Chapter 38 Daji (V) Heart to Heart

The construction of the Garden of Beasts was proceeding in full swing. Emperor Xin's decree was like an imperial edict and was carried out to the letter on the construction site.

The treatment of the craftsmen and laborers improved, their morale was high, and the progress of the project far exceeded expectations. The reputation of "the benevolent and kind Sumerians" spread quietly among the lower levels of the palace like a spring breeze.

Under Ling's guidance, Lin Jiaojiao, with her unique "innocent" way, seemed to have pried open a crack in Emperor Xin's tyranny and extravagance.

However, the gorgeous cage of Zhaixing Pavilion is not only filled with sunshine. Emperor Xin's love for Lin Jiaojiao is ardent and exclusive. He visits Zhaixing Pavilion almost every day, his eyes burning with undisguised desire.

That evening, after Emperor Xin finished his work of state, he once again stepped into the Zhaixing Pavilion. There was a barely perceptible irritation on his face, but the moment he saw Lin Jiaojiao, that irritation was replaced by a scorching glow.

"My beloved!" He strode forward, his eyes sweeping over Lin Jiaojiao as if they were real, with strong aggressiveness.

Lin Jiaojiao's heart tightened. She called out silently in her heart, "Zero."

“Emotional state: irritability, increased desire.

Threat Level: Medium (favoring intent).

Activate the 'Phantom Fragrance' plan." Zero's voice was calm and quick.

An extremely clear, almost imperceptible fragrance, like the scent of first melting snow, instantly filled the air. The fragrance was so faint that it was almost imperceptible, but it had a strange penetrating power.

Di Xin paused slightly, the burning intensity in his eyes seemingly frozen for a moment before becoming even more blurred and... fanatical? He inhaled sharply, as if drawn in by the aroma.

"My dear... you smell so good..." He murmured, his voice carrying a strange, dreamy and elusive feeling. His steps began to feel unsteady and his eyes became unfocused.

Lin Jiaojiao knew that the "illusion fragrance" was effective. In Ling's "hallucination", what Emperor Xin saw and felt at this moment were the scenes of his most desired love affair with "Da Ji".

But in reality, his body functions were being rapidly induced by the phantom fragrance into a state similar to "sleepwalking".

"My lord..." Lin Jiaojiao forced herself to remain calm, following Ling's instructions, her voice carrying just the right amount of concern. "You...what's wrong with you? Are you tired?"

Emperor Xin did not answer. He seemed to have seen something in a hallucination. An obsessed smile appeared on his face, and he staggered towards Lin Jiaojiao.

Lin Jiaojiao was startled and subconsciously tried to dodge, but Ling's voice immediately rang out: "Guide! Hold him and put him on the low couch. Be careful."

Lin Jiaojiao gritted her teeth, took a step forward, and used all her strength to support Di Xin's heavy body. Di Xin's body was hot, with a strong smell of alcohol and ambergris. He almost put all his weight on her. She staggered for a moment before she could barely stand.

"My king... this way... I'll help you to rest..." Her voice trembled slightly as she led the drunken and confused Emperor Xin to the low couch covered with thick animal skins.

Emperor Xin seemed to have received some kind of "response" in his hallucination. He muttered something more excitedly and waved his arms wildly, trying to grab Lin Jiaojiao. Lin Jiaojiao struggled to avoid his unconscious grasp, and it took a lot of effort to place his heavy body on the low couch.

As soon as Emperor Xin touched the soft animal skin, he fell completely into a deep hallucinatory dream under the influence of the magic fragrance. He uttered unclear mumblings, with a satisfied smile on his face, and his body twisted slightly, as if he was experiencing something "wonderful".

Soon, heavy snoring sounded and he fell into a deep sleep.

Lin Jiaojiao stood beside the low couch, gasping violently as she looked at Emperor Xin's face, which still had a hint of an obsessed smile on it while he was sleeping.

The brief contact just now made her break out in a cold sweat. Although she avoided any actual violation, the feeling of being chased like a "prey" and forced to bear the weight still made her feel humiliated and frightened.

[Zero… is he… asleep?] She asked in her heart, still feeling apprehensive.

