Jiang Lai was all too familiar with this kind of plot.
Drugging someone and sending them to a manâs bed, and just hearing the name, Chu Yunci, he must be quite exceptional.
"So? Is this process very dangerous?"
Little Buding let out a cold laugh.
"Thatâs because you donât know how formidable Chu Yunci is! In the original plot, when he opened his eyes and saw a woman lying on him, he didnât care who she was and instantly chopped off five of her fingers!
That scene was really tragic.
Because he was crippled from childhood, Chu Yunci was the biggest antagonist in this story, with a dark mind and ruthless methods. Knowing that the old Emperor wouldnât pass the throne to him, he directly killed his father and altered the imperial decree. Although he was ultimately subdued by the male and female protagonists on the side of justice, just think about it, someone capable of patricide and faking decrees, is this someone to be trifled with?
If I hadnât warned you, you might end up a lifeless Doraemon for the rest of your life."
Jiang Laiâs hand inexplicably started to ache.
Was he really that brutal?
"I know what youâre thinking, wanting to kill him, right? Iâm telling you, never ever entertain that thought. The most extraordinary man in the story isnât the protagonist, but the antagonist, Chu Tianci. Although heâs crippled, his martial arts skills are unmatched, and his strategies and schemes are unfathomable. The only reason the protagonist became Emperor in the end is that Chu Tianci succumbed to illness.
So in the finale, he wasnât defeated; he was worn out to death, and once he died, the protagonist had no rival.
Even the protagonists, who are children of fortune, couldnât stand against him.
And you, youâre just cannon fodder, so I advise you to hunker down until youâre sure."
Jiang Lai wasnât stupid; if he couldnât win, it would be pure folly to try.
"I canât linger for long, so let me quickly brief you on your mission.
The original owner had a special physique, so losing weight was difficult. Your first task is to slim down; you donât need to be too thin, just maintain a balanced and healthy physique.
The second task, the original ownerâs parents were exiled after the protagonist ascended to the throne, so you must protect them and fulfill their modest wish to reach high positions.
Third task..."
"Stop, stop, stop, am I going through a level-clearing game? Does it never end?"
"Let me finish, the third task is quite simple, the original ownerâs main characteristic was laziness, lazy to use the brain and think about messy things, so you have to adhere to the character, endure to the end, stay lazy to the end."
Jiang Lai listened, feeling like Little Buding was just spouting nonsense.
"How am I supposed to lose weight while being lazy?"
"Youâll have to strike that balance yourself. Just remember, the antagonist Chu Yunci is exceedingly meticulous, donât break character, endure to the end."
As the words fell, Jiang Lai felt a sudden downward plunge in her body, followed by a hard crash onto something hard yet warm.
Remembering Little Budingâs words, Jiang Laiâs actions outpaced her thoughts, opening her eyes swiftly to assess the situation, and sure enough, as she looked down, lying beneath her was a man in luxurious clothing.
At first glance, Jiang Laiâs eyes lit up.
Goodness! He was dressed in a purple robe, its collar wide open revealing a large expanse of fair, sturdy chest. Under the dark hair draped over the glowing brocade, Chu Yunciâs face was dazed, with his slanted sword brows underlined by long, sharp eyes struggling with a hint of clarity.
Seeing the confusion in his eyes fade, replaced by a piercing chill, Jiang Lai felt a surge of coldness down her spine, snapping her back to reality.
Chu Yunci, staring at the plump woman before him, felt his disgust quickly succumbing to murderous intent. He reached for his waist, about to draw his blade, when the woman before him suddenly pinched her own arm, then shook her head vigorously.
Immediately after, she extended her hand towards him, the blade in her hand icy and sharp. He watched her motions coldly, prepared to spill her blood the moment she touched him.
Then, in the next second, her hand hovered over his chest, shaking as she helped close his robe, even tidying it up a bit.
"Itâs a cold day, donât catch a chill."
With that said, she clumsily tumbled out of bed, rummaging the floor for shoes with her backside sticking up, causing a frown on the bedded Chu Yunci.
This woman... she had quite the big backside.
Jiang Lai was unaware of Chu Yunciâs thoughts. If she had known, she would have risked everything to confront him.
For her, the urgent matter was survival.
A mere glance was enough to know she couldnât take him on; though he was crippled, she was merely a rotund figure, barely managing to withstand two punches from him.
Outside, the sound of guests moving about filled the air. Dressed haphazardly, Jiang Lai certainly couldnât leave, and with the drugâs effect still lingering, she relied entirely on the cold floor to calm herself down.
The poison in Chu Yunci was evidently more potent, but due to his profound skill, he regained his composure after a brief lapse.
"Second Prince, I know nothing. I woke up to find myself lying on you. Your Highness, with your sagacity, please spare me."
Without a care for the details, she pleaded her innocence first.
Chu Yunci found her bothersome, realizing who was behind the drugging on his first sight of Jiang Lai.
"You taint my body, and still expect mercy?"
Chu Yunciâs hand itched for violence; he had never endured such humiliation, only wanting to take something from Jiang Lai to vent his anger.
Sensing his killing intent, Jiang Lai, possessing a strong will to survive, quickly tucked her hands into her sleeves and hastily said.
"Your Highness, if you create a commotion now, it will undoubtedly alert the guests outside. Although there was nothing inappropriate between us, malicious individuals will surely spread this incident, tarnishing your reputation.
If I die, so be it. If it alleviates Your Highnessâs anger, I have no complaints, but surely your reputation is more important. Spare me for now, and I will certainly do everything I can to help Your Highness uncover the malicious manipulator behind this!"
Chu Yunci, watching the woman crouched on the ground before him, saw the cleverness and slyness in her eyes.
She was smart, and her arguments made sense.
"Then tell me, how do you plan to help me uncover the person behind this?"
"It was my husband, heâs long been weary of me. By framing you and me, he could divorce me without blame and tarnish Your Highnessâs reputation, branding you with the accusation of molesting a sister-in-law in front of His Majesty.
If this plot fails, he surely has more schemes. When the time comes, I will seize his weaknesses and present them to Your Highness."
What Jiang Lai said was both everything and nothing, but it fit her character â a bit cunning yet lacking grand wisdom, not raising Chu Yunciâs suspicions.
Jiang Lai quietly placed Chu Yunciâs shoes neatly aside, placing them at the side of the bed.
"Your Highness, with the cold outbreak recently, itâs best to wear extra layers for warmth."
Look at those legs, theyâre already purple with cold.
Instantly, the heavy killing intent surged anew, but Jiang Lai pretended not to feel it, quietly picking up a blanket to cover Chu Yunciâs legs, before tidying up the bedding.
"Please, take care, Your Highness."