Quick Transmigration: Saving That Cannon Fodder

The two chatted about everyday things, just like any ordinary couple.

With no children by her side all these years, the Empress's palace was always cold and deserted, and the Emperor would come to keep her company whenever he had free time.

After the meal, the emperor inquired about the selection of a crown princess.

The Empress smiled and said, "Since Ayu was not happy, I did not choose any of them. However, Si Lin seems to have taken a fancy to the daughter of Prime Minister Murong."

The emperor frowned upon hearing this: "Si Lin?" He seemed unable to recall who this person was.

The Empress chuckled softly, reminding him, "His Majesty has just found the Second Prince."

The emperor slapped his forehead: "If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten about this person."

In fact, what he valued most was his legitimate son. He only loved the person in front of him in this life. When the imperial concubines were being selected, the empress had not yet reached marriageable age, and the two had no interaction.

He thought that since he couldn't win the heart of the one he loved, it was uncertain whether he, an unfavored prince, could even ascend the throne.

After becoming emperor, the woman before him came of age. Emperor Qi did not force her, but secretly inquired about her wishes.

Less than two months later, the coronation ceremony was held, and Emperor Qi married this empress who was twelve years younger than him.

At that time, there were already five or six concubines in the harem, and even a few princes and princesses.

That's how it is in the royal family. There's no concept of a lifelong, monogamous relationship. To balance the court, even if someone doesn't like another, they have to be brought into the harem.

But in Emperor Qi's heart, he only had this one wife, and he visited Jingren Palace most often.

His favorite son was Crown Prince Qi Siyu. Even if the concept of the Purple Star had not existed back then, the position of Crown Prince would not have belonged to anyone else.

It's even less likely that he would abandon Qi Siyu because of a few crows and sparrows, or because of a few words from the Imperial Advisor.

If Qi Siyu could live past twenty, the Emperor thought he would grant him whatever request he made.

Perhaps it was a case of loving the house because of the house; looking at the gentle and lovely woman in front of him, he couldn't help but hug her and gently stroke her face with the back of his hand.

He whispered, "Your Majesty need not concern yourself with others; you are the only one in my heart."

As he spoke, he reached out and took the phoenix hairpin from the Empress's head. It was a hairpin that Emperor Qi had given her when they got married, and the Empress wore it every day.

She nestled in the emperor's arms, her expression somewhat apprehensive, and asked, "Your Majesty, if Xiaoyu has a conflict with the other princes, will you punish him?"

Emperor Qi gently smoothed her long hair and said without thinking, "No, it must be Qi Silin's fault."

That day at the hunting grounds, Qi Silin came alone to claim kinship. He thought Qi Silin was a perceptive person, and because of that blood relation, he brought him back.

Little did they know, that was also a foolish thing to do.

Hearing him say this, the Empress guessed that he probably knew about what had happened in the Imperial Garden.

Knowing that he hadn't helped Qi Silin, the Empress was relieved.

She knew all the women in the palace well, and these princes had long since dared not provoke her and her son.

When she was drugged, Emperor Qi immediately killed several of his concubines, and even their sons were sent away.

During this time, the emperor stayed by her side, suspended court for three days, and cleaned up the harem.

It was only then that she realized that the emperor had been protecting her all these years. She became empress at the age of fifteen, and everything had gone so smoothly because he had always been there to protect her.

Despite this, he was still ambushed.

Later, Emperor Qi would tell her about the affairs of the previous dynasty and the harem, and about what he had seen and heard when he was a child, teaching her step by step to secure her position as empress.

There are many assassins lurking in Jingren Palace. Even after Emperor Qi is gone, she will still be the esteemed Empress Dowager.

All of this was given to him by the man in front of him, and if one day the man has someone else in his heart, he can give that person the same thing.

The Empress has controlled the harem for years, and she doesn't need to pay any attention to the other princes, princesses, or even concubines.

The only unknown factor is Qi Silin. She worries that Qi Silin's mother is favored by the emperor, and that the emperor might punish her Xiaoyu because of Qi Silin.

Now it seems unlikely.

Her delicate chin was lifted, and the emperor's majestic voice rang out: "You are not allowed to think of anyone else."

The Empress blushed and leaned forward...

*

East Palace.

Qi Siyu woke up in the evening, and several black birds were flapping their wings outside the window.

"Awake? I'll have someone bring you a meal," Akahoshi said gently by the bedside.

Qi Siyu was annoyed; how could he have fallen asleep?

"What time is it? You've been taking care of me the whole time?"

Chi Xing said, "It's the hour of You (5-7 PM)."

As the setting sun cast its golden rays across the courtyard, Qi Siyu got up and went outside.

More birds flew around the yard, mostly black crows, the birds that had been with him since birth.

Qi Siyu seemed to be used to it. When Xiao Yezi brought over some grains, Qi Siyu reached out, grabbed a handful, and scattered them out. The crows then flew over to peck at the grains.

Akahoshi watched this scene from the side. In the afterglow of the setting sun, Ayu, dressed in a moon-white robe, was a pleasing sight even though she was feeding crows, which were considered an ominous sign.

With a click of the shutter, 250 captured the scene with his small camera, which no one could see.

With practiced movements, he pasted the photos on the wall of the system space. Upon closer inspection, the wall also recorded many moments between Chi Xing and Xian Jun.

[Your Highness, rest assured, the commander will record it.]

Looking at the 250 that was on the right track, Akahoshi decided to give it a few more dried fish that night.

Qi Siyu turned to look at him, and said somewhat forlornly, "Xingxing, I am an unlucky person."

"Just because of these birds? Or because of something Xu Yang said?"

Chi Xing said earnestly, "Ayu, look closely." He pointed to a crow not far away.

The black crows' feathers shimmered with a glossy blue-purple hue under the light. Suddenly, several more crows flew over, their feathers shimmering with different colors as they moved.

After learning that these birds were an ominous symbol of his misfortune, Qi Siyu felt a strong aversion to them for a period of time.

He ordered all the crows to be driven away, but on the first and fifteenth of each lunar month, or on special holidays, the crows would still linger near the East Palace.

Later, Qi Siyu stopped chasing them away. He realized that he was just like the crows; they were both frightening and repulsive.

Over time, Qi Siyu got used to their presence and would occasionally feed them.

They never realized that crows' feathers also come in other colors, colors that other birds don't have.

As if receiving some kind of command, several crows flapped their wings and flew over, landing on Xiao Yezi's shoulder so they could see more clearly.

Chi Xing took Qi Siyu's hand and said, "Ayu, look, aren't they beautiful too? Crows are beneficial birds; they help farmers get rid of pests and even feed their parents."

Chixing told him many good things about crows, and listening to these stories, the word "crow" seemed completely unrelated to bad luck.

"You're very good. Xu Yang's words are not to be trusted."