"The phantom fragrance has taken effect. The target has entered a deep hallucinatory sleep. It is safe." Zero's voice confirmed, "Now for the rouge."

Lin Jiaojiao took a deep breath and walked to the dressing table. Her slightly pale face was reflected in the bronze mirror. She picked up a box of rouge on the dressing table and started to operate according to Ling's instructions.

"On your left shoulder, below the collarbone, dip your fingertips in a small amount of rouge and press gently to create a light red mark similar to a fingerprint."

"On the inside of your right arm, mix rouge with a little water and apply a small area to simulate sucking on the red mark."

"Unbutton your shirt and gently rub the skin on your neck to create a slight blush."

"A few strands of hair were messed up and fell on the sides of my cheeks."

“…”

Her movements were a little awkward, but she followed Zero's instructions strictly. Looking at the marks she had "created" on her body in the mirror, she felt an indescribable complex emotion well up in her heart. Humiliation? Relief? Or... a cold sadness?

After doing all this, she walked to the window away from the couch and opened it.

The night wind rushed in with a cool breeze, blowing away the lingering scent of Emperor Xin and the faint illusory fragrance in the hall. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her turbulent emotions.

[Zero, does it have to be like this every time?] She looked out the window at the deep night sky and whispered in her heart, with a hint of fatigue and confusion.

"It's a necessary protection mechanism at the moment." Ling's voice was calm and firm. "The phantom fragrance can minimize your direct contact and risk. The trace fabrication is to maintain Emperor Xin's 'satisfaction', avoid his suspicion, and ensure your safety."

[But...] Lin Jiaojiao hesitated to speak. She understood Ling's intention, but every experience was like a shallow scar on her heart.

At this moment, Zero's voice rang out again, with a subtle hint of... concern? "Host's emotional fluctuations detected: depressed. Suggestion: divert attention. Report on today's 'whitewashing' progress."

Lin Jiaojiao was slightly stunned.

"Today's event: The Dongyi tribe sent a batch of rare birds and beasts as tribute. Due to poor care during the journey, several of the birds died. Emperor Xin was furious and wanted to execute the envoys and the escorting officers." Zero's voice was like a news report. "Opportunity."

Lin Jiaojiao immediately understood what Ling meant. She needed a new "incident" to divert her attention while continuing her "whitewashing" operation.

"Specific strategy?" she asked in her heart.

"We can emphasize Emperor Xin's wisdom and reputation, belittle the mistakes of others, and imply negative consequences. The entry point is: the death of rare birds affects the display effect of the zoo, which may damage Emperor Xin's reputation." Ling gave a clear plan.

Lin Jiaojiao silently took note. She looked out the window and suddenly sneered. [Zero, how can you be so comforting?]

Ling was silent for a moment, as if he felt that his way of comforting people was wrong. He paused and said, "No consolation, just a report of facts." His calm tone seemed to make things worse.

[Okay, okay, it’s a report, Zero…]

Time slowly slipped away as we communicated with each other, and the sky began to turn white.

In the early morning, Emperor Xin turned over on the couch, seeming to be waking up, and the effect of the magic incense began to weaken.

Lin Jiaojiao also woke up after Ling's reminder. She immediately adjusted her state and walked to the low couch. With a just the right amount of "tiredness" and "shyness" on her face, she called softly, "My king... are you awake?"

Emperor Xin drowsily opened his eyes, and upon seeing Lin Jiaojiao's face so close to him, and the "fresh" "traces" on her body, a satisfied and complacent smile instantly appeared on his face. He pulled Lin Jiaojiao into his arms, and said in a lazy voice, "My beloved, I have enjoyed this homework very much..."

Lin Jiaojiao snuggled in his arms, her voice soft and tender: "My lord, you are so brave... I..." She showed "shyness" and "powerlessness" just right.

Emperor Xin laughed heartily, his vanity greatly satisfied. He stroked Lin Jiaojiao's hair and suddenly remembered something, frowning: "Hmph! Speaking of having a good time, I was ruined by a bunch of idiots yesterday!"

