Укротитель зверей

Глава 2

When I returned to the bedroom, everything was exactly the same as when I left. Granny was still fast asleep, slumped on the footstool. The bed was neatly covered with a human-shaped blanket, which I had asked Jifeng to do before we left. Although he is older than me, he must have spent less time in bed than I have, and he lacks experience in escaping from bed, so he needs a lot of guidance.

After being put down, I sighed, feeling resentful towards the imperial guard who was too perceptive. I pondered whether I should find a reason to teach them a lesson. Ji Feng watched me in the darkness and silently gestured for me to lie down. I was unwilling to give up and grabbed his hand to stop him from leaving.

“The moon is still there, let’s go out again. This time I promise I won’t say anything, I’ll just look, I’ll just look with my eyes.”

He crouched down and spoke in a very low voice, probably afraid of being overheard.

"Next time, okay?"

His words made me feel it was necessary to tell him who was in charge here, but I was more careful than him in my actions, leaning my head to his ear and whispering in his ear, while also making my request.

"Then next time I'm going to eat a pound of beef, definitely a pound of beef, do you understand?"

Ji Feng stiffened noticeably for a moment, which I took as a normal reaction and accepted with a smile. However, his thin earlobe suddenly felt hot under my lips, very hot. I was startled and wanted to reach out to confirm, but he suddenly leaped far away. The moment the window closed, a gust of wind spurted in from the side. The old woman moved, rubbed her eyes, looked up, and saw me sitting on the edge of the bed. She immediately rolled over and got up, taking out the golden toilet.

"Your Highness still has that intention, doesn't she? To have this old woman serve you when you need to relieve yourself."

I collapsed, finally unable to hold back, and slammed my head against the bedpost.

~~ ...

Hai: This is my first time writing about ancient times, can't you give me some encouragement... boohoo

Narrator: ...

Chapter 5

For the next few days, I was obsessed with a pound of beef. Unfortunately, my body betrayed me, and I started to have a fever after that night. My nanny even found a reason not to let me leave the courtyard.

The imperial physicians arrived the day before I developed a fever. They surrounded my bedside with practiced ease, discussing what medicine to administer while reprimanding the group of nannies and maids kneeling beside me. I was thoroughly annoyed and could only glance at Ji Feng standing in the corner of my eye. He was as expressionless as ever, but I knew he was watching me. However, given the distance and the presence of so many other people, I couldn't make out his expression and didn't know whether to be happy or worried.

I was naturally pleased when he looked at me, but the thought that he was probably looking at me because he regretted taking me out that night filled me with worry.

Fortunately, the imperial physicians diagnosed the princess with heatstroke, with the fever caused by the invasion of pathogenic heat. I rarely agreed so loudly, and I patted the bed frame as I spoke.

"In this sweltering heat, they won't even let me go out for some fresh air. I'm stuck in this little room all day; naturally, I've got heatstroke."

Just then, a lively scene unfolded outside the door. A little eunuch rushed in and knelt down. It turned out that my father, the Emperor, had arrived.

My father is very handsome. It is said that before he ascended the throne, he was handsome and charming, with red lips and white teeth. He was like Tang Sanzang, making every woman who passed by want to take a bite. This caused the women of the previous short-lived emperor to fight over him. However, now he is old, with a long beard and long beads hanging from his crown, covering his face so much that it is impossible to see clearly.

Perhaps to ward off unwanted suitors, he never appointed another empress after his mother's death. Ministers begged him until their knees were worn out, but he remained steadfast in his affections.

Actually, it's all just a pretense of deep affection. What does the title of Empress mean? Even I know that the harem is crammed with all sorts of beauties, and if there are any more, we'll have to sleep in the Taiji Palace.

When my father arrived, the area around my bed was immediately cleared, and everyone who was not present knelt on the ground. My father looked down at me, his tone full of annoyance, and said, "Ping'an, you're growing more and more like your mother."

This was my father's favorite phrase when he saw me, and everyone was used to it. I also looked annoyed, shrugged, and sighed, "Well, even Ping An doesn't know."

My father laughed and picked me up. I didn't actually have a high fever, but people here tend to make a big deal out of small things. However, since I rarely saw my father, I took the opportunity to act spoiled and repeat my previous complaints.

The Emperor nodded after hearing this. "How can we keep cooped up indoors all the time? Imperial physicians, don't you agree?"

The imperial physicians wiped their sweat and knelt on the ground, repeatedly praising the Emperor's wisdom. I was naturally overjoyed, but then my father added something else.

"Let's find some entertainment for the princess in the room. There are a few acrobats; they'll be hilarious. Ping An, you'll definitely like them."

