Chapter 1 A Month

A month in this game wasn't long or short; it was enough time for the four outside players to engage in constant subtle and not-so-subtle actions.

Even those who weren't actively scheming were stirred into action by the conditions Mu Chen had created.

The palace, however, was much calmer. After being granted a few days off, Lu Xiaoyao finally shook off the "lovesick" debuff, and now, full of energy, she continued to serve Mu Chen tea and water, determined to become the Jing An Emperor's number one bootlicker!

Therefore, Mu Chen kindly reminded Lu Xiaoyao, "In a few days, there will be a banquet in the palace. Ming'er will be alone there. Go and keep her company beforehand, and share some takeout with her."

Ming Mei had previously told Mu Chen that Lu Xiaoyao would be ready to start her second round around the time of the next banquet, so he added this line specifically to boost Ming Mei's performance.

Unexpectedly, Lu Xiaoyao's livestream was filled with touching rainbow praises:

[Wuwuwu, thank you, Your Majesty, for the reminder!]

[My崽 is a beloved团宠, right? Even His Majesty dotes on my 崽!]

[That's right, that's right. The大佬 is really too kind QvQ. Lu Xiaoyao, get your act together!]

[Following the businesswoman小姐姐 chasing after me and sticking to me, now the boss has also reminded me! Lu Xiaoyao, what virtue and ability do you possess!]

[Isn't it just me who thinks His Majesty is doing this because he likes the mysterious businesswoman小姐姐, so he spoke up?]

It must be said that there were always some people in the comments who saw through the truth, but the vast majority were still immersed in Lu Xiaoyao's蜜汁 confidence after "captivating" the businesswoman小姐姐 and now "captivating" the Big Boss once again.

Seeing Mu Chen reminding Lu Xiaoyao to buy takeout from the perspective of the livestream, Ming Mei didn't find it funny at all!

Ming Mei had already become the "chasing after Lu Xiaoyao and sticking to her" figure in the audience's eyes, which showed how irritating every word of Lu Xiaoyao was!

Remembering Lu Xiaoyao's cluelessness, she sighed softly, "If she still doesn't buy it this time, I think Mu Chen might find a reason to drag her down and execute her… If it really doesn't work, maybe I can order it myself?"

What's the use of keeping a player who doesn't buy takeout (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻!

"Achoo!"

Lu Xiaoyao had just retreated to the tea room and suddenly felt an itch in her nose and sneezed as soon as she entered.

The palace maid who was pouring tea in the room was startled, and the sound of the teacup shattering made Lu Xiaoyao realize that there was someone in the tea room.

"Eh?"

Lu Xiaoyao looked at the palace maid kneeling on the ground picking up the teacup shards. The other party was trembling and kept her head lowered, so she couldn't see her face. Lu Xiaoyao was puzzled and frowned, asking, "Where did you come from? Where's Little Shizi?"

Little Shizi was the little eunuch who started by sucking up to Lu Xiaoyao and calling him godfather. Little Shizi had always been arranged by Lu Xiaoyao to work in the tea room. When did this little palace maid appear?

Realizing that something was wrong, Lu Xiaoyao was about to call for someone when a white-faced eunuch came in and warmly greeted, "Oh, Brother Changfu~"

Lu Xiaoyao turned to look at this person and matched him with the game information—Zhu Changshou.

One of the three Grand Eunuchs by the Jing An Emperor's side, their names together meant fortune, prosperity, and longevity.

The one who could compete with Lu Xiaoyao for the work of being close to the Jing An Emperor was Yang Changlu, another eunuch who was usually smiling but very quiet. She had rarely seen this Zhu Changshou.

So rarely that she had to flip through the game character's interpersonal information when they met.

"Brother Changshou…"

Lu Xiaoyao addressed this Zhu Changshou, who was clearly older than her but still called her "brother," with a forced "brother."

"This is…"

Lu Xiaoyao still remembered the palace maid kneeling on the ground and gestured with her eyes for Zhu Changshou to give her an explanation. She didn't believe that she was asking about the person's information, and this Zhu Changshou popped out at this time not for this palace maid who had been kneeling here for a long time without raising her head?

