The Disabled Tyrant’s Pet Palm Fish [Transmigration] - Chap 40
Chap 40
“Your majesty, is Wang-gonggong saying that perhaps there’s some kind of strange smell on me
that fumed the fish?” Qiu-shi couldn’t stop her face from turning black. Was this fish insulting
her and saying that she smelled? Impossible! This fish was clearly deliberately causing trouble
for her.
The 3rd Prince, Mu TianMing, who has been waiting for this opportunity for quite a while,
exchanged gazes with concubine Qian. Concubine Qian took the opportunity to say: “There’s no
need to get angry, Qiu-jiejie. This fish was fine with his highness, Jing-wang. Why would it start
feeling…… unwell as soon as it saw you?”
Concubine Qian wasn’t like Wang Xi. She couldn’t shamelessly say a fish can sneeze.
Concubine Qian also didn’t smell anything herself so she chose some more tactful words.
“Perhaps it really smelled a strange fragrance. Sister just received an injury. Why not let the
imperial physician come over and examine it again. What if the condition of the wound has
changed? It’s better to be cautious.”
Qiu-shi: “……”
Qiu-shi thought concubine Qian was up to no good. She was just about to refuse, however, the
Emperor felt concubine Qian’s words were full of concern. After thinking briefly, he said:
“Concubine Qian’s words sound reasonable. Let the imperial physician come examine it again.”
The physician from before was summoned again. Mu TianMing(3) reminded specifically: “Take
special care to examine carefully if Concubine Qian’s injury has changed or have some kind of
strange aroma.”
The imperial physician acknowledged it, examining even more meticulously than the previous
times. Qiu-shi couldn’t help but feel anxious internally. However, she didn’t even know herself
what kind of problem this injury would have.
When the imperial physician finished their examination before, they said that Concubine Qiu
needed to recuperate quietly. However, this time, the physician knelt down on the floor and
asked for forgiveness. They reported to the Emperor that Concubine Qian’s injury was fine, but
there was the smell of cypress wood at the site of injury. Before the imperial physician only
examined the wound itself and never noticed this detail.
Smell of cypress wood?
For a moment, the Emperor didn’t get it. However, this at least proved that Jing-wang’s fish
really did smell something special.
The Emperor’s good impression of Jing-wang’s fish rose some more.
The usually gentle and cordial 6th Prince pondered for a moment and blurted out an epiphany:
“Father, if I remember correctly, Concubine Qiu’s Zhongcui Palace didn’t grow any cypress
trees. So the injury on concubine Qiu’s arm……”
Like someone waking up abruptly from a dream, the Emperor turned towards Qiu-shi and said in
a severe tone: “Qiu-shi, were you lying to me? Tell me, where exactly did you receive this
injury?”
Concubine Qiu’s legs started trembling as soon as the imperial physician mentioned cypress
wood. When the Emperor sent a glare over, concubine Qiu’s mind went completely blank. With
a shudder, she immediately dropped to her knees.
How was she supposed to explain why there was the aroma of cypress wood on her injury–
cypress wood that wasn’t present at all in Zhongcui Palace?
A servant hastily entered the hall and whispered some quiet words to Mu TianMing(3). The 3rd
Prince’s eyes lit up. He immediately got up and said: “Father, regarding the fire inside Zhongcui
Palace, I received a new development over here. I hear the servant Huan Hua from Zhongcui
Palace disappeared. My guards just accidentally discovered a female corpse inside the Imperial
Garden After investigations, they determined that it was Huan Hua.”
What??
The little carp disliked palace struggles and thought it was boring. Instead, he had been secretly
playing games with Jing-wang’s fingers and really having quite the fun. When he heard these
words, he was completely stupefied. This small character called Huan Hua didn’t actually die in
the original novel. So why was she dead now?
Was the reason why the 3rd prince made no progress at first and needed Li Yu to intervene
because……
The 3rd Prince’s words didn’t actually clarify if Huan Hua died because of a suicide or a
homicide.
If it was the former, it might have been because the small planned fire inside Zhongcui Palace
became a big fire. Huan Hua feared that she couldn’t deal with the aftermath so ended her own
life. If it’s the latter, who would kill Huan Hua? Li Yu couldn’t figure it out just based on the 3rd
Prince’s words. Nevertheless, the most suspicious person was Qiu-shi.
