Chapter 35: I say, kneel down
After a long period of dizziness, when Song Mingjiao opened his eyes again, he found himself in a void space.
"What? Is your system's transmission function malfunctioning?"
Song Mingjiao bent over, clutching his stomach. When he was kicked out of the previous small world, he knew he was being ejected from it in the form of a game logout. But unlike normal gaming, he felt no sense of burden.
Song Mingjiao could feel his body being sliced and reassembled by those lines and squares. Even now, every inch of his skin was still tingling with pain, forcing him to squat.
His long, white arms were shaking uncontrollably, and his body curled up like a furry cat licking its wounds.
After leaving the world, the system seemed to have found its home again and was still tirelessly trying to brainwash Song Mingjiao.
[Host, I believe you have already felt the price of the world's collapse. I hope you can complete the mission of the next world diligently.]
Song Mingjiao smiled and forced himself to stand up from the void. His calves trembled unnaturally a few times when he stood up, but he didn't care. He patted the non-existent dust on his body and said with a smile:
"Okay, system, no problem. I'll definitely learn from this. Send me to the next world now."
The system knew that Song Mingjiao was just being perfunctory, but the system's data would only read the surface content and had no way to conduct a deep analysis of the host's inner thoughts, so it could only reluctantly open the world channel.
[Transferring to the second world——Data collection completed! 】
[Ding——Due to the particularities of this world, the host's image is now undergoing necessary transformation. Transformation completed!]
[Host, please complete the inferiority complex character setting task carefully. The system will do its best to serve you. World 2 will be successfully opened! ]
The process of entering the next world was much easier and smoother than the process of leaving the previous world. It seemed that the system wanted to tell Song Mingjiao not to go against the system, otherwise it would end in pain.
But if you continue according to the system's tasks, you can always enter the world completely painlessly, just like you do now.
But Song Mingjiao closed his eyes, curled the corners of his mouth, and said nothing.
The familiar, blinding white light reappeared before him. After it faded, Song Mingjiao seemed to smell a faint fragrance, one that didn't belong to any of the eras he'd lived in.
If I had to describe it, it would be closer to the smell of ambergris.
Song Mingjiao struggled to open his eyes, and what he saw was indeed a large, quaint carved bed and curtains hanging beside it.
——It is the ancient world.
Song Mingjiao was in high spirits and could even ignore the discomfort the system had just caused him.
Ancient times, it’s fun.
Whether it was Song Mingjiao's own era or the era of the novice world, they were both similar to the modern era. Ancient scenes were only limited to the costumes and props of TV dramas and movies.
But this time, Song Mingjiao could actually come to the ancient world and experience it firsthand. He didn't care what the system's real purpose was in choosing this world for him, but at least it met his requirements and piqued his interest.
Make money!
I just don’t know what his identity will be this time?
But if these decorations on the bed were placed in modern times, they would all be priceless antiques. They must have belonged to some important person of high status, right?
While Song Mingjiao was observing his surroundings, the system finally arrived and transmitted the background information and main tasks of this world.
Another flood of information was forced into Song Mingjiao's head. However, this time he had experience and had opened his sea of consciousness in advance, so he didn't feel the same discomfort as in the first world.
[Host, please note that in this world, you are the emperor of the Liang Dynasty. The male protagonist you are tasked with is the newly crowned top scholar. The requirements remain the same; you must maintain a low self-esteem in front of him.]
Song Mingjiao heard the word "Emperor" first. He lowered his eyes and looked down, and saw the bright yellow pajamas he was wearing.
Song Mingjiao's lips blossomed into a genuine smile: "Emperor? Not bad, this status is great! I like this high status, I can play freely."
It’s not wrong to say that Song Mingjiao has a precious mentality like a young master.
But afterwards, the system still followed up with the word "inferiority complex", which made Song Mingjiao feel sick.
Song Mingjiao tilted his head and asked with the same genuine feeling: "Is there really nothing wrong with your system? Why does the emperor also have to feel inferior?"
