of methods, from coaxing to coercion, to get this person to trust him, love him, depend on him, all in vain.

He had thought that after rising to become the Emperor, he could sweep away all obstacles between them. Instead…. the harder he tried, the further away he was from his goal.

Li ZeChen abruptly turned and left, slamming the door behind him!

*****************************

The eunuch waiting outside the door saw the storm brewing in Li ZeChen's eyes, and asked cautiously: "Where does His Majesty wish to go now?"

Li ZeChen clenched and loosened his fists, his gaze dark. He answered in a low voice: "To Concubine Liang's palace."

………………

Concubine Liang had left after Li ZeChen had dragged Ye Ming back inside in a fit of rage.

Right now, she was sitting in her own palace, restless with unease. What occurred today had been completely out of her expectations. Does Li ZeChen care about that person, or not?

If he cares, why didn't he stop her? If he doesn't care, why was he so opposed to seeing that person kneel?

Concubine Liang had a bad feeling about this, it was possible that she had made a big mistake today. Although Li ZeChen's expression did not betray his thoughts, she worried that he may find her distasteful. She sorely regretted her brash arrogance today.

Mired in anxiety, she suddenly heard the eunuch announce the arrival of the Emperor.

The tea cup in her trembling hands was almost upended. This was the first time Li ZeChen has paid a visit to her palace! She got up in a panic to meet him, but Li ZeChen entered before she could do so. Concubine Liang immediately dropped into a deep curtsy: "This concubine greets His Majesty."

Li ZeChen studied the woman in front of him. She was indeed a stunning beauty. Carefully arranged on her knees, her trembling body was a sight fit to evoke pity.

Faced with this, a soft-hearted man would be reluctant to pursue the matter with her over such a trivial issue. But Li ZeChen had never been the soft-hearted sort.

Beauty was nothing more than a mask for a woman's inner ugliness. Li ZeChen grew up in the palace, he had long grown accustomed to the palace's inner intrigues and dirty affairs. What he tired of the most were these ugly, unscrupulous women. Since you have voluntarily entered the palace to achieve your desires, you should pay the price for it.

Zhen has given you glory for your family and a n.o.ble status for yourself, but you dared to make a move against zhen's beloved! You are overestimating yourself!

Note: 朕 (Zhèn) – First person p.r.o.noun used by monarchs.

Li ZeChen did not permit Concubine Liang to rise, and left her kneeling as he leisurely drank his tea. Only until the tea in the pot has cooled and the woman in front of him looked ready to faint, did he slowly lower the cup in his hands.

Concubine Liang clenched her teeth to keep from screaming. She wasn't stupid, Li ZeChen's affection for that male pet was now clear to her. She could only blame herself! Feelings of bitter regret and envy swirled in her heart. How was she to know that Li ZeChen cared this much for the male pet! He didn't even hesitate to personally come to Ye Ming's aid.

Li ZeChen gazed at Concubine Liang coldly: "Since beloved concubine seems to be rather busy these days, it's best if you stay here for some peace and quiet, and copy Lessons for Women a hundred times."

Note: 女戒 – Lessons for Women is a work by the Han dynasty female intellectual Ban Zhao. It outlines the four virtues a woman must abide by, proper virtue, proper speech, proper countenance, and proper conduct.

Having said this, he got up and left.

Concubine Liang wept and tried to plead for reconsideration, but was pulled back by two unfamiliar elderly maids, who told her coldly: "His Majesty has forbidden the concubine from leaving the palace, and instructed these servants to re-educate the concubine on the rules of the palace. Restrain yourself, you are an embarra.s.sment."

Note: 嬷嬷 (Mā mā) – elderly female maid, sometimes a wet nurse as well. Usually a higher ranking female maid in the Palace that has some power and is in charge of enforcing the regulations of the Palace.

Concubine Liang watched helplessly as Li ZeChen left. She hasn't even done anything to Ye Ming yet, but ended up being punished this way. It really was too humiliating. Now, not only was she forbidden from stepping out of the palace, she has to re-learn its rules. She ground her teeth viciously, hate and fury churning in her heart.

………………

Ye Ming was seated in his room, having watched the whole scene play out.

[Ye Ming: Tsk tsk tsk, how petty. Cruelly tormenting a beauty just for something this trivial.]

[888: He's taking revenge on your behalf, aren't you even a little bit grateful?]

[Ye Ming: I am very grateful ah! But I'm different from him, I've always had a soft spot for the ladies, women should be treated gently. All of her actions are caused by our love (YM and LZC), so there's no need to be so harsh on her.]

888 sneered, and couldn't be bothered with him anymore.

Ye Ming enjoyed a leisurely break, but his latest move seemed to have really hurt Li ZeChen's feelings. Days pa.s.sed without Li ZeChen showing himself.

Ye Ming remained in the empty room. With the sudden absence of the emperor who used to try to feed him every day and work hard on him every night, it didn't take long for boredom to set in.

[Ye Ming: Big brother, you there? You there? You there?]

After awhile, 888 finally deigned to appear.

[888: What do you want?]

[Ye Ming: You've been ignoring me recently, aren't you afraid something could have happened to me? Wronged.jpg]

[888: I'm always concerned about your wellbeing, you are extremely safe right now, there's no sign of danger at all. Concubine Liang has been taught a lesson, the other concubines dare not seek trouble with you. Li ZeChen's not even coming over, what do you think could happen to you?]

[Ye Ming: I doubt Concubine Liang will forget this anytime soon, she suffered quite a huge loss and hates me to the bone. She'll definitely find a way to cause trouble for me! You can't abandon me ah!]

[888: I've been monitoring her, I'll let you know if anything happens.]

[Ye Ming: ……Oh, I see.]

[888: Anything else? If not, I'll be leaving then]

[Ye Ming: …..Can't you stay and chat with me for a bit? I'm so bored! Entertainment in ancient times is scarce, I'm turning moldy.]

[888: Sorry, the system is not obligated to accompany the host for a chat.]

[Ye Ming: …….]

After this, no matter how Ye Ming cajoled, 888 ignored him. He now regretted running his mouth off in the past, leading 888 to disdain chatting with him.

After a while.

[Ye Ming: I used to think that father air-cond and mother WiFi gave me life, but now I know I was wrong.]

[Ye Ming: The one who granted me life was the Great Lord Eight, your kindness s.h.i.+nes on my life, your brilliance inspires awe, you are the bright light of the moon that guides me in the dark… Please let me follow in your great lead ba!]

[888: ……What is wrong with you???]

[Ye Ming: Play a game with me! QAQ]

888: F*ck.