After learning this news, Qiu-shi also immediately revealed a surprised expression.
The 3rd Prince secretly hid his delight and stated clearly: “I heard this Huan Hua was once
Concubine Qiu’s personal servant. Fortunately before she died, she left a note and pointed out
the person who murdered her.”
Concubine Qiu felt the situation was turning for the worst. The Emperor’s face immediately fell:
“Present it to me.”
After this was the examination period. The 3rd Prince’s guard verified that Huan Hua was killed
by someone else. Before she died, she wrote a testimony that pointed at none other than her
master, concubine Qiu. Huan Hua also mentioned in the testimony that concubine Qiu was the
one who ordered her to start the fire in the first place; and because concubine Qiu feared that she
would expose the secret, she killed Huan Hua.
For the victim of a homicide to be able to leave behind a testimony, this matter most likely
wasn’t as simple as it looked. Li Yu instinctively felt that something seemed wrong. However,
Qiu-shi’s actions that were written in Huan Hua’s testimony were all true.
The Emperor immediately ordered people to follow the words in the testimony and head towards
Yaxing Terrance in search. Very quickly, they found the cypress branch, handkerchief and other
unfavorable evidence against Qiu-shi. They even found eyewitnesses that had seen Qiu-shi
appearing at Yaxing Terrance before.
No matter how Huan Hua died, the fact that Qiu-shi ordered her to start the fire was true. The
fact that Qiu-shi burned herself to trick the Emperor was true. She might even need to take
responsibility for the murder. With these crimes, even if the Emperor had once felt a tiny bit of
pity towards Qiu-shi, that feeling has completely dissipated now.
Before the Emperor thought Qiu-shi’s arrogance, obstinance, and failure to educate the 2nd
Prince properly was mainly because he had disclosed his intent to crown the 2nd prince, which
caused Qiu-shi and the 2nd Prince to become extremely bold and ambitious. Who would have
imagined that Qiu-shi had the heart of a snake all along……
Qiu-shi sank to her knees on the ground. Facing all of this hard evidence, she didn’t even have
the chance to try to defend herself. The Emperor immediately demoted her into a commoner in
front of all of the other concubines and sent her the cold palace. Then he ordered Luo RuiSheng
to head to Marquis An’s estate and reprimand him severely.
It was impossible for Qiu-shi and Marquis An to make any waves now.
Mu TianMing(3) shot Mu TianXiao(6) a pleased look. This was what he wanted. To ensure that
this mother and son pair would never be able to get up again. Only like this can his position be
stabilized.
The 3rd Prince flaunted. The 6th prince gave an obedient faint smile in return.
Jing-wang couldn’t really tolerate Qiu-shi’s wailing and crying. He gave his farewell to the
Emperor. The Emperor still felt some interest towards the little carp. However, now was clearly
not the time to study this auspicious sign. The Emperor ordered Jing-wang to come to the
Imperial Palace another day for discussion.
When Jing-wang left, the 6th Prince stared attentively at Jing-wang, looking pensive. Jing-wang
sensed the 6th Prince’s gaze as well. He also discovered that one of the 6th Prince’s hands was
hanging by his side, withdrawn in his sleeve this entire time, never once taken outside before.
Jing-wang raises his eyebrow without any change in expression.
Mu TianXiao(6) smiled and then revealed both hands from his sleeves, raising them in salute
towards Jing-wang. He said warmly: “5th elder brother, take care.”
Seeing the 6th Prince’s hands faultless, Jing-wang also politely nodded his head at him.
Li Yu stayed inside the crystal bottle, carried along by Jing-wang for a while. Jing-wang brought
him into the imperial palace a few times before already. He can more or less recognize the way.
He could tell that after leaving the imperial palace, they didn’t actually head towards the
direction of the Prince’s estate.
Jing-wang’s unwavering side profile was like the surface of a blade. Following behind him were
over a dozen black-clothed guards. To the side, Wang Xi had the corner of his mouth
downturned, expression solemn.
What were they going to do? The little carp was perplexed.