Sure enough, Lu Xiaoyao poked her lips, and the other party smiled at Lu Xiaoyao and said, "A newly arrived tea-serving palace maid. Isn't this just letting her practice here? When she's skilled, she'll go to the front to serve."

[Huo~ this "serving" sounds ambiguous~]

[Tsk tsk, this eunuch is courting death!]

[Heaven has a road you don't take,]

[Hell has no door, but you go together!]

……

Ming Mei frowned subconsciously at what was said in the comments. The sour feeling in her heart made her couldn't help but eat another piece of orange at hand.

Damn it!

So sour!

……

"Oh~~"

Sure enough, Lu Xiaoyao's brain wasn't usually bright, but when it came to matters concerning her CP, she immediately perked up. The just-now easy-going look instantly narrowed her eyes, and her face turned cold.

"A tea-serving palace maid? Raise your head and let us take a look?"

Lu Xiaoyao made no attempt to conceal it. The other two people present heard the picky tone in Lu Xiaoyao's voice.

Zhu Changshou also smiled awkwardly at the side and said to the palace maid on the ground, "Minghua, why don't you…"

"Wait!" Lu Xiaoyao suddenly called out to stop and looked at Zhu Changshou, pointing to the one on the ground, and asked, "Minghua? Which ming?"

"It's the ming in '茗茶' (ming cha, fine tea)."

"Forget it, from now on, you'll be called Anhua (Dark Flower)." Lu Xiaoyao didn't care about what ming it was. Anyway, the emperor called that lady in the Cold Palace "Ming'er," so she had to avoid the name of the noble.

"This…" Zhu Changshou was speechless and looked at Lu Xiaoyao with a speechless expression on his face that said, "Are you okay? Do you need to eat xx plums?"

What he got in return was Lu Xiaoyao's light hum, "Anhua, raise your head and let us take a look."

When the other party raised her head, what came into view was a pitiful small face the size of a palm. Her features were quite delicate, but compared with Ming Mei's appearance, Lu Xiaoyao felt that she wasn't good enough.

The next second, Lu Xiaoyao suddenly laughed and stared at the seemingly weak white lotus in front of her, "Your appearance is not good enough. Who will be responsible if you disgust His Majesty when you get in front of him?"

Zhu Changshou: ??

Former · Minghua · Current · Anhua: Damn it!

Looking at the unwillingness and anger flashing in the eyes of the palace maid on the ground, Lu Xiaoyao had originally just wanted to find a reason to drive away this little palace maid who had tried to destroy her CP, but now she changed her mind.

Was Zhu Changshou aware that this little palace maid had ulterior motives?

Thinking, Lu Xiaoyao glanced out of the corner of her eye at Zhu Changfu, who was next to her, who already had beads of sweat on his forehead because she had directly said that she wanted to get rid of this palace maid.

With this look, it was obvious that these two had a guilty conscience!

This Zhu Changshou was usually like a transparent person, but now he suddenly "appeared" and sent a palace maid who clearly had intentions towards the Jing An Emperor. This was very wrong!

"Brother Changfu, this tea-serving palace maid is not a concubine in the harem. Why does she need to be so beautiful? Isn't it enough for her to have proper and pretty features that suit His Majesty's heart?"

Out of nowhere, she went from ugly to pretty, and the little palace maid, who had always been very confident in her appearance, began to doubt her life at this moment.

"Is that so? But… can she be as pleasing to His Majesty's heart as I am?"

Lu Xiaoyao pointed at herself with her fingers narcissistically and raised her chin proudly.

Hmph! Only someone as loyal and determined to protect her CP as I am can be pleasing to His Majesty's heart!

That's right! I'll protect my CP! How dare any Tom, Dick, or Harry covet my CP?!

"We are the most pleasing person to His Majesty!"

Lu Xiaoyao, who was currently narcissistic and immersed in the brainwashing of being a great hero protecting the "weak" CP, completely did not notice Zhu Changshou's shocked expression after hearing her ambiguous words!

Zhu Changshou: Holy crap?! Your Majesty, does he like eunuchs?!