QT: Don't fall in love with the Male Lead

Su Xueyi looks at Xi Zirui with a dumbfounded expression, as if he expected Xi Zirui to suggest everything but what he just did.

Han Yu looks touched, as if he thinks Xi Zirui is doing his best to save him from a cruel fate.

Bai Mi forgets to laugh mockingly in her surprise.

Only Liao Min looks at him as if he's the only reasonable person in the room.

Taking advantage of the general shock, Xi Zirui continues talking, "In this lowly one's understanding, the issue stems from the Liao family having to be rewarded for their efforts in aiding the country, and for the need to discipline General Liao for taking up her late brother's mantle and unruly conduct." 

The Emperor nods silently. 

No one dares interrupt Xi Zirui, many of them expecting to see him hang himself with the rope he's been given.

Those people are in for a rude awakening, because Xi Zirui was his prefecture's debate champion two years running.

"A marriage to someone of the Imperial family would sufficiently appease the Liao family, showing them that the empire appreciates their efforts, and it would server as punishment for General Liao, as it would keep her in line, and obedient to the Imperial family," Xi Zirui says, finally stepping out from behind the muslin curtain. "This humble one understands His Majesty's reasoning for wanting First Prince to take General Liao as a consort, however this one believes that would be disruptive for the Prince's future household."

Now he has Su Xueyi's attention, he's speaking a language he understands.

If there are two words no Emperor in the history of the likes to hear together it's "disruptive" and "future".

"Please proceed, Xi-fei," Su Xueyi says, lifting his hand to silence one of his ministers who raised his paddle to speak.

"It's this one's understanding that First Prince's future First wife would be intimidated by someone of General Liao's formidable reputation. She would naturally feel oppressed by General Liao, and with her powerful family's backing, the first wife and her family might even feel slighted, wondering who the real first wife is."

Xi Zirui paces around the dais, fluttering his fan in front of his face from time to time. He wants to appear like a meek concubine whose only purpose in life is easing the Emperor's burdens, but who is unexpectedly savvy, instead of a savvy strategist who wormed himself into the Emperor's confidence. 

If someone suspects him of being the latter, he'll have bigger problems than Bai Mi.

"Those Ministers are giving Host an evil look, please be careful," Ni Ni warns, remarking on something Xi Zirui has also noticed.

Time to dumb it down. "This one believes that would happen due to his own experience in the harem, as he often frets that other concubines and consorts are more charming and clever than him, and that His Majesty will prefer them to this concubine."

He lowers his lashes demurely and hides his embarrassment behind the golden fan.

Su Xueyi's heavy gaze lands on him like a brand, his eyes blazing even behind his clam expression.

Ni Ni chimes, "Congratulations, Host! Emperor favor increased by 5 points. Current favor 49 of a possible 100 points." 

Han Yu on the other hand is giving him a calculating look, his eyes narrowed in understanding.

Xi Zirui can't avoid his pleased smile under that intense stare. Unlike Su Xueyi, Han Yu's perception of him isn't skin deep.

"Oh course this one's little insecurities don't matter as he is only a lowly concubine with no power. However, if a a First Wife were to feel this way too...who knows what trouble she would cause. A First Wife should be confident in her rank, and rule over the household with magnanimity and wisdom."

He turns around to peek at Bai Mi from above his fan, now sitting upright on her divan and watching him attentively. 

"First Prince's future First Wife should be someone like Her Royal Highness, the Empress, above all the worldly concerns and jealousies of those of lower rank than her."

Bai Mi's beautiful features tighten minutely, betraying her displeasure. She's smart enough to know Xi Zirui isn't paying her a compliment.

Su Xueyi, however, is dense as a brick wall. "This Emperor can see the wisdom in what Xi-fei says, indeed it wouldn't do to sow the seeds on unrest in First Prince's household."

One of the ministers intervenes. "Then His Majesty should marry the Liao girl to a lower rank prince."

Su Xueyi shoots him a withering look. "Did this Emperor give you permission to speak?"

The minister retreats like a turtle into his shell. "This lowly servant apologizes for speaking out of turn, may His Majesty deliver punishment for his transgression."

Su Xueyi ignores him and bids Xi Zirui to proceed.

"This one understands the impulse of marrying General Liao to another Prince, however this wouldn't be satisfactory either." He turns to Liao Min, still leaning in front of the steps below the throne. "If General Liao marries a Prince, she'll be unable to continue leading her family's troops as well as serving in the Imperial army."

Su Xueyi nods. "Of course, she's a woman, how could she?"

The corner of Xi Zirui's mouth ticks up minutely. 'I'll show you how you fucking rat bastard.'

"Host, please don't think those kind of thoughts, Ni Ni is afraid Host may speak them aloud to the Emperor's face by mistake one day," Ni Ni whines.

Xi Zirui ignores her and continues, "That would mean depriving the Liao family of a General from their own bloodline to lead their troops." 

Again, his words fall on the throne room like an anvil. 

There's no denying the logic of what he says. A military family with their own troops like the Liao family wouldn't accept their personal troops being commanded by someone from outside the family, especially considering that no Imperial Prince would marry into another family.

But a Princess could. 

Addressing Liao Min, Xi Zirui asks, "General Liao, please speak plainly, was your family aware of your ruse?"