"Aren't the emperors I used to watch in TV dramas always about emperors who left millions of corpses and shed blood for thousands of miles? Aren't they always about emperors who said, 'I'm going to exterminate your entire clan?'"
As Song Mingjiao moved, the long hair beside him also fell down. While asking the question, Song Mingjiao reached out and rolled up a strand of his own long, smooth hair, playing with it in his hand.
Well, he himself had short hair, so when he came to the ancient world, he could enjoy the treatment of having long hair. Moreover, with the blessing of his status as emperor, he didn't have to bother to take care of his thick and smooth long hair.
At this moment, Song Mingjiao felt that this world was even more interesting!
Song Mingjiao's eyes were very sincere. If the system had not witnessed Song Mingjiao's ability to lie with open eyes in the previous world, it would almost not have been able to hear the sarcasm in his words.
But this time the system was actually strengthened and made preparations in advance.
[Host, please note that the emperor character you need to play is not Emperor Long Aotian, but the pitiful puppet emperor! ]
Ah, in order to highlight the glory of the original male protagonist, even if he was assigned the position of emperor, he could only be a puppet emperor without real power. It was indeed so.
"You have no ambition and are incompetent. You're only lucky to be the emperor. Even if you were to become emperor, you still have your younger brother, who's eyeing your throne. Everyone in the court, from the prime minister to the generals, is a tyrant. How could they possibly obey you, the emperor?"
"And host, this isn't the entertainment industry you can squander at will. External enemies are always lurking. Without the support of a powerful figure like the male protagonist, you might be gnawed away by the combined forces of the court officials and external enemies. You need to rely on the male protagonist, so it's reasonable for you to feel inferior about this, isn't it?"
[Let's talk about the male protagonist. He was originally a bright and upright young man with a bright future. But you fell in love with him, but you couldn't get him. You even used your power as an emperor to force him to become your retainer.]
[The hero is the newly crowned top scholar, with a bright future ahead of him. He could clearly be praised by the world on his own merits. However, because of your selfishness, you could become the laughing stock of the sycophants at any moment.]
Therefore, you feel indebted to the hero, and you bow down to him, wishing you could offer him everything you have. You feel inferior, bitter, and anxiously worry that he will abandon you one day. Isn't this reasonable?
Song Mingjiao listened perfunctorily and clapped his hands. "Brilliant, system! You actually figured out how to justify your logic! Even though it still doesn't make sense."
[Host! Don't refuse a toast, or drink the penalty! Do you remember the pain you felt when you left the previous world? In this world, you only need to maintain your low self-esteem, and the hero will naturally rise to prominence under the influence of the plot, ensuring your eternal reign as emperor. You don't have to put in any effort, isn't that enough?]
"Will the hero help me rise to the top? Or will I use my status and power as an emperor to support the hero and help him achieve his goal of becoming a dragon proud and powerful person?"
Song Mingjiao mercilessly exposed the system's sophistry. It continued to try to persuade Song Mingjiao, trying to get the main plot back on track, but Song Mingjiao waved it off nonchalantly.
"Okay, I know my limits. Please leave."
The system's only remaining function was to provide Song Mingjiao with background information about his character and the general situation of the world. Now that Song Mingjiao had figured these things out, he naturally didn't intend to keep the system around to cause him trouble.
Song Mingjiao adapted to the character very quickly, and then began to give orders condescendingly and drove the system out.
*
"Someone come."
The palace maids and eunuchs guarding the outer room had actually heard the noise in the bedroom a long time ago. Knowing that His Majesty was about to get up, they had been anxiously waiting for instructions.
"Hey, Your Majesty, are you awake?"
Eunuch Zhao was the emperor's chief eunuch. At this moment, he gently pulled open the curtain to prevent the strong light from irritating His Majesty.
A pair of hands gently lifted the bed curtain. It was a pair of hands with extremely fine bones and skin. The fingertips were as slender as the roots of scallions, the skin was fair, the palms were smooth and delicate, and there was no callus on the fingertips. It was obvious that they had been pampered for many years.
