The Palace Harem is a Mess (7): Cry at Your Family's Funeral

*Disclaimer: None of this work belongs to me. Credits go to the original manhua.*

[HOST! WHY WOULD YOU WASTE A RANK ITEM TO BOOST LIU RUYAN!] The Bamboo rat yelled loudly, filing his complaint to Su Luxia, who calmly watched all of this happen with a calm smile on her face.

"Naturally, I want her dead." Su Luxia said, happily.

And the System sighed again in confusion: [What is your plan?! Esteemed Host? Why would you sacrifice a rank item to boost Liu Ruyan?!]

"You see, with such an auspicious sign, everyone will think that Liu Ruyan is bound to be Empress. Herself included of course. After all, everything so far has been going in her favor."

The System nodded.

"Now, going from a Consort Rank to a Noble Rank is called being favored. However, from a Consort Rank to an Empress is called being 'unworthy'" Su Luxia said as she softly fixed her headpiece on her hair. "I just want her to be one step short of achieving the Empress seat. But even until death, she will not ascend." Su Luxia smiled.

[S-so... what is the next plan host?] The System asked.

"Sheesh, don't be nervous." Su Luxia said, spying on the Emperor and Liu Ruyan, walking hand-in-hand lovingly across the Imperial Garden. "I'm just waiting for someone."

Her eyes caught onto an esteemed figure coming from the Garden. "A wild card that liu Ruyan personally handed into my hands..."Su Luxia murmured.

...The esteemed figure elegantly bowed toward the couple, and said, "This Younger Brother congratulates his Older brother and Imperial Sister-in-law."

That's right! The Ninth Prince, Liu Ruyan's childhood sweetheart, and the Emperor's brother from another mother!

"You see, in the novel, to let Liu Ruyan have a better life in the Palace, the Ninth Prince purposefully created the 'Koi fish blessing show for her child'." Su Luxia told the System, explaining her plan.

"However, I helped him out and also added in a 'Soaring Phoneix' with his 'Koi Blessing' show." Su Luxia said smiling, "So in the future, if anyone dared to prove that the 'Koi Blessing' show was fake, then the 'Phoenix' will also seem to be part of Liu Ruyan's scheme, when it's actually not."

[Wow! So you really did have a plan!] The Bamboo rat applauded. Su Luxia giggled, as she finally stepped out of her hiding spot and approached the three figures in front of her. Her feet stepping with elegance as she said,

"Your Consort, I, have come late. I hope your Majesty is forgiving." Su Luxia bowed.

"Oh, Older sister Su, what are you saying?" Liu Ruyan laughed politely. "For Older sister to come, I, your younger sister is very happy."

"For His Majesty to celebrate the birth of a child, I would naturally come to give my blessing." Su Luxia looked at Liu Ruyan as she smiled at the couple. And then Su Luxia turned her head around, she faked her surprised look saying, "Oh, I hadn't realized but the Ninth Prince has also come?"

The Ninth Prince nodded and bowed, "Ah Greetings Lady Su."

Su Luxia smiled dearly as she said, "I heard early on that the Ninth Prince and Lady Liu were childhood sweethearts. Looking between you two now, it seems the sentiments are indeed something very special."

"Oh-! Please mind your words! Lady Su!" The Ninth Prince became shocked at Su Luxia's remark. Even Liu Ruyan gasped in horror as she said, "How can older sister make such an unfounded remark?!"

Liu Ruyan quickly fell into the Emperor's chest and quietly whined to the Emperor saying, "Your Majesty, Older sister... she..." tears came around her eyes.

The Emperor became enraged and began to defend Liu Ruyan, "Su Luxia."

"Oh. Did this Consort say something wrong?" Su Luxia tilted her head innocently, acting as if she did nothing wrong. She looked at the Ninth Prince's avoiding face and said, "Childhood sweethearts? This is the truth, what is there to hide? As to the depths of their sentiment, I never said anything romantic. They're the ones thinking wayward..." Su Luxia cut off softly.

Su Luxia then gave a pitiful look and softly looked down, innocently saying, "Your Consort, I, really don't know what I've done wrong to invoke such harshness..."

The Emperor became surprised and was not able to refute her innocent, kind face anymore.