Recalling this section in the original novel where Qiu-shi got face-slapped, it was mainly a
confrontation between the 3rd Prince’s party and the 2nd Prince’s party. Jing-wang wasn’t
actually present. In the original book, the fire only damaged a room inside the palace. The
intensity of the fire wasn’t large at all. Huan Hua also didn’t die. Qui-shi was demoted, but
wasn’t sent to the Cold Palace; so she was still able to struggle at death’s door for a little while
longer. But now the reality was that not only was Jing-wang present, he even passed on the info
to the 3rd Prince and used the 3rd Prince to get rid of the villain Qiu-shi. Qiu-shi’s end was much
more tragic than what happened in the book……
On the surface of this battle, the 3rd Prince and 6th Prince were victorious. In actuality, Jing-
wang was the winner in the end.
Jolting, Li Yu suddenly recalled Huan Hua’s death. Huan Hua didn’t kill herself, so who exactly
killed her?
The little carp secretly glanced at Jing-wang. Why would Jing-wang have a heavy killing aura
surrounding him again? Was Huan Hua secretly killed by Jing-wang?
Very quickly, he found his answer.
The night was already dark. Jing-wang carried the crystal bottle and made several turns. Finally,
he stopped in front of a residence and waved his hand briefly.
Behind him, the black-clothed guards all faded into the darkness of the night. Jing-wang also
found a secret place to conceal himself, quietly looking at this residence from afar.
The residence was extremely clamorous. The sound of scolding and reprimands floated over
from time to time, as if there were people arguing nonstop inside. After a while, a person came
out surrounded by an entourage, walking by furiously.
Li Yu recognized this person. This was head manager Luo RuiSheng.
Luo-gonggong couldn’t hide his faceful of indignance and anger even if he wanted to. To the
side, an attendant hastily coaxed him, saying: “To dare talk back when someone so favored by
the Emperor like gonggong graced his presence here on imperial orders, Marquis An is really
such a fool. Looks like he definitely won’t be able to climb back up again.”
Luo RuiSheng was pretty furious, but for his attendant to say it so bluntly, Luo-gonggong still
felt it wasn’t quite appropriate: “There’s no need to speak like that about Marquis An. He’s still a
prince.”
The attendant beside him didn’t care however: “Ai gonggong, you’ve seen all sorts of things in
this world. So what if he’s a fallen phoenix? Without the Emperor’s favor, he doesn’t even
compare to a chicken.”
That was indeed the case. Luo RuiSheng scoffed in contempt and didn’t speak anymore.
Li Yu finally realized from their conversation that this was Marquis An’s courtyard. Just now the
Emperor ordered Head Manager Luo to come and reprimand him. That’s why Head manager
Luo would appear here.
Luo-gonggong and his entourage quickly walked far. Jing-wang waited until those people left
before ordering the black-clothed guards to surround the residence. Wrapping the chain of the
crystal bottle around his hand several times again and holding it firmly, Jing-wang took in a
breath and jumped, leaping onto the roof.
Li Yu, who was taken into the sky without any warning at all: !!!
Li Yu steadied himself and took a glance. It was pitch-black all over. The tyrant master
unexpectedly carried his pet fish and ended up crouching on the roof of Marquis An’s house.
Li Yu didn’t know what Jing-wang planned to do. It’s not like he could get out of the crystal
bottle anyways. Therefore, he just curiously went along with Jing-wang. He saw Jing-wang
holding the crystal bottle extremely firmly with one hand while quietly uncovering a tile on the
roof. The faint yellow candlelight from the room below instantly leaked out.
Li Yu: “……”
The little carp immediately moved his fish head closer. Was Jing-wang peeping at Marquis An’s
misfortunate appearance? He also wanted to see!
Not knowing if it was deliberate, Jing-wang moved slightly to the side. The little carp that was
moving about randomly inside the crystal bottle stopped and was able to perfectly see clearly the
scene inside the room below.
Marquis An had been imprisoned inside his residence for many days. The floor of this room was
full of broken pieces of chinaware and pottery. There were barely any decorative items in good
condition.
Mu TianZhao(2) slumped on a red sandalwood chair, covering his head with his hands
dejectedly. Ever since he’s been in solitary confinement, he hasn’t been able to see the Emperor
at all. Now he received the news that Qiu-shi was sent to the Cold Palace. The Emperor even
specifically sent Luo RuiSheng over to reprimand him. Mu TianZhao(2) was born a royal prince.