That's why they say like father, like son. Perversion is hereditary; the Emperor is indeed his father's son…

I broke down, my head lolling to the side as I leaned on my father's shoulder. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a black figure among a large group of kneeling people suddenly twitch slightly. For some reason, I felt a surge of fear. I reached out and hugged my father's face. "Father, I'm not bored anymore. Let's skip the acrobatics, it's too noisy."

My father was busy with state affairs and naturally couldn't stay long. He chatted with me for a few more minutes before setting off. As he walked to the door, he suddenly turned back.

As I was seeing him off out of filial piety, I walked beside him and unconsciously followed his gaze, only to meet Ji Feng's eyes.

I was greatly startled. I gripped my father's fingers tightly, but when I looked up, I saw him smiling. His smile was inscrutable, and he smiled as he passed by behind the beaded curtain.

~~ ...

Hai: Please applaud Hai's perseverance! (Hands on hips, laughing, hahaha)

Narrator: Monsoon, do you need a knife? I can lend you one...

Chapter 6

After everyone had left, I decided to talk to Ji Feng about the rules of the palace. I've always been a person of action; I do what I think of. If the maids and servants want to follow my lead, I won't turn around and glare at them.

"I'm just taking a walk in the courtyard. Don't follow me."

The maids loyally surrounded her, "Princess, it's hot, would you like us to fan you?"

I stroked my chin. "The imperial physician said I was infected by an evil wind. I was wondering where this evil wind came from..."

They shivered and lay down in a group, so I took the opportunity to leave and headed straight for Ji Feng's room.

Once inside, I realized that I could have easily summoned him to my room to talk. How could I have forgotten? When it comes to discussing palace rules, I must personally come to his door. The dignity of the princess was once again swept away.

He wasn't surprised to see me, and continued doing his own thing with his head down. I climbed onto the chair and looked at him, wondering how to start a conversation.

Ji Feng was wiping his sword with a soft, bluish-gray cloth. His fingers were long and strong as he slowly wiped it from bottom to top. I gradually became engrossed in watching him, then climbed off the chair, went over, and grabbed his hand to stop him from moving.

He finally looked at me properly. I sighed and climbed up his knees. I had only been in the room a short time, but I was already doing this action again and again with great ease.

My movement was so large that even though he had already put his sword aside, it was still swept by my wide sleeve. He frowned, and with a flick of his wrist, the sword went into its scabbard lying on the side of the table, far away from us.

I was surprised again, looking back and forth between it and the monsoon. He closed his eyes slightly, looking somewhat helpless, and said, "You can't do it, don't try."

He would occasionally forget to call me princess. I was not annoyed at all; in fact, I was quite pleased. It seems that the power of beauty is immense, making people do many things that defy common sense. No wonder so many emperors throughout history were incompetent rulers. With a beauty by their side, the emperor would neglect his morning court duties.

Thinking of my father, I finally remembered the purpose of my visit. I coughed to straighten my face and then spoke earnestly.

"Ji Feng, Father's face doesn't look good."

I originally wanted to say that there were rules in the palace, and that looking directly at the royal family was a capital offense, but I changed my mind and lied against my conscience.

In fact, every prince and princess has some close eunuchs, maids, and guards. Even my elder brother has one or two he likes and keeps them by his side every day. Naturally, the formalities are omitted, and it's very casual. But Father's face... is really unbearable to look at.

My father disliked people looking directly at him. During court sessions, all the ministers would bow their heads while speaking, as would the palace eunuchs. The concubines were also used to bowing their heads. There was a new girl who didn't know the rules and had no one to teach her. When she first served my father, she looked at his face and exclaimed, "Your Majesty is so beautiful!" The eunuchs dragged her off the bed and threw her naked into the lotus pond. She died without ever knowing what she had done wrong.

In short, my father's face is truly unbearable to look at; looking at it will only result in torture.

Ji Feng didn't react at all after hearing my words. I sighed. It's rare for me to be so tactful, yet no one understands. Geniuses are indeed lonely. All my good intentions have been in vain.

"Princess, it's time for your afternoon nap." He picked me up and stood me up, his intentions clear.

I panicked and grabbed the shelf next to me, refusing to move. He probably didn't expect me to do that, and he closed his eyes again...

I changed the subject, "Ji Feng, do you know why Father Emperor likes me so much?"

He didn't answer, but he didn't move either. I knew I had said the right thing, so I immediately continued, with a hint of lament, "I look like my mother."

Princess Ping'an looks like the late Empress, a secret known to everyone in the palace. Ji Feng stopped walking after hearing this, and I, powerless, had no choice but to continue revealing more information.

"My mother died of illness when she gave birth to me, so I was born with an illness. A Taoist priest once told me that I would be sixteen at most."