Liu Ruyan, feeling threatened, quickly grabbed the Emperor's clothes and quietly mumbled, "Your Majesty! It is this Consort's fault who misunderstood Older Sister's words. I will now give my apologies to Older Sister Su." Liu Ruyan bowed unwillingly to Su Luxia.

"Oh!" Su Luxia quickly grabbed Liu Ruyan before she could bow and said, "I understand, Lady Liu." And then looked at the Ninth Prince, as she said, "Does the Ninth Prince understand?"

The other person at question hesitatingly answered, "T-this Imperial Brother is also willing to bow to... Miss Su in apology."

Su Luxia faked a look of surprise as she watched the Ninth Prince put his fists together and bowed. "Oh no! How could I accept this? Ninth Prince, please quickly rise! What will others say about you? They will think very horrid of me to think that a Prince is bowing down to a Consort?"

Every word that was spoken out of Su Luxia's mouth continued to embarrass the trio all together. The Ninth Prince became even awkwarder and Liu Ruyan became afraid, while the Emperor became even more confused.

Su Luxia could have sworn the Ninth Prince was secretly glaring at her, as he apologized for his stupidity even more. And finally, the other couple duo left, while the other prince stood awkwardly.

...

[Host, you really are petty, aren't you? Tsk. Tsk.] The Bamboo rat emerged from her shoulder. Su Luxia giggled as she whispered, "Who asked him to greet me properly?"

"Go get the things ready. It's almost time to set the stage!" Su Luxia announced proudly.

***

***

At the Imperial Banquet, Liu Ruyan was happily sitting next to the Emperor and clutching him tightly while hearing flowery words from the Officials' and Consorts' mouths. The Emperor was cherishing her and slowly patted Liu Ruyan.

"Wow! Lady Liu, is very lucky! The Imperial Prince born is said to be a blessing from the Heavens, and the Soaring Phoenix signs are said to rumor about the seat of an Empress~" Flowery words all were spouted between everyone.

"Congratulations to His Majesty for giving birth to an heir!" The others cheered.

Liu Ruyan started acting humble and kind, while acting innocent and tugged the Emperor playfully as she hugged him closely. The Emperor, also kept Liu Ruyan close, as if protecting her from the others.

Su Luxia wanted to laugh at this entire Banquet, as she sat far from the lovey-dovey couple who were receiving flowery praises, and watched the Ninth Prince look down anxiously as he heard all of this. There was also tension and jealousy among the other Consorts who started to fear Liu Ruyan's authority and her title of being the Emperor's favorite.

Su Luxia ate peacefully as she watched all of this occur. After all, what was better than a Live Palace Drama?

[Host, shouldn't you also be worried?] Her bamboo rat called out. Su Luxia said nothing as she watched all of this occur.

"Worried about what? There is nothing to be done now. Everything is done for us." Su Luxia whispered as she drank her tea. Her eyes landed on Liu Ruyan who kept eyeing Su Luxia from a distance and smirked at her.

Su Luxia wanted to roll her eyes, but instead sent Liu Ruyan a kind smile.

"Your Majesty, are you alright?" Liu Ruyan called out the Emperor, who started to massage his forehead and looked a little nauseous.

"It's nothing, Yan'er. Must be from Reading All night long." The Emperor said, as he coaxed Liu Ruyan softly.

"As urgent as Official matters are, His Majesty still needs to look after himself." Liu Ruyan said, teary-eyed as she massaged the Emperor, who still looked ill and out of place.

Su Luxia smiled, and then quickly taking this as a cue stood up and said, "Servants! Quickly, call the Physician!"

An uproar started when Su Luxia announced it immediately. The Emperor, looked at Su Luxia weakly, and wanted to call out to her however, before he could say anything, fell more nauseous and collapsed.

Liu Ruyan stood up in shock as she yelled, "Your Majesty!" She quickly picked him from the ground and laid him on her lap. "Your Majesty! What happened?!"

The others quickly stood up in a panic, and an uproar occurred among the others. Some even started to cry out of fear of what had occurred.

"All of you, shut up!" Su Luxia ordered. And immediately, as if this were an order from an Emperor himself, the entire banquet hall fell silent. Even Liu Ruyan became surprised by Su Luxia's order.

"His Majesty will be alright. The Physician will be here shortly. Before then, if anyone dares to cry again I will make it so that she will be crying at her family's funeral!"