When has he received such humiliation? Unable to hold back his anger, he actually ended up
arguing with Luo-gonggong. Regretting now was completely too late.
He spent his recent days extremely ill-at-ease, often hitting and yelling at the people beside him.
His wife, son and daughters didn’t dare to approach him. Only one or two brave servants
gathered the courage to come take care of him.
An elder servant carried over a bowl of soup and quietly attempted to coax Mu TianZhao(2). Mu
TianZhao(2) waved his hand in annoyance, and cursed loudly. The servant didn’t dare to stay
any longer and quietly retreated outside.
Li Yu was just looking at the activity below. Seeing the normally fairly clean faced 2nd Prince
currently with an unkempt face of beard, the fish felt extremely satisfied. However, Jing-wang
didn’t actually plan to just observe. Suddenly he moved, reaching his hand into his robes and
pulling out an object.
With a glance, Li Yu instantly became dumbfounded. This item…… was the fish pillow that he
lost a long time ago!
This fish pillow was the reward he received from his first mission. Made from a special material,
it looked the same as the fish from before. Normal people could only discern it wasn’t a real fish
by touching it. He had completely forgotten when he lost it. How did Jing-wang get it?
Thinking about how Jing-wang silently collected his fish pillow and refused to return it, Li Yu:
“……”
Jing-wang pulled out a string that was thin like a piece of hair and tied it on the fish pillow’s tail.
Then he looked towards the observing little carp and blinked deliberately.
Li Yu: “……”
Li Yu felt like Jing-wang’s expression carried a nefarious smile, like he was about to get his
way. Li Yu was still curious what the other was going to do, Jing-wang already nimbly lowered
the fish pillow into the room by the string.
Li Yu: “………………”
Li Yu swiftly followed the view. He saw the fish pillow silently dip into the bowl of soup.
Because it was connected to the thin string and Jing-wang picked a good timing, the landing
didn’t make any noise. Mu TianZhao(2) who was cursing and swearing didn’t notice anything at
all.
After he finished cursing the servant, Mu TianZhao(2) then cursed Luo-gonggong. After all this
insulting, he felt somewhat thirsty so he picked up the bowl of soup from the table. Without
looking, he took a sip of the soup.
After drinking, he abruptly caught sight of the dirty grey fish floating in the bowl.
The fish that always brought him misfortune.
Extremely frightened, Mu TianZhao(2) lost his grip and dropped the bowl to the floor.
“It wasn’t me. It wasn’t me. Don’t come find me!” Mu TianZhao(2) frantically shook his head,
staring wide-eyed at the fish that fell to the floor. The fish didn’t move at all, as if dead. Mu
TianZhao(2) still recoiled in terror.
Recalling something, he desperately scratched at his throat, letting out high pitched screams:
“Someone, someone come quick! Help! Save me!”
Mu TianZhao(2) didn’t dare to look at the fish on the floor anymore. He also didn’t dare to stay
inside the room by himself. Staggering, he scrambled outside.
Why would Mu TianZhao(2) react so drastically?
Li Yu was somewhat puzzled. He knew that Mu TianZhao(2) hated him a lot. But there’s no
need to look so terrified upon seeing the fish pillow, scrambling frantically to escape, yelling on
the top of his lungs for help, and all. That was really too dramatic. It’s not like a fish can bite!
Unless……
A thought flashed in Li Yu’s head. He combined it with Mu TianZhao(2)’s abnormal behavior.
Back then his fish food was poisoned and then the poisoned food was almost swallowed by Gale.
Was that Mu TianZhao(2)’s doing?
Therefore upon seeing the fish pillow, Marquis An, who had a guilty conscience, thought the fish
he had poisoned to death now returned as a ghost to demand for his life. Perhaps he even
thought…… the soup that he drank just now was also poisoned?
Marquis An, who had been cut off from all news, didn’t even know that this food-ingredient carp
was still alive, fine and dandy.
Li Yu suddenly understood Marquis An’s thought process. He also understood why Jing-wang
insisted on bringing his pet fish while climbing Marquis An’s roof and why he lowered the fish
pillow down.