Just by looking at a pair of hands, you can see how stunning and charming the person behind the bed curtain is.
Eunuch Zhao has always known that his Majesty has reached the pinnacle of human life at the age of just twenty. Although he is young, he has a handsome appearance.
But when I saw His Majesty getting up this morning, although I couldn’t tell what was different, I just felt for no reason that the His Majesty in front of me looked a little more “alive”.
Even though he was wearing bright yellow pajamas, it still couldn't hide the radiance of His Majesty's face, and it even made his snow-white skin stand out.
Her waist-length hair was jet-black and smooth, and her complexion was as white as cream, like someone stepping out of an ink painting. Her lips were crimson, adding a touch of life. When she wasn't smiling, her expression was extremely cold, giving her an air of imperviousness. But when her watery eyes curved, her entire face became clear, soft, and gentle.
Eunuch Zhao was stunned for a moment, then quickly lowered his head, not daring to look directly at Song Mingjiao. Fortunately, His Majesty did not pursue his offense.
"What day is today?"
Song Mingjiao did not read the plot transmitted by the system too carefully. Fortunately, he was the emperor now. If there was anything, he could order the palace maids and eunuchs to do it. Naturally, there were people who wanted to flatter him one after another.
"Today is the day of the Qionglin Banquet, Your Majesty, have you forgotten? You summoned the top scholar yesterday, and he is now waiting outside the palace."
Eunuch Zhao, along with several young palace maids and eunuchs, were busy helping Song Mingjiao put on the dragon robe, tie her hair, and apply makeup. At the same time, he spoke in a soft voice, carefully answering Song Mingjiao's questions.
Number one scholar? Isn't that the protagonist of the story?
"It seems there is such a person. What's his name?"
"My name is Shang Nanxuan."
"Your Majesty said yesterday that he would go to the Qionglin Banquet with Lord Shang this morning, so that he could help Lord Shang open up his career in the officialdom."
Eunuch Zhao glanced at Song Mingjiao's face cautiously.
He didn't understand. It was obvious that His Majesty had been very concerned about Shang Nanxuan some time ago. He even met with him privately many times and asked the Imperial Hospital to prepare some things that would only be used at certain times.
Eunuch Zhao had served two emperors and was now a generation older than Song Mingjiao. He had witnessed all sorts of shady things that happened in the imperial family. Based on Eunuch Zhao's experience, Shang Nanxuan would have immediately become the emperor's lover.
But for some reason, His Majesty seemed to have forgotten Shang Nanxuan today, and now he couldn't even remember his name.
"Really? Then go out and meet him."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Eunuch Zhao didn't dare to say much. In fact, he had already seen from the emperor's expression that Song Mingjiao was no longer interested in Shang Nanxuan. He was far from being as fanatical as he had been some time ago, even to the point of not being like an emperor.
Your grace is like flowing water.
Eunuch Zhao had seen many such things, and he just shook his head quietly in his heart: It seems that all the courtesy shown to Shang Nanxuan before will no longer be necessary.
The palace maids and eunuchs had already dressed Song Mingjiao in the dragon robe. Today was a day off and he did not need to attend court, so Song Mingjiao did not wear the complicated and heavy imperial crown, but only a casual crown, which was low-key yet luxurious.
Song Mingjiao stood in front of the bronze mirror. The level of technology in ancient times was not as good as that of modern times. Even the bronze mirror in the imperial palace could not restore Song Mingjiao's figure one to one.
But he could see that this was still his own body. Every part of his body was familiar, only his hair had changed. This should be the transformation that the system had made to him when he entered the world.
"You all go down first."
Song Mingjiao walked out of the Yangxin Palace and went to the warm room connected outside. He then dismissed everyone and left only Eunuch Zhao waiting at the door.
"Your Majesty is well."
There was a person sitting in the warm room, looking cold and arrogant, with a familiar air of indifference. When he saw Song Mingjiao coming out of the inner room, he slowly stood up and saluted.
——It’s Shang Nanxuan, the male protagonist of this world, the main plot center favored by the system in this world, the person he should be devoted to, licking his ass, and feeling inferior for.