Ji Feng's hand suddenly sank, and I thought I was about to fall. I immediately hugged his neck tightly, and heard his voice in my ear, "How old are you? Where did you hear that?"

I glared at him. “Of course, I saw it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears. Father was furious at the time, but he couldn’t kill him. Someone that even Father couldn’t kill must have some real skills.” I recalled the way that Taoist priest floated around back then, and I couldn’t help but be fascinated again. When I turned my head and saw his face, my heart skipped a beat, and I quickly comforted him.

I said, "The monsoon won't last long, just keep me company."

He didn't look at me, gave a cold snort, and said only, "Supernatural phenomena and strange tales, what's so believable about them?"

~~ ...

Hai: Monsoon, you're still so young, you're still so young... *wipes drool*, continue.

Chapter 7

I know Jifeng doesn't believe it, and actually I don't really care about it myself.

Since birth, I've seemingly had everything I wanted. My elder brother once said that the whole world belonged to my family, and I could do whatever I wanted. But after thinking it over, I realized that no matter how much I indulged myself, I'd only be in this palace. Seeing too many dragons would make me restless, and what joy would there be in that?

Summer days are long and arduous. After a few days, Ji Feng actually performed a set of Five Animal Frolics in the courtyard. Dressed in black, he stood tall and pounced like a crane and a tiger, a truly beautiful sight. I am used to enjoying beautiful scenery alone, so I naturally sent all the maids away and sat cross-legged on the soft couch, watching with such rapt attention that I forgot to blink.

He moved nimbly in front of me, his clothes fluttering. I suddenly remembered the figure I had glimpsed in the steaming water a long time ago, and I felt a surge of heat. I quickly grabbed the iced plum juice next to me and gulped down two mouthfuls.

After he finished hitting me, he looked at me and simply said, "Come on."

I was so engrossed in the beautiful scenery that I had almost forgotten about it. I was surprised to see him strike the first pose. "What are you doing?"

He took my hand and helped me get into position without offering any explanation. But after spending a lot of time with him, I naturally understood that he was trying to teach me.

Teach me the Five Animal Frolics?

Overwhelmed with surprise, I remained frozen in that position, speechless, until it took me a long time to finally utter, "Ji Feng, there are many imperial guards in the palace. Even if you want to slack off, you don't need to train me into a peerless master..."

He froze, then answered me, "Princess, practicing the Five Animal Frolics will not make you a peerless master."

"Oh." I knew he wouldn't lie to me, and I was even less willing to move. "Then I'll go and rest."

Helpless, he walked in front of me, bent down, and spoke in a very low voice.

"One pound of beef."

My eyes lit up immediately. I turned around and walked back, calling out to him, "Come on, where were we in the practice?"

Although practicing the Five Animal Frolics won't make you a peerless master, it's still extremely difficult. If it weren't for a pound of beef to keep me going, I would never have been able to persevere. Especially when I see Ji Feng's poses and compare them to my own, I always feel that my Five Animal Frolics are just like those of domestic fowl, a waste of my imperial title.

Although it was difficult to learn, it was also a good way to pass the time. Often, an afternoon would pass by without me even realizing it. The courtyard was shaded by thick trees. Although Jifeng didn't talk much, he was very patient. If I was in the wrong position, he would never say anything, but would just come over and rearrange it for me. He was tall, so he would have to bend down every time. He would not look at my face and would be very focused.

I was overjoyed and felt that there was nothing shameful about domestic fowl, as long as it was by my side.

By the time I was finally able to calmly and skillfully perform a proper set of Five Animal Frolics, summer was almost over.

My father came to see me again, and I dressed up in colorful clothes to entertain him and try my best to please him. The imperial physicians said that my health had improved a lot recently, and my father was overjoyed. He rewarded everyone in my courtyard and asked if everyone was still there.

I looked around, tilted my head back, and answered him innocently, "There are two more, but I just sent them to deliver something to my brother."

The imperial eunuch reminded me in a high-pitched voice that it was getting late and that His Majesty should proceed to the Hall of Supreme Harmony for the evening banquet. My father glanced at me and simply said...

“Ping An, you seem to be in good spirits today. Don’t stay cooped up in this courtyard. There will be an envoy from the Mo Kingdom at the banquet tonight. Come and see what foreigners look like.”

There's something to watch, so of course I said yes. But then my father added, "I've arranged someone to accompany you, so just let him follow you around. Don't keep sending him out. This servant isn't just for delivering things."

After my father left, I realized that my palms were covered in cold sweat. Ji Feng finally returned from my brother's place, but he didn't look well. The maids were dressing me up, and I didn't bother to ask him what had happened. I just stared at him blankly, feeling very melancholy.