Li Yu took in a deep breath. If Marquis An really did try to harm fish, then Jing-wang he…… he
was probably getting revenge for fish.
The little carp glanced at the deranged Marquis An who was yelling and screaming loudly down
below. Then he glanced at the calm and quiet Jing-wang by his side. He couldn’t help but want
to rub against his master a little.
How could this person…treat fish so well?
He felt like Huan Hua was definitely not killed by Jing-wang. Because in order to deal with the
2nd Prince, Jing-wang was even capable of doing it directly like this. There was really no reason
for him to make all the turns to get rid of a palace servant who didn’t need to die.
While Marquis An was searching all over for help, Jing-wang quickly drew back the fish pillow
and put it away properly. Then carrying the crystal bottle, he jumped down from the roof,
landing softly.
“Your highness!” Wang Xi rushed over. He was responsible for assisting Jing-wang from below.
Now that Marquis An has completely lost his power and influence. It was time for him to repay
what he owed the Jing Estate.
Jing-wang first gave Marquis An quite a scare. He still remembered the fear that Xiao Yu
expressed when he killed the female assassin. Jing-wang learned from that experience. There
was no need to let Xiao Yu see anything too vicious. He only allowed Xiao Yu to see Marquis
An receiving a little scare to get a little payback.
Next, Jing-wang gave Wang Xi a hand gesture apathetically: when he leaves, make sure to do it
cleanly.
After Wang Xi received the order, Jing-wang carried the fish back to the estate first. Wang Xi
waited until his master walked pretty far before ordering the guards who were hidden in ambush
in the surrounding to start.
The next day, Marquis An’s Estate was in uproar. The rumour was that after Marquis An had
been reprimanded by the Emperor, he was in a terrible mood and started to drink to vent his
anger. After getting drunk, he randomly walked around and lost his footing, falling into a pond
inside his residence. When he was found and pulled out by the servants, he was already breathing
out more than he breathed in.
The Emperor was furious. Marquis An’s behavior was practically equivalent to expressing his
discontent towards the Emperor bluntly. However, considering Marquis An was still a prince, the
emperor still sent the imperial physician over to treat him. The imperial physician was highly
skilled and managed to save Marquis An’s life. But after Marquis An woke up, he was
completely insane, saying “It wasn’t me.” one minute, then “It was me” the next. No one knew
what he meant.
The Emperor was utterly disappointed by this son and ordered Marquis An to be confined strictly
to avoid letting him out and scaring other people. Since Qiu-shi was sent to the Cold Palace,
there was really no one who’d foolishly mention Marquis An in front of the Emperor now.
Every estate had loyal servants. Marquis An was no exception. Some of Marquis An’s servants
found Head Manager Luo and stuffed him with money, wanting Head Manager Luo to ask the
Emperor for mercy. Luo RuiSheng smiled in agreement, but he didn’t actually do anything after
accepting the money. Who let Marquis An offend him previously?
Sinners should get what they deserve.
Jing Estate.
Jing-wang just brought the fish back when the servants came to report the good news. The new
fish tank that was being built inside the Jing estate all these days has finally been completed after
the artisans rushed overtime nonstop.
Li Yu was originally somewhat tired. After learning this news, he immediately became energetic
again and acted cute towards Jing-wang unceasingly, blowing bubbles. What kind of fish tank
did Jing-wang make for him? He already heard about it several times. He was about to die from
curiosity!
Nowadays, as soon as the demon carp waved its tail, Jing-wang would immediately know what it
wanted. Following the fish’s will, he was in no rush to take the fish out of the crystal bottle.
Instead, he brought the fish to see the new fish tank.
All of the fences that encircled the Jing Estate where construction occurred have been removed,
revealing the location’s true appearance. Li Yu let out a sound of surprise, completely
dumbstruck.
It wasn’t possible to know without looking, but all of the pools and lotus ponds inside the various
courtyards inside the Jing Estate were dug through. The open areas that didn’t have any ponds
before were all dug up as well to make ponds. After connecting everything, a huge fish tank was
formed. The size of this new fish tank pretty much covered the entire estate.