Song Mingjiao took a quick look, not wanting to waste too much time on this person. He looked somewhat similar to Mo Qinan from the previous world.
Sure enough, the people he hates always have something in common, Song Mingjiao sighed in his heart.
"It seems that the number one scholar still has some lessons to learn about court etiquette."
Song Mingjiao meant that Shang Nanxuan was sitting comfortably in the warm room while waiting for him, the emperor.
As expected of the male protagonist of the story, this arrogant and self-centered look will not change even if the world changes.
The little emperor came over with a smile on his face, and said these words to Shang Nanxuan lightly. If these words were spread out, it would be enough for those people in the Censorate to impeach him for half a year.
The current emperor, a young man in power, was still young and slightly shorter than Shang Nanxuan. Yet, as he approached, he felt an inexplicable sense of oppression. Even the back of the ornate robes he had specially prepared for the Qionglin Feast was slightly beaded with sweat.
"It was Eunuch Zhao who asked me to sit here. I thought it was Your Majesty's intention." Shang Nanxuan explained with gritted teeth.
However, in just one day, he felt that the little emperor in front of him had changed a lot. He was no longer as pretty and weak as before. His eyes were full of love and desire. He looked at him eagerly and even used his imperial power to force him into a path of no return.
Shang Nanxuan was not a homosexual, he had always hated the emperor's behavior.
Eunuch Zhao, who was trying his best to reduce his presence at the door, was startled when he heard these words, and he wanted to throw the whisk in his hand over.
What an ungrateful person! If His Majesty didn't value Shang Nanxuan, why would he give him special treatment? Now he's directly betrayed him.
"So now, my dear, was the way you speak to me also taught by Eunuch Zhao?"
Song Mingjiao asked this question with a smile.
He was just looking through the settings, and sure enough, the protagonist of this world's story was still the same as in the previous world - a waste.
Born into a poor family, both his parents died, and his family had no powerful background. He took the imperial examinations several times but failed, and was only a small scholar.
It was during one of the emperor's incognito visits that he took a liking to Shang Nanxuan, who was studying at the academy. He was so inspired that he invited a teacher and had him brought to the capital. He also granted Shang Nanxuan a private residence, provided him with servants and cooks, and provided Shang Nanxuan with a place to study.
Along the way, except for not revealing the test questions directly to Shang Nanxuan, all the best resources were used, even including predicting the questions.
With such protection, Shang Nanxuan was barely able to pass the palace examination. The palace examination was the time when the emperor had the final say, which is how he got his current status as the top scholar.
However, seeing the reluctance of this top scholar now, I am afraid that he is just like Mo Qinan in the previous world. He feels that he has reached where he is today by his own ability, and thinks that it is Song Mingjiao who has hindered his path to success.
From the very beginning, Song Mingjiao had no intention of following his inferiority complex character, nor did he intend to give Shang Nanxuan any face, and bluntly said this extremely stressful sentence.
Shang Nanxuan, who was sitting opposite him, felt extremely uncomfortable. He couldn't help forgetting the rule of not looking directly at the emperor, and raised his head, saying foolishly, "What?"
Eunuch Zhao lowered his head, unable to bear the sight of Shang Nanxuan's foolish behavior. He finally understood why the emperor had changed his mind; this top scholar seemed truly unworthy of the public.
I don't know if the champion scholar really didn't understand or was deliberately not wanting to understand. Whether it was when he first met His Majesty or when His Majesty was obviously angry and questioning him, he didn't perform a big ceremony, but only bowed slightly.
"Kneel down."
Song Mingjiao smiled, but the smile did not reach his eyes, and even the corners of his mouth showed a hint of coldness.
Shang Nanxuan's eyes widened, as if he couldn't believe what he heard. "What are you talking about? Didn't you say before that you would exempt me from the ceremony of kneeling in private?"
Eunuch Zhao at the door closed his eyes, unable to bear the sight: "It's hopeless. This Shang sir, he probably still thinks he's in favor. He has no idea that the emperor's will has already changed."