"Oh? What's troubling the king?" Lin Jiaojiao raised her head, with just the right amount of concern and curiosity in her clear eyes.

"It's all because of those Dongyi losers!" Emperor Xin raged. "Most of the rare birds we sent as tribute died en route. They deserve it! I've ordered the escorting envoys and the animal slaves to be beheaded in public!"

Lin Jiaojiao was shocked, but a look of worry appeared on her face. "Oh, so many rare birds died? That... that's such a pity. Your Majesty, you collected all the rare treasures from all over the world so that when the Hundred Beasts Garden opens, all the nobles can witness your majesty and ability. If so many rare birds are missing, wouldn't the opening of the garden... seem less grand?"

Her words were filled with a hint of regret, and she cleverly mentioned the "majesty of the king" and the "opinions of the princes."

Emperor Xin frowned even more tightly.

Lin Jiaojiao continued, her voice tinged with admiration and a hint of "innocent" worry. "Also... I heard that the journey to the Dongyi is long, and rare birds are difficult to raise. Those envoys and animal slaves are clumsy, how can they be even one-tenth as brave and wise as you, Your Majesty? Your Majesty knows how to tame wild beasts and build a zoo. These minor problems are certainly nothing to you! But... I'm worried. If I kill them and word gets out, will people say you're... too harsh? What if it scares the other princes and makes them afraid to offer rare treasures in the future? Wouldn't the zoo be missing out on more novelties? I... I don't want your majesty to be gossiped about by those villains, and I don't want your majesty to be deprived of fun things..."

Every word she said hit Emperor Xin's soft spot.

Emperor Xin's anger was largely extinguished by this magic potion. He pondered for a moment and felt that Lin Jiaojiao's words made "a lot of sense." How could he, the dignified King of Shang, lose his composure over a few fools? More importantly, he couldn't scare away the other princes who were offering precious treasures!

"My beloved concubine, you are absolutely right!" Emperor Xin's expression brightened slightly. "How can I be so petty as to argue with those fools? Killing them would only make me look petty. Well, pass on my decree: The envoys and the beast slaves who are escorting the animals shall be given eighty strokes of the cane and fined one year's salary. They shall also be ordered to collect rare birds again to replace the original. If they make any mistakes again, they will be executed without mercy!"

With the decree, dozens of lives were saved. Although the punishment was still severe, it was a far cry from beheading.

"Goal achieved. Human 'whitewashing' progress: +3%." Zero's voice calmly reported the results.

Emperor Xin's mood improved, and he hugged Lin Jiaojiao tenderly for a while before getting up and leaving with satisfaction.

Silence returned to the Zhaixing Pavilion. Lin Jiaojiao immediately walked to the window, breathing in deep breaths of fresh air, as if to completely dispel the lingering scent of Emperor Xin. She walked to the bronze mirror and looked at the "fake" marks on her body with a complicated look.

"Zero, thank you." She whispered in her heart, with a hint of tired gratitude. "If it weren't for you..."

"Jiaojiao, we are partners, aren't we?" Ling's voice was gentle but firm. "Protecting you is also my core command. You are already very powerful, Jiaojiao. You have changed the fate of many people."

[But...how long will this life last?] She looked at her pale face in the mirror, a trace of confusion in her eyes.

"Hold on." Zero's voice was filled with unquestionable strength. "We will eventually find a way out. Until then, I will always be by your side, protecting you and guiding you."

Lin Jiaojiao closed her eyes, feeling Ling's steady and resolute presence. The physical fatigue and mental trauma still existed, but the despair and helplessness that penetrated deep into her bones had been mostly dispelled by Ling's words.

"He's gone. You can have a good rest now. Don't worry, I'll be watching over you. No one will come to disturb you."

With Ling's comfort, Lin Jiaojiao finally fell asleep peacefully. Before falling asleep, her consciousness was already a little fuzzy, and she muttered: "Ling, you are so kind. We also went through the first world like this, right?"

Zero was silent. He seemed to be thinking about something. After a long while, he replied, "Sorry, I'm late."

But Lin Jiaojiao had fallen into a deep sleep and did not hear his apology.