No. This can no longer be called a fish tank; a fish pond was more appropriate. The fish pond
was filled with clean, clear water. The water flowed with a murmur. There was even a small
water wheel built to the side. About every ten steps, there were guards present, preventing others
from coming close.
Li Yu looked at the new fish tank that didn’t seem to have an end in sight, faintly stunned. He
felt his eyes heat up with tears.
So big, was all of this for him? He did double in size, it’s true. Yet Jing-wang actually built him
such a huge new fish tank……
QQQ Fish feels so touched!
Jing-wang bent down and tilted the crystal bottle slightly, wanting the little carp to try swimming
in the new fish tank.
Yet the little carp refused to swim out of the crystal bottle no matter what. Jing-wang had no
other choice but to take the fish out from the bottle himself.
The little carp looked at him with its black round eyes, fish head rubbing adorably against his
hand.
Jing-wang smiled and placed the fish into the water. This was his gift for Xiao Yu. He hoped
Xiao Yu would like it.
After dealing with Marquis An, Jing-wang felt no ripples in his heart. Now however, his thick
killing intent had completely changed into a slight embarrassment.
The little carp reluctantly spun around in circles beneath Jing-wang’s feet before finally starting
to swim. Then it swam faster and faster. The pond water left rows of sparkling waves behind the
fish’s body.
This was the first time Li Yu swam freely inside a pond after transmigrating into this book. And
he swam such a long distance. At first he was somewhat overcautious. When he caught sight of
the view under the water, it immediately grabbed the fish’s attention.
This wasn’t actually a normal fish pond. The extremely fastidious and meticulous Jing-wang
ordered people to create an underwater world to be gifted only to the fish.
The stone walls under the water were embedded with iridescent pearls here and there,
illuminating the originally dim pond water like daytime. The continuously undulating pond floor
was covered with stones that were polished smooth and round with all sorts of colors. In the
middle, there was a pavilion with a garden that was filled with miniaturized mountains and trees
made with jade stones, all carved with real landscape as a template.
The little carp looked at it in amazement, swimming over slowly in appreciation. Gradually, he
recognized that this was the view of the Jing Estate. The craftsmen were very skillful. The
images they carved were extremely lifelike and detailed. Even roads, vendors, pedestrians, horse
carriages, and even dogs and cats were all sculpted and carved out.
Because he was always placed inside the crystal bottle and carried around by Jing-wang
everywhere, he often noticed the rowdy scenery outside of the estate. With each hurried glance,
he was filled with envy. Yet now, it was all gathered into his new fish tank, belonging only to
him.
Li Yu continued his lofty journey onward, using his fish fins to touch this and poke that, loving
everything too much to part. Although he couldn’t leave the estate, his outgoing, sociable heart
has already received the greatest satisfaction.
Last he swam to an independent house at the bottom of the pond.
Li Yu felt this house looked very familiar. Thinking for a moment, he recognized that this was
Jing-wang’s residence. Who would have thought that the tyrant master would also carve his own
residence in here.
Li Yu swam a circle around this house. He discovered that the door of the house could actually
be opened from the outside. The little carp used his mouth to clumsily nudge open the door.
Inside the courtyard, there was a jade sculpted person standing there, hair bound with a crown,
wearing royal embroidered robes, carrying a sword on his waist.
Although there were no detailed features, Li Yu immediately recognized that this was a jade
sculpture of Jing-wang. Of all the people he knew, only Jing-wang would dress like this.
Why so pitiful looking. You’re the only one here.
Li Yu tackled the jade figure with a laugh and swam around it, clinging and harassing it without
holding back.
After playing a bit, he had enough. Then he picked up the jade figure with his mouth and placed
it up right again earnestly.
Li Yu remembered that on a stone wall that was under the water, he once saw a fish shaped stone
that was used for decoration.
There were plenty of those kinds of stones. Li Yu managed to find one without much effort.
Holding one by the corner with his mouth, he forcibly pulled it off the wall.
Everything going smoothly, the fish dragged the fish shaped stone back to the jade figure. He
placed the fish shaped stone next to the jade figure and then closed the door of the residence
again.
Done. Now the tyrant master won’t be all by his lonesome anymore!
Li Yu excitedly spun around twice and returned to find his real master.
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