Song Mingjiao found Shang Nanxuan's current appearance somewhat funny.
He doesn't actually have to maliciously target the male protagonist every time, but this guy is really a hopeless case, and he is always stupid and disgusting, which makes him not want to spend any more time on him.
Song Mingjiao's face turned cold, and the smile he had been pretending to maintain disappeared in an instant, replaced by - the emperor's ruthlessness.
"I say, kneel down."
After saying this, Song Mingjiao didn't even need to raise his eyes to signal. The eunuch beside the emperor came over immediately, like a shrewd man, and held Shang Nanxuan's shoulders, forcing the new number one scholar to kneel in front of the emperor.
Song Mingjiao was very satisfied with this gesture. Finally, he didn't have to look up at these men who were taller than him. He bent down, patted Shang Nanxuan's face with his noble hand, and said:
"I have the final say on when to request a private audience."
Then Song Mingjiao stood up and left the warm room of the Yangxin Palace without looking back, and did not mention going to the Qionglin Banquet together.
His back was cold and indifferent. He waved his hand and his voice seemed to come from the wind:
"Have someone watch him and make him kneel for half an hour before he can stand up. Tell him to learn some palace etiquette. After all, he is the top scholar selected by me personally. Don't embarrass me at the Qionglin Banquet."
Eunuch Zhao murmured, "Yes," and followed closely behind Song Mingjiao, accompanying the emperor on his journey. He quickly waved to the waiting palace maids and eunuchs, telling them to do as His Majesty ordered. He didn't even dare to remind His Majesty of his intention to bring the number one scholar with him yesterday.
Shang Nanxuan, kneeling on the spot, clenched his fists, feeling endless humiliation.
Shang Nanxuan had never felt as clearly the difference in status between him and Song Mingjiao as he did now. However, in this palace with its strict rules and guards armed with swords everywhere, Shang Nanxuan did not dare to disobey Song Mingjiao's orders.
During that time, Shang Nanxuan had felt the emperor's affection, after all, the emperor had gifted him so many resources. However, Song Mingjiao had never shown any imperial airs in front of him, and even felt guilty because the emperor had selfishly "sullied" him, a future pillar of the court.
Shang Nanxuan himself thought the same thing. He enjoyed the emperor's favor while accepting the emperor's compensation with a clear conscience, never thinking that the world would change.
But now, he could only humbly ask the eunuch who stayed behind: "Excuse me, eunuch, why is His Majesty Song acting like this today?"
The young eunuch was not as accurate as the chief eunuch who attended the emperor's side, who could accurately understand Song Mingjiao's intentions. But he did know one thing: he had been taught from childhood to respect the emperor. Moreover, although the current emperor ascended the throne at a young age, he was known for his virtue and was highly respected among court officials and the people.
Therefore, the young eunuch glared at Shang Nanxuan angrily and said, "Your Majesty, what you said is naturally correct. You must not be disrespectful to Your Majesty!"
Shang Nanxuan felt his blood boiling in humiliation, but in the end he could only keep silent cowardly.
On the other side, Song Mingjiao had already boarded the emperor's exclusive carriage and arrived at the Qionglin Banquet.
The civil and military ministers and newly-appointed scholars, who were originally in a noisy and noisy discussion, fell silent when they saw the bright yellow figure walking in, and hurriedly got up from their seats to salute.
"Your Majesty, may you be well!"
Amidst the constant greetings, Song Mingjiao walked up to the highest seat at the Qionglin Banquet without any fear or discomfort with his character. Even the system in his mind was being sarcastic, saying it was a pity that he didn't become emperor.
Honestly, Song Mingjiao felt the system had wronged him. Except in front of the male protagonist, whom he hated, he wasn't someone who liked to act like an emperor all the time, nor did he deliberately make the ministers kneel for too long, quickly yelling "Stand up."
After the court officials had all sat down, Song Mingjiao raised his eyes to examine the "company team" of his small world.
Unexpectedly, this unintentional glance allowed Song Mingjiao to see a familiar profile.
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