He hopes his tone conveys how important it is that she say yes for his plan to work.

She hangs her neck and nods. "This wretched one can't lie in the Emperor's presence. This one's family knew this one was leading the troops in her brother's stead. This one begs clemency in her family's behalf."

"Would General Liao's family have any issue with her continuing to lead the troops?"

She finally lifts her head, looking up at him wide-eyed. "None, Xi-fei."

Triumphant, Xi Zirui turns to face Su Xueyi. "If General Liao were to marry an Imperial Princess, the Princess could marry into the Liao family, giving the Liao family face, and acknowledging their service to the country. Moreover, the Princess would remain in the capital to tend to the household, as is proper for one of her station, while the General would be free to continue going on campaigns with the army."

Before someone can raise complaints, Xi Zirui finishes his reasoning. "This marriage would bring the Liao family into the Imperial family's fold, thus ensuring a tighter control of their private troops' movements. It would be the ideal scenario for His Majesty."

Su Xueyi rises from his throne and paces around the dais, his hands clasped behind his back. His brows are furrowed in deep thought as he tries to find fault with Xi Zirui's unorthodox suggestion. 

He won't find any.

"General Liao and the Princess wouldn't be able to have legitimate children," he says, after a good five minutes of internal reflection.

Is that all?

Xi Zirui shrugs, nonchalant. "That isn't necessarily a bad thing. The Liao family will be getting plenty of honors in other ways, but General Liao still must be punished for her infraction. This can be her punishment. Besides, hasn't His Majesty just said that he's been reconsidering the benefits of children lately?"

Looking directly at Bai Mi, Xi Zirui smiles sweetly. "His Majesty has so many children, does it really matter if one of them can't give him grandchildren?"

He thinks he hears a tiny crack that might be Bai Mi breaking her priceless fan in her fist.

"What will the people say?! A female General marrying an Imperial Princess...preposterous!" A wizened minister shouts, shaking with barely suppressed rage at the upstart concubine's brazen words.

Xi Zirui fixes him an unimpressed look from above his fan. "What the people will hear is that General Liao will be marrying an Imperial princess. General Liao Mu's death is still only known among a few people, upon hearing the news the people will simply assume it is the brother who will be marrying the Princess. How many of them will get close enough to find out the truth? Besides, the General already has the trust of the men in her troop, it's unlikely they will care either way. Those who make trouble should be relocated to some other regiment." 

Ni Ni chimes excitedly. "Host, great news, Emperor's approval up by 20 points. No, 26 points! Emperor's favor now at 75 of a possible 100 points. Congratulations Host on surpassing the 50 points and 75 points bottlenecks at once! Host has unlocked special rewards in the System shop!"

Xi Zirui barely has time to make sense of Ni Ni's inane babbling, because Su Xueyi is sweeping him into his arms, and kissing him soundly on the lips, in front of everyone in attendance.

It's not quite the public throne chair sex Xi Zirui feared, but it still sends and unpleasant shiver down his back.

He refrains from wiping his mouth in disgust when Su Xueyi finally lets go of him, but it's a close thing.

"Xi-fei is most wise, it will be done as he suggests," Su Xueyi says, turning to his ministers.

"But, Your Majesty..." a brave soul tries to argue before the Emperor's glare shuts him down.

Turning to Liao Min, Su Xueyi asks, "I trust that this alternative will be more to General Liao's liking, in regards to keeping her military rank."

Liao Min clasps her fist in front of her chest and bows to Su Xueyi, dignified in her shining armor and tight topknot. "This lowly one is thankful for His Majesty's mercy and will praise him for a thousand years."

The Emperor dismisses her with an uninterested hum. "The General may return to her rooms, the details of the upcoming wedding will be discussed tomorrow. This Emperor will make a decision regarding who is to be the General's bride."

Liao Min salutes one last time and leaves the throne room, a lightness in her steps that wasn't there before.

Su Xueyi turns to Han Yu with a disdainful frown. "First Prince may leave as well, his presence is no longer required. He can count himself lucky that Xi-fei is as loyal as the First Prince is unfilial."

Lips stretched into a tight line, Han Yu bows to his father, and briefly meets Xi Zirui's eyes before turning on his heel.

He's almost at the door, when he hears the Emperor announce:

"Xi-fei will be moved to the Spring Chrysanthemum pavilion of the Peach Blossom courtyard," Su Xueyi tells one of the court attendants who writes everything down. "Make sure to relocate his servants as well."

Bai Mi steps down from her divan and slinks towards Su Xueyi, an unctuous smile plastered on her painted lips. "Has his Majesty forgotten? The Spring Chrysanthemum pavilion is A-Yun's residence."

She flickers her trailing sleeve backwards to point towards the young man with the bird-like bones.

Su Xueyi gives him passing glance before sitting back down on his throne, and announcing. "Not anymore. Xi-fei will relocate to the Spring Chrysanthemum pavilion, that's an order." To Xi Zirui he turns with a fond smile. "Xi-fei can expect my visit tonight, to see how he's settling in."

Ni Ni chimes, almost making Xi Zirui's fake smile slip. "Speaking of Chrysanthemums...how does Host plan to protect his?"

For once Ni Ni has actually asked a pertinent question, Xi Zirui only wishes he